Hercules Capital Receives BBB- Investment Grade Credit and Corporate Rating from Fitch Ratings, Inc.

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PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) (“Hercules” or the “Company”), the largest and leading specialty financing provider to innovative venture, growth and established stage companies backed by some of the leading and top-tier venture capital and select private equity firms, today announced that Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) has assigned Hercules an investment grade credit and corporate rating of BBB- with a stable outlook.

“We are very pleased that Fitch has initiated coverage with a BBB- investment grade credit and corporate rating,” stated Scott Bluestein, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Hercules. “This rating reflects our differentiated and diversified venture and growth stage lending business model, commitment to disciplined underwriting and our proven track record of operational excellence.”

The BBB- rating reflects the Company’s senior focus of the investment portfolio, solid track record in credit, broad industry relationships, above-average asset coverage cushion, consistent operating performance, experienced management team, and strong funding flexibility with demonstrated access to the public debt and equity markets.

The Stable Rating Outlook reflects Fitch’s expectation for a continued focus on first lien debt investments, consistent core earnings generation, solid asset quality, and the maintenance of the asset coverage ratio cushion at-or-above 25% and the unsecured funding mix at-or-above 35%.

About Hercules Capital, Inc.

Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) is the leading and largest specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured venture growth loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies in a broad variety of technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology industries. Since inception (December 2003), Hercules has committed more than $14.0 billion to over 570 companies and is the lender of choice for entrepreneurs and venture capital firms seeking growth capital financing. Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@htgc.com, or call 650.289.3060.

Hercules, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hercules Adviser LLC (“Hercules Adviser”), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties (“Adviser Funds”). Hercules Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Hercules’ common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “HTGC.” In addition, Hercules has one retail bond issuance of 6.25% Notes due 2033 (NYSE: HCXY).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should understand that under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to forward-looking statements made in periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The information disclosed in this press release is made as of the date hereof and reflects Hercules’ most current assessment of its historical financial performance. Actual financial results filed with the SEC may differ from those contained herein due to timing delays between the date of this release and confirmation of final audit results. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties, including the uncertainties surrounding the current market volatility, and other factors the Company identifies from time to time in its filings with the SEC. Although Hercules believes that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Hercules assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements for subsequent events.

Michael Hara
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Hercules Capital, Inc.
(650) 433-5578
mhara@htgc.com

Source: Hercules Capital, Inc.

Released May 10, 2022