NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on January 21, 2020 at the office
of
THL Credit Advisors LLC, 227 West Monroe
Street, Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60606
To the Shareholders:
Notice is hereby given that a Special
Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") of Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, a Delaware statutory
trust (the "Fund"), will be held at the office of THL Credit Advisors LLC, 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3200, Chicago,
IL 60606, at 9:00 a.m., C.T., on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, for the following purposes:
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Proposal 1.
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A.
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To approve
a new advisory agreement between the Fund and THL Credit Advisors LLC.
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B.
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To approve a new sub-advisory agreement
between THL Credit Advisors LLC and Eagle Asset Management, Inc.
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Proposal 2.
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To approve
an amendment to the Fund's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust to
shorten the term of the Fund by three years.
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Proposal 3.
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To transact
such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
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Your vote is important!
The Board of Trustees
of the Fund has fixed the close of business on November 18, 2019 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination
of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
All shareholders of
record of the Fund on the record date are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting. Even if you expect to attend the Special
Meeting in person, please complete, date and sign the enclosed form of proxy and return it promptly in the envelope provided for
this purpose. Please familiarize yourself with each proposal and vote immediately, even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting.
In order to avoid
the additional expense to the Fund of further solicitation, we ask your cooperation in returning your proxy card promptly. If
your completed proxy card is not received, you may be contacted by representatives of the Fund's proxy solicitor, D.F. King &
Co., Inc.
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Sincerely,
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Brian Good
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President and Principal Executive Officer
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November
29, 2019
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
REGARDING THE PROXY STATEMENT AND SPECIAL
MEETING
While we strongly
encourage you to read the full text of the enclosed Proxy Statement, we are also providing you with a brief overview of the proposals
to be considered at the Special Meeting. Your vote is important.
Q. What am
I being asked to vote on at the Special Meeting?
A. At the Special
Meeting, you will be asked:
|
Proposal 1.
|
A.
|
To
approve a new advisory agreement between the Fund and THL Credit Advisors LLC (the "New
Advisory Agreement").
|
|
B.
|
To approve a new
sub-advisory agreement between THL Credit Advisors LLC and Eagle Asset Management, Inc.
(the "New Sub-Advisory Agreement" and, together with the New Advisory Agreement,
the "New Agreements").
|
|
Proposal 2.
|
To approve
an amendment to the Fund's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration of Trust") to shorten the term of the Fund by three years (the
"Term Reduction Proposal").
|
|
Proposal 3.
|
To transact
such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
|
Q. Why am
I being asked to approve the New Agreements?
A. Since 2018,
the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board"), including the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as that
term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Fund (the "Independent
Trustees") has been assessing potential strategic options for the Fund to reduce the Fund's overall fees and expenses, manage
the Fund's trading discount and improve the Fund's longer-term performance. At a series of meetings held in August 2019, the Board,
including a majority of the Independent Trustees, took various actions to effect a transition of the Fund's investment advisory
services from Four Wood Capital Advisors, LLC ("FWCA") to THL Credit Advisors LLC ("THL Credit") in an effort
to address these issues. To effect this advisory relationship transition, at an in-person meeting held on August 15, 2019, the
Fund notified FWCA of the Board's decision not to renew the advisory agreement between the Fund and FWCA (the "FW Advisory
Agreement"), which expired by its terms on August 30, 2019. The expiration of the FW Advisory Agreement had the effect of
terminating the existing sub-advisory agreement between FWCA and Eagle Asset Management, Inc. ("Eagle" or the "Sub-Adviser")
(the "Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement" and, together with the FW Advisory Agreement, the "Prior Agreements")
on the same date.
In order to ensure
the continued management of the Fund's assets following the expiration of the Prior Agreements, at a telephonic meeting held on
August 16, 2019, the Board approved an interim advisory agreement between the Fund and THL Credit (the "Interim Advisory
Agreement") and an interim sub-advisory agreement between THL Credit and Eagle (the "Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement",
and, together with the Interim Advisory Agreement, the "Interim Agreements"). Subsequently, at an in-person meeting
held on August 27, 2019, the Board approved, subject to approval by Fund shareholders, THL Credit and Eagle to serve as the Fund's
investment adviser and sub-adviser, respectively, on a non-interim basis, pursuant to the New Agreements. The Interim Agreements
took effect on August 31, 2019 (the "Effective Date") and will remain effective until the earlier of 150 days from the
date on which the Prior Agreements expired (i.e., until January 27, 2020) or the date upon which shareholders approve the New
Agreements. In order for THL Credit to continue serving as the Fund's investment adviser and for Eagle to continue serving
as the Fund's sub-adviser pursuant to the New Agreements, the Fund's shareholders must approve the New Agreements.
In approving the
Interim Agreements and the New Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered, among other things, that: (i) the appointment
of THL Credit may, by making available to the Fund THL Credit's expertise in bank loans, high-yield bonds and structured credit
investments, improve the Fund's yield and total return to shareholders and may therefore help to narrow the Fund's trading discount;
(ii) the retention of Eagle as sub-adviser may allow the Fund's shareholders to continue to benefit from the recent improved Fund
performance and would provide continuity in the Fund's day-to-day portfolio management with respect to those portions of the portfolio
advised by Eagle; and (iii) THL Credit's and Eagle's joint expense limitation proposal, together with THL Credit's proposal to
provide, as part of its advisory relationship and at no additional cost to the Fund, investor support services not provided under
the FW Advisory Agreement, could further reduce the Fund's overall fees and expenses and may therefore also help to narrow the
Fund's trading discount.
Q. Are the terms
of the New Agreements different than the terms of the Prior Agreements?
A. No. The New Advisory
Agreement's terms are substantially similar to the terms of the FW Advisory Agreement. THL Credit's duties under the New Advisory
Agreement, which include making investment decisions, supervising the acquisition and disposition of investments and selecting
brokers or dealers to execute transactions, are identical to FWCA's duties under the FW Advisory Agreement. Unlike FWCA, THL Credit
actively manages a portion of the Fund's assets. THL Credit also provides investor support services to the Fund's shareholders,
which were previously provided by an affiliate of FWCA.
The New Sub-Advisory
Agreement's terms are substantially identical to the terms of the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement. Eagle will provide substantially
similar investment advisory services to the Fund as it provided to the Fund under the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement, except that
certain of the Fund's debt securities are managed by THL Credit. In addition, THL Credit and Eagle have established an allocation
committee to regularly review the Fund's tactical asset allocations among dividend or other income paying equity securities and
debt securities. Such committee determines the target allocations of the Fund's portfolio among eligible asset classes. Although
the allocation committee does not directly determine what proportion of the Fund's portfolio is managed by THL Credit or Eagle,
THL Credit focuses on investments in bank loans, high-yield bonds and structured credit investments and Eagle focuses on investments
in equity and other fixed income instruments.
Q. Will the
Fund's investment objective, principal investment strategies and fundamental investment policies change as a result of the New
Agreements?
A. No. The Fund's
investment objective, principal investment strategies and fundamental investment policies will not change as a result of the New
Agreements. However, in connection with the transition of advisory services from FWCA to THL Credit, the Board approved, effective
as of the Effective Date, certain changes to the Fund's permitted investments. Specifically, the Board approved an increase in
the percentage of the Fund's Managed Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement) that may be invested in a combination of below-investment
grade securities and debt instruments that generate payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest from 20% to 30%. In addition, the
Board approved the Fund's investment in collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"). Accordingly, since the Effective Date,
THL Credit has managed a portion of the Fund's portfolio and has sought to add exposure to senior loans, high yield bonds and
CLOs to the Fund's overall portfolio, although THL Credit does not currently intend to invest Fund assets in PIK-generating instruments.
Q. Will the
Fund's expenses increase under the New Agreements?
A. No. The changes
to the Fund's advisory arrangements are expected to lower the Fund's overall expense ratio. Under the New Advisory Agreement,
the Fund's advisory fee will remain the same as under the FW Advisory Agreement at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund's average
daily Managed Assets (which had been reduced by the Board from 1.05% of the average daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets effective
May 24, 2018). The New Advisory Agreement's 0.85% annual advisory fee rate is a contractual fee rate and cannot be increased without
shareholder approval. This contractual annual advisory fee rate of 0.85% of the Fund's average daily Managed Assets also is reflected
in the Interim Advisory Agreement that took effect on the Effective Date. THL Credit also provides investor support as part of
its advisory relationship, which will result in additional cost savings to the Fund and its shareholders, as the Fund no longer
bears the annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund previously paid to FWCA's affiliate, Four Wood Capital
Partners LLC ("FWCP") under the Fund's Investor Support Services Agreement (the "Support Agreement"). The
Support Agreement was terminated by the Board as of September 14, 2019.
In addition, pursuant
to an expense limitation agreement with the Fund, THL Credit and Eagle have agreed to limit, for the term of the Fund, direct
ordinary operating expenses borne by the Fund to an amount not to exceed 0.35% per year of the Fund's Managed Assets, subject
to certain exclusions (pro-rated for the period in 2019 during which THL Credit serves as the Fund's investment adviser). THL
Credit and Eagle may discontinue their obligations under the expense limitation agreement only with the consent of a majority
of the Independent Trustees.
Q. Will the
Fund continue to have a sub-adviser?
A. Yes.
Eagle will continue to provide sub-investment advisory services on an uninterrupted basis during the transition period, under
the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement, and on a forward-looking basis, under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, provided such agreement
is approved by the shareholders of the Fund. As under the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement,
Eagle will continue to
receive, under both the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, a monthly fee computed at the annual
rate of 50% of the advisory fees paid to THL Credit.
Q. What will
happen until such time as the shareholders vote to approve the New Agreements at the Special Meeting?
A. At a meeting
held on August 16, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved the Interim Agreements in accordance
with Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act. The terms of the Interim Agreements are substantially the same as those of the Prior Agreements,
except for certain provisions that are required by law and the date and term of the agreement. The Interim Agreements with THL
Credit and Eagle took effect on the Effective Date.
Pursuant to Rule 15a-4,
the Interim Agreements are not required to be approved by the shareholders of the Fund and will continue in effect for 150 days
after the date on which the Prior Agreements expired (i.e., until January 27, 2020), unless terminated sooner by their terms,
the Board, THL Credit or Eagle, or until the New Agreements are approved by the shareholders of the Fund.
Q. What will
happen if shareholders do not approve the New Agreements?
A. THL Credit
and Eagle are providing advisory services to the Fund pursuant to the Interim Agreements for 150 days after the date on which
the Prior Agreements expired. If the New Agreements are not approved by the Fund's shareholders within 150 days after the date
on which the Prior Agreements expired, THL Credit and Eagle will no longer provide advisory services to the Fund, unless an extension
of the 150-day period is permitted by a rule or interpretive position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If one or both of the New Agreements are not approved within the 150-day period (or pursuant to any permitted extension), the
Board will consider what action would be appropriate for the Fund.
Q. Are there
any other changes in the Fund's primary service providers or executive officers that I should know of?
A. The Fund's
Board of Trustees approved the termination of the Support Agreement with FWCA's affiliate, FWCP, effective as of September 14,
2019. THL Credit is providing investor support as part of its advisory relationship and, as a result, the Fund no longer
bears the annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund paid to FWCP for those services.
In connection with
the advisory relationship transition, the Board approved changes to the Fund's executive officers. The new slate of executive
officers, which consists of personnel of both THL Credit and Eagle, took office on the Effective Date concurrent with when THL
Credit became the Fund's investment adviser upon the effectiveness of the Interim Advisory Agreement.
The Fund does not
currently anticipate any changes to its service arrangements with its administrator, custodian and accounting agent (The Bank
of New York Mellon), its transfer agent (American Stock Transfer and Trust Company) or its independent registered public accounting
firm (RSM US LLP).
Q. What are
the benefits of the Term Reduction Proposal?
A. Currently,
the Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund will cease to exist or, subject to shareholder approval, be converted to an open-end
investment company at the close of business on May 14, 2027 (the "Termination Date"), except for the purpose of satisfying
any existing debts or obligations, collecting and distributing its assets and doing all other acts required to liquidate and wind
up its business and affairs. If the Term Reduction Proposal is approved, the Declaration of Trust will be amended to change the
Termination Date to May 14, 2024. Assuming the Fund continues to trade at a discount, reducing the Fund's term by three years
accelerates shareholders' realization of the Fund's net asset value. The shortened term also may help to narrow the Fund's trading
discount. If the Term Reduction Proposal is approved, the Board will retain the ability to extend the Termination Date for one
year, to May 14, 2025, without a shareholder vote, upon the affirmative vote of 75% of
the Trustees then in office,
provided that the Board believes that under then-current market conditions it is in the best interests of the shareholders to
do so.
Q. How does
the Board recommend that I vote?
A. The Board
recommends that shareholders vote FOR the proposals. If no instructions are indicated on your proxy, the representatives holding
proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.
Q.
Do I have appraisal or dissenters' rights in connection with the proposals?
A. Shareholders
have no appraisal or dissenters' rights in connection with any of the proposals set forth in the Proxy Statement.
Q. Will the
Fund pay for this proxy solicitation?
A.
THL Credit and Eagle will bear up to $500,000 of certain expenses in connection with the transfer of the advisory relationship,
including the expenses associated with the ordinary preparation, mailing and solicitation of proxies for this Special Meeting.
Any other fees and expenses will be paid for by the Fund, unless THL Credit or Eagle otherwise agrees to bear those fees or expenses.
Q. How do
I vote my shares?
A.
By Mail: You may authorize your proxy by completing the enclosed proxy card by dating, signing and returning it in the postage-paid
envelope. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone by calling the toll-free number on the proxy card or by computer by going
to the secured website provided on the proxy card and following the instructions, using your proxy card as a guide. Please
note that if you sign and date the proxy card but give no voting instructions, your shares will be voted "FOR" each
of the proposals.
In Person: Attend
the Special Meeting as described in the Proxy Statement.
Q. Whom should
I call for additional information about the Proxy Statement?
A.
If you need any assistance, or have any questions regarding the proposals or how to vote your shares, please call D.F. King &
Co., Inc., our proxy solicitor, toll free at 1-866-416-0552.
PROPOSAL 1A: APPROVAL OF NEW ADVISORY
AGREEMENT
PROPOSAL 1B: APPROVAL OF NEW SUB-ADVISORY
AGREEMENT
Background
Since 2018, the Board,
including the Independent Trustees, has been assessing potential strategic options for the Fund to reduce the Fund's overall fees
and expenses, manage the Fund's trading discount and improve the Fund's longer-term performance. At a series of meetings held
in August 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, took various actions to effect a transition of the
Fund's investment advisory services from FWCA to THL Credit in an effort to address these issues. In particular, the Board believes
that the further reduction in Fund expenses as a result of the advisory relationship transition, along with recent improved Fund
performance under Eagle's management, may help to manage the Fund's trading discount and improve the Fund's longer-term performance.
As described further below, the advisory relationship transition, which results in THL Credit and Eagle each managing a portion
of the Fund, makes available to the Fund THL Credit's expertise in bank loans, high-yield bonds and structured credit investments,
while also providing continuity in the Fund's day-to-day portfolio management with respect to the portions of the Fund managed
by Eagle. The advisory relationship transition also results in a reduction in the Fund's overall fees and expenses and retains
the term feature of the Fund, which requires that the Fund, if it is not earlier converted into an open-end fund, to terminate
no later than 2028. The advisory relationship transition is one of several actions taken by the Independent Trustees over the
past two years to address the Fund's expenses: reducing FWCP's servicing fee by five basis points, reducing FWCA's advisory fee
by 20 basis points and negotiating and approving the New Agreements (defined below), including negotiating an expense limitation
more beneficial to the Fund than the one originally proposed. To effect the advisory relationship transition, the Board, at its
August 15, 2019 meeting, decided (i) not to renew the advisory agreement between the Fund and FWCA (the "FW Advisory Agreement"),
which expired by its terms on August 30, 2019, and (ii) to terminate the Fund's investor support services agreement (the "Support
Agreement") with FWCP, effective September 14, 2019, pursuant to the 30-day notice requirement under the Support Agreement.
The expiration of the FW Advisory Agreement on August 30, 2019 resulted in the automatic termination of the sub-advisory agreement
between FWCA and Eagle (the "Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement", and, together with the FW Advisory Agreement, the "Prior
Agreements" on that date.
In order to ensure
the continued management of the Fund's assets following the expiration of the Prior Agreements, at a telephonic meeting held on
August 16, 2019, and as permitted pursuant to Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act, the Board, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, approved (i) THL Credit to serve as the investment adviser to the Fund under an interim advisory agreement
between the Fund and THL Credit (the "Interim Advisory Agreement") and (ii) Eagle to continue as the
Fund's sub-adviser under
an interim sub-advisory agreement between THL Credit and Eagle (the "Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement", and, together
with the Interim Advisory Agreement, the "Interim Agreements"). The Interim Agreements are substantially identical to
the Prior Agreements and became effective on the Effective Date. Subsequently, at an in-person meeting of the Board held on August
27, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved THL Credit and Eagle to serve as the Fund's investment
adviser and sub-adviser, respectively, on a non-interim basis, if approved by the Fund's shareholders, under a new investment
advisory agreement between the Fund and THL Credit (the "New Advisory Agreement") and a new sub-advisory agreement between
THL Credit and Eagle (the "New Sub-Advisory Agreement", and, together with the New Advisory Agreement, the "New
Agreements"), respectively. The FW Advisory Agreement expired on August 30, 2019 and the Fund's Support Agreement terminated
on September 14, 2019. On the Effective Date, THL Credit commenced serving as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant
to the Interim Advisory Agreement and Eagle continued serving as the sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to the Interim Sub-Advisory
Agreement. Pursuant to the Interim Agreements, THL Credit and Eagle may serve as the Fund's investment adviser and sub-adviser,
respectively, on an interim basis for 150 days after the date on which the Prior Agreements expired, pending receipt of shareholder
approval of the New Agreements. Therefore, in order for THL Credit to continue serving as the Fund's investment adviser and for
Eagle to continue serving as the Fund's sub-adviser following the expiration of the 150-day interim period, shareholders are being
asked to approve the New Advisory Agreement between the Fund and THL Credit and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement between THL Credit
and Eagle.
The material terms
of the New Advisory Agreement (as well as the Interim Advisory Agreement), including the fee payable by the Fund thereunder, are
substantially the same as the FW Advisory Agreement. The Fund's annual investment advisory fee rate will remain 0.85% of
the Fund's average daily Managed Assets (which had been reduced by the Board from 1.05% of the Fund's average daily Managed Assets
effective May 24, 2018). "Managed Assets" means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings
for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund's accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment
purposes). Furthermore, THL Credit is providing investor support as part of its advisory relationship and the Fund no longer bears
the annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund paid to FWCP for those services. In addition, pursuant
to an expense limitation agreement with the Fund, THL Credit and Eagle have agreed to limit, for the term of the Fund, direct
ordinary operating expenses borne by the Fund to an amount not to exceed 0.35% per year of the Fund's Managed Assets, subject
to certain exclusions (pro-rated for the period in 2019 during which THL Credit serves as the Fund's investment adviser).
THL Credit and Eagle may discontinue their obligations under the expense limitation agreement only with the consent of a majority
of the Independent Trustees.
Furthermore, the services
provided under the FW Advisory Agreement by FWCA as investment adviser will be provided by THL Credit as investment adviser under
the New Advisory Agreement. THL Credit's duties under the New Advisory Agreement, which include making investment decisions, supervising
the acquisition and disposition of investments and selecting brokers or dealers to execute transactions, are identical to FWCA's
duties under the FW Advisory Agreement. In addition, certain of the Fund's debt securities are managed by THL Credit. THL Credit
and Eagle also have established an allocation committee to regularly review the Fund's tactical asset allocations among dividend
or other income paying equity securities and debt securities. Such committee determines the target allocations of the Fund's portfolio
among eligible asset classes. Although the allocation committee does not directly determine what proportion of the Fund's portfolio
is managed by THL Credit or Eagle, THL Credit focuses on investments in bank loans, high-yield bonds and structured credit investments
and Eagle focuses on investments in equity and other fixed income investments.
The material terms
of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement (as well as the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement), including the fee payable to Eagle thereunder,
are substantially identical to the terms of the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement, and the services Eagle will provide thereunder are
substantially similar investment advisory services to the Fund as it provided to the Fund under the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement.
For serving as the Fund's sub-adviser, Eagle received a fee from FWCA, and now receives a fee from THL Credit, in an
amount equal to 50% of the advisory fees paid to FWCA or THL Credit, as applicable, for its services as sub-adviser to the Fund.
The Fund's investment
objective, principal investment strategies and fundamental investment policies will not change as a result of the New Agreements.
However, in connection with the transition of advisory services from FWCA to THL Credit, the Board approved, effective as of the
Effective Date, certain changes to the Fund's permitted investments. Specifically, the Board approved an increase in the percentage
of the Fund's Managed Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement) that may be invested in a combination of below-investment grade
securities and debt instruments that generate payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest from 20% to 30%. In addition, the Board
approved the Fund's investment in collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"). Accordingly, since the Effective Date, THL
Credit has managed a portion of the Fund's portfolio and has sought to add exposure to senior loans, high yield bonds and CLOs
to the Fund's overall portfolio, although THL Credit does not currently intend to invest Fund assets in PIK-generating instruments.
THL Credit and Eagle expect this diversification of asset classes to facilitate
the Fund as a tactical
allocation fund across both equity and fixed income markets, as originally marketed to investors, including through enhanced investment
opportunities across the fixed income spectrum.
Information
Regarding THL Credit
THL Credit's headquarters
is located at 100 Federal Street, 31st Floor, Boston, MA 02110. THL Credit was formed as a Delaware limited liability company
on June 26, 2009 and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. THL Credit
is an alternative credit investment manager for both direct lending and tradable credit investments through public and private
vehicles, commingled funds including CLOs, and separately managed accounts. THL Credit and its credit-focused affiliates managed
assets of $16.8 billion as of September 30, 2019 across its two strategies investment platforms: Direct Lending and Tradable Credit.
THL Credit benefits from a scaled and integrated business from an experienced and cohesive Tradable Credit team. Currently, THL
Credit together with its wholly owned subsidiary employs 93 people and has a fully operational front, middle and back office team
to manage the wide range of clients and portfolios across the platform. THL Credit has a global, diversified investor base and
a strong following within the investment consultant community.
THL Credit is principally
owned by THLP Debt Partners, L.P., the general partner of which is THLP Debt Advisors, LLC, which in turn is controlled by certain
individuals and partners affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL Partners"). THL Partners is one of the world's
oldest and most experienced private equity firms. Since its founding in 1974, the firm has raised over $22 billion of equity capital
and invested in more than 140 portfolio companies with an aggregate value of over $200 billion. THL Partners invests in growth-oriented
businesses, headquartered primarily in North America, across three sectors: Business & Financial Services, Consumer &
Healthcare, and Media, Information Services and Technology. THL Partners partners with portfolio company management to identify
and implement operational and strategic improvements to accelerate sustainable revenue and profit growth. THL Partners strives
to build companies of lasting value and generate superior investment returns. THL Credit benefits from its access to the industry
knowledge of THL Partners' investment team through its ability to consult with the THL Partners' team on specific industry issues,
trends and other complementary matters. The principal business address of THLP Debt Partners, L.P. and THL Partners is 100
Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110.
The "Tradable
Credit Team" was formed on June 29, 2012 when THL Credit, acquired Chicago based McDonnell Investment Management LLC's Alternative
Credit Strategies Group ("MACS"), a leading alternative senior debt manager.
The Tradable Credit
Team is led by Brian Good and James Fellows who have worked as a team for over 28 years, commencing during their term at the bank
loan group of Van Kampen in the late 1980's. In 1998, Messrs. Good and Fellows left Van Kampen to establish the loan business
at Stein Roe & Farnham where they built the foundation of the Tradable Credit Team with Brian Murphy, Steven Krull, Zoltan
Donovan, Jeffrey Kovanda and J. Christian Champ. In 2004, these individuals left Stein, Roe & Farnham following the divesting
sale of the loan management business stemming from the acquisition of its parent, Fleet Bank by Bank of America, to join McDonnell
Investment Management LLC.
The Tradable Credit
Team manages approximately $14.6 billion in broadly syndicated bank loan and high yield bond assets in CLOs, separate accounts,
and total return formats including commingled private and public funds as of September 30, 2019. The Tradable Credit Team employs
a "value oriented" approach to credit investing which shares many of the elements of classic, value style investing
in equities, but applied to a higher point in the capital structure. Given the investor base for the loan asset class, THL Credit
believes there is an information inefficiency that can result in superior risk adjusted returns over time through focus on credit
fundamentals in addition to market technicals. In clients' loan portfolios THL Credit has found opportunities during periods of
price volatility in specific company situations as well as within industries showing signs of strength not yet documented by Wall
Street research. As a "value oriented" manager, THL Credit centers its investment philosophy on intensive fundamental
credit analysis with an attempt to understand credits and industries at a deeper level than some market participants. The objective
of the philosophy is to avoid components of the market, issuer or industry, that is deemed fundamentally objectionable and to
overweight elements of the market offering extra return for our perceived risk. In addition, the Tradable Credit Team looks for
situations with a clear catalyst that may unlock value. Over twenty years of experience in the bank loan market has led the Tradable
Credit Team to believe that information inefficiencies exist and that the market is not always correct. The Tradable Credit Team
also benefits from understanding historical trends in industries, credit cycles and management teams to identify potential risks
and appropriate mileposts to monitor as situations unfold.
Principal Executive
Officer and Directors of THL Credit
The name, address
and principal occupation of the principal executive officer and each director of THL Credit are set out in the table below.
Mr. Good, a Trustee of the Fund, is a director of THL Credit. Each of the Fund's officers, except for Mr. Camp, are
employees of THL Credit or its affiliates. No other officer or Trustee of the Fund owns any securities of, or has any other material
direct or indirect interest in, THL Credit or any of its affiliates.
Name and Address*
|
|
Principal Occupation
|
|
|
|
Brian
Good
|
|
Senior
Managing Director, Director
|
Christopher
Flynn
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Director
|
James
Fellows
|
|
Chief
Investment Officer, Director
|
Terrence
Olson
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Director
|
Sabrina
Rusnak-Carlson
|
|
General
Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
|
Thomas
M. Hagerty
|
|
Director
|
Joshua
D. Bresler
|
|
Director
|
Anthony
J. Dinovi
|
|
Director
|
* The
address of the principal executive officer and each director is 100 Federal Street, 31st Floor, Boston, MA 02110.
Information
Regarding Similar Funds
THL Credit serves
as a sub-adviser to certain series of Russell Investment Company (the "Russell Funds"), an open-end registered management
investment company advised by Russell Investment Management, LLC ("RIM"). The Russell Funds operate as "manager-of-manager
funds" where RIM has the authority to monitor, hire and terminate (subject to approval of the board of trustees) sub-advisers
to the Russell Funds and allocate and reallocate Russell Fund assets to them. THL Credit does not manage all of the assets
of each of the Russell Funds. Instead, RIM allocates a portion of the Russell Funds' assets to THL Credit to manage employing
investment strategies similar to those used to manage the Fund. The allocation of Russell Fund assets to THL Credit may
vary over time and is determined by RIM.
Fund Name
|
|
Net Asset Value
(as of October
31, 2019)
|
|
|
Target
Allocation
to THL
Credit
|
|
|
Advisory Fee
Rate
|
|
Multi-Asset Growth Strategy Fund
|
|
$
|
1,907,700,000
|
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
*
|
|
Russell Multi-Strategy Income Fund
|
|
$
|
1,032,860,000
|
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
*
|
|
Unconstrained Total Return Fund
|
|
$
|
611,720,000
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
*
|
|
* THL
Credit is paid by RIM for its sub-advisory services to the Russell Funds an annual sub-advisory fee, on an aggregated basis across
all assets RIM allocates to THL Credit dependent upon aggregate assets under management, as follows: 0.30% on assets up to
and including 125 million, 0.25% on assets above $125 million up to and including $150 million and 0.20% on assets above $150
million. The sub-advisory fee paid by RIM is calculated and paid quarterly in arrears based on the monthly average of all
the Russell Fund assets allocated by RIM to THL Credit during that period.
Information Regarding
Eagle
Eagle's headquarters
is located at 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716. Eagle manages the Fund's portfolio of equity and debt securities,
subject to the authority of the Adviser and the Board. Eagle is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carillon Tower Advisers, Inc. ("CTA")
and organized as a corporation under the laws of Florida in 1984. CTA is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. Eagle is
registered as an investment adviser with the SEC, and has filed registration exemptions in several Canadian provinces. CTA is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. ("RJF"), NYSE Ticker (RJF), based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
As of September 30, 2019 Eagle had approximately $32 billion in assets under advisement.
Principal Executive
Officer and Directors of Eagle
The name, address
and principal occupation of the principal executive officer and each director of Eagle are set out in the table below. Mr.
Camp owns securities in RJF, which is a parent company of Eagle. Mr. Good and Ms. Wilson each own shares of mutual funds sponsored
by CTA and advised by Eagle. No other officer or Trustee of the Fund owns any securities of, or has any other material direct
or indirect interest in, Eagle or any of its affiliates.
Name and Address*
|
|
Principal Occupation
|
|
|
|
Thomas A. James
|
|
Chairman
|
J. Cooper Abbott
|
|
Director and President
|
Eric Wilwant
|
|
Director and Chief
Operating Officer
|
Damian Sousa
|
|
Director and Chief
Compliance Officer
|
Ed Rick
|
|
Director and Executive
Vice President, Head of Investments
|
* The
address of the principal executive officer and each director is 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716.
Prior Agreements
with FWCA and Eagle
FWCA served as the
Fund's investment adviser through August 30, 2019. The continuation of the Prior Agreements were last considered and approved
by the Board on May 13, 2019. The Prior Agreements were last submitted for approval to a vote of the initial shareholders
on June 17, 2015 in connection with the commencement of operations. The FW Advisory Agreement, as amended, provided for
a fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets, paid monthly, to FWCA. The FW
Advisory Agreement expired on August 30, 2019. The expiration of the FW Advisory Agreement had the effect of terminating the Prior
Sub-Advisory Agreement between FWCA and Eagle on the same date.
The FW Advisory Agreement
provided that FWCA shall manage all aspects of the advisory operations of the Fund and the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
including the purchase, retention and disposition of securities therein, in accordance with the investment objectives, policies
and restrictions of the Fund. The FW Advisory Agreement provided that FWCA may delegate its duties to a sub-adviser. The FW Advisory
Agreement provided that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of FWCA, or reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties, FWCA will not be subject to any liability to the Fund or any shareholder for any act
or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services under the Agreement.
New Agreements
with THL Credit and Eagle
Shareholders are being
asked to approve the New Advisory Agreement between the Fund and THL Credit and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement between THL Credit
and Eagle. Under Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act, the New Agreements require the approval of (i) the Board, including
a majority of the Independent Trustees, none of whom are parties to the New Agreements, and (ii) a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. In the event that the shareholders of the Fund do
not approve one or both of the New Agreements, THL Credit and Eagle, as the case may be, may continue to act as the investment
adviser and/or sub-adviser for the Fund pursuant to the Interim Agreements until January 27, 2020. In such event, the Board will
consider what action would be appropriate for the Fund.
Board Approval
and Recommendation
At an in-person meeting
held on August 27, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved the New Agreements for the Fund
and recommended that shareholders of the Fund approve the New Agreements. A summary of the Trustees' considerations is provided
below in the section entitled "Board Consideration of the New Agreements."
Comparison of
the Prior Agreements and New Agreements
The New Advisory Agreement
is substantially similar to the FW Advisory Agreement, including the fee paid by the Fund. Any material differences between the
New Advisory Agreement and the FW Advisory Agreement are described below. A marked version of the New Advisory Agreement against
the FW Advisory Agreement is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement and the description of terms
in this section is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit A. The following is intended to be an overview
and is not intended to be a comprehensive description of all of the New Advisory Agreement's terms.
Compensation.
The FW Advisory Agreement, as amended, provided that the Fund would pay to FWCA a fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average
daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets. "Managed Assets" under the FW Advisory
Agreement means the
total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund's
accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes). Under the New Advisory Agreement,
the Fund would pay THL Credit a fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets for services
provided pursuant to the New Advisory Agreement. The frequency of payment and the definition of Managed Assets used in the FW
and New Advisory Agreements are identical.
In addition, during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid $132,893 to FWCP pursuant to the Support Agreement for investor support
services. If the New Advisory Agreement had been in place during the Fund's prior fiscal year, the Fund would not have incurred
any additional expenses for investor support services, resulting in a 100% reduction in those costs to the Fund and its shareholders.
During the Fund's prior fiscal year, the Fund did not pay any fees to THL Credit or its affiliates.
No
Third-Party Beneficiaries. The New Advisory Agreement provides that no person or entity not party to the Agreement
will be deemed a third-party beneficiary.
Termination.
The FW Advisory Agreement provided that the Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the
Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or
by FWCA at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the
other party. The New Advisory Agreement provides that the Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of
any penalty: (i) by the Fund upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to THL Credit after either (a) the vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or (b) the vote of a majority of the Trustees; or (ii) by
THL Credit upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the Fund. The termination provision related to "assignment"
(as such term is defined for purposes of the 1940 Act) and the term and duration provisions of the New Advisory Agreement do not
materially differ from those of the FW Advisory Agreement.
Sub-Advisory
Agreement. The Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement are substantially identical, including
the fees paid by FWCA and THL Credit, respectively, to Eagle. A marked version of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement against the Prior
Sub-Advisory Agreement is attached as Exhibit B to this Proxy Statement.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS
OF THE FUND VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE NEW AGREEMENTS.
BOARD CONSIDERATION OF THE NEW AGREEMENTS
Background
Beginning in 2018,
the Independent Trustees discussed with FWCA and with other parties possible strategic options for the Fund in light of the Fund's
trading discount and longer-term performance record. On July 15, 2019 and August 13, 2019, the Independent Trustees discussed
with representatives of THL Credit and Eagle a joint proposal from THL Credit and Eagle whereby THL Credit would replace FWCA
and Eagle would remain as sub-adviser. The Independent Trustees considered that the joint proposal, unlike some other possible
strategic options, such as liquidation or a merger with another fund, would retain the term feature of the Fund. The Independent
Trustees considered that the appointment of THL Credit may, by making available to the Fund THL Credit's expertise in bank loans,
high-yield bonds and structured credit investments, improve the Fund's yield and total return to shareholders and may therefore
help to narrow the Fund's trading discount. The Independent Trustees considered that the retention of Eagle as sub-adviser may
allow the Fund's shareholders to continue to benefit from the recent improved Fund performance and would provide continuity in
the Fund's day-to-day portfolio management with respect to those portions of the portfolio advised by Eagle. The Independent Trustees
considered that THL Credit's and Eagle's joint expense limitation proposal, together with THL Credit's proposal to provide, as
part of its advisory relationship and at no additional cost to the Fund, investor support services not provided under the FW Advisory
Agreement, could further reduce the Fund's overall fees and expenses and may therefore also help to narrow the Fund's trading
discount. The Independent Trustees considered THL Credit's and Eagle's ability to serve as investment adviser and sub-adviser,
respectively, and THL Credit's and Eagle's experience, including THL Credit's and Eagle's business, the personnel that would provide
services to the Fund and THL Credit's proposed advisory fees and the amount of those fees paid to Eagle. The Independent Trustees
had additional conversations among themselves to further discuss the proposal and other potential strategic options. In connection
with the August 13, 2019 telephonic Board meeting, the Independent Trustees also considered materials prepared by THL Credit and
Eagle in response to additional requests made by the Independent Trustees and revisions to the proposal made at the request of
the Independent Trustees. In light
of the various discussions
and materials provided to the Independent Trustees, the Independent Trustees determined that THL Credit, if selected to act as
the investment adviser, and Eagle, if selected to remain as sub-adviser, could further reduce costs to the Fund while providing
stability in the oversight of its operations, additional expertise in certain segments of the fixed income market and continuity
in day-to-day portfolio management.
At an in-person meeting
held on August 27, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, considered and approved the New Advisory
Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board then directed that the New Agreements be submitted to the Fund's shareholders
for approval with the Board's recommendation that the shareholders vote to approve each of the New Advisory Agreement and the
New Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Factors Considered
by the Board
In approving the New
Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board discussed its duty to the Fund and, in its examination of various
factors relevant in exercising its business judgment, the Board considered the following:
Nature,
Extent and Quality of Services to be Provided. The Board received and considered various information regarding
the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided under the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement.
The Board noted that the same Eagle personnel who provided portfolio management services under the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement
would also provide those services under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board considered that, since the Fund's inception,
Eagle had been primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board considered that, under the
New Agreements, THL Credit and Eagle would share day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities, with THL Credit focused on
investments in bank loans, high-yield bonds and structured credit investments and Eagle focused on investments in equity and other
fixed income investments. In this regard, the Board took into account the relevant securities experience and capabilities, as
well as the reputation, organizational structure and financial resources, of THL Credit and Eagle. The Board also noted both the
first-hand experience and knowledge of Eagle the Board had gained through its oversight of Eagle as the Fund's sub-adviser since
the Fund's inception and the first-hand experience and knowledge of THL Credit the Independent Trustees had gained through their
oversight of THL Credit as the current investment adviser, and previously the sub-adviser, to the THL Credit Senior Loan Fund.
The Board also considered that, under the New Advisory Agreement, THL Credit would provide the oversight and other services provided
at that time by FWCA under the FW Advisory Agreement as well as the investor support services provided at that time by FWCP under
the Support Agreement and the Fund would no longer bear the separate fees paid to FWCP under the Support Agreement for those investor
support services. Based on this review, the Board concluded that, under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the range and quality
of services provided by Eagle to the Fund under the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement were expected to continue, and that, under the
New Advisory Agreement, THL Credit would not only provide, in each case at the same or improved levels, the same services provided
at that time by FWCA and FWCP under the FW Advisory Agreement and Support Agreement, respectively, but also offer additional portfolio
management capabilities.
Investment
Performance. Noting the role of Eagle as the Fund's sub-adviser since its inception, the Board considered
the Fund's investment performance results and considered those results in comparison to the performance results, prepared by Broadridge
Financial Solutions, Inc., of other funds in an appropriate peer universe and of a benchmark index. These materials covered the
one-year, two-year, three-year and since-inception periods ended February 28, 2019. The Board noted that the Fund had outperformed
the average of its peer universe for the one-year period presented but had performed below the average of its peer universe for
the two-year, three-year and since-inception periods. The Board also considered more recent performance information prepared by
FWCA and Eagle and noted the recent improved Fund performance under Eagle's day-to-day portfolio management. The Board also considered
the influence on the Fund's longer-term performance of the Fund's since-suspended strategy, conducted under a previous sub-adviser,
of writing covered index call options. The Board also considered that the portfolio management personnel responsible for the day-to-day
management of the portfolio would continue to provide portfolio management services, in partnership with THL Credit, after the
transition in investment adviser. The Board concluded that these factors supported approval of the New Advisory Agreement and
the New Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Advisory
Fees and Other Fees. The Board considered that the Fund's expenses would decrease under the New Advisory
Agreement and related expense waiver. The Board took into account that the Fund's advisory fee rate under the New Advisory Agreement
of 0.85% of the average daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets (as defined above) reflected the 2018 reduction negotiated by
the Independent Trustees in the advisory fee rate paid to FWCA under the FW Advisory Agreement from 1.05% to 0.85% of the average
daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets. The Board noted that THL Credit, not the Fund, would be responsible for payment of Eagle
as sub-adviser and considered that the fee split between THL Credit and Eagle reasonably
reflected the allocation
of responsibilities between them. The Board also considered information concerning management fees paid to investment managers
of similarly managed funds. The Board noted that THL Credit does not advise any other registered investment companies with a similar
investment objective to the Fund and considered the fees paid by Eagle's other institutional clients in the relevant category
of accounts. The Board noted that the Fund's expense ratio would be given further consideration going forward.
The Board further
considered that THL Credit would provide investor support as part of its advisory relationship and therefore the Fund would no
longer bear the annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets paid at that time to FWCP for those
services. The Board further considered that THL Credit's internal capabilities would eliminate the need for the outsourcing of
services that FWCA employed and therefore may allow for more efficient service delivery. The Board also noted that THL Credit
and Eagle collectively agreed to limit, through the end of the Fund's term, direct ordinary operating expenses borne by the Fund
to an amount not to exceed 0.35% per year of the Fund's Managed Assets, subject to certain exclusions (pro-rated for the period
of 2019 during which THL Credit serves as the investment adviser to the Fund). The Board also took into account that THL Credit
and Eagle collectively would bear up to $500,000 of certain expenses in connection with the transfer of the advisory relationship
from FWCA to THL Credit. The Board concluded that the reduced expense ratio, the maintenance of the reduced advisory fee rate
and the proposed expense limitation arrangements supported the approval of the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory
Agreement.
Economies
of Scale. The Board noted that, because the Fund is a closed-end fund that is not continually offering shares,
there are limited opportunities for significant economies of scale to be realized by the Fund. The Board considered any potential
economies of scale that may result from the proposed changes to the Fund's management arrangements and noted that this would be
given further consideration on an annual basis going forward.
Fall-Out
Benefits and Other Factors. The Board also considered other benefits to THL Credit and Eagle and/or their
affiliates expected to be derived from THL Credit's and Eagle's relationship with the Fund as a result of the proposed changes
to the Fund's management arrangements, including the "fallout benefits," such as reputational value derived from serving
as an investment adviser to the Fund.
Costs
of Services to be Provided and Profitability. The Board considered information regarding Eagle's profitability
from managing accounts such as the Fund and noted that THL Credit's future profitability from its relationship with the Fund would
be given consideration on an annual basis going forward.
Terms
of the Agreements. The Board considered the terms of the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory
Agreement, including how the material terms of each agreement compared to those of the FW Advisory Agreement and the Prior Sub-Advisory
Agreement, respectively. The Board noted that the material terms of the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement
are substantially similar to those of the FW Advisory Agreement and the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, except for
certain differences which include, among other things, that, relative to the Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement, the New Sub-Advisory
Agreement clarifies that Eagle's responsibilities are with respect only to the portion of the Fund's assets managed by it. The
Board concluded that the terms of the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement were reasonable and supported
the approval of the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement.
In their deliberations,
the Trustees did not identify any single item that was all-important or controlling and each Trustee may have attributed different
weights to various factors. After an evaluation of the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and analysis of
the information provided, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, concluded that approval of the New Advisory
Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board,
including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and recommended
that shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the New Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Stock Ownership by Directors, Officers and Certain Shareholder
The following table sets forth, as of
November 18, 2019, the beneficial ownership of: (i) each director; (ii) the Fund's "named executive officers" (as that
term is defined in Item 402 of Regulation S-K); (iii) each shareholder or "group" (as that term is defined in Section
13(d) of the 1934 Act) known to the Fund to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Shares as of November 18, 2019, based
on public filings and/or information provided by such persons; and (iv) the named executive officers and directors as a group,
to the extent known by the Fund.
Unless otherwise indicated, to the Fund's
knowledge, each shareholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by
the shareholder.
Name
and Address of
Beneficial
Owner
|
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
|
|
Percent
of Class
|
|
Interested Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian Good
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald J. Burton
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Laurie Hesslein
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Joseph L. Morea
|
|
|
300
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Michael Perino
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Steven A. Baffico
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jennifer Wilson
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers and Directors as a Group
|
|
|
300
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5%
Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.(2)
880
Carillon Parkway
St.
Petersburg, FL 33716
|
|
|
1,271,347
|
|
|
|
17.70
|
%
|
Karpus
Management, Inc.(3)
183 Sully's Trail
Pittsford, NY 14534
|
|
|
659,888
|
|
|
|
9.19
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
Beneficial
ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act.
|
|
(2)
|
Information
shown was obtained from a Form 13F filed by Raymond James & Associates, Inc. ("RJA")
with the SEC on November 7, 2019, reporting share ownership as of September 30, 2019.
Based on that filing, RJA does not have sole or shared voting power, but does have the
power to dispose or direct the disposition of 1,271,347 Shares. The Shares are held in
discretionary accounts for the benefit of individual RJA clients who may also direct
the disposition of Shares.
|
|
(3)
|
Information
shown was obtained from a Form 13F filed by Karpus Management, Inc. with the SEC on October
16, 2019, reporting share ownership as of September 30, 2019.
|
Investment Adviser, Sub-Adviser and
Administrator
Prior to the Effective
Date, FWCA served as the Fund's investment adviser. The principal executive office of FWCA is 33 Plymouth Street, Montclair, NJ
07042.
As of the date hereof,
THL Credit serves as the Fund's interim investment adviser. The principal executive office of the Adviser is 100 Federal Street,
31st Floor, Boston, MA 02110.
Prior to the Effective
Date, Eagle Asset Management, Inc. served as an investment sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement between
FWCA and Eagle. As of the date hereof, Eagle serves as an investment sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Interim Sub-Advisory
Agreement between THL Credit and Eagle. The principal executive office of Eagle is 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716.
The Bank of New York
Mellon, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286, serves as administrator to the Fund.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the
1934 Act and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act require the Fund's Trustees and executive officers, certain persons affiliated with
the Fund and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of the Fund's securities to file reports of ownership
and changes of ownership with the SEC. Trustees, officers and greater-than-10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to
furnish the Fund with copies of such forms they file. Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms received by it
and representations from certain of such persons, the Fund believes that during the Fund's fiscal year ended December 31, 2018,
all such filing requirements applicable to such persons were met.
OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL
MEETING
The Fund does not
intend to present any other business at the Special Meeting, nor is the Fund aware that any shareholder plans to do so. If, however,
any other matters are properly brought before the Special Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote
thereon in accordance with their discretion.
VOTING RESULTS
The Fund will advise
its shareholders of the voting results of the matters voted upon at the Special Meeting in its next Annual Report to Shareholders.
NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKER/DEALERS AND
VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEE
Please advise the
Fund whether other persons are the beneficial owners of Shares for which proxies are being solicited from you, and, if so, the
number of copies of the proxy statement and other soliciting material you wish to receive in order to supply copies to the shareholders.
EXPENSES OF PROXY SOLICITATION
The Fund has engaged
D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") to serve as proxy solicitor and vote tabulator at an anticipated cost of approximately
$25,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses. This estimate is subject to the final solicitation campaign approved by the Fund and executed
by D.F. King. In addition to the use of mails, proxy solicitations may be made by telephone, fax and personal interview
by D.F. King. Brokerage houses, banks and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to their
customers to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies, and they will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in this connection. If you have any questions concerning this Proxy solicitation, please contact Jennifer Wilson, Telephone
Number: 1-312-995-6447.
Authorizations to
execute proxies may be obtained by telephonic transmitted instructions in accordance with procedures designed to authenticate
the shareholder's identity. In all cases where a telephonic proxy is solicited, the shareholder will be asked to provide
his or her address, social security number (in the case of an individual) or taxpayer identification number (in the case of a
non-individual) and the number of shares owned and to confirm that the shareholder has received the proxy statement and proxy
card in the mail. Within 72 hours of receiving a shareholder's telephonic transmitted voting instructions, a confirmation
will be sent to the shareholder to ensure that the vote has been taken in accordance with the shareholder's instructions and to
provide a telephone number to call immediately if the shareholder's instructions are not correctly reflected in the confirmation.
Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by submitting a new proxy to the Fund or by attending
the Special Meeting and voting in person.
THL
Credit and Eagle will bear up to $500,000 of certain expenses in connection with the transfer of the advisory relationship from
FWCA, including the costs of D.F. King's services and other fees and expenses associated with the ordinary preparation, mailing
and solicitation of proxies. Any other fees and expenses will be paid for by the Fund, unless THL Credit or Eagle
otherwise agrees to bear those fees or expenses.
DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS
Please note that only
one annual or semi-annual report or Proxy Statement may be delivered to two or more shareholders of the Fund who share an address,
unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of an annual report or semi-annual report
or this Proxy Statement, or for instructions on how to request a separate copy of these documents or for instructions on how to
request a single copy if multiple copies of these documents are received, shareholders should contact the Fund at 1-833-845-7513
or write to Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund at 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3200, Chicago, IL 60606.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR PROXY CARD
BE COMPLETED PROMPTLY. EVEN IF YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE PROXY
CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
EXHIBIT A
COMPARISON OF ADVISORY AGREEMENT
EAGLE GROWTH AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES
FUND
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This Advisory Agreement
is hereby made as of the 2427th day of MayAugust,
20182019 (the "Agreement") between Eagle Growth
and Income Opportunities Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Fund"), and Four Wood CapitalTHL
Credit Advisors, LLC, a New YorkDelaware
limited liability company ("FWCATHL Credit"
or the "Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund
is a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"); and
WHEREAS, the
AdviserTHL Credit is engaged in rendering investment advisory
services, and is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act")has
been engaged to serve as the Fund's investment adviser pursuant to an interim advisory agreement effective as of August 31, 2019;
and
WHEREAS, the Fund
desires to retain the AdviserTHL Credit to provide investment
advisory services to the Fund on a non-interim basis, and the
AdviserTHL Credit is willing to provide or procure such services
on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, mutually agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. APPOINTMENT
A. Appointment.
The Fund hereby appoints FWCATHL Credit to act as Adviser
to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to provide
the advisory services herein described, for the compensation herein provided.
ARTICLE II. ADVISORY SERVICES
A.
Advisory Duties of Adviser. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Board"), the
Adviser shall manage all aspects of the advisory operations of the Fund and the composition of the Fund's portfolio, including
the purchase, retention and disposition of securities therein, in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions
of the Fund, in conformity with the Agreement, as amended from time to time, Declaration of Trust of the Fund (such Declaration
of Trust, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time, is herein called the "Declaration of Trust")
and By-Laws of the Fund (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time, are herein called the
"By-Laws"); under the instructions and directions of the Board; and in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
relating to regulated investment companies and all rules and regulations thereunder, and all other applicable federal and
state laws and regulations. In connection with the services provided under this Agreement, the Adviser will use its best efforts
to manage the Fund so that it will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In managing the Fund
in accordance with the requirements set out in this Section, the Adviser will be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel
for the Fund.
1.
Fund Management. The Adviser will determine the securities and other instruments to be purchased, sold or entered into
by the Fund and place orders with broker-dealers, foreign currency dealers, futures commission merchants or others pursuant to
the Adviser's determinations and all in accordance with the policies as set out in the Fund's Prospectus (as defined herein)
or as adopted by the Board and disclosed to the Adviser. The Adviser will determine what portion of the Fund's portfolio will
be invested in securities and other assets and what portion, if any, should be held uninvested in cash or cash equivalents. The
Fund will have the benefit of the investment analysis and research, the review of current economic conditions and trends and the
consideration of long-range investment policy generally available to the Adviser's investment advisory clients.
2.
Selection of Brokers. Subject to the policies established by, and any direction from, the Board, the Adviser will be responsible
for selecting the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales for the Fund. The Adviser will place orders pursuant
to its determination with or through such persons, brokers or dealers in conformity with the policy with respect to brokerage
as set forth in the Fund's Registration Statement (as defined herein) or as the Board may direct from time to time. It
is recognized that, in providing the Fund with investment supervision or the placing of orders for Fund transactions, the Adviser
will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution. Consistent with this policy, the
Adviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by brokers
or dealers who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which other clients of the Adviser may
be a party. It is also understood that it is desirable for the Fund that the Adviser have access to supplemental investment and
market research and security and economic analyses provided by certain brokers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher
cost to the Fund than may result when allocating brokerage to other brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and
efficient execution. Therefore, the Adviser or any subadviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of securities
for the Fund with such certain brokers, subject to review by the Board from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation
of this practice. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Adviser or any subadviser in
connection with its services to other clients.
Subject to the foregoing,
it is understood that the Adviser will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully, or to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Fund
or be in breach of any obligation owing to the Fund under this Agreement, or otherwise, solely by reason of its having directed
a securities transaction on behalf of the Fund to a broker-dealer in compliance with the provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), and the rules and interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
thereunder, or as otherwise permitted from time to time by the Fund's registration statementRegistration Statement.
The Adviser may, on
occasions when it deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of the Fund as well as its other clients,
aggregate, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, rules and regulations, the securities to be sold or purchased in order
to obtain the best net price and the most favorable execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold,
as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, shall be made by the Adviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable
and consistent with its obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.
3.
Delegation of Investment Advisory Services. Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Board, including
a majority of the BoardTrustees of the Fund (the "Trustees") who are not "interested persons"
of the Fund (the "Independent Trustees") and, to the extent required by applicable law, by the shareholders of
the Fund, the Adviser may, through a subadvisorysub-advisory agreement or other arrangement, delegate
to a subadviser any of the duties enumerated in this Agreement, including the management of all or a portion of the assets being
managed. Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Board, including a majority of the
Board who are not "interested persons"Independent Trustees, and, to the extent required by applicable
law, by the shareholders of the Fund, the Adviser may adjust such duties, the portion of assets being managed, and the fees to
be paid by the Adviser; provided, that in each case the Adviser will continue to oversee the services provided by such company
or employees and any such delegation will not relieve the Adviser of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
4. Instructions
to Custodian. The Adviser or any subadviser shall provide the Fund's custodian on each business day with information relating
to the execution of all portfolio transactions pursuant to standing instructions.
5. Valuation.
The Adviser will provide assistance to the Board in valuing the securities and other instruments held by the Fund, to the extent
reasonably required by such valuation policies and procedures as may behave been adopted by the Fund from
time to time.
B.
Books and Records. The Adviser agrees to maintain, in the form and for the period required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940
Act or such longer period as the Fund may direct, all records relating to the Adviser's services under this Agreement and the
Fund's investments made by the Adviser as are required by Section 31 under the 1940 Act, and rules and regulations thereunder,
and by other applicable legal provisions, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the 1934 Act,
the Commodities Exchange Act, and rules and regulations thereunder, and the Fund's compliance policies and procedures, and to
preserve such records for the periods and in the manner required by that Section, and those rules, regulations, legal provisions
and compliance policies and procedures. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, any records required
to be maintained and preserved pursuant to the provisions of Rule 31a-1 and Rule 31a-2 promulgated under the 1940 Act which are
prepared or maintained by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund are the property of the Fund and shall be surrendered promptly to
the Fund on request.
C. Advisory
Services Not Exclusive. The Adviser's services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not exclusive and it is understood
that the Adviser may render investment advice, management and services to other persons (including other investment companies)
and engage in other activities, so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired by such other activities. It is
understood and agreed that officers orthe personnel employed by the Adviser to assist in the performance of
its duties hereunder, as well as the officers and directors of the Adviser are not prohibited from engaging in any other business
activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from serving as partners, officers, trustees or directors of any other
firm, trust or corporation, including other investment companies. Whenever the Fund and one or more other accounts or investment
companies advised by the Adviser have available funds for investment, and the ManagerAdviser has not delegated
to a subadviser the responsibility for the management of all of the assets of the Fund, investments suitable and appropriate for
each will be allocated in accordance with procedures believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each entity over time. Similarly,
opportunities to sell securities will be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each entity over time.
The Fund recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position that may be acquired for
or disposed of forby the Fund.
ARTICLE III. EXPENSES
A.
Expenses Borne by Adviser.
1. In
connection with the services rendered by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser will bear all of the following expenses:
(i) The
salaries and expenses of all personnel of the Fund and the Adviser, except the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees
who are not interested persons of the Adviser or of the Fund, and any portion of the salary of the Fund's
Chief Compliance Officer that the Board approves for payment by the Fund, if any; and
(ii) All
expenses incurred by the Adviser in connection with managing the investment operations of the Fund other than those assumed by
the Fund or administrator of the Fund or other third party under a separate agreement.
B. Expenses
Borne by the Fund.
1. The
Fund assumes and will pay its expenses, including but not limited to those described below:
(i) The
fees of any investment adviser or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund in connection with the management of the investment
and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund;
(ii) Brokers'
commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions or purchase
and sale of other investment instruments on behalf of the Fund (including, without limitation, security settlement costs);
(iii) Litigation
and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business;
(iv) The
fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees who are not interested persons of the Adviser or any investment adviser,
and any portion of the salary of the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer that the Board approves for payment by the Fund,
if any;
(v) The
fees and expenses of the Fund's custodian which relate to: (a) the custodial function and the recordkeeping connected therewith;
(b) the preparation and maintenance of the general required accounting records of the Fund not being maintained by the Adviser;
(c) the pricing of the Fund's portfolio securities, including the cost of any pricing service or services which may be retained
pursuant to the authorization of the Trustees of the FundBoard; and (d) for both mail and wire orders,
the cashiering function in connection with the issuance and redemption of the Fund's shares;
(vi) The
fees and expenses of the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent, which may be a custodian of the Fund, which relate to
the maintenance of each shareholder account;
(vii) The
fees and expenses of the Fund's administrator and accounting agent;
(viii) The
charges and expenses of legal counsel (including legal counsel to the Independent Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Adviser), the Chief Compliance Officer and independent accountants for the Fund;
(ix) AllOrganizational
and offering expenses of the Fund, all taxes and business fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other governmental
agencies and all costs of maintaining the Fund's existence;
(x) The
fees of any trade or industry association of which the Fund may be a member;
(xi) The
cost of share certificates representing the Fund's shares, if any;
(xii) The
cost of fidelity, Trustees and officers and errors and omissions insurance;
(xiii) Allocable
communications expenses with respect to shareholder communications and investor services and all expenses
of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, filing, printing and mailing prospectuses, proxies and
other reports to, shareholders reports, press releases, fact sheets and other shareholder communications
in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders;
(xiv) The
fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the Fund and of its shares with the SEC, registering
the Fund with a broker or dealer and qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and
printing of the Fund's registration statements and prospectusesRegistration Statement and amendments thereto
and Prospectus for filing under federal and state securities laws for such purposes; and
(xv) Fees
and expenses related to the registration and listing of the Fund's shares on any securities exchange;
(xvi)
The expenses of issue, sale and repurchase of shares in the Fund, including expenses of conducting tender or repurchase offers
for purposes of repurchasing Fund shares;
(xvii)
Expenses associated with the Fund's use of leverage, including any rating agency fees, commitment fees, and interest expenses
on borrowings;
(xviii)
Loan commitment fees and interest and distributions paid on securities sold short; and
(xix)
All other expenses properly payable by the Fund.
ARTICLE IV. COMPENSATION
Compensation.
For the services provided and the facilities furnished pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund will pay to the Adviser by the 2nd
business day of each month as full compensation therefor a fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily value of the Fund's
Managed Assets, as such term is defined herein. For purposes of calculating the advisory fee, the Fund's "Managed Assets"
means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of
the Fund's accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes). Borrowings for investment
purposes include any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, such as borrowings from banks or other financial institutions
(i.e., a credit facility), margin facilities, the issuance of preferred shares or notes and leverage attributable to reverse
repurchase agreements, dollar rolls or similar transactions. Furthermore, the value of the Fund's total assets shall be computed
in the manner and on such days and at such time or times as provided in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures.
The Adviser may from
time to time agree not to impose all or a portion of its fee otherwise payable under this Agreement and/or undertake to pay or
reimburse the Fund for all or a portion of its expenses not otherwise required to be paid by or reimbursed by the Adviser. Unless
otherwise agreed, any fee reduction or undertaking may be discontinued or modified by the Adviser at any time. For the month and
year in which this Agreement becomes effective or terminates, there will be an appropriate pro ration of any fee based on the
number of days that the Agreement is in effect during such month and year, respectively.
ARTICLE V. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS
OF THE FUND
A.
Documents. The Fund has delivered to the Adviser copies of each of the following documents and will deliver to it all future
amendments and supplements, if any:
1.
Declaration of Trust, filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware;
2. By-Laws;
3. Certified
Resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and approving the form of this Agreement;
4. Registration
Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-2 (the "Registration Statement"),2,
as filed with the SEC, relating to the Fund and the Fund's shares and all amendments thereto (the "Registration Statement");
5. Notification
of Registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC and all amendments thereto; and
6. The
form of Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund pursuant to which the Fund's shares are
offered for sale to the public (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended
or supplemented from time to time, being herein called collectively the "Prospectus").
ARTICLE VI. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
A.
Limitation of Liability of Adviser. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, in the absence of willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Adviser,
including its officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees and partners, shall not be subject to any liability to the
Fund, or to any shareholder, officer, director, partner, employee or Trustee thereof, for any act or omission in the course of,
or connected with, rendering services hereunder.
B.
Limitation of the Fund and Shareholders. It is understood and expressly stipulated that none of the Trustees, officers,
agents or shareholders of the Fund shall be personally liable hereunder. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to
the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund, as neither the Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders
assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Adviser
Personnel. The Adviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed
as Trustees or officers of the Fund to serve in the capacities in which they are elected or appointed. Services to be furnished
by the Adviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees. The Adviser
shall make its directors, officers and employees available to attend Fund Board meetings as may be reasonably
requested by the Board from time to time. The Adviser shall prepare and provide such reports on the Fund and its operations as
may be reasonably requested by the Board from time to time.
B. Duration
Term and TerminationDuration. This Agreement shall become effective on the date the Fund's
shareholders approve this Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and shall continue in effect for a
period of two (2) years from the date hereof following shareholder approval, as necessary, and
thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of
the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and any applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation. Thissuch date.
Thereafter, the Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of no more than one (1) year(s) from the date hereof
in circumstances when shareholder approval is not required, and thereafter only so long asautomatically for successive
one-year periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Board,
or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and (ii) the vote of
a majority of the Interested Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act,
or as otherwise permitted in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and any applicable
SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation. However, this
C. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Trustees of the Fund or by:
(i) by the Fund upon not less than thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Adviser after either (a) the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Adviser at any time, without
the payment of any penalty, onof the Fund or (b) the vote of a majority of the Trustees; or (ii) by the Adviser upon
not more than sixty (60) days' nor less than thirty (30) days' written notice to the other partyand not
less than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate automatically
terminate in the event of its "assignment" (as such term is defined infor
purposes of the 1940 Act).
C.D.
Independent Contractor. Except as otherwise provided herein or authorized by the Board from time to time, the Adviser shall
for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund
in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
DE.
Amendment. This Agreement may be amended in accordance with the 1940 Act, provided that any amendment, alteration, waiver
or modification shall be in writing duly executed by the proper officials of the parties hereto, and no amendment to this Agreement
shall be effective until approved by vote of the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement
or interested persons of any such party.
EF. Notice.
Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed
by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Adviser at 100 WallFederal Street, 11th31st
Floor New YorkBoston, NYMA, 10005,02110, Attention:
PresidentSabrina Rusnak-Carlson, General Counsel; or (2) to the Fund at 100 WallFederal
Street, 11th31st Floor New YorkBoston, NYMA, 1000502110,
Attention: SecretaryChief Legal Officer.
FG. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
GH. Use
of Name. The Fund may use any name including the name Four Wood CapitalTHL Credit or any derivative
thereof for so long as this Agreement or any other agreement between the Adviser or any other affiliate and the Fund or any extension,
renewal or amendment thereof remains in effect, including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded
to the Adviser's business as investment adviser. At such time as such an agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Fund will
(to the extent that it lawfully can) cease to use such name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or otherwise connected
with the Adviser or any organization that shall have so succeeded to its respective business.
HI. Captions
and Headings. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit
any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
IJ. No
Third -Party Beneficiaries. No person or entity not a party to this Agreement shall be deemed a third -party beneficiary
of this Agreement.
K.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise,
the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
JL.
Interpretation of Law. As used in this Agreement, terms shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act.
Where the effect of a requirement of the federal securities laws reflected in any provision of this Agreement is made less restrictive
by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate
the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
K. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder
of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto
have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 24th day of May, 2018.date
set forth above. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts.
FOUR WOOD CAPITALTHL CREDIT ADVISORS,
LLC
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Attest:
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Title:
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EAGLE GROWTH AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES
FUND
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Attest:
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By:
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EXHIBIT B
COMPARISON OF SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
EAGLE GROWTH AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES
FUND
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
This Subadvisory Agreement,
made as of the 1827th day of JuneAugust, 20152019 (the
"Agreement"), between Four Wood CapitalTHL Credit Advisors LLC, a New YorkDelaware
limited liability company (the "Adviser"), and Eagle Asset Management, Inc., a Florida corporation (the "Subadviser").
WHEREAS, Eagle Growth
and Income Opportunities Fund (the "Fund") is a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the FundAdviser
has been retained by the Fund to serve as investment manager for the Fund, effective August 31, 2019, pursuant to an Interim Advisory
Agreement between the Adviser and the Fund, and the Subadviser has been retained to serve as the Fund's investment subadviser,
effective as of August 31, 2019, pursuant to an Interim Subadvisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Subadviser; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser
has been retained by the AdviserFund to serve as investment manager for the Fund on
a non-interim basis pursuant to a Managementan Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Fund
(as such Agreement may be modified from time to time, the "Management Agreement")Advisory Agreement"),
effective on the date the Fund's shareholders approve the Advisory Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act;
and
WHEREAS, under the
ManagementAdvisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to provide certain investment advisory and related
administrative services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the ManagementAdvisory
Agreement permits the Adviser to delegate certain of its investment advisory duties under the ManagementAdvisory
Agreement to one or more subadvisers; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser
wishesdesires to retain the Subadviser to furnishprovide certain investment advisory
services to the Fund and manage such portion of the Fund as the Adviser shall from time to time direct on a non-interim basis,
and the Subadviser is willing to furnishprovide such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the Adviser and the
Subadviser as follows:
1. Appointment.
The Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser to provide certain investment advisory services to the Fund for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. The Subadviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth
for the compensation herein provided.
2. Fund
Management Duties. Subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees ("Board") and the Adviser, the Subadviser
will provide a continuous investment program for theits allocable portion of Fund assets and determine
the composition of thesuch assets of the Fund, including determination of the purchase,
retention or sale of the securities or instruments, cash and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Subadviser will
conduct investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales and reinvestment of the Fund's assets
by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed or exchanged for the Fund,
when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the Fund should be held in the various securities and other investments
in which it may invest, and the Subadviser is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Fund. The
Subadviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions
as stated in the Fund's registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and the 1940
Act (the "Registration Statement") or the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, as delivered
to the Subadviser from time to time.
The Subadviser's authority
hereunder shall include the power to buy, sell, and hold such securities and other instruments, to open accounts and execute trading
agreements and any other reasonable and customary documents on behalf of the Fund (including any amendments, waivers, voting or
corporate action notice) as the Subadviser deems appropriate within the parameters of the Fund's investment objective, policies
and restrictions as stated in the Fund's registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 ActRegistration
Statement or the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, and the conditions of this Agreement. The Subadviser
agrees that, prior to (i) opening (or amending) any accounts, including prime brokerage and futures accounts with brokerage firms
or other financial institutions and (ii) entering into (or amending) any ISDA master agreement, master repurchase agreement, master
securities lending agreement, or any other master swap or over-the-counter trading documentation, including any schedule or credit
support annex thereto (such agreements collectively, "OTC Agreements"), or any related clearing agreements or control
agreements on behalf of the Fund, the Fund shall have an opportunity to review the terms of, and the use of, any such account
opening documents, prime brokerage, futures and other related agreements, OTC Agreements, and related clearing agreements or control
agreements.
The Adviser must provide
the Subadviser any agreements and procedures of the Fund prior to execution or finalization with reasonable time to discuss such
agreements and procedures. The exercise or the performance of any consent right by the Fund (as described above) shall not relieve
the Subadviser of its liability, if any, or responsibilities hereunder. The Subadviser further agrees as follows:
(a) The
Subadviser understands that the Fund is required to be managed so as to permit the Fund to qualify or continue to qualify as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), and will coordinate
efforts with the Adviser with that objective.
(b) The
Subadviser will perform its activities in material compliance with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all
other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, any applicable procedures adopted by the Board of which a copy has been
delivered to the Subadviser and the Subadviser has reasonable time to review, and the provisions of the Fund's registration
statementRegistration Statement.
(c) In
connection with the purchase and sale of securities and instruments for the Fund, the Subadviser will arrange for the transmission
to the custodian and portfolio accounting agent for the Fund, on a daily basis, such confirmation, trade tickets and other documents
and information, including, but not limited to, CUSIP, Sedol or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold
on behalf of the Fund, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian and portfolio accounting agent to perform their
administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Fund. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased
or sold through the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, the Subadviser will arrange for the automatic transmission of the
confirmation of such trades to the Fund's custodian and portfolio accounting agent.
(d) The
Subadviser will assist the Fund, the custodian and the portfolio accounting agent for the Fund in determining or confirming, consistent
with the procedures and policies stated in the registration statement for the FundRegistration Statement
and with the Fund's Valuation Procedures, the value of any portfolio securities, instruments or other assets of the Fund.
(e) The
Subadviser will make available to the Fund and the Adviser, promptly upon request, all of the Fund's investment records and ledgers
maintained by the Subadviser (which shall not include the records and ledgers maintained by the custodian or portfolio accounting
agent for the Fund) as are necessary to assist the Fund and the Adviser to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act and the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), as well as other applicable laws. The Subadviser will furnish
to regulatory agencies having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with such services that may be
requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable
laws and regulations.
(f) The
Subadviser will provide reports to the Board, for consideration at meetings of the Board, on the investment program for the Fund
and the issuers and securities represented in the Fund's portfolio, and will furnish the Board such periodic and special reports
as the Board and the Adviser may reasonably request. In addition, the Subadviser shall make appropriate persons, including portfolio
managers, available for the purpose of reviewing with representatives of the Adviser and the Board on a regular basis at reasonable
times the investment program for the Fund, the performance of the Fund and conditions affecting the marketplace generally.
(g) The
Subadviser shall provide the Adviser, the Fund or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and
sub-certifications) and with such reasonable assistance as the Adviser, the Fund or the Board may reasonably request from time
to time in order to assist it in complying with applicable laws, rules, regulations and exemptive orders, including requirements
in connection with the Adviser's, the Subadviser's or the Board's fulfillment of its responsibilities under Section 15(c) of the
1940 Act and the preparation and/or filing of periodic and other reports and filings required to maintain the registration and
qualification of the Fund, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Fund, under federal and state securities,
and tax laws and other applicable laws, including without limitation that Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. The Subadviser shall review
draft reports to shareholders, registration statements or amendments thereto or portions thereof that relate to the Fund or the
Subadviser and other documents provided to the Subadviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications
or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information provided by the Subadviser and/or contained in such
reports or other documents.
(h) In
rendering the services required under this Agreement, the Subadviser may, from time to time, employ or associate with itself such
entity, entities, person or persons as it believes necessary to assist it in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.
The Subadviser may not, however, retain as subadviser any company that would be an "investment adviser" as that term
is defined in the 1940 Act, to the Fund unless the contract with such company is approved the Adviser and by a majority of the
Board and by a majority of BoardTrustees of the Fund (the "Trustees") who are not parties to
any agreement or contract with such company and who are not "interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act (the
"Independent Trustees"), of the Fund, the Adviser, the Subadviser or any such company that is retained as subadviser,
and also is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to the extent required by the
1940 Act. The Subadviser shall be responsible for making reasonable inquiries and for reasonably ensuring that any employee of
the Subadviser, any subadviser or other person or entity that the Subadviser has employed or with which it has associated with
respect to the Fund, or any employee thereof has not, to the best of the Subadviser's knowledge, in any material connection with
the handling of Fund assets:
(i) been
convicted, within the last ten (10) years, of any felony or misdemeanor arising out of conduct involving embezzlement, fraudulent
conversion or misappropriation of funds or securities, involving violations of Sections 1341, 1342, or 1343 of Title 18, United
States Code, or involving the purchase or sale of any security; or
(ii) been
found by any state regulatory authority, within the last ten (10) years, to have violated or to have acknowledged violation of
any provision of any state insurance law involving fraud, deceit or knowing misrepresentation; or
(iii) been
found by any federal or state regulatory authorities, within the last ten (10) years, to have violated or to have acknowledged
violation of any provision of federal or state securities laws involving fraud, deceit or knowing misrepresentation.
3. Compensation.
For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser shall pay the Subadviser, and the Subadviser
agrees and accepts as full compensation therefor, a subadvisory fee in an amount equal to 50% of the advisory fees paid to the
Adviser for its services as investment manager to the Fund under the Investment ManagementAdvisory Agreement
between the Adviser and the Fund.
4. Broker-Dealer
Selection. TheWith respect to the portion of the Fund's assets managed by the Subadviser pursuant to this
Agreement, the Subadviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Fund, for
broker-dealer selection and for negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Subadviser, consistent with investment considerations,
is to seek the most favorable price and best execution for the Fund, taking into account a number of factors including, but not
limited to, the nature of the security or instrument being traded; the size and type of the transaction; the nature and character
of the market for the security; the desired timing of the trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for the particular
security or instrument; confidentiality, including trade anonymity; the quality of execution; clearance and settlement services;
financial stability of the broker-dealer, and the broker-dealer's executing capabilities, including block positioning, and ability
to obtain best price and execution. Accordingly, the price to the Fund in any transaction may be less favorable than that available
from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified, in the judgment of the Subadviser in the exercise of its
fiduciary obligations to the Fund, by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies as the
Board may determine, and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"),
and the rules and interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder, the Subadviser shall
not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of
its having caused the Fund to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of
commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Subadviser or its affiliate determines
in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided
by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Subadviser's or its affiliate's overall responsibilities
with respect to the Fund and to their other clients as to which they exercise investment discretion. To the extent consistent
with these standards and the Fund's Procedures for Securities Transactions with Affiliated Brokers pursuant to Rule 17e-1, the
Subadviser is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to the (i) Subadviser if it is registered
as a broker-dealer with the SEC, (ii) its affiliated broker-dealer, or (iii) such brokers and dealers who also provide research,
statistical material or other services to the Fund, the Subadviser or an affiliate of the Subadviser. Such allocation shall be
in such amounts and proportions as the Subadviser shall determine consistent with the above standards and the Subadviser will
report on said allocation regularly to the Board, indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the
basis therefor. The Subadviser may, on occasions when it deems the purchase or sale of a security or instrument to be in the best
interests of the Fund as well as its other clients, aggregate, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, rules and regulations,
the securities or instruments to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the best net price and the most favorable execution.
In such event, allocation of the securities or instrument so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction,
shall be made by the Subadviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its obligations to the
Fund and to such other clients.
5. Disclosure
about Subadviser. The Subadviser has reviewed the registration statement for the FundRegistration Statement
filed with the SEC that contains disclosure about the Subadviser and represents and warrants that, with respect to the disclosure
about the Subadviser or information relating directly or indirectly to the Subadviser, such registration statement contains, as
of the date hereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and does not omit any statement of a material fact which was required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
6. Expenses.
During the term of this Agreement, the Subadviser will pay all expenses incurred by it and its staff for their activities in connection
with its portfolio management duties under this Agreement. The Subadviser shall be responsible for one half of the expenses
incurred in connection with the launch of the Fund, including but not limited to offering expenses, organizational costs, structuring
fees and related costs, and distribution costs, other than the expenses borne by the Fund. The details of such expenses will be
subject to and governed by an agreement to be negotiated. The Subadviser shall be responsible for all costs associated
with any proxy statements and/or other disclosure materials that are required due to a change in control of the Subadviser. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Fund shall be responsible for all the expenses of the Fund's operations, including, but not limited to:
(a) the
fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees who are not interested persons of the Adviser or of the Fund;
(b) the
fees and expenses of the Fund which relate to: (i) the custodial function and recordkeeping connected therewith; (ii) the maintenance
of the required accounting records of the Fund not being maintained by the Adviser; and (iii) the pricing of the Fund's shares,
including the cost of any pricing service or services that may be retained pursuant to the authorization of the Board;
(c) the
fees and expenses of the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent, which relate to the maintenance of each shareholder account;
(d) the
charges and expenses of legal counsel (including legal counsel to the Independent Trustees) and independent accountants
for the Fund, including as relates to assignment or disposition of distressed assets;
(e) brokers'
commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions or purchase
and sale of other investment instruments on behalf of the Fund (including, without limitation, security settlement costs);
(f) all
taxes and business fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies;
(g) the
fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member;
(h) the
cost of share certificates representing the Fund's shares, if any;
(i) the
fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the Fund with the SEC, and qualifying
Fund shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund's registration statement and
prospectusstatements and amendments thereto and prospectuses for filing under federal and state securities laws
for such purposes;
(j) allocable
communications expenses with respect to shareholder communications and investor services and all expenses
of shareholders' and BoardTrustees' meetings and of preparing, filing, printing and mailing reports
toprospectuses, proxies, shareholders reports, press releases, fact sheets and other shareholder communications
in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders;
(k) litigation
and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business; and
(l) transaction,
pricing and other similar fees relating to the Fund's investments, including closing fees, assignment fees, agent fees, rating
agency fees and administrative fees associated with processing investments (e.g., Clearpar trading closing fees).
7. Compliance.
(a) The
Subadviser agrees to assist the Adviser and the Fund in complying with the Fund's obligations under Rule 38a-1 under the 1940
Act, including but not limited to: (i) periodically providing the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer with requested information about
any independent third-party reports (if available) in connection with the Subadviser's compliance program adopted pursuant to
Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act ("Subadviser's Compliance Program"); (ii) reporting any material deficiencies in
the Subadviser's Compliance Program to the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer within a reasonable time following the Subadviser becoming
aware of such deficiency; and (iii) reporting any material changes to the Subadviser's Compliance Program to the Fund's Chief
Compliance Officer within a reasonable time. The Subadviser understands that the Board is required to approve the Subadviser's
Compliance Program on at least an annual basis, and acknowledges that this Agreement is conditioned upon the Board's approval
of the Subadviser's Compliance Program.
(b) The
Subadviser agrees that it shall immediately notify the Adviser and the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer: (i) in the event that
the Subadviser is aware that the SEC has placed limitations upon its activities, functions or operations, suspended or revoked
its registration as an investment adviser or commenced proceedings or an investigation that may result in any of these actions;
or (ii) upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Code. The Subadviser further agrees to notify the Adviser immediately of any material fact known
to the Subadviser about the Subadviser that is not contained in the registration statement for the FundRegistration
Statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or upon the Subadviser becoming aware of any statement contained therein
about the Subadviser that becomes untrue in any material respect.
(c) The
Adviser agrees that it shall immediately notify the Subadviser: (i) in the event that the SEC has placed limitations upon either
of the Adviser or the Fund's activities, functions or operations, suspended or revoked the Adviser's registration as an investment
adviser or commenced proceedings or an investigation that may result in any of these actions; or (ii) upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter
M of the Code.
(d) The
Subadviser has established and will keep in effect a business continuity plan that sets forth procedures for recovery of critical
business functions at minimum operating levels and can be implemented promptly. The Subadviser shall notify the Adviser, as soon
as practicable by telephone, electronic mail or such other method of prompt communication as may be available under the circumstances,
of the occurrence of any event requiring the Subadviser to implement any procedures under such plan.
8.
Representations and Warranties.
(a) The
Subadviser represents and warrants to the Adviser that: (i) it is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and
is registered or licensed as an investment adviser under the laws of all jurisdictions in which its activities require it to be
so registered or licensed; (ii) it has reviewed the registration requirements of the CEA and the National Futures Association
("NFA") relating to commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors and is either appropriately registered
with the CFTC and a member of the NFA or is exempt or excluded from CFTC registration requirements; (iii) it will maintain each
such registration, license or membership in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement and will obtain and maintain
such additional governmental, self-regulatory, exchange or other licenses, approvals and/or memberships and file and maintain
effective such other registrations as may be required to enable the Subadviser to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(iv) it is duly organized and validly existing, and is authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder; (v) it has policies and procedures to ensure compliance with economic sanctions programs ("Sanctions") that
are applicable to Subadviser, including but not limited to those administered or promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's
Office of Foreign Assets Control, the European Union, and the United Nations Security Council; (vi) neither the execution or delivery
of this Agreement by the Subadviser nor any action taken in its performance of its obligations hereunder shall cause the TrustFund
or the Adviser to be in violation of Sanctions; and (vii) neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Subadviser
nor its performance of its obligations hereunder shall conflict with, violate, breach or constitute a default under any term or
provision of its constituent or governing documents or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, instrument, agreement or other
document to which the Subadviser is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets are subject or any applicable
statute, law, rule, regulation, order or other legal requirement applicable to the Subadviser or any of its assets that would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on the Subadviser's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(b) The
Subadviser shall promptly notify the Adviser and the TrustFund in writing of the occurrence of any of
the following events: (i) any breach of this Agreement; (ii) any of the representations and warranties of the Subadviser contained
herein becomes untrue after the execution of this Agreement; (iii) the Subadviser becomes aware that it is or likely may become
subject to any statutory disqualification pursuant to Section 9(b)of the 1940 Act or otherwise that prevents the Subadviser from
serving as an investment adviser or performing its duties pursuant to this Agreement; (iv) the Subadviser shall have been served
or otherwise becomes aware of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation applicable to it, at law or in equity, before
or by any court, public board or body, involving or in any way relevant to the affairs of the Fund; (v) any of the named portfolio
managers of the Fund ("Key Personnel") are no longer active, or are proposed to no longer be active, in the day-to-day
management of and/or trading decisions for the Fund; (vi) any change in any of the Key Personnel and/or any change concerning
any of the Key Personnel (including, without limitation, any change in the location of any such person or any adverse change in
the position, function, regulatory or licensing status or other circumstances of any such person) which may adversely affect the
Fund; (vii) any proposed change in control of the Subadviser; and (viii) any proposed assignment of this Agreement. The Subadviser
further agrees to notify the Adviser and the Fund promptly if any statement regarding the Subadviser contained in the Fund's Registration
Statement with respect to the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, becomes untrue or incomplete in any material respect.
9.
Documents. The Adviser has delivered to the Subadviser possesses copies of each of the following
documents, and the Adviser will deliver to itthe Subadviser all future amendments and supplements
with respect to such documents, if any:
(a) Declaration
of Trust of the Fund, as amended from time to time, as filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware (such Declaration of
Trust, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time, are herein called the "Declaration of Trust");
(b) By-Laws
of the Fund, as amended from time to time (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time, are
herein called the "By-Laws");
(c) Certified
Resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of the Subadviser and approving the form of this Agreement;
(d) Registration
statement under the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act, as amended, on Form N-2, as filed with the SEC relating to the Fund and the Fund's
shares, and all amendments thereto;
(e) Any
press releases relating to the Fund;
(f) All
financial statements of the Fund; and
(g) Notification
of Registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A, as filed with the SEC, and all amendments thereto.
10.
Books and Records. The Subadviser agrees to maintain, in the form and for the period required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940
Act or such longer period as the Adviser or Fund may direct, all records relating to the Subadviser's services under this Agreement
and the Fund's investments made by the Subadviser as are required by Section 31 under the 1940 Act, and rules and regulations
thereunder, and by other applicable legal provisions, including the Advisers Act, the 1934 Act, the CEA, and rules and regulations
thereunder, and the Fund's compliance policies and procedures, and to preserve such records for the periods and in the manner
required by that Section, and those rules, regulations, legal provisions and compliance policies and procedures. In compliance
with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, any records required to be maintained and preserved pursuant to the provisions
of Rule 31a-1 and Rule 31a-2 promulgated under the 1940 Act which are prepared or maintained by the Subadviser on behalf of the
Fund are the property of the Fund and shall be surrendered promptly to the Fund or the Adviser on request.
The Subadviser agrees
that all accounts, books and other records maintained and preserved by it as required hereby shall be subject at any time, and
from time to time, to such periodic, special and other examinations by the SEC, the Fund's auditors, the Fund or any representative
of the Fund (including, without limitation, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer), the Adviser, or any governmental agency or other
instrumentality having regulatory authority over the Adviser or the Fund.
11. Cooperation.
Each party to this Agreement agrees to cooperate with each other party and with all appropriate governmental authorities having
the requisite jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the SEC) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to
this Agreement or the Fund.
12. Reference
to the Subadviser. The Adviser and the Fund are authorized to publish and distribute any information, including but not limited
to registration statements, advertising or promotional material, regarding the provision of sub-investment advisory services by
the Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement and to use in advertising, publicity or otherwise the name of the Subadviser, or any
trade name, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or logo of the Subadviser, with the prior written consent of the Subadviser.
In addition, the Adviser may distribute information regarding the provision of sub-investment advisory services by the Subadviser
to the Board with the prior written consent of the Subadviser. The Adviser shall provide copies of such items to the Subadviser
upon request within a reasonable time following such use, publication or distribution.
13. Confidentiality.
The Subadviser will treat as proprietary and confidential any information obtained in connection with its duties hereunder, including
all records and information pertaining to the Fund and their prior, present or potential shareholders (collectively, the "Information"),
unless required by law or expressly permitted herein. The Subadviser will not use such Information for any purpose other than
the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, unless expressly permitted herein. Such Information may not be disclosed
except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing (including electronic mail) by the Fund or its legal counsel; (ii)
to its affiliates and its and its affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, rating agencies,
portfolio management servicers, legal counsel and other advisors (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);
(iii) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or
the enforcement of rights hereunder; (iv) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this
Section, to any assignee of, or any prospective assignee of, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement; (v) to the extent such Information (a) becomes publicly available other than as a result of
a breach of this Section or (b) becomes available to the Subadviser on a on a non-confidential basis from a source other than
in connection with its duties hereunder; (vi) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization
or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about the Subadviser's or the Fund's investment
portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to the Fund or the Subadviser or its managed funds; (vii) in connection
with any public filing by the Subadviser or any of its affiliates and to service providers to the Subadviser with respect to such
filing; (viii) to any financial institution that is a lender (or other provider of financing) to the Subadviser (with respect
to sub-items (vii) and (viii), 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); (ix) if such disclosure is expressly required
or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities or (x) otherwise required by law or regulation or by any subpoena
or similar legal process.
14. Control.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, it is understood and agreed that the Adviser shall at all times retain the
ultimate responsibility for and control of all functions performed pursuant to this Agreement, and reserves the right to direct,
approve or disapprove any action hereunder taken on its behalf by the Subadviser.
15. Liability.
Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder or other applicable law, the Fund and the Adviser
agree that the Subadviser, any affiliated person of the Subadviser, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act controls the Subadviser, shall not be liable for, or subject to any damages, expenses or losses in connection
with, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under this Agreement, except by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Subadviser's duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of
the Subadviser's obligations and duties under this Agreement. Nothing in this section shall be deemed a limitation or waiver of
any obligation or duty that may not by law be limited or waived.
16. Indemnification.
(a) The
Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser, any affiliated person of the Subadviser, and each person, if any,
who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act controls ("controlling person") the Subadviser (all of such persons
being referred to as "Subadviser Indemnified Persons") against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which a Subadviser Indemnified Person may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1940
Act, the Advisers Act, the Code, under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser's responsibilities
to the Fund, which: (i) may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's
duties or reckless disregard of the Adviser's obligations and duties under this Agreement, or by any of its employees or representatives
or any affiliate of or any person acting on behalf of the Adviser, or (ii) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact supplied by, or which is the responsibility of, the Adviser and contained in the Fund's registration
statementRegistration Statement, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact known or
which should have been known to the Adviser and was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser, the Fund or
to any affiliated person of the Adviser by a Subadviser Indemnified Person; provided, however, that in no case shall the indemnity
in favor of the Subadviser Indemnified Person be deemed to protect such person against any liability to which any such person
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or
by reason of its reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding
Section 15 of this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, any affiliated person of the Adviser,
and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, controls ("controlling person") the
Adviser (all of such persons being referred to as "Adviser Indemnified Persons") against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which aan Adviser Indemnified
Person may become subject under the 1933 Act, 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Code, under any other statute, at common law or
otherwise, arising out of the Subadviser's responsibilities as Subadviser of the Fund, which: (i) may be based upon any willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Subadviser's duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of
the Subadviser's obligations and duties under this Agreement, or by any of its employees or representatives, or any affiliate
of or any person acting on behalf of the Subadviser; (ii) may be based upon a failure by the Subadviser to comply with Section
2, Paragraph (a) of this Agreement; or (iii) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the registration statementRegistration Statement or prospectus covering the shares of
the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact known or
which should have been known to the Subadviser and was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, if such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser, the Fund or any
affiliated person of the Adviser or Fund by the Subadviser or any affiliated person of the Subadviser; provided, however, that
in no case shall the indemnity in favor of a Adviser Indemnified Person be deemed to protect such person against any liability
to which any such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(c) The
Adviser shall not be liable under Paragraph (a) of this Section 15 with respect to any claim made against a Subadviser Indemnified
Person unless such Subadviser Indemnified Person shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons, notice or other first legal process or notice giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon
such Subadviser Indemnified Person (or after such Subadviser Indemnified Person shall have received notice of such service on
any designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Adviser from any liability that
it may have to the Subadviser Indemnified Person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section
15. In case any such action is brought against the Subadviser Indemnified Person, the Adviser will be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof or, after notice to the Subadviser Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel satisfactory to the Subadviser Indemnified Person. If the Adviser assumes the defense of any such action and the
selection of counsel by the Adviser to represent both the Adviser and the Subadviser Indemnified Person would result in a conflict
of interest and, therefore, would not, in the reasonable judgment of the Subadviser Indemnified Person, adequately represent the
interests of the Subadviser Indemnified Person, the Adviser will, at its own expense, assume the defense with counsel to the Adviser
and, also at its own expense, with separate counsel to the Subadviser Indemnified Person, which counsel shall be satisfactory
to the Adviser and to the Subadviser Indemnified Person. The Subadviser Indemnified Person shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser shall not be liable to the Subadviser Indemnified Person under this Agreement
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Subadviser Indemnified Person independently in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The Adviser shall not have the right to compromise on or settle
the litigation without the prior written consent of the Subadviser Indemnified Person if the compromise or settlement results,
or may result, in a finding of wrongdoing on the part of the Subadviser Indemnified Person.
(d) The
Subadviser shall not be liable under Paragraph (b) of this Section 15 with respect to any claim made against aan
Adviser Indemnified Person unless such Adviser Indemnified Person shall have notified the Subadviser in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons, notice or other first legal process or notice giving information of the nature of the claim shall have
been served upon such Adviser Indemnified Person (or after such Adviser Indemnified Person shall have received notice of such
service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Subadviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Subadviser from
any liability that it may have to the Adviser Indemnified Person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account
of this Section 15. In case any such action is brought against the Adviser Indemnified Person, the Subadviser will be entitled
to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof or, after notice to the Adviser Indemnified Person, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Adviser Indemnified Person. If the Subadviser assumes the defense of any such action
and the selection of counsel by the Subadviser to represent both the Subadviser and the Adviser Indemnified Person would result
in a conflict of interest and, therefore, would not, in the reasonable judgment of the Adviser Indemnified Person, adequately
represent the interests of the Adviser Indemnified Person, the Subadviser will, at its own expense, assume the defense with counsel
to the Subadviser and, also at its own expense, with separate counsel to the Adviser Indemnified Person, which counsel shall be
satisfactory to the Subadviser and to the Adviser Indemnified Person. The Adviser Indemnified Person shall beat the fees and expenses
of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Subadviser shall not be liable to the Adviser Indemnified Person under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Adviser Indemnified Person independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The Subadviser shall not have the right to compromise on
or settle the litigation without the prior written consent of the Adviser Indemnified Person if the compromise or settlement results,
or may result, in a finding of wrongdoing on the part of the Adviser Indemnified Person.
17. Services
Not Exclusive. The services furnished by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and except as the Subadviser
may otherwise agree or has agreed in writing, the Subadviser shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its
services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director,
officer or employee of the Subadviser, who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Fund, to engage in any other business
or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar
nature or a dissimilar nature.
18. Term
and Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective on the date first indicated
above. Unless terminated as provided herein, the Fund's shareholders approve this Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect for an initial period ofin accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and shall continue
in effect for two (2) years from the date first indicated above when following a shareholder approval, and otherwise
a period of one (1) year, and continue on an annual basis thereafteryears from such date. Thereafter, the Agreement
shall continue automatically for successive one-year periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved each
year by: at least annually by (ai) the vote of a majority of the entire
Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund;
and (bii) the vote of a majority of the BoardIndependent Trustees who
are not parties to this Agreement, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, or interested persons (as
such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, thisas otherwise permitted in conformity with the requirements
of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and any applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation.
19. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated: (A) by the Adviser at any time without penalty, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to
the Subadviser and the Fund; (B) at any time without payment of any penalty by the Fund, upon the vote of a majority of the Board
or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Adviser and the Subadviser;
or (C) by the Subadviser at any time without penalty, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Adviser and the Fund. In the
event of termination for any reason, all records of the Fund shall promptly be returned to the Adviser or the Fund, free from
any claim or retention of rights in such record by the Subadviser; provided, however, that the Subadviser may, at its own expense,
make and retain a copy of such records. The Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as such term
is described in the 1940 Act) or in the event the ManagementAdvisory Agreement between the Adviser and
the Fund is assigned or terminates for any other reason. In the event this Agreement is terminated or is not approved in the manner
described above, the Sections numbered 2(f), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 2021 of this Agreement shall
remain in effect, as well as any applicable provision of this Section 18.19.
19.20.
Amendments. This Agreement may be amended in accordance with the 1940 Act, provided that any amendment, alteration, waiver
or modification shall be in writing duly executed by the proper officials of the parties hereto, and no amendment to this Agreement
shall be effective until approved by vote of the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement
or interested persons of any such party.
20.21. Use
of Name.
(a) It
is understood that the trade names and service marks Four Wood, FWname THL Credit or any derivativesderivative
thereof or logo associated with those namestherewith (the "Adviser Marks") are the valuable
property of the Adviser and/or its affiliates, and that the Subadviser has the right to use such Adviser Marks only with the approval
of the Adviser and only so long as the Adviser is Adviser to the Fund. Upon termination of the ManagementAdvisory
Agreement, the Subadviser shall forthwith cease to use such Adviser Marks. All goodwill and proprietary rights derived from
the use by the Subadviser of the Adviser Marks shall inure to the Adviser's benefit.
(b) It
is understood that the trade names and service marks including Eagle, Eagle Asset Management, Eagle Asset Management, Inc., or
any derivatives thereof or logo or trademark (including any corporate identifier) associated with those names or Eagle generally
(collectively, the "Subadviser Marks") are the valuable property of the Subadviser and/or its affiliates, and that the
Fund has the right, without the right to delegate or sub-license, to use such Subadviser Marks in offering materials of the Fund
or sales materials with respect to the Fund for so long as the Subadviser is a subadviser to the Fund and the Subadviser has approved
such use in accordance with the following sentence. All materials bearing any Subadviser Marks must be approved in writing (including
electronic mail) and in advance by the Subadviser prior to use or dissemination. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Fund
shall forthwith cease to use such Subadviser Marks. All goodwill and proprietary rights derived from the use by the Fund of the
Subadviser Marks shall inure to the Subadviser's benefit.
(c)
Subject to the written approval of the Adviser, or a representative of the Fund, the Subadviser may include the name of the Fund
in a representative list of Subadviser's clients.
21.22.
Proxies; Class Actions.
(a) The
Subadviser is hereby appointed the Fund's agent and attorney-in-fact to exercise in its discretion all rights and perform all
duties which may be exercisable in relation to the Fund, including without limitation the right to vote (or in its discretion,
refrain from voting), tender, exchange, endorse, transfer, or deliver any securities on behalf of the Fund, to participate in
or consent to any class action, distribution, plan of reorganization, creditors committee, merger, combination, consolidation,
liquidation, underwriting, or similar plan with reference to such securities; and to execute and bind the Fund in waivers, consents
and covenants related thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, the Subadviser has sole and full discretion to vote (or not to vote)
any securities inheld by the Fund for which it has investment discretion and neither the Fund nor
the Adviser will, directly or indirectly, attempt to influence the Subadviser's voting decisions. The Subadviser represents and
covenants that prior to the Fund's commencement of operations it will haveit has adopted written proxy
voting policies and procedures as required under Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers
Act"), a copy of which behas been provided to the Fund and the Board, and that it will promptly provide
(i) any updates of such policies and procedures to the Fund and the Board, (ii) its voting records with respect to the Fund's
securities to the Fund or the Fund's proxy voting service, as the Fund may direct, so that the Fund meets its annual disclosure
requirement pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act, and (iii) reports to the Adviser and/or the Board, as the Fund may direct,
in instances where the Subadviser votes counter to its proxy voting policies.
(b) The
Subadviser shall be responsible for responding to any class action claim with respect to any of the Fund's investments over
which it has investment discretion and shall notify promptly the Fund of any such claims. The Subadviser shall be responsible
for taking any action or rendering advice with respect to any class action claim relating to any assets held in the Fund over
which it has investment discretion. The Adviser will instruct the applicable service providers to forward to the Subadviser
any information concerning such actions. The Subadviser will, however, forward to Adviser any information it receives regarding
any legal matters involving any asset held in the Fund.
22.23.
Status of Subadviser. The Subadviser shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an independent contractor
and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or
otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
23.24.
Notice. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given
if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Adviser at Four Wood CapitalTHL Credit
Advisors, LLC, 100 Wall St., 11thFederal Street, 31st Floor, New York, NY
10005,Boston MA 02110, Attention: Steven A. Baffico, Managing Partner and CEOSabrina Rusnak-Carlson,
General Counsel; or (2) to the Subadviser at Eagle Asset Management, Inc., 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716,
Attention: President and Chief Compliance Officer.
24.25.
Miscellaneous.
(a) This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner
inconsistent with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act or rules or orders of the SEC thereunder. The term "affiliate" or "affiliated
person" as used in this Agreement shall mean "affiliated person" as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act;
(b) The
captions of this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect;
(c) To
the extent permitted under Section 17 of this Agreement, this Agreement may only be assigned by any party with the prior written
consent of the other parties;
(d) If
any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of
this Agreement shall not be effected thereby, and to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable;
and
(e) Nothing
herein shall be construed as constituting the Subadviser as an agent of the Adviser, or constituting the Adviser as an agent of
the Subadviser.
(f) No
person or entity not a party to this Agreement shall be deemed a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement, except for the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto
have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 18th day of June, 2015.date
set forth above. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts.
FOUR WOOD CAPITALTHL CREDIT ADVISORS LLC
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Attest:
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EAGLE ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
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By:
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF AMENDMENT TO DECLARATION OF
TRUST
RESOLVED,
that the Declaration of Trust be amended by deleting therefrom Article VIII, Section 3 in its entirety and substituting the following:
Section
3. Term and Termination of the Trust
(a) Limited
Term of Existence. Subject to Sections 3(c) and 3(e) below, the Trust shall have a limited period of existence and shall
dissolve at the close of business on May 14, 2024 ("Termination Date"), or, if applicable, the Extended Termination
Date (as defined below), except that the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940
Act, convert the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, under the Trust's registration
under the 1940 Act (the "Limited Term Provision").
(b) After
the close of business on the Termination Date, or, if applicable, the Extended Termination Date (as defined below), if the Trust
has not yet reorganized pursuant to Section 3(a) of this Article VIII, the Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of, and
liquidate, the Trust in accordance with Section 3(d) of this Article VIII.
(c) Extension
of Termination Date. Notwithstanding Section 3(a) of this Article VIII, prior to the first business day of the sixth month
before the Termination Date, the Trustees may approve an extension of the dissolution date of the Trust to a date after the Termination
Date (the "Extended Termination Date") for a period of one year, to May 14, 2025, without Shareholder approval, upon
(1) the affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Trustees then in office, and (2) determining that, given prevailing
market conditions, it would be in the best interests of the Shareholders to do so.
(d) Procedure
for Winding Up and Liquidating the Trust. After dissolution, the Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the
Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration shall continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have been
wound up as contemplated by Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The Trustees may, to the extent they deem appropriate,
adopt a plan of liquidation at any time preceding the anticipated dissolution date, which plan of liquidation may set forth the
terms and conditions for implementing the dissolution and liquidation of the Trust under this Article VIII. Shareholders of the
Trust shall not be entitled to vote on the adoption of any such plan or the dissolution and liquidation of the Trust under this
Article VIII except to the extent required by the 1940 Act. Following completion of winding up of its business, the Trustees shall
cause a certificate of cancellation of the Certificate of Trust to be filed in accordance with the Delaware Act, which Certificate
of Cancellation may be signed by any one Trustee.
(e) Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Declaration or the By-Laws, the Limited Term Provision may only be amended by the affirmative vote
of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Trustees then in office and approval by a "majority of the outstanding
voting securities" of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act.
SPECIAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF EAGLE GROWTH AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND January 21, 2020 GO GREEN e-Consent makes it easy to go
paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing
costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.astfinancial.com to enjoy online access. Important Notice Regarding the Availability
of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting to Be Held on January 21, 2020. The Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy
Statement and a Proxy Card for the Fund are available to you on the Fund's website - http://www.thlcreditegif.com You are encouraged
to review all of the information contained in the proxy materials before voting. To obtain directions to attend the Special Meeting
and vote in person, please call 1-833-845-7513. Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as
possible. Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. 00003300300000000000 8 012120 PLEASE SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x To change the address
on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes
to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSALS
1.A. AND 1.B. Proposal 1. A. To approve a new advisory agreement between the Fund FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN and THL Credit Advisors
LLC. Proposal 1. B To approve a new sub-advisory agreement between THL Credit Advisors LLC and Eagle Asset Management, Inc. THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2. Proposal 2. To approve an amendment to the Fund's Amended and Restated Agreement
and Declaration of Trust to shorten the term of the Fund by three years. Proposal 3. To transact such other business as may properly
come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED
IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN. Your vote is important! Signature of Shareholder Date: Signature of Shareholder Date: Note: Please
sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as
executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please
sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership
name by authorized person.
EAGLE
GROWTH AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3200 Chicago, IL 60606 Proxy for Special Meeting of Shareholders
on January 21, 2020 Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Trustees The undersigned hereby appoints Andrew Morris and Jennifer Wilson,
and each of them, with full power of substitution and power to act alone, as proxies to vote all the shares of Common Stock which
the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present and acting at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Eagle Growth
and Income Opportunities Fund, to be held Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. C.T., at the office of THL Credit Advisors LLC,
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3200, Chicago, IL 60606, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, as follows: (Continued
and to be signed on the reverse side) 1.1 14475