As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2008

Securities Act File No. 333-151930

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form N-2

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1

Post-Effective Amendment No.

 

TRIANGLE CAPITAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 104

Raleigh, North Carolina 27612

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(919) 719-4770

 

Garland S. Tucker III

President and Chief Executive Officer

3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 104

Raleigh, North Carolina 27612

(Name and Address of Agent For Service)

 

Copies to:

 

John A. Good, Esq.

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

100 Peabody Place, Suite 900

Memphis, Tennessee 38103-3672

Tel: (901) 543-5901

Fax: (888) 543-4644

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:  From time to time after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.  þ

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):  o
when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 13, 2008

PROSPECTUS

$300,000,000

 

 

Common Stock

 

We may offer, from time to time, up to $300,000,000 worth of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share in one or more offerings. Our common stock may be offered at prices and on terms to be disclosed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The offering price per share of our common stock, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of the offering except (i) with the consent of the majority of our common stockholders or (ii) under such other circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit. On May 7, 2008, our common stockholders voted to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending May 6, 2009. Our stockholders did not specify a maximum discount below net asset value at which we are able to issue our common stock; however, we do not intend to issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders’ best interests to do so. Shares of closed-end investment companies such as us frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade above, at or below net asset value. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our common stock.

 

Our common stock may be offered directly to one or more purchasers through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our common stock, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution.” We may not sell any of our common stock through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such common stock.

 

We are a specialty finance company that provides customized financing solutions to lower middle market companies located throughout the United States, with an emphasis on the Southeast. Our investment objective is to seek attractive returns by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. We are an internally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TCAP.” On August 8, 2008, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $13.30 per share.

 

 

Investing in our common stock is speculative and involves numerous risks, and you could lose your entire investment if any of the risks occurs. Among these risks is the risk associated with the use of leverage. For more information regarding these risks, please see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Please read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, before investing, and keep it for future reference. It concisely sets forth important information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in our common stock. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 104, Raleigh, North Carolina 27612, or by telephone at (919) 719-4770 or on our website at www.tcap.com. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is          , 2008.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time, up to $300,000,000 worth of our common stock on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common stock that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer common stock, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under “Additional Information” and “Risk Factors” before you make an investment decision.

 

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus or any accompanying supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations not contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement as if we had authorized it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do they constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of the dates on their covers.

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

	•	Focusing on Underserved Markets.  We believe that broad-based consolidation in the financial services industry coupled with operating margin and growth pressures have caused financial institutions to

		de-emphasize services to lower middle market companies in favor of larger corporate clients and capital market transactions. We believe these dynamics have resulted in the financing market for lower middle market companies to be underserved, providing us with greater investment opportunities.

	•	Providing Customized Financing Solutions.  We offer a variety of financing structures and have the flexibility to structure our investments to meet the needs of our portfolio companies. Typically we invest in senior and subordinated debt securities, coupled with equity interests. We believe our ability to customize financing arrangements makes us an attractive partner to lower middle market companies.
	•	Leveraging the Experience of Our Management Team.  Our senior management team has more than 100 years of combined experience advising, investing in, lending to and operating companies across changing market cycles. The members of our management team have diverse investment backgrounds, with prior experience at investment banks, specialty finance companies, commercial banks, and privately and publicly held companies in the capacity of executive officers. We believe this diverse experience provides us with an in depth understanding of the strategic, financial and operational opportunities associated with lower middle market companies. We believe this understanding allows us to select and structure better investments and to efficiently monitor and provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies.
	•	Applying Rigorous Underwriting Policies and Active Portfolio Management.  Our senior management team has implemented rigorous underwriting policies that are followed in each transaction. These policies include a thorough analysis of each potential portfolio company’s competitive position, financial performance, management team operating discipline, growth potential and industry attractiveness, allowing us to better assess the company’s prospects. After investing in a company, we monitor the investment closely, typically receiving monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements. We analyze and discuss in detail the company’s financial performance with management in addition to attending regular board of directors meetings. We believe that our initial and ongoing portfolio review process allows us to monitor effectively the performance and prospects of our portfolio companies.
	•	Taking Advantage of Low Cost Debentures Guaranteed by the SBA.  Our license to do business as an SBIC allows us to issue fixed-rate, low interest debentures which are guaranteed by the SBA and sold in the capital markets, potentially allowing us to increase our net interest income beyond the levels achievable by other BDCs utilizing traditional leverage.

	•	Maintaining Industry Diversification.  While we focus our investments in lower middle market companies, we seek to diversify across various industries. We monitor our investment portfolio to ensure we have acceptable industry diversification, using industry and market metrics as key indicators. By monitoring our investment portfolio for industry diversification we seek to reduce the effects of economic downturns associated with any particular industry or market sector. However, we may from time to time hold securities of a single portfolio company that comprise more than 5.0% of our total assets and/or more than 10.0% of the outstanding voting securities of the portfolio company. For that reason, we are classified as a non-diversified management investment company under the 1940 Act.

	•	Utilizing Long-Standing Relationships to Source Deals.  Our senior management team maintains extensive relationships with entrepreneurs, financial sponsors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, commercial bankers and other non-bank providers of capital who refer prospective portfolio companies to us. These relationships historically have generated significant investment opportunities. We believe that our network of relationships will continue to produce attractive investment opportunities.

	•	Established Companies With Positive Cash Flow.  We seek to invest in established companies with a history of generating revenues and positive cash flows. We typically focus on companies with a history

		of profitability and minimum trailing twelve month EBITDA of $2.0 million. We do not invest in start-up companies, distressed situations, “turn-around” situations or companies that we believe have unproven business plans.

	•	Experienced Management Teams With Meaningful Equity Ownership.  Based on our prior investment experience, we believe that a management team with significant experience with a portfolio company or relevant industry experience and meaningful equity ownership is more committed to a portfolio company. We believe management teams with these attributes are more likely to manage the companies in a manner that protects our debt investment and enhances the value of our equity investment.
	•	Strong Competitive Position.  We seek to invest in companies that have developed strong positions within their respective markets, are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and compete in industries with barriers to entry. We also seek to invest in companies that exhibit a competitive advantage, which may help to protect their market position and profitability.
	•	Diversified Customer and Supplier Base.  We prefer to invest in companies that have a diversified customer and supplier base. Companies with a diversified customer and supplier base are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation and shifting customer preferences.
	•	Significant Invested Capital.  We believe the existence of significant underlying equity value provides important support to investments. We will look for portfolio companies that we believe have sufficient value beyond the layer of the capital structure in which we invest.

				Type of		Principal								Fair
Portfolio Company		Industry		Investment (1)(2)		Amount				Cost				Value(3)
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate Investments:
Ambient Air Corporation (6%)* 620 West Baldwin Road Panama City, FL 32405		Specialty Trade Contractors		Subordinated Note (12%, Due 03/11)		$	3,144,654			$	3,016,789			$	3,016,789
				Subordinated Note (14%, Due 03/11)			1,872,075				1,838,115				1,838,115
				Common Stock Warrants (455 shares)							142,361				892,700
							5,016,729				4,997,265				5,747,604
American De-Rosa Lamparts, LLC		Wholesale and		Subordinated Note
and Hallmark Lighting (8%)*		Distribution		(15.25%, Due 10/13)			8,052,586				7,897,900				7,897,900
1945 S. Tubeway Ave. Commerce, CA 90040
							8,052,586				7,897,900				7,897,900
APO Newco, LLC (5%)*		Commercial and		Subordinated Note
3080 Bartlett Corporate Drive		Consumer		(14%, Due 03/13)			4,359,004				4,265,799				4,265,799
Bartlett, TN 38133		Marketing Products		Unit purchase warrant (87,302 Class C units)							25,200				273,100
							4,359,004				4,290,999				4,538,899
ARC Industries, LLC (3%)*		Remediation		Subordinated Note
221 Dalton Avenue		Services		(19%, Due 11/10)			2,464,919				2,439,537				2,439,537
Charlotte, NC 28225
							2,464,919				2,439,537				2,439,537
Art Headquarters, LLC (2%)* 11885 44th Street Clearwater, FL 33762		Retail, Wholesale and Distribution		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 01/10)			2,333,488				2,340,057				2,075,900
				Membership unit warrants (15% of units (150 units))							40,800				—
							2,333,488				2,299,057				2,075,900

				Type of		Principal								Fair
Portfolio Company		Industry		Investment (1)(2)		Amount				Cost				Value(3)
Assurance Operations Corp. (4%)*		Auto Components /		Subordinated Note
9341 Highway 43		Metal Fabrication		(17%, Due 03/12)		$	3,925,915			$	3,879,225			$	3,646,900
Killen, AL 35645				Common Stock (57 shares)							257,143				48,500
							3,925,915				4,136,368				3,695,400
Bruce Plastics, Inc. (0%)*		Plastic Component		Subordinated Note
4100 Steubenville Pike		Manufacturing		(14%, Due 10/11)			1,500,000				1,385,076				—
Pittsburgh, PA 15205				Common Stock Warrants (12% of common stock)							108,534				—
							1,500,000				1,493,610				—
CV Holdings, LLC (6%)*		Specialty		Subordinated Note
1030 Riverfront Center		Healthcare Products		(16%, Due 03/10)			5,129,230				5,094,457				5,094,457
Amsterdam, NY 12010		Manufacturer		Royalty rights							—				274,600
							5,129,230				5,094,457				5,369,057
Cyrus Networks, LLC (6%)* 4201 Southwest Freeway		Data Center Services Provider		Senior Note (8%, Due 07/13)			4,747,722				4,731,423				4,731,423
Houston, TX 77027				2nd Lien Note (11%, Due 01/14)			1,026,385				1,026,385				1,026,385
				Revolving Line of Credit (8%)			253,144				253,144				253,144
							6,027,251				6,010,952				6,010,952
DataPath, Inc. (1%)* 350 Technology Pkwy., Suite 400 Norcross, GA 30092		Satellite Communication Manufacturer		Common Stock (210,263 shares)							101,500				636,700
											101,500				636,700
Eastern Shore Ambulance, Inc. (1%)* 3303 Airline Blvd., Building 5A Portsmouth, VA 23701		Specialty Health Care Services		Subordinated Note (13%, Due 03/11)			1,000,000				964,005				964,005
				Common Stock Warrants (6% of common stock)							55,268				41,300
				Common Stock (30 shares)							30,000				10,800
							1,000,000				1,049,273				1,016,105
Electronic Systems Protection, Inc. (4%)* 517 North Industrial Drive Zebulon, NC 27577		Power Protection Systems Manufacturing		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 12/15) Senior Note			3,028,903				3,000,977				3,000,977
				(7%, Due 01/14)			994,219				994,219				994,219
				Common Stock (500 shares)							250,000				250,000
							4,023,122				4,245,196				4,245,196
Energy Hardware Holdings, LLC (4%)* 2730 E. Phillips Road Greer, SC 29650		Machined Parts Distribution		Subordinated Note (14.5%, Due 10/12)			3,306,628				3,242,864				3,242,864
				Junior Subordinated Note
				(8%, Due 10/12)			207,667				207,667				207,667
							3,514,295				3,450,531				3,450,531
FCL Graphics, Inc. (7%)* 4600 N. Olcott Ave. Harwood Heights, IL 60706		Commercial Printing Services		Senior Note (7%, Due 10/12)			1,789,200				1,782,290				1,782,290
				Senior Note (12%, Due 10/13)			2,000,000				1,992,608				1,992,608
				2nd Lien Note (18%, Due 4/14)			3,265,970				3,254,235				3,254,235
							7,055,170				7,029,133				7,029,133
Fire Sprinkler Systems, Inc. (2%)* 705 E. Harrison Street, Suite 200 Corona, CA 92879		Specialty Trade Contractors		Subordinated Notes (13% — 17.5%, Due 04/11)			2,464,428				2,426,940				2,123,100
				Common Stock (250 shares)							271,186				18,000
							2,464,428				2,698,126				2,141,100
Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. (4%)* 15822 Bernardo Center Drive San Diego, CA 92127		Restaurant		2nd Lien Note (13%, Due 12/11)			3,000,000				3,000,000				3,000,000
				Membership Units (5,000 units)							500,000				583,600
							3,000,000				3,500,000				3,583,600
Gerli & Company (3%)* 75 Stark Street		Specialty Woven Fabrics		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 08/11)			3,145,496				3,062,284				3,062,284
Plains, PA 18705		Manufacturer		Common Stock Warrants (56,559 shares)							83,414				—
							3,145,496				3,145,698				3,062,284
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation Holding Company, LLC (8%)*		Cleaning and Repair Services		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 01/14)			8,012,889				7,292,089				7,292,089
350 N. Old Woodward, Ste. 100 Birmingham, MI 48009				Membership Interest Purchase Warrant (2.5)%							563,300				563,300
							8,012,889				7,855,389				7,855,389

				Type of		Principal								Fair
Portfolio Company		Industry		Investment (1)(2)		Amount				Cost				Value(3)
Jenkins Services, LLC (10%)* 45681 Oakbrook Ct., Ste. 113 Sterling, VA 20166		Restoration Services		Subordinated Note (17.5%, Due 04/14)		$	8,107,945			$	7,952,853			$	7,952,853
				Convertible Note (10%, Due 04/14)			1,400,000				1,359,298				1,359,298
							9,507,945				9,312,151				9,312,151
Library Systems & Services, LLC (3%)* 12850 Middlebrook Road		Municipal Business Services		Subordinated Note (12%, Due 03/11)			2,000,000				1,937,506				1,937,506
Germantown, MD 20874				Common Stock Warrants (112 shares)							58,995				608,000
							2,000,000				1,996,501				2,545,506
Syrgis Holdings, Inc. (6%)* 1025 Mary Laidley Drive		Specialty Chemical Manufacturer		Senior Note (9%, Due 08/12-02/14)			4,797,500				4,764,552				4,764,552
Covington, KY 41017				Common Units (2,114 units)							1,000,000				718,200
							4,797,500				5,764,552				5,482,752
TrustHouse Services Group, Inc. (5%)* 21 Armory Drive		Food Management Services		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 03/15)			4,221,233				4,139,190				4,139,190
Wheeling, WV 26003				Class A Units (1,495 units)							475,000				475,000
				Class B Units (79 units)							25,000				25,000
							4,221,233				4,639,190				4,639,190
Twin-Star International, Inc. (6%)* 115 S.E. 4th Avenue		Consumer Home Furnishings		Subordinated Note (13%, Due 04/14)			4,500,000				4,434,146				4,434,146
Delray Beach, FL 33483		Manufacturer		Senior Note (8%, Due 04/13)			1,485,000				1,485,000				1,485,000
							5,985,000				5,919,146				5,919,146
Wholesale Floors, Inc. (4%)* 8855 N. Black Canyon Highway		Commercial Services		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 06/14)			3,502,771				3,334,971				3,334,971
Phoenix, AZ 85021				Membership Interest Purchase Warrant (4.0%)							132,800				132,800
							3,502,771				3,467,771				3,467,771
Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. (13%)*		Landscaping		Subordinated Note
220 Elm Street		Services		(15%, Due 04/14)			13,065,000				12,749,440				12,749,440
New Canaan, CT 06840
							13,065,000				12,749,440				12,749,440
Subtotal Non-Control / Non-Affiliate Investments							114,103,971				115,624,742				114,911,243
Affiliate Investments:
Asset Point, LLC (6%)* 770 Pelham Road, Suite 200		Asset Management Software Provider		Subordinated Note (15%, Due 03/13)			5,046,055				4,949,777				4,949,777
Greenville, SC 29615				Membership Units (10 units)							500,000				500,000
							5,046,055				5,449,777				5,449,777
Axxiom Manufacturing, Inc (2%)* 11927 South Highway 6		Industrial Equipment		Subordinated Note (14%, Due 01/11)			2,102,454				2,077,226				2,077,226
Fresno, TX 77545		Manufacturer		Common Stock (34,100 shares)							200,000				286,300
				Common Stock Warrant
				(1,000 shares)							—				6,400
							2,102,454				2,277,226				2,369,926
Brantley Transportation, LLC (“Brantley Transportation”) and Pine Street Holdings, LLC (“Pine Street”)(4) (4%)* 808 N. Ruth Street Monahans, TX 79756		Oil and Gas Services		Subordinated Note — Brantley Transportation (14%, Due 12/12)			3,800,000				3,680,133				3,680,133
				Common Unit Warrants — Brantley Transportation (4,560 common units)							33,600				33,600
				Preferred Units — Pine Street (200 units)							200,000				200,000
				Common Unit Warrants —
				Pine Street (2,220 units)							—				—
							3,800,000				3,913,733				3,913,733
Dyson Corporation (12%)* 53 Freedom Road Painesville, OH 44077		Custom Forging and Fastener Supplies		Subordinated Note (15%, Due 12/13)			10,161,935				9,953,777				9,953,777
				Class A Units (1,000,000 units)							1,000,000				1,000,000
							10,161,935				10,953,777				10,953,777

				Type of		Principal								Fair
Portfolio Company		Industry		Investment (1)(2)		Amount				Cost				Value(3)
Equisales, LLC (8%)* 13811 Cullen Blvd.		Energy Products and Services		Subordinated Note (15%, Due 04/12)		$	6,223,280			$	6,118,966			$	6,118,966
Houston, TX 77047				Class A Units (500,000 units)							500,000				1,856,500
							6,223,280				6,618,966				7,975,466
Flint Acquisition Corporation (1%)* 115 Todd Court Thomasville, NC 27360		Specialty Chemical Manufacturer		Preferred Stock (9,875 shares)							308,333				1,291,600
											308,333				1,291,600
Genapure Corporation (“Genapure”) and Genpref, LLC		Lab Testing Services		Genapure Common Stock (4,286 shares)							500,000				627,216
(“Genpref”)(5) (1%)* 1205 Industrial Blvd. Southampton, PA 18966				Genpref Preferred Stock (455 shares)							63,602				79,784
											563,602				707,000
Subtotal Affiliate Investments							27,333,724				30,085,414				32,661,279
Control Investments:
Fischbein, LLC (15%)* 151 Walker Road Statesville, NC 28625		Packaging and Materials Handling		Subordinated Note (16.5%, Due 05/13)			8,859,632				8,717,540				8,717,540
		Equipment Manufacturer		Membership Units (4,200,000 units)							4,200,000				5,257,500
							8,859,632				12,917,540				13,975,040
Porter’s Group, LLC (5%)* 1111 Oates Road		Metal Fabrication		Membership Units (4,730 units)							471,254				4,436,000
Bessemer City, NC 28016
											471,254				4,436,000
Subtotal Control Investments							8,859,632				13,388,794				18,411,040
Total Investments, June 30, 2008 (175%)*						$	150,297,327			$	159,098,950			$	165,983,562

*		Value as a percent of net assets
(1)		All debt investments are income producing. Common stock, preferred stock and all warrants are non-income producing.

(2)		Interest rates on subordinated debt include cash interest rate and, where applicable, paid-in-kind interest rate.

(3)		All investments are restricted as to resale and were valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors.
(4)		Pine Street Holdings, LLC is the majority owner of Brantley Transportation, LLC, and its sole business purpose is its ownership of Brantley Transportation, LLC.
(5)		Genpref is the sole owner of Genapure’s preferred stock, and its sole business purpose is its ownership of Genapure’s preferred stock.

Nasdaq Global Market symbol		“TCAP”
Use of proceeds		We intend to use the net proceeds from selling our common stock to make investments in lower middle market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Dividends and distributions		We pay quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors.

Taxation		As we qualified for RIC tax treatment in 2007, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC for federal income tax purposes with the filing of our 2007 corporate income tax return, which will be effective as of January 1, 2007. We intend to file our 2007 corporate tax return with the Internal Revenue Service on or about September 15, 2008. Accordingly, we generally will not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90.0% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any.

Dividend reinvestment plan		We have a dividend reinvestment plan for our stockholders. The dividend reinvestment plan is an “opt out” dividend reinvestment

		plan. As a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders’ cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock will be subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
Trading at a discount		Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade above, at or below net asset value.
Risk factors		See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 and the other information included in this prospectus, or any prospectus supplement, for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.
Available information		We are required to file periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. and on the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov. We intend to provide much of the same information on our website at www.tcap.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and should not be relied upon as such.

 

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding our and Triangle SBIC’s consolidated costs and expenses that an investor in this offering will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you,” “us” or “Triangle,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example

 

The following example is required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in us. In calculating the following expense amounts, we assumed we would have no additional leverage and that our operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. In the event that shares to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will restate this example to reflect the applicable sales load.

 

 

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5.0% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. The table above does not reflect additional SBA leverage that we intend to employ in the future. “Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the dividend payment date, which may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

The selected historical financial and other data below reflects the consolidated operations of Triangle Capital Corporation and Triangle SBIC. The selected financial data at and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our financial statements that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Financial information prior to our initial public offering in 2007 is that of Triangle SBIC, which is Triangle Capital Corporation’s predecessor. The selected financial data at and for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 have been derived from unaudited financial data, and in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the results for such interim period. Interim results at and for the six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. You should read this selected financial and other data in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and notes thereto.

 

 

The following tables set forth certain quarterly financial information for each of the ten quarters ended with the quarter ended June 30, 2008. This information was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the past fiscal year or for any future quarter.

 

 

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our common stock. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

 

Our financial condition and results of operations will depend on our ability to manage and deploy capital effectively.

 

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to effectively manage and deploy our capital, which will depend, in turn, on our management team’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor, and our ability to finance and invest in, companies that meet our investment criteria. We cannot assure you that we will achieve our investment objective.

 

Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis will be largely a function of our management team’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services and our access to investments offering acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our management team and our investment professionals may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment.

 

Even if we are able to grow and build upon our investment operations in a manner commensurate with the increased capital available to us as a result of an offering, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and economic conditions. Furthermore, if we cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies as described in this prospectus, or any prospectus supplement, it could negatively impact our ability to pay dividends and cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

 

Our investment portfolio is and will continue to be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors and, as a result, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

 

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by our board of directors. Typically there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we have invested and will generally continue to invest. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors based on input from management, a third party independent valuation firm and our audit committee.

 

The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized gains and losses in our portfolio, is to a certain degree subjective and dependent on the judgment of our board. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to comparable publicly-traded companies, discounted cash flows and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would

have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize upon one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our common stock based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling shares during a period in which the net asset value understates the value of our investments will receive a lower price for their shares than the value of our investments might warrant.

 

We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities.

 

We compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including private equity funds and mezzanine funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas they have not traditionally invested in, including making investments in lower middle market companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in lower middle market companies may intensify. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in lower middle market companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financing sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC.

 

We are dependent upon our key investment personnel for our future success.

 

We depend on the members of our senior management team, particularly Garland S. Tucker III, Brent P.W. Burgess and Steven C. Lilly, for the identification, final selection, structuring, closing and monitoring of our investments. These employees have critical industry experience and relationships that we rely on to implement our business plan. If we lose the services of these individuals, we may not be able to operate our business as we expect, and our ability to compete could be harmed, which could cause our operating results to suffer. We entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Tucker, Burgess and Lilly upon consummation of our initial public offering.

 

Our success depends on attracting and retaining qualified personnel in a competitive environment.

 

We have recently experienced increased competition in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, particularly investment professionals, and we may be unable to maintain or grow our business if we cannot attract and retain such personnel. Our ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills depends on several factors including, but not limited to, our ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities, including investment funds (such as private equity funds and mezzanine funds) and traditional financial services companies, with which we compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than we have.

 

The competitive environment for qualified personnel may require us to take certain measures to ensure that we are able to attract and retain experienced personnel. Such measures may include increasing the attractiveness of our overall compensation packages, altering the structure of our compensation packages through the use of additional forms of compensation, or other steps. The inability to attract and retain experienced personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships, and our inability to maintain or develop these relationships, as well as the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

 

We expect that members of our management team will maintain their relationships with financial institutions, private equity and other non-bank investors, investment bankers, commercial bankers, attorneys, accountants and consultants, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If our management team fails to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom members of our management team have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

 

We have limited operating history as a business development company and as a regulated investment company, which may impair your ability to assess our prospects.

 

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. Prior to the consummation of our initial public offering in February 2007, we had not operated, and our management team had no experience operating, as a BDC under the 1940 Act or as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, we have limited operating results under these regulatory frameworks that can demonstrate to you either their effect on our business or our ability to manage our business under these frameworks. Our management team’s limited experience in managing a portfolio of assets under such constraints may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment objective. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us. If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would further decrease our operating flexibility.

 

Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we raise additional capital.

 

Our business will require capital to operate and grow. We may acquire such additional capital from the following sources:

 

Senior Securities.  Currently we, through Triangle SBIC, issue debt securities guaranteed by the SBA. In the future, we may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer collectively as senior securities. As a result of issuing senior securities, we will be exposed to additional risks, including the following:

 

 

 

Additional Common Stock.  We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. At our Annual Stockholders Meeting on May 7, 2008, our stockholders voted to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending May 6, 2009. Our stockholders did not specify a maximum discount below net asset value at which we are able to issue our common stock; however, we do not intend to issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders’ best interests to do so. In any such case, however, the price at which our common stock are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders (though not in conjunction with this prospectus) at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and they may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on favorable terms or at all.

 

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Triangle SBIC, is licensed by the SBA, and therefore subject to SBA regulations.

 

Triangle SBIC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is licensed to act as a small business investment company and is regulated by the SBA. Under current SBA regulations, a licensed SBIC can provide capital to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $18.0 million and an average annual net income after federal income taxes not exceeding $6.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, a licensed SBIC must devote 20.0% of its investment activity to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $6.0 million and an average annual net income after federal income taxes not exceeding $2.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. The SBA also places certain limitations on the financing terms of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies and prohibits SBICs from providing funds for certain purposes or to businesses in a few prohibited industries. Compliance with SBA requirements may cause Triangle SBIC to forego attractive investment opportunities that are not permitted under SBA regulations.

 

Further, the SBA regulations require that a licensed SBIC be periodically examined and audited by the SBA to determine its compliance with the relevant SBA regulations. The SBA prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a “change of control” of an SBIC or transfers that would result in any person (or a group of persons acting in concert) owning 10.0% or more of a class of capital stock of a licensed SBIC. If Triangle SBIC fails to comply with applicable SBA regulations, the SBA could, depending on the severity of the violation, limit or prohibit Triangle SBIC’s use of debentures, declare outstanding debentures immediately due and payable, and/or limit Triangle SBIC from making new investments. In addition, the SBA can revoke or suspend a license for willful or repeated violation of, or willful or repeated failure to observe, any provision of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder. Such actions by the SBA would, in turn, negatively affect us because Triangle SBIC is our wholly owned subsidiary.

 

Because we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.

 

Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on invested equity capital. As we intend to use leverage to partially finance our investments, you will experience increased risks of investing in our common stock. We, through Triangle SBIC, issue debt securities guaranteed by the SBA and sold in the

capital markets. As a result of its guarantee of the debt securities, the SBA has fixed dollar claims on Triangle SBIC’s assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders. We may also borrow from banks and other lenders in the future. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock dividend payments. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.

 

As a BDC, we are generally required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. If this ratio declines below 200%, we may not be able to incur additional debt and may need to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so, and we may not be able to make distributions.

 

On June 30, 2008, we, through Triangle SBIC, had $89.1 million of outstanding indebtedness guaranteed by the SBA, which had a weighted average annualized interest cost of approximately 4.8%. The calculation of this weighted average interest rate includes the interim rates charged on SBA guaranteed debentures that have not yet been pooled.

 

Illustration.  The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.

 

 

 

 

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives may depend in part on our ability to achieve additional leverage on favorable terms by issuing debentures guaranteed by the SBA or by borrowing from banks, or insurance companies, and there can be no assurance that such additional leverage can in fact be achieved.

 

SBA regulations limit the outstanding dollar amount of SBA guaranteed debentures that may be issued by an SBIC or group of SBIC’s under common control.

 

The SBA regulations currently limit the dollar amount of SBA guaranteed debentures that can be issued by any one SBIC or group of SBICs under common control to $130.6 million (such amount being subject to increase on an annual basis based on cost of living increases). Moreover, an SBIC may not borrow an amount in excess of two times its regulatory capital. As of June 30, 2008, Triangle SBIC had issued $89.1 million in debentures guaranteed by the SBA. With $65.3 million of regulatory capital as of June 30, 2008, Triangle SBIC has the current capacity to issue up to a total of $130.6 million of SBA guaranteed debentures, subject to the payment of a 1% commitment fee to the SBA on the amount of the commitment. While we cannot presently predict whether or not we will borrow the maximum permitted amount, if we reach the maximum dollar amount of SBA guaranteed debentures permitted, and thereafter require additional capital, our cost of capital may increase, and there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

 

Moreover, Triangle SBIC’s current status as an SBIC does not automatically assure that Triangle SBIC will continue to receive SBA guaranteed debenture funding. Receipt of SBA leverage funding is dependent

upon Triangle SBIC continuing to be in compliance with SBA regulations and policies and there being funding available. The amount of SBA leverage funding available to SBICs is dependent upon annual Congressional authorizations and in the future may be subject to annual Congressional appropriations. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient debenture funding available at the times desired by Triangle SBIC.

 

The debentures guaranteed by the SBA have a maturity of ten years and require semi-annual payments of interest. Triangle SBIC will need to generate sufficient cash flow to make required interest payments on the debentures. If Triangle SBIC is unable to meet its financial obligations under the debentures, the SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to Triangle SBIC’s assets over our stockholders in the event we liquidate Triangle SBIC or the SBA exercises its remedies under such debentures as the result of a default by us. In addition, the SBA must approve our independent directors before Triangle SBIC will be permitted to issue additional debentures guaranteed by the SBA.

 

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

 

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

 

Our ability to enter into and exit investment transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

 

Except in those instances where we have received prior exemptive relief from the SEC, we are prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5.0% or more of our outstanding voting securities is deemed our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits “joint” transactions with an affiliate, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our independent directors. If a person acquires more than 25.0% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person, or entering into joint transactions with such person, absent the prior approval of the SEC. These restrictions could limit or prohibit us from making certain attractive investments that we might otherwise make absent such restrictions.

 

We have filed an application with the SEC requesting exemptive relief from certain provisions of the 1940 Act and the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

The 1940 Act prohibits certain transactions between us, Triangle SBIC and their affiliates without first obtaining an exemptive order from the SEC. Triangle and Triangle SBIC filed a joint exemptive application with the SEC on January 3, 2007, and amended on November 5, 2007, requesting relief under various Sections of the 1940 Act that would permit Triangle, as the BDC parent and Triangle SBIC, as a BDC/SBIC subsidiary to operate effectively as one company for 1940 Act regulatory purposes. Specifically, the application requests relief for Triangle and Triangle SBIC to (a) engage in certain transactions with each other, (b) invest in securities in which the other is an investor and engage in transactions with portfolio companies that would not otherwise be prohibited if the BDC and its subsidiary were one company, (c) be subject to modified consolidated asset coverage requirements for senior securities issued by the BDC and the BDC/SBIC subsidiary, (d) allow the BDC/SBIC subsidiary to have the maximum amount of borrowing capacity for SBICs permitted under the SBA and the 1940 Act, and (e) allow Triangle SBIC, as the BDC/SBIC subsidiary, to file Exchange Act reports on a consolidated basis with Triangle, the parent BDC. This application is currently under review by the SEC. While the SEC has granted exemptive relief in substantially similar circumstances in the past, no assurance can be given that an exemptive order will be granted. Delays and costs involved in obtaining necessary approvals may make certain transactions impracticable or impossible to consummate, and there is no assurance that the application for exemptive relief will be granted by the SEC.

Our board of directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

 

Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and value of our stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you dividends and cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, we will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of the offering and may use the net proceeds from an offering in ways with which investors may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering.

 

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, which will adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements.

 

 

 

 

If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions.

We may not be able to pay you dividends, our dividends may not grow over time, and a portion of dividends paid to you may be a return of capital.

 

We intend to pay quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends. Our ability to pay dividends might be harmed by, among other things, the risk factors described in this prospectus. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC can limit our ability to pay dividends. All dividends will be paid at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, Triangle SBIC’s compliance with applicable SBIC regulations and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay dividends to our stockholders in the future.

 

When we make quarterly distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings, recognized capital gains or capital. To the extent there is a return of capital, investors will be required to reduce their basis in our stock for federal tax purposes.

 

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

 

For federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discounts or increases in loan balances as a result of contractual PIK arrangements will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.

 

Since, in certain cases, we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation as a RIC.”

 

Triangle SBIC, as an SBIC, may be unable to make distributions to us that will enable us to meet regulated investment company requirements, which could result in the imposition of an entity-level tax.

 

In order for us to continue to qualify as a RIC, we will be required to distribute on an annual basis substantially all of our taxable income, including income from our subsidiaries, including Triangle SBIC. As all of our investments will initially be made by Triangle SBIC, we will be substantially dependent on Triangle SBIC for cash distributions to enable us to meet the RIC distribution requirements. Triangle SBIC may be limited by the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and SBA regulations governing SBICs, from making certain distributions to us that may be necessary to enable us to qualify as a RIC. We may have to request a waiver of the SBA’s restrictions for Triangle SBIC to make certain distributions to maintain our status as a RIC. We cannot assure you that the SBA will grant such waiver and if Triangle SBIC is unable to obtain a waiver, compliance with the SBA regulations may result in loss of RIC status and a consequent imposition of an entity-level tax on us.

Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income to our stockholders to maintain our status as a regulated investment company, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth and regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.

 

In order to satisfy the requirements applicable to a RIC and to avoid payment of excise taxes, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our net ordinary income and net capital gain income except for certain net long-term capital gains recognized after we become a RIC, some or all of which we may retain, pay applicable income taxes with respect thereto, and elect to treat as deemed distributions to our stockholders. As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200.0%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments or sell additional common stock and, depending on the nature of our leverage, to repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, issuance of additional securities could dilute the percentage ownership of our current stockholders in us.

 

While we expect to be able to borrow and to issue additional debt and equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, and our net asset value could decline. In addition, as a BDC, we generally are not permitted to issue equity securities priced below net asset value without stockholder approval. At our Annual Stockholders Meeting on May 7, 2008, our stockholders voted to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending May 6, 2009. Our stockholders did not specify a maximum discount below net asset value at which we are able to issue our common stock; however, we do not intend to issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders’ best interests to do so. For an illustration on the potential dilutive effect of an offering of our common stock at a price below net asset value, please see the illustration below.

 

Illustration: Example of Dilutive Effect of the Issuance of Shares Below Net Asset Value.  Assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 total shares outstanding, $15,000,000 in total assets and $5,000,000 in total liabilities. The net asset value per share of the common stock of Company XYZ is $10.00. The following table illustrates the reduction to net asset value, or NAV, and the dilution experienced by Stockholder A following the sale of 40,000 shares of the common stock of Company XYZ at $9.50 per share, a price below its NAV per share.

 

 

 

 

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

 

We, Triangle SBIC, and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect. In addition, any change to the SBA’s current debenture

program could have a significant impact on our ability to obtain lower-cost leverage and, therefore, our competitive advantage over other finance companies.

 

Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this prospectus and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our management team to other types of investments in which our management team may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

 

Efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us.

 

We are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. Among other requirements, under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, our management is required to report on our internal controls over financial reporting. We are required to review on an annual basis our internal controls over financial reporting, and on a quarterly and annual basis to evaluate and disclose significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting. We have and expect to continue to incur significant expenses related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which will negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. In addition, this process results in a diversion of management’s time and attention. Since we have a limited operating history as a company subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we cannot assure you that our internal controls over financial reporting will continue to be effective. In the event that we are unable to maintain compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, we may be adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to Our Investments

 

Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.

 

Investing in lower middle market companies involves a number of significant risks. Among other things, these companies:

 

 

In addition, in the course of providing significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies, certain of our officers and directors may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. To the extent that litigation arises out of our investments in these companies, our officers and directors may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of funds (through our indemnification of such officers and directors) and the diversion of management time and resources.

 

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

 

We invest, and will continue to invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the near-term. Our investments are usually subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid because there is usually no established trading market for such investments. The illiquidity of most of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

 

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.

 

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies. After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation or may reduce the expected yield on the investment.

 

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

 

We invest primarily in senior subordinated debt as well as equity issued by lower middle market companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

 

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

 

Even though we may have structured certain of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances and based upon principles of equitable subordination as defined by existing case law, a bankruptcy court could subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors and transfer any lien securing such subordinated claim to the bankruptcy estate. The principles of equitable subordination defined by case law have generally indicated that a claim may be subordinated only if its holder is guilty of misconduct or where the senior loan is re-characterized as an equity investment and the senior lender has actually provided significant managerial assistance to the

bankrupt debtor. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business.

 

Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

 

Certain loans that we make to portfolio companies will be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. Further, there is a risk that such collateral securing our investments may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the portfolio company and market conditions. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the company’s remaining assets, if any.

 

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

 

If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a business development company or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.

 

As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70.0% of our total assets are qualifying assets. For further detail, see “Regulation.”

 

We believe that substantially all of our investments will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position).

We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.

 

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond our RIC asset diversification requirements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.

 

We generally will not control our portfolio companies.

 

We do not, and do not expect to, control most of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

 

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

 

Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our debt investments during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase, and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our debt investments and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in investment income, net investment income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

 

An economic downturn could disproportionately impact the industries in which we invest, causing us to be more vulnerable to losses in our portfolio, which could negatively impact our financial results. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing our loan originations and investments and negatively impact our financial results.

 

Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.

 

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.

 

Any unrealized losses we experience on our loan portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.

 

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in

our loan portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.

 

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

 

We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.

 

Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

 

Most of our debt investments will bear interest at fixed rates, and the value of these investments could be negatively affected by increases in market interest rates. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt to finance our investments. As a result, a significant increase in market interest rates could both reduce the value of our portfolio investments and increase our cost of capital, which would reduce our net investment income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, a situation which could reduce the value of our common stock. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates may have an adverse impact on our returns by requiring us to seek lower yields on our debt investments and by increasing the risk that our portfolio companies will prepay our debt investments, resulting in the need to redeploy capital at potentially lower rates.

 

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

 

Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include warrants or other equity securities. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. Investments in preferred securities involve special risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in companies in conjunction with private equity sponsors. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We often seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company issuer. We may be unable to exercise these puts rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.

 

Risks Relating to an Offering of Our Common Stock

 

We may be unable to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds raised from an offering on acceptable terms, which would harm our financial condition and operating results.

 

Delays in investing the net proceeds raised in an offering may cause our performance to be worse than that of other fully invested business development companies or other lenders or investors pursuing comparable investment strategies. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify any investments that meet our investment objective or that any investment that we make will produce a positive return. We may be unable to invest the net proceeds of any offering on acceptable terms within the time period that we anticipate or at all, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.