Contract

EXHIBIT 10.12

EXECUTION VERSION

FIFTH AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Fifth Amendment”), dated as of October 27, 2011 (the “Fifth Amendment Date”), between NEW MOUNTAIN FINANCE SPV FUNDING, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), XXXXX FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrative Agent”) and XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a lender (the “Lender”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower, New Mountain Finance Holdings, L.L.C., as collateral administrator, the Administrative Agent, the Lender, the other lenders party from time to time thereto and Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral custodian, are party to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2010 (as amended from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Loan and Security Agreement”), providing, among other things, for the making and the administration of the Advances by the lenders to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lender desire to amend the Loan and Security Agreement, in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.1. Defined Terms.  Terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Loan and Security Agreement.

ARTICLE II

Amendments to Loan and Security Agreement

SECTION 2.1. Amendment.  Section 5.2(e) of the Loan and Security Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and “[RESERVED]” shall be inserted in lieu thereof.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

SECTION 3.1. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lender that, as of the Fifth Amendment Date, (i) no Default, Event of Default, Change of Control or Collateral Administrator Termination Event has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan and

Security Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such day (other than any representation and warranty that is made as of a specific date).

ARTICLE IV

Condition Precedent

This Fifth Amendment shall become effective as of the Fifth Amendment Date upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of this Fifth Amendment, duly executed by each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.1. Governing Law. THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 5.2. Severability Clause.  In case any provision in this Fifth Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 5.3. Ratification.  Except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan and Security Agreement is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.  This Fifth Amendment shall form a part of the Loan and Security Agreement for all purposes.

SECTION 5.4. Counterparts.  The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Fifth Amendment in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Fifth Amendment by facsimile or email transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

SECTION 5.5. Headings.  The headings of the Articles and Sections in this Fifth Amendment are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

[SIGNATURES FOLLOW]

2

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Amendment to be duly executed as of the Fifth Amendment Date.

	NEW MOUNTAIN FINANCE SPV FUNDING, L.L.C., as the Borrower
	By:New Mountain Finance Holdings, L.L.C., its managing member
	By:	/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
	Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
	Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]

	XXXXX FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
	as Administrative Agent
	By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
		Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
		Title: Vice President
	XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
		representing 100% of the aggregate Commitments of the Lenders in effect as of the date hereof
	By:	/s/ Xxxxx Sunday
		Name: Xxxxx Sunday
		Title: Director

[Signature Page to Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement]