SENIOR SECURED TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 7, 2012 among STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION as Borrower and SUNTRUST BANK as Lender SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC. as Lead Arranger

Exhibit (k)(7)

SENIOR SECURED TERM

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

November 7, 2012

among

STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

as Borrower

and

SUNTRUST BANK

as Lender

$156,000,000

SUNTRUST XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX, INC.

as Lead Arranger

Table of Contents

		Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS		1

SECTION 1.01.	Defined Terms	1

SECTION 1.02.	Terms Generally	9

SECTION 1.03.	Accounting Terms; GAAP	9

ARTICLE II THE CREDITS		10

SECTION 2.01.	The Loan	10

SECTION 2.02.	Funding of the Loan	10

SECTION 2.03.	Repayment of the Loan; Evidence of Debt	10

SECTION 2.04.	Prepayment of the Loan	10

SECTION 2.05.	Fees	11

SECTION 2.06.	Interest	11

SECTION 2.07.	Increased Costs	11

SECTION 2.08.	Taxes	12

SECTION 2.09.	Payments Generally	14

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES		15

SECTION 3.01.	Organization; Powers	15

SECTION 3.02.	Authorization; Enforceability	15

SECTION 3.03.	Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts	15

SECTION 3.04.	[Reserved]	15

SECTION 3.05.	Litigation	15

SECTION 3.06.	Compliance with Laws and Agreements	16

SECTION 3.07.	Taxes	16

SECTION 3.08.	ERISA	16

SECTION 3.09.	Disclosure	16

SECTION 3.10.	Investment Company Act; Margin Regulations	16

SECTION 3.11.	Material Agreements and Liens	17

SECTION 3.12.	Subsidiaries and Investments	17

SECTION 3.13.	Properties	17

SECTION 3.14.	OFAC	18

SECTION 3.15.	Patriot Act	18

SECTION 3.16.	Collateral Documents	18

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Table of Contents

(continued)

		Page

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS		18

SECTION 4.01.	Effective Date	18

SECTION 4.02.	Loan	20

ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS		21

SECTION 5.01.	Notices of Material Events	21

SECTION 5.02.	Existence: Conduct of Business	21

SECTION 5.03.	Payment of Obligations	21

SECTION 5.04.	Maintenance of Properties; Insurance	22

SECTION 5.05.	Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights	22

SECTION 5.06.	Compliance with Laws	22

SECTION 5.07.	Certain Obligations Respecting Subsidiaries; Further Assurances	22

SECTION 5.08.	Use of Proceeds	23

SECTION 5.09.	Status of BDC	23

SECTION 5.10.	Investment Policies	23

ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS		23

SECTION 6.01.	Indebtedness	23

SECTION 6.02.	Liens	23

SECTION 6.03.	Fundamental Changes	24

SECTION 6.04.	Investments	24

SECTION 6.05.	Restricted Payments	24

SECTION 6.06.	Transactions with Affiliates	24

SECTION 6.07.	Lines of Business	24

SECTION 6.08.	Modifications of Purchase and Sale Agreement	24

SECTION 6.09.	Payments of Indebtedness	24

SECTION 6.10.	Accounting Changes	24

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT		25

ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS		27

SECTION 8.01.	Notices; Electronic Communications	27

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Table of Contents

(continued)

		Page

SECTION 8.02.	Waivers; Amendments	28

SECTION 8.03.	Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver	29

SECTION 8.04.	Successors and Assigns	30

SECTION 8.05.	Survival	32

SECTION 8.06.	Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution	33

SECTION 8.07.	Severability	33

SECTION 8.08.	Right of Setoff	33

SECTION 8.09.	Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc	34

SECTION 8.10.	WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL	34

SECTION 8.11.	Headings	35

SECTION 8.12.	Treatment of Certain Information; No Fiduciary Duty; Confidentiality	35

SECTION 8.13.	USA PATRIOT Act	36

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SCHEDULE 3.11	-	Material Agreements and Liens
SCHEDULE 3.12(a)	-	Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE 3.12(b)	-	Investments

EXHIBIT A	-	Form of Assignment and Assumption

SENIOR TERM SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November [1], 2012 (this “Agreement”), among STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”), and SUNTRUST BANK, as lender (the “Lender”).

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term “Affiliate” shall not include any Person that constitutes an Investment held by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business.

“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the rate per annum equal to 1% plus the rate as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Lender in its reasonable discretion from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), for Dollar deposits with a term of one month. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the rate as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or successor therefor) as set forth above shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such rate as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or successor therefor), respectively.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 8.04), in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Lender.

“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

“Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

“Cadence Control Agreement” means that certain Deposit Account Control Agreement dated as of November 7, 2012 among the Borrower, the Lender and Cadence Bank, N.A., as the same shall be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash Escrow Agreement” means that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2012, by and among SunTrust Bank, as escrow agent, X.X. Xxxx Direct Capital Portfolios, L.L.C., DC Funding SPV, L.L.C., the Borrower and the Lender.

“Change in Control” means the External Manager ceases to be Controlled by any or all of Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx X’Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, W. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx and/or Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of (a) the adoption of any law, treaty or governmental rule or regulation or any change in any law, treaty or governmental rule or regulation or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof (regardless of whether the underlying law, treaty or governmental rule or regulation was issued or enacted prior to the date hereof), but excluding proposals thereof, or any determination of a court or Governmental Authority, (b) any guideline, request or directive by any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law) or any implementation rules or interpretations of previously issued guidelines, requests or directives, in each case that is issued or made after the date hereof or (c) compliance by the Lender (or its applicable lending office) or any company controlling the Lender with any guideline, request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, in each case adopted after the date hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning liquidity and capital adequacy issued (i) by any United States regulatory authority under or in connection with the implementation of the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and (ii) in connection with the implementation of the recommendations of the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

“Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.02).

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests or equivalents (however designated, including any instrument treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

“Escrow Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Cash Escrow Agreement.

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income, corporate, franchise or other similar taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or profits by the United States of America (or any state or political subdivision thereof), or by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of the Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, (c) in the case of the Lender, any U.S. withholding tax imposed on amounts payable to the Lender (i) at the time the Lender becomes a party to this Agreement or designates a new lending office, except to the extent that the Lender’s assignor or the Lender was entitled to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.08, at the time of such assignment or designation, or (ii) that is attributable to the Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law occurring after the date the Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) to comply with Section 2.08(e), (d) any U.S. federal, state or local backup withholding Taxes imposed on payments made under any Loan Document, and (e) any U.S. federal withholding tax that is imposed pursuant to FATCA.

“External Manager” means Stellus Capital Management, LLC.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Lender from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

“Final Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) the closing of the Borrower’s initial public offering and (b) November 13, 2012.

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower.

“Foreign Lender” means any lender that is not a “United States person” as defined under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, or of any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include (i) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or (ii) customary indemnification agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided that such indemnification obligations are unsecured, such Person has determined that any liability thereunder is remote and such indemnification obligations are not the functional equivalent of the guaranty of a payment obligation of the primary obligor.

“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange protection agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (with the value of such debt being the lower of the outstanding amount of such debt and the fair market value of the property subject to such Lien), (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset or Investment to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset or Investment.

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“Investment” means, for any Person: (a) Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person or any agreement to acquire any Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person (and any rights or proceeds in respect of (x) any “short sale” of securities or (y) any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by such Person); (b) deposits, advances, loans or other extensions of credit made to any other Person (including purchases of property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such property to such Person); or (c) Hedging Agreements.

“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

“Investment Policies” means the investment objectives, policies, restrictions and limitations set forth in the “COMPANY” section of its Registration Statement, and as the same may be changed, altered, expanded, amended, modified, terminated or restated from time to time.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Lender’s Account” means an account designated by the Lender in a notice to the Borrower.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities, except in favor of the issuer thereof (and in the case of Investments that are securities, excluding customary drag-along, tag-along, right of first refusal and other similar rights in favor of the equity holders of the same issuer).

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Cash Escrow Agreement and the Security Documents.

“Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

“Margin Stock” means “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business and other assets, liabilities or financial condition of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Lender thereunder.

“Material Indebtedness” means (a) Indebtedness (other than the Loan and Hedging Agreements), of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $3,000,000 and (b) obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements under which the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement(s) were terminated at such time would exceed $3,000,000.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, excluding any such Taxes, charges or similar levies resulting from an assignment by the Lender in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof.

“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.04.

“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.04.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

“Permitted Policy Amendment” means any change, alteration, expansion, amendment, modification, termination or restatement of the Investment Policies that is either (a) approved in writing by the Lender, (b) required by applicable law, rule, regulation or Governmental Authority, or (c) not material in the reasonable discretion of the Lender.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Prime Rate” means the rate which SunTrust announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time.

“Purchase and Sale Agreement” means that certain Purchase Agreement by and between Borrower, X.X. Xxxx Direct Capital Portfolios, L.L.C. and DC Funding SPV, L.L.C., dated as of October 22, 2012.

“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement initially filed by the Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2012, as amended and supplemented.

“Regulations D, T, U and X” means, respectively, Regulations D, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower.

“Security Agreement” means that certain Security Agreement dated as of November 7, 2012 among the Borrower and the Lender, as the same shall be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Security Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed with respect to the security interests in personal property created pursuant to the Security Agreement and all other assignments, pledge agreements, security agreements, control agreements (including the State Street Control Agreement and the Cadence Control Agreement) and other instruments executed and delivered on or after the date hereof by the Borrower pursuant to the Security Agreement or otherwise providing or relating to any collateral security for any of the Secured Obligations under and as defined in the Security Agreement.

“State Street Control Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement dated as of November 7, 2012 among the Borrower, the Lender and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as the same shall be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term “Subsidiary” shall not include any Person that constitutes an Investment held by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business and that is not, under GAAP, consolidated on the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“SunTrust” means SunTrust Bank.

“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees, or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of the Loan and the use of the proceeds thereof.

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof’ and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time. The Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that whether or not the Borrower may at any time adopt Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (or successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities) or accounts for liabilities acquired in an acquisition on a fair value basis pursuant to Financial Accounting Standard No. 141(R) (or successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities), all determinations of compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be made on the basis that the Borrower has not adopted Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (or such successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities) or, in the case of liabilities acquired in an acquisition, Financial Accounting Standard No. 141(R) (or such successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities).

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01. The Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lender agrees to make a single loan in Dollars to the Borrower on the Effective Date in an amount equal to $156,000,000 (the “Loan”). Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01 and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

SECTION 2.02. Funding of the Loan. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.01 and 4.02, the Lender shall make the Loan on the Effective Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 9:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, to the Escrow Account.

SECTION 2.03. Repayment of the Loan; Evidence of Debt.

(a) Repayment. The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay the Lender the entire outstanding principal amount of the Loan on the Final Maturity Date.

(b) Maintenance of Records by the Lender. The Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lender resulting from the Loan, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to the Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) Effect of Entries. The entries made in the records maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence, absent obvious error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of the Lender to maintain such records or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(d) Promissory Notes. The Lender may request that the Loan be evidenced by a promissory note; in such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to the Lender a promissory note payable to the Lender (or, if requested by the Lender, to the Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Lender.

SECTION 2.04. Prepayment of the Loan.

(a) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, subject to the requirements of this Section.

(b) Notices, Etc. The Borrower shall notify the Lender by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of the Loan or portion thereof to be prepaid. Each partial prepayment of the Loan shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.06.

SECTION 2.05. Fees.

(a) Lender Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Lender fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon in the fee letter agreement between the Borrower and the Lender.

(b) Payment of Fees. All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars and immediately available funds, to the Lender. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances absent obvious error.

SECTION 2.06. Interest.

(a) The Loan. The Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate.

(b) Default Interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the interest rate applicable to the Loan and any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of principal of the Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to the Loan as provided above, or (ii) in the case of any fee or other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to the Loan as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(c) Payment of Interest. Accrued interest on the Loan shall be payable in arrears on the Final Maturity Date; provided that interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall be payable on demand.

(d) Computation. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate shall be determined by the Lender and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.07. Increased Costs.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for account of, or credit extended by, the Lender; or

(ii) impose on the Lender any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to the Lender in Dollars, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements. If the Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Lender’s capital or on the capital of the Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loan made by the Lender to a level below that which the Lender or the Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration the Lender’s policies and the policies of the Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), by an amount deemed to be material by the Lender, then from time to time the Borrower will pay to the Lender in Dollars such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender or the Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates from the Lender. A certificate of the Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be promptly delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay the Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of the Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of the Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate the Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than six months prior to the date that the Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor.

SECTION 2.08. Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) if such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender for and, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, pay the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Lender and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority, except to the extent that any such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes arise as the result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lender. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by the Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Lender the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.

(e) Tax Documentation. (i) The Lender, if requested by the Borrower, shall deliver such documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will enable the Borrower to determine whether or not the Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.08(e)(ii) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject the Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lender shall deliver to the Borrower (and such additional copies as shall be reasonably requested by the recipient) on or prior to the Effective Date (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower), duly completed and executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or any successor form certifying that the Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax.

(iii) In addition, the Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence, expiration or invalidity of any form previously delivered by the Lender; provided it is legally able to do so at the time. The Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time the chief tax officer of the Lender becomes aware that it no longer satisfies the legal requirements to provide any previously delivered form or certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. or other taxing authorities for such purpose).

(f) Documentation Required by FATCA. If a payment made to the Lender under this Agreement would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if the Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), the Lender shall deliver to the Borrower, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower, such document prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower as may be necessary for the Borrower to comply with its respective obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.08(f), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund or credit (in lieu of such refund) of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender in the event the Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (g), in no event will the Lender be required to pay any amount to Borrower pursuant to this clause (g), the payment of which would place the Lender in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Person would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Lender to make available its tax returns or its books or records (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

SECTION 2.09. Payments Generally. The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or under Section 2.07 or 2.08, or otherwise) or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) prior to 12:00 noon, Atlanta, Georgia time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Lender, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Lender at the Lender’s Account. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.

All amounts owing under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) are payable in Dollars.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable.

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within the Borrower’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, by all necessary shareholder action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each of the other Loan Documents when executed and delivered by the Borrower will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (i) such as have been or will be obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default in any material respect under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, and (d) except for the Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents, will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

SECTION 3.04. [Reserved].

SECTION 3.05. Litigation. There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority now pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any contract or other arrangement, the performance of which by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.07. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Person has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.09. Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Lender all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information (other than projected financial information, other forward looking information relating to third parties and information of a general economic or general industry nature) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole (and after giving effect to all updates, modifications and supplements) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

SECTION 3.10. Investment Company Act; Margin Regulations.

(a) Status as Business Development Company. The Borrower will elect to be regulated as a “business development company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act prior to the Borrower’s initial public offering.

(b) Compliance with Investment Company Act. The business and other activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the making of the Loan hereunder, the application of the proceeds and repayment thereof by the Borrower and the consummation of the Transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not result in a violation or breach in any material respect of the provisions of the Investment Company Act or any rules, regulations or orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in each case that are applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(c) Investment Policies. The Borrower is in compliance in all respects with the Investment Policies (after giving effect to any Permitted Policy Amendments), except to the extent that the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Use of Credit. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock.

SECTION 3.11. Material Agreements and Liens.

(a) Material Agreements. Part A of Schedule 3.11 is a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of each credit agreement, loan agreement, indenture, purchase agreement, guarantee, letter of credit or other arrangement providing for or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness or any extension of credit (or commitment for any extension of credit) to, or guarantee by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding on the date hereof, and the aggregate principal or face amount outstanding or that is, or may become, outstanding under each such arrangement is correctly described in Part A of Schedule 3.11.

(b) Liens. Part B of Schedule 3.11 is a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of each Lien securing Indebtedness of any Person outstanding on the date hereof covering any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and the aggregate Indebtedness secured (or that may be secured) by each such Lien and the property covered by each such Lien is correctly described in Part B of Schedule 3.11.

SECTION 3.12. Subsidiaries and Investments.

(a) Subsidiaries. Set forth on Schedule 3.12(a) is a list of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries as of the date hereof.

(b) Investments. Set forth on Schedule 3.12(b) is a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of all Investments held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any Person on the date hereof and, for each such Investment, (x) the identity of the Person or Persons holding such Investment and (y) the nature of such Investment. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.12, each of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents), all such Investments.

SECTION 3.13. Properties.

(a) Title Generally. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

(b) Intellectual Property. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14. OFAC. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is a person whose property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), (b) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of such executive order, or is otherwise associated with any such person in any manner violative of Section 2 of such executive order, or (c) is a person on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions under any other U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regulation or executive order.

SECTION 3.15. Patriot Act. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (b) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001). No part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

SECTION 3.16. Collateral Documents. The provisions of the Security Documents are effective to create in favor of the Lender a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien on all right, title and interest of the Borrower in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed prior to the Effective Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Security Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect such Liens.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The effectiveness of this Agreement and of the obligation of the Lender to make the Loan shall not become effective until completion of each of the following conditions precedent (unless a condition shall have been waived in accordance with Section 8.02):

(a) Documents. The Lender shall have received each of the following documents, each of which shall be satisfactory to the Lender in form and substance:

(i) Executed Counterparts. From each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Lender (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page to this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(ii) Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower. A favorable written opinion (addressed to the Lender and dated the Effective Date) of Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, New York and Maryland counsel for the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lender (and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lender).

(iii) Corporate Documents. Such documents and certificates as the Lender or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Borrower, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel.

(iv) Officer’s Certificate. A certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, the Chief Executive Officer, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in the lettered clauses of the first sentence of Section 4.02.

(v) Security Agreement. The Security Agreement, duly executed and delivered by each of the parties to the Security Agreement.

(vi) Control Agreements. The State Street Control Agreement and the Cadence Control Agreement, in each case, duly executed and delivered by each of the parties to such agreement.

(vii) Cash Escrow Agreement. The Cash Escrow Agreement, duly executed and delivered by each of the parties to the Cash Escrow Agreement.

(viii) Purchase and Sale Agreement. The Purchase and Sale Agreement, duly executed and delivered by each of the parties to the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

(b) Liens. The Lender shall have received results of a recent lien search in each relevant jurisdiction with respect to the Borrower, confirming that each financing statement in respect of the Liens in favor of the Lender created pursuant to the Security Documents is otherwise prior to all other financing statements or other interests reflected therein. All UCC financing statements and similar documents required to be filed in order to create in favor of the Lender a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral (to the extent that such a security interest may be perfected by a filing under the Uniform Commercial Code) shall have been properly filed in each jurisdiction required (or arrangements for such filings acceptable to the Lender shall have been made).

(c) Consents. The Borrower shall have obtained and delivered to the Lender copies of all consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, or filings required to be made or obtained by the Borrower in connection with the Transactions and any transaction being financed with the proceeds of the Loan (if any), and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, filings and orders shall be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired and no investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority regarding the Transactions or any transaction being financed with the proceeds of the Loan shall be ongoing.

(d) Fees and Expenses. The Borrower shall have paid in full to the Lender all fees and expenses related to this Agreement owing on the Effective Date.

(e) Minimum Equity Contributions. The Borrower shall have received at least $39,000,000 in equity contributions from a combination of (x) a contribution from X.X. Xxxx Direct Capital Portfolios, L.L.C. and DC Funding SPV, L.L.C. (whose contribution may be in the form of contributed middle market loans), (y) a private placement of equity and (z) an equity contribution from management in an amount at least equal to the greater of (A) $2,000,000 and (B) an amount equal to 2% of the proceeds anticipated to be raised from the initial public offering of the Borrower.

(f) Revolver. The Borrower shall have confirmed that all conditions to closing and funding the $115,000,000 revolving credit agreement with SunTrust, as Administrative Agent, other than the settlement of the Borrower’s initial public offering have been satisfied.

(g) Private Placement Proceeds. The Lender shall have received written evidence from the Borrower that, as of the Effective Date, the proceeds of the private placement of equity described in clause (e)(y) above shall have been deposited in the securities account subject to the State Street Control Agreement.

(h) Compliance with Law. The Borrower shall be in compliance with all applicable laws (including the Investment Company Act).

(i) Patriot Act. The Lender shall have received, sufficiently in advance of the Effective Date, all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

(j) Other Documents. The Lender shall have received such other documents as the Lender may reasonably request in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.

SECTION 4.02. Loan. The obligation of the Lender to make the Loan is additionally subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any portion of any representations and warranties already subject to a materiality qualifier, true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of the Loan or, as to any such representation or warranty that refers to a specific date, as of such specific date;

(b) concurrently with the funding of the Loan, the Borrower shall have acquired at least $190,000,000 of middle market loans the composition of which shall have been approved by the Lender.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the principal of and interest on the Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lender that:

SECTION 5.01. Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Lender prompt written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Affiliates;

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000; and

(d) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.02. Existence: Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business.

SECTION 5.03. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including income tax and other material tax liabilities and material contractual obligations, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.04. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies in the Borrower’s reasonable judgment, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

SECTION 5.05. Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep books of record and account in accordance with GAAP. The Borrower will permit any representatives designated by the Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties during business hours, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, in each case, to the extent such inspection or requests for such information are reasonable and such information can be provided or discussed without violation of law, rule, regulation, order of any Governmental Authority or contract; provided that the Borrower shall be entitled to have its representatives and advisors present during any inspection of its books and records.

SECTION 5.06. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, including the Investment Company Act, and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, conduct its business and other activities in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and any applicable rules, regulations or orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

SECTION 5.07. Certain Obligations Respecting Subsidiaries; Further Assurances.

(a) Ownership of Subsidiaries. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take such action from time to time as shall be necessary to ensure that each of its Subsidiaries is a wholly owned Subsidiary.

(b) Further Assurances. The Borrower will take such action from time to time as shall reasonably be requested by the Lender to effectuate the purposes and objectives of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower will take such action from time to time (including filing appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and executing and delivering such assignments, security agreements and other instruments) as shall be reasonably requested by the Lender: (i) to create, in favor of the Lender perfected security interests and Liens in the Collateral; provided that any such security interest or Lien shall be subject to the relevant requirements of the Security Documents and (ii) to cause the closing sets and all executed amendments, consents, forbearances and other modifications and assignment agreements requested by the Lender, in each case, to be held by the Lender or a custodian pursuant to the terms of a custodian agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will use 100% of the proceeds of the Loan for the acquisition of the Purchased Assets (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement); provided that the Lender shall have no responsibility as to the use of any of such proceeds. No part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used in violation of applicable law or, directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying any Margin Stock. Margin Stock shall be purchased by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries only with the proceeds of Indebtedness not directly or indirectly secured by Margin Stock, or with the proceeds of equity capital of the Borrower.

SECTION 5.09. Status of BDC. The Borrower shall take all steps necessary to obtain its status as a “business development company” under the Investment Company Act prior to the Borrower’s initial public offering.

SECTION 5.10. Investment Policies. The Borrower shall at all times be in compliance in all material respects with its Investment Policies (after giving effect to any Permitted Policy Amendments).

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the principal of and interest on the Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lender that:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except Indebtedness created hereunder.

SECTION 6.02. Liens. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof except:

(a) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Part B of Schedule 3.11; provided that (i) no such Lien shall extend to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) any such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; and

(b) Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Documents.

SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution). The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, acquire any business or property from, or capital stock of, or be a party to any acquisition of, any Person. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, any part of its assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except in accordance with the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

SECTION 6.04. Investments. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, acquire, make or enter into, or hold, any Investments except for the Purchased Assets (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement) and Investments described on Schedule 3.12(b).

SECTION 6.05. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment.

SECTION 6.06. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transactions with any of its Affiliates; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall this provision be considered to apply to the transactions under the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

SECTION 6.07. Lines of Business. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than in accordance with its Investment Policies. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to amend or modify the Investment Policies (other than a Permitted Policy Amendment).

SECTION 6.08. Modifications of Purchase and Sale Agreement. The Borrower will not consent to any modification, supplement or waiver of the Purchase and Sale Agreement without the prior written consent of the Lender.

SECTION 6.09. Payments of Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value, or set apart any money for a sinking, defeasance or other analogous fund for the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of or make any voluntary payment or prepayment of the principal of or interest on, or any other amount owing in respect of, any Indebtedness.

SECTION 6.10. Accounting Changes. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any change in (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as permitted under GAAP or required by law or rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority, or (b) its fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur and be continuing:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of the Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any failure to pay all principal on the Loan in full on the Final Maturity Date);

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on the Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made in any material respect;

(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained herein or in any other Loan Document;

(e) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, taking into account any applicable grace period;

(f) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or shall continue unremedied for any applicable period of time sufficient to enable or permit the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;

(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its assets;

(h) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(j) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any combination thereof;

(k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Lender, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) a Change in Control shall occur;

(m) the Borrower shall cease to be managed by the External Manager or an Affiliate thereof;

(n) any two principals of the External Manager (who initially will be Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx X’Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxx) cease to be employed by the External Manager;

(o) the Liens created by the Security Documents shall, at any time with respect to the Collateral and the Escrow Account, not be valid and perfected (to the extent perfection by filing, registration, recordation, possession or control is required herein or therein) in favor of the Lender, free and clear of all other Liens (other than Liens permitted under the respective Security Documents);

(p) except for expiration in accordance with its terms, any of the Loan Documents shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect in any material respect, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;

(q) Borrower is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act and is not so registered;

(r) the Purchase and Sale Agreement shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect in any material respect, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by any party thereto or any party to the Purchase and Sale Agreement breaches any of such Person’s material obligations thereunder;

(s) the amount held in the Escrow Account shall at any time be less than the outstanding principal balance of the Loan; or

(t) the amount held in the securities account subject to the State Street Control Agreement shall at any time be less than the amount of the proceeds of the private placement of equity described in Section 4.01(e)(y);

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (f) or (g) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Lender may by notice to the Borrower, take any of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) declare the Loan to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loan so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (f) or (g) of this Article, the principal of the Loan, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower or (ii) apply amounts held in the Escrow Account to the repayment of all amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.01. Notices; Electronic Communications.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at:

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000

Attention: W. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx

Telecopy Number: (000) 000-0000

Telephone: (000) 000-0000

(ii) if to the Lender, to it at:

SunTrust Bank

0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, 0^xx Xxxxx

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000

Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Telephone Number: (000) 000-0000

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt. Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. The Lender or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

Each party hereto understands that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution and agrees and assumes the risks associated with such electronic distribution, except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Lender or its respective Related Parties, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 8.02. Waivers; Amendments.

(a) No Deemed Waivers Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay by the Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Lender hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of the Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Amendments to this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Lender.

SECTION 8.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Lender and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Lender, in connection with the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel for the Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loan, including all such documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof and (iii) and all documented costs, expenses, taxes, assessments and other charges incurred in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by any Security Document or any other document referred to therein.

(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender, and each Related Party of the Lender (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all reasonable losses, claims, damages, liabilities, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of one outside counsel for all Indemnitees (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all Indemnitees) unless, in the reasonable opinion of an Indemnitee, representation of all Indemnitees by such counsel would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest) in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding or hearing commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and laws, statutes, rules or regulations relating to environmental, occupational safety and health or land use matters), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise and related expenses or disbursements of any kind (other than Taxes or Other Taxes which shall only be indemnified by the Borrower to the extent provided in Section 2.08), including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and whether brought by the Borrower or a third party and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that indemnification for Taxes is subject to the provisions of Section 2.08.

The Borrower shall not be liable to any Indemnitee for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of the Transactions asserted by an Indemnitee against the Borrower; provided that the foregoing limitation shall not be deemed to impair or affect the obligations of the Borrower under the preceding provisions of this subsection.

(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, the Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent caused by the fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 8.04. Successors and Assigns.

(a) Assignments Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) the Lender may not assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of the Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lender.

(i) Assignments Generally. Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (ii) below, the Lender may assign to one or more assignees (other than natural persons) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loan at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to an Affiliate of the Lender, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee.

(ii) Certain Conditions to Assignments. The parties to each assignment shall execute an Assignment and Assumption in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.

(iii) Effectiveness of Assignments. From and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.07, 2.08 and 8.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 8.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by the Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(c) Participations. The Lender may, with the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of the Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of the Loan owing to it); provided that (i) the Lender’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, (ii) the Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Lender in connection with the Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which the Lender sells such a participation shall provide that the Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that the Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in Section 8.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (d) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.07 and 2.08 to the same extent as if it were the Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.07 and 2.08, with respect to any participation, than the participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation; provided, further, that no Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.08 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation granted to such Participant and such Participant shall have complied with the requirements of Section 2.08 as if such Participant were a Lender. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 8.08 as though it were the Lender. If the Lender sells a participation, the Lender shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that the Lender shall not have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any other information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or is other obligations under any Loan Document) to any person except to the extent that such disclosures are necessary to establish that such loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

(d) Limitations on Rights of Participants. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.07 or 2.08 than the Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.08 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with paragraphs (d) and (e) of Section 2.08 as though it were a Lender and in the case of a Participant claiming exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, the Lender shall provide the Borrower with satisfactory evidence that the participation is in registered form and shall permit the Borrower to review such register as reasonably needed for the Borrower to comply with its obligations under applicable laws and regulations.

(e) Certain Pledges. The Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of the Lender, including any such pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank having jurisdiction over the Lender, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release the Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for the Lender as a party hereto.

SECTION 8.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loan, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on the Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid. The provisions of Sections 2.07, 2.08 and 8.03 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loan or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 8.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.

(a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Lender constitute the entire contract between and among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Lender and when the Lender shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopy electronically (e.g. pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

SECTION 8.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 8.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by the Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by the Lender, irrespective of whether or not the Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

SECTION 8.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Waiver of Venue. The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Service of Process. Each party to this Agreement (i) irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 8.01 and (ii) agrees that service as provided in the manner provided for notices in Section 8.01 is sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction over such party in any proceeding in any court and otherwise constitutes effective and binding service in every respect. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 8.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 8.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 8.12. Treatment of Certain Information; No Fiduciary Duty; Confidentiality.

(a) Treatment of Certain Information. The Borrower acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by the Lender or by one or more subsidiaries or affiliates of the Lender and the Borrower hereby authorizes the Lender to share any information delivered to the Lender by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of the Lender to enter into this Agreement, to any such subsidiary or affiliate, it being understood that any such subsidiary or affiliate receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section as if it were the Lender hereunder. Such authorization shall survive the repayment of the Loan or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. The Lender shall use all information delivered to the Lender by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of the Lender to enter into this Agreement, in connection with providing services to the Borrower. The Lender and its Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “Lender”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their stockholders and/or their affiliates. The Borrower, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries, agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries each acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) the Lender has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any of their stockholders or affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their stockholders or their affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) the Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries each acknowledge and agree that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries each agree that it will not claim that the Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

(b) Confidentiality. The Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority), (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (x) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (y) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower, (viii) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Lender or any of its Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (ix) on a confidential basis to (x) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (y) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of Information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such Information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

SECTION 8.13. USA PATRIOT Act. The Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow the Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with said Act.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

	STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

	By:
		Name:
		Title:

Term Credit Agreement

	SUNTRUST BANK, as Lender

	By:
		Name:
		Title:

Term Credit Agreement

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SENIOR SECURED TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 7, 2012 among STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION as Borrower and SUNTRUST BANK as Lender SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC. as Lead Arranger

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