Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Debt

v3.23.1
Debt
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt

5. Debt

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had the following available and outstanding debt:

(in thousands)

March 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

Total Available

 

Principal

 

Carrying Value (1)

 

Total Available

 

Principal

 

Carrying Value (1)

 

SBA Debentures (2)

$

175,000

 

$

175,000

 

$

169,881

 

$

175,000

 

$

175,000

 

$

169,738

 

July 2024 Notes

 

105,000

 

 

105,000

 

 

104,607

 

 

105,000

 

 

105,000

 

 

104,533

 

February 2025 Notes

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,780

 

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,751

 

June 2025 Notes

 

70,000

 

 

70,000

 

 

69,636

 

 

70,000

 

 

70,000

 

 

69,595

 

June 2025 3-Year Notes

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,655

 

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,616

 

March 2026 A Notes

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,724

 

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,700

 

March 2026 B Notes

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,699

 

 

50,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

49,673

 

September 2026 Notes

 

325,000

 

 

325,000

 

 

321,603

 

 

325,000

 

 

325,000

 

 

321,358

 

January 2027 Notes

 

350,000

 

 

350,000

 

 

344,937

 

 

350,000

 

 

350,000

 

 

344,604

 

2031 Asset-Backed Notes

 

150,000

 

 

150,000

 

 

148,104

 

 

150,000

 

 

150,000

 

 

147,957

 

2033 Notes

 

40,000

 

 

40,000

 

 

38,853

 

 

40,000

 

 

40,000

 

 

38,826

 

MUFG Bank Facility (2)(3)

 

400,000

 

 

121,000

 

 

121,000

 

 

545,000

 

 

107,000

 

 

107,000

 

SMBC Facility (2)(4)

 

400,000

 

 

197,000

 

 

197,000

 

 

225,000

 

 

72,000

 

 

72,000

 

Total

$

2,215,000

 

$

1,733,000

 

$

1,714,479

 

$

2,185,000

 

$

1,594,000

 

$

1,574,351

 

 

(1)
Except for the SMBC Facility and MUFG Bank Facility (f.k.a. Union Bank Facility), all carrying values represent the principal amount outstanding less the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs and unaccreted premium or discount, if any, associated with the debt as of the balance sheet date.
(2)
Availability subject to the Company meeting the borrowing base requirements.
(3)
In June 2022 the MUFG Bank Facility replaced the Union Bank Facility via an amendment which changed the lead lender.
(4)
Includes $175.0 million of available commitment through the letter of credit facility.

Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization, were as follows as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

SBA Debentures

 

$

5,119

 

 

$

5,262

 

July 2024 Notes

 

 

393

 

 

 

467

 

February 2025 Notes

 

 

220

 

 

 

249

 

June 2025 Notes

 

 

364

 

 

 

405

 

June 2025 3-Year Notes

 

 

345

 

 

 

384

 

March 2026 A Notes

 

 

276

 

 

 

300

 

March 2026 B Notes

 

 

301

 

 

 

327

 

September 2026 Notes

 

 

3,397

 

 

 

3,642

 

January 2027 Notes

 

 

5,063

 

 

 

5,396

 

2031 Asset-Backed Notes

 

 

1,896

 

 

 

2,043

 

2033 Notes

 

 

1,147

 

 

 

1,174

 

MUFG Bank Facility (1)

 

 

4,867

 

 

 

1,292

 

SMBC Facility (1)

 

 

2,315

 

 

 

1,701

 

Total

 

$

25,703

 

 

$

22,642

 

(1)
The MUFG Bank Facility (f.k.a. Union Bank Facility) and SMBC Facility, are line-of-credit arrangements, the debt issuance costs associated with these instruments are included within Other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with ASC Subtopic 835-30.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the components of interest expense, related fees, losses on debt extinguishment and cash paid for interest expense for debt were as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

 


Description

 

Interest expense(1)

 

Amortization of debt issuance cost (loan fees)

 

Unused facility and other fees (loan fees)

 

Total interest expense and fees

 

Cash paid for interest expense

 

SBA Debentures

 

$

1,125

 

$

144

 

$

 

$

1,269

 

$

2,262

 

July 2024 Notes

 

 

1,252

 

 

74

 

 

 

 

1,326

 

 

2,504

 

February 2025 Notes

 

 

535

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

564

 

 

1,070

 

June 2025 Notes

 

 

754

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

794

 

 

 

June 2025 3-Year Notes

 

 

750

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

789

 

 

 

March 2026 A Notes

 

 

563

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

587

 

 

1,125

 

March 2026 B Notes

 

 

569

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

595

 

 

1,139

 

September 2026 Notes

 

 

2,174

 

 

204

 

 

 

 

2,378

 

 

4,266

 

January 2027 Notes

 

 

3,079

 

 

207

 

 

 

 

3,286

 

 

5,906

 

2031 Asset-Backed Notes

 

 

1,903

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

2,003

 

 

1,856

 

2033 Notes

 

 

625

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

652

 

 

625

 

MUFG Bank Facility(2)

 

 

1,713

 

 

442

 

 

617

 

 

2,772

 

 

1,837

 

SMBC Facility

 

 

1,583

 

 

153

 

 

203

 

 

1,939

 

 

1,250

 

Total

 

$

16,625

 

$

1,509

 

$

820

 

$

18,954

 

$

23,840

 

(1)
Interest expense includes amortization of original issue discounts for the three months ended March 31, 2023 of $42 thousand, $126 thousand, and $47 thousand related to the September 2026 Notes, January 2027 Notes, and 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, respectively.
(2)
The June 2022 amendment of the MUFG Bank Facility replaced the Union Bank Facility via an amendment which changed the lead lender.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the components of interest expense and related fees and cash paid for interest expense for debt were as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 


Description

 

Interest expense(1)

 

Amortization of debt issuance cost (loan fees)

 

Unused facility and other fees (loan fees)

 

Total interest expense and fees

 

Cash paid for interest expense

 

SBA Debentures

 

$

550

 

$

140

 

$

 

$

690

 

$

749

 

2022 Notes(2)

 

 

1,011

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

1,061

 

 

2,293

 

July 2024 Notes

 

 

1,252

 

 

74

 

 

 

 

1,326

 

 

2,504

 

February 2025 Notes

 

 

535

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

564

 

 

1,070

 

June 2025 Notes

 

 

754

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

794

 

 

 

March 2026 A Notes

 

 

563

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

587

 

 

1,125

 

March 2026 B Notes

 

 

569

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

595

 

 

1,138

 

September 2026 Notes

 

 

2,174

 

 

204

 

 

 

 

2,378

 

 

4,266

 

January 2027 Notes

 

 

2,395

 

 

161

 

 

 

 

2,556

 

 

 

2033 Notes

 

 

625

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

652

 

 

625

 

2022 Convertible Notes(2)

 

 

923

 

 

149

 

 

 

 

1,072

 

 

5,004

 

MUFG Bank Facility(3)

 

 

114

 

 

237

 

 

567

 

 

918

 

 

 

SMBC Facility

 

 

182

 

 

49

 

 

65

 

 

296

 

 

236

 

Total

 

$

11,647

 

$

1,210

 

$

632

 

$

13,489

 

$

19,010

 

(1)
Interest expense includes amortization of original issue discounts for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $23 thousand, $112 thousand, $42 thousand, and $98 thousand, related to the 2022 Notes, 2022 Convertible Notes, September 2026 Notes, and January 2027 Notes, respectively.
(2)
In February 2022, the Company has fully repaid the aggregate outstanding principal balances and retired 2022 Notes and 2022 Convertible Notes.
(3)
The June 2022 amendment of the MUFG Bank Facility replaced the Union Bank Facility via an amendment which changed the lead lender.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with the terms of all borrowing arrangements. There are no sinking fund requirements for any of the Company’s debt.

SBA Debentures

The Company held the following SBA debentures outstanding principal balances as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(in thousands)
 
Issuance/Pooling Date

 

Maturity Date

 

Interest Rate (1)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

March 26, 2021

 

September 1, 2031

 

1.58%

 

$

37,500

 

 

$

37,500

 

June 25, 2021

 

September 1, 2031

 

1.58%

 

 

16,200

 

 

 

16,200

 

July 28, 2021

 

September 1, 2031

 

1.58%

 

 

5,400

 

 

 

5,400

 

August 20, 2021

 

September 1, 2031

 

1.58%

 

 

5,400

 

 

 

5,400

 

October 21, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

14,000

 

 

 

14,000

 

November 1, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

21,000

 

 

 

21,000

 

November 15, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

5,200

 

 

 

5,200

 

November 30, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

20,800

 

 

 

20,800

 

December 20, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10,000

 

December 23, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10,000

 

December 28, 2021

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

January 14, 2022

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

4,500

 

 

 

4,500

 

January 21, 2022

 

March 1, 2032

 

3.21%

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

20,000

 

Total SBA Debentures

 

 

 

 

 

$

175,000

 

 

$

175,000

 

(1)
Interest rates are determined initially at issuance and reset to a fixed rate at the debentures pooling date. The rates are inclusive of annual SBA charges.

SBICs are subject to a variety of regulations and oversight by the SBA concerning the size and nature of the companies in which they may invest as well as the structures of those investments. The SBA as part of its oversight periodically examines and audits to determine SBICs compliance with SBA regulations. Our SBIC was in compliance with all SBIC terms, including those pertaining to the SBA Debentures as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

HC IV received its license to operate as a SBIC on October 27, 2020. The license has a 10-year term. Through the license, HC IV has access to $175.0 million of capital through the SBA debenture program, that is in addition to the Company’s regulatory capital commitment of $87.5 million to HC IV. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, HC IV has issued a total of $175.0 million in SBA guaranteed debentures.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company held investments in HC IV in 19 companies with a fair value of approximately $289.7 million, accounting for approximately 9.3% of the Company’s total investment portfolio. Further, HC IV held approximately $307.7 million in tangible assets which accounted for approximately 9.5% of the Company’s total assets as of March 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company held investments in HC IV in 21 companies with a fair value of approximately $343.7 million, accounting for approximately 11.6% of the Company’s total investment portfolio. Further, HC IV held approximately $348.6 million in tangible assets which accounted for approximately 11.5% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2022.

July 2024 Notes

On July 16, 2019, the Company issued $105.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.77% interest-bearing unsecured notes due on July 16, 2024 (the “July 2024 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the July 2024 Notes is due semiannually. The July 2024 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

February 2025 Notes

On February 5, 2020, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.28% interest-bearing unsecured notes due February 5, 2025 (the “February 2025 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the February 2025 Notes is due semiannually. The February 2025 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

June 2025 Notes

On June 3, 2020, the Company issued $70.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.31% interest-bearing unsecured notes due June 3, 2025 (the “June 2025 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the June 2025 Notes is due semiannually. The June 2025 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

June 2025 3-Year Notes

On June 23, 2022, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% interest-bearing unsecured notes due June 23, 2025 (the “June 2025 3-Year Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional

investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the June 2025 3-Year Notes is due semiannually. The June 2025 3-Year Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

March 2026 A Notes

On November 4, 2020, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.5% interest-bearing unsecured notes due March 4, 2026 (the “March 2026 A Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the March 2026 A Notes is due semiannually. The March 2026 A Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

March 2026 B Notes

On March 4, 2021, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.55% interest-bearing unsecured notes due March 4, 2026 (the “March 2026 B Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement pursuant note offering. The sale of the March 2026 B Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $49.5 million. Aggregate offering expenses in connection with the transaction, including fees and commissions, were approximately $0.5 million. Interest on the March 2026 B Notes is due semiannually. The March 2026 B Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

September 2026 Notes

On September 16, 2021, the Company issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.625% interest-bearing unsecured notes due September 16, 2026 (the “September 2026 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with the terms of the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated September 16, 2021. The issuance of the September 2026 Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $320.1 million. The aggregate offering expenses in connection with the transaction, including the underwriter’s discount and commissions, were approximately $4.1 million of costs and $0.8 million related to the discount. Interest on the September 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 16 and September 16 of each year, commencing on March 16, 2022. The September 2026 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu, or equally in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company may redeem some or all of the September 2026 Notes at any time, or from time to time, at the redemption price set forth under the terms of the September 2026 Notes Indenture.

January 2027 Notes

On January 20, 2022, the Company issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.375% interest-bearing unsecured notes due January 20, 2027 (the “January 2027 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with the terms of the Eight Supplemental Indenture, dated January 20, 2022. The issuance of the January 2027 Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $343.4 million. The aggregate offering expenses in connection with the transaction, including the underwriter’s discount and commissions, were approximately $4.1 million of costs and $2.5 million related to the discount. Interest on the January 2027 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 20 and July 20 of each year, commencing on July 20, 2022. The January 2027 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu, or equally in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company may redeem some or all of the January 2027 Notes at any time, or from time to time, at the redemption price set forth under the terms of the January 2027 Notes Indenture.

2031 Asset-Backed Notes

On June 22, 2022, the Company completed a term debt securitization in connection with which an affiliate of the Company issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.95% interest-bearing asset-backed notes due on July 20, 2031 (the “2031 Asset-Backed Notes”). The 2031 Asset-Backed Notes were issued by Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2022-1 LLC (the “2022 Securitization Issuer”) pursuant to a note purchase agreement, dated as of June 22, 2022, by and among the Company, Hercules Capital Funding 2022-1 LLC, as trust depositor, the 2022 Securitization Issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, N. A., as trustee, and are backed by a pool of senior loans made to certain portfolio companies of the Company and secured by certain assets of those portfolio companies and are to be serviced by the Company. Interest on the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes will be paid, to the extent of funds available.

Under the terms of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, the Company is required to maintain a reserve cash balance, funded through proceeds from the sale of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes and through interest and principal collections from the underlying securitized debt portfolio, which may be used to pay monthly interest and principal payments on the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes. The Company has segregated these funds and classified them as restricted cash. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there was approximately $7.8 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of funds segregated as restricted cash related to the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes.

2033 Notes

On September 24, 2018, the Company issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% interest-bearing unsecured notes due October 30, 2033 (the “2033 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with the terms of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture to the Base Indenture, dated September 24, 2018. Interest on the 2033 Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30 of each year. The 2033 Notes trade on the NYSE under the symbol “HCXY.” The 2033 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu, or equally in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2033 Notes at any time, or from time to time, at the redemption price set forth under the terms of the 2033 Notes indenture after October 30, 2023.

Credit Facilities

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has two available credit facilities, the MUFG Bank Facility and the SMBC Facility (together, the “Credit Facilities”). For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and year ended December 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate was 6.96% and 4.51%, respectively, and the average debt outstanding under the Credit Facilities was $189.5 million and $127.7 million, respectively.

MUFG Bank Facility

On January 13, 2023, the Company entered into a third amended credit facility agreement, which amends the agreement dated as of June 10, 2022. The Company, through a special purpose wholly owned subsidiary, Hercules Funding IV LLC (“Hercules Funding IV”), as borrower, entered into the credit facility (the “MUFG Bank Facility”) with MUFG Bank Ltd. (formerly MUFG Union Bank and known as the “Union Bank Facility”) as the arranger and administrative agent, and the lenders party to the MUFG Bank Facility from time to time.

Under the MUFG Bank Facility, the lenders have made commitments of $400.0 million, which may be further increased via an accordion feature up to an aggregate $600.0 million, funded by existing or additional lenders and with the agreement of MUFG Bank and subject to other customary conditions. There can be no assurances that additional lenders will join the MUFG Bank Facility to increase available borrowings. Debt under the MUFG Bank Facility generally bears interest at a rate per annum equal to SOFR plus 2.75% for SOFR loans. The MUFG Bank Facility matures on January 13, 2026, plus a 12-month amortization period, unless sooner terminated in accordance with its terms. The MUFG Bank Facility is secured by all of the assets of Hercules Funding IV. The MUFG Bank Facility requires payment of a non-use fee during the revolving credit availability period.

The MUFG Bank Facility also includes financial and other covenants applicable to the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, in addition to those applicable to Hercules Funding IV, including covenants relating to certain changes of control of Hercules Funding IV. Among other things, these covenants require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a minimum tangible net worth with respect to Hercules Funding IV. The MUFG Bank Facility provides for customary events of default, including with respect to payment defaults, breach of representations and covenants, servicer defaults, certain key person provisions, cross default provisions to certain other debt, lien and judgment limitations, and bankruptcy.

SMBC Facility

On June 14, 2022, the Company entered into a second amendment to a revolving credit agreement, which amends the revolving credit agreement, dated as of November 9, 2021, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the “SMBC Facility”), as administrative agent, and the lenders and issuing banks to the SMBC Facility. As of March 31, 2023, the SMBC Facility provides for borrowings in U.S. dollars and certain agreed upon foreign currencies of up to $225.0 million, from which the Company may access subject to certain conditions. The SMBC Facility contains an accordion feature, in which the Company can increase the credit line up to an aggregate of $500.0 million, funded by existing or additional lenders and with the agreement of SMBC Bank and subject to other customary conditions. Availability under the SMBC Facility will terminate on November 7, 2025, and the outstanding loans under the SMBC Facility will mature on November 9, 2026. Borrowings under the SMBC Facility are subject to compliance with a borrowing base and an aggregate portfolio balance. The Company’s obligations under the SMBC Facility may in the future be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and primarily secured by a first priority security interest (subject to certain exceptions) in only certain specified property and assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors thereunder.

Additionally in January 2023, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Facility Agreement (the “SMBC LC Facility”) with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation that provides for a letter of credit facility with a final maturity date ending on January 13, 2026 and a commitment amount of $175.0 million as amended. Further, the SMBC LC Facility includes an accordion provision to increase the commitment up to $400 million, subject to certain conditions. The Company’s obligations under the SMBC LC Facility may in the future be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and is primarily secured by a first priority security interest (subject to certain exceptions) in only certain specified property and assets of the Company and any subsidiary guarantors thereunder.

Interest under the SMBC Facility is determined by the nature and denomination of the borrowing. Interest rates are determined by the appropriate benchmark rate (SOFR, EURIBOR, Prime, CDOR, or TIBOR) as applicable for the type of borrowing plus an applicable margin adjustment which can range from 0.875% to 2.0% per annum subject to certain conditions. In addition to interest, the SMBC Facility is subject to a non-usage fee of 0.375% per annum (based on the immediately preceding period’s average usage)

on the unused portion of the commitment under the SMBC Facility during the revolving period. The Company is required to pay letter of credit participation fees and a fronting fee on the average daily amount of any lender’s exposure with respect to any letters of credit issued under the SMBC Facility.

The SMBC Facility contains customary events of default with customary cure and notice provisions, including, without limitation, nonpayment, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default and cross-acceleration to other indebtedness and bankruptcy. The SMBC Facility also includes financial and other covenants applicable to the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, including covenants relating to minimum stockholders' equity, asset coverage ratios, and our status as a RIC.