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EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - Oaktree Specialty Lending Corpw76394exv32w1.htm
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EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - Oaktree Specialty Lending Corpw76394exv32w2.htm
EX-10.8 - EX-10.8 - Oaktree Specialty Lending Corpw76394exv10w8.htm
EX-10.7 - EX-10.7 - Oaktree Specialty Lending Corpw76394exv10w7.htm
EX-10.6 - EX-10.6 - Oaktree Specialty Lending Corpw76394exv10w6.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - Oaktree Specialty Lending Corpw76394exv31w2.htm
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
     
(Mark One)    
 
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-33901
 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
     
DELAWARE   26-1219283
(State or jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
10 Bank Street, 12th Floor   10606
White Plains, NY   (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive office)    
 
 
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:
(914) 286-6800
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
 
     
    Name of Each Exchange
Title of Each Class
 
on Which Registered
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
 
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  YES o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  YES o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods as the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES þ     NO o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer o
  Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)  YES o     NO þ
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 31, 2009 is $164,916,706. The registrant had 37,878,987 shares of common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2009.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
None
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
             
        Page
 
PART I
Item 1.   Business     1  
Item 1A.   Risk Factors     23  
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments     38  
Item 2.   Properties     38  
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings     38  
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     38  
 
PART II
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     39  
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data     42  
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     43  
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     62  
Item 8.   Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     63  
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     103  
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures     103  
Item 9B.   Other Information     104  
 
PART III
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     105  
Item 11.   Executive Compensation     108  
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     109  
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     111  
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services     112  
 
PART IV
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     113  
Signatures     115  
Exhibit Index     116  


 

 
PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
General
 
We are a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies in connection with investments by private equity sponsors. We define small and mid-sized companies as those with annual revenues between $25 million and $250 million. We are externally managed and advised by Fifth Street Management LLC, whose six principals collectively have over 50 years, and individually have between four years and 14 years, of experience lending to and investing in small and mid-sized companies. Fifth Street Management LLC, which we also refer to as our “investment adviser,” is an affiliate of Fifth Street Capital LLC, a private investment firm founded and managed by Leonard M. Tannenbaum who has led the investment of over $600 million in small and mid-sized companies, including the investments made by Fifth Street Finance Corp., since 1998.
 
Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity investments. To meet our investment objective we seek to (i) capitalize on our investment adviser’s strong relationships with private equity sponsors; (ii) focus on transactions involving small and mid-sized companies which we believe offer higher yielding debt investment opportunities, lower leverage levels and other terms more favorable than transactions involving larger companies; (iii) continue our growth of direct originations; (iv) employ disciplined underwriting policies and rigorous portfolio management practices; (v) structure our investments to minimize risk of loss and achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns; and (vi) leverage the skills and experience of our investment adviser.
 
As of September 30, 2009, we have originated $343.4 million of funded debt and equity investments and our portfolio totaled $299.6 million at fair value and was comprised of 28 investments, 26 of which were in operating companies and two of which were in private equity funds. The weighted average annual yield of our debt investments as of September 30, 2009 was approximately 15.7%. Our investments generally range in size from $5 million to $40 million and are principally in the form of first and second lien debt investments, which may also include an equity component. As of September 30, 2009, all of our debt investments were secured by first or second priority liens on the assets of our portfolio companies. Moreover, we held equity investments consisting of common stock, preferred stock, or other equity interests in 22 out of 28 portfolio companies as of September 30, 2009.
 
Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P., our predecessor fund, commenced operations as a private partnership on February 15, 2007. Effective as of January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into us. We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the “1940 Act.” We were formed in late 2007 for the purpose of acquiring Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. and continuing its business as a public entity.
 
As a business development company, we are required to comply with regulatory requirements, including limitations on our use of debt. We are permitted to, and expect to, finance our investments using debt and equity. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation.” We elected, effective as of January 2, 2008, to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, or “Code.” See “Item 1. Business — Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company.” As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends if we meet certain source-of-income, distribution and asset diversification requirements.
 
Our principal executive office is located at 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, New York 10606 and our telephone number is (914) 286-6800.


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The Investment Adviser
 
Our investment adviser is led by six principals who collectively have over 50 years, and individually have between four years and 14 years, of experience lending to and investing in small and mid-sized companies. Our investment adviser is affiliated with Fifth Street Capital LLC, a private investment firm founded and managed by Leonard M. Tannenbaum who has led the investment of over $600 million in small and mid-sized companies, including the investments made by Fifth Street, since 1998. Mr. Tannenbaum and his respective private investment firms have acted as the lead (and often sole) first or second lien investor in over 50 investment transactions. The other investment funds managed by these private investment firms generally are fully committed and, other than follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies, are no longer making investments.
 
We benefit from our investment adviser’s ability to identify attractive investment opportunities, conduct diligence on and value prospective investments, negotiate investments and manage a diversified portfolio of those investments. The principals of our investment adviser have broad investment backgrounds, with prior experience at investment funds, investment banks and other financial services companies and have developed a broad network of contacts within the private equity community. This network of contacts provides our principal source of investment opportunities.
 
The principals of our investment adviser are Mr. Tannenbaum, our president and chief executive officer and our investment adviser’s managing partner, Marc A. Goodman, our chief investment officer and our investment adviser’s senior partner, Juan E. Alva, a partner of our investment adviser, Bernard D. Berman, our chief compliance officer, executive vice president and secretary and a partner of our investment adviser, Ivelin M. Dimitrov, a partner of our investment adviser, and William H. Craig, our chief financial officer.
 
Business Strategy
 
Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity investments. We have adopted the following business strategy to achieve our investment objective:
 
  •  Capitalize on our investment adviser’s strong relationships with private equity sponsors.  Our investment adviser has developed an extensive network of relationships with private equity sponsors that invest in small and mid-sized companies. We believe that the strength of these relationships is due to a common investment philosophy, a consistent market focus, a rigorous approach to diligence and a reputation for delivering on commitments. In addition to being our principal source of originations, we believe that private equity sponsors provide significant benefits including incremental due diligence, additional monitoring capabilities and a potential source of capital and operational expertise for our portfolio companies.
 
  •  Focus on established small and mid-sized companies.  We believe that there are fewer finance companies focused on transactions involving small and mid-sized companies than larger companies, and that this is one factor that allows us to negotiate favorable investment terms. Such favorable terms include higher debt yields and lower leverage levels, more significant covenant protection and greater equity grants than typical of transactions involving larger companies. We generally invest in companies with established market positions, seasoned management teams, proven products and services and strong regional or national operations. We believe that these companies possess better risk-adjusted return profiles than newer companies that are building management or in early stages of building a revenue base.
 
  •  Continue our growth of direct originations.  We directly originated 100% of our investments. Over the last several years, the principals of our investment adviser have developed an origination strategy designed to ensure that the number and quality of our investment opportunities allows us to continue to directly originate substantially all of our investments. We believe that the benefits of direct originations include, among other things, our ability to control the structuring of investment protections and to generate origination and exit fees.


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  •  Employ disciplined underwriting policies and rigorous portfolio management.  Our investment adviser has developed an extensive underwriting process which includes a review of the prospects, competitive position, financial performance and industry dynamics of each potential portfolio company. In addition, we perform substantial diligence on potential investments, and seek to invest with private equity sponsors who have proven capabilities in building value. As part of the monitoring process, our investment adviser will analyze monthly and quarterly financial statements versus the previous periods and year, review financial projections, meet with management, attend board meetings and review all compliance certificates and covenants.
 
  •  Structure our investments to minimize risk of loss and achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns.  We structure our loan investments on a conservative basis with high cash yields, cash origination fees, low leverage levels and strong investment protections. As of September 30, 2009, the weighted average annual yield of our debt investments was approximately 15.7%, which includes a cash component of 12.9%. The 26 debt investments in our portfolio as of September 30, 2009, had a weighted average debt to EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) multiple of 3.6x calculated at the time of origination of the investment. Finally, our debt investments have strong protections, including default penalties, information rights, board observation rights, and affirmative, negative and financial covenants, such as lien protection and prohibitions against change of control. We believe these protections, coupled with the other features of our investments described above, should allow us to reduce our risk of capital loss and achieve attractive risk adjusted returns; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully structure our investments to minimize risk of loss and achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns.
 
  •  Leverage the skills and experience of our investment adviser.  The six principals of our investment adviser collectively have over 50 years, and individually have between four years and 14 years, of experience lending to and investing in small and mid-sized companies. The principals of our investment adviser have broad investment backgrounds, with prior experience at private investment funds, investment banks and other financial services companies and they also have experience managing distressed companies. We believe that our investment adviser’s expertise in valuing, structuring, negotiating and closing transactions provides us with a competitive advantage by allowing us to provide financing solutions that meet the needs of our portfolio companies while adhering to our underwriting standards.
 
Investment Criteria
 
The principals of our investment adviser have identified the following investment criteria and guidelines for use in evaluating prospective portfolio companies and they use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating investment opportunities for us. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines were, or will be, met in connection with each of our investments.
 
  •  Established companies with a history of positive operating cash flow.  We seek to invest in established companies with sound historical financial performance. We typically focus on companies with a history of profitability on an operating cash flow basis. We do not intend to invest in start-up companies or companies with speculative business plans.
 
  •  Ability to exert meaningful influence.  We target investment opportunities in which we will be the lead/sole investor in our tranche and in which we can add value through active participation, often through advisory positions.
 
  •  Private equity sponsorship.  We generally seek to invest in companies in connection with private equity sponsors who have proven capabilities in building value. We believe that a private equity sponsor can serve as a committed partner and advisor that will actively work with the company and its management team to meet company goals and create value. We assess a private equity sponsor’s commitment to a portfolio company by, among other things, the capital contribution it has made or will make in the portfolio company.


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  •  Seasoned management team.  We generally will require that our portfolio companies have a seasoned management team, with strong corporate governance. We also seek to invest in companies that have proper incentives in place, including having significant equity interests, to motivate management to act in accordance with our interests.
 
  •  Defensible and sustainable business.  We seek to invest in companies with proven products and/or services and strong regional or national operations.
 
  •  Exit strategy.  We generally seek to invest in companies that we believe possess attributes that will provide us with the ability to exit our investments. We expect to exit our investments typically through one of three scenarios: (i) the sale of the company resulting in repayment of all outstanding debt, (ii) the recapitalization of the company through which our loan is replaced with debt or equity from a third party or parties or (iii) the repayment of the initial or remaining principal amount of our loan then outstanding at maturity. In some investments, there may be scheduled amortization of some portion of our loan which would result in a partial exit of our investment prior to the maturity of the loan.
 
Deal Origination
 
Our deal originating efforts are focused on building relationships with private equity sponsors that are focused on investing in the small and mid-sized companies that we target. We divide the country geographically into Eastern, Central and Western regions and emphasize active, consistent sponsor coverage. Over the last ten years, the investment professionals of our investment adviser have developed an extensive network of relationships with these private equity sponsors. We estimate that there are approximately 1,400 of such private equity firms and our investment adviser has active relationships with approximately 120 of them. An active relationship is one through which our investment adviser has received at least one investment opportunity from the private equity sponsor within the last year.
 
Our investment adviser reviewed over 240 potential investment transactions with private equity sponsors for the year ended September 30, 2009. All of the investment transactions that we have completed to date were originated through our investment adviser’s relationships with private equity sponsors. We believe that our investment adviser has a reputation as a reliable, responsive and efficient source of funding to support private equity investments. We believe that this reputation and the relationships of our investment adviser with private equity sponsors will provide us with significant investment opportunities.
 
Our origination process is designed to efficiently evaluate a large number of opportunities and to identify the most attractive of such opportunities. A significant number of opportunities that clearly do not fit our investment criteria are screened by the partners of our investment adviser when they are initially identified. If an originator believes that an opportunity fits our investment criteria and merits consideration, the investment is presented to our investment adviser’s Investment Committee. This is the first stage of our origination process, the “Review” stage. During this stage, the originator gives a preliminary description of the opportunity. This is followed by preliminary due diligence, from which an investment summary is created that includes a scoring of the investment against our investment adviser’s proprietary scoring model. The opportunity may be discussed several times by the full Investment Committee of our investment adviser, or subsets of that Committee. At any point in this stage, we may reject the opportunity, and, indeed, we have historically decided not to proceed with more than 80% of the investment opportunities reviewed by our investment adviser’s Investment Committee.
 
For the subset of opportunities that we decide to pursue, we issue preliminary term sheets and classify them in the “Term Sheet Issued” stage. This term sheet serves as a basis for negotiating the critical terms of a transaction. At this stage we begin our underwriting and investment approval process, as more fully described below. After the term sheet for a potential transaction has been fully negotiated, the transaction is presented to our investment adviser’s Investment Committee for approval. If the deal is approved, the term sheet is signed. Approximately half of the term sheets we issue result in an executed term sheet. Our underwriting and investment approval process is ongoing during this stage, during which we begin documentation of the loan. The final stage, “Closings,” culminates with the funding of an investment only after all due diligence is


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satisfactorily completed and all closing conditions, including the sponsor’s funding of its investment in the portfolio company, have been satisfied.
 
Underwriting
 
Underwriting Process and Investment Approval
 
We make our investment decisions only after consideration of a number of factors regarding the potential investment including, but not limited to: (i) historical and projected financial performance; (ii) company and industry specific characteristics, such as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; (iii) composition and experience of the management team; and (iv) track record of the private equity sponsor leading the transaction. Our investment adviser uses a proprietary scoring system that evaluates each opportunity. This methodology is employed to screen a high volume of potential investment opportunities on a consistent basis.
 
If an investment is deemed appropriate to pursue, a more detailed and rigorous evaluation is made along a variety of investment parameters, not all of which may be relevant or considered in evaluating a potential investment opportunity. The following outlines the general parameters and areas of evaluation and due diligence for investment decisions, although not all will necessarily be considered or given equal weighting in the evaluation process.
 
Management assessment
 
Our investment adviser makes an in-depth assessment of the management team, including evaluation along several key metrics:
 
  •  The number of years in their current positions;
 
  •  Track record;
 
  •  Industry experience;
 
  •  Management incentive, including the level of direct investment in the enterprise;
 
  •  Background investigations; and
 
  •  Completeness of the management team (lack of positions that need to be filled).
 
Industry dynamics
 
An evaluation of the industry is undertaken by our investment adviser that considers several factors. If considered appropriate, industry experts will be consulted or retained. The following factors are analyzed by our investment adviser:
 
  •  Sensitivity to economic cycles;
 
  •  Competitive environment, including number of competitors, threat of new entrants or substitutes;
 
  •  Fragmentation and relative market share of industry leaders;
 
  •  Growth potential; and
 
  •  Regulatory and legal environment.
 
Business model and financial assessment
 
Prior to making an investment decision, our investment adviser will undertake a review and analysis of the financial and strategic plans for the potential investment. There is significant evaluation of and reliance upon the due diligence performed by the private equity sponsor and third party experts including accountants and consultants. Areas of evaluation include:
 
  •  Historical and projected financial performance;
 
  •  Quality of earnings, including source and predictability of cash flows;


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  •  Customer and vendor interviews and assessments;
 
  •  Potential exit scenarios, including probability of a liquidity event;
 
  •  Internal controls and accounting systems; and
 
  •  Assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities.
 
Private equity sponsor
 
Among the most critical due diligence investigations is the evaluation of the private equity sponsor making the investment. A private equity sponsor is typically the controlling shareholder upon completion of an investment and as such is considered critical to the success of the investment. The equity sponsor is evaluated along several key criteria, including:
 
  •  Investment track record;
 
  •  Industry experience;
 
  •  Capacity and willingness to provide additional financial support to the company through additional capital contributions, if necessary; and
 
  •  Reference checks.
 
Investments
 
We target debt investments that will yield meaningful current income and provide the opportunity for capital appreciation through equity securities. We typically structure our debt investments with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. In most cases, our debt investment will be collateralized by a first or second lien on the assets of the portfolio company. As of September 30, 2009, all of our debt investments were secured by first or second priority liens on the assets of the portfolio company.
 
Debt Investments
 
We tailor the terms of our debt investments to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that seeks to protect our rights and manage our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan. A substantial source of return is monthly cash interest that we collect on our debt investments. As of September 30, 2009, we directly originated 100% of our loans. We are currently focusing our new origination efforts on first lien loans.
 
  •  First Lien Loans.  Our first lien loans generally have terms of four to six years, provide for a variable or fixed interest rate, contain prepayment penalties and are secured by a first priority security interest in all existing and future assets of the borrower. Our first lien loans may take many forms, including revolving lines of credit, term loans and acquisition lines of credit.
 
  •  Second Lien Loans.  Our second lien loans generally have terms of five to six years, primarily provide for a fixed interest rate, contain prepayment penalties and are secured by a second priority security interest in all existing and future assets of the borrower. Our second lien loans often include payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the principal that generally becomes due at maturity. As of September 30, 2009, all second lien loans had intercreditor agreements requiring a standstill period of no more than 180 days. During the standstill period, we are generally restricted from exercising remedies against the borrower or the collateral in order to provide the first lien lenders time to cure any breaches or defaults by the borrower.
 
  •  Unsecured Loans.  Although we currently do not have any investments in unsecured loans, we may in the future. We would expect any unsecured investments generally to have terms of five to six years and provide for a fixed interest rate. We may make unsecured investments on a stand-alone basis, or in connection with a senior secured loan, a junior secured loan or a “one-stop” financing. Our unsecured


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  investments may include payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the principal that generally becomes due at maturity, and an equity component, such as warrants to purchase common stock in the portfolio company.
 
We typically structure our debt investments to include covenants that seek to minimize our risk of capital loss. Our debt investments have strong protections, including default penalties, information rights, board observation rights, and affirmative, negative and financial covenants, such as lien protection and prohibitions against change of control. Our debt investments also have substantial prepayment penalties designed to extend the life of the average loan, which we believe will help to grow our portfolio.
 
The 26 debt investments in our portfolio as of September 30, 2009, had a weighted average debt to EBITDA multiple of 3.6x calculated at the time of origination of the investment.
 
Equity Investments
 
When we make a debt investment, we may be granted equity in the company in the same class of security as the sponsor receives upon funding. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in connection with private equity sponsors. We generally seek to structure our equity investments, such as direct equity co-investments, to provide us with minority rights provisions and event-driven put rights. We also seek to obtain limited registration rights in connection with these investments, which may include “piggyback” registration rights.
 
Limited Partnership Investments
 
We make investments in Limited Partnership funds of our equity sponsors. In general, we make these investments where we have a long term relationship and are comfortable with the sponsor’s business model and investment strategy.
 
Portfolio Management
 
Active Involvement in our Portfolio Companies
 
As a business development company, we are obligated to offer to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies and to provide it if requested. In fact, we provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies as a general practice and we seek investments where such assistance is appropriate. We monitor the financial trends of each portfolio company to assess the appropriate course of action for each company and to evaluate overall portfolio quality. We have several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance of our investments, including but not limited to, the following:
 
  •  review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies;
 
  •  periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;
 
  •  attendance at board meetings;
 
  •  periodic formal update interviews with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the private equity sponsor; and
 
  •  assessment of business development success, including product development, profitability and the portfolio company’s overall adherence to its business plan.
 
Rating Criteria
 
In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, we use an investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and our expected level of returns on each investment in our


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portfolio. We use a five-level numeric rating scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:
 
  •  Investment Rating 1 is used for investments that are performing above expectations and/or a capital gain is expected.
 
  •  Investment Rating 2 is used for investments that are performing substantially within our expectations, and whose risks remain neutral or favorable compared to the potential risk at the time of the original investment. All new loans are initially rated 2.
 
  •  Investment Rating 3 is used for investments that are performing below our expectations and that require closer monitoring, but where we expect no loss of investment return (interest and/or dividends) or principal. Companies with a rating of 3 may be out of compliance with financial covenants.
 
  •  Investment Rating 4 is used for investments that are performing below our expectations and for which risk has increased materially since the original investment. We expect some loss of investment return, but no loss of principal.
 
  •  Investment Rating 5 is used for investments that are performing substantially below our expectations and whose risks have increased substantially since the original investment. Investments with a rating of 5 are those for which some loss of principal is expected.
 
In the event that we determine that an investment is underperforming, or circumstances suggest that the risk associated with a particular investment has significantly increased, we will undertake more aggressive monitoring of the effected portfolio company. While our investment rating system identifies the relative risk for each investment, the rating alone does not dictate the scope and/or frequency of any monitoring that we perform. The frequency of our monitoring of an investment is determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the trends in the financial performance of the portfolio company, the investment structure and the type of collateral securing our investment, if any.
 
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value as of September 30, 2009:
 
                 
Investment Rating
  Fair Value     % of Portfolio  
 
1
  $ 22,913,497       7.65 %
2
    248,506,393       82.94 %
3
    6,122,236       2.04 %
4
    16,377,904       5.47 %
5
    5,691,107       1.90 %
                 
Total
  $ 299,611,137       100.00 %
                 
 
Exit Strategies/Refinancing
 
We expect to exit our investments typically through one of three scenarios: (i) the sale of the company resulting in repayment of all outstanding debt, (ii) the recapitalization of the company in which our loan is replaced with debt or equity from a third party or parties or (iii) the repayment of the initial or remaining principal amount of our loan then outstanding at maturity. In some investments, there may be scheduled amortization of some portion of our loan which would result in a partial exit of our investment prior to the maturity of the loan.
 
Determination of Net Asset Value and the Valuation Process
 
We determine the net asset value per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. The net asset value per share is equal to the value of our total assets minus liabilities and any preferred stock outstanding divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.


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We are required to report our investments that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available at fair value. The fair value is deemed to be the value at which an enterprise could be sold in a transaction between two willing parties other than through a forced or liquidation sale.
 
Under the guidance included in FASB Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which we adopted effective October 1, 2008, we perform detailed valuations of our debt and equity investments on an individual basis, using market based, income based, and bond yield approaches as appropriate.
 
Under the market approach, we estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio companies in which we invest. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is best expressed as a range of fair values, from which we derive a single estimate of enterprise value. To estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company, we analyze various factors, including the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results. Typically, private companies are valued based on multiples of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), cash flows, net income, revenues, or, in limited cases, book value. We generally require portfolio companies to provide annual audited and quarterly and monthly unaudited financial statements, as well as annual projections for the upcoming fiscal year.
 
Under the income approach, we generally prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models based on our projections of the future free cash flows of the business. Under the bond yield approach, we use bond yield models to determine the present value of the future cash flow streams of our debt investments. We review various sources of transactional data, including private mergers and acquisitions involving debt investments with similar characteristics, and assess the information in the valuation process.
 
We also may, when conditions warrant, utilize an expected recovery model, whereby we use alternate procedures to determine value when the customary approaches are deemed to be not as relevant or reliable.
 
Our Board of Directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter in connection with determining the fair value of our investments:
 
  •  Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the deal team within our investment adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;
 
  •  Preliminary valuations are then reviewed and discussed with the principals of our investment adviser;
 
  •  Separately, an independent valuation firm engaged by the Board of Directors prepares preliminary valuations on a selected basis and submits a report to us;
 
  •  The deal team compares and contrasts its preliminary valuations to the report of the independent valuation firm and resolves any differences;
 
  •  The deal team prepares a final valuation report for the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors;
 
  •  The Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors reviews the final valuation report, and the deal team responds and supplements the final valuation report to reflect any comments provided by the Valuation Committee;
 
  •  The Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors; and
 
  •  The Board of Directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith.
 
The fair value of all of our investments at September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, was determined by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is solely responsible for the valuation of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to our valuation policy and our consistently applied valuation process.


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Our Board of Directors has engaged an independent valuation firm to provide us with valuation assistance. Upon completion of its process each quarter, the independent valuation firm provides us with a written report regarding the preliminary valuations of selected portfolio securities as of the close of such quarter. We will continue to engage an independent valuation firm to provide us with assistance regarding our determination of the fair value of selected portfolio securities each quarter; however, our Board of Directors is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of our investments in good faith.
 
An independent valuation firm, Murray, Devine & Co., Inc., provided us with assistance in our determination of the fair value of 91.9% of our portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, 92.1% of our portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, 91.7% of our portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, 92.8% of our portfolio for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, 100% of our portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, 88.7% of our portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (or 96.0% of our portfolio excluding our investment in IZI Medical Products, Inc., which closed on March 31, 2009 and therefore was not part of the independent valuation process), 92.1% of our portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and 28.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
 
Our $50 million credit facility with Bank of Montreal was terminated effective September 16, 2009. The facility required independent valuations for at least 90% of the portfolio on a quarterly basis. With the termination of this facility, this valuation test is no longer required. However, we still intend to have a portion of the portfolio valued by an independent third party on an quarterly basis, with a substantial portion being valued on an annual basis.
 
Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates. The notes to our financial statements will refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.
 
Competition
 
We compete for investments with a number of business development companies and investment funds (including private equity funds and mezzanine funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of financing. Many of these entities have greater financial and managerial resources than we do. We believe we are able to be competitive with these entities primarily on the basis of the experience and contacts of our management team, our responsive and efficient investment analysis and decision-making processes, the investment terms we offer, and our willingness to make smaller investments.
 
We believe that some of our competitors make first and second lien loans with interest rates and returns that are comparable to or lower than the rates and returns that we target. Therefore, we do not seek to compete solely on the interest rates and returns that we offer to potential portfolio companies. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risk Relating to Our Business and Structure — We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.”
 
Employees
 
We do not have any employees. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our investment adviser. See “Item 1. Business — Investment Advisory Agreement.” Our investment adviser employs a total of 16 investment professionals, including its six principals. In addition, we reimburse our administrator, FSC, Inc., for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under an administration agreement, including the compensation of our chief financial officer and his staff, and the staff of our chief compliance officer. For a more detailed discussion of the administration agreement, see “Item 1. Business — Administration Agreement.”


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Legal Proceedings
 
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of our operations in the normal course of business or otherwise, we are currently not a party to any pending material legal proceedings.
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 
Overview of Our Investment Adviser
 
Management Services
 
Our investment adviser, Fifth Street Management, is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the “Advisers Act.” Our investment adviser serves pursuant to the investment advisory agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our Board of Directors, our investment adviser manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory services. Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, our investment adviser:
 
  •  determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;
 
  •  determines what securities we purchase, retain or sell;
 
  •  identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make; and
 
  •  executes, monitors and services the investments we make.
 
Our investment adviser’s services under the investment advisory agreement may not be exclusive and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to us are not impaired.
 
Management Fee
 
Base Management Fee
 
We pay our investment adviser a fee for its services under the investment advisory agreement consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the base management fee payable to our investment adviser and any incentive fees earned by our investment adviser will ultimately be borne by our common stockholders.
 
The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2% of our gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears, and is calculated based on the value of our gross assets at the end of each fiscal quarter, and appropriately adjusted on a pro rata basis for any equity capital raises or repurchases during such quarter. The base management fee for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately prorated.
 
In addition to the proration described above, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, our investment advisor waived approximately $172,000 of the base management fee on a portion of the proceeds raised in connection with the equity offerings that we completed in the quarter and which were held in cash or cash equivalents at September 30, 2009.
 
Incentive Fee
 
The incentive fee has two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. For this purpose, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the fiscal quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the administration agreement with FSC, Inc., and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as


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original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 2% per quarter (8% annualized), subject to a “catch-up” provision measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee. The operation of the incentive fee with respect to our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each quarter is as follows:
 
  •  no incentive fee is payable to the investment adviser in any fiscal quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 2% (the “preferred return” or “hurdle”).
 
  •  100% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.5% in any fiscal quarter (10% annualized) is payable to the investment adviser. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.5%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide our investment adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.5% in any fiscal quarter.
 
  •  20% of the amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.5% in any fiscal quarter (10% annualized) is payable to the investment adviser once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved.
 
The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the incentive fee:
 
Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income”
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)
 
(EQUATION)
 
Percentage of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment
Income allocated to income-related portion of incentive fee
 
The second part of the incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the investment advisory agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on September 30, 2008, and equals 20% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each fiscal year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees, provided that, the incentive fee determined as of September 30, 2008 was calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from inception.


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Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee for Each Fiscal Quarter
 
Alternative 1
 
Assumptions
 
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%
Hurdle rate(1) = 2%
Management fee(2) = 0.5%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(investment income − (management fee + other expenses) = 0.55%
 
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no income-related incentive fee.
 
Alternative 2
 
Assumptions
 
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.9%
Hurdle rate(1) = 2%
Management fee(2) = 0.5%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(investment income − (management fee + other expenses) = 2.2%
 
  Incentive fee = 100% × Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (subject to “catch-up”)(4)
= 100% × (2.2% − 2%)
= 0.2%
 
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the hurdle rate, but does not fully satisfy the “catch-up” provision, therefore the income related portion of the incentive fee is 0.2%.
 
Alternative 3
 
Assumptions
 
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.5%
Hurdle rate(1) = 2%
Management fee(2) = 0.5%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(investment income − (management fee + other expenses) = 2.8%
Incentive fee = 100% × Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (subject to “catch-up”)(4)
Incentive fee = 100% × “catch-up” + (20% × (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income − 2.5%))
 
Catch up  
= 2.5% − 2%
  = 0.5%
 
Incentive fee  
= (100% × 0.5%) + (20% × (2.8% − 2.5%))
  = 0.5% + (20% × 0.3%)
  = 0.5% + 0.06%
  = 0.56%
 
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the hurdle rate, and fully satisfies the “catch-up” provision, therefore the income related portion of the incentive fee is 0.56%.
 
 
(1) Represents 8% annualized hurdle rate.
 
(2) Represents 2% annualized base management fee.
 
(3) Excludes organizational and offering expenses.


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(4) The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide our investment adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any fiscal quarter.
 
Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee(*):
 
Alternative 1:
 
Assumptions
 
Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”)
 
Year 2:  Investment A sold for $50 million and fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $32 million
 
Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million
 
Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million
 
The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
 
Year 1: None
 
Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $6 million — ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20%)
 
Year 3: None — $5 million (20% multiplied by ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)
 
Year 4: Capital gains incentive fee of $200,000 — $6.2 million ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20%) less $6 million (capital gains incentive fee taken in Year 2)
 
Alternative 2
 
Assumptions
 
Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”)
 
Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25 million
 
Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million
 
Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million
 
Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million
 
The capital gains incentive fee, if any, would be:
 
Year 1: None
 
Year 2: $5 million capital gains incentive fee — 20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)
 
Year 3: $1.4 million capital gains incentive fee(1) — $6.4 million (20% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5 million capital gains incentive fee received in Year 2
 
Year 4: None
 
Year 5: None — $5 million (20% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million cumulative capital gains incentive fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3(2)
 
 
The hypothetical amounts of returns shown are based on a percentage of our total net assets and assume no leverage. There is no guarantee that positive returns will be realized and actual returns may vary from those shown in this example.


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(1) As illustrated in Year 3 of Alternative 1 above, if we were to be wound up on a date other than our fiscal year end of any year, we may have paid aggregate capital gains incentive fees that are more than the amount of such fees that would be payable if we had been wound up on our fiscal year end of such year.
 
(2) As noted above, it is possible that the cumulative aggregate capital gains fee received by our investment adviser ($6.4 million) is effectively greater than $5 million (20% of cumulative aggregate realized capital gains less net realized capital losses or net unrealized depreciation ($25 million)).
 
Payment of Our Expenses
 
Our primary operating expenses are the payment of a base management fee and any incentive fees under the investment advisory agreement and the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by FSC, Inc. in performing its obligations under the administration agreement. Our investment management fee compensates our investment adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, executing, monitoring and servicing our investments. We bear all other expenses of our operations and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to:
 
  •  offering expenses;
 
  •  the cost of calculating our net asset value;
 
  •  the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our common stock and other securities;
 
  •  management and incentive fees payable pursuant to the investment advisory agreement;
 
  •  fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making investments and valuing investments (including third-party valuation firms);
 
  •  transfer agent and custodial fees;
 
  •  fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events);
 
  •  federal and state registration fees;
 
  •  any exchange listing fees;
 
  •  federal, state and local taxes;
 
  •  independent directors’ fees and expenses;
 
  •  brokerage commissions;
 
  •  costs of proxy statements, stockholders’ reports and notices;
 
  •  costs of preparing government filings, including periodic and current reports with the SEC;
 
  •  fidelity bond, liability insurance and other insurance premiums; and
 
  •  printing, mailing, independent accountants and outside legal costs and all other direct expenses incurred by either our investment adviser or us in connection with administering our business, including payments under the administration agreement that will be based upon our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by FSC, Inc. in performing its obligations under the administration agreement and the compensation of our chief financial officer and his staff, and the staff of our chief compliance officer.
 
Duration and Termination
 
The investment advisory agreement was first approved by our Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, on December 13, 2007 and by a majority of the limited partners of Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. through a written consent first solicited on December 14, 2007. On March 14, 2008, our Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, approved an amendment to the investment


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advisory agreement that revised the investment advisory agreement to clarify the calculation of the base management fee. Such amendment was also approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities through a written consent first solicited on April 7, 2008. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the investment advisory agreement, as amended, will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it was approved by the Board of Directors and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by the Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not interested persons. The investment advisory agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The investment advisory agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the other. The investment advisory agreement may also be terminated, without penalty, upon the vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
 
Indemnification
 
The investment advisory agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of their respective duties and obligations, our investment adviser and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members (or their owners) and any other person or entity affiliated with it, are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our investment adviser’s services under the investment advisory agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.
 
Organization of our Investment Adviser
 
Our investment adviser is a Delaware limited liability company that registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Our investment adviser maintains addresses at 10 Bank Street, 12th floor, White Plains, NY 10606 and 500 W. Putnam Ave., Suite 400, Greenwich, CT 06830.
 
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement
 
At a meeting of our Board of Directors held on December 13, 2007, our Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement. In reaching a decision to approve the investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement, the Board of Directors reviewed a significant amount of information and considered, among other things:
 
 
  •  the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by Fifth Street Management, our investment adviser;
 
  •  the fee structures of comparable externally managed business development companies that engage in similar investing activities; and
 
  •  various other matters.
 
Based on the information reviewed and the discussions detailed above, the Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates and terms are fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided and approved the investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement as being in the best interests of our stockholders.
 
On March 14, 2008, our Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, approved an amendment to the investment advisory agreement that revised the investment advisory agreement to clarify the calculation of the base management fee. In reaching the decision to approve the amendment, our Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, followed the same process, and made the same findings, as described above.


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Administration Agreement
 
We have also entered into an administration agreement with FSC, Inc. under which FSC, Inc. provides administrative services for us, including office facilities and equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such facilities. Under the administration agreement, FSC, Inc. also performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, FSC, Inc. assists us in determining and publishing our net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally overseeing the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. For providing these services, facilities and personnel, we reimburse FSC, Inc. the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by FSC, Inc. in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of our chief financial officer and his staff, and the staff of our chief compliance officer. FSC, Inc. may also provide on our behalf managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party.
 
The administration agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of their respective duties and obligations, FSC, Inc. and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of services under the administration agreement or otherwise as administrator for us.
 
Securities Exchange Act Reports
 
We maintain a website at www.fifthstreetfinance.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
We make available on or through our website certain reports and amendments to those reports that we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These include our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K. We make this information available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
 
Regulation
 
We have elected to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates, principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. The 1940 Act requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
 
The 1940 Act defines “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) 50% of our voting securities.
 
As a business development company, we will not generally be permitted to invest in any portfolio company in which our investment adviser or any of its affiliates currently have an investment or to make any co-investments with our investment adviser or its affiliates without an exemptive order from the SEC.


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Qualifying Assets
 
Under the 1940 Act, a business development company may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are any of the following:
 
(1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:
 
(a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;
 
(b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly-owned by the business development company) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and
 
(c) satisfies any of the following:
 
(i) does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;
 
(ii) has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;
 
(iii) is controlled by a business development company or a group of companies including a business development company and the business development company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company;
 
(iv) is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million; or
 
(v) meets such other criteria as may be established by the SEC.
 
(2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company that we control.
 
(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.
 
(4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.
 
(5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.
 
(6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.
 
In addition, a business development company must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.
 
Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies
 
In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, we must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where we


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purchase such securities in connection with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers, employees or other agents, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.
 
Temporary Investments
 
Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement (which is essentially a secured loan) involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our investment adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.
 
Senior Securities
 
We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of debt and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we may be prohibited from making a distribution to our stockholders or repurchasing shares of our capital stock under certain circumstances unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Regulations governing our operation as a business development company and RIC will affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.”
 
Common Stock
 
We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and that of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). On June 24, 2009, our stockholders approved a proposal that authorizes us to sell shares of our common stock below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock in one or more offerings for a period ending on the earlier of June 24, 2010 or the date of our next annual meeting of stockholders. In connection with the receipt of such stockholder approval, we agreed to limit the number of shares that we issue at a price below net asset value pursuant to this authorization so that the aggregate dilutive effect on our then outstanding shares will not exceed 15%. We have completed two offerings of shares of our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value pursuant to this authorization, which closed on July 21, 2009 and September 25, 2009, respectively. The aggregate dilutive effect that these two offerings have had on our outstanding shares of common stock is 9.1%, which leaves 5.9% remaining of the


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dilution limit we have imposed. We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Regulations governing our operation as a business development company and RIC will affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes which may have a negative effect on our growth.”
 
Code of Ethics
 
We have adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and we have also approved the investment adviser’s code of ethics that was adopted by it under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act. These codes establish procedures for personal investments and restrict certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to either code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the requirements of the applicable code. You may also read and copy the codes of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on our website at http://www.fifthstreetfinance.com.
 
Compliance Policies and Procedures
 
We and our investment adviser have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws and are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation. Our chief compliance officer is responsible for administering these policies and procedures.
 
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
 
We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to our investment adviser. The proxy voting policies and procedures of our investment adviser are set forth below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by our investment adviser and our non-interested directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.
 
Introduction
 
As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, our investment adviser has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, it recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients.
 
These policies and procedures for voting proxies for the investment advisory clients of our investment adviser are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.
 
Proxy policies
 
Our investment adviser will vote proxies relating to our securities in the best interest of its clients’ stockholders. It will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted for a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by its clients. Although our investment adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on its clients’ portfolio securities, it may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long term reasons to do so.
 
The proxy voting decisions of our investment adviser are made by the senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of its clients’ investments. To ensure that its vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, it will require that: (a) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to its chief compliance officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (b) employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how our investment adviser intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.


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Proxy voting records
 
You may obtain information, without charge, regarding how we voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Fifth Street Finance Corp., Chief Compliance Officer, 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, NY 10606.
 
Other
 
We are subject to periodic examination by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.
 
We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a business development company, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
 
Small Business Administration Regulations
 
Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners IV, L.P., our wholly-owned subsidiary, is seeking to be licensed by the Small Business Administration, or SBA, as a small business investment company, or SBIC, under Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. We are the sole limited partner of Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners IV, L.P. and the sole member of FSMP IV GP, LLC, the general partner of Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners IV, L.P.
 
On May 19, 2009, we received a letter from the Investment Division of the SBA that invited us to continue moving forward with the licensing of an SBIC subsidiary. Although our application to license this entity as an SBIC with the SBA is subject to the SBA approval, we remain cautiously optimistic that we will complete the licensing process. Our SBIC subsidiary will have an investment objective similar to ours and will make similar types of investments in accordance with SBIC regulations.
 
To the extent that we receive an SBIC license, our SBIC subsidiary will be allowed to issue SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the required capitalization of the SBIC subsidiary. SBA guaranteed debentures carry long-term fixed rates that are generally lower than rates on comparable bank and other debt. Under the regulations applicable to SBICs, an SBIC may have outstanding debentures guaranteed by the SBA generally in an amount up to twice its regulatory capital, which generally equates to the amount of its equity capital. The SBIC regulations currently limit the amount that our SBIC subsidiary may borrow to a maximum of $150 million. This means that our SBIC subsidiary may access the full $150 million maximum available if it has $75 million in regulatory capital. However, we are not required to capitalize this subsidiary with $75 million and may determine to capitalize it with a lesser amount. In addition, if we are able to obtain financing under the SBIC program, our SBIC subsidiary will be subject to regulation and oversight by the SBA, including requirements with respect to maintaining certain minimum financial ratios and other covenants. On July 14, 2009, we received a letter from the SBA indicating that our SBIC subsidiary’s application had been approved for further processing and our SBIC subsidiary is eligible to make pre-licensing investments. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, our SBIC subsidiary funded one pre-licensing investment.
 
In connection with the filing of our SBIC license application, we will apply for exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to exclude the debt of our SBIC subsidiary guaranteed by the SBA from our consolidated asset coverage ratio, which will enable us to fund more investments with debt capital. There can be no assurance that we will be granted an SBIC license or that, if granted, it will be granted in a timely manner, that if we are granted an SBIC license we will be able to capitalize the subsidiary to $75 million to access the full $150 million maximum borrowing amount available, or that we will receive the exemptive relief from the SEC.
 
If we receive an SBIC license, our SBIC subsidiary will be periodically examined and audited by the Small Business Administration’s staff to determine its compliance with SBIC regulations.


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Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company
 
As a business development company, we have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any income that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To continue to qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of our realized net short-term capital gains over our realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).
 
If we:
 
  •  qualify as a RIC; and
 
  •  satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement,
 
then we will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our income we distribute (or are deemed to distribute) to our stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.
 
We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). We generally will endeavor in each taxable year to make sufficient distributions to our stockholders to avoid any U.S. federal excise tax on our earnings.
 
In order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:
 
  •  continue to qualify as a business development company under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;
 
  •  derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of certain securities, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and
 
  •  diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:
 
  •  at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and
 
  •  no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”).
 
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as PIK interest and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be


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required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.
 
Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are generally not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless the “asset coverage” test is met. Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
RISK FACTORS
 
Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our common stock. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
 
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
 
We are currently in a period of capital markets disruption and recession and conditions may not improve in the near future.
 
The U.S. capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption over the past 18 months, leading to recessionary conditions and depressed levels of consumer and commercial spending. Disruptions in the capital markets increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. While recent indicators suggest modest improvement in the capital markets, we cannot provide any assurance that these conditions will not worsen. If these conditions continue or worsen, the prolonged period of market illiquidity may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results.
 
In addition, to the extent that recessionary conditions continue or worsen, the financial results of small to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, will continue to experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced, and continue to experience, negative economic trends. The performances of certain of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may ultimately result in our receipt of a reduced level of interest income from our portfolio companies and/or losses or charge offs related to our investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income.


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Economic recessions or downturns could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay loans, which, in turn, could increase our non-performing assets, decrease the value of our portfolio, reduce our volume of new loans and harm our operating results, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Many of our portfolio companies are and may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during such periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during such periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. In this regard, as a result of current economic conditions and their impact on certain of our portfolio companies, we have agreed to modify the payment terms of our investments in nine of our portfolio companies as of September 30, 2009. Such modified terms include changes in payment-in-kind interest provisions and cash interest rates. These modifications, and any future modifications to our loan agreements as a result of the current economic conditions or otherwise, may limit the amount of interest income that we recognize from the modified investments, which may, in turn, limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Stockholders will incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock.
 
At a special meeting of stockholders held on June 24, 2009, our stockholders approved a proposal designed to allow us to access the capital markets in a way that we were previously unable to as a result of restrictions that, absent stockholder approval, apply to business development companies under the 1940 Act. Specifically, our stockholders approved a proposal that authorizes us to sell shares of our common stock below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock in one or more offerings for a period ending on the earlier of June 24, 2010 or the date of our next annual meeting of stockholders. Any decision to sell shares of our common stock below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock would be subject to the determination by our Board of Directors that such issuance is in our and our stockholders’ best interests. In connection with the receipt of such stockholder approval, we agreed to limit the number of shares that we issue at a price below net asset value pursuant to this authorization so that the aggregate dilutive effect on our then outstanding shares will not exceed 15%. We have completed two offerings of shares of our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value pursuant to this authorization, which closed on July 21, 2009 and September 25, 2009, respectively. The aggregate dilutive effect that these two offerings have had on our outstanding shares of common stock is 9.1%, which leaves 5.9% remaining of the dilution limit we have imposed.
 
If we were to sell additional shares of our common stock below net asset value per share, such sales would result in an immediate dilution to the net asset value per share. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock and a proportionately greater decrease in a stockholder’s interest in our earnings and assets and voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance.
 
Further, if our current stockholders do not purchase any shares to maintain their percentage interest, regardless of whether such offering is above or below the then-current net asset value per share, their voting power will be diluted. Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted.
 
Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.
 
Because we may borrow to fund our investments, a portion of our net investment income may be dependent upon the difference between the interest rate at which we borrow funds and the interest rate at which we invest these funds. A portion of our investments will have fixed interest rates, while a portion of our borrowings will likely have floating interest rates. As a result, a significant change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds could increase, which would reduce our net investment income. We may hedge against such interest


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rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts, subject to applicable legal requirements, including without limitation, all necessary registrations (or exemptions from registration) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. These activities may limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged borrowings. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We have a limited operating history.
 
Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. commenced operations on February 15, 2007. On January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation. As a result, we are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of our common stock could decline substantially.
 
We currently have a limited number of investments in our investment portfolio. As a result, a loss on one or more of those investments would have a more adverse effect on our company than the effect such a loss would have on a company with a larger and more diverse investment portfolio.
 
As a company with a limited operating history, we have not had the opportunity to invest in a large number of portfolio companies. As a result, until we have increased the number of investments in our investment portfolio, a loss on one or more of our investments would affect us more adversely than such loss would affect a company with a larger and more diverse investment portfolio.
 
A significant portion of our investment portfolio is and will continue to be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and, as a result, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
 
Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by our Board of Directors. Typically, there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we have invested and will generally continue to invest. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors.
 
Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to comparable publicly-traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our common stock based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the realizable value of our investments might warrant.
 
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our investment adviser’s ability to support our investment process; if our investment adviser were to lose any of its principals, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.
 
As discussed above, we were organized on February 15, 2007. We have no employees and, as a result, we depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the principals of our investment adviser. The principals of our investment adviser evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor and service our investments. Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the principals of our investment adviser, Messrs. Tannenbaum, Goodman, Alva, Berman and


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Dimitrov. The departure of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.
 
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our investment adviser’s ability to identify, analyze, invest in, finance and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. Our investment adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve our investment objective, our investment adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process. Our investment adviser may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support our investment process could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our investment adviser has no prior experience managing a business development company or a RIC.
 
The 1940 Act and the Code impose numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies and RICs that do not apply to the other investment vehicles previously managed by the principals of our investment adviser. For example, under the 1940 Act, business development companies are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of qualifying U.S. private or thinly traded companies. Moreover, qualification for taxation as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code requires satisfaction of source-of-income and diversification requirements and our ability to avoid corporate-level taxes on our income and gains depends on our satisfaction of distribution requirements. The failure to comply with these provisions in a timely manner could prevent us from qualifying as a business development company or RIC or could force us to pay unexpected taxes and penalties, which could be material. Our investment adviser does not have any prior experience managing a business development company or RIC. Its lack of experience in managing a portfolio of assets under such constraints may hinder its ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment objective.
 
Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with private equity sponsors, and the inability of the principals of our investment adviser to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
 
We expect that the principals of our investment adviser will maintain their relationships with private equity sponsors, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If the principals of our investment adviser fail to maintain their existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the principals of our investment adviser have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.
 
We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.
 
We compete for investments with other business development companies and investment funds (including private equity funds and mezzanine funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems


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from the fact that the market for investments in small and mid-sized companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financial sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company.
 
Our incentive fee may induce our investment adviser to make speculative investments.
 
The incentive fee payable by us to our investment adviser may create an incentive for it to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. The way in which the incentive fee payable to our investment adviser is determined, which is calculated separately in two components as a percentage of the income (subject to a hurdle rate) and as a percentage of the realized gain on invested capital, may encourage our investment adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments or otherwise manipulate our income so as to recognize income in quarters where the hurdle rate is exceeded. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the holders of our common stock.
 
The incentive fee payable by us to our investment adviser also may create an incentive for our investment adviser to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature. Under these investments, we would accrue the interest over the life of the investment but would not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the investment’s term, if at all. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our incentive fee, however, includes accrued interest. Thus, a portion of the incentive fee would be based on income that we have not yet received in cash and may never receive in cash if the portfolio company is unable to satisfy such interest payment obligation to us. Consequently, while we may make incentive fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a formal “claw back” right against our investment adviser per se, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which such write-off was taken and thereby reduce such period’s incentive fee payment.
 
In addition, our investment adviser receives the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is no performance threshold applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, our investment adviser may have a tendency to invest more in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.
 
Given the subjective nature of the investment decisions made by our investment adviser on our behalf, we will be unable to monitor these potential conflicts of interest between us and our investment adviser.
 
Our base management fee may induce our investment adviser to incur leverage.
 
The fact that our base management fee is payable based upon our gross assets, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, may encourage our investment adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor holders of our common stock. Given the subjective nature of the investment decisions made by our investment adviser on our behalf, we will not be able to monitor this potential conflict of interest.
 
Because we borrow money, the potential for loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.
 
Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for loss on invested equity capital. If we continue to use leverage to partially finance our investments, through borrowings from banks and other lenders, you will experience increased risks of investing in our common stock. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than


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it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock distribution payments. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.
 
Substantially all of our assets could potentially be subject to security interests under secured revolving credit facilities and if we default on our obligations under the facilities, the lenders could foreclose on our assets.
 
As is common in the business development company industry, our obligations under secured revolving credit facilities may be secured by liens on substantially all of our assets. If we default on our obligations under these facilities, the lenders may have the right to foreclose upon and sell, or otherwise transfer, the collateral subject to their security interests.
 
Because we intend to distribute between 90% and 100% of our income to our stockholders in connection with our election to be treated as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on favorable terms, our ability to grow will be impaired.
 
In order to qualify for the tax benefits available to RICs and to minimize corporate-level taxes, we intend to distribute to our stockholders between 90% and 100% of our annual taxable income, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for investment, and treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. If we elect to treat any amounts as deemed distributions, we must pay income taxes at the corporate rate on such deemed distributions on behalf of our stockholders. As a result of these requirements, we will likely need to raise capital from other sources to grow our business. As a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets, less liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to total senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings and any outstanding preferred stock, of at least 200%. These requirements limit the amount that we may borrow. Because we will continue to need capital to grow our investment portfolio, these limitations may prevent us from incurring debt and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
 
While we expect to be able to borrow and to issue additional debt and equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. Also, as a business development company, we generally are not permitted to issue equity securities priced below net asset value without stockholder approval. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, and our net asset value and share price could decline.
 
Unfavorable economic conditions or other factors may affect our ability to borrow for investment purposes, and may therefore adversely affect our ability to achieve our investment objective.
 
Unfavorable economic conditions or other factors could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy and could decrease our earnings, if any.
 
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
 
We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of the members of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any securities (other than our securities) from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we are prohibited from buying or selling any security (other than any security of which we are the issuer) from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such person, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling


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any security (other than any security of which we are the issuer) from or to any portfolio company of a private equity fund managed by our investment adviser without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
 
There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could adversely impact our investment returns.
 
Our executive officers and directors, and the members of our investment adviser, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. For example, Mr. Tannenbaum, our president and chief executive officer, and managing partner of our investment adviser, is the managing partner of Fifth Street Capital LLC, a private investment firm. Although the other investment funds managed by Fifth Street Capital LLC and its affiliates generally are fully committed and, other than follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies, are no longer making investments, in the future, the principals of our investment adviser may manage other funds which may from time to time have overlapping investment objectives with those of us and accordingly invest in, whether principally or secondarily, asset classes similar to those targeted by us. If this should occur, the principals of our investment adviser will face conflicts of interest in the allocation of investment opportunities to us and such other funds. Although our investment professionals will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, we and our common stockholders could be adversely affected in the event investment opportunities are allocated among us and other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by, or affiliated with, our executive officers, directors, and the members of our investment adviser.
 
The incentive fee we pay to our investment adviser in respect of capital gains may be effectively greater than 20%.
 
As a result of the operation of the cumulative method of calculating the capital gains portion of the incentive fee we pay to our investment adviser, the cumulative aggregate capital gains fee received by our investment adviser could be effectively greater than 20%, depending on the timing and extent of subsequent net realized capital losses or net unrealized depreciation. For additional information on this calculation, see the disclosure in footnote 2 to Example 2 under the caption “Item 1. Business — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee — Incentive Fee.” We cannot predict whether, or to what extent, this payment calculation would affect your investment in our stock.
 
The involvement of our investment adviser’s investment professionals in our valuation process may create conflicts of interest.
 
Our portfolio investments are generally not in publicly traded securities. As a result, the values of these securities are not readily available. We value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors based upon the recommendation of the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors. In connection with that determination, investment professionals from our investment adviser prepare portfolio company valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. The participation of our investment adviser’s investment professionals in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest as our investment adviser’s management fee is based, in part, on our gross assets.
 
A failure on our part to maintain our qualification as a business development company would significantly reduce our operating flexibility.
 
If we fail to continuously qualify as a business development company, we might be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would significantly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, failure to comply with the requirements imposed on business development companies by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us. For additional information on the qualification requirements of a business development company, see the disclosure under the caption “Item 1. Business — Regulation.”


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Regulations governing our operation as a business development company and RIC will affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.
 
As a result of the annual distribution requirement to qualify for tax free treatment at the corporate level on income and gains distributed to stockholders, we need to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. We generally are not able to issue or sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, which may be a disadvantage as compared with other public companies. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our Board of Directors and independent directors determine that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders as well as those stockholders that are not affiliated with us approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board of Directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any underwriting commission or discount). If our common stock trades at a discount to net asset value, this restriction could adversely affect our ability to raise capital. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Stockholders will incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock” for a discussion of a proposal approved by our stockholders that permits us to issue shares of our common stock below net asset value.
 
We also may make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices less than net asset value, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing more shares of our common stock or issuing senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders may decline at that time and such stockholders may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on terms favorable to us or at all.
 
In addition, we may issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such incurrence or issuance. Our ability to issue different types of securities is also limited. Compliance with these requirements may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities and reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend. As a business development company, therefore, we may need to issue equity more frequently than our privately owned competitors, which may lead to greater stockholder dilution.
 
We expect to continue to borrow for investment purposes. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test, which could prohibit us from paying dividends and could prevent us from qualifying as a RIC. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.
 
In addition, we may in the future seek to securitize our portfolio securities to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we would likely create a wholly-owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. We would then sell interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers and we would retain all or a portion of the equity in the subsidiary. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business or fully execute our business strategy and may decrease our earnings, if any. The securitization market is subject to changing market conditions and we may not be able to access this market when we would otherwise deem appropriate. Moreover, the successful securitization of our portfolio might expose us to losses as the residual investments in which we do not sell interests will tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The 1940 Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization.
 
We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.
 
We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate


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payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our market and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
 
Our Board of Directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.
 
Our Board of Directors has the authority to modify or waive our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and value of our stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose part or all of your investment.
 
We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or do not satisfy the annual distribution requirement.
 
To maintain RIC status and be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed to our stockholders, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements.
 
  •  The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax, however, to the extent that we do not satisfy certain additional minimum distribution requirements on a calendar-year basis. Because we may use debt financing, we are subject to an asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and we may be subject to certain financial covenants under our debt arrangements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
 
  •  The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.
 
  •  The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. To satisfy this requirement, at least 50% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.
 
If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC status or to meet the annual distribution requirement for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions.
 
We may not be able to pay you distributions, our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.
 
We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of


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cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by, among other things, the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this annual report on Form 10-K. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company can limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable business development company regulations and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.
 
When we make quarterly distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of an investor’s basis in our stock and, assuming that an investor holds our stock as a capital asset, thereafter as a capital gain.
 
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
 
For federal income tax purposes, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount or accruals on a contingent payment debt instrument, which may occur if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan or possibly in other circumstances. Such original issue discount is included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we do not receive in cash.
 
Since, in certain cases, we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed to our stockholders. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to satisfy the annual distribution requirement and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
 
We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive.
 
We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in part in our stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly designated as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for United States federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.
 
In addition, as discussed elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K, our loans typically contain a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest provision. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To avoid the imposition of corporate-level tax on us, this non-cash source of income needs to be paid out to stockholders in cash distributions or, in the event that we determine to do so, in shares of our common stock, even though we have not yet collected and may never collect the cash relating to the PIK interest. As a result, if we distribute taxable dividends in the form of our common stock, we may have to distribute a stock dividend to account for PIK interest even though we have not yet collected the cash.


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Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
 
We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make or that impose limits on our ability to pledge a significant amount of our assets to secure loans, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect.
 
Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this annual report on Form 10-K and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our investment adviser to other types of investments in which our investment adviser may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
 
Risks Relating to Our Investments
 
Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.
 
Investing in small and mid-sized companies involves a number of significant risks. Among other things, these companies:
 
  •  may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt instruments that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees from subsidiaries or affiliates of our portfolio companies that we may have obtained in connection with our investments, as well as a corresponding decrease in the value of the equity components of our investments;
 
  •  may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines, smaller market shares and/or significant customer concentrations than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;
 
  •  are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;
 
  •  generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position; and
 
  •  generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and as a result may lose part or all of our investment.
 
In addition, in the course of providing significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies, certain of our officers and directors may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. To the extent that litigation arises out of our investments in these companies, our officers and directors may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of funds (through our indemnification of such officers and directors) and the diversion of management time and resources.


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An investment strategy focused primarily on privately held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies.
 
We invest primarily in privately held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, including typically a lack of audited financial statements and ratings by third parties. We must therefore rely on the ability of our investment adviser to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential risks of investing in these companies. These companies and their financial information may not be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. These factors could affect our investment returns.
 
If we make unsecured investments, those investments might not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to us.
 
We may make unsecured investments. Unsecured investments may be subordinated to other obligations of the obligor. Unsecured investments often reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions (including, for example, a substantial period of rising interest rates or declining earnings) or both may impair the ability of the obligor to make payment of principal and interest. If we make an unsecured investment in a portfolio company, that portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service its debt obligations.
 
If we invest in the securities and obligations of distressed and bankrupt issuers, we might not receive interest or other payments.
 
We are authorized to invest in the securities and obligations of distressed and bankrupt issuers, including debt obligations that are in covenant or payment default. Such investments generally are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer of those obligations might not make any interest or other payments.
 
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
 
We invest, and will continue to invest, in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. In fact, all of our assets may be invested in illiquid securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. Our investments are usually subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid because there is usually no established trading market for such investments. The illiquidity of most of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.
 
We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.
 
After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation or may reduce the expected yield on the investment.


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Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
 
We invest primarily in first and second lien debt issued by small and mid-sized companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payments of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
 
The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.
 
Most of our investments will involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in private securities, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to certain potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately yield funding obligations that must be satisfied through our return of certain distributions previously made to us.
 
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
 
Even though we have structured some of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance.
 
Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.
 
Certain loans that we make to portfolio companies will be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the company’s remaining assets, if any.


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The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken with respect to the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.
 
We generally will not control our portfolio companies.
 
We do not, and do not expect to, control most of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as a debt investor. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
 
Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.
 
A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.
 
We may not realize gains from our equity investments.
 
Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include warrants or other equity securities. In addition, we have made in the past and may make in the future direct equity investments in companies. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We often seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company issuer. We may be unable to exercise these puts rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.
 
We are subject to certain risks associated with foreign investments.
 
We make investments in foreign companies. As of September 30, 2009, we had an investment in one foreign company.
 
Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in foreign exchange rates, exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the U.S., higher transaction costs, less government supervision of


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exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.
 
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks. We cannot assure you that these and other factors will not have a material adverse effect on our business as a whole.
 
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
 
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, may trade at a discount to their net asset value.
 
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, may trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and business development companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value.
 
Investing in our common stock may involve an above average degree of risk.
 
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies involve higher levels of risk, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
 
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
 
The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:
 
  •  significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of business development companies or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;
 
  •  changes in regulatory policies, accounting pronouncements or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs and business development companies;
 
  •  loss of RIC status;
 
  •  changes in earnings or variations in operating results;
 
  •  changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
 
  •  any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
 
  •  departure of our or our investment adviser’s key personnel; and
 
  •  general economic trends and other external factors.
 
Certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws as well as the Delaware General Corporation Law could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
 
Our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws as well as the Delaware General Corporation Law contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change in control in


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circumstances that could give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for our common stock.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation; however, we lease office space for our principal executive office at 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, NY 10606. Our investment advisor also maintains additional office space at 500 W. Putnam Ave., Suite 400, Greenwich, CT 06830. We believe that our current office facilities are adequate for our business as we intend to conduct it.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of our operations in the normal course of business or otherwise, we are currently not a party to any pending material legal proceedings.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, there were no matters submitted to a vote of our security holders through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.


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PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Price Range of Common Stock
 
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FSC.” The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter since our initial public offering, the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
                 
    High     Low  
 
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2008
               
Third quarter (from June 12, 2008)
  $ 13.32     $ 10.10  
Fourth quarter
  $ 11.48     $ 7.56  
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2009
               
First quarter
  $ 10.24     $ 5.02  
Second quarter
  $ 8.48     $ 5.80  
Third quarter
  $ 11.14     $ 6.92  
Fourth quarter
  $ 11.36     $ 9.02  
 
The last reported price for our common stock on November 30, 2009 was $9.77 per share. As of November 30, 2009, we had 16 stockholders of record, which did not include stockholders for whom shares are held in nominee or “street” name.
 
Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
On August 5, 2009, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock, payable on September 25, 2009 to stockholders of record as of September 8, 2009. On September 25, 2009, we issued a total of 56,890 shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The aggregate value of the shares of our common stock distributed under the dividend reinvestment plan was $0.6 million.
 
Distributions
 
Our dividends, if any, are determined by our Board of Directors. We have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As long as we qualify as a RIC, we will not be taxed on our investment company taxable income or realized net capital gains, to the extent that such taxable income or gains are distributed, or deemed to be distributed, to stockholders on a timely basis.
 
To maintain RIC tax treatment, we must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year in which such taxable income was generated. We may, in the future, make actual distributions to our stockholders of our net capital gains. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we may be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation” and “— Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company.”


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We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we make a cash distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash distributions.
 
The following table summarizes our dividends declared for our two most recent fiscal years:
 
                                     
Dividend Type
  Date Declared   Record Date   Payment Date   Amount
 
 
Quarterly
      5/1/2008       5/19/2008       6/3/2008     $ 0.30  
 
Quarterly
      8/6/2008       9/10/2008       9/26/2008     $ 0.31  
 
Quarterly
      12/9/2008       12/19/2008       12/29/2008     $ 0.32  
 
Quarterly
      12/9/2008       12/30/2008       1/29/2009     $ 0.33  
 
Special
      12/18/2008       12/30/2008       1/29/2009     $ 0.05  
 
Quarterly
      4/14/2009       5/26/2009       6/25/2009     $ 0.25  
 
Quarterly
      8/3/2009       9/8/2009       9/25/2009     $ 0.25  


40


 

Stock Performance Graph
 
The following graph compares the stockholder return on our common stock from June 12, 2008 to September 30, 2009 with the NASDAQ Financial Stock Index, the NYSE Stock Market (US Companies) Index and the Fifth Street Finance Corp. Peer Group index. The comparison assumes $100.00 was invested on June 12, 2008 (the date our common stock began to trade on the NYSE Stock Market in connection with our initial public offering) in our common stock and in the comparison groups and assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect. The comparisons in the graph below are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast the possible future performance of our common stock.
 
Comparison of Stockholder Return
Among Fifth Street Finance Corp., the NASDAQ Financial Stock Index, the NYSE
Index and Fifth Street Finance Corp. Peer Group(1)
(For the Period June 12, 2008 to September 30, 2009)
 
Comparison of 1 Year Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
September 2009
 
(LINE GRAPH)
 
(1) The Fifth Street Finance Corp. Peer Group index consists of the following investment companies that have elected to be regulated as business development companies under the 1940 Act: BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation, Ares Capital Corporation, Apollo Investment Corporation, Gladstone Capital Corporation, MCG Capital Corporation, and MVC Capital, Inc.
 
Open Market Stock Repurchase Program
 
In October 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $8 million of our outstanding common stock. Stock repurchases under this program may be made through the open market at times and in such amounts as our management deems appropriate. The stock repurchase program expires December 2009 and may be limited or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time without prior notice.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following selected financial data should be read together with our financial statements and the related notes and the discussion under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” which is included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Effective as of January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp. The financial information as of and for the period from inception (February 15, 2007) to September 30, 2007 and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, set forth below was derived from our audited financial statements and related notes for Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. and Fifth Street Finance Corp., respectively.
 
                         
            At September 30, 2007
    At and for the
  At and for the
  and for the Period
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  February 15, 2007
    September 30,
  September 30,
  through September 30,
    2009   2008   2007
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Statement of Operations data:
                       
Total investment income
  $ 49,828     $ 33,219     $ 4,296  
Base management fee, net
    5,889       4,258       1,564  
Incentive fee
    7,841       4,118        
All other expenses
    4,736       4,699       1,773  
Net investment income
    31,362       20,144       959  
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    (10,795 )     (16,948 )     123  
Realized gain (loss) on investments
    (14,373 )     62        
Net increase in partners’ capital/net assets resulting from operations
    6,194       3,258       1,082  
Per share data:
                       
Net asset value per common share at period end
  $ 10.84     $ 13.02       N/A  
Market price at period end(1)
    10.93       10.05       N/A  
Net investment income
    1.27       1.29       N/A  
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
    (1.02 )     (1.08 )     N/A  
Net increase in partners’ capital/net assets resulting from operations
    0.25       0.21       N/A  
Dividends declared
    1.20       0.61       N/A  
Balance Sheet data at period end:
                       
Total investments at fair value
  $ 299,611     $ 273,759     $ 88,391  
Cash and cash equivalents
    113,205       22,906       17,654  
Other assets
    3,071       2,484       1,285  
Total assets
    415,887       299,149       107,330  
Total liabilities
    5,331       4,813       514  
Total stockholders’ equity
    410,556       294,336       106,816  
Other data:
                       
Weighted average annual yield on investments(2)
    15.7 %     16.2 %     16.8 %
Number of investments at period end
    28       24       10  
 


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Selected Quarterly Data
  September 30,
  June 30,
  March 31,
  December 31,
  September 30,
  June 30,
  March 31,
  December 31,
  September 30,
  June 30,
  March 31,
(unaudited)
  2009   2009   2009   2008   2008   2008   2008   2007   2007   2007   2007(3)
 
Total investment income
  $ 12,484     $ 12,839     $ 11,920     $ 12,585     $ 11,748     $ 9,190     $ 6,854     $ 5,427     $ 2,753     $ 1,481     $ 62  
Net investment income (loss)
    7,777       7,887       7,488       8,210       7,255       5,135       4,080       3,674       1,070       (72 )     (39 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (86 )     (1,949 )     (4,651 )     (18,482 )     (4,396 )     (10,445 )     (1,569 )     (476 )     123              
Net increase (decrease) in partners’ capital/net assets resulting from operations
    7,691       5,938       2,837       (10,272 )     2,859       (5,310 )     2,511       3,198       1,193       (72 )     (39 )
Net asset value per common share at period end
  $ 10.84     $ 11.95     $ 11.94     $ 11.86     $ 13.02     $ 13.20     $ 14.12     $ 13.92       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
 
(1) Our common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 12, 2008. There was no established public trading price for the stock prior to that date.
 
(2) Weighted average annual yield is calculated based upon our debt investments at the end of the period.
 
(3) For the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through March 31, 2007.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion should be read in connection with our financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Some of the statements in this annual report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K may include statements as to:
 
  •  our future operating results and dividend projections;
 
  •  our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;
 
  •  the impact of the investments that we expect to make;
 
  •  the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;
 
  •  our expected financings and investments;
 
  •  the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and
 
  •  the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies.
 
In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect” and “intend” indicate a forward-looking statement, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include:
 
  •  changes in the economy and the financial markets;
 
  •  risks associated with possible disruption in our operations or the economy generally due to terrorism or natural disasters;
 
  •  future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities) and conditions in our operating areas, particularly with respect to business development companies and RICs; and

43


 

 
  •  other considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in our publicly disseminated documents and filings.
 
We have based the forward-looking statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K on information available to us on the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
 
Except as otherwise specified, references to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Overview
 
We are a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies in connection with investments by private equity sponsors. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity investments.
 
We were formed as a Delaware limited partnership (Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P.) on February 15, 2007. Effective as of January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp. At the time of the merger, all outstanding partnership interests in Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. were exchanged for 12,480,972 shares of common stock in Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Our consolidated financial statements prior to January 2, 2008 reflect our operations as a Delaware limited partnership (Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P.) prior to our merger with and into a corporation (Fifth Street Finance Corp.).
 
On June 17, 2008, we completed an initial public offering of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at the offering price of $14.12 per share. Our shares are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FSC.”
 
On July 21, 2009, we completed a follow-on public offering of 9,487,500 shares of our common stock, which included the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, at the offering price of $9.25 per share.
 
On September 25, 2009, we completed a follow-on public offering of 5,520,000 shares of our common stock, which included the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, at the offering price of $10.50 per share.
 
Current Market Conditions
 
Since mid-2007, the financial services sector has been negatively impacted by significant write-offs related to sub-prime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk. Global debt and equity markets have suffered substantial stress, volatility, illiquidity and disruption, with sub-prime mortgage-related issues being the most significant contributing factor. These forces reached unprecedented levels by the fall of 2008, resulting in the insolvency or acquisition of, or government assistance to, several major domestic and international financial institutions. These events have significantly diminished overall confidence in the debt and equity markets and caused increasing economic uncertainty. This reduced confidence and uncertainty could further exacerbate the overall market disruptions and risks to businesses in need of capital.
 
In particular, the disruptions in the financial markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the financial markets. This widening of spreads makes it more difficult for lower middle market companies to access capital as traditional senior lenders become more selective, equity sponsors delay transactions for better earnings visibility, and


44


 

sellers are hesitant to accept lower purchase multiples. As a result, we are seeing a smaller number of attractive transactions in the lower end of the middle market.
 
Despite these factors, our deal pipeline is robust, with high quality transactions backed by private equity sponsors in the lower middle market. As always, we remain cautious in selecting new investment opportunities, and will only deploy capital in deals which are consistent with our disciplined philosophy of pursuing superior risk-adjusted returns. In this regard, we had $113.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand at September 30, 2009 to fund investments. As evidenced by recent activities (see — “Recent Developments”), we expect to grow the business in part by increasing the average investment size when and where appropriate. At the same time, we expect to focus more on first lien transactions. We also expect to invest in more floating rate facilities, with rate floors, to protect against interest rate decreases.
 
Although we currently have sufficient capital available to fund investments, a prolonged period of market disruptions may cause us to reduce the volume of loans we originate and/or fund, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Furthermore, because our common stock has generally traded at a price below our current net asset value per share over the last several months and we are not generally able under the 1940 Act to sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, we may be limited in our ability to raise equity capital. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation — Common Stock” for a discussion of the approval we received from our stockholders to issue shares of our common stock below net asset value per share.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
 
The issuance of FASB Accounting Standards Codificationtm (the “Codification”) on July 1, 2009 (effective for interim or annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009), changes the way that U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are referenced. Beginning on that date, the Codification officially became the single source of authoritative nongovernmental GAAP; however, SEC registrants must also consider rules, regulations, and interpretive guidance issued by the SEC or its staff. The switch affects the way companies refer to U.S. GAAP in financial statements and in their accounting policies. All existing standards that were used to create the Codification were superseded by the Codification. Instead, references to standards will consist solely of the number used in the Codification’s structural organization. For example, it is no longer proper to refer to FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurement, which is now ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”).
 
Consistent with the effective date of the Codification, financial statements for periods ending after September 15, 2009, refers to the Codification structure, not pre-Codification historical GAAP.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
Effective January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership organized on February 15, 2007, merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp. The merger involved the exchange of shares between companies under common control. In accordance with the guidance on exchanges of shares between entities under common control, our results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 are presented as if the merger had occurred as of October 1, 2007. Accordingly, no adjustments were made to the carrying value of assets and liabilities (or the cost basis of investments) as a result of the merger. Prior to January 2, 2008, references to the Company are to the Partnership. Since January 2, 2008, references to the Company, FSC, “we” or “our” are to Fifth Street Finance Corp., unless the context otherwise requires. The Company’s financial results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 refer to the Partnership.
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions affecting amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. We have identified investment valuation and revenue recognition as our most critical accounting estimates. We continuously evaluate our estimates, including those related to the matters described below. These estimates


45


 

are based on the information that is currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our critical accounting policies follows.
 
Investment Valuation
 
We are required to report our investments that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available at fair value. The fair value is deemed to be the value at which an enterprise could be sold in a transaction between two willing parties other than through a forced or liquidation sale.
 
Under ASC 820, which we adopted effective October 1, 2008, we perform detailed valuations of our debt and equity investments on an individual basis, using market based, income based, and bond yield approaches as appropriate.
 
Under the market approach, we estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio companies in which we invest. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is best expressed as a range of fair values, from which we derive a single estimate of enterprise value. To estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company, we analyze various factors, including the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results. Typically, private companies are valued based on multiples of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), cash flows, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. We generally require portfolio companies to provide annual audited and quarterly and monthly unaudited financial statements, as well as annual projections for the upcoming fiscal year.
 
Under the income approach, we generally prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models based on our projections of the future free cash flows of the business. Under the bond yield approach, we use bond yield models to determine the present value of the future cash flow streams of our debt investments. We review various sources of transactional data, including private mergers and acquisitions involving debt investments with similar characteristics, and assess the information in the valuation process.
 
We also may, when conditions warrant, utilize an expected recovery model, whereby we use alternate procedures to determine value when the customary approaches are deemed to be not as relevant or reliable.
 
Our Board of Directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter in connection with determining the fair value of our investments:
 
  •  Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the deal team within our investment adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;
 
  •  Preliminary valuations are then reviewed and discussed with the principals of our investment adviser;
 
  •  Separately, an independent valuation firm engaged by the Board of Directors prepares preliminary valuations on a selected basis and submits a report to us;
 
  •  The deal team compares and contrasts its preliminary valuations to the report of the independent valuation firm and resolves any differences;
 
  •  The deal team prepares a final valuation report for the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors;
 
  •  The Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors reviews the preliminary valuations, and the deal team responds and supplements the preliminary valuations to reflect any comments provided by the Valuation Committee;
 
  •  The Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors; and
 
  •  The Board of Directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith.


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The fair value of all of our investments at September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, was determined by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is solely responsible for the valuation of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to our valuation policy and our consistently applied valuation process.
 
Our Board of Directors has engaged an independent valuation firm to provide us with valuation assistance. Upon completion of its process each quarter, the independent valuation firm provides us with a written report regarding the preliminary valuations of selected portfolio securities as of the close of such quarter. We will continue to engage an independent valuation firm to provide us with assistance regarding our determination of the fair value of selected portfolio securities each quarter; however, our Board of Directors is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of our investments in good faith.
 
An independent valuation firm, Murray, Devine & Co., Inc., provided us with assistance in our determination of the fair value of 91.9% of our portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, 92.1% of our portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, 91.7% of our portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, 92.8% of our portfolio for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, 100% of our portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, 88.7% of our portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (or 96.0% of our portfolio excluding our investment in IZI Medical Products, Inc., which closed on March 31, 2009 and therefore was not part of the independent valuation process), 92.1% of our portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and 28.1% of our portfolio for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
 
Our $50 million credit facility with Bank of Montreal was terminated effective September 16, 2009. The facility required independent valuations for at least 90% of the portfolio on a quarterly basis. With the termination of this facility, this valuation test is no longer required. However, we still intend to have a portion of the portfolio valued by an independent third party on an quarterly basis, with a substantial portion being valued on an annual basis.
 
As of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, approximately 72.0% and 91.5%, respectively, of our total assets represented investments in portfolio companies valued at fair value.
 
Effective October 1, 2008, we adopted ASC 820. In accordance with that standard, we changed our presentation for all periods presented to net unearned fees against the associated debt investments. Prior to the adoption of ASC 820 on October 1, 2008, we reported unearned fees as a single line item on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Schedules of Investments. This change in presentation had no impact on the overall net cost or fair value of our investment portfolio and had no impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
The following table summarizes the effect of the adoption of ASC 820 on the presentation of our investment portfolio in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                         
    Fair Value as
          Fair Value as Reported
 
    Reported in the
          in the September 30, 2008
 
    September 30, 2008
          Consolidated Financial
 
    Financial Statements
    Change in Presentation
    Statements as
 
    as Filed in the
    of Unearned Fee Income
    Filed in the
 
    September 30, 2008
    to Conform with
    September 30, 2009
 
    Form 10-K     ASC 820     Form 10-K  
 
Affiliate investments
  $ 73,106,057     $ (1,755,640 )   $ 71,350,417  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    205,889,362       (3,480,625 )     202,408,737  
Unearned fee income
    (5,236,265 )     5,236,265        
                         
Total investments net of unearned fee income
  $ 273,759,154     $     $ 273,759,154  
                         


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Revenue Recognition
 
Interest and Dividend Income
 
Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue discount, is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. We stop accruing interest on investments when it is determined that interest is no longer collectible. Distributions from portfolio companies are recorded as dividend income when the distribution is received.
 
Fee Income
 
We receive a variety of fees in the ordinary course of our business, including origination fees. We account for our fee income in accordance with ASC Topic 605-25 Multiple-Element Arrangements (“ASC 605-25”) which addresses certain aspects of a company’s accounting for arrangements containing multiple revenue-generating activities. In some arrangements, the different revenue-generating activities (deliverables) are sufficiently separable and there exists sufficient evidence of their fair values to separately account for some or all of the deliverables (i.e., there are separate units of accounting). ASC 605-25 states that the total consideration received for the arrangement be allocated to each unit based upon each unit’s relative fair value. In other arrangements, some or all of the deliverables are not independently functional, or there is not sufficient evidence of their fair values to account for them separately. The timing of revenue recognition for a given unit of accounting depends on the nature of the deliverable(s) in that accounting unit (and the corresponding revenue recognition model) and whether the general conditions for revenue recognition have been met. Fee income for which fair value cannot be reasonably ascertained is recognized using the interest method in accordance with ASC 310-20 Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs.
 
As of September 30, 2009, we are also entitled to receive approximately $6.8 million in aggregate exit fees across 11 portfolio investments upon the future exit of those investments. Exit fees are fees which are earned and payable upon the exit of a debt security and, similar to a prepayment penalty, are not accrued or otherwise included in net investment income until received. Such fees will be paid to us when a portfolio company exits our loan, for example in a refinancing, or when the loan matures. The receipt of such fees as well the timing of our receipt of such fees is contingent upon a successful exit event for each of the 11 investments.
 
Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Interest
 
Our loans typically contain a contractual PIK interest provision. The PIK interest, which represents contractually deferred interest added to the loan balance that is generally due at the end of the loan term, is generally recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. We generally cease accruing PIK interest if there is insufficient value to support the accrual or if we do not expect the portfolio company to be able to pay all principal and interest due. Our decision to cease accruing PIK interest involves subjective judgments and determinations based on available information about a particular portfolio company, including whether the portfolio company is current with respect to its payment of principal and interest on its loans and debt securities; monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for the portfolio company; our assessment of the portfolio company’s business development success, including product development, profitability and the portfolio company’s overall adherence to its business plan; information obtained by us in connection with periodic formal update interviews with the portfolio company’s management and, if appropriate, the private equity sponsor; and information about the general economic and market conditions in which the portfolio company operates. Based on this and other information, we determine whether to cease accruing PIK interest on a loan or debt security. Our determination to cease accruing PIK interest on a loan or debt security is generally made well before our full write-down of such loan or debt security.
 
For a discussion of risks we are subject to as a result of our use of PIK interest in connection with our investments, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income,” “— We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive” and “— Our incentive fee may induce our investment adviser to make speculative investments.” In addition, if it is subsequently determined that we will


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not be able to collect any previously accrued PIK interest, the fair value of our loans or debt securities would decline by the amount of such previously accrued, but uncollectible, PIK interest.
 
To maintain our status as a RIC, PIK income must be paid out to our stockholders in the form of dividends even though we have not yet collected the cash and may never collect the cash relating to the PIK interest. Accumulated PIK interest was approximately $12.1 million and represented 4.0% of the fair value of our portfolio of investments as of September 30, 2009 and approximately $5.4 million or 2.0% as of September 30, 2008. The net increase in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements are separately identified in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
Portfolio Composition
 
Our investments principally consist of loans, purchased equity investments and equity grants in privately-held companies. Our loans are typically secured by either a first or second lien on the assets of the portfolio company, generally have terms of up to six years (but an expected average life of between three and four years) and typically bear interest at fixed rates and to a lesser extent, at floating rates. We are currently focusing our new debt origination efforts on first lien loans.
 
A summary of the composition of our investment portfolio at cost and fair value as a percentage of total investments is shown in the following tables:
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Cost:
               
First lien debt
    46.82 %     37.41 %
Second lien debt
    50.08 %     59.38 %
Purchased equity
    1.27 %     1.42 %
Equity grants
    1.83 %     1.79 %
                 
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %
                 
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Fair value:
               
First lien debt
    47.40 %     39.54 %
Second lien debt
    51.37 %     58.78 %
Purchased equity
    0.17 %     0.73 %
Equity grants
    1.06 %     0.95 %
                 
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %
                 
 
The industry composition of our portfolio at cost and fair value were as follows:
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
By Industry
  2009     2008  
 
Cost:
               
Healthcare technology
    11.37 %     3.33 %
Healthcare services
    10.04 %     8.01 %
Footwear and apparel
    6.85 %     6.21 %
Restaurants
    6.20 %     6.65 %
Construction and engineering
    5.89 %     6.45 %
Healthcare facilities
    5.50 %     6.27 %
Trailer leasing services
    5.21 %     5.85 %
Manufacturing — mechanical products
    4.71 %     5.33 %
Data processing and outsourced services
    4.12 %     4.77 %
Media — Advertising
    4.10 %     4.40 %


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    September 30,
    September 30,
 
By Industry
  2009     2008  
 
Merchandise display
    3.98 %     4.40 %
Home furnishing retail
    3.93 %     3.93 %
Housewares & specialties
    3.68 %     3.93 %
Emulsions manufacturing
    3.59 %     3.28 %
Air freight and logistics
    3.29 %     0.00 %
Capital goods
    3.05 %     3.32 %
Environmental & facilities services
    2.73 %     3.08 %
Food distributors
    2.73 %     4.13 %
Household products/ specialty chemicals
    2.38 %     4.08 %
Entertainment — theaters
    2.32 %     4.05 %
Leisure facilities
    2.20 %     2.58 %
Building products
    2.13 %     2.39 %
Lumber products
    0.00 %     3.56 %
                 
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %
                 
Fair value:
               
Healthcare technology
    12.27 %     3.60 %
Healthcare services
    11.26 %     8.54 %
Footwear and apparel
    7.37 %     6.55 %
Healthcare facilities
    5.96 %     6.66 %
Construction and engineering
    5.96 %     6.82 %
Restaurants
    5.94 %     6.44 %
Manufacturing — mechanical products
    5.03 %     5.66 %
Data processing and outsourced services
    4.44 %     5.00 %
Media — Advertising
    4.37 %     4.57 %
Merchandise display
    4.36 %     4.68 %
Emulsions manufacturing
    4.05 %     3.48 %
Air freight and logistics
    3.60 %     0.00 %
Home furnishing retail
    3.45 %     3.92 %
Trailer leasing services
    3.29 %     6.20 %
Capital goods
    3.26 %     3.57 %
Food distributors
    3.00 %     4.38 %
Entertainment — theaters
    2.52 %     4.30 %
Leisure facilities
    2.38 %     2.74 %
Building products
    2.06 %     2.55 %
Environmental & facilities services
    2.04 %     3.24 %
Housewares & specialties
    1.90 %     4.17 %
Household products/specialty chemicals
    1.49 %     1.33 %
Lumber products
    0.00 %     1.60 %
                 
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %
                 
 
Portfolio Asset Quality
 
We employ a grading system to assess and monitor the credit risk of our loan portfolio. We rate all loans on a scale from 1 to 5. The system is intended to reflect the performance of the borrower’s business, the collateral coverage of the loan, and other factors considered relevant to making a credit judgment.
 
  •  Investment Rating 1 is used for investments that are performing above expectations and/or a capital gain is expected.
 
  •  Investment Rating 2 is used for investments that are performing substantially within our expectations, and whose risks remain neutral or favorable compared to the potential risk at the time of the original investment. All new loans are initially rated 2.

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  •  Investment Rating 3 is used for investments that are performing below our expectations and that require closer monitoring, but where we expect no loss of investment return (interest and/or dividends) or principal. Companies with a rating of 3 may be out of compliance with financial covenants.
 
  •  Investment Rating 4 is used for investments that are performing below our expectations and for which risk has increased materially since the original investment. We expect some loss of investment return, but no loss of principal.
 
  •  Investment Rating 5 is used for investments that are performing substantially below our expectations and whose risks have increased substantially since the original investment. Investments with a rating of 5 are those for which some loss of principal is expected.
 
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value, as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008:
 
                                                 
Investment
  September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
Rating
  Fair Value     % of Portfolio     Leverage Ratio     Fair Value     % of Portfolio     Leverage Ratio  
 
1
  $ 22,913,497       7.65 %     1.70     $ 7,705,461       2.76 %     4.05  
2
    248,506,393       82.94 %     4.34       249,024,303       89.26 %     4.23  
3
    6,122,236       2.04 %     10.04       17,707,790       6.35 %     5.86  
4
    16,377,904       5.47 %     8.31       4,557,565       1.63 %     9.80  
5
    5,691,107       1.90 %     NM (1)           0.00 %      
                                                 
Total
  $ 299,611,137       100.00 %     4.42     $ 278,995,119       100.00 %     4.42  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Due to operating performance this ratio is not measurable.
 
As a result of current economic conditions and their impact on certain of our portfolio companies, we have agreed to modify the payment terms of our investments in nine of our portfolio companies as of September 30, 2009. Such modified terms include increased payment-in-kind interest provisions and reduced cash interest rates. These modifications, and any future modifications to our loan agreements as a result of the current economic conditions or otherwise, may limit the amount of interest income that we recognize from the modified investments, which may, in turn, limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. See note 9 to the Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2009 in our financial statements included herein.
 
Loans and Debt Securities on Non-Accrual Status
 
As of September 30, 2009, we had stopped accruing PIK interest and original issue discount on five investments, including two investments that had not paid their scheduled monthly cash interest payments or were otherwise on non-accrual status. At September 30, 2008, none of our loans or debt securities were on non-accrual status.
 
Income non-accrual amounts for the year ended September 30, 2009 were as follows:
 
                 
 
Cash interest income
  $ 2,938,190          
PIK interest income
    1,398,347          
OID income
    402,522          
                 
Total
  $ 4,739,059          
                 
 
Discussion and Analysis of Results and Operations
 
Results of Operations
 
The principal measure of our financial performance is the net income (loss) which includes net investment income (loss), net realized gain (loss) and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Net investment income is


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the difference between our income from interest, dividends, fees, and other investment income and total expenses. Net realized gain (loss) on investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their stated costs. Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments is the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio.
 
We were formed as a Delaware limited partnership (Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P.) on February 15, 2007 and we had limited operations through September 30, 2007. As a result, there is limited comparability for fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and the prior period from February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007.
 
Comparison of years ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008
 
Total Investment Income
 
Total investment income includes interest and dividend income on our investments, fee income and other investment income. Fee income consists principally of loan and arrangement fees, annual administrative fees, unused fees, prepayment fees, amendment fees, equity structuring fees and waiver fees. Other investment income consists primarily of the accelerated recognition of deferred financing fees received from our portfolio companies on the repayment of the outstanding investment, the sale of the investment or reduction of available credit, and interest on cash and cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions.
 
Total investment income for the years ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 was approximately $49.8 million and $33.2 million, respectively. For the year ended September 30, 2009, this amount primarily consisted of approximately $46.0 million of interest income from portfolio investments (which included approximately $7.4 million of payment-in-kind or PIK interest), and $3.5 million of fee income. For the year ended September 30, 2008, this amount primarily consisted of approximately $30.5 million of interest income from portfolio investments (which included approximately $4.9 million of PIK interest), and $1.8 million of fee income.
 
The increase in our total investment income for the year ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the year ended September 30, 2008 was primarily attributable to higher average levels of outstanding debt investments, which was principally due to an increase of two debt investments in our portfolio in the year-over-year period, partially offset by debt repayments received during the same period.
 
Expenses
 
Expenses (net of the waived portion of the base management fee) for the years ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 were approximately $18.4 million and $13.1 million, respectively. Expenses increased for the year ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the year ended September 30, 2008 by approximately $5.3 million, primarily as a result of increases in base management fee, incentive fees and other general and administrative expenses.
 
The increase in base management fee resulted from an increase in our total assets as reflected in the growth of the investment portfolio offset partially by our investment adviser’s unilateral decision to waive approximately $172,000 of the base management fee for the year ended September 30, 2009. Incentive fees were implemented effective January 2, 2008 when Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp., and reflect the growth of our net investment income before such fees.
 
Net Investment Income
 
As a result of the $16.6 million increase in total investment income as compared to the $5.3 million increase in total expenses, net investment income for the year ended September 30, 2009 reflected a $11.3 million, or 55.7%, increase compared to the year ended September 30, 2008.
 
Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments
 
Net realized gain (loss) on the sale of investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their stated costs. During the year ended September 30, 2009, we


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exited our investment in American Hardwoods Industries, LLC and recorded a realized loss of $10.4 million, and recorded a $4.0 million realized loss on our investment in CPAC, Inc. in connection with our determination that the investment was permanently impaired based on, among other things, our analysis of changes in the portfolio company’s business operations and prospects. During the year ended September 30, 2008, we sold our equity investment in Filet of Chicken and realized a gain of approximately $62,000.
 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation on Investments
 
Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses are realized. During the year ended September 30, 2009, we recorded net unrealized depreciation of $10.8 million. This consisted of $14.3 million of reclassifications to realized losses, offset by $23.1 million of net unrealized depreciation on debt investments and $2.0 million of net unrealized depreciation on equity investments. During the year ended September 30, 2008, we recorded net unrealized depreciation of $16.9 million. This consisted of $12.1 million of net unrealized depreciation on debt investments and $4.8 million of net unrealized depreciation on equity investments.
 
Comparison of year ended September 30, 2008 and the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007
 
Total Investment Income
 
Total investment income for the year ended September 30, 2008 and the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007 was approximately $33.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively. For the year ended September 30, 2008, this amount primarily consisted of approximately $30.5 million of interest income from portfolio investments (which included approximately $4.9 million of payment-in-kind or PIK interest), and $1.8 million of fee income. For the period ended September 30, 2007, this amount primarily consisted of approximately $4.1 million of interest income from portfolio investments (which included approximately $0.6 million of PIK interest), and $0.2 million of fee income.
 
The increase in our total investment income for the year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the period ended September 30, 2007 was primarily attributable to higher average levels of outstanding debt investments, which was principally due to fourteen new debt investments in our portfolio in the year-over-year period, partially offset by debt repayments received during the same period.
 
Expenses
 
Expenses for the year ended September 30, 2008 and the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007 were approximately $13.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Expenses increased for the year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the period ended September 30, 2007 by approximately $9.8 million, primarily as a result of increases in base management fee, incentive fees, professional fees and other general and administrative expenses.
 
The increase in base management fee resulted from an increase in our total assets as reflected in the growth of the investment portfolio. Incentive fees were implemented effective January 2, 2008 when Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp., and reflect the growth of our net investment income before such fees.
 
Net Investment Income
 
As a result of the $28.9 million increase in total investment income as compared to the $9.8 million increase in total expenses, net investment income for the year ended September 30, 2008 reflected a $19.1 million, or 2000%, increase compared to the period ended September 30, 2007.


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Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments
 
During the year ended September 30, 2008 we sold our equity investment in Filet of Chicken and realized a gain of approximately $62,000. During the period ended September 30, 2007 we had no realized gains or losses.
 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation on Investments
 
During the year ended September 30, 2008, we recorded net unrealized depreciation of $16.9 million. This consisted of $12.1 million of net unrealized depreciation on debt investments and $4.8 million of net unrealized depreciation on equity investments. During the period ended September 30, 2007, we recorded net unrealized depreciation on equity investments of $0.1 million.
 
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash Flows
 
To fund growth, we have a number of alternatives available to increase capital, including, but not limited to, raising equity, increasing debt, or funding from operational cash flow. Additionally, we may reduce investment size by syndicating a portion of any given transaction.
 
For the year ended September 30, 2009, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of $90.3 million. During that period, we used $19.7 million of cash in operating activities, primarily for the funding of $62.0 million of investments, partially offset by $18.3 million of principal payments received and $31.4 million of net investment income. During the same period cash provided by financing activities was $110.0 million, primarily consisting of $138.6 million of proceeds from issuance of our common stock, partially offset by $27.1 million of cash dividends paid, $1.0 million of offering costs paid and $0.5 million paid to repurchase shares of our common stock on the open market. We intend to fund our future distribution obligations through operating cash flow or with funds obtained through future equity offerings or credit lines, as we deem appropriate.
 
For the year ended September 30, 2008, we experienced a net increase in cash and equivalents of $5.3 million. During that period, we used $179.4 million of cash in operating activities primarily for the funding of $202.4 million of investments, partially offset by $2.2 million of principal payments received and $20.1 million of net investment income. During the same period cash provided by financing activities was $184.6 million, primarily consisting of $131.3 million of proceeds from issuance of our common stock, partially offset by $8.9 million of cash dividends paid and $1.5 million of offering costs paid.
 
From inception (February 15, 2007) through September 30, 2007, our cash and equivalents increased by approximately $17.7 million. During that period, our cash flow from operations was minimal at approximately $1.0 million excluding investments in portfolio companies. $89.0 million was invested in portfolio companies financed primarily from capital contributions of approximately $105.7 million from partners.
 
As of September 30, 2009, we had $113.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, portfolio investments (at fair value) of $299.6 million, $2.9 million of interest receivable, no borrowings outstanding and unfunded commitments of $9.75 million. At November 30, 2009, we had $114.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $3.1 million of interest receivable, $10.2 of dividends payable, no borrowings outstanding and unfunded commitments of $9.3 million.
 
As of September 30, 2008, we had $22.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, portfolio investments (at fair value) of $273.8 million, $2.4 million of interest receivable, no borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility and unfunded commitments of $24.7 million.
 
Significant capital transactions that occurred from Inception through September 30, 2009
 
On March 30, 2007, we closed on approximately $78 million in capital commitments from the sale of limited partnership interests of Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. As of September 30, 2007, we had closed on additional capital commitments, bringing the total amount of capital commitments to $165 million.


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We then closed on capital commitments from the sale of additional limited partnership interests of Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P., bringing the total amount of capital commitments to $169.4 million as of November 28, 2007.
 
On January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp. At the time of the merger, all outstanding partnership interests in Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. were exchanged for 12,480,972 shares of common stock of Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
On January 15, 2008, we entered into a $50 million secured revolving credit facility with the Bank of Montreal, at a rate of LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offered Rate) plus 1.5%, with a one year maturity date. The credit facility was secured by our existing investments.
 
On April 25, 2008, we sold 30,000 shares of non-convertible, non-participating preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation preference of $500 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at a price of $500 per share to a company controlled by Bruce E. Toll, one of our directors at that time, for total proceeds of $15 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, we paid dividends of approximately $234,000 on the 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend payment is considered and included in interest expense for accounting purposes since the preferred stock has a mandatory redemption feature. On June 30, 2008, we redeemed 30,000 shares outstanding of our Series A Preferred Stock at the mandatory redemption price of 101% of the liquidation preference, or $15,150,000. The $150,000 is considered and included in interest expense for accounting purposes due to the stock’s mandatory redemption feature.
 
On May 1, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of May 19, 2008. On June 3, 2008, we paid a cash dividend of $1.9 million and issued 133,316 shares of common stock totaling $1.9 million to those stockholders who did not opt out of reinvesting the dividend under our dividend reinvestment plan.
 
On June 17, 2008, we completed an initial public offering of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at the offering price of $14.12 per share and received gross proceeds of approximately $141.2 million. Our shares are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FSC.”
 
On August 6, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.31 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of September 10, 2008. On September 26, 2008, we paid a cash dividend of $5.1 million and purchased 196,786 shares of common stock totaling $1.9 million on the open market to satisfy the share obligations under the dividend reinvestment plan.
 
In October 2008, we repurchased 78,000 shares of our common stock on the open market as part of our share repurchase program following its announcement on October 15, 2008.
 
On December 9, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.32 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of December 19, 2008 and a dividend of $0.33 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of December 30, 2008. On December 18, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of December 30, 2008. On December 29, 2008, we paid a cash dividend of $6.4 million and issued 105,326 shares of common stock totaling $0.8 million under the dividend reinvestment plan. On January 29, 2009, we paid a cash dividend of $7.6 million and issued 161,206 shares of common stock totaling $1.0 million under the dividend reinvestment plan.
 
On December 30, 2008, Bank of Montreal approved a renewal of our $50 million credit facility. The terms included a 50 basis points commitment fee, an interest rate of LIBOR +3.25% and a term of 364 days.
 
On April 14, 2009, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of May 26, 2009. On June 25, 2009, we paid a cash dividend of $5.6 million and issued 11,776 shares of common stock totaling $0.1 million under the dividend reinvestment plan.


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On July 21, 2009, we completed a public offering of 9,487,500 shares of common stock, which included the underwriters’ full exercise of their option to purchase up to 1,237,500 shares of common stock, at a price of $9.25 per share, raising approximately $87.8 million in gross proceeds.
 
On August 3, 2009, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock payable to stockholders of record as of September 8, 2009. On September 25, 2009, we paid a cash dividend of $7.5 million and issued 56,890 shares of common stock totaling $0.6 million under the dividend reinvestment plan.
 
On September 16, 2009, we gave notice of termination to Bank of Montreal with respect to our $50 million credit facility.
 
On September 25, 2009 we completed a public offering of 5,520,000 shares of common stock, which included the underwriters’ full exercise of their option to purchase up to 720,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $10.50 per share, raising approximately $58.0 million in gross proceeds.
 
On November 16, 2009, we entered into a three year credit facility with Wachovia Bank, N.A., a Wells Fargo company, or Wachovia, in the amount of $50 million with an accordion feature, which will allow for potential future expansion of the facility up to $100 million, and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.00% per annum. See “— Borrowings” for a more detailed discussion of the credit facility.
 
We intend to continue to generate cash primarily from cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, future borrowings and future offerings of securities. In the future, we may also securitize a portion of our investments in first and second lien senior loans or unsecured debt or other assets. To securitize loans, we would likely create a wholly owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. We would then sell interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers and we would retain all or a portion of the equity in the subsidiary. Our primary use of funds is investments in our targeted asset classes and cash distributions to holders of our common stock.
 
Although we expect to fund the growth of our investment portfolio through the net proceeds from future equity offerings, including our dividend reinvestment plan, and issuances of senior securities or future borrowings, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, we cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital will be successful. In this regard, because our common stock has traded at a price below our current net asset value per share over the last several months and we are limited in our ability to sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, we may be limited in our ability to raise equity capital. Our stockholders approved a proposal at a special meeting of stockholders held on June 24, 2009 that authorizes us to sell shares of our common stock below the then-current net asset value per share in one or more offerings for a period ending on the earlier of June 24, 2010 or the date of our next annual meeting of stockholders. We would need stockholder approval of a similar proposal to issue shares below net asset value per share at any time after our next annual meeting of stockholders, which we anticipate will be held in March 2010. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Regulations governing our operation as a business development company and RIC will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital and borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth” and “— Because we intend to distribute between 90% and 100% of our income to our stockholders in connection with our election to be treated as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on favorable terms, our ability to grow will be impaired” for a discussion of the provisions of the 1940 Act that limit our ability to sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share.
 
In addition, we intend to distribute between 90% and 100% of our taxable income to our stockholders in order to satisfy the requirements applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code. See “Regulated Investment Company Status and Dividends” below. Consequently, we may not have the funds or the ability to fund new investments, to make additional investments in our portfolio companies, to fund our unfunded commitments to portfolio companies or to repay borrowings under our credit facility. In addition, the


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illiquidity of our portfolio investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired and, if we are required to sell these investments, we may realize significantly less than their recorded value.
 
Also, as a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets, less liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to total senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any outstanding preferred stock, of at least 200%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. As of September 30, 2009, we were in compliance with this requirement. To fund growth in our investment portfolio in the future, we anticipate needing to raise additional capital from various sources, including the equity markets and the securitization or other debt-related markets, which may or may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.
 
Finally, in light of the conditions in the financial markets and the U.S. economy overall, we are considering other measures to help ensure adequate liquidity, including the formation of and application to license an SBIC subsidiary.
 
On May 19, 2009, we received a letter from the Investment Division of the SBA, that invited us to continue moving forward with the licensing of an SBIC subsidiary. Although our application to license this entity as an SBIC with the SBA is subject to the SBA approval, we remain cautiously optimistic that we will complete the licensing process. Our SBIC subsidiary will have an investment objective similar to ours and will make similar types of investments in accordance with SBIC regulations.
 
To the extent that we receive an SBIC license, our SBIC subsidiary will be allowed to issue SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the required capitalization of the SBIC subsidiary. SBA guaranteed debentures carry long-term fixed rates that are generally lower than rates on comparable bank and other debt. Under the regulations applicable to SBICs, an SBIC may have outstanding debentures guaranteed by the SBA generally in an amount up to twice its regulatory capital, which generally equates to the amount of its equity capital. The SBIC regulations currently limit the amount that our SBIC subsidiary may borrow to a maximum of $150 million. This means that our SBIC subsidiary may access the full $150 million maximum available if it has $75 million in regulatory capital. However, we are not required to capitalize this subsidiary with $75 million and may determine to capitalize it with a lesser amount. In addition, if we are able to obtain financing under the SBIC program, our SBIC subsidiary will be subject to regulation and oversight by the SBA, including requirements with respect to maintaining certain minimum financial ratios and other covenants. On July 14, 2009, we received a letter from the SBA indicating that our SBIC subsidiary’s application had been approved for further processing and our SBIC subsidiary is eligible to make pre-licensing investments. During the year ended September 30, 2009, our SBIC subsidiary funded one pre-licensing investment.
 
In connection with the filing of our SBA license application, we will apply for exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to exclude the debt of our SBIC subsidiary guaranteed by the SBA from our consolidated asset coverage ratio, which will enable us to fund more investments with debt capital. There can be no assurance that we will be granted an SBIC license or that, if granted, it will be granted in a timely manner, that if we are granted an SBIC license we will be able to capitalize the subsidiary to $75 million to access the full $150 million maximum borrowing amount available, or that we will receive the exemptive relief from the SEC.
 
We cannot provide any assurance that these measures will provide sufficient sources of liquidity to support our operations and growth given the unprecedented instability in the financial markets and the weak U.S. economy.
 
Borrowings
 
On November 16, 2009, Fifth Street Funding, LLC, a wholly-owned bankruptcy remote, special purpose subsidiary (“Funding”) and we, entered into a Loan and Servicing Agreement (“Agreement”), with respect to a three-year credit facility (“Facility”) with Wachovia, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as administrative agent (“Wells Fargo”), each of the additional institutional and conduit lenders party thereto from time to time, and each of the lender agents party thereto from time to time, in the amount of $50 million with an accordion feature, which will allow for potential future expansion of the Facility up to $100 million. The Facility is secured by all of the assets of Funding, and all of our equity interest in Funding. The Facility bears interest at


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LIBOR plus 4.00% per annum and has a maturity date of November 16, 2012. The Facility may be extended for up to two additional years upon the mutual consent of Wells Fargo and each of the lender parties thereto. We intend to use the net proceeds of the Facility to fund a portion of our loan origination activities and for general corporate purposes.
 
In connection with the Facility, we concurrently entered into (i) a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Funding, pursuant to which we will sell to Funding certain loan assets we have originated or acquired, or will originate or acquire and (ii) a Pledge Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, pursuant to which we pledged all of our equity interests in Funding as security for the payment of Funding’s obligations under the Agreement and other documents entered into in connection with the Facility.
 
The Agreement and related agreements governing the Facility required both Funding and us to, among other things (i) make representations and warranties regarding the collateral as well as each of our businesses, (ii) agree to certain indemnification obligations, and (iii) comply with various covenants, servicing procedures, limitations on acquiring and disposing of assets, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The Facility documents also included usual and customary default provisions such as the failure to make timely payments under the Facility, a change in control of Funding, and the failure by Funding or us to materially perform under the Agreement and related agreements governing the Facility, which, if not complied with, could accelerate repayment under the Facility, thereby materially and adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Each loan origination under the Facility is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. We cannot assure you that Funding will be able to borrow funds under the Facility at any particular time or at all.
 
We also gave notice of termination, effective September 16, 2009, to Bank of Montreal with respect to a $50 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility was scheduled to expire on December 29, 2009 and had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.25%.
 
Since our inception we have had funds available under the following agreements which we repaid or terminated prior to our election to be regulated as a business development company:
 
Note Agreements.  We received loans of $10 million on March 31, 2007 and $5 million on March 30, 2007 from Bruce E. Toll, a former member of our Board of Directors, on each occasion for the purpose of funding our investments in portfolio companies. These note agreements accrued interest at 12% per annum. On April 3, 2007, we repaid all outstanding borrowings under these note agreements.
 
Loan Agreements.  On January 15, 2008, we entered into a $50 million secured revolving credit facility with the Bank of Montreal, at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.5%, with a one year maturity date. The secured revolving credit facility was secured by our existing investments. On December 30, 2008, Bank of Montreal renewed our $50 million credit facility. The terms included a 50 basis points commitment fee, an interest rate of LIBOR +3.25% and a term of 364 days. On September 16, 2009, we gave notice of termination to Bank of Montreal with respect to this credit facility.
 
On April 2, 2007, we entered into a $50 million loan agreement with Wachovia Bank, N.A., which was available for funding investments. The borrowings under the loan agreement accrued interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% per annum and had a maturity date in April 2008. In order to obtain such favorable rates, Mr. Toll, a former member of our Board of Directors, Mr. Tannenbaum, our president and chief executive officer, and FSMPIII GP, LLC, the general partner of our predecessor fund, each guaranteed our repayment of the $50 million loan. We paid Mr. Toll a fee of 1% per annum of the $50 million loan for such guarantee, which was paid quarterly or monthly at our election. Mr. Tannenbaum and FSMPIII GP received no compensation for their respective guarantees. As of November 27, 2007, we repaid and terminated this loan with Wachovia Bank, N.A.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We may be a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. As of September 30, 2009, our only off-balance sheet


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arrangements consisted of $9.8 million of unfunded commitments, which was comprised of $7.8 million to provide debt financing to certain of our portfolio companies and $2.0 million related to unfunded limited partnership interests. As of September 30, 2008, our only off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of $24.7 million of unfunded commitments to provide debt financing to certain of our portfolio companies. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet and are not reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
A summary of the composition of unfunded commitments (consisting of revolvers, term loans and limited partnership interests) as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 is shown in the table below:
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008  
 
MK Network, LLC
  $     $ 2,000,000  
Rose Tarlow, Inc. 
          2,650,000  
Martini Park, LLC
          11,000,000  
Fitness Edge, LLC
          1,500,000  
Western Emulsions, Inc. 
          2,000,000  
Storyteller Theaters Corporation
    1,750,000       4,000,000  
HealthDrive Corporation
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
IZI Medical Products, Inc. 
    2,500,000        
Trans-Trade, Inc. 
    2,000,000        
Riverlake Equity Partners II, LP (limited partnership interest)
    1,000,000        
Riverside Fund IV, LP (limited partnership interest)
    1,000,000        
                 
Total
  $ 9,750,000     $ 24,650,000  
                 
 
We have entered into two contracts under which we have material future commitments, the investment advisory agreement, pursuant to which Fifth Street Management LLC has agreed to serve as our investment adviser, and the administration agreement, pursuant to which FSC, Inc. has agreed to furnish us with the facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations.
 
As discussed above, on November 16, 2009, we entered into a three year credit facility with Wachovia, in the amount of $50 million with an accordion feature, which will allow for potential future expansion of the facility up to $100 million, and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.00% per annum. We also gave notice of termination, effective September 16, 2009, to Bank of Montreal with respect to our existing $50 million revolving credit facility with Bank of Montreal. The revolving credit facility with Bank of Montreal was scheduled to expire on December 29, 2009 and had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.25%.
 
Regulated Investment Company Status and Dividends
 
Effective as of January 2, 2008, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp., which has elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. We elected, effective as of January 2, 2008, to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As long as we qualify as a RIC, we will not be taxed on our investment company taxable income or realized net capital gains, to the extent that such taxable income or gains are distributed, or deemed to be distributed, to stockholders on a timely basis.
 
Taxable income generally differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation until realized. Dividends declared and paid by us in a year may differ from taxable income for that year as such dividends may include the distribution of current year taxable income or the distribution of prior year taxable income carried forward into and distributed in the current year. Distributions also may include returns of capital.


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To maintain RIC tax treatment, we must, among other things, distribute, with respect to each taxable year, at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (i.e., our net ordinary income and our realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any). As a RIC, we are also subject to a federal excise tax, based on distributive requirements of our taxable income on a calendar year basis (i.e., calendar year 2009). We anticipate timely distribution of our taxable income within the tax rules; however, we may incur a U.S. federal excise tax for the calendar year 2009. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders on a quarterly basis of between 90% and 100% of our annual taxable income (which includes our taxable interest and fee income). We may retain for investment some or all of our net taxable capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) and treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. If we do this, our stockholders will be treated as if they received actual distributions of the capital gains we retained and then reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. Our stockholders also may be eligible to claim tax credits (or, in certain circumstances, tax refunds) equal to their allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to them. To the extent our taxable earnings for a fiscal taxable year fall below the total amount of our dividends for that fiscal year, a portion of those dividend distributions may be deemed a return of capital to our stockholders.
 
We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions due to the asset coverage test for borrowings applicable to us as a business development company under the 1940 Act and due to provisions in our credit facility. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our taxable income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our status as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions or distributions at a particular level.
 
Related Party Transactions
 
We have entered into an investment advisory agreement with Fifth Street Management LLC, our investment adviser. Fifth Street Management is controlled by Leonard M. Tannenbaum, its managing member and our president and chief executive officer. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, payments will be equal to (a) a base management fee of 2.0% of the value of our gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes, and (b) an incentive fee based on our performance.
 
Pursuant to the administration agreement with FSC, Inc., FSC, Inc. will furnish us with the facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations, including equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such facilities. In addition, FSC, Inc. will assist us in connection with the determination and publishing of our net asset value, the preparation and filing of tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders. We will pay FSC, Inc. our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including a portion of the rent and the compensation of our chief financial officer and his staff, and the staff of our chief compliance officer. Each of these contracts may be terminated by either party without penalty upon no fewer than 60 days’ written notice to the other.
 
We have also entered into a license agreement with Fifth Street Capital LLC pursuant to which Fifth Street Capital LLC has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Fifth Street.” Fifth Street Capital LLC is controlled by Mr. Tannenbaum, its managing member. Under this agreement, we will have a right to use the “Fifth Street” name, for so long as Fifth Street Management LLC or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Fifth Street” name.
 
Recent Developments
 
On October 2, 2009, Storyteller Theaters Corporation drew $250,000 on its line of credit. Prior to the draw, our unfunded commitment was $1.75 million.


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On October 8, 2009, we funded $153,972 of our previously unfunded limited partnership interest in Riverside Fund IV, LP upon receipt of the first closing notice of the fund.
 
On October 16, 2009, Elephant & Castle, Inc. repaid $3.9 million of principal outstanding under its term loan to us. The balance of the loan was assumed by Repechage Investments Limited (“RIL”), the equity sponsor’s holding company. We received a first lien on the assets of RIL and a guaranty on the balance of our debt.
 
On October 21, 2009, we invested an additional $6.0 million of second lien debt in Western Emulsions, Inc., an existing portfolio company, to support its growth initiatives.
 
On October 26, 2009, we executed a non-binding term sheet for $41.25 million for a portion of an investment in a post-secondary education company. The proposed terms of this investment include a $10 million revolver at Libor+950 with a Libor floor of 3% and a $31.25 million first lien term loan at Libor+950 with a Libor floor of 3%. This is a senior secured first lien facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of our due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. We may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On November 6, 2009, we executed a non-binding term sheet for $34.0 million for an investment in a specialty chemical distributor. The proposed terms of this investment include a $10 million revolver at 10%, a $10 million Term Loan A at 10%, and a $14 million Term Loan B at 12%. This is a first lien facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of our due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. We may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On November 12, 2009, we declared a $0.27 per share dividend to common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2009. The dividend is payable December 29, 2009.
 
On November 12, 2009, we executed a letter agreement for the potential sale of our second lien term loan to CPAC, Inc. and/or our 2,297 shares of common stock of CPAC, Inc. We received a non-refundable deposit of $150,000 in connection with the letter agreement.
 
On November 16, 2009, we entered into a three-year credit facility with Wachovia in the amount of $50 million with an accordion feature, which will allow for potential future expansion of the facility up to $100 million, and will bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 4% per annum. See “— Borrowings” for a more detailed discussion of the credit facility.
 
On November 23, 2009, we received a cash payment in the amount of $0.1 million, representing payment in full of all amounts due in connection with the cancellation of our loan agreement with American Hardwoods Industries Holdings, LLC on August 3, 2009.
 
On December 1, 2009, we executed a non-binding term sheet for $28.75 million for an investment in a specialty food company. The proposed terms of this investment include a $2.0 million revolver at 10%, a $10 million Term Loan A at 10%, and a $16.75 million Term Loan B at 12% cash and 3% PIK. This is a first lien facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of our due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. We may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On December 3, 2009, we executed a non-binding term sheet for $57.3 million for an investment in a contract manufacturer for medical device original equipment manufacturers. The proposed terms of this investment include a $4.0 million revolver at Libor+700 with a 3% Libor floor, a $33 million Term Loan A at Libor+700 with a 3% Libor floor, and a $20.3 million Term Loan B at 12% cash interest and 2% PIK. This is a first lien loan facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the


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completion of our due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. We may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On December 4, 2009, we executed a non-binding term sheet for $34.0 million for an investment in a franchisor of consumer services. The proposed terms of this investment include a $2.0 million revolver at Libor+650 with a 3% Libor floor, a $10 million first lien Term Loan A at Libor+675 with a 3% Libor floor, and a $22.0 million Term Loan B at 12% cash and 2% PIK. This is a first lien loan facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of our due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. We may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and the anticipated impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect both our cost of funding and our interest income from portfolio investments, cash and cash equivalents and idle funds investments. Our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risk, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other policies and programs. Our investment income will be affected by changes in various interest rates, including LIBOR and prime rates, to the extent any of our debt investments include floating interest rates. The significant majority of our debt investments are made with fixed interest rates for the term of the investment. However, as of September 30, 2009, approximately 5.0% of our debt investment portfolio (at fair value) and 4.9% of our debt investment portfolio (at cost) bore interest at floating rates. As of September 30, 2009, we had not entered into any interest rate hedging arrangements. At September 30, 2009, based on our applicable levels of floating-rate debt investments, a 1.0% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on our level of interest income from debt investments.
 
Our investments are carried at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors in accordance with the 1940 Act (See — “Investment Valuation” under Critical Accounting Policies). Our valuation methodology utilizes discount rates in part in valuing our investments, and changes in those discount rates may have an impact on the valuation of our investments. Assuming no changes in our investment and capital structure, a hypothetical increase or decrease in discount rates of 100 basis points would increase or decrease our net assets resulting from operations by approximately $7 million.


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Item 8.   Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
         
    64  
    66  
    67  
    68  
    69  
    70  
    78  


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
    Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, including the consolidated schedule of investments, of Fifth Street Finance Corp. (a Delaware corporation and successor to Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P.) (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows and the financial highlights (included in Note 12) for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007. Our audits of the basic financial statements included the Schedule of Investments In and Advances to Affiliates. These financial statements, financial highlights and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included physical inspection or confirmation of securities owned as of September 30, 2009 and 2008. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fifth Street Finance Corp. as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations, changes in net assets and its cash flows and financial highlights for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, effective October 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated December 9, 2009 expressed and unqualified opinion.
 
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
New York, New York
December 9, 2009


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
    Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
We have audited Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s (a Delaware corporation and successor to Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P.) (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Fifth Street Capital Corp.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Fifth Street Capital Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Fifth Street Capital Corp. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting in all material respects as of September 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, including the consolidated schedule of investments, of Fifth Street Finance Corp. as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows and the financial highlights (included in Note 12) for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007 and our report dated December 9, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion and included explanatory paragraphs regarding the Company’s adoption of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
 
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
New York, New York
December 9, 2009


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Fifth Street Finance Corp.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008  
 
ASSETS
Investments at Fair Value:
               
Control investments (cost 9/30/09: $12,045,029; cost 9/30/08: $0)
  $ 5,691,107     $  
Affiliate investments (cost 9/30/09: $71,212,035; cost 9/30/08: $81,820,636)
    64,748,560       71,350,417  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments (cost 9/30/09 $243,975,221; cost 9/30/08 $208,764,349)
    229,171,470       202,408,737  
                 
Total Investments at Fair Value
    299,611,137       273,759,154  
Cash and cash equivalents
    113,205,287       22,906,376  
Interest receivable
    2,866,991       2,367,806  
Due from portfolio company
    154,324       80,763  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    49,609       34,706  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 415,887,348     $ 299,148,805  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 723,856     $ 567,691  
Base management fee payable
    1,552,160       1,381,212  
Incentive fee payable
    1,944,263       1,814,013  
Due to FSC, Inc. 
    703,900       574,102  
Interest payable
          38,750  
Payments received in advance from portfolio companies
    190,378       133,737  
Offering costs payable
    216,720       303,461  
                 
Total Liabilities
    5,331,277       4,812,966  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
           
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 49,800,000 shares authorized, 37,878,987 and 22,614,289 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008
    378,790       226,143  
Additional paid-in-capital
    439,989,597       300,524,155  
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
    (27,621,147 )     (16,825,831 )
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
    (14,310,713 )     62,487  
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
    12,119,544       10,348,885  
                 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    410,556,071       294,335,839  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 415,887,348     $ 299,148,805  
                 
 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


66


 

Fifth Street Finance Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
                         
                For the
 
                Period
 
    Year
    Year
    February 15, 2007
 
    Ended
    Ended
    (Inception) through
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Interest income:
                       
Control investments
  $     $     $  
Affiliate investments
    10,632,844       8,804,543       2,407,709  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    27,931,097       16,800,945       1,068,368  
Interest on cash and cash equivalents
    208,824       750,605        
                         
Total interest income
    38,772,765       26,356,093       3,476,077  
                         
PIK interest income:
                       
Control investments
                 
Affiliate investments
    1,634,116       1,539,934       492,605  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    5,821,173       3,357,464       96,190  
                         
Total PIK interest income
    7,455,289       4,897,398       588,795  
                         
Fee income:
                       
Control investments
                 
Affiliate investments
    1,101,656       702,463       164,222  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    2,440,538       1,105,576       64,610  
                         
Total fee income
    3,542,194       1,808,039       228,832  
                         
Dividend and other income:
                       
Control investments
                 
Affiliate investments
          26,740       2,228  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    22,791       130,971        
Other income
    35,396              
                         
Total dividend and other income
    58,187       157,711       2,228  
                         
Total investment income
    49,828,435       33,219,241       4,295,932  
                         
Expenses:
                       
Base management fee
    6,060,690       4,258,334       1,564,189  
Incentive fee
    7,840,579       4,117,554        
Professional fees
    1,492,554       1,389,541       211,057  
Board of Directors fees
    310,250       249,000        
Organizational costs
          200,747       413,101  
Interest expense
    636,901       917,043       522,316  
Administrator expense
    796,898       978,387        
Line of credit guarantee expense
          83,333       250,000  
Transaction fees
          206,726       357,012  
General and administrative expenses
    1,500,197       674,360       18,867  
                         
Total expenses
    18,638,069       13,075,025       3,336,542  
Base management fee waived
    (171,948 )            
                         
Net expenses
    18,466,121       13,075,025       3,336,542  
                         
Net investment income
    31,362,314       20,144,216       959,390  
                         
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments:
                       
Control investments
    (1,792,015 )            
Affiliate investments
    286,190       (10,570,012 )     99,792  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    (9,289,492 )     (6,378,755 )     23,144  
                         
Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    (10,795,317 )     (16,948,767 )     122,936  
                         
Realized gain (loss) on investments:
                       
Control investments
                 
Affiliate investments
    (4,000,000 )            
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    (10,373,200 )     62,487        
                         
Total realized gain (loss) on investments
    (14,373,200 )     62,487        
                         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 6,193,797     $ 3,257,936     $ 1,082,326  
                         
                         
Net Investment Income per common share — basic and diluted(1)
  $ 1.27     $ 1.29       N/A  
Unrealized depreciation per common share
    (0.44 )     (1.09 )     N/A  
Realized gain (loss) per common share
    (0.58 )     0.01       N/A  
                         
Earnings per common share — basic and diluted(1)
  $ 0.25     $ 0.21       N/A  
                         
Weighted average common shares — basic and diluted
    24,654,325       15,557,469       N/A  
 
 
(1) The earnings and net investment income per share calculations for the year ended September 30, 2008 are based on the assumption that if the number of shares issued at the time of the merger on January 2, 2008 (12,480,972 shares of common stock) had been issued at the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, 2007, the Company’s earnings and net investment income per share would have been $0.21 and $1.29 per share, respectively.
 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


67


 

 
                         
                For the Period
 
                February 15, 2007
 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    (Inception) through
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Operations:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 31,362,314     $ 20,144,216     $ 959,390  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    (10,795,317 )     (16,948,767 )     122,936  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
    (14,373,200 )     62,487        
                         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
    6,193,797       3,257,936       1,082,326  
                         
Stockholder transactions:
                       
Distributions to stockholders from net investment income
    (29,591,657 )     (10,754,721 )      
                         
Net decrease in net assets from stockholder transactions
    (29,591,657 )     (10,754,721 )      
                         
Capital share transactions:
                       
Issuance of preferred stock
          15,000,000        
Issuance of common stock
    137,625,075       129,448,456        
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan
    2,455,499       1,882,200        
Redemption of preferred stock
          (15,000,000 )      
Repurchases of common stock
    (462,482 )            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of partnership interests
          169,420,000        
Redemption of partnership interest for common stock
          (169,420,000 )      
Fractional shares paid to partners from conversion
          (358 )      
Capital contributions from partners
          66,497,000       105,733,369  
Capital withdrawals by partners
          (2,810,369 )      
                         
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions
    139,618,092       195,016,929       105,733,369  
                         
Total increase in net assets
    116,220,232       187,520,144       106,815,695  
Net assets at beginning of period
    294,335,839       106,815,695        
                         
Net assets at end of period
  $ 410,556,071     $ 294,335,839     $ 106,815,695  
                         
Net asset value per common share
  $ 10.84     $ 13.02       N/A  
                         
Common shares outstanding at end of period
    37,878,987       22,614,289       N/A  
 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


68


 

Fifth Street Finance Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
                         
                For the Period
 
                February 15, 2007
 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    (Inception) through
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 6,193,797     $ 3,257,936     $ 1,082,326  
Change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments
    10,795,317       16,948,767       (122,936 )
Realized (gains) losses on investments
    14,373,200       (62,487 )      
PIK interest income, net of cash received
    (7,027,149 )     (4,782,986 )     (588,795 )
Recognition of fee income
    (3,542,194 )     (1,808,039 )     (228,832 )
Fee income received
    3,895,559       5,478,011       1,795,125  
Accretion of original issue discount on investments
    (842,623 )     (954,436 )     (265,739 )
Other income
    (35,396 )            
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Increase in interest receivable
    (499,185 )     (1,613,183 )     (754,623 )
(Increase) decrease in due from portfolio company
    (73,561 )     46,952       (127,715 )
(Increase) decrease in prepaid management fees
          252,586       (252,586 )
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets
    (14,903 )     (34,706 )      
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    156,170       150,584       417,107  
Increase in base management fee payable
    170,948       1,381,212        
Increase in incentive fee payable
    130,250       1,814,013        
Increase in due to FSC, Inc. 
    129,798       574,102        
Increase (decrease) in interest payable
    (38,750 )     28,816       9,934  
Increase in payments received in advance from portfolio companies
    56,641       133,737        
Purchase of investments
    (61,950,000 )     (202,402,611 )     (88,979,675 )
Proceeds from the sale of investments
    144,000       62,487        
Principal payments received on investments (scheduled repayments and revolver paydowns)
    6,951,902       2,152,992        
Principal payments received on investments (payoffs)
    11,350,000              
                         
Net cash used in operating activities
    (19,676,179 )     (179,376,253 )     (88,016,409 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Dividends paid in cash
    (27,136,158 )     (8,872,521 )      
Repurchases of common stock
    (462,482 )            
Capital contributions
          66,497,000       105,733,369  
Capital withdrawals
          (2,810,369 )      
Borrowings
    29,500,000       79,250,000       86,562,983  
Repayments of borrowings
    (29,500,000 )     (79,250,000 )     (86,562,983 )
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    138,578,307       131,316,000        
Proceeds from the issuance of manditorily redeemable preferred stock
          15,000,000        
Redemption of preferred stock
          (15,000,000 )      
Offering costs paid
    (1,004,577 )     (1,501,179 )     (62,904 )
Redemption of partnership interests for cash
          (358 )      
                         
Net cash provided by financing activities
    109,975,090       184,628,573       105,670,465  
                         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    90,298,911       5,252,320       17,654,056  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    22,906,376       17,654,056        
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 113,205,287     $ 22,906,376     $ 17,654,056  
                         
Supplemental Information:
                       
Cash paid for interest
  $ 425,651     $ 888,227     $ 512,382  
Non-cash financing activites:
                       
Issuance of shares of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan
  $ 2,455,499     $ 1,882,200     $  
Reinvested shares of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan
  $     $ (1,882,200 )   $  
Redemption of partnership interests
  $     $ (173,699,632 )   $  
Issuance of shares of common stock in exchange for partnership interests
  $     $ 173,699,632     $  
 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


69


 

Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
September 30, 2009
 
                             
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)(2)(5)
 
Industry
  Principal(8)     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Control Investments(3)
                           
Lighting by Gregory, LLC
  Housewares &
Specialties
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 9.75% due 2/28/2013
      $ 4,800,003     $ 4,728,589     $ 2,419,627  
First Lien Term Loan B, 14.5% due 2/28/2013
        7,115,649       6,906,440       3,271,480  
97.38% membership interest
                410,000        
                             
                  12,045,029       5,691,107  
                             
Total Control Investments
              $ 12,045,029     $ 5,691,107  
                             
Affiliate Investments(4)
                           
O’Currance, Inc. 
  Data Processing
& Outsourced
Services
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 16.875% due 3/21/2012
      $ 10,526,514     $ 10,370,246     $ 10,186,501  
First Lien Term Loan B, 16.875% due 3/21/2012
        2,765,422       2,722,952       2,919,071  
1.75% Preferred Membership Interest in O’Currance Holding Co., LLC
                130,413       130,413  
3.3% Membership Interest in O’Currance Holding Co., LLC
                250,000       53,831  
                             
                  13,473,611       13,289,816  
CPAC, Inc.(9) 
  Household
Products &
Specialty
Chemicals
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 17.5% due 4/13/2012
        11,398,948       9,506,805       4,448,661  
Charge-off of cost basis of impaired loan(12)
                (4,000,000 )      
2,297 shares of Common Stock
                2,297,000        
                             
                  7,803,805       4,448,661  
Elephant & Castle, Inc. 
  Restaurants                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 15.5% due 4/20/2012
        8,030,061       7,553,247       7,311,604  
7,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                750,000       492,469  
                             
                  8,303,247       7,804,073  
MK Network, LLC
  Healthcare
technology
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 13.5% due 6/1/2012
        9,500,000       9,220,111       9,033,826  
First Lien Term Loan B, 17.5% due 6/1/2012
        5,212,692       4,967,578       5,163,544  
First Lien Revolver, Prime + 1.5% (10% floor), due 6/1/2010(10)
                     
11,030 Membership Units(6)
                771,575        
                             
                  14,959,264       14,197,370  
Martini Park, LLC(9)
  Restaurants                        
First Lien Term Loan, 14% due 2/20/2013
        4,390,798       3,408,351       2,068,303  
5% membership interest
                650,000        
                             
                  4,058,351       2,068,303  
Caregiver Services, Inc. 
  Healthcare
services
                       
Second Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+6.85% (12% floor) due 2/25/2013
        8,570,595       8,092,364       8,225,400  
Second Lien Term Loan B, 16.5% due 2/25/2013
        14,242,034       13,440,995       13,508,338  
1,080,399 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                1,080,398       1,206,599  
                             
                  22,613,757       22,940,337  
                             
Total Affiliate Investments
              $ 71,212,035     $ 64,748,560  
                             
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments(7)
                           
Best Vinyl Acquisition Corporation(9)
  Building
Products
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 12% due 3/30/2013
      $ 7,000,000     $ 6,779,947     $ 6,138,582  
25,641 Shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                253,846       20,326  
25,641 Shares of Common Stock
                2,564        
                             
                  7,036,357       6,158,908  


70


 

 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2009
 
                             
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)(2)(5)
 
Industry
  Principal(8)     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Traffic Control & Safety Corporation
  Construction
and Engineering
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 15% due 6/29/2014
        19,310,587       19,025,031       17,693,780  
24,750 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
                247,500       158,512  
25,000 shares of Common Stock
                2,500        
                             
                  19,275,031       17,852,292  
Nicos Polymers & Grinding Inc.(9) 
  Environmental
& facilities
services
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+5% (10% floor), due 7/17/2012
        3,091,972       3,040,465       2,162,593  
First Lien Term Loan B, 13.5% due 7/17/2012
        5,980,128       5,716,250       3,959,643  
3.32% Interest in Crownbrook Acquisition I LLC
                168,086        
                             
                  8,924,801       6,122,236  
TBA Global, LLC(9)
  Media:
Advertising
                       
Second Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+5% (10% floor), due 8/3/2010
        2,583,805       2,576,304       2,565,305  
Second Lien Term Loan B, 14.5% due 8/3/2012
        10,797,936       10,419,185       10,371,277  
53,994 Senior Preferred Shares
                215,975       162,621  
191,977 Shares A Shares
                191,977        
                             
                  13,403,441       13,099,203  
Fitness Edge, LLC
  Leisure
Facilities
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+5.25% (10% floor), due 8/8/2012
        1,750,000       1,740,069       1,753,262  
First Lien Term Loan B, 15% due 8/8/2012
        5,490,743       5,404,192       5,321,281  
1,000 Common Units
                42,908       70,354  
                             
                  7,187,169       7,144,897  
Filet of Chicken(9)
  Food
Distributors
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.5% due 7/31/2012
        9,307,547       8,922,946       8,979,657  
                             
                  8,922,946       8,979,657  
Boot Barn(9)
  Footwear
and Apparel
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.5% due 10/3/2013
        22,518,091       22,175,818       22,050,462  
24,706 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                247,060       32,259  
1,308 shares of Common Stock
                131        
                             
                  22,423,009       22,082,721  
Premier Trailer Leasing, Inc. 
  Trailer
Leasing
Services
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 16.5% due 10/23/2012
        17,855,617       17,063,645       9,860,940  
285 shares of Common Stock
                1,140        
                             
                  17,064,785       9,860,940  
Pacific Press Technologies, Inc.
  Capital
Goods
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.75% due 1/10/2013
        9,813,993       9,621,279       9,606,186  
33,463 shares of Common Stock
                344,513       160,299  
                             
                  9,965,792       9,766,485  
Rose Tarlow, Inc.(9) 
  Home
Furnishing
Retail
                       
First Lien Term Loan, 12% due 1/25/2014
        10,191,188       10,016,956       8,827,182  
First Lien Revolver, LIBOR+4% (9% floor) due 1/25/2014(10)
        1,550,000       1,538,806       1,509,219  
0.00% membership interest in RTMH Acquisition Company(14)
                1,275,000        
0.00% membership interest in RTMH Acquisition Company(14)
                25,000        
                             
                  12,855,762       10,336,401  
Goldco, LLC
  Restaurants                        

71


 

 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2009
 
                             
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)(2)(5)
 
Industry
  Principal(8)     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Second Lien Term Loan, 17.5% due 1/31/2013
        8,024,147       7,926,647       7,938,639  
                             
                  7,926,647       7,938,639  
Rail Acquisition Corp. 
  Manufacturing -
Mechanical
Products
                       
First Lien Term Loan, 17% due 4/1/2013
        15,668,956       15,416,411       15,081,138  
                             
                  15,416,411       15,081,138  
Western Emulsions, Inc. 
  Emulsions
Manufacturing
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 15% due 6/30/2014
        11,928,600       11,743,630       12,130,945  
                             
                  11,743,630       12,130,945  
Storytellers Theaters Corporation
  Entertainment -
Theaters
                       
First Lien Term Loan, 15% due 7/16/2014
        7,275,313       7,166,749       7,162,190  
First Lien Revolver, LIBOR+3.5% (10% floor), due 7/16/2014
        250,000       234,167       223,136  
1,692 shares of Common Stock
                169        
20,000 shares of Preferred Stock
                200,000       156,256  
                             
                  7,601,085       7,541,582  
HealthDrive Corporation(9)
  Healthcare
facilities
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 10% due 7/17/2013
        7,800,000       7,574,591       7,731,153  
First Lien Term Loan B, 13% due 7/17/2013
        10,076,089       9,926,089       9,587,523  
First Lien Revolver, 12% due 7/17/2013
        500,000       485,000       534,693  
                             
                  17,985,680       17,853,369  
idX Corporation
  Merchandise
Display
                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.5% due 7/1/2014
        13,316,247       13,014,576       13,074,682  
                             
                  13,014,576       13,074,682  
Cenegenics, LLC
  Healthcare
services
                       
First Lien Term Loan, 17% due 10/27/2013
        10,372,069       10,076,277       10,266,770  
116,237 Common Units(6)
                151,108       515,782  
                             
                  10,227,385       10,782,552  
IZI Medical Products, Inc. 
  Healthcare
technology
                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 12% due 3/31/2014
        5,600,000       5,504,943       5,547,944  
First Lien Term Loan B, 16% due 3/31/2014
        17,042,500       16,328,120       16,532,244  
First Lien Revolver, 10% due 3/31/2014(11)
              (45,000 )     (45,000 )
453,755 Preferred units of IZI Holdings, LLC
                453,755       530,016  
                             
                  22,241,818       22,565,204  
Trans-Trade, Inc. 
  Air freight
& logistics
                       
First Lien Term Loan, 15.5% due 9/10/2014
        11,016,042       10,798,229       10,838,952  
First Lien Revolver, 12% due 9/10/2014(11)
              (39,333 )     (39,333 )
                             
                  10,758,896       10,799,619  
Riverlake Equity Partners II, LP(13)
  Multi-sector
holdings
                       
0.14% limited partnership interest
                           
                         
Riverside Fund IV, LP(13)
  Multi-sector
holdings
                       
0.92% limited partnership interest
                           
                         
                             
Total Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments
              $ 243,975,221     $ 229,171,470  
                             
Total Portfolio Investments
              $ 327,232,285     $ 299,611,137  
                             

72


 

 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2009
 
 
(1) All debt investments are income producing. Equity is non-income producing unless otherwise noted.
 
(2) See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements for summary geographic location.
 
(3) Control Investments are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) as investments in companies in which the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities or maintains greater than 50% of the board representation.
 
(4) Affiliate Investments are defined by the 1940 Act as investments in companies in which the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities.
 
(5) Equity ownership may be held in shares or units of companies related to the portfolio companies.
 
(6) Income producing through payment of dividends or distributions.
 
(7) Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are defined by the 1940 Act as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
 
(8) Principal includes accumulated PIK interest and is net of repayments.
 
(9) Interest rates have been adjusted on certain term loans and revolvers. These rate adjustments are temporary in nature due to financial or payment covenant violations in the original credit agreements, or permanent in nature per loan amendment or waiver documents. The table below summarizes these rate adjustments by portfolio company:
 
                 
Portfolio Company
 
Effective date
 
Cash interest
 
PIK interest
 
Reason
 
CPAC, Inc. 
  November 21, 2008     + 1.0% on Term Loan   Per waiver agreement
Rose Tarlow, Inc. 
  January 1, 2009   +0.5% on Term Loan, +
3.0% on Revolver
  + 2.5% on Term Loan   Tier pricing per waiver agreement
Martini Park, LLC
  October 1, 2008   − 6.0% on Term Loan   + 6.0% on Term Loan   Per waiver agreement
Best Vinyl Acquisition Corporation
  April 1, 2008   + 0.5% on Term Loan     Per loan amendment
Nicos Polymers & Grinding, Inc. 
  February 10, 2008     + 2.0% on Term Loan A & B   Per waiver agreement
TBA Global, LLC
  February 15, 2008     + 2.0% on Term Loan A & B   Per waiver agreement
Filet of Chicken
  January 1, 2009   + 1.0% on Term Loan     Tier pricing per waiver agreement
Boot Barn
  January 1, 2009   + 1.0% on Term Loan   + 2.5% on Term Loan   Tier pricing per waiver agreement
HealthDrive Corporation
  April 30, 2009   + 2.0% on Term Loan A     Per waiver agreement
 
(10) Revolving credit line has been suspended and is deemed unlikely to be renewed in the future.
 
(11) Amounts represent unearned income related to undrawn commitments.
 
(12) All or a portion of the loan is considered permanently impaired and, accordingly, the charge-off of the cost basis has been recorded as a realized loss for financial reporting purposes.
 
(13) Represents unfunded limited partnership interests that were closed prior to September 30, 2009.
 
(14) Represents a de minimis membership interest percentage.
 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


73


 

Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2008
 
                             
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)(2)(5)
 
Industry
  Principal(8)     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Control Investments(3)
                           
Affiliate Investments(4)
                           
O’Currance, Inc. 
  Data Processing & Outsourced Services                        
First Lien Term Loan A, 16.875% due 3/21/2012
      $ 10,108,838     $ 9,888,488     $ 9,888,488  
First Lien Term Loan B, 16.875% due 3/21/2012
        3,640,702       3,581,245       3,581,245  
1.75% Preferred Membership Interest in O’Currance Holding Co., LLC
                130,413       130,413  
3.3% Membership Interest in O’Currance Holding Co., LLC
                250,000       97,156  
                             
                  13,850,146       13,697,302  
CPAC, Inc. 
  Household Products & Specialty Chemicals                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 17.5% due 4/13/2012
        10,613,769       9,556,805       3,626,497  
2,297 shares of Common Stock
                2,297,000        
                             
                  11,853,805       3,626,497  
Elephant & Castle, Inc. 
  Restaurants                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 15.5% due 4/20/2012
        7,809,513       7,145,198       7,145,198  
7,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                750,000       196,386  
                             
                  7,895,198       7,341,584  
MK Network, LLC
  Healthcare technology                        
First Lien Term Loan A, 13.5% due 6/1/2012
        9,500,000       9,115,152       9,115,152  
First Lien Revolver, Prime + 1.5% (10% floor), due 6/1/2010 — undrawn revolver of $2,000,000(10)
              (11,113 )     (11,113 )
6,114 Membership Units(6)
                584,795       760,441  
                             
                  9,688,834       9,864,480  
Rose Tarlow, Inc. 
  Home Furnishing Retail                        
First Lien Term Loan, 12% due 1/25/2014
        10,000,000       9,796,648       9,796,648  
First Lien Revolver, LIBOR+4% (9% floor) due 1/25/2014 — undrawn revolver of $2,650,000
        350,000       323,333       323,333  
6.9% membership interest in RTMH Acquisition Company
                1,275,000       591,939  
0.1% membership interest in RTMH Acquisition Company
                25,000       11,607  
                             
                  11,419,981       10,723,527  
Martini Park, LLC
  Restaurants                        
First Lien Term Loan, 14% due 2/20/2013
        4,049,822       3,188,351       2,719,236  
5% membership interest
                650,000        
                             
                  3,838,351       2,719,236  
Caregiver Services, Inc. 
  Healthcare services                        
Second Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+6.85% (12% floor) due 2/25/2013
        10,000,000       9,381,973       9,381,973  
Second Lien Term Loan B, 16.5% due 2/25/2013
        13,809,891       12,811,950       12,811,951  
1,080,399 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                1,080,398       1,183,867  
                             
                  23,274,321       23,377,791  
                             
Total Affiliate Investments
              $ 81,820,636     $ 71,350,417  
                             


74


 

 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2008
 
                             
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)(2)(5)
 
Industry
  Principal(8)     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments(7)
                           
Best Vinyl Acquisition Corporation(9)
  Building Products                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 12% due 3/30/2013
      $ 7,000,000     $ 6,716,712     $ 6,716,712  
25,641 Shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                253,846       253,846  
25,641 Shares of Common Stock
                2,564       4,753  
                             
                  6,973,122       6,975,311  
Traffic Control & Safety Corporation
  Construction and Engineering                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 15% due 6/29/2014
        18,741,969       18,503,268       18,503,268  
24,750 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
                247,500       179,899  
25,000 shares of Common Stock
                2,500        
                             
                  18,753,268       18,683,167  
Nicos Polymers & Grinding Inc.(9) 
  Environmental & Facilities services                        
First Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+5% (10% floor), due 7/17/2012
        3,216,511       3,192,408       3,192,408  
First Lien Term Loan B, 13.5% due 7/17/2012
        5,786,547       5,594,313       5,594,313  
3.32% Interest in Crownbrook Acquisition I LLC
                168,086       72,756  
                             
                  8,954,807       8,859,477  
TBA Global, LLC(9)
  Media: Advertising                        
Second Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+5% (10% floor), due 8/3/2010
        2,531,982       2,516,148       2,516,148  
Second Lien Term Loan B, 14.5% due 8/3/2012
        10,369,491       9,857,130       9,857,130  
53,994 Senior Preferred Shares
                215,975       143,418  
191,977 Shares A Shares
                191,977        
                             
                  12,781,230       12,516,696  
Fitness Edge, LLC
  Leisure Facilities                        
First Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+5.25% (10% floor), due 8/8/2012
        2,250,000       2,233,636       2,233,636  
First Lien Term Loan B, 15% due 8/8/2012
        5,353,461       5,206,261       5,206,261  
1,000 Common Units
                42,908       55,033  
                             
                  7,482,805       7,494,930  
Filet of Chicken(9)
  Food Distributors                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.5% due 7/31/2012
        12,516,185       11,994,788       11,994,788  
                             
                  11,994,788       11,994,788  
Boot Barn
  Footwear and Apparel                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.5% due 10/3/2013
        18,095,935       17,788,078       17,788,078  
24,706 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
                247,060       146,435  
1,308 shares of Common Stock
                131        
                             
                  18,035,269       17,934,513  
American Hardwoods Industries Holdings, LLC
  Lumber Products                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 15% due 10/15/2012
        10,334,704       10,094,129       4,384,489  
24,375 Membership Units
                250,000        
                             
                  10,344,129       4,384,489  
Premier Trailer Leasing, Inc. 
  Trailer Leasing Services                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 16.5% due 10/23/2012
        17,277,619       16,985,473       16,985,473  
285 shares of Common Stock
                1,140        
                             
                  16,986,613       16,985,473  
Pacific Press Technologies, Inc.
  Capital Goods                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.75% due 1/10/2013
        9,544,447       9,294,486       9,294,486  
33,463 shares of Common Stock
                344,513       481,210  
                             
                  9,638,999       9,775,696  


75


 

 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2008
 
                             
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)(2)(5)
 
Industry
  Principal(8)     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Goldco, LLC
  Restaurants                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 17.5% due 1/31/2013
        7,705,762       7,578,261       7,578,261  
                             
                  7,578,261       7,578,261  
Lighting by Gregory, LLC
  Housewares & Specialties                        
First Lien Term Loan A, 9.75% due 2/28/2013
        4,500,002       4,420,441       4,420,441  
First Lien Term Loan B, 14.5% due 2/28/2013
        7,010,207       6,888,876       6,888,876  
1.1% membership interest
                110,000       98,459  
                             
                  11,419,317       11,407,776  
Rail Acquisition Corp. 
  Manufacturing - Mechanical Products                        
First Lien Term Loan, 17% due 4/1/2013
        15,800,700       15,494,737       15,494,737  
                             
                  15,494,737       15,494,737  
Western Emulsions, Inc. 
  Emulsions Manufacturing                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 15% due 6/30/2014
        9,661,464       9,523,464       9,523,464  
                             
                  9,523,464       9,523,464  
Storytellers Theaters Corporation
  Entertainment - Theaters                        
First Lien Term Loan, 15% due 7/16/2014
        11,824,414       11,598,248       11,598,248  
First Lien Revolver, LIBOR+3.5% (10% floor), due 7/16/2014 — undrawn revolver of $2,000,000(10)
              (17,566 )     (17,566 )
1,692 shares of Common Stock
                169        
20,000 shares of Preferred Stock
                200,000       196,588  
                             
                  11,780,851       11,777,270  
HealthDrive Corporation
  Healthcare facilities                        
First Lien Term Loan A, 10% due 7/17/2013
        8,000,000       7,923,357       7,923,357  
First Lien Term Loan B, 13% due 7/17/2013
        10,008,333       9,818,333       9,818,333  
First Lien Revolver, 12% due 7/17/2013 — undrawn revolver of $1,500,000
        500,000       481,000       481,000  
                             
                  18,222,690       18,222,690  
idX Corporation
  Merchandise Display                        
Second Lien Term Loan, 14.5% due 7/1/2014
        13,049,166       12,799,999       12,799,999  
                             
                  12,799,999       12,799,999  
                             
Total Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments
              $ 208,764,349     $ 202,408,737  
                             
Total Portfolio Investments
              $ 290,584,985     $ 273,759,154  
                             
 
 
(1) All debt investments are income producing. Equity is non-income producing unless otherwise noted.
 
(2) See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements for summary geographic location.
 
(3) Control Investments are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) as investments in companies in which the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities or maintains greater than 50% of the board representation. As of September 30, 2008, the Company did not have a controlling interest in any of its investments.
 
(4) Affiliate Investments are defined by the 1940 Act as investments in companies in which the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities.
 
(5) Equity ownership may be held in shares or units of companies related to the portfolio companies.
 
(6) Income producing through payment of dividends or distributions.
 
(7) Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are defined by the 1940 Act as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
 
(8) Principal includes accumulated PIK interest and is net of repayments.


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Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2008
 
 
(9) Rates have been adjusted on the term loans, as follows:
 
                 
Portfolio Company
 
Effective date
 
Cash interest
 
PIK interest
 
Reason
 
Best Vinyl Acquisition Corporation
  April 1, 2008   +0.5% on Term Loan     Per loan amendment
Nicos Polymers & Grinding, Inc.
  February 10, 2008     +2.0% on Term Loan A & B   Per waiver agreement
TBA Global, LLC
  February 15, 2008     +2.0% on Term Loan A & B   Per waiver agreement
Filet of Chicken
  August 1, 2008   +1.0% on Term Loan   +1.0% on Term Loan   Per loan amendment
 
(10) Amounts represent unearned income related to undrawn commitments.
 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


77


 

 
Note 1.   Organization
 
Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, was organized on February 15, 2007 to primarily invest in debt securities of small and/or middle market companies. FSMPIII GP, LLC was the Partnership’s general partner (the “General Partner”). The Partnership’s investments were managed by Fifth Street Management LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). The General Partner and Investment Adviser were under common ownership.
 
Effective January 2, 2008, the Partnership merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp. (the “Company”), an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). The merger involved the exchange of shares between companies under common control. In accordance with the guidance on exchanges of shares between entities under common control, the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2008 are presented as if the merger had occurred as of October 1, 2007. Accordingly, no adjustments were made to the carrying value of assets and liabilities (or the cost basis of investments) as a result of the merger. Fifth Street Finance Corp. is managed by the Investment Adviser. Prior to January 2, 2008, references to the Company are to the Partnership. Since January 2, 2008, references to the Company, FSC, “we” or “our” are to Fifth Street Finance Corp., unless the context otherwise requires.
 
The Company also has certain wholly-owned subsidiaries which hold certain portfolio investments of the Company. The subsidiaries are consolidated with the Company, and the portfolio investments held by the subsidiaries are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
On June 17, 2008, the Company completed an initial public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock at the offering price of $14.12 per share. On July 21, 2009, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 9,487,500 shares of its common stock at the offering price of $9.25 per share. On September 25, 2009, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 5,520,000 shares of its common stock at the offering price of $10.50 per share. The Company’s shares are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FSC.”
 
On May 19, 2009, the Company received a letter from the Investment Division of the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) that invited the Company to continue moving forward with the licensing of a small business investment company (“SBIC”) subsidiary. The Company’s application to license this entity as an SBIC with the SBA is subject to the SBA approval. The Company’s SBIC subsidiary will be a wholly-owned subsidiary and will be able to rely on an exclusion from the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act, and thus will not elect to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. The Company’s SBIC subsidiary will have an investment objective similar to the Company’s and will make similar types of investments in accordance with SBIC regulations.
 
Note 2.   Significant Accounting Policies
 
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
 
The issuance of FASB Accounting Standards Codificationtm (the “Codification”) on July 1, 2009 (effective for interim or annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009), changes the way that U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are referenced. Beginning on that date, the Codification officially became the single source of authoritative nongovernmental GAAP; however, SEC registrants must also consider rules, regulations, and interpretive guidance issued by the SEC or its staff. The switch affects the way companies refer to GAAP in financial statements and in their accounting policies. All existing standards that were used to create the Codification became superseded. Instead, references to standards will consist solely of the number used in the Codification’s structural organization. For example, it is no longer proper to refer to


78


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurement, which is now Codification Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”).
 
Consistent with the effective date of the Codification, financial statements for periods ending after September 15, 2009, refers to the Codification structure, not pre-Codification historical GAAP.
 
Basis of Presentation and Liquidity:
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-K and Regulation S-X. The financial results of the Company’s portfolio investments are not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements.
 
The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through December 9, 2009, the date of this filing.
 
Although the Company expects to fund the growth of its investment portfolio through the net proceeds from the recent and future equity offerings, the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, and issuances of senior securities or future borrowings, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Company cannot assure that its plans to raise capital will be successful. In addition, the Company intends to distribute to its stockholders between 90% and 100% of its taxable income each year in order to satisfy the requirements applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). Consequently, the Company may not have the funds or the ability to fund new investments, to make additional investments in its portfolio companies, to fund its unfunded commitments to portfolio companies or to repay borrowings. In addition, the illiquidity of its portfolio investments may make it difficult for the Company to sell these investments when desired and, if the Company is required to sell these investments, we may realize significantly less than their recorded value.
 
Use of Estimates:
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions affecting amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to the Company and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation.
 
The consolidated financial statements include portfolio investments at fair value of $299.6 million and $273.8 million at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. The portfolio investments represent 73.0% and 93.0% of stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, and their fair values have been determined by the Company’s Board of Directors in good faith in the absence of readily available market values. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the determined values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the investments, and the differences could be material. The illiquidity of these portfolio investments may make it difficult for the Company to sell these investments when desired and, if the Company is required to sell these investments, it may realize significantly less than the investments’ recorded value.
 
The Company classifies its investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in companies in which the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities or has rights to maintain greater than 50% of the board representation; “Affiliate Investments” are defined as investments in companies in which the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities; and “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.


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FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Significant Accounting Policies:
 
a) Valuation:
 
As described below, effective October 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). In accordance with that standard, the Company changed its presentation for all periods presented to net unearned fees against the associated debt investments. Prior to the adoption of ASC 820 on October 1, 2008, the Company reported unearned fees as a single line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Schedules of Investments. This change in presentation had no impact on the overall net cost or fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio and had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
The following table summarizes the effect of the adoption of ASC 820 on the presentation of the Company’s investment portfolio in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                         
    Fair Value as
          Fair Value as Reported
 
    Reported in the
          in the September 30, 2008
 
    September 30, 2008
          Consolidated Financial
 
    Financial Statements
    Change in Presentation
    Statements as
 
    as Filed in the
    of Unearned Fee Income
    Filed in the
 
    September 30, 2008
    to Conform with
    September 30, 2009
 
    Form 10-K     ASC 820     Form 10-K  
 
Affiliate investments
  $ 73,106,057     $ (1,755,640 )   $ 71,350,417  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
    205,889,362       (3,480,625 )     202,408,737  
Unearned fee income
    (5,236,265 )     5,236,265        
                         
Total investments net of unearned fee income
  $ 273,759,154     $     $ 273,759,154  
                         
 
b) Fair Value Measurements:
 
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASC 820, which was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation techniques are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the investments or market and the investments’ complexity.
 
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels, defined by ASC 820 and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:
 
  •  Level 1 — Unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
 
  •  Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data at the measurement date for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.


80


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
  •  Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
 
Realized gain or loss on the sale of investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their stated costs. Realized losses may also be recorded in connection with the Company’s determination that certain investments are permanently impaired.
 
Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue discount, is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. The Company stops accruing interest on investments when it is determined that interest is no longer collectible.
 
Distributions of earnings from portfolio companies are recorded as dividend income when the distribution is received.
 
The Company has investments in debt securities which contain a payment in kind or “PIK” interest provision. PIK interest is computed at the contractual rate specified in each investment agreement and added to the principal balance of the investment and recorded as income.
 
Fee income consists of the monthly collateral management fees that the Company receives in connection with its debt investments and the accreted portion of the debt origination fees.
 
The Company capitalizes upfront loan origination fees received in connection with investments. The unearned fee income from such fees is accreted into fee income based on the effective interest method over the life of the investment. In connection with its investment, the Company sometimes receives nominal cost equity that is valued as part of the negotiation process with the particular portfolio company. When the Company receives nominal cost equity, the Company allocates its cost basis in its investment between its debt securities and its nominal cost equity at the time of origination. Any resulting discount from recording the loan is accreted into fee income over the life of the loan.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when acquired. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in bank accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit.
 
Offering Costs:
 
Offering costs consist of fees paid to the underwriters, in addition to legal, accounting, regulatory and printing fees that are related to the Company’s follow-on offerings which closed on July 21, 2009 and September 25, 2009. Accordingly, approximately $1.0 million of offering costs (net of the underwriting fees) have been charged to capital during the year ended September 30, 2009.
 
Income Taxes:
 
Prior to the merger of the Partnership with and into the Company, the Partnership was treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. The Partnership generally did not record a provision for income taxes because the partners report their shares of the partnership income or loss on their income tax returns. Accordingly, the taxable income was passed through to the partners and the Partnership was not subject to an entity level tax as of December 31, 2007.
 
As a partnership, Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, LP filed a calendar year tax return for a short year initial period from February 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007. Upon the merger, Fifth Street Finance


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FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Corp., the surviving C-Corporation, made an election to be treated as a RIC under the Code and adopted a September 30 tax year end. Accordingly, the first RIC tax return has been filed for the tax year beginning January 1, 2008 and ended September 30, 2008.
 
As a RIC, the Company is not subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income and gains distributed currently to its stockholders as a dividend. The Company anticipates distributing between 90% and 100% of its taxable income and gains, within the Subchapter M rules, and thus the Company anticipates that it will not incur any federal or state income tax at the RIC level. As a RIC, the Company is also subject to a federal excise tax based on distributive requirements of its taxable income on a calendar year basis (i.e., calendar year 2009). The Company anticipates timely distribution of its taxable income within the tax rules, however, the Company incurred a de minimis federal excise tax for calendar year 2008 and may incur a federal excise tax for the calendar year 2009.
 
The purpose of the Company’s taxable subsidiaries is to permit the Company to hold equity investments in portfolio companies which are “pass through” entities for federal tax purposes in order to comply with the “source income” requirements contained in the RIC tax requirements. The taxable subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense as a result of their ownership of certain portfolio investments. This income tax expense, if any, is reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for its taxable subsidiaries’ income taxes. Using this method, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company recognizes deferred tax benefits associated with net operating carry forwards that it may use to offset future tax obligations. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect to recover or settle those temporary differences.
 
The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 740 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) at inception on February 15, 2007. ASC 740 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. ASC 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Adoption of ASC 740 was applied to all open taxable years as of the effective date. The adoption of ASC 740 did not have an effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company as there was no liability for unrecognized tax benefits and no change to the beginning capital of the Company. Management’s determinations regarding ASC 740 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based upon factors including, but not limited to, an ongoing analysis of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.
 
Guarantees and Indemnification Agreements:
 
The Company follows ASC 460 Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (“ASC 460”). ASC 460 elaborates on the disclosure requirements of a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also requires a guarantor to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, for those guarantees that are covered by ASC 460, the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing certain guarantees. The Interpretation has had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In October 2009 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements which addresses accounting for multiple deliverable


82


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
arrangements to enable vendors to account for products separately rather than as a combined unit. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on either its financial position or results of operations.
 
In September 2009 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-12, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) — Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) provides guidance on estimating the fair value of an alternative investment, amending ASC 820-10. The amendment is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on either its financial position or results of operations.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued ASC Topic 825-10 Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”) , which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The objective of ASC 825-10 is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently, and is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided that the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year and also elects to apply the provisions of ASC 820. While ASC 825-10 become effective for the Company’s 2009 fiscal year, the Company did not elect the fair value measurement option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued ASC Topic 810 Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial (“ASC 810”). ASC 810 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. ASC 810 requires that noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries be reported in the equity section of the controlling company’s balance sheet. It also changes the manner in which the net income of the subsidiary is reported and disclosed in the controlling company’s income statement. ASC 810 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not believe that the adoption of ASC 810 will have a material impact on either its financial position or results of operations.
 
Effective January 1, 2009 the Company adopted the guidance included in ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), which requires additional disclosures for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company does not have any derivative instruments nor has it engaged in any hedging activities. ASC 815 has no impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
Effective July 1, 2009 the Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 855 Subsequent Events (“ASC 855”). ASC 855 incorporates the subsequent events guidance contained in the auditing standards literature into authoritative accounting literature. It also requires entities to disclose the date through which they have evaluated subsequent events and whether the date corresponds with the release of their financial statements. See Note 2 — “Significant Accounting Policies — Basis of Presentation and Liquidity” for this new disclosure.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” (“SFAS 166”) (to be included in ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing”). SFAS 166 will require more information about transfers of financial assets, eliminates the qualifying special purpose entity (QSPE) concept, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures. SFAS 166 is effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009. The Company does not anticipate that SFAS 166 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. This statement has not yet been codified.


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FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 3.   Portfolio Investments
 
At September 30, 2009, 73.0% of stockholders’ equity or $299.6 million was invested in 28 long-term portfolio investments and 27.6% of stockholders’ equity or $113.2 million was invested in cash and cash equivalents. In comparison, at September 30, 2008, 93.0% of stockholders’ equity or $273.8 million was invested in 24 long-term portfolio investments and 7.8% of stockholders’ equity or $22.9 million was invested in cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2009, all of the Company’s debt investments were secured by first or second priority liens on the assets of the portfolio companies. Moreover, the Company held equity investments in its portfolio companies consisting of common stock, preferred stock or limited liability company interests designed to provide the Company with an opportunity for an enhanced rate of return. These instruments generally do not produce a current return, but are held for potential investment appreciation and capital gain.
 
At September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, $281.0 million and $251.5 million, respectively, of the Company’s portfolio debt investments at fair value were at fixed rates, which represented approximately 95% and 93%, respectively, of the Company’s total portfolio of debt investments at fair value. During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded realized losses of $14.4 million. During the year ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded realized gains on investments of approximately $62,000. During the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded unrealized depreciation of $10.8 million and $16.9 million, respectively.
 
The composition of the Company’s investments as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 at cost and fair value was as follows:
 
                                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
    Cost     Fair Value     Cost     Fair Value  
 
Investments in debt securities
  $ 317,069,667     $ 295,921,400     $ 281,264,010     $ 269,154,948  
Investments in equity securities
    10,162,618       3,689,737       9,320,975       4,604,206  
                                 
Total
  $ 327,232,285     $ 299,611,137     $ 290,584,985     $ 273,759,154  
                                 
 
The following table presents the financial instruments carried at fair value as of September 30, 2009, by caption on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet for each of the three levels of hierarchy established by ASC 820.
 
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Control investments
  $     $     $ 5,691,107     $ 5,691,107  
Affiliate investments
                64,748,560       64,748,560  
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments
                229,171,470       229,171,470  
                                 
Total investments at fair value
  $     $     $ 299,611,137     $ 299,611,137  
                                 
 
The following table provides a roll-forward in the changes in fair value from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009, for all investments for which the Company determines fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the fact that the unobservable factors are the most significant to the overall fair value measurement. However, Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and


84


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
can be validated by external sources). Accordingly, the appreciation (depreciation) in the table below includes changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology.
 
                                 
                Non-control/
       
    Control
    Affiliate
    Non-affiliate
       
    Investments     Investments     Investments     Total  
 
Fair value as of September 30, 2008
  $     $ 71,350,417     $ 202,408,737     $ 273,759,154  
Total realized losses
          (4,000,000 )     (10,373,200 )     (14,373,200 )
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (1,792,015 )     286,190       (9,289,492 )     (10,795,317 )
Purchases, issuances, settlements and other, net
    7,483,122       (2,888,047 )     46,425,425       51,020,500  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                       
                                 
Fair value as of September 30, 2009
  $ 5,691,107     $ 64,748,560     $ 229,171,470     $ 299,611,137  
                                 
 
Concurrent with its adoption of ASC 820, effective October 1, 2008, the Company augmented the valuation techniques it uses to estimate the fair value of its debt investments where there is not a readily available market value (Level 3). Prior to October 1, 2008, the Company estimated the fair value of its Level 3 debt investments by first estimating the enterprise value of the portfolio company which issued the debt investment. To estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the Company analyzed various factors, including the portfolio companies historical and projected financial results. Typically, private companies are valued based on multiples of EBITDA (Earning Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), cash flow, net income, revenues or, in limited instances, book value.
 
In estimating a multiple to use for valuation purposes, the Company looked to private merger and acquisition statistics, discounted public trading multiples or industry practices. In some cases, the best valuation methodology may have been a discounted cash flow analysis based on future projections. If a portfolio company was distressed, a liquidation analysis may have provided the best indication of enterprise value.
 
If there was adequate enterprise value to support the repayment of the Company’s debt, the fair value of the Level 3 loan or debt security normally corresponded to cost plus the amortized original issue discount unless the borrower’s condition or other factors lead to a determination of fair value at a different amount.
 
Beginning on October 1, 2008, the Company also introduced a bond yield model to value these investments based on the present value of expected cash flows. The primary inputs into the model are market interest rates for debt with similar characteristics and an adjustment for the portfolio company’s credit risk. The credit risk component of the valuation considers several factors including financial performance, business outlook, debt priority and collateral position. During the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and during the period ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of ($10.8 million), ($16.9 million) and $0.1 million, respectively, on its investments. For the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) consisted of $14.3 million of reclassifications to realized losses, offset by unrealized depreciation of ($21.2 million) resulting from declines in EBITDA or market multiples of its portfolio companies requiring closer monitoring or performing below expectations; and approximately ($3.9) million of unrealized appreciation resulting from the adoption of ASC 820.


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FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The table below summarizes the changes in the Company’s investment portfolio from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009.
 
                         
    Debt     Equity     Total  
 
Fair value at September 30, 2008
  $ 269,154,948     $ 4,604,206     $ 273,759,154  
New investments
    60,858,356       1,091,644       61,950,000  
Redemptions/repayments
    (18,445,907 )           (18,445,907 )
Net accrual of PIK interest income
    7,027,149             7,027,149  
Accretion of original issue discount
    842,623             842,623  
Recognition of unearned income
    (353,365 )           (353,365 )
Net unrealized depreciation
    (9,039,204 )     (1,756,113 )     (10,795,317 )
Net changes from unrealized to realized
    (14,123,200 )     (250,000 )     (14,373,200 )
                         
Fair value at September 30, 2009
  $ 295,921,400     $ 3,689,737     $ 299,611,137  
                         
 
The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of $9.8 million and $24.7 million of unfunded commitments to provide debt financing to its portfolio companies or to fund limited partnership interests as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet and are not reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
A summary of the composition of the unfunded commitments (consisting of revolvers, term loans and limited partnership interests) as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 is shown in the table below:
 
                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
MK Network, LLC
  $     $ 2,000,000  
Rose Tarlow, Inc. 
          2,650,000  
Martini Park, LLC
          11,000,000  
Fitness Edge, LLC
          1,500,000  
Western Emulsions, Inc. 
          2,000,000  
Storyteller Theaters Corporation
    1,750,000       4,000,000  
HealthDrive Corporation
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
IZI Medical Products, Inc. 
    2,500,000        
Trans-Trade, Inc. 
    2,000,000        
Riverlake Equity Partners II, LP (limited partnership interest)
    1,000,000        
Riverside Fund IV, LP (limited partnership interest)
    1,000,000        
                 
Total
  $ 9,750,000     $ 24,650,000  
                 


86


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Summaries of the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio at cost and fair value as a percentage of total investments are shown in the following tables:
 
                                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
Cost:
                               
First lien debt
  $ 153,207,248       46.82 %   $ 108,716,148       37.41 %
Second lien debt
    163,862,419       50.08 %     172,547,862       59.38 %
Purchased equity
    4,170,368       1.27 %     4,120,368       1.42 %
Equity grants
    5,992,250       1.83 %     5,200,607       1.79 %
                                 
Total
  $ 327,232,285       100.00 %   $ 290,584,985       100.00 %
                                 
Fair Value:
                               
First lien debt
  $ 142,016,942       47.40 %   $ 108,247,033       39.54 %
Second lien debt
    153,904,458       51.37 %     160,907,915       58.78 %
Purchased equity
    517,181       0.17 %     2,001,213       0.73 %
Equity grants
    3,172,556       1.06 %     2,602,993       0.95 %
                                 
Total
  $ 299,611,137       100.00 %   $ 273,759,154       100.00 %
                                 
 
The Company invests in portfolio companies located in the United States. The following tables show the portfolio composition by geographic region at cost and fair value as a percentage of total investments. The geographic composition is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company, which may not be indicative of the primary source of the portfolio company’s business.
 
                                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
Cost:
                               
Northeast
  $ 103,509,164       31.63 %   $ 89,699,936       30.87 %
West
    98,694,596       30.16 %     81,813,016       28.15 %
Southeast
    39,463,350       12.06 %     42,847,370       14.75 %
Midwest
    22,980,368       7.02 %     22,438,998       7.72 %
Southwest
    62,584,807       19.13 %     53,785,665       18.51 %
                                 
Total
  $ 327,232,285       100.00 %   $ 290,584,985       100.00 %
                                 
Fair Value:
                               
Northeast
  $ 87,895,220       29.34 %   $ 73,921,159       27.00 %
West
    93,601,893       31.24 %     80,530,516       29.42 %
Southeast
    39,858,633       13.30 %     42,950,840       15.69 %
Midwest
    22,841,167       7.62 %     22,575,695       8.25 %
Southwest
    55,414,224       18.50 %     53,780,944       19.64 %
                                 
Total
  $ 299,611,137       100.00 %   $ 273,759,154       100.00 %
                                 
 
The composition of the Company’s portfolio by industry at cost and fair value as of September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 were as follows:
 
                                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
Cost:
                               
Healthcare technology
  $ 37,201,082       11.37 %   $ 9,688,834       3.33 %
Healthcare services
    32,841,142       10.04 %     23,274,321       8.01 %


87


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
Footwear and apparel
    22,423,009       6.85 %     18,035,269       6.21 %
Restaurants
    20,288,245       6.20 %     19,311,810       6.65 %
Construction and engineering
    19,275,031       5.89 %     18,753,268       6.45 %
Healthcare facilities
    17,985,680       5.50 %     18,222,690       6.27 %
Trailer leasing services
    17,064,785       5.21 %     16,986,613       5.85 %
Manufacturing — mechanical products
    15,416,411       4.71 %     15,494,737       5.33 %
Data processing and outsourced services
    13,473,611       4.12 %     13,850,146       4.77 %
Media — Advertising
    13,403,441       4.10 %     12,781,230       4.40 %
Merchandise display
    13,014,576       3.98 %     12,799,999       4.40 %
Home furnishing retail
    12,855,762       3.93 %     11,419,981       3.93 %
Housewares & specialties
    12,045,029       3.68 %     11,419,317       3.93 %
Emulsions manufacturing
    11,743,630       3.59 %     9,523,464       3.28 %
Air freight and logistics
    10,758,896       3.29 %           0.00 %
Capital goods
    9,965,792       3.05 %     9,638,999       3.32 %
Environmental & facilities services
    8,924,801       2.73 %     8,954,807       3.08 %
Food distributors
    8,922,946       2.73 %     11,994,788       4.13 %
Household products/ specialty chemicals
    7,803,805       2.38 %     11,853,805       4.08 %
Entertainment — theaters
    7,601,085       2.32 %     11,780,851       4.05 %
Leisure facilities
    7,187,169       2.20 %     7,482,805       2.58 %
Building products
    7,036,357       2.13 %     6,973,122       2.39 %
Lumber products
          0.00 %     10,344,129       3.56 %
                                 
Total
  $ 327,232,285       100.00 %   $ 290,584,985       100.00 %
                                 
Fair Value:
                               
Healthcare technology
  $ 36,762,574       12.27 %   $ 9,864,480       3.60 %
Healthcare services
    33,722,889       11.26 %     23,377,791       8.54 %
Footwear and apparel
    22,082,721       7.37 %     17,934,513       6.55 %
Healthcare facilities
    17,853,369       5.96 %     18,222,690       6.66 %
Construction and engineering
    17,852,292       5.96 %     18,683,167       6.82 %
Restaurants
    17,811,015       5.94 %     17,639,081       6.44 %
Manufacturing — mechanical products
    15,081,138       5.03 %     15,494,737       5.66 %
Data processing and outsourced services
    13,289,816       4.44 %     13,697,302       5.00 %
Media — Advertising
    13,099,203       4.37 %     12,516,696       4.57 %
Merchandise display
    13,074,682       4.36 %     12,799,999       4.68 %
Emulsions manufacturing
    12,130,945       4.05 %     9,523,464       3.48 %
Air freight and logistics
    10,799,619       3.60 %           0.00 %
Home furnishing retail
    10,336,401       3.45 %     10,723,527       3.92 %
Trailer leasing services
    9,860,940       3.29 %     16,985,473       6.20 %
Capital goods
    9,766,485       3.26 %     9,775,696       3.57 %
Food distributors
    8,979,657       3.00 %     11,994,788       4.38 %
Entertainment — theaters
    7,541,582       2.52 %     11,777,270       4.30 %
Leisure facilities
    7,144,897       2.38 %     7,494,930       2.74 %

88


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                                 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
Building products
    6,158,908       2.06 %     6,975,311       2.55 %
Environmental & facilities services
    6,122,236       2.04 %     8,859,477       3.24 %
Housewares & specialties
    5,691,107       1.90 %     11,407,776       4.17 %
Household products/ specialty chemicals
    4,448,661       1.49 %     3,626,497       1.33 %
Lumber products
          0.00 %     4,384,489       1.60 %
                                 
Total
  $ 299,611,137       100.00 %   $ 273,759,154       100.00 %
                                 
 
The Company’s investments are generally in small and mid-sized companies in a variety of industries. At September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the Company had no investments that were greater than 10% of the total investment portfolio at fair value. Income, consisting of interest, dividends, fees, other investment income, and realization of gains or losses on equity interests, can fluctuate upon repayment of an investment or sale of an equity interest and in any given year can be highly concentrated among several investments. For the years ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, no individual investment produced income that exceeded 10% of investment income.
 
Note 4.   Unearned Fee Income — Debt Origination Fees
 
The Company capitalizes upfront debt origination fees received in connection with financings and the unearned income from such fees is accreted into fee income over the life of the financing. In accordance with ASC 820, the net balance is reflected as unearned income in the cost and fair value of the respective investments.
 
Accumulated unearned fee income activity for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
 
Beginning accumulated unearned fee income balance
  $ 5,236,265     $ 1,566,293  
Net fees received
    3,895,559       5,478,011  
Unearned fee income recognized
    (3,542,194 )     (1,808,039 )
                 
Ending unearned fee income balance
  $ 5,589,630     $ 5,236,265  
                 
 
Note 5.   Share Data and Stockholders’ Equity
 
Effective January 2, 2008, the Partnership merged with and into the Company. At the time of the merger, all outstanding partnership interests in the Partnership were exchanged for 12,480,972 shares of common stock of the Company. An additional 26 fractional shares were payable to the stockholders in cash.
 
On June 17, 2008, the Company completed an initial public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock at the offering price of $14.12 per share. The net proceeds totaled approximately $129.5 million net of investment banking commissions of approximately $9.9 million and offering costs of approximately $1.8 million.
 
On July 21, 2009, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 9,487,500 shares of its common stock, which included the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, at the offering price of $9.25. The net proceeds totaled approximately $82.7 million after deducting investment banking commissions of approximately $4.4 million and offering costs of $0.7 million.

89


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
On September 25, 2009, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 5,520,000 shares of its common stock, which included the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, at the offering price of $10.50. The net proceeds totaled approximately $54.9 million after deducting investment banking commissions of approximately $2.8 million and offering costs of approximately $0.3 million.
 
No dilutive instruments were outstanding and reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2009. The following table sets forth the weighted average shares outstanding for computing basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008.
 
                 
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    September 30,
  September 30,
    2009   2008
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
    24,654,325       15,557,469  
 
On December 13, 2007, the Company adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of its distributions on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Board of Directors authorizes, and the Company declares, a cash distribution, then its stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, rather than receiving the cash distributions. On May 1, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of $0.30 per share to stockholders of record on May 19, 2008. On June 3, 2008, the Company paid a cash dividend of approximately $1.9 million and issued 133,317 common shares totaling approximately $1.9 million under the dividend reinvestment plan. On August 6, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of $0.31 per share to stockholders of record on September 10, 2008. On September 26, 2008, the Company paid a cash dividend of $5.1 million, and purchased and distributed a total of 196,786 shares ($1.9 million) of its common stock under the dividend reinvestment plan. On December 9, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of $0.32 per share to stockholders of record on December 19, 2008, and a $0.33 per share dividend to stockholders of record on December 30, 2008. On December 18, 2008, the Company declared a special dividend of $0.05 per share to stockholders of record on December 30, 2008. On December 29, 2008, the Company paid a cash dividend of approximately $6.4 million and issued 105,326 common shares totaling approximately $0.8 million under the dividend reinvestment plan. On January 29, 2009, the Company paid a cash dividend of approximately $7.6 million and issued 161,206 common shares totaling approximately $1.0 million under the dividend reinvestment plan. On April 14, 2009, the Company declared a dividend of $0.25 per share to stockholders of record as of May 26, 2009. On June 25, 2009, the Company paid a cash dividend of approximately $5.6 million and issued 11,776 common shares totaling approximately $0.1 million under the dividend reinvestment plan. On August 3, 2009, the Company declared a dividend of $0.25 per share to stockholders of record as of September 8, 2009. On September 25, 2009 the Company paid a cash dividend of approximately $7.5 million and issued 56,890 common shares totaling approximately $0.6 million under the dividend reinvestment plan.
 
In October 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $8 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Stock repurchases under this program may be made through the open market at times and in such amounts as Company management deems appropriate. The stock repurchase program expires December 2009 and may be limited or terminated by the Board of Directors. In October 2008, the Company repurchased 78,000 shares of common stock on the open market as part of its share repurchase program.
 
Note 6.   Line of Credit
 
On November 16, 2009,Fifth Street Funding, LLC, a wholly-owned bankruptcy remote, special purpose subsidiary (“Funding”) and the Company, entered into a Loan and Servicing Agreement (“Agreement”), with respect to a three-year credit facility (“Facility”) with Wachovia Bank, National Association (“Wachovia”),


90


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as administrative agent (“Wells Fargo”), each of the additional institutional and conduit lenders party thereto from time to time, and each of the lender agents party thereto from time to time, in the amount of $50 million with an accordion feature, which will allow for potential future expansion of the Facility up to $100 million. The Facility is secured by all of the assets of Funding, and all of the Company’s equity interest in Funding. The Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 4.00% per annum and has a maturity date of November 16, 2012. The Facility may be extended for up to two additional years upon the mutual consent of Wells Fargo and each of the lender parties thereto. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Facility to fund a portion of its loan origination activities and for general corporate purposes.
 
In connection with the Facility, the Company concurrently entered into (i) a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Funding, pursuant to which the Company will sell to Funding certain loan assets it has originated or acquired, or will originate or acquire and (ii) a Pledge Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, pursuant to which the Company pledged all of its equity interests in Funding as security for the payment of Funding’s obligations under the Agreement and other documents entered into in connection with the Facility.
 
The Agreement and related agreements governing the Facility required both Funding and the Company to, among other things (i) make representations and warranties regarding the collateral as well as each of their businesses, (ii) agree to certain indemnification obligations, and (iii) comply with various covenants, servicing procedures, limitations on acquiring and disposing of assets, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The Facility documents also included usual and customary default provisions such as the failure to make timely payments under the Facility, a change in control of Funding, and the failure by Funding or the Company to materially perform under the Agreement and related agreements governing the Facility, which, if not complied with, could accelerate repayment under the Facility, thereby materially and adversely affecting the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Each loan origination under the Facility is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Company cannot assure you that Funding will be able to borrow funds under the Facility at any particular time or at all.
 
On January 15, 2008, the Company entered into a $50 million secured revolving credit facility with the Bank of Montreal, at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.5%, with a one year maturity date. The credit facility was secured by the Company’s existing investments. On December 30, 2008, Bank of Montreal renewed the Company’s $50 million credit facility. The terms included a 50 basis points commitment fee, an interest rate of LIBOR +3.25% and a term of 364 days. The Company gave notice of termination, effective September 16, 2009, to Bank of Montreal with respect to this revolving credit facility.
 
Prior to the merger of the Partnership with and into the Company, the Partnership entered into a $50 million unsecured, revolving line of credit with Wachovia Bank, N.A. (“Loan Agreement”) which had a final maturity date of April 1, 2008. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement were at a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.75% per annum. In connection with the Loan Agreement, the General Partner, a former member of the Board of Directors of Fifth Street Finance Corp. and an officer of Fifth Street Finance Corp. (collectively “guarantors”), entered into a guaranty agreement (the “Guaranty”) with the Partnership. Under the terms of the Guaranty, the guarantors agreed to guarantee the Partnership’s obligations under the Loan Agreement. In consideration for the guaranty, the Partnership was obligated to pay a former member of the Board of Directors of Fifth Street Finance Corp. a fee of $41,667 per month so long as the Loan Agreement was in effect. For the period from October 1, 2007 to November 27, 2007, the Partnership paid $83,333 under this Guaranty. In October 2007, the Partnership drew $28.25 million under the Loan Agreement. These loans were paid back in full with interest in November 2007. As of November 27, 2007, the Partnership terminated the Loan Agreement and the Guaranty.
 
Interest expense for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the period ended September 30, 2007, was $636,901, $917,043 and $522,316, respectively.


91


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
Note 7.   Interest and Dividend Income
 
Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. In accordance with the Company’s policy, accrued interest is evaluated periodically for collectibility. The Company stops accruing interest on investments when it is determined that interest is no longer collectible. Distributions from portfolio companies are recorded as dividend income when the distribution is received.
 
The Company holds debt in its portfolio that contains a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest provision. The PIK interest, which represents contractually deferred interest added to the loan balance that is generally due at the end of the loan term, is generally recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. The Company generally ceases accruing PIK interest if there is insufficient value to support the accrual or if the Company does not expect the portfolio company to be able to pay all principal and interest due. The Company’s decision to cease accruing PIK interest involves subjective judgments and determinations based on available information about a particular portfolio company, including whether the portfolio company is current with respect to its payment of principal and interest on its loans and debt securities; monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for the portfolio company; the Company’s assessment of the portfolio company’s business development success, including product development, profitability and the portfolio company’s overall adherence to its business plan; information obtained by the Company in connection with periodic formal update interviews with the portfolio company’s management and, if appropriate, the private equity sponsor; and information about the general economic and market conditions in which the portfolio company operates. Based on this and other information, the Company determines whether to cease accruing PIK interest on a loan or debt security. The Company’s determination to cease accruing PIK interest on a loan or debt security is generally made well before the Company’s full write-down of such loan or debt security.
 
Accumulated PIK interest activity for the years ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 was as follows:
 
                 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009     2008  
 
PIK balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,367,032     $ 588,795  
Gross PIK interest accrued
    8,853,636       4,897,398  
Accumulated deferred cash interest
    243,953        
PIK income reserves
    (1,398,347 )      
Deferred cash interest income reserves
    (243,953 )      
PIK interest received in cash
    (428,140 )     (114,412 )
Loan exits and other PIK adjustments
    (334,703 )     (4,749 )
                 
PIK balance at end of period
  $ 12,059,478     $ 5,367,032  
                 
 
Two investments did not pay all of their scheduled monthly cash interest payments for the period ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009, the Company had stopped accruing PIK interest and original issue discount (“OID”) on five investments, including the two investments that had not paid all of their scheduled monthly cash interest payments. At September 30, 2008, no loans or debt securities were on non-accrual status.


92


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Income non-accrual amounts for the year ended September 30, 2009 were as follows:
 
         
Cash interest income
  $ 2,938,190  
PIK interest income
    1,398,347  
OID income
    402,522  
         
Total
  $ 4,739,059  
         
 
Note 8.   Taxable/Tax Distributable Income and Dividend Distributions
 
Taxable income differs from net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations primarily due to: (1) unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, as investment gains and losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized; (2) origination fees received in connection with investments in portfolio companies, which are amortized into interest income over the life of the investment for book purposes, are treated as taxable income upon receipt; (3) organizational and deferred offering costs; (4) recognition of interest income on certain loans; and (5) income or loss recognition on exited investments.
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company has a net loss carryforward of $1.6 million to offset net capital gains, to the extent provided by federal tax law. The capital loss carryforward will expire in the Company’s tax year ending September 30, 2017.
 
Listed below is a reconciliation of “net increase in net assets resulting from operations” to taxable income for the year ended September 30, 2009.
 
         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 6,194,000  
Net change in unrealized depreciation from investments
    10,795,000  
Book/tax difference due to deferred loan origination fees, net
    353,000  
Book/tax difference due to organizational and offering costs
    (87,000 )
Book/tax difference due to interest income on certain loans
    3,394,000  
Book/tax difference due to capital loss carryforward
    1,645,000  
Other book-tax differences
    (13,000 )
         
Taxable/Tax Distributable Income(1)
  $ 22,281,000  
         
 
 
(1) The Company’s taxable income for 2009 is an estimate and will not be finally determined until the Company files its tax return for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Therefore, the final taxable income may be different than the estimate.
 
As of September 30, 2009, the components of accumulated undistributed income on a tax basis were as follows:
 
         
Undistributed ordinary income, net (RIC status)
  $ 862,000  
Unrealized losses, net
    (27,621,000 )
Accumulated partnership taxbale income not subject to distribution
    6,236,000  
Other book-tax differences
    (9,290,000 )
 
The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for its taxable subsidiaries’ income taxes. Using this method, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company recognizes deferred tax benefits associated with net operating carry forwards that it may use to offset future tax obligations. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which it expects to recover or settle those


93


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
temporary differences. The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset for the difference in the book and tax basis of certain equity investments and tax net operating losses held by its taxable subsidiaries of $1.4 million. However, this amount has been fully offset by a valuation allowance of $1.4 million, since it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
Distributions to stockholders are recorded on the declaration date. The Company is required to distribute annually to its stockholders at least 90% of its net ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses for each taxable year in order to be eligible for the tax benefits allowed to a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The Company anticipates paying out as a dividend all or substantially all of those amounts. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and is based on management’s estimate of the Company’s annual taxable income. Based on that, a dividend is declared and paid each quarter. The Company maintains an “opt out” dividend reimbursement plan for its stockholders.
 
To date, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following distributions:
 
                                     
Dividend Type
  Date Declared   Record Date   Payment Date   Amount
 
 
Quarterly
      5/1/2008       5/19/2008       6/3/2008     $ 0.30  
 
Quarterly
      8/6/2008       9/10/2008       9/26/2008     $ 0.31  
 
Quarterly
      12/9/2008       12/19/2008       12/29/2008     $ 0.32  
 
Quarterly
      12/9/2008       12/30/2008       1/29/2009     $ 0.33  
 
Special
      12/18/2008       12/30/2008       1/29/2009     $ 0.05  
 
Quarterly
      4/14/2009       5/26/2009       6/25/2009     $ 0.25  
 
Quarterly
      8/3/2009       9/8/2009       9/25/2009     $ 0.25  
 
For income tax purposes, the Company estimates that these distributions will be composed entirely of ordinary income, and will be reflected as such on the Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year 2009. To date, the Company’s operations have resulted in no long-term capital gains or losses. The Company anticipates declaring further distributions to its stockholders to meet the RIC distribution requirements.
 
Note 9.   Realized Gains or Losses from Investments and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation from Investments
 
Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption and the cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period, net of recoveries. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation from investments reflects the net change in the valuation of the portfolio pursuant to the Company’s valuation guidelines and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments.
 
During the year ended September 30, 2009 the Company exited its investment in American Hardwoods Industries, LLC and recorded a realized loss of $10.4 million, and recorded a $4.0 million realized loss on one of its portfolio company investments in connection with the determination that the investment was permanently impaired based on, among other things, analysis of changes in the portfolio company’s business operations and prospects. During the year ended September 30, 2008 the Company sold its equity investment in Filet of Chicken and realized a gain of approximately $62,000.
 
Note 10.   Concentration of Credit Risks
 
The Company places its cash in financial institutions, and at times, such balances may be in excess of the FDIC insured limit.


94


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
Note 11.   Related Party Transactions
 
The Company has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Investment Adviser. Under the investment advisory agreement, the Company pays the Investment Adviser a fee for its services under the investment advisory agreement consisting of two components-a base management fee and an incentive fee.
 
Base management Fee
 
The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2% of the Company’s gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears, and will be calculated based on the value of the Company’s gross assets at the end of each fiscal quarter, and appropriately adjusted on a pro rata basis for any equity capital raises or repurchases during such quarter. The base management fee for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately prorated.
 
In addition to the proration described above, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Investment Advisor waived approximately $172,000 of the base management fee on a portion of the proceeds raised in connection with the equity offerings the Company completed in 2009 and which were held in cash or cash equivalents at September 30, 2009.
 
Prior to the merger of the Partnership with and into the Company, which occurred on January 2, 2008, the Partnership paid the Investment Adviser a management fee (the “Management Fee”), subject to the adjustments as described in the Partnership Agreement, for investment advice equal to an annual rate of 2% of the aggregate capital commitments of all limited partners (other than affiliated limited partners) for each fiscal year (or portion thereof) provided, however, that commencing on the earlier of (1) the first day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the expiration of the commitment period, or (2) if a temporary suspension period became permanent in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, on the first day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the date of such permanent suspension, the Management Fee for each subsequent twelve month period was equal to 1.75% of the NAV of the Partnership (exclusive of the portion thereof attributable to the General Partner and the affiliated limited partners, based upon respective capital percentages).
 
For the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the period ended September 30, 2007, base management fees were approximately $5.9 million, $4.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
 
Incentive Fee
 
The incentive fee portion of the investment advisory agreement has two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. For this purpose, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the fiscal quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Company’s administration agreement with FSC, Inc., and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding indebtedness or preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 2% per quarter (8% annualized), subject to a “catch-up” provision measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company’s net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in


95


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
the amount of its gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee. The operation of the incentive fee with respect to the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each quarter is as follows:
 
  •  no incentive fee is payable to the Investment Adviser in any fiscal quarter in which the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 2% (the “preferred return” or “hurdle”).
 
  •  100% of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.5% in any fiscal quarter (10% annualized) is payable to the Investment Adviser. The Company refers to this portion of its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.5%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Investment Adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.5% in any fiscal quarter.
 
  •  20% of the amount of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.5% in any fiscal quarter (10% annualized) is payable to the Investment Adviser once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved (20% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income thereafter is allocated to the Investment Adviser).
 
The second part of the incentive fee will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the investment advisory agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on September 30, 2008, and will equal 20% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each fiscal year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees, provided that, the incentive fee determined as of September 30, 2008 will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from inception.
 
For the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, incentive fees were approximately $7.8 million and $4.1 million, respectively. There were no incentive fees paid for the period ended September 30, 2007.
 
Transaction fees
 
Prior to the merger of the Partnership with and into the Company, which occurred on January 2, 2008, the Investment Adviser received 20% of transaction origination fees. For the year ended September 30, 2008 and the period ended September 30, 2007, payments for the transaction fees paid to the Investment Adviser amounted to approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and were expensed as incurred.
 
Indemnification
 
The investment advisory agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of their respective duties and obligations, the Company’s Investment Adviser and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members (or their owners) and any other person or entity affiliated with it, are entitled to indemnification from the Company for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the Investment Adviser’s services under the investment advisory agreement or otherwise as the Company’s Investment Adviser.


96


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Administration Agreement
 
The Company has also entered into an administration agreement with FSC, Inc. under which FSC, Inc. provides administrative services for the Company, including office facilities and equipment, and clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such facilities. Under the administration agreement, FSC, Inc. also performs or oversees the performance of the Company’s required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial records which the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to the Company’s stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, FSC, Inc. assists the Company in determining and publishing the Company’s net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to the Company’s stockholders, and generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others. For providing these services, facilities and personnel, the Company reimburses FSC, Inc. the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by FSC, Inc. in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and the Company’s allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of the Company’s chief financial officer and his staff, and the staff of our chief compliance officer. FSC, Inc. may also provide, on the Company’s behalf, managerial assistance to the Company’s portfolio companies. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party.
 
For the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred administrative expenses of approximately $1.3 million. At September 30, 2009, approximately $704,000 was included in Due to FSC, Inc. in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Note 12.   Financial Highlights
 
                         
                For the Period
 
                February 15, 2007
 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    (Inception) through
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2009(1)     2008(1)(2)     2007(1)(3)  
 
Per Share Data(4):
                       
Net asset value at beginning of period
  $ 13.02     $ 8.56       NA  
Capital contributions from partners
          2.94       NA  
Capital withdrawals by partners
          (0.12 )     NA  
Dividends declared and paid
    (1.20 )     (0.61 )     NA  
Issuance of common stock
    (1.21 )     2.11       NA  
Repurchases of common stock
    (0.02 )           NA  
Net investment income
    1.27       0.89       NA  
Unrealized depreciation on investments
    (0.44 )     (0.75 )     NA  
Realized loss on investments
    (0.58 )           NA  
                         
Net asset value at end of period
  $ 10.84     $ 13.02       NA  
                         
Stockholders’ equity at beginning of period
  $ 294,335,839     $ 106,815,695        
Stockholders’ equity at end of period
  $ 410,556,071     $ 294,335,839     $ 106,815,695  
Average stockholders’ equity(5)
  $ 291,401,218     $ 205,932,850     $ 30,065,414  
Ratio of total expenses, excluding interest and line of credit guarantee expenses, to average stockholders’ equity(6)
    6.12 %     5.86 %     8.53 %
Ratio of total expenses to average stockholders’ equity(6)
    6.34 %     6.35 %     11.10 %
Ratio of net increase in net assets resulting from operations to ending stockholders’ equity(6)
    1.51 %     1.11 %     1.01 %
Ratio of unrealized depreciation on investments to ending stockholders’ equity(6)
    (2.63 )%     (5.76 )%     0.12 %
Total return to stockholders based on average stockholders’ equity(6)
    2.13 %     1.58 %     3.60 %
Weighted average outstanding debt(7)
  $ 5,019,178     $ 11,887,427     $ 12,155,296  


97


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
(1) The amounts reflected in the financial highlights above represent net assets, income and expense ratios for all stockholders.
 
(2) Per share data for the year ended September 30, 2008 presumes the issuance of the 12,480,972 common shares at October 1, 2007 which were actually issued on January 2, 2008 in connection with the merger described above.
 
(3) Per share data for the period February 15, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2007 reflects the fact that there was no established public trading market for the Company’s common stock prior to October 1, 2007.
 
(4) Based on actual shares outstanding at the end of the corresponding period or weighted average shares outstanding for the period, as appropriate.
 
(5) Calculated based upon the daily weighted average stockholders’ equity for the period.
 
(6) Interim periods are not annualized.
 
(7) Calculated based upon the daily weighted average of loans payable for the period.
 
Note 13.   Preferred Stock
 
The Company’s restated certificate of incorporation had not authorized any shares of preferred stock. However, on April 4, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a certificate of amendment to its restated certificate of incorporation reclassifying 200,000 shares of its common stock as shares of non-convertible, non-participating preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation preference of $500 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”) and authorizing the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Company’s certificate of amendment was also approved by the holders of a majority of the shares of its outstanding common stock through a written consent first solicited on April 7, 2008. On April 24, 2008, the Company filed its certificate of amendment and on April 25, 2008, it sold 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a company controlled by Bruce E. Toll, one of the Company’s directors at that time. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, the Company paid dividends of approximately $234,000 on the 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend payment is considered and included in interest expense for accounting purposes since the preferred stock has a mandatory redemption feature. On June 30, 2008, the Company redeemed 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the mandatory redemption price of 101% of the liquidation preference or $15,150,000. The $150,000 is considered and included in interest expense for accounting purposes due to the stock’s mandatory redemption feature. No preferred stock is currently outstanding.
 
Note 14.   Subsequent Events
 
On October 2, 2009, Storyteller Theaters Corporation drew $250,000 on its line of credit. Prior to the draw, the Company’s unfunded commitment was $1.75 million.
 
On October 8, 2009, the Company funded $153,972 of its previously unfunded limited partnership interest in Riverside Fund IV, LP upon receipt of the first closing notice of the fund.
 
On October 16, 2009, Elephant & Castle, Inc. repaid $3.9 million of principal outstanding under its term loan. The balance of the loan was assumed by Repechage Investments Limited (“RIL”), the equity sponsor’s


98


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
holding company. The Company received a first lien on the assets of RIL and a guaranty on the balance of its debt.
 
On October 21, 2009, the Company invested an additional $6.0 million of second lien debt in Western Emulsions, Inc., an existing portfolio company, to support its growth initiatives.
 
On October 26, 2009, the Company executed a non-binding term sheet for $41.25 million for its portion of an investment in a post-secondary education company. The proposed terms of this investment include a $10 million revolver at Libor+950 with a Libor floor of 3% and a $31.25 million first lien term loan at Libor+950 with a Libor floor of 3%. This is a senior secured first lien facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of the Company’s due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. The Company may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On November 6, 2009, the Company executed a non-binding term sheet for $34.0 million for an investment in a specialty chemical distributor. The proposed terms of this investment include a $10 million revolver at 10%, a $10 million Term Loan A at 10%, and a $14 million Term Loan B at 12%. This is a first lien facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of the Company’s due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. The Company may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On November 12, 2009, the Company declared a $0.27 per share dividend to common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2009. The dividend is payable December 29, 2009.
 
On November 12, 2009, the Company executed a letter agreement for the potential sale of its second lien term loan to CPAC, Inc. and/or its 2,297 shares of common stock of CPAC, Inc. The Company received a non-refundable deposit of $150,000 in connection with the letter agreement.
 
On November 16, 2009, the Company entered into a three-year credit facility with Wachovia in the amount of $50 million with an accordion feature, which will allow for potential future expansion of the facility up to $100 million, and will bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 4% per annum. See “Note 6. Line of Credit” for a more detailed discussion of the credit facility.
 
On November 23, 2009, the Company received a cash payment in the amount of $0.1 million, representing payment in full of all amounts due in connection with the cancellation of the Company’s loan agreement with American Hardwoods Industries Holdings, LLC on August 3, 2009.
 
On December 1, 2009, the Company executed a non-binding term sheet for $28.75 million for an investment in a specialty food company. The proposed terms of this investment include a $2.0 million revolver at 10%, a $10 million Term Loan A at 10%, and a $16.75 million Term Loan B at 12% cash and 3% PIK. This is a first lien facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of the Company’s due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. The Company may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On December 3, 2009, the Company executed a non-binding term sheet for $57.3 million for an investment in a contract manufacturer for medical device original equipment manufacturers. The proposed terms of this investment include a $4.0 million revolver at Libor+700 with a 3% Libor floor, a $33 million Term Loan A at Libor+700 with a 3% Libor floor, and a $20.3 million Term Loan B at 12% cash interest and 2% PIK. This is a first lien loan facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is


99


 

 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
subject to the completion of the Company’s due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. The Company may syndicate a portion of this investment.
 
On December 4, 2009, the Company executed a non-binding term sheet for $34.0 million for an investment in a franchisor of consumer services. The proposed terms of this investment include a $2.0 million revolver at Libor+650 with a 3% Libor floor, a $10 million first lien Term Loan A at Libor+675 with a 3% Libor floor, and a $22.0 million Term Loan B at 12% cash and 2% PIK. This is a first lien loan facility with a scheduled maturity of five years. This proposed investment is subject to the completion of the Company’s due diligence, approval process and documentation, and may not result in a completed investment. The Company may syndicate a portion of this investment.


100


 

Schedule 12-14
 
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
 
Schedule of Investments in and Advances to Affiliates
 
                                         
    Amount of
                         
    Interest,
                         
    Fees or
                      Fair Value
 
    Dividends
    Fair Value
                at
 
    Credited in
    at October 1,
    Gross
    Gross
    September 30,
 
Portfolio Company/Type of Investment(1)
  Income(2)     2008     Additions(3)     Reductions(4)     2009  
 
Control Investments
                                       
Lighting by Gregory, LLC
                                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 9.75% due 2/28/2013
  $     $     $ 3,044,732     $ (625,105 )   $ 2,419,627  
First Lien Term Loan B, 14.5% due 2/28/2013
                4,138,390       (866,910 )     3,271,480  
97.38% membership interest
                300,000       (300,000 )      
                                         
Total Control Investments
  $     $     $ 7,483,122     $ (1,792,015 )   $ 5,691,107  
                                         
Affiliate Investments
                                       
O’Currance, Inc.
                                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 16.875% due 3/21/2012
    1,856,153       9,888,488       511,758       (213,745 )     10,186,501  
First Lien Term Loan B, 16.875% due 3/21/2012
    573,147       3,581,245       367,826       (1,030,000 )     2,919,071  
1.75% Preferred Membership Interest in O’Currance Holding Co., LLC
          130,413                   130,413  
3.3% Membership Interest in O’Currance Holding Co., LLC
          97,156             (43,325 )     53,831  
CPAC, Inc.
                                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 17.5% due 4/13/2012
    1,318,008       3,626,497       4,932,164       (4,110,000 )     4,448,661  
2,297 shares of Common Stock
                             
Elephant & Castle, Inc.
                                       
Second Lien Term Loan, 15.5% due 4/20/2012
    1,472,389       7,145,198       449,845       (283,439 )     7,311,604  
7,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
          196,386       296,083             492,469  
MK Network, LLC
                                       
First Lien Term Loan A, 13.5% due 6/1/2012
    1,462,272       9,115,152       161,959       (243,285 )     9,033,826  
First Lien Term Loan B, 17.5% due 6/1/2012
    872,070             5,581,544       (418,000 )     5,163,544  
First Lien Revolver, Prime + 1.5% (10% floor), due 6/1/2010
    17,111       (11,113 )     17,113       (6,000 )      
11,030 Membership Units
          760,441       186,780       (947,221 )      
Rose Tarlow, Inc.
                                       
First Lien Term Loan, 12% due 1/25/2014
    1,128,302       9,796,648       177,084       (9,973,732 )      
First Lien Revolver, LIBOR+4% (9% floor) due 1/25/2014
    123,460       323,333       1,214,827       (1,538,160 )      
6.9% membership interest in RTMH Acquisition Company
          591,939             (591,939 )      
0.1% membership interest in RTMH Acquisition Company
          11,607             (11,607 )      
Martini Park, LLC
                                       
First Lien Term Loan, 14% due 2/20/2013
    475,732       2,719,236       220,000       (870,933 )     2,068,303  
5% membership interest
                             
Caregiver Services, Inc.
                                       
Second Lien Term Loan A, LIBOR+6.85% (12% floor) due 2/25/2013
    1,263,662       9,381,973       288,785       (1,445,358 )     8,225,400  
Second Lien Term Loan B, 16.5% due 2/25/2013
    2,806,310       12,811,951       1,101,389       (405,002 )     13,508,338  
1,080,399 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
          1,183,867       22,732             1,206,599  
                                         
Total Affiliate Investments
  $ 13,368,616     $ 71,350,417     $ 15,529,889     $ (22,131,746 )   $ 64,748,560  
                                         
Total Control & Affiliate Investments
  $ 13,368,616     $ 71,350,417     $ 23,013,011     $ (23,923,761 )   $ 70,439,667  
                                         


101


 

This schedule should be read in connection with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Schedules of Investments and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
(1) The principal amount and ownership detail as shown in the Consolidated Schedules of Investments.
 
(2) Represents the total amount of interest, fees and dividends credited to income for the portion of the year an investment was included in the Control or Non-Control/Non-Affiliate categories, respectively.
 
(3) Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow-on Investments and accrued PIK interest, and the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities. Gross additions also include net increases in unrealized appreciation or net decreases in unrealized depreciation as well as the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category or out of a different category.
 
(4) Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investment resulting from principal payments or sales and exchanges of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities. Gross reductions also include net increases in unrealized depreciation or net decreases in unrealized appreciation as well as the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category and into a different category.


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Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
(a)   Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of September 30, 2009 (the end of the period covered by this report), management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, at the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and provided reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. However, in evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of such possible controls and procedures.
 
(b)   Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009 based upon the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2009.


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(c)   Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Refer to the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm contained in Item 8 “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
(d)   Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
 
Management has not identified any change in our internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None


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PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Directors
 
Information regarding our Board of Directors is set forth below. We have divided the directors into two groups — independent directors and interested directors. Interested directors are “interested persons” of Fifth Street Finance Corp. as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
 
The address for each director is c/o Fifth Street Finance Corp., 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, NY 10606.
 
                     
        Director
  Expiration of
Name
  Age   Since   Term
 
Independent Directors
                   
Adam C. Berkman
  42     2007       2012  
Brian S. Dunn
  38     2007       2011  
Byron J. Haney
  48     2007       2011  
Frank C. Meyer
  66     2007       2010  
Douglas F. Ray
  41     2007       2010  
Interested Directors
                   
Leonard M. Tannenbaum
  38     2007       2012  
Bernard D. Berman
  38     2009       2012  
 
Executive Officers
 
The following persons serve as our executive officers in the following capacities:
 
             
Name
 
Age
 
Position(s) Held
 
Leonard M. Tannenbaum
    38     Chief Executive Officer and President
Bernard D. Berman
    38     Chief Compliance Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary
William H. Craig
    53     Chief Financial Officer
Marc A. Goodman
    52     Chief Investment Officer
 
The address for each executive officer is c/o Fifth Street Finance Corp., 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, NY 10606.
 
Biographical Information
 
Independent Directors
 
  •  Adam C. Berkman.  Mr. Berkman has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. Mr. Berkman has over 20 years of experience in strategy, operations, finance and business development in the consumer products, importing and manufacturing, wholesale distribution, business services and information technology industries. Since September 2007, he has served as chief operating officer of Adrianna Papell LLC, an apparel company. From February 2006 to May 2007, Mr. Berkman served as the chief financial officer of Accessory Network LLC, and from May 2003 to January 2006, he served as the chief financial officer of Amerex Group, Inc, each of which is an apparel/accessory firm. Prior to this, from August 2001 to February 2003, he was the vice president of business development at Accruent, Inc., a leading real estate performance management software solutions company. Mr. Berkman also co-founded MyContracts, a predecessor of Accruent, Inc., and was a member of its Board of Directors from June 1999 to August 2001. Mr. Berkman is a Certified Public Accountant who began his career at Price Waterhouse, a predecessor to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and earned his B.A. from Duke University and M.B.A. in finance and accounting from the NYU Stern School of Business.


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  •  Brian S. Dunn.  Mr. Dunn has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. Mr. Dunn has over 15 years of marketing, logistical and entrepreneurial experience. He founded and turned around direct marketing divisions for several consumer-oriented companies. Since June 2006, Mr. Dunn has been the marketing director for Lipenwald, Inc., a direct marketing company that markets collectibles and mass merchandise. Prior to that, from February 2001 to June 2006, he was sole proprietor of BSD Trading/Consulting. Mr. Dunn graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1993 with a B.S. in Economics.
 
  •  Byron J. Haney.  Mr. Haney has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. From 1994 until 2009, Mr. Haney worked for Resurgence Asset Management LLC, during which time he most recently served as managing director and chief investment officer. Mr. Haney previously served on the Board of Directors of Sterling Chemicals, Inc. and Furniture.com. Mr. Haney has more than 20 years of business experience, including having served as chief financial officer of a private retail store chain and as an auditor with Touche Ross & Co., a predecessor of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Haney earned his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
  •  Frank C. Meyer.  Mr. Meyer has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. Mr. Meyer is a private investor who was chairman of Glenwood Capital Investments, LLC, an investment adviser specializing in hedge funds, which he founded in January of 1988 and from which he resigned in January of 2004. As of October of 2000, Glenwood has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Man Group, PLC, an investment adviser based in England specializing in alternative investment strategies. Since leaving Glenwood in 2004, Mr. Meyer has focused on serving as a director for various companies. During his career, Mr. Meyer has served as an outside director on a several companies, including Quality Systems, Inc. (a public company specializing in software for medical and dental professionals), Bernard Technologies, Inc. (a firm specializing in development of industrial processes using chlorine dioxide), and Centurion Trust Company of Arizona (where he served as a non-executive Chairman until its purchase by GE Financial). Currently, he is on the Board of Directors of Einstein-Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., a firm operating in the quick casual segment of the restaurant industry, and United Capital Financial Partners, Inc., a firm that converts transaction-oriented brokers into fee-based financial planners. He is also on the Board of Directors of three investment funds run by Ferox Capital Management, Limited, an investment manager based in the United Kingdom that specializes in convertible bonds. Mr. Meyer received his B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
 
  •  Douglas F. Ray.  Mr. Ray has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. Since August 1995, Mr. Ray has worked for Seavest Inc., a private investment and wealth management firm based in White Plains, New York. He currently serves as the president of Seavest Inc. Mr. Ray has more than 14 years experience acquiring, developing, financing and managing a diverse portfolio of real estate investments, including three healthcare properties funds. Mr. Ray previously served on the Board of Directors of Nat Nast, Inc., a luxury men’s apparel company. Prior to joining Seavest, Mr. Ray worked in Washington, D.C. on the staff of U.S. Senator Arlen Specter and as a research analyst with the Republican National Committee. Mr. Ray holds a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.
 
Interested Directors
 
  •  Leonard M. Tannenbaum, CFA.  Mr. Tannenbaum has been our president and chief executive officer since October 2007 and the chairman of our Board of Directors since December 2007. He is also the managing partner of our investment adviser. Since founding his first private investment firm in 1998, Mr. Tannenbaum has founded a number of private investment firms, including Fifth Street Capital LLC, and he has served as managing member of each firm. Prior to launching his first firm, Mr. Tannenbaum gained extensive small-company experience as an equity analyst for Merrill Lynch and a partner in a $50 million small company hedge fund. In addition to serving on our Board of Directors, Mr. Tannenbaum currently serves on the Board of Directors of several Greenlight Capital affiliated entities (Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd., Greenlight Capital Offshore Qualified, Ltd., Greenlight Masters Offshore, Ltd., and Greenlight Masters Offshore I, Ltd.) and has previously served on the


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  Boards of Directors of five other public companies, including Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., WesTower Communications, Inc., Cortech, Inc. and General Devices, Inc. Mr. Tannenbaum has also served on four audit committees and five compensation committees, of which he has acted as chairperson for one of such audit committees and four of such compensation committees. Mr. Tannenbaum graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a B.S. in Economics. Subsequent to his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Tannenbaum received an M.B.A. in Finance from the Wharton School as part of the Submatriculation Program. He is a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and he is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
 
  •  Bernard D. Berman.  Mr. Berman has been our chief compliance officer since April 2009, and our executive vice president and secretary since October 2007. Mr. Berman is also a partner of Fifth Street Management and a partner of Fifth Street Capital LLC. Mr. Berman joined Fifth Street Capital LLC in 2004. He is responsible for the structuring of all investments, overseeing legal issues, and firm-wide risk management. Mr. Berman has 13 years of legal experience, including structuring and negotiating a variety of investment transactions. Prior to joining Fifth Street Capital LLC, he was a corporate attorney with the law firm Riemer & Braunstein LLP from 2000 — 2004. Mr. Berman graduated from Boston College Law School (cum laude). He received a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University (with high honors).
 
Non-Director Executive Officers
 
  •  William H. Craig.  Mr. Craig has been our chief financial officer since October 2007 and was our chief compliance officer from December 2007 through April 2009. Prior to joining Fifth Street, from March 2005 to October 2007, Mr. Craig was an executive vice president and chief financial officer of Vital-Signs, Inc., a medical device manufacturer that was later acquired by General Electric Company’s GE Healthcare unit in October 2008. Prior to that, from January 2004 to March 2005, he worked as an interim chief financial officer and Sarbanes-Oxley consultant. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Craig served as an executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer for Matheson Trigas, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of industrial gases and related equipment. Mr. Craig’s prior experience includes stints at GE Capital, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and GMAC, as well as merchant banking. Mr. Craig has an M.B.A. from Texas A&M University and a B.A. from Wake Forest University. Mr. Craig is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
  •  Marc A. Goodman.  Mr. Goodman has served as our chief investment officer since April 2009 and is a senior partner of Fifth Street Management and is co-head of the Investment Committee of Fifth Street Management. Mr. Goodman has over 18 years of experience advising on, restructuring, and negotiating investments. Mr. Goodman is responsible for all portfolio management. Prior to joining Fifth Street Capital LLC in 2004, from 2003 to 2004, Mr. Goodman was a partner of Triax Capital Advisors, a consulting firm that provides management and financial advisory services to distressed companies. Mr. Goodman also served as the president of Cross River Consulting, Inc. from June 1998 to January 2005. Previously, he was with the law firm of Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP and the law firm of Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen, P.C. Mr. Goodman graduated from Cardozo Law School, and has a B.A. in Economics from New York University.
 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own 10% or more of our voting stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of our equity securities with the SEC. Directors, executive officers and 10% or more holders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of those forms furnished to us, or written representations that no such forms were required, we believe that our directors, executive officers and 10% or more beneficial owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during the year ended September 30, 2009.


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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to which applies to, among others, our senior officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as well as every officer, director and employee of the Company. In addition, our investment adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all of its employees. Requests for copies of either document without charge should be sent in writing to Fifth Street Finance Corp., 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, NY 10606. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also available on our website at http://ir.fifthstreetfinance.com/governance.cfm.
 
If we make any substantive amendment to, or grant a waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website at http://ir.fifthstreetfinance.com/governance.cfm as well as file a Form 8-K.
 
Audit Committee
 
Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee that is responsible for selecting, engaging and discharging our independent accountants, reviewing the plans, scope and results of the audit engagement with our independent accountants, approving professional services provided by our independent accountants (including compensation therefore), reviewing the independence of our independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Berkman, Dunn, and Haney, each of whom is not an interested person of us for purposes of the 1940 Act and is independent for purposes of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. Mr. Haney serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Haney is independent as defined in New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.00 and an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC rules.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
Compensation of Directors
 
The following table sets forth compensation of our directors for the year ended September 30, 2009.
 
                         
    Fees Earned or
  All Other
   
Name
  Paid in Cash(1)   Compensation(2)   Total
 
Interested Directors
                       
Bernard D. Berman
                 
Leonard M. Tannenbaum
                 
Independent Directors
                       
Adam C. Berkman
  $ 50,500           $ 50,500  
Brian S. Dunn
  $ 56,500           $ 56,500  
Byron J. Haney
  $ 70,500           $ 70,500  
Frank C. Meyer
  $ 77,000           $ 77,000  
Douglas F. Ray
  $ 53,750           $ 53,750  
Bruce E. Toll(3)
  $ 2,000           $ 2,000  
 
 
(1) For a discussion of the independent directors’ compensation, see below.
 
(2) We do not maintain a stock or option plan, non-equity incentive plan or pension plan for our directors.
 
(3) Mr. Toll did not stand for re-election at the 2009 annual meeting and his term expired at such meeting.
 
For the year ended September 30, 2009, the independent directors received an annual retainer fee of $25,000, payable once per year if the director attended at least 75% of the meetings held during the previous year, plus $2,000 for each board meeting in which the director attended in person and $1,000 for each board meeting in which the director participated other than in person, and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting. The independent directors also received $1,000 for each committee meeting in which they attended in person and $500 for each committee meeting in which they participated other than in person, in connection with each committee meeting of the Board of


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Directors that they attended, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each committee meeting not held concurrently with a board meeting.
 
In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an annual retainer of $20,000, while the Chairman of the Valuation Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each received an annual retainer of $30,000 and $5,000, respectively. No compensation was paid to directors who are interested persons of the Company as defined in the 1940 Act, except that we paid Mr. Toll all applicable board fees through the end of his term as director.
 
Effective as of October 1, 2009, the annual retainer fee received by the independent directors was increased to $30,000, payable once per year if the director attends at least 75% of the meetings held during the previous year, and the annual retainer fee paid to the chairman of the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors was reduced to $20,000 from $30,000.
 
Compensation of Executive Officers
 
None of our executive officers receive direct compensation from us. The compensation of the principals and other investment professionals of our investment adviser is paid by our investment adviser. Compensation paid to Mr. Craig, our chief financial officer, is set by our administrator, FSC, Inc., and is subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered to us. For fiscal year 2009, we reimbursed FSC, Inc. approximately $704,000 for the allocable portion of compensation expenses incurred by FSC, Inc. Pursuant to the administration agreement with FSC, Inc., this reimbursement includes compensation to Mr. Craig for his services as chief financial officer, as well as other staff and support personnel.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Dunn, Meyer and Ray, each of whom is not an interested person of us for purposes of the 1940 Act and is independent for purposes of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. Mr. Ray serves as the chairman of the Compensation Committee. None of the members of the compensation committee are current or former officers or employees of the Company. None of the members of the compensation committee has any relationship required to be disclosed under this caption under the rules of the SEC.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:
 
  •  each person known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock;
 
  •  each of our directors and each executive officers; and
 
  •  all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
 
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 37,878,987 shares of common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2009, unless otherwise noted.


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Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, each stockholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder, and maintains an address c/o Fifth Street Finance Corp., 10 Bank Street, 12th Floor, White Plains, NY 10606.
 
                 
    Number of
   
    Shares Owned
   
Name
  Beneficially   Percentage
 
Stockholders Owning 5% or greater of the Company’s Outstanding Shares
               
Greenlight Entities(1)
    2,259,492       5.97 %
Interested Directors:
               
Leonard M. Tannenbaum(2)
    1,326,557       3.50 %
Bernard D. Berman(3)
    10,468       *  
Independent Directors:
               
Adam C. Berkman
    1,000       *  
Brian S. Dunn(4)
    6,000       *  
Byron J. Haney(4)
    10,000       *  
Frank C. Meyer
    90,672       *  
Douglas F. Ray
    2,500       *  
Executive Officers:
               
William H. Craig(5)
    7,505       *  
Marc A. Goodman
    53,207       *  
All officers and directors as a group (nine persons)
    1,507,909       3.98 %
 
 
Represents less than 1%.
 
(1) Based upon information contained in the Schedule 13G/A filed by (i) Greenlight Capital, L.L.C.; (ii) Greenlight Capital, Inc.; (iii) DME Advisors, L.P.; (iv) DME Advisors GP, L.L.C. and (v) David Einhorn on February 13, 2009 (collectively, the “Greenlight Entities”). Greenlight Capital, L.L.C. (“Greenlight LLC”) may be deemed the beneficial owner of 1,014,322 shares of common stock held for the account of Greenlight Capital, L.P. (“Greenlight Fund”), and Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P. (“Greenlight Qualified”); Greenlight Capital, Inc. (“Greenlight Inc”) may be deemed the beneficial owner of 1,678,857 shares of common stock held for the accounts of Greenlight Fund, Greenlight Qualified and Greenlight Capital Offshore, Ltd. (“Greenlight Offshore”). DME Advisors, L.P. (“Advisors”) may be deemed the beneficial owner of 580,635 shares of common stock held for the account of the managed account for which Advisors acts as investment manager; DME Advisors GP, L.L.C. (“DME GP”) may be deemed the beneficial owner of 580,635 shares of common stock held for the account of the managed account for which Advisors acts as investment manager; Mr. Einhorn may be deemed the beneficial owner of 2,259,492 shares of common stock. This number consists of: (A) an aggregate of 1,014,322 shares of common stock held for the accounts of Greenlight Fund and Greenlight Qualified, (B) 664,535 shares of common stock held for the account of Greenlight Offshore, and (C) 580,635 shares of common stock held for the managed account for which Advisors acts as investment manager. Greenlight LLC is the general partner of Greenlight Fund and Greenlight Qualified; Greenlight Inc serves as investment adviser to Greenlight Offshore. Greenlight, Inc, Greenlight L.L.C., DME Advisors and DME GP are located at 2 Grand Central Tower, 140 East 45th Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10017. Pursuant to Rule 13d-4, each of the Greenlight Entities disclaims all such beneficial ownership except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in any shares of common stock, if applicable.
 
(2) The total number of shares reported includes: 1,316,557 shares of which Mr. Tannenbaum is the direct beneficial owner; 79,867 shares Mr. Tannenbaum holds in a margin account; 500,000 shares Mr. Tannenbaum has pledged as security to Wachovia Bank, National Association; and 10,000 shares owned by the Leonard M. & Elizabeth T. Tannenbaum Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation for which Mr. Tannenbaum serves as the President. With respect to the 10,000 shares held by the Leonard


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M. & Elizabeth T. Tannenbaum Foundation, Mr. Tannenbaum has sole voting and investment power over all 10,000 shares, but has no pecuniary interest in, and expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of, the shares.
 
(3) Includes 10,100 shares held in margin accounts.
 
(4) Shares are held in a brokerage account and may be used as security on a margin basis.
 
(5) Pursuant to Rule 16a-1, Mr. Craig disclaims beneficial ownership of 4,005 shares of common stock owned by his spouse.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
We have entered into an investment advisory agreement with Fifth Street Management LLC, our investment adviser. Fifth Street Management is controlled by Leonard M. Tannenbaum, its managing member and our president and chief executive officer. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, payments will be equal to (a) a base management fee of 2.0% of the value of our gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes, and (b) an incentive fee based on our performance. The investment advisory agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon no fewer than 60 days’ written notice to the other.
 
We have also entered into an administration agreement with FSC, Inc., which is also controlled by Mr. Tannenbaum. Pursuant to the administration agreement with FSC, Inc., FSC, Inc. will furnish us with the facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations, including equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such facilities. In addition, FSC, Inc. will assist us in connection with the determination and publishing of our net asset value, the preparation and filing of tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders. We will pay FSC, Inc. our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including a portion of the rent and the compensation of our chief financial officer and his staff, and the staff of our chief compliance officer. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon no fewer than 60 days’ written notice to the other.
 
We have also entered into a license agreement with Fifth Street Capital LLC pursuant to which Fifth Street Capital LLC has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Fifth Street.” Fifth Street Capital LLC is controlled by Mr. Tannenbaum. Under this agreement, we will have a right to use the “Fifth Street” name, for so long as Fifth Street Management LLC or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Fifth Street” name.
 
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties
 
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with portfolio companies that may be considered related party transactions. In order to ensure that we do not engage in any prohibited transactions with any persons affiliated with us, we have implemented certain policies and procedures whereby our executive officers screen each of our transactions for any possible affiliations, close or remote, between the proposed portfolio investment, us, companies controlled by us and our employees and directors. We will not enter into any agreements unless and until we are satisfied that no affiliations prohibited by the 1940 Act exist or, if such affiliations exist, we have taken appropriate actions to seek board review and receive approval or exemptive relief for such transaction. Our Board reviews these procedures on an annual basis.
 
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is required to review and approve any transactions with related parties (as such term is defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K).
 
In addition, our code of business conduct and ethics, which is applicable to all our all employees, officers and directors, requires that all employees, officers and directors avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between an individual’s personal interests and our interests. Our code of business conduct and ethics is available on our website.


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Director Independence
 
In accordance with rules of the NYSE, the Board annually determines the independence of each director. No director is considered independent unless the Board has determined that he or she has no material relationship with us. We monitor the status of its directors and officers through the activities of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and through a questionnaire to be completed by each director no less frequently than annually, with updates periodically if information provided in the most recent questionnaire has changed.
 
In order to evaluate the materiality of any such relationship, the Board uses the definition of director independence set forth in the NYSE Listed Company Manual. Section 303A.00 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual provides that business development companies, or BDCs, are required to comply with all of the provisions of Section 303A applicable to domestic issuers other than Sections 303A.02, the section that defines director independence. Section 303A.00 provides that a director of a BDC shall be considered to be independent if he or she is not an “interested person”, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act defines an “interested person” to include, among other things, any person who has, or within the last two years had, a material business or professional relationship with us.
 
The Board has determined that each of the directors is independent and has no relationship with the us, except as a director and stockholder of ours, with the exception of Bernard D. Berman and Leonard M. Tannenbaum. Messrs. Berman and Tannenbaum are interested persons due to their positions as officers.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
 
                 
    2008(1)     2009  
 
Audit Fees
  $ 351,020     $ 587,239  
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees:
               
Audit-Related Fees
    313,200       188,142  
Tax Fees
    35,070       55,560  
All Other Fees
    3,675        
Total Aggregate Non-Audit Fees
    351,945       243,702  
                 
Total Fees
  $ 702,965     $ 830,941  
                 
 
 
(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
 
Audit Fees.  Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and services that are normally provided by Grant Thornton LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
 
Audit-Related Fees.  Audit-related services consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
 
Tax Fees.  Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state, and local tax compliance.
 
All Other Fees.  All other fees would include fees for products and services other than the services reported above.
 
The Audit Committee of the Board has established a pre-approval policy that describes the permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided by Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Pursuant to the policy, the Audit Committee pre-approves the audit and non-


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audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to assure that the provision of such service does not impair the firm’s independence.
 
Any requests for audit, audit-related, tax, and other services that have not received general pre-approval must be submitted to the Audit Committee for specific pre-approval, irrespective of the amount, and cannot commence until such approval has been granted. Normally, pre-approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee. However, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm to management.
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
The following documents are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report:
 
1.   Consolidated Financial Statements
 
         
    Page
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    64  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 and 2008
    66  
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the Period February 15 through September 30, 2007
    67  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the Period February 15 through September 30, 2007
    68  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the Period February 15 through September 30, 2007
    69  
Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of September 30, 2009 and 2008
    70  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    78  
 
2.   Financial Statement Schedule
 
The following financial statement schedule is filed herewith:
 
Schedule 12-14 — Investments in and advances to affiliates  101


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3.   Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or hereby incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC:
 
         
  3 .1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Form 8-A (File No. 001-33901) filed on January 2, 2008).
  3 .2   Certificate of Amendment to the Registrant’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-146743) filed on June 6, 2008).
  3 .3   Certificate of Correction to the Certificate of Amendment to the Registrant’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-146743) filed on June 6, 2008).
  3 .4   Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Form 8-A (File No. 001-33901) filed on January 2, 2008).
  4 .1   Form of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Form 8-A (File No. 001-33901) filed on January 2, 2008).
  10 .1   Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-146743) filed on June 6, 2008).
  10 .2   Form of Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Registrant and Fifth Street Management LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-146743) filed on May 8, 2008).
  10 .3   Custodial Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-146743) filed on June 6, 2008).
  10 .4   Form of Administration Agreement by and between Registrant and FSC, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2
(File No. 333-146743) filed on May 8, 2008).
  10 .5   Form of License Agreement by and between Registrant and Fifth Street Capital LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(2) filed with Fifth Street Finance Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-146743) filed on May 8, 2008).
  10 .6*   Loan and Servicing Agreement among Fifth Street Funding, LLC, Registrant, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wachovia Bank, National Association, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of November 16, 2009.
  10 .7*   Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between Registrant and Fifth Street Funding, LLC, dated as of November 16, 2009.
  10 .8*   Pledge Agreement by and between Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of November 16, 2009.
  21     Subsidiaries of Registrant and jurisdiction of incorporation/organizations:
Fifth Street Funding, LLC — Delaware
Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners IV, L.P. — Delaware
FSMP IV GP, LLC — Delaware
FSFC Holdings, Inc. — Delaware
FSF/MP Holdings, Inc. — Delaware
  31 .1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  31 .2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  32 .1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U. S. C. 1350).
  32 .2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U. S. C. 1350).
 
 
* Filed herewith.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
FIFTH STREET FINANCE CORP.
 
  By: 
/s/  Leonard M. Tannenbaum
Leonard M. Tannenbaum
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
  By: 
/s/  William H. Craig
William H. Craig
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: December 9, 2009
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  LEONARD M. TANNENBAUM

Leonard M. Tannenbaum
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  WILLIAM H. CRAIG

William H. Craig
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  BERNARD D. BERMAN

Bernard D. Berman
  Secretary, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  ADAM C. BERKMAN

Adam C. Berkman
  Director   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  BRIAN S. DUNN

Brian S. Dunn
  Director   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  BYRON J. HANEY

Byron J. Haney
  Director   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  FRANK C. MEYER

Frank C. Meyer
  Director   December 9, 2009
         
/s/  DOUGLAS F. RAY

Douglas F. Ray
  Director   December 9, 2009


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
 
Description
 
  10 .6   Loan and Servicing Agreement among Registrant, Fifth Street Funding, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wachovia Bank, National Association, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of November 16, 2009.
  10 .7   Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between Registrant and Fifth Street Funding, LLC, dated as of November 16, 2009.
  10 .8   Pledge Agreement by and between Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of November 16, 2009.
  31 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  31 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  32 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U. S. C. 1350).
  32 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U. S. C. 1350).


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