KBRA Assigns Rating to Franklin BSP Capital Corporation’s $300 Million Senior Unsecured Notes
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Key Credit Considerations
On January 24, 2024, a merger was completed between Franklin BSP Lending Corporation (“FBLC”) and FBCC pursuant to the Merger Agreement dated October 2, 2023. FBLC was a non-listed BDC with a ~$2.8 billion investment portfolio at fair value (FV), as of December 31, 2023. FBCC is a non-listed BDC that had a ~$756 million investment portfolio at FV, as of December 31, 2023, prior to the merger. Based on pro-forma financials as of December 31, 2023, the combined company has ~$3.6 billion of total investments at FV, and approximately $2.1 billion of total net assets. FBCC had ~80% overlap with the FBLC portfolio. In addition, the pro forma portfolio consists of 73.6% senior secured first lien debt (79.2% senior secured inclusive of second lien and 96.4% when looking through to the JV, Siena, and Post Road investments). Pro forma gross leverage is 0.73x with unsecured debt to total debt at ~27% which will increase to about 50% with this note issuance.
The merger was effectuated, in part, to free up capital by allowing FBLC once merged to operate under a 150% asset coverage rather than the more restrictive 200% regulatory asset coverage. Management expects to unlock almost $700 million of capital that can be deployed into an attractive origination environment. This transaction is viewed as a neutral event to the rating as a lower asset coverage will provide more financial flexibility with higher asset cushion as a merged company than the more restrictive asset coverage (200%) that was maintained by FBLC prior to the merger. At the same time, leverage is expected to remain in line with peers at about 1.2x. There is no change to FBCC’s Adviser, Benefit Street Partners, and the underlying strategy remains the same. The company benefits from its ties to the Adviser with $75 billion in AUM as of January 31, 2024, a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton with $1.6 trillion AUM as of January 31, 2024. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2023, the company’s pro forma non-accruals were 0.3% and 1.1% at FV and cost, respectively, and its asset coverage ratio was 233%.
Franklin BSP Capital Corporation is a non-traded externally managed non-diversified investment management company regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company. The company is managed by Franklin BSP Capital Adviser L.L.C., an affiliate of Benefit Street Partners, which is an affiliate of Franklin Templeton. The company maintains exemptive relief order from the SEC that allows it to co-invest, subject to certain conditions, with its affiliates.
Rating Sensitivities
A rating upgrade could be considered if the company’s asset quality remains consistent with higher rated peers while it also maintains focus on senior secured lending, solid asset coverage, an adequate liquidity profile, and conservative leverage. A rating downgrade and/or Outlook change to Stable/Negative could be considered if there is a shift in strategy that involved significantly increasing the leverage profile or if asset quality were to deteriorate. A significant change in senior management and/or risk management policies could also lead to negative rating action.
To access rating and relevant documents, click here.
Methodologies
Disclosures
A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.
Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.
Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.
About KBRA
Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.
Doc ID: 1004204
Contacts
Analytical Contacts
Kevin Kent, Director (Lead Analyst)
+1 301-960-7045
[email protected]
Teri Seelig, Managing Director
+1 646-731-2386
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Ashley Phillips, Managing Director (Rating Committee Chair)
+1 301-969-3185
[email protected]
Business Development Contact
Constantine Schidlovsky, Senior Director
+1 646-731-1338
[email protected]
