As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2018

Securities Act File No. 333-217093

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-2

 

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31^st Floor
Miami, Florida 33131

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(305) 381-6999

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Richard Siegel
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
1450 Brickell Avenue, 31^st Floor
Miami, Florida 33131

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copies to:

Thomas J. Friedmann
David J. Harris
Dechert LLP
One International Place, 40^th Floor
100 Oliver Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617) 728-7120

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

x when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Title of Securities Being Registered		Amount Being Registered				Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit				Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)				Amount of Registration Fee(1)
Common Stock, $0.001 par value(2)		$				$				$				$
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value(2)
Warrants(2)
Subscription Rights(3)
Debt Securities(4)
Total		$				$				$	455,000,000	(5)		$	52,735	(6)

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

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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS		SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OCTOBER 22, 2018

$455,000,000

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC serves as our investment adviser. H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC serves as our administrator. These entities are affiliates of H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C., an alternative asset manager founded in 1993 and focused on the lower middle market. H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C. had approximately $21 billion of capital under management as of June 30, 2018 (based on the regulatory assets under management as reported on Form ADV).

Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries. Such loans typically carry a floating interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, and have a term of three to six years. We invest primarily in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that may be rated below investment grade if they were so rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk” bonds, are viewed as speculative investments because of concerns with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, up to $455,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, subscription rights or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” We may sell our common stock through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share of our common stock exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering except (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of our common stockholders and approval of our board of directors or (3) under such circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, may permit. See “Risk Factors” for more information.

In addition, this prospectus relates to 10,530,000 shares of our common stock that may be sold by the selling stockholders identified under “Selling Stockholders.” Sales of our common stock by the selling stockholders, which may occur at prices below the net asset value per share of our common stock, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Each offering by the selling stockholders of their shares of our common stock through agents, underwriters or dealers will be accompanied by a prospectus supplement that will identify the selling stockholder that is participating in such offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WHF”. The last reported closing price for our common stock on October 19, 2018 was $13.05 per share. Based on this last reported sales price of our common stock, the aggregate market value of the shares of our common stock held by the selling stockholders identified under “Selling Stockholders” is approximately $137.4 million. The net asset value of our common stock on June 30, 2018 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus on which we determined net asset value) was $14.87 per share.

This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the SEC. We maintain a website at http://www.whitehorsefinance.com and make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available on or through our website. You may also obtain such information, free of charge, and make stockholder inquiries by contacting us at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31^st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, Attention: Investor Relations, or by calling us collect at (305) 381-6999. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If our shares trade at a discount to our net asset value, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering.

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

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our securities, including the risk of leverage, in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the selling stockholders have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the selling stockholders identified under “Selling Stockholders” are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

The date of this prospectus is           , 2018.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
FEES AND EXPENSES			8
RISK FACTORS			13
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			46
USE OF PROCEEDS			47
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA			48
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS			51
SENIOR SECURITIES			69
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK			70
SALES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE			72
THE COMPANY			78
PORTFOLIO COMPANIES			87
MANAGEMENT			91
THE ADVISER AND THE ADMINISTRATOR			101
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS			113
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS			116
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS			118
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE			119
DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN			122
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK			124
DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK			129
DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS			130
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			132
DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES			134
REGULATION			145
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES			150
TAX MATTERS			151
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			160
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR			162
LEGAL MATTERS			162
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			162
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			162
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-1

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time up to $455,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, subscription rights or debt securities on the terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We may sell our common stock through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker, into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. In addition, this prospectus relates to 10,530,000 shares of our common stock that may be sold by the selling stockholders identified under “Selling Stockholders.” This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we and the selling stockholders may offer. Each time we or the selling stockholders use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus, and the prospectus and prospectus supplement will together serve as the prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with any exhibits, before you make an investment decision. Any exhibits will nonetheless be summarized in the prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus carefully.

Except as otherwise indicated, the terms:

WhiteHorse Finance

We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, we elected to be treated as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and intend to qualify annually for such treatment.

We are a direct lender targeting debt investments in privately held, lower middle market companies located in the United States. We define the lower middle market as those companies with enterprise values between $50 million and $350 million. Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries. Such loans typically carry a floating interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, and have a term of three to six years. While we focus principally on originating senior secured loans to lower middle market companies, we may also make opportunistic investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, as well as origination and other fees, capital appreciation and dividends.

We invest primarily in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that may be rated below investment grade if they were so rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often

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referred to as “junk” bonds, are viewed as speculative investments because of concerns with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

As of June 30, 2018, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 52 positions in 36 companies with an aggregate fair value of approximately $511.4 million. As of December 31, 2017, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 43 positions in 32 companies with an aggregate fair value of approximately $440.7 million. At these dates, the majority of our portfolio comprised senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers.

Our Investment Adviser

Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser, WhiteHorse Advisers. WhiteHorse Advisers is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital and is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting research and diligence on prospective investments and equity sponsors, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring our investments and monitoring our investments in portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. WhiteHorse Advisers has also agreed to provide us with access to personnel and its investment committee, or the investment committee. WhiteHorse Advisers is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act. See “The Adviser and the Administrator —  Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee” for a discussion of the fees that are payable by us to our Investment Adviser.

WhiteHorse Advisers entered into a staffing agreement, or the Staffing Agreement, with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital under which the affiliate has agreed to make experienced investment professionals available to WhiteHorse Advisers and to provide access to its senior investment personnel to enable WhiteHorse Advisers to perform all of the Investment Adviser’s obligations under our investment advisory agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers, or the Investment Advisory Agreement. See “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships — Staffing Agreement” for a discussion of the Staffing Agreement. We believe that the Staffing Agreement provides our Investment Adviser with access to investment opportunities, which we refer to in the aggregate as deal flow, generated by H.I.G. Capital in the ordinary course of business and commits certain members of H.I.G. Capital’s investment committee to serve as members of WhiteHorse Advisers’ investment committee. In addition, under the Staffing Agreement, H.I.G. Capital is obligated to allocate investment opportunities among its managed affiliates fairly and equitably over time in accordance with its allocation policy. The Staffing Agreement provides WhiteHorse Advisers with the deal origination, credit underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience of H.I.G. Capital’s senior investment professionals.

An affiliate of our Investment Adviser, WhiteHorse Administration, under an administration agreement, or the Administration Agreement, provides the administrative services necessary for us to operate. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Administration Agreement” for a discussion of the fees and expenses for which we are required to reimburse WhiteHorse Administration.

H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. Capital, founded in 1993, is a leading global alternative asset manager focused on the lower middle market. As of June 30, 2018, H.I.G. Capital managed approximately $21 billion of capital (based on the regulatory assets under management, or AUM, as reported on Form ADV) across multiple investment funds. As of June 30, 2018, H.I.G. Capital operated through domestic offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Stamford and international offices in Bogota, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and had a team of approximately 350 investment professionals. H.I.G. Capital’s investment professionals share a common investment philosophy built around a highly analytical, private equity-like framework of rigorous business assessment, extensive due diligence and a disciplined risk valuation methodology that guides investment decisions. H.I.G. Capital has built an extensive and proprietary network of informal and unconventional deal sources in the lower middle market business community consisting of accountants, attorneys, and other advisors who have access to lower middle market companies. We believe that H.I.G. Capital, as an experienced lower middle market investor, has a demonstrated ability to identify, source, analyze, invest and monitor investments in the lower middle market. H.I.G. Capital is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

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Market Opportunity

We pursue an investment strategy focused on originating senior secured loans to lower middle market companies, including first lien and second lien facilities. We may also make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests, and receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We believe that market inefficiencies and an imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, capital in the lower middle market credit market creates an attractive investment opportunity through the origination of primary loans for the following reasons:

Specialized Lending Requirements.  In our experience, lending to lower middle market companies requires more rigorous due diligence and underwriting processes than lending to larger companies. Lower middle market companies typically have fewer management resources to dedicate to the borrowing process, and often receive little or no assistance from financial advisors. Because of these and other specialized lending requirements, only a limited segment of the lending community has historically served lower middle market borrowers.

Decrease in Commercial Bank Lending Activity.  In recent years, regulatory changes and ongoing consolidation of smaller commercial banks have curtailed U.S. bank lending capacity. In response, we believe that many remaining commercial banks have deemphasized their service and product offerings to lower middle market companies in favor of lending to larger customers. We believe that the relative decline in the number of commercial banks and a shift in emphasis by remaining banks has driven a higher volume of lower middle market deal flow to us.

Lower Middle Market Environment.  We believe that as the economic recovery continues following the credit crisis, there has been increased competition for lower middle market investments due to new hedge funds and non-bank lenders that have entered the market and due to improving financial performance of lower middle market companies. However, we believe that our strong lower middle market position will continue to allow us to find investment opportunities with attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Significant Demand for Credit.  We believe that demand for debt financing from lower middle market companies will remain strong because these companies will continue to require credit to refinance existing debt, to support growth initiatives and to finance acquisitions. We believe the strong demand by lower middle market companies should increase lending opportunities for us.

Inefficient Market.  We believe there are a number of inefficiencies in the lower middle market credit market which allow us to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns relative to other types of loans. Unlike larger companies, lower middle market borrowers may not have a financial advisor and, as a result, may not receive as many financing offers, leading to more favorable financing terms for us, and may be less sophisticated in negotiating the terms of their financing. Moreover, the simpler capital structures frequently found in lower middle market companies often enhance protections and reduce or eliminate inter-creditor issues. In addition, lower middle market lenders face less competition than lenders to larger companies. As a result, lower middle market lenders frequently have greater flexibility in structuring favorable transactions.

We believe these factors, taken together, should increase lending opportunities for us and enable us to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Competitive Strengths

Leading Lower Middle Market Position.  H.I.G. Capital is one of the leading global alternative asset managers focused on the lower middle market. With more than 20 years of investment experience focused primarily on lower middle market companies, H.I.G. Capital believes it has a specialized knowledge of the lower middle market and expertise in evaluating the issues and opportunities facing lower middle market companies throughout economic cycles. We believe that the quality of these resources provides a significant advantage and contributes to the strength of our business.

Large and Experienced Management Team with Substantial Resources.  Our Investment Adviser has access through the Staffing Agreement to the resources and expertise of H.I.G. Capital’s more than 630 employees in 19 offices across the United States, Europe and South America as of June 30, 2018. As of such date, H.I.G. Capital had approximately 350 experienced investment professionals, including approximately 122

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professionals dedicated to debt investing. We believe that the quality of these resources provides a significant advantage and contributes to the strength of our business.

Extensive Deal Sourcing Infrastructure.  Given the inefficiencies of the lower middle market, finding smaller companies that represent attractive debt investment opportunities requires a different sourcing network than that for larger companies. For more than 20 years, H.I.G. Capital has built an extensive and proprietary network of deal sources in the lower middle market consisting of accountants, attorneys and other advisors who have access to these companies. Each of H.I.G. Capital’s investment professionals is involved in deal sourcing, and our in-house business development group of more than 20 dedicated deal sourcing professionals as of June 30, 2018 further enhanced our sourcing network. We believe H.I.G. Capital’s extensive deal sourcing infrastructure provides us with access to investment opportunities that may not be available to many of our competitors.

Deep Credit Expertise.  As of June 30, 2018, H.I.G. Capital’s credit platform managed over $10 billion of AUM across multiple investment funds supported by its dedicated credit investment professionals. These investment professionals bring a depth of experience and skills across a broad range of transaction types, including primary loan originations, secondary debt purchases and special situations and distressed debt investments. We believe this experience and expertise in credit documentation, loan structuring and restructuring negotiations helps to protect our investments and maximize our recovery value to the extent a portfolio company does not perform as expected.

Disciplined Investment and Underwriting Process.  Through its more than 20 years of investment experience, H.I.G. Capital has developed a disciplined investment process entailing intensive “bottom-up” fundamental analysis in order to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns while preserving downside protection. Our Investment Adviser utilizes the established investment processes developed by H.I.G. Capital to analyze investment opportunities, including structuring loans with appropriate covenants and pricing loans based on its knowledge of the lower middle market and on its rigorous underwriting standards. Each investment is reviewed by the investment committee, which is comprised of senior investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital with an average of more than 20 years of investment experience as of June 30, 2018.

Investment Strategy

Our investment strategy is to generate current income and capital appreciation primarily by originating secured loans. We seek to create a broad portfolio consisting of investments generally in the range of $5 million to $25 million primarily in debt securities and loans of U.S. based lower middle market companies. We primarily target borrowers in the United States with enterprise values of $50 million to $350 million across a broad range of industries. The proceeds of our loans are used for a variety of purposes, including refinancings of existing debt, acquisition financing, or working capital to support growth or realignment.

While we focus principally on originating senior secured loans to lower middle market companies that we believe have attractive risk adjusted returns, including first lien and second lien facilities, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We may also invest in assets consistent with our investment strategy indirectly through the acquisitions of interests in other investment companies. We generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, origination and other fees, and dividends. Our typical loans carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread, have a term of three to six years, are secured by all tangible and intangible assets of the borrower and include covenants, monitoring and information rights in favor of the lender.

Target businesses will typically exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:

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None of these investment policies is fundamental, and they may be changed without stockholder approval.

We expect that, from time to time, our investments may include certain non-qualifying assets, including assets of non-U.S. companies, certain publicly traded companies and, to a lesser extent and subject to certain limits under the 1940 Act, registered or unregistered investment companies. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to our Business and Structure — The constraints imposed on us as a business development company and RIC may hinder the achievement of our investment objective.” and “Regulation — Qualifying Assets.”

Organizational Structure

The following shows an organizational chart reflecting our relationship with our Investment Adviser and Administrator and our direct and indirect ownership interests in certain of our subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus:

Operating and Regulatory Structure

Our investment activities are managed by WhiteHorse Advisers and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of H.I.G. Capital, WhiteHorse Advisers and their respective affiliates.

We have elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act and as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors of a business development company be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

As a business development company, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we note that any affiliated investment vehicle formed in the future and managed by our Investment Adviser may, notwithstanding different stated investment objectives, have overlapping investment objectives with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. We may co-invest with other funds advised by our Investment Adviser on a concurrent basis, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations, our allocation procedures and/or exemptive relief issued by the SEC. See “Regulation.”

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Also, as a business development company, we are generally prohibited from acquiring assets other than qualifying assets unless, after giving effect to any acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Qualifying assets generally include securities of eligible portfolio companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. Under the rules of the 1940 Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (1) private U.S. operating companies, (2) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and (3) public U.S. operating companies having a market capitalization of less than $250 million. Public U.S. operating companies whose securities are quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board and through Pink Sheets LLC are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. See “Regulation.”

Use of Leverage

As a business development company, we are permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow funds to finance a portion of our investments. As of June 30, 2018, we had $187.8 million of debt outstanding under the Credit Facility and $30.0 million of debt outstanding under the Senior Notes. On August 7, 2018, we sold in a private offering $30 million aggregate principal amount of Private Notes to qualified institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. On August 9, 2018, we used the net proceeds from the sale of our Private Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem 100% of the issued and outstanding Senior Notes pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the Senior Notes and delisted the Senior Notes from the NASDAQ Global Select Market. In addition to the Credit Facility and the Private Notes described above, we expect to use leverage to finance a portion of our investments in the future, consistent with the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act. We consolidate our financial results with those of WhiteHorse Credit for financial reporting purposes.

As a business development company, we have been historically required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 200% or such other percentage as is specified in the 1940 Act. In March 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act, or the SBCAA, was enacted into law, amending the 1940 Act to reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to business development companies from 200% to 150% so long as the business development company meets certain disclosure requirements and obtains certain approvals. At the Company's annual meeting of stockholders held on August 1, 2018, the Company's stockholders approved the reduced asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150%, effective on August 2, 2018, such that the Company's maximum debt-to-equity ratio increased from a prior maximum of 1.0x (equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity). We measure our compliance with the leverage test applicable to business development companies under the 1940 Act on a consolidated basis. We expect to continue to use leverage to finance a portion of our investments in the future, consistent with the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act. For information regarding a reduction in the asset coverage ratio applicable to us, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments.”

The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In the future, we may borrow from, and issue senior securities, to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value, or NAV, to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our equity stake in a leveraged investment. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to our Business and Structure — We intend to continue to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.”

Conflicts of Interest

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. On July 8, 2014, we received exemptive relief from the SEC, or the Exemptive Relief Order, which permits us to co-invest in negotiated

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investments with our affiliates that would otherwise be prohibited by the 1940 Act, subject to certain conditions. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into certain “joint” transactions (which could include investments in the same portfolio company) with such affiliates, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. Our Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including persons that control, or are under common control with, us or our Investment Adviser, are also considered to be our affiliates under the 1940 Act.

See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to our Business and Structure — There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns,” “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to our Business and Structure — The Investment Advisory Agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers and the Administration Agreement with WhiteHorse Administration were not negotiated on an arm’s length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party” and “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships.”

Company Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31^st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, telephone number (305) 381-6999. Our corporate website is located at www.whitehorsefinance.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus.

Summary Risk Factors

Investing in our Company involves a high degree of risk and you could lose all or part of your investment. Certain of these risks are referenced below.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 for more information on these and other risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

Additional Information

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by

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calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.whitehorsefinance.com and make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available, free of charge, on or through our website. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31^st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (305) 381-6999.

FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in shares of our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “WhiteHorse Finance,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, common stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in WhiteHorse Finance.

Stockholder transaction expenses:
Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)			—	%(1)
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)			—	%(2)
Distribution reinvestment plan fees (per sales transaction fee)			$15 Transaction Fee	(3)
Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)			—	%
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Base management fees			4.60	%(4)
Incentive fees payable under Investment Advisory Agreement (20% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and 20% of realized capital gains)			3.77	%(5)(6)
Interest payments on borrowed funds			6.75	%(7)
Acquired fund fees and expenses			0.72	%(8)
Other expenses			0.98	%(9)
Total annual expenses			16.82	%

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We have structured the calculation of these incentive fees, which we refer to as the “Income and Capital Gain Incentive Fee Calculations,” to include a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to our Investment Adviser for any fiscal quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to our Investment Adviser for the period that includes such fiscal quarter and the 11 full preceding fiscal quarters, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Incentive Fee Look-back Period, would exceed 20.0% of our Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the applicable Incentive Fee Look-back Period. The deferral component of the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism may cause incentive fees that accrued during one fiscal quarter to be paid to our Investment Adviser at any time during the 11 full fiscal quarters following such initial full fiscal quarter.

We accomplish this limitation by subjecting each incentive fee payable to a cap, which we refer to in this prospectus to as the “Incentive Fee Cap.” The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period less (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to our Investment Adviser by us during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, we will pay no incentive fee to our Investment Adviser in that quarter. We will only pay incentive fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. To the extent that the payment of incentive fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism, the payment of such fees may be deferred and paid up to three years after their date of deferment subject to applicable limitations included in the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The first component of the incentive fee, which is income-based and payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20% of the amount, if any, that our “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” exceeds a 1.75% quarterly (7.00% annualized) hurdle rate, or the Hurdle Rate, subject to a “catch-up” provision measured at the end of each calendar quarter and the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism described below. The operation of the first component of the incentive fee for each quarter is as follows:

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The portion of such incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest or original issue discount) will be paid to the Investment Adviser, together with any other interest accrued on the loan from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent we actually receive such interest in cash, and any accrual thereof will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual. Any reversal of such amounts would reduce net income for the quarter by the net amount of the reversal (after taking into account the reversal of incentive fees payable) and would result in a reduction and possibly elimination of the incentive fees for such quarter. For the avoidance of doubt, no incentive will be paid to the Investment Adviser on amounts accrued and not paid in respect of deferred interest.

There is no accumulation of amounts on the Hurdle Rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there is no clawback of amounts previously paid if subsequent quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate and there is no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate. Since the Hurdle Rate is fixed, as interest rates rise, it will be easier for our Investment Adviser to surpass the Hurdle Rate and receive an incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.

The second component, which is capital gains-based, is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date) and equals 20% of our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains through the end of such year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees and subject to the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism described above. The capital-gains component of the incentive fee excludes any portion of realized gains (losses) that are associated with the reversal of any portion of unrealized appreciation/depreciation attributable to periods prior to January 1, 2013. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders.

As described above, we will not pay any incentive fee at any time when, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to date would exceed 20% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.

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Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above. This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown. In the event that shares to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will restate this example to reflect the applicable sales load.

Stockholders would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment:(1)		1 year				3 years				5 years				10 years
Under a 180% Asset Coverage Ratio assuming a 5% annual return (none of which is subject to the incentive fee)(2)		$	125			$	346			$	533			$	884
Under the 150% Asset Coverage Ratio assuming a 5% annual return (none of which is subject to the incentive fee)(3)		$	171			$	448			$	656			$	977

The above table is designed to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. This illustration assumes that we will not realize any capital gains (computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation) in any of the indicated time periods. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses and returns to our investors would be higher.

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If the 5% annual return were derived entirely from capital gains, you would pay expenses on a $1,000 investment as follows:

Stockholders would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment:(4)		1 year				3 years				5 years				10 years
Under a 180% Asset Coverage Ratio assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (which is subject to the incentive fee based on capital gains)(2)		$	135			$	374			$	576			$	954
Under the 150% Asset Coverage Ratio assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (which is subject to the incentive fee based on capital gains)(3)		$	181			$	475			$	695			$	1,034

The example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions at NAV. Under certain circumstances, reinvestment of dividends and distributions under our distribution reinvestment plan may occur at a price per share that differs from NAV. Participants in our distribution reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the distribution. See “Distribution Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our distribution reinvestment plan.

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RISK FACTORS

Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the NAV of our common stock and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Economic Conditions

Global economic, political and market conditions may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability.

The current worldwide financial market situation, as well as growing social and political tensions in the United States and around the world, may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets, and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide through economic sanctions and otherwise. Since 2010, several European Union, or EU, countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, have faced budget issues, some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the European Union, which is expected to occur on March 29, 2019. The implications of the United Kingdom’s pending withdrawal from the European Union are unclear at present. There is continued concern about national-level support for the Euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among European Economic and Monetary Union member countries. In addition, the fiscal policy of foreign nations, such as China, may have a severe impact on the worldwide and United States financial markets. In addition, the policies of the current U.S. presidential administration may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy and international trade and relation, among other areas, and the impact of such policies on us, are unclear at present. We do not know how long the financial markets will be affected by these events and cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on our investments. We monitor developments and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

The constraints imposed on us as a business development company and RIC may hinder the achievement of our investment objective.

The 1940 Act and the Code impose numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies and RICs that do not apply to other investment vehicles managed by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. For example, business development companies are required, for example, to invest at least 70% of their total assets in qualifying assets, including U.S. private or thinly-traded public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as a qualifying asset only if such issuer has a common equity market capitalization that is less than $250 million at the time of such investment. Moreover, qualification for taxation as a RIC requires satisfaction of source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. These constraints may hinder our and our Investment Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. Any failure to operate under these constraints could subject us to enforcement action by the SEC, cause us to fail to satisfy the requirements associated with RIC status, cause us to fail the 70% test described above or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could be found to be in violation of the 1940 Act provisions applicable to business

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development companies and possibly lose our status as a business development company, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, the rules applicable to business development companies could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inopportune times in order to comply with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it may be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms, or at all. For example, we may have difficulty in finding a buyer and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss or otherwise for less than we could have received if we were able to sell them at a later time.

We depend upon key personnel of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates.

We are an externally managed business development company, and therefore we do not have any internal management capacity or employees. We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of our Investment Adviser to achieve our investment objective. We expect that our Investment Adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Our Investment Adviser is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital and depends upon access to the investment professionals and other resources of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates to fulfill its obligations to us under the Investment Advisory Agreement. WhiteHorse Advisers also depends upon H.I.G. Capital to obtain access to deal flow generated by the professionals of H.I.G. Capital. Under the Staffing Agreement, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital has agreed to provide our Investment Adviser with the resources necessary to fulfill these obligations. The Staffing Agreement provides that the affiliate will make available to WhiteHorse Advisers experienced investment professionals and access to the senior investment personnel of H.I.G. Capital for purposes of evaluating, negotiating, structuring, closing and monitoring our investments. We are not a party to the Staffing Agreement and cannot assure you that the affiliate will fulfill its obligations under the agreement. If the affiliate fails to perform, we cannot assure you that WhiteHorse Advisers will enforce the Staffing Agreement, that such agreement will not be terminated by either party or that we will continue to have access to the investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates or their market knowledge and deal flow.

We depend upon the senior professionals of H.I.G. Capital to maintain relationships with potential sources of lending opportunities, and we intend to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. We cannot assure you that these individuals will continue to indirectly provide investment advice to us. If these individuals, including the members of our investment committee, do not maintain their existing relationships with H.I.G. Capital, maintain existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the senior professionals of H.I.G. Capital have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities. Therefore, we cannot assure you that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon H.I.G. Capital’s proprietary deal-flow network of informal and unconventional potential deal sources in the lower middle market business community. Any inability of H.I.G. Capital to maintain or develop this network, or the failure of this network to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

We depend upon H.I.G. Capital to maintain its extensive, proprietary lower middle market deal sourcing network, and we expect to rely to a significant extent upon this network to provide us with investment opportunities. This network of informal and unconventional deal sources in the lower middle market business community includes accountants, attorneys, brokers, insurance agents, consultants and financial advisors who have access to lower middle market companies. If H.I.G. Capital fails to maintain such sourcing network, or to develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom H.I.G. Capital has relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.

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If our Investment Adviser is unable to manage our investments effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our ability to manage our business and to grow our business. This depends, in turn, on our Investment Adviser’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. This, in turn, depends on the ability of H.I.G. Capital’s investment professionals to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objective on a cost-effective basis will depend upon our Investment Adviser’s execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to financing on acceptable terms. Our Investment Adviser has substantial responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The personnel of H.I.G. Capital who are made available to our Investment Adviser under the Staffing Agreement are engaged in other business activities and may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These and other demands on their time could distract them, divert their time and attention or otherwise cause them not to dedicate a significant portion of their time to our businesses which could slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may not replicate the historical results achieved by other entities managed or sponsored by members of our investment committee or by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates.

Our primary focus in making investments generally differs from that of many of the investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles that are or have been managed by members of our investment committee or sponsored by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates. In addition, investors in our common stock do not acquire an interest in any such investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles that are or have been managed by members of our investment committee or sponsored by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates. We cannot assure you that we will replicate the historical results achieved by members of the investment committee, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods. Additionally, all or a portion of the prior results may have been achieved in particular market conditions which may never be repeated. Moreover, current or future market volatility and regulatory uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our future performance.

The highly competitive market for investment opportunities in which we operate may limit our investment opportunities.

A number of entities continue to compete with us to make investments in lower middle market companies. We compete with public and private funds, including other business development companies, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, specialty finance companies, hedge funds and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Additionally, as competition for investment opportunities has increased, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds and collateralized loan obligations, have invested in lower middle market companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in lower middle market companies has intensified. Many of our potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

Participants in our industry compete on several factors, including price, flexibility in transaction structuring, customer service, reputation, market knowledge and speed in decision-making. We do not intend to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that are lower than the rates we offer. We may lose investment opportunities if

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we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may reduce our net investment income and increase our risk of credit loss.

We have elected to be treated as a RIC and intend to qualify annually for such treatment. If we are unable to qualify as a RIC, we will be subject to corporate-level income tax.

We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and intend to qualify annually for such treatment. To qualify as a RIC under the Code, we must meet certain income source, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement, or Annual Distribution Requirement, for a RIC is satisfied if we distribute 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short term capital gains in excess of realized net long term capital losses, if any, each taxable year as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to our stockholders. To the extent we use preferred stock or debt financing in the future, we may be subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to be subject to tax as a RIC. If we fail to make sufficient distributions, as a result of contractual restrictions in the Credit Facility or otherwise, we may fail to qualify to be subject to tax as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of our RIC status. Because we anticipate that most of our investments will be in the debt of relatively illiquid lower middle market private companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and remain or become subject to corporate-level income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

Our returns will be reduced by any corporate income tax that our subsidiaries pay.

We may be required to recognize certain income and fees indirectly through one or more entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such corporations will be required to incur corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees. In addition, we may invest in partnerships, including qualified publicly traded partnerships and limited liability companies treated as partnerships for tax purposes, which may result in our being subject to additional state, local or foreign income, franchise, withholding or other tax liabilities.

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

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or PIK interest which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to our overall investment assets, and increases in loan balances as a result of PIK interest will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. In addition, recent tax legislation requires us to recognize income for tax purposes no later than when recognized for financial reporting purposes.

We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we do not receive in cash. In addition, after the expiration of the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility on December 29, 2020, we must use asset sales and repayment proceeds, if any (including any realized gains), to pay down any outstanding debt and certain other amounts prior to distributing cash from WhiteHorse Credit to us. Also, if we do not meet certain coverage tests under the Credit Facility or the note purchase agreement, dated July 13, 2018, or the Note Purchase Agreement, governing the issuance and sale of the Private Notes, or if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the Credit Facility or the Note Purchase Agreement, then income and capital gains which would otherwise be distributable by us to our stockholders could be diverted to pay down debt or other amounts due under the Credit Facility or the Note Purchase Agreement.

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As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, in order to be subject to tax as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify to be subject to tax as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate level income tax.

PIK interest payments we receive will increase our assets under management and, as a result, will increase the amount of base management fees payable by us to our Investment Adviser.

Certain of our debt investments contain provisions providing for the payment of payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest, which increases the loan balance of the underlying loan in lieu of receiving cash interest, causing interest to compound on such higher loan balance. PIK interest increases our assets under management and, because the base management fee that we pay to our Investment Adviser is based on the value of our consolidated gross assets, PIK interest increases the base management fee we pay. This increase in interest income from the higher loan balance increases our pre-incentive fee net investment income and the incentive fees that we pay to our Investment Adviser.

Regulations governing our operation as a business development company, including those related to the issuance of senior securities, will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional debt or equity capital.

We expect that we will require a substantial amount of capital. We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. At the Company's annual meeting of stockholders held on August 1, 2018, the Company's stockholders approved a reduced asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150% in accordance with the SBCAA, effective on August 2, 2018, such that the Company's maximum debt-to-equity ratio increased from a prior maximum of 1.0x (equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity). See “Risk Factors — We intend to continue to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.” If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the applicable asset coverage requirements. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss, and, if we incur additional leverage as permitted by the SBCAA, these risks will be magnified. If we issue preferred stock, such securities would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, and preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights, dividend and liquidation rights and possibly other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those granted to holders of our common stock. Furthermore, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might otherwise result in your receiving a premium price for your common stock or otherwise be in your best interest.

Our board of directors may decide to issue common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. As a business development company, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below the then-current NAV per share. We may, however, issue or sell our common stock, at a price below the then-current NAV of the common stock, or sell warrants, options or rights to acquire such common stock, at a price below the then-current NAV of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale within the preceding 12 months. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We may also conduct rights offerings at prices per share less than the NAV per share, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing additional common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and our stockholders may experience dilution.

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In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we have securitized, and may in the future seek to securitize, our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create one or more wholly owned subsidiaries and sell and contribute a pool of loans to such subsidiaries. This could include the sale or other issuance of debt by such subsidiaries on a non-recourse basis to purchasers who we would expect to be willing to accept a lower interest rate to invest in investment grade-rated debt secured by such loan pools, and we would retain all or a portion of the equity in any such subsidiary. An inability to securitize part of our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business, fully execute our business strategy and increase our earnings. Moreover, the successful securitization of part of our loan portfolio might expose us to losses as the loans we are not able to securitize will tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses.

Any failure on our part to maintain our status as a business development company would reduce our operating flexibility.

If we do not remain a business development company, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and, correspondingly, decrease our operating flexibility.

We intend to continue to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.

The use of leverage, including through the issuance of senior securities, magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. We have incurred leverage in the past and currently incur leverage through the Credit Facility and the Private Notes and, from time to time, intend to incur additional leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In the future, we may borrow from, and issue senior securities, to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these senior securities will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such holders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default.

WhiteHorse Credit has pledged, and expects to continue to pledge, all or substantially all of its assets. WhiteHorse Credit has granted, and may in the future grant, a security interest in all or a portion of its assets under the Credit Facility. In addition, under the terms of the Credit Facility, we must use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay amounts then due with respect to our debt and certain other amounts owing under the Credit Facility before applying such net proceeds to other uses, such as distributing them to our stockholders.

We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instruments into which we may enter. In addition, under the terms of any credit facility or other debt instrument we enter into, we are likely to be required by its terms to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to any other uses.

If the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our equity stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make distributions on our common stock or preferred stock. Our ability to service our debt will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, our common stockholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the management fee payable to our Investment Adviser.

As a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 150%, subject to certain disclosure requirements, as is specified in the 1940 Act. If this ratio declines below 150%, we cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material

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adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our board of directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Private Notes or obtain other credit at all or on terms acceptable to us. For information regarding a reduction in the asset coverage ratio applicable to us, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments.”

In addition, the terms governing the Credit Facility and the Private Notes and any indebtedness that we incur in the future could impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that may hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or make the distributions required to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC.

The Note Purchase Agreement governing the Private Notes contains additional terms and conditions for senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement, including minimum shareholders’ equity, minimum asset coverage ratio, maximum debt to equity ratio and prohibitions on certain fundamental changes of the Company or any subsidiary guarantor. The Note Purchase Agreement also contains customary events of default with customary cure and notice periods, including, without limitation, nonpayment, incorrect representation in any material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default under other indebtedness of the Company or certain significant subsidiaries, certain judgements and orders, and certain events of bankruptcy.

The breach of any of the covenants or restrictions, unless cured within the applicable grace period, would result in a default under the applicable indebtedness arrangement that would permit the lenders thereunder to declare all amounts outstanding to be due and payable. In such an event, we may not have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness. As a result, any default could have serious consequences to our financial condition. An event of default or an acceleration under these arrangements could also cause a cross-default or cross-acceleration of another debt instrument or contractual obligation, which would adversely impact our liquidity. We may not be granted waivers or amendments to these arrangements if for any reason we are unable to comply with it, and we may not be able to refinance such arrangements on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

At the Company's annual meeting of stockholders held on August 1, 2018, the Company's stockholders approved the reduced asset coverage requirements applicable to senior securities from 200% to 150%, effective on August 2, 2018, such that the Company's maximum debt-to-equity ratio increased from a prior maximum of 1.0x (equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity).

The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming that we employ leverage such that our asset coverage equals (1) our actual asset coverage as of June 30, 2018 and (2) 150%, each at various annual returns, net of expenses and as of June 30, 2018. The purpose of this table is to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.

		Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses)
		-10%				-5%				0%				5%				10%
Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming actual asset coverage as of June 30, 2018 (240%)(1)			(20.5	)%			(12.1	)%			(3.7	)%			4.7	%			13.0	%
Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming 150% asset coverage(2)			(40.1	)%			(25.3	)%			(10.5	)%			4.3	%			19.1	%

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Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $217.8 million as of June 30, 2018 and an average cost of funds of 5.1% and 6.5%, which were the effective annualized interest rates of the Credit Facility and Senior Notes, respectively, as of that date, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 2.2% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.

Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $610.6 million on an assumed 150% asset coverage ratio and an average cost of funds of 5.1% and 6.5%, which were the effective annualized interest rates of the Credit Facility and Senior Notes, respectively, as of that date, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 3.5% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.

We are subject to the risk of an event of default and acceleration under our unsecured debt agreements, which would have a material adverse effect on us.

On August 7, 2018, we completed a private offering of the Private Notes. The Private Notes will mature on August 7, 2023, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms. There are several circumstances under which an event of default may occur under the debt agreement for the Private Notes, such as failure to make scheduled principal or interest payments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

Upon the occurrence of an event of default, our lenders may exercise customary remedies, including declaring all amounts due and payable. Any of these developments would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Because we expect to distribute substantially all of our ordinary income and net realized capital gains to our stockholders, we will need additional capital to finance our growth and such capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.

We will need additional capital to fund growth in our investment portfolio. We may issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain this additional capital. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. We are required to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, each taxable year to our stockholders to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments. If we fail to obtain additional capital to fund new investments, this could limit our ability to grow, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our securities.

We may apply, but may not be approved, for an SBIC license.

We may apply for a license to form a small business investment company, or SBIC. If such an application is made and approved and the Small Business Administration, or SBA, so permits, we anticipate that the SBIC license would be transferred to a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours that would be formed just prior to such transfer. Following such transfer, we anticipate that the SBIC subsidiary would be allowed to issue SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the required capitalization of the SBIC subsidiary. SBA guaranteed debentures carry long-term fixed rates that are generally lower than rates on comparable bank and other debt. We cannot assure you that we will make an application for an SBIC license, be successful in receiving an SBIC license from the SBA or that the SBA will permit such license to be transferred to us. If we do receive an SBIC license, there is no minimum amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures that must be allocated to us.

Since we are using debt to finance our investments, and we may use additional debt or preferred stock financing going forward, changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital, net investment income, value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital.

Since we are using debt to finance investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, a significant change in market interest rates may have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates when we have debt outstanding, our cost of funds will increase, which could reduce our net investment income.

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Conversely, in periods of falling interest rates, the probability that our loans and other investments in portfolio companies will be pre-paid increases. In such event, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to make new loans on the same terms, or at all. If we cannot make new loans on terms that are the same or better than the investments that are repaid, then our results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected. We expect that our investments will be financed primarily with equity and medium to long-term debt or preferred stock. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. These activities may limit our ability to benefit from lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our ability to engage in hedging transactions may also be adversely affected by recent rules adopted by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the CFTC, unless we register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator.

You should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee Hurdle Rate and may result in a substantial increase in the amount of incentive fees payable to our Investment Adviser with respect to Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income. An increase in interest rates may decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates and also may increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income, and also may make investments in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our distribution rate, which may reduce the market value of our common stock.

In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, or the FCA, announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. In April 2018, the Federal Reserve System, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, announced the replacement of LIBOR with a new index, calculated by short-term repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or the SOFR. At this time, it is not possible to predict whether SOFR will attain market traction as a LIBOR replacement tool, and the future of LIBOR is still uncertain. As such, the potential effect of SOFR and LIBOR on our net investment income cannot yet be determined.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns.

As a result of our arrangements with H.I.G. Capital and our investment committee, there may be times when H.I.G. Capital or our investment committee have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

There may be conflicts related to obligations our investment committee, our Investment Adviser or its affiliates have to other clients.

The members of our investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates. Similarly, our Investment Adviser or its affiliates may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. For example, the members of our investment committee have, and will continue to have, management responsibilities for other investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by our Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including entities that may raise additional capital from time to time. These other investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles may have different fee and expense arrangements, including requirements to share or offset certain fees from portfolio companies, than those paid by us to the Investment Adviser. Our investment objective overlaps or may overlap with the investment objectives of such affiliated investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. As a result, those individuals may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment funds or accounts advised by or affiliated with our Investment Adviser.

Our Investment Adviser will seek to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, we cannot

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assure you that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time. Where we are able to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, including the Exemptive Relief Order, if sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, we expect that the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our Investment Adviser’s pre-transaction determination. If there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy our demand and that of other accounts sponsored or managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on each account’s available capital in the asset class being allocated, up to the amount proposed to be invested by each account. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to participate in all suitable investment opportunities. Where we are unable to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, our Investment Adviser’s allocation policy provides for investments to be allocated on a rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities.

Our investment committee, our Investment Adviser or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.

Principals of our Investment Adviser and its affiliates and members of our investment committee may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. If we obtain material nonpublic information with respect to such companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us.

Our incentive fee structure may create incentives for our Investment Adviser that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders and may induce our Investment Adviser to make speculative investments.

In the course of our investing activities, we pay management and incentive fees to our Investment Adviser. The incentive fee payable by us to our Investment Adviser may create an incentive for our Investment Adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The management fee is based on our consolidated gross assets. As a result, investors in our common stock will invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. Because the management fee is based on our consolidated gross assets, our Investment Adviser will benefit when we incur debt or use leverage. The use of leverage increases the likelihood of default, which disfavors the holders of our common stock.

Additionally, under the incentive fee structure, our Investment Adviser may benefit when capital gains are recognized and, because our Investment Adviser determines when a holding is sold, our Investment Adviser controls the timing of the recognition of such capital gains. Our board of directors is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how our Investment Adviser addresses these and other conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation. While they are not expected to review or approve each investment or realization, our independent directors will periodically review our Investment Adviser’s services and fees as well as its portfolio management decisions and portfolio performance. In connection with these reviews, our independent directors will consider whether such fees and our expenses (including those related to leverage) remain appropriate. As a result of this arrangement, our Investment Adviser or its affiliates may from time to time have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

Unlike that portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is no Hurdle Rate applicable to the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, our Investment Adviser may seek to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. This practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

In addition, under the terms of the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism, the amount of incentive fees earned by our Investment Adviser will depend, in part, upon the timing of capital gains or losses in our investment portfolio, as well as the timing of our recognition of income. Depending on the circumstances,

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there may be a lag of as long as 12 fiscal quarters between the occurrence of an event giving rise to an obligation to pay incentive fees to the Investment Adviser and the payment of such incentive fees. Therefore, investors who acquire shares of our common stock may pay indirectly to our Investment Adviser incentive fees in respect of income or capital gains that were received by or paid to us prior to such investor becoming a stockholder. As a result, such investors may not participate in the income or capital gains giving rise to such indirect expense.

The valuation process for certain of our portfolio holdings creates a conflict of interest.

We expect to make many portfolio investments in the form of securities that are not publicly traded. As a result, our board of directors determines the fair value of these securities in good faith. In connection with that determination, investment professionals from our Investment Adviser provide our board of directors with portfolio company valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. In addition, certain members of our board of directors have an indirect pecuniary interest in our Investment Adviser. The participation of our Investment Adviser’s investment professionals in our valuation process, and the indirect pecuniary interest in our Investment Adviser by certain members of our board of directors, could result in a conflict of interest as the management fee paid to our Investment Adviser is based, in part, on our consolidated gross assets.

We have conflicts related to other arrangements with our Investment Adviser or its affiliates.

We have entered into a license agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital under which H.I.G. Capital has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “WhiteHorse”. In addition, we pay to WhiteHorse Administration our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, such as rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. These arrangements create conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.

Our Investment Adviser may be paid incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss, and we cannot recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.

Our Investment Adviser is entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, subject to the Hurdle Rate, a catch-up provision and the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. Our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income excludes realized and unrealized capital losses that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay our Investment Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if we incur a net loss. In addition, if we pay the capital gains portion of the incentive fee and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital depreciation, we will not be able to recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers and the Administration Agreement with WhiteHorse Administration were not negotiated on an arm’s length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.

The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were negotiated between related parties. Consequently, their terms, including fees payable to our Investment Adviser, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party. In addition, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights and remedies under these agreements because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our Investment Adviser, our Administrator and their respective affiliates. Any such decision, however, would breach our fiduciary obligations to our stockholders.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted, which may limit the scope of investments available to us.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. The Exemptive Relief Order permits us to participate in negotiated investments with our affiliates that would otherwise be prohibited by the 1940 Act, subject to certain conditions. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of our outstanding

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voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into certain “joint” transactions (which could include investments in the same portfolio company) with such affiliates, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. Our Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including persons that control, or are under common control with, us or our Investment Adviser, are also considered to be our affiliates under the 1940 Act.

We may invest alongside other clients of our Investment Adviser and its affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law, the terms of our Exemptive Relief Order, SEC staff interpretations and/or exemptive relief issued by the SEC. For example, we may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting us and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that our Investment Adviser, acting on our behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price. We may also invest alongside our Investment Adviser’s other clients as otherwise permissible under regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and the allocation policy of H.I.G. Capital and our Investment Adviser. Under this allocation policy, a fixed calculation, based on the type of investment, will be applied to determine the amount of each opportunity to be allocated to us. This allocation policy will be periodically approved by our Investment Adviser and reviewed by our independent directors. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by our Investment Adviser and its affiliates. If sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, we expect that the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our Investment Adviser’s pre-transaction determination. Where there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy us and other accounts sponsored or managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Exemptive Relief Order, allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on the amount that each such party would have invested if sufficient securities or loan amounts were available. However, we can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

The Exemptive Relief Order permits greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments and requires our board of directors to determine that it would be advantageous for us to co-invest with other accounts sponsored or managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions, as well as regulatory requirements and other relevant factors. See “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships.” We cannot assure you, however, that we will develop opportunities that comply with such limitations.

In situations where co-investment with other accounts managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, H.I.G. Capital and our Investment Adviser will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. Our Investment Adviser’s allocation policy provides, in such circumstances, for investments to be allocated on a rotational basis to assure that all clients of our Investment Adviser and its affiliates have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which a fund managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates has previously invested. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

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

Many of our portfolio investments will take the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of our securities. As discussed in more detail under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies,” all of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) are classified as Level 3 under Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC Topic 820. This means that our portfolio valuations are based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. Inputs

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into the determination of fair value of our portfolio investments require significant management judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. Consensus pricing is a methodology for the determination of fair value based on quotations from market makers. These quotations include a disclaimer that the market maker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information.

We have retained the services of several independent service providers to periodically review the valuation of securities for which there is no market guided price or that are thinly traded. The types of factors that the board of directors may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly traded securities, including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. In addition, the determination of fair value and thus the amount of unrealized losses we may incur in any year, is, to a degree, subjective, in that it is based on unobservable inputs and certain assumptions. Our NAV could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities.

We adjust quarterly the valuation of our portfolio to reflect our board of directors’ determination of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our consolidated statements of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

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

We generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these investments are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company if we have material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our NAV through increased net unrealized depreciation.

As a business development company, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors under our valuation policy and process. As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:

When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation. We record decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments as unrealized depreciation. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may result in significant net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. The effect of

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all of these factors on our portfolio may reduce our NAV by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio, and therefore creating a challenging environment in which to raise debt and equity capital. As a business development company, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of common stock at a price less than NAV without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

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

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

We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. We are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial and administrative decisions, as well as interpretations or directives from other executive branch agencies that affect our operations, including maximum interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured transactions, collection and foreclosure proceedings and other trade practices. If these laws, regulations or decisions change, or if we expand our business into additional jurisdictions, we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply or we might have to restrict our operations. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we or our portfolio companies are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect.

In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and related implemented regulations impact many aspects of the financial services industry. The effects of the Dodd-Frank Act on the financial services industry will depend, in large part, upon the scope of such regulations and the extent to which regulators exercise the authority granted to them. The U.S. presidential administration and certain members of Congress have amended and repealed portions of the Dodd-Frank Act, which may create regulatory uncertainty in the near term. While the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on us and our portfolio companies is subject to continuing uncertainty, the Dodd-Frank Act, including the implementing regulations and the interpretation of those rules, and potential repeals thereof, along with other legislative and regulatory proposals directed at the financial services industry that are proposed or pending in the U.S. Congress, may negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

In that regard, significant tax reform legislation (commonly referred to as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among other things, permanently reduces the maximum federal corporate income tax rate, reduces the maximum individual income tax rate (effective for taxable years 2018 through 2025), restricts the deductibility of business interest expense, changes the rules regarding the calculation of net operating loss deductions that may be used to offset taxable income, expands the circumstances in which a foreign corporation will be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” and, under certain circumstances, requires accrual method taxpayers to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than the income is taken into account as revenue in an applicable financial statement. Although we currently believe the new tax law will not have a material impact on us, the effects of the various provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act listed above on the respective tax positions of us, our stockholders and our portfolio companies depend on the factual circumstances of each, over time.

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Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effects of the new legislation on an investment in us. If we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could lose any licenses that we then hold for the conduct of our business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties.

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

The Small Business Credit Availability Act may allow us to incur additional leverage, which may increase the risk of investing with us.

Historically, the 1940 Act has permitted us to issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions, only in amounts such that its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such incurrence or issuance. In March 2018, the SBCAA was enacted into law. The SBCAA, among other things, amended the 1940 Act to reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to business development companies from 200% to 150% so long as the business development company meets certain disclosure requirements and obtains certain approvals. At the Company's annual meeting of stockholders held on August 1, 2018, the Company's stockholders approved the reduced asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150%, effective on August 2, 2018, such that the Company's maximum debt-to-equity ratio increased from a prior maximum of 1.0x (equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity). As of June 30, 2018, our asset coverage for borrowed amounts was 240.2%. As a result of the effectiveness of the decrease in the asset coverage ratio applicable to us, we are able to incur additional leverage, and the risks associated with an investment in us may increase. For example, see “— Since we are using debt to finance our investments, and we may use additional debt or preferred stock financing going forward, changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital, net investment income, value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital.”

We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.

We may engage in currency or interest rate hedging transactions to the extent such transactions are permitted under the 1940 Act and applicable commodities law. If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions, including the risk of counterparty default. In this regard, we may utilize instruments such as futures, forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for us to realize a gain on a net basis if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

While we may enter into transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates or counterparty default may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek or be able to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge position and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency

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fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities may also fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval (except as required by the 1940 Act). However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a business development company. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and value of our stock. Nevertheless, the effects of any such changes may adversely affect our business and impact our ability to make distributions.

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations, including those associated with RICs, may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities or result in the imposition of corporate-level taxes on us. Such changes could result in material differences to our strategies and plans and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of WhiteHorse Advisers to other types of investments in which WhiteHorse Advisers may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment. If we invest in commodity interests in the future, WhiteHorse Advisers may determine not to use investment strategies that trigger additional regulation by the CFTC or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation, if applicable. If we or WhiteHorse Advisers were to operate subject to CFTC regulation, we may incur additional expenses and would be subject to additional regulation.

In addition, certain regulations applicable to debt securitizations implementing credit risk retention requirements that have taken effect or will take effect in both the United States and in the European Union may adversely affect certain amendments to or new issuances by the Credit Facility and may adversely affect or prevent us from entering into any future securitization transaction. The impact of these risk retention rules on the loan securitization market are uncertain, and such rules may cause an increase in our cost of funds under or may prevent us from completing any future securitization transactions or certain amendments to or new issuances by our existing debt securitizations.

Over the last several years, there also has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether any regulation will be implemented or what form it will take, increased regulation of no-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the Credit Facility and the Private Notes could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock and the rights of our common stockholders.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, contains provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that limit liability and provide for indemnification of our directors and officers. These provisions and others also may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, the application of which is subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. This section generally prohibits us from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock, or with their affiliates, unless our directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. Our board of directors may adopt a resolution exempting from Section 203 of the DGCL any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our board of directors, including approval by a majority of our directors who are not

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“interested persons.” If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our board does not approve a business combination, Section 203 of the DGCL may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our certificate of incorporation classifying our board of directors in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of our certificate of incorporation authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. In addition, if we issue preferred stock, such securities would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, resulting in preferred stockholders having separate voting rights, dividend and liquidation rights, and possibly other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those granted to holders of our common stock.

If we or one of our affiliates approved by the Lender is no longer the portfolio manager under the Credit Facility or if certain change of control events occur, then an event of default will occur under the Credit Facility which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. A change of control under the Credit Facility occurs if (1) we or our affiliates, collectively, (i) cease to possess, directly or indirectly, the right to elect or appoint managers that at all times have a majority of the votes of the board of managers (or similar governing body) of WhiteHorse Credit or to direct the management policies and decisions of WhiteHorse Credit or (ii) cease, directly or indirectly, to own and control legally and beneficially all of the equity interests of WhiteHorse Credit or (2) WhiteHorse Advisers or its affiliates, collectively, cease to be our investment adviser. The occurrence of an event of default could result in us being unable to make distributions to our stockholders sufficient to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all, terminates the reinvestment period if then in effect, permits the facility agent on behalf of the Lender to take over management of WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio and to direct the liquidation of its assets, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For a description of the effects of a change in control event under our Note Purchase Agreement, see “Risks Related to our Other Indebtedness — We may not be able to prepay the Private Notes upon a change in control.”

Our Investment Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our Investment Adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, to resign at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our Investment Adviser resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by our Investment Adviser and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our Administrator can resign on 60 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our Administrator has the right, under the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time upon 60 days’ notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our Administrator resigns, we may not be able to find a new administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or

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equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and administrative activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a service provider or individuals with the expertise possessed by our Administrator. Even if we are able to retain a comparable service provider or individuals to perform such services, whether internal or external, their integration into our business and lack of familiarity with our operations may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us and the market price of our common stock.

Under current SEC rules, we are required to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and related rules and regulations of the SEC. Our independent registered public accounting firm must audit this report, pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We are required to review on an annual basis our internal control over financial reporting, and on a quarterly and annual basis to evaluate and disclose changes in our internal control over financial reporting.

As a result, we expect to incur additional expenses in the near term that may negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. This process also will result in a diversion of management’s time and attention. We cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact of the same on our operations, and we may not be able to ensure that the process is effective or that our internal control over financial reporting is or will be effective in a timely manner. In the event that we are unable to maintain or achieve compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, we and the market price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures or interruption could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends and other distributions.

We depend on the communications and information systems of our Investment Adviser and its affiliates as well as certain third-party service providers. As our reliance on these systems has increased, so have the risks posed to these communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption in these systems, including due to electrical or telecommunication outages or natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, could cause disruptions in our activities. In addition, these systems are subject to potential attacks, including through adverse events that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These attacks, which may include cybersecurity incidents, may involve a third party gaining unauthorized access to our communications or information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Any such attack could result in disruption to our business, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, the market price of our securities and our ability to pay dividends and other distributions to our security holders.

We and our Investment Adviser could be the target of litigation.

We or WhiteHorse Advisers could become the target of securities class action litigation or other similar claims if our common stock price fluctuates significantly or for other reasons. The outcome of any such proceedings could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results and could continue without resolution for long periods of time. Any litigation or other similar claims could consume substantial amounts of our management’s time and attention, and that time and attention and the devotion of associated resources could, at times, be disproportionate to the amounts at stake. Litigation and other claims are subject to inherent uncertainties, and a material adverse impact on our financial statements

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could occur for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable final outcome in litigation or other similar claims becomes probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, we could incur expenses associated with defending ourselves against litigation and other similar claims, and these expenses could be material to our earnings in future periods.

Risks Related to our Investments

Our investments may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We invest primarily in (1) first lien senior secured loans, (2) second lien senior secured loans, (3) “one-stop” or “unitranche” senior secured loans, (4) mezzanine loans and (5) to a lesser extent, selected equity co-investments in lower middle market companies. We invest primarily in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that may be rated below investment grade if they were so rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk” bonds, are viewed as speculative investments because of concerns with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

Secured Loans.  When we extend first lien senior secured, second lien senior secured and unitranche loans, we generally take a security interest in the available assets of these portfolio companies, including the equity interests of their subsidiaries. We expect this security interest to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. Also, in the case of first lien senior secured loans, our lien may be subordinated to claims of other creditors and, in the case of second lien senior secured loans, our lien will be subordinated to claims of certain other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

Mezzanine Loans.  Our mezzanine investments generally are subordinated to senior loans and will generally be unsecured. This may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or a loss of principal. These investments may involve additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt may be subject to greater fluctuations in valuations, and such debt could subject us and our stockholders to non-cash income as described above under “Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.” Since, generally, we will not receive any substantial repayments of principal prior to the maturity of our mezzanine debt investments, such investments are riskier than amortizing loans.

Equity Investments.  We may make selected equity investments. In addition, when we invest in first lien, second lien, unitranche or mezzanine loans, we may acquire warrants to purchase equity securities. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

We are subject to risks associated with lower middle market companies.

Investing in lower middle market companies involves a number of significant risks, including:

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

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

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which would subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly and adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.

Like many businesses in Puerto Rico, our portfolio company Grupo HIMA San Pablo, Inc., or Grupo HIMA, has been adversely affected by Puerto Rico’s troubled economy, including high unemployment, population decline and high government debt. Grupo HIMA’s management engaged an adviser to explore financing and strategic options designed to improve its finances and operations. We are monitoring the status of Grupo HIMA’s operations and the impact of this strategic review on our investments in a first lien senior secured loan and second lien secured loan issued by Grupo HIMA. As of June 30, 2018, the fair value of our investment in the first lien senior secured loan was approximately $11.2 million, and the fair value of our investment in the second lien secured loan was approximately $0.1 million.

Our investments in the health care sector face considerable uncertainties including substantial regulatory challenges.

As of June 30, 2018, our investments in portfolio companies that operate in the health care sector represented 5.17% of our total portfolio, at fair value. Our investments in the health care sector are subject to substantial risks, including the risk that the laws and regulations governing the business of health care

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companies, and interpretations thereof, may change frequently. Substantial latitude is given to the agencies administering those laws and regulations. Current or future laws and regulations could force our portfolio companies engaged in health care, including Grupo HIMA, to change their policies related to how they operate, restrict revenue, change costs, change reserve levels and change business practices.

Companies engaged in health care often must obtain and maintain regulatory approvals to market certain products, change prices for certain regulated products and consummate some acquisitions and divestitures. Delays in obtaining or failing to obtain or maintain such approvals could reduce revenue or increase costs. Local, state and federal policy changes, such as the government’s expanding role in health care and federal health care reform initiatives involving alternative assessments and tax increases specific to the health care industry or products, could fundamentally change the dynamics of the health care industry. In addition, insurance company and other reimbursement rates may be subject to change, often with little notice, and decreases in such rates could materially adversely affect the value of the health care companies in our portfolio.

We may hold the debt securities and loans of leveraged companies that may, due to the significant volatility of such companies, enter into bankruptcy proceedings.

Leveraged companies may experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress. The bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by a portfolio company may adversely and permanently affect such portfolio company. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the issuer may not equal the liquidation value that was believed to exist at the time of our investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays until a plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, our influence with respect to the class of securities or other obligations we own may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in the same class or by different classification and treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial, eroding the value of any recovery by holders of other securities of the bankrupt entity.

Depending on the facts and circumstances of our investments and the extent of our involvement in the management of a portfolio company, upon the bankruptcy of a portfolio company, a bankruptcy court may recharacterize our debt investments as equity interests and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. This could occur even though we may have structured our investment as senior debt.

Our portfolio companies may experience financial distress, and our investments if they are restructured.

Our portfolio companies may experience financial distress from time to time. The debt investments of these companies may not produce income, may require us to bear certain expenses to protect our investment and may subject us to uncertainty as to when, in what manner and for what value such distressed debt will eventually be satisfied, including through liquidation, reorganization or bankruptcy. If an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to the debt securities we currently hold, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will have a value or income potential similar to what we anticipated when our original investment was made or even at the time of restructuring. In addition, we may receive equity securities in exchange for the debt investment that we currently hold, which may require significantly more of our management’s time and attention or carry restrictions on their disposition.

Our portfolio companies may be unable to repay or refinance outstanding principal on their loans at or prior to maturity, and rising interest rates may make it more difficult for portfolio companies to make periodic payments on their loans.

Our portfolio companies may be unable to repay or refinance outstanding principal on their loans at or prior to maturity. This risk and the risk of default is increased to the extent that the loan documents do not

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require the portfolio companies to pay down the outstanding principal of such debt prior to maturity. In addition, if general interest rates rise, there is a risk that our portfolio companies will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with us. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. Any failure of one or more portfolio companies to repay or refinance its debt at or prior to maturity or the inability of one or more portfolio companies to make ongoing payments following an increase in contractual interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to refinance into fixed interest rate loans, which may adversely impact our selections to invest in stronger portfolio companies.

Our portfolio companies may prepay loans, which prepayment may reduce our yields if capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

The loans in our investment portfolio generally are prepayable at any time, some of which have no premium to par. It is not clear at this time when each loan may be prepaid. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change frequently, it is unknown when, and if, this may be possible for each portfolio company. In the case of some of these loans, having the loan prepaid may reduce the achievable yield for us if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

The current economic expansion is already among the longest expansions on record. If and when the current expansion ends, an economic slowdown or recession may follow. Our portfolio companies are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during such periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing our investments and harm our operating results, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, lenders in certain cases can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them when they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over a borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if we render significant managerial assistance to the borrower. Furthermore, if one of our portfolio companies were to file for bankruptcy protection, even though we may have structured our investment as senior secured debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to claims of other creditors.

We may be subject to risks associated with syndicated loans.

From time to time, we may acquire interests in syndicated loans. Under the documentation for syndicated loans, a financial institution or other entity typically is designated as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent. This agent is granted a lien on any collateral on behalf of the other lenders and distributes payments on

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the indebtedness as they are received. The agent is the party responsible for administering and enforcing the loan and generally may take actions only in accordance with the instructions of a majority or two-thirds in commitments and/or principal amount of the associated indebtedness. In most cases, we do not expect to hold a sufficient amount of the indebtedness to be able to compel any actions by the agent. Consequently, we would only be able to direct such actions if instructions from us were made in conjunction with other holders of associated indebtedness that together with us compose the requisite percentage of the related indebtedness then entitled to take action. Conversely, if holders of the required amount of the associated indebtedness other than us desire to take certain actions, such actions may be taken even if we did not support such actions. Furthermore, if an investment is subordinated to one or more senior loans made to the applicable obligor, our ability to exercise such rights may be subordinated to the exercise of such rights by the senior lenders. Accordingly, we may be precluded from directing such actions unless we act together with other holders of the indebtedness. If we are unable to direct such actions, we cannot assure you that the actions taken will be in our best interests.

If an investment is a syndicated revolving loan or delayed drawdown loan, other lenders may fail to satisfy their full contractual funding commitments for such loan, which could create a breach of contract, result in a lawsuit by the obligor against the lenders and adversely affect the fair market value, or FMV, of our investment.

There is a risk that a loan agent in respect of one of our loans may become bankrupt or insolvent. Such an event would delay, and possibly impair, any enforcement actions undertaken by holders of the associated indebtedness, including attempts to realize upon the collateral securing the associated indebtedness and/or direct the agent to take actions against the related obligor or the collateral securing the associated indebtedness and actions to realize on proceeds of payments made by obligors that are in the possession or control of any other financial institution. In addition, we may be unable to remove the agent in circumstances in which removal would be in our best interests. Moreover, agented loans typically allow for the agent to resign with certain advance notice.

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

When we invest in loans, we may also invest in the equity securities of the borrower or acquire warrants or other equity securities as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of such equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of such equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio, and our ability to make follow-on investments in certain portfolio companies may be restricted.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in order to:

We have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources, the limitations of the 1940 Act, the requirements associated with our status as a RIC and contractual requirements imposed on us under the Credit Facility or otherwise. We may elect not to make follow-on investments or otherwise lack sufficient funds to make those investments. The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful portfolio company. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we do not want to increase our exposure to the portfolio

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company, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with business development company requirements, our contractual requirements or the desire to maintain our tax status.

Because we generally do not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we will not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

We do not currently anticipate taking controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities or loans. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the stockholders and management of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity for the debt and equity investments that we typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and we may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets. This could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize such portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. Any such diversion of cash flow or any event of default could result in our being unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

We generally intend to invest a portion of our capital in first lien and second lien and unitranche loans and to a lesser extent in mezzanine loans and equity securities of U.S. lower middle market companies. The portfolio companies usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have sufficient assets to use for repaying its obligation to us in full, or at all. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Additionally, certain loans that we make to portfolio companies may be secured on a second-priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first-priority liens on the collateral secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by first-priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us.

In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation depends on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurances that the proceeds, if any, from sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second-priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first-priority liens on the collateral.

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If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second-priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more inter-creditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of such senior debt. Under a typical inter-creditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first-priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first-priority liens:

We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected. We may also make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any security interest over the assets of such companies. Liens on such portfolio companies’ assets, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured obligations after payment in full of all secured loan obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.

We currently expect that a significant portion of our investments will involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in private securities, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to certain potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately yield funding obligations that must be satisfied through our return of certain distributions previously made to us.

Investments in securities of foreign companies, if any, may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

We may make investments in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

In addition, any investments that we make that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital

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appreciation, and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we cannot assure you that we will, in fact, hedge currency risk, or, that if we do, such strategies will be effective.

Risks Related to the Credit Facility

Our interests in WhiteHorse Credit are subordinated.

We own 100% of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Credit and consolidate the financial statements of WhiteHorse Credit in our consolidated financial statements. We treat the indebtedness of WhiteHorse Credit as our leverage for purposes of compliance with the 1940 Act. Our equity interests in WhiteHorse Credit are subordinated in priority of payment to its obligations to its debt holders and its service providers. All of these persons have claims superior to our claims as equity interest holder in any liquidation of WhiteHorse Credit.

Credit or market value deterioration in our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.

A payment default on a loan to a portfolio company or a default leading to the acceleration of debt of a portfolio company could cause the loan to such portfolio company held by us to become, or to be deemed to be, a defaulted obligation under the Credit Facility. This, in turn, could result in a coverage test under the Credit Facility not being met and the diversion of distributions of assets held by WhiteHorse Credit to pay down debt under the Credit Facility rather than to make distributions. Such a portfolio company default could also lead to an event of default and acceleration under the Credit Facility and liquidation by the related lender of the assets securing the Credit Facility. Any such diversion of cash flow or any event of default could result in our being unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not receive cash from WhiteHorse Credit.

We expect to receive cash from WhiteHorse Credit as distributions on our equity interests in WhiteHorse Credit. We will receive distributions on our equity interests in WhiteHorse Credit only to the extent cash is available and permitted to be distributed under the Credit Facility. WhiteHorse Credit may not receive sufficient cash to make distributions, in which case we would not be entitled to receive distributions from WhiteHorse Credit and, as a result, we would be unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all. Limitations under the Credit Facility will impair our ability to sell investments owned by WhiteHorse Credit, and we may not be able to sell such investments. These limitations include prior satisfaction of certain coverage tests and collateral quality tests, the minimum price at which we may sell such investments and the amount of investments we may sell within a certain timeframe.

Under the Credit Facility, there are two coverage tests that WhiteHorse Credit must meet on specified compliance dates in order to permit WhiteHorse Credit to make new borrowings under the Credit Facility and to make distributions to us in the ordinary course — a borrowing base test and a market value test. The borrowing base test compares, at any given time, the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances under the Credit Facility less the amount of principal proceeds in respect of the collateral on deposit in the accounts to the net asset value of the collateral, as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation. To meet the borrowing base test, this ratio must be less than or equal to 50%, as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation. To meet the market value test, the value of WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio investments must exceed a minimum of 165% of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation. If either of these coverage tests is not met on a compliance date, then WhiteHorse Credit may sell portfolio investments or apply cash until such coverage tests are satisfied. If we fail to receive cash from WhiteHorse Credit, we may be unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all.

We may experience an event of default and acceleration under the Credit Facility, which would have a material adverse effect on us.

There are several circumstances under which an event of default may occur under the Credit Facility, some of which relate to the performance of the assets of WhiteHorse Credit or the performance by WhiteHorse Credit of its obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility also includes customary

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events of default for credit facilities of this nature, including breaches of representations, warranties or covenants by WhiteHorse Finance or WhiteHorse Credit, the occurrence of a change in control, or failure to maintain certain ratios required under the Credit Facility. The occurrence of an event of default could, among other consequences, (a) prevent us from making distributions to our stockholders sufficient to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all, (b) terminate the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility, if it is then in effect, and (c) permit the facility agent to assume the management of WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio and to direct the liquidation of its assets. Any of these developments could or would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the Lender may exercise customary remedies, including declaring all amounts due and payable under the Credit Facility, blocking distributions in respect of the equity of WhiteHorse Credit or selling assets, including selling assets at a lower price than what might otherwise be achieved in an orderly liquidation.

The ability of WhiteHorse Credit to purchase and sell investments is limited.

The Credit Facility restricts the portfolio manager’s ability to purchase and sell investments for WhiteHorse Credit. As a result, the portfolio manager may be unable to purchase or sell investments or take other actions that might be in our best interests, which could impair our performance and result in losses. During the reinvestment period, WhiteHorse Credit will have the ability to borrow funds for the acquisition of investments that meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the Credit Facility. Such funds may be repaid and re-borrowed during the reinvestment period, subject to compliance with the terms of the Credit Facility.

We may lose the ability to manage WhiteHorse Credit even if we continue to own its equity.

If an event of default occurs under the Credit Facility or if we resign or are terminated for cause as portfolio manager under the loan agreement, we may no longer manage the WhiteHorse Credit portfolio investments even though we are required to continue to own the equity interests in WhiteHorse Credit. If an agent for the Lender or the successor portfolio manager does not manage WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio in the same manner that we would have, our performance may not meet expectations and result in losses.

Risks Relating to our Other Indebtedness

The Private Notes are unsecured and therefore effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future.

The Private Notes mature on August 7, 2023 and bear interest at an annual rate of 6.00%. The Private Notes are not secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsubordinated, unsecured senior indebtedness. As a result, the Private Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred and may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Private Notes.

The Private Notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The Private Notes are obligations exclusively of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries currently is or acts as a guarantor of the Private Notes, although any subsidiary that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time for any indebtedness under a material credit facility in the future (other than the Credit Facility or any replacement of the Credit Facility) will be required to guarantee the Private Notes. Such guaranty must rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of us and our subsidiaries.

Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including holders of preferred stock, if any, of our subsidiaries) will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Private Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our

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subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Private Notes are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish. In addition, our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Private Notes.

We may not be able to prepay the Private Notes upon a change in control.

In addition, the Note Purchase Agreement governing the Private Notes requires us to offer to prepay all of the issued and outstanding Private Notes upon a change in control and election by the holders, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. A change in control under the Note Purchase Agreement occurs upon (i) the direct or indirect transfer or other disposition of all of the property or assets held by us and our subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions (ii) the consummation of a transaction which results in a “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of our outstanding voting stock or (iii) the approval by our stockholders of any plan or proposal relating to the liquidation of the Company.

Upon a change in control event, holders of the Private Notes may require us to prepay for cash some or all of the Private Notes at a prepayment price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Private Notes being prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of prepayment. If a change in control were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds to prepay any such accelerated indebtedness.

We may choose to prepay the Private Notes when prevailing interest rates are relatively low.

At any time on or after February 7, 2023, the Private Notes may be prepaid, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date. Prior to February 7, 2023, we may prepay all or any principal amount of the Private Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, subject a make-whole premium. We may choose to prepay the Private Notes from time to time, especially when prevailing interest rates are lower than the rate borne by the Private Notes. If prevailing rates are lower at the time of prepayment, holders would not be able to reinvest the proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the interest rate on the Private Notes being repaid. Our prepayment right may adversely impact holders’ ability to sell Private Notes as the prepayment date approaches. If we choose to prepay the Private Notes prior to the date of maturity on August 7, 2023, we will need to obtain sufficient liquidity, through available cash, refinancings of our existing indebtedness or otherwise, to repay the principal, together with any accrued and unpaid interest and applicable make-whole premiums, on the Private Notes.

If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the Private Notes.

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under the Credit Facility, any indenture or under other indebtedness to which we may be a party that is not waived by the required lenders or holders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Private Notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under the Credit Facility or other debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under the agreements relating to the Credit Facility, or other debt that we may incur in the future to avoid

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being in default. If we breach our covenants under the Credit Facility or other debt and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or holders. If this occurs, we would be in default and our lenders or debt holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations, including the lenders under the Credit Facility, could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because the Credit Facility has, and any future debt will likely have, customary cross-default provisions, if the indebtedness thereunder or under any future credit facility is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed above on the market value of or trading market for the publicly issued debt securities which we may issue from time to time.

Risks Relating to Related Party Transactions

Our Investment Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we have agreed to indemnify our Investment Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our Investment Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Investment Adviser does not assume any responsibility to us, including other than to render the services called for under those agreements, and it is not responsible for any action of our board of directors in following or declining to follow our Investment Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Our Investment Adviser maintains a contractual and fiduciary relationship with us. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Investment Adviser, its officers, members, personnel, agents, any person controlling or controlled by our Investment Adviser are not liable to us, any subsidiary of ours, our directors, our stockholders or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of our Investment Adviser’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify our Investment Adviser and each of its officers, directors, members, managers and employees from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Investment Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of such person’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the sub-collateral management agreement. These protections may lead our Investment Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Risks Relating to an Investment in our Common Stock

We may obtain the approval of our stockholders to issue shares of our common stock at prices below the then-current NAV per share of our common stock. If we receive such approval from stockholders in the future, we may issue shares of our common stock at a price below the then-current NAV per share of common stock. Any such issuance could materially dilute your interest in our common stock and reduce our NAV per share.

We may seek to obtain the approval of our stockholders, and they may approve a proposal that authorizes us, to issue shares of our common stock at prices below the then-current NAV per share of our common stock in one or more offerings for a twelve-month period. Such approval would allow us to access the capital markets in a way that we are typically unable to do as a result of restrictions that, absent stockholder approval, apply to business development companies under the 1940 Act.

Any sale or other issuance of shares of our common stock at a price below NAV per share will result in an immediate dilution to your interest in our common stock and a reduction of our NAV per share. This dilution would occur as a result of a proportionately greater decrease in a stockholder’s interest in our

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earnings and assets and voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. Because the number of future shares of common stock that may be issued below our NAV per share and the price and timing of such issuances are not currently known, we cannot predict the actual dilutive effect of any such issuance. We also cannot determine the resulting reduction in our NAV per share of any such issuance at this time. We caution you that such effects may be material, and we undertake to describe all the material risks and dilutive effects of any offering that we make at a price below our then-current NAV in the future in a prospectus supplement issued in connection with any such offering.

Investing in our common stock may involve an above average degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies involve higher levels of risk, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance. In addition, our common stock is intended for long-term investors and should not be treated as a trading vehicle. Our shares may trade at a price that is less than the offering price. This risk may be greater for investors who sell their shares in a relatively short period of time after completion of an offering.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, often trade at a discount to their NAV.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, may trade at a discount from NAV. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and business development companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV.

There is a risk that investors in our equity securities may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. If the amount of any distribution exceeds the sum of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for distributions paid, and net capital gains, if any, then all or a portion of such distribution could constitute a return of capital to stockholders rather than dividend income for tax purposes. A return of capital is a return to investors of a portion of their original investment in the company rather than income or capital gains. A return of capital will have the effect of reducing a stockholder’s basis in its shares of common stock, which may, if such stockholder sells or otherwise disposes such stock at a price greater than its then-current basis, result in a higher taxable gain to such stockholder at the time of sale.

Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this prospectus. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. If we declare a dividend and if more stockholders opt to receive cash distributions rather than participate in our distribution reinvestment plan, we may be forced to sell some of our investments in order to make cash dividend payments. In addition, after the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility, asset sales proceeds, if any (including any realized gains), must be used to pay down any outstanding debt and certain other amounts prior to distributing cash from WhiteHorse Credit to us. Also, if certain coverage tests are not met under the Credit Facility or the Private Notes or if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the Credit Facility or the Private Notes, then income and capital gains which would otherwise be distributable by us to our stockholders will be diverted to pay down debt or other amounts due under the Credit Facility or the Private Notes, as applicable. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, compliance with applicable business development company regulations and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure investors that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.

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FATCA withholding may apply to payments to certain foreign entities.

Withholding of U.S. tax at a 30% rate is currently required on payments of dividends and, as of January 1, 2019, will be required on redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends paid to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply with certain information reporting, identification, certification, and related requirements imposed by FATCA. Stockholders and persons intended to hold common stock should consult their tax advisors regarding FATCA and how it may affect an investment in our stock.

Our stockholders could experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our distribution reinvestment plan.

All distributions declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our distribution reinvestment plan are automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders that do not participate in our distribution reinvestment plan could experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time if we issue additional shares of our common stock.

Our stockholders may receive shares of our common stock as dividends, which could result in adverse tax consequences to them.

In order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. Historically, we have not declared any portion of our dividends in shares of our common stock. As long as at least 20% of such dividend is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, including by any selling stockholders, adoption of an at-the-market issuance program, or the availability of such common stock for sale, whether or not actually sold, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

If we issue preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt securities, the NAV and market value of our common stock may become more volatile.

We cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt would likely cause the NAV and market value of our common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of our common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock or debt securities. Any decline in the NAV of our investment would be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in NAV to the holders of our common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock. This decline in NAV would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for our common stock.

There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios which may be required by the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or of a downgrade in the ratings of the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our common stock would bear)

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all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or any combination of these securities. Holders of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.

Your interest in us may be diluted if you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering. In addition, if the subscription price is less than our NAV per share, then you will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate NAV of your shares.

In the event we issue subscription rights, stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect that they will, at the completion of a rights offering pursuant to this prospectus, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership because we do not know at this time what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering.

In addition, if the subscription price is less than the NAV per share of our common stock, then our stockholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate NAV of their shares as a result of the offering. The amount of any decrease in NAV is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price and NAV per share will be on the expiration date of a rights offering or what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering. Such dilution could be substantial.

These dilutive effects may be exacerbated if we were to conduct multiple subscription rights offerings, particularly if such offerings were to occur over a short period of time. In addition, subscription rights offerings and the prospect of future subscription rights offerings may create downward pressure on the secondary market price of our common stock due to the potential for the issuance of shares at a price below our NAV, without a corresponding change to our NAV.

Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus

The market price of our securities may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for our securities may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

See “Risks Relating to an Investment in our Common Stock” above for additional risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

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We are a holding company and depend on payments from our subsidiaries in order to make payments on any debt securities that we may issue as well as to pay dividends on our common stock. Any debt securities that we issue will be structurally subordinated to the obligations of our subsidiaries.

We are a holding company and fund a majority of our investments through wholly-owned subsidiaries, and a majority of the assets that we hold directly are the equity interests in such subsidiaries. We depend upon the cash flow from our subsidiaries and the receipt of funds from them, any of which may be subject to restriction or limitations based on the organizational documents of the subsidiaries and the agreements governing the debt of any such subsidiary. In addition, because we are a holding company, any debt securities that we issue will be structurally subordinated to the obligations of our subsidiaries. In the event that one of our subsidiaries becomes insolvent, liquidates, reorganizes, dissolves or otherwise winds up, its assets will be used first to satisfy the claims of its creditors. Consequently, any claim by us or our creditors, including holders of any debt securities that we may issue, against any subsidiary will be structurally subordinated to all of the claims of the creditors of such subsidiary. We cannot assure security holders that they will receive any payments required to be made under the terms of any debt securities that we may issue, dividends or other distributions.

Holders of preferred stock that we issue, if any, would have the right to elect members of the board of directors and have class voting rights on certain matters.

The 1940 Act requires that holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more, until such arrearage is eliminated. In addition, certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status and, accordingly, preferred stockholders could veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair our ability to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

We use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential” and similar words to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth as “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. This prospectus contains statistics and other data that have been obtained from or compiled from information made available by third-party service providers. We have not independently verified such statistics or data.

You should understand that, under Sections 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to statements made in connection with any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use all or substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities to invest in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and for general corporate purposes. We expect that our new investments will consist primarily of senior secured debt investments in lower middle market companies. We will also pay operating expenses, including management and administrative fees, and may pay other expenses such as due diligence expenses relating to potential new investments, from the net proceeds of any offering of our securities. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities to repay amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility or any issued and outstanding Private Notes, as permitted. As of June 30, 2018, we had $187.8 million outstanding under our Credit Facility and, as of the date of this prospectus, we had $30.0 million issued and outstanding Private Notes.

We anticipate that we will use substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering for the above purposes within approximately six months after the completion of any offering of our securities, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. We cannot assure you that we will achieve our targeted investment pace.

Until such appropriate investment opportunities can be found, we intend to invest the net proceeds of any offering of our securities primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. These temporary investments may have lower yields than our other investments and, accordingly, may result in lower distributions, if any, during such period. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in lower yielding interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments. See “Regulation — Temporary Investments” for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

We have agreed to pay the printing, legal, filing and other similar expenses of any offering of common stock by the selling stockholders, identified under “Selling Stockholders.” However, the selling stockholders will bear all other expenses, including any brokerage fees, underwriting discounts and commissions, of any such offering. We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of common stock by the selling stockholders.

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the related financial statements and notes thereto. Financial information as of June 30, 2018 and 2017 and for the six months then ended was derived from our unaudited financial statements. Financial information as of December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and for the years then ended has been derived from our consolidated financial statements that were audited by Crowe LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.

		As of and for the six months ended June 30,								As of and for the years ended December 31,
		2018 (Unaudited)				2017 (Unaudited)				2017				2016				2015				2014				2013
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations data:
Total investment income		$	31,259			$	27,860			$	54,804			$	53,849			$	47,074			$	37,546			$	37,617
Base management fees, net of fees waived			5,052				4,652				9,508				8,990				8,560				7,110				4,811
Performance-based incentive fees			6,035				3,365				6,553				6,755				4,323				3,387				4,800
All other expenses			6,987				6,385				12,531				11,093				13,436				10,048				8,696
Net investment income			13,185				13,458				26,212				27,011				20,755				17,001				19,310
Net realized gains (losses) on investments			73				23				108				(478	)			(379	)			(64	)			—
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments			19,649				3,423				8,128				4,796				(23,204	)			2,607				(280	)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations			32,907				16,904				34,448				31,329				(2,828	)			19,544				19,030
Per share data:
NAV			14.87				13.83				13.98				13.63				13.33				15.04				15.16
Net investment income			0.64				0.73				1.36				1.48				1.36				1.13				1.29
Net realized gains (losses) on investments			—				—				0.01				(0.02	)			(0.02	)			—				—
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments			0.96				0.18				0.40				0.26				(1.45	)			0.17				(0.02	)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations			1.60				0.91				1.77				1.72				(0.18	)			1.30				1.27
Per share distributions declared			0.71				0.71				1.42				1.42				1.42				1.42				1.42
Dollar amount of distributions declared			14,578				13,001				27,573				25,992				22,455				21,276				21,257
Balance Sheet data at period end:
Investments, at fair value			511,370				437,893				440,680				411,714				415,343				403,500				272,439
Cash and cash equivalents			14,461				39,731				35,219				17,036				22,769				11,647				92,905
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			4,092				3,987				3,717				11,858				—				4,495				3,078
Other assets			8,544				5,662				5,915				5,626				3,599				7,200				5,731
Total assets			538,467				487,273				485,531				446,234				441,711				426,842				374,153
Total liabilities			233,186				203,488				198,579				196,845				197,659				201,484				147,151
Total net assets			305,281				283,785				286,952				249,389				244,052				225,358				227,002
Other data:
Weighted average effective yield on income producing investments(1)			12.0	%			11.9	%			11.9	%			11.8	%			11.8	%			11.3	%			11.8	%
Weighted average effective yield on total portfolio, including equities(1)			11.4	%			11.4	%			11.4	%			11.1	%			11.0	%			10.9	%			11.8	%
Number of portfolio investments at period end			52				39				43				37				35				37				21

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The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain consolidated quarterly financial information (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts). This information is derived from our unaudited financial statements which include, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. The results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for future periods.

										2018
										Q2				Q1
Total investment income										$	14,654			$	16,605
Net investment income											4,607				8,578
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments											73				5,275
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations											19,054				13,853
Earnings per share											0.93				0.68
NAV per share											14.87				14.30

		2017
		Q4				Q3				Q2				Q1
Total investment income		$	13,920			$	13,024			$	14,285			$	13,575
Net investment income			6,804				5,950				6,936				6,522
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments			1,684				3,106				339				3,107
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations			8,488				9,056				7,275				9,629
Earnings per share			0.41				0.45				0.39				0.53
NAV per share			13.98				13.92				13.83				13.80

		2016
		Q4				Q3				Q2				Q1
Total investment income		$	13,359			$	14,030			$	13,050			$	13,410
Net investment income			6,555				7,268				6,426				6,762
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments			2,519				1,326				1,703				(1,230	)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations			9,074				8,594				8,129				5,532
Earnings per share			0.50				0.47				0.44				0.30
NAV per share			13.63				13.48				13.37				13.28

		2015
		Q4				Q3				Q2				Q1
Total investment income		$	11,934			$	11,707			$	12,162			$	11,271
Net investment income			3,873	(1)			5,662				5,886				5,334
Net realized and unrealized losses on investments			(18,652	)			(4,234	)			(136	)			(561	)
Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations			(14,779	)			1,428				5,750				4,773
Earnings per share			(0.98	)			0.10				0.38				0.32
NAV per share			13.33				14.77				15.03				15.00

		2014
		Q4				Q3				Q2				Q1
Total investment income		$	11,013			$	9,265			$	9,018			$	8,250
Net investment income			4,976				4,043				3,992				3,990
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments			(1,380	)			519				1,024				2,380
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations			3,594				4,563				5,017				6,370
Earnings per share			0.24				0.31				0.34				0.43
NAV per share			15.04				15.16				15.21				15.23

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		2013
		Q4				Q3				Q2				Q1
Total investment income		$	8,615			$	11,122			$	9,498			$	8,382
Net investment income			4,169				6,282				4,850				4,009
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments			2,166				(262	)			(1,683	)			(501	)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations			6,335				6,020				3,167				3,508
Earnings per share			0.42				0.40				0.21				0.23
NAV per share			15.16				15.09				15.04				15.18

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows should be read in conjunction with “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and the financial statements and the related notes thereto of us appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The information in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

Overview

We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, we elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

We were formed on December 28, 2011 and commenced operations on January 1, 2012. We were originally capitalized with approximately $176.3 million of contributed assets from H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., each of which is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. These assets were contributed as of January 1, 2012 in exchange for 11,752,383 units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC. On December 4, 2012, we converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation and elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act.

On December 4, 2012, we priced our initial public offering, or the IPO, selling 6,666,667 shares. Concurrent with the IPO, certain of our directors and officers, the managers of our Investment Adviser and their immediate family members or entities owned by, or family trusts for the benefit of, such persons, purchased an additional 472,673 shares through a private placement transaction exempt from the Securities Act, or the Concurrent Private Placement.

Our shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WHF.”

We are a direct lender targeting debt investments in privately held, lower middle market companies located in North America. Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries. Such loans typically carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread and have a term of three to six years. While we focus principally on originating senior secured loans to lower middle market companies, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests, and in companies outside of the lower middle market, to the extent we believe the investment presents an opportunity to achieve an attractive risk-adjusted return. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, as well as origination and other fees, capital appreciation and dividends.

Our investment activities are managed by WhiteHorse Advisers and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of us, WhiteHorse Advisers and its affiliates. Under our Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay WhiteHorse Advisers an annual base management fee based on our average consolidated gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our investment performance. See “Business — Management Agreements — Investment Advisory Agreement.” We have also entered into an Administration Agreement with WhiteHorse Administration. Under our Administration Agreement, we have agreed to reimburse WhiteHorse Administration for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of overhead and other expenses incurred by WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement.

As of June 30, 2018, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 52 positions in 36 companies with an aggregate fair value of approximately $511.4 million. As of December 31, 2017, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 43 positions in 32 companies with an aggregate fair value of approximately $440.7 million. As of December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 37 positions in 29 companies with an aggregate

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fair value of approximately $411.7 million. At these dates, the majority of our portfolio comprised senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers.

Revenues

We generate revenue in the form of interest payable on the debt securities that we hold and capital gains and distributions, if any, on the portfolio company investments that we originated or acquire. Our debt investments, whether in the form of senior secured loans or mezzanine loans, typically have terms of three to six years and bear interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR or another interest rate index or at a fixed rate. Interest on debt securities is generally payable monthly or quarterly, with the amortization of principal generally being deferred for several years from the date of the initial investment. In some cases, we may also defer payments of interest for the first few years after our investment. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally becomes due at the maturity date. In addition, we generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and possibly consulting fees. We capitalize loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount, and we then amortize such amounts as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, we record any unamortized loan origination fees as interest income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as fee income when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include (1) investment advisory fees to WhiteHorse Advisers; (2) the allocable portion of overhead under the Administration Agreement; (3) the interest expense on our outstanding debt; and (4) other operating costs as detailed below. Our investment advisory fees compensate our investment adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, consummating and monitoring our investments. See “Business — Management Agreements — Investment Advisory Agreement” and “Business — Management Agreements — Administration Agreement.”

We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:

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We reimburse the Adviser and the Administrator for expenses incurred by them on our behalf, as well as the actual cost of goods and services used for or by us and obtained from entities not affiliated with the Adviser or Administrator. Any such reimbursement is limited in amount to costs actually incurred by the Adviser or Administrator. We make no reimbursement for services for which the Adviser is entitled to compensation by way of a separate fee.

Recent Developments

In March 2018, the SBCAA was enacted into law. The SBCAA amended the 1940 Act to reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to business development companies from 200% to 150% so long as the business development company meets certain disclosure requirements and obtains certain approvals. On August 1, 2018, our stockholders approved the reduced asset coverage requirement as previously discussed. As a result, our asset coverage requirements applicable to senior securities decreased from 200% to 150%, effective August 2, 2018.

On May 15, 2018, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended and restated to, among other things, permit the financing of certain assets to be held by WhiteHorse California, a wholly owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse Credit, in the future.

On July 10, 2018, we notified American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the trustee for our 6.50% Senior Notes due 2020, of our election to redeem the $30 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding, and instructed the trustee to provide notice of such redemption to the holders of the Senior Notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture agreement under which the Senior Notes are issued. The redemption was completed on August 9, 2018, and the Senior Notes were delisted from the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

On July 13, 2018, we entered into an agreement governing the issuance of $30 million aggregate principal amount of the Private Notes to qualified institutional investors in a private placement offered in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Private Notes have a fixed interest rate of 6.00% and are due on August 7, 2023, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with the terms of the Private Notes. Interest on the Private Notes will be due semiannually, and the interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.50%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. In addition, we are obligated to offer to repay the Private Notes at par if certain change in control events occur. The Private Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all of our outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us. The closing of the transaction occurred on August 7, 2018. We used the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem all of our Senior Notes, as discussed above.

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On August 1, 2018, our board of directors approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers for a one-year term. Our board of directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the advisory and other services provided to us by WhiteHorse Advisers, our investment performance and that of WhiteHorse Advisers, the fee structures of comparable externally managed business development companies that engage in similar investing activities and various other matters.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017

The consolidated results of operations described below may not be indicative of the results we report in future periods. Net investment income and net increase in net assets can vary substantially from period to period due to various reasons, including the level of new investments and the recognition of realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result, quarterly comparisons of net increases in net assets resulting from operations may not be meaningful.

Investment Income

Investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 totaled $14.7 million and $31.3 million, respectively, and was primarily attributable to interest, dividends and fees earned from investments in portfolio companies. This compares to investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 of $14.3 million and $27.9 million, respectively. Investment income increased primarily as a result of an increase in fee income resulting from prepayments, as well as an increase in interest income due to an increase in the average balance of income-earning investments and higher average interest rates. Included in investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 is $0.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of non-recurring fee income. Non-recurring fee income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 totaled $1.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. We expect to generate some level of non-recurring fee income during most quarters from prepayments, amendments and other sources.

Operating Expenses

Expenses totaled $10.0 million and $18.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. This compares to expenses of $7.3 million and $14.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

Interest expense totaled $2.8 million and $5.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. We incurred interest expense of $2.6 million and $5.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increase was due to a higher balance on the Credit Facility and interest rates resulting from an increase in LIBOR over the comparable period during the prior year.

Base management fees totaled $2.6 million and $5.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $2.4 million and $4.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increase in base management fees was attributable to an increase in total gross assets as compared to the prior year period.

Performance-based incentive fees totaled $3.9 million and $6.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $1.7 million and $3.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increase in performance-based incentive fees was attributable to an increase in net investment income, as well as an additional $2.2 million accrual for the capital gains incentive fee component, which was driven by the increase in unrealized appreciation in Aretec Group, Inc.

Administrative fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 totaled $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. This compares to administrative fees of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

General and administrative expenses were $0.6 million and $1.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

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Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we incurred a net realized gain of approximately $73 thousand. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, we had no realized gains or losses. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, we generated a net realized gain of approximately $23 thousand.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we generated net unrealized appreciation of $14.4 million and $19.6 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we generated net unrealized appreciation of $0.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Unrealized appreciation and depreciation generally arise from credit-related adjustments and the reversal of unrealized depreciation or appreciation due to repayments or disposals. Net unrealized appreciation during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to a fair value increase in our investment in Aretec Group, Inc. and Sigue Corporation. Net unrealized appreciation during the six months ended June 30, 2018 related in part to fair value increases on our investments in Aretec Group, Inc. and Caelus Energy Alaska O3, LLC, partially offset by fair value markdowns on our investments in Sigue Corporation, Group HIMA San Pablo, Inc. and our equity shares in Fluent, Inc. as well as our term loan investment in Fluent, LLC.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

The consolidated results of operations described below may not be indicative of the results we report in future periods. Net investment income and net increase in net assets can vary substantially from period to period due to various reasons, including the level of new investments and the recognition of realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result, comparisons of net increases in net assets resulting from operations may not be meaningful.

Investment Income

Investment income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, totaled $54.8 million, $53.8 million and $47.1 million and was attributable to interest, fees and dividends earned from investments in portfolio companies. Investment income included fee income, primarily related to amendments and prepayments, of $2.9 million, $2.3 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Non-recurring fee income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled $2.4 million, $1.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Investment income excluding fee income increased due to larger investment portfolio balances, offset partially by the impact of spread compression. We expect to generate some level of non-recurring fee income each quarter from prepayments, amendments and other sources.

Operating Expenses

Expenses were $28.6 million, $26.8 million and $26.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Interest expense totaled $9.8 million, $8.2 million and $10.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Base management fees and performance-based incentive fees totaled $9.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017, $9.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $8.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Base management fees increased year over year due to the increase in total assets.

Administrative service fees totaled approximately $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Administrative services fees for the year ended December 31, 2016, decreased compared to December 31, 2015, primarily due to the departure of our former Chief Financial Officer in the third quarter of 2016.

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments

We incurred a net realized gain on investments of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incurred net realized losses on investments of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Net unrealized appreciation of $8.1 million, net unrealized appreciation of $4.8 million and net unrealized depreciation of $23.2 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, due to

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credit related adjustments, which caused changes in fair value, and the reversal of unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments disposed of during each of those years. The increase in unrealized appreciation on investments during the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to fair value increases in our investments in Aretec Group, Inc., Caelus Energy Alaska O3, LLC, as well as the reversal of prior unrealized depreciation upon the full repayment on our investment in ProPetro Services, Inc. This was partially offset by fair value markdowns in our investments in Crews of California, Inc. and Outcome Health. The increase in net unrealized appreciation on investments during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to increases in the recognition of unrealized gains in our investments in Crews of California, Inc. and Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc., partially offset by the recognition of unrealized loss in our investment in Grupo HIMA San Pablo, Inc. The increase in net unrealized depreciation on investments for the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily attributable to the recognition of unrealized loss in our investment in RCS Capital Corporation during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

As a business development company, we distribute substantially all of our net income to our stockholders. We generate cash primarily from offerings of securities, the Credit Facility and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. We expect to fund a portion of our investments through future borrowings under the Credit Facility. In the future, we may obtain borrowings under other credit facilities and from issuances of senior securities. We may also borrow funds to the extent we determine that additional capital would allow us to take advantage of additional investment opportunities, if the market for debt financing presents attractively priced debt financing opportunities or if our board of directors determines that leveraging our portfolio would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents include amounts that are collected and held by the trustee appointed as custodian of the assets securing the Credit Facility. Restricted cash is held by the trustee for the payment of interest expense and principal on the outstanding borrowings or reinvestment into new assets. Restricted cash that represents interest or fee income is transferred to unrestricted cash accounts by the trustee once a quarter after the payment of operating expenses and amounts due under the Credit Facility.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017

Our operating activities used cash and cash equivalents of $38.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily from the net acquisition of investments. Our financing activities generated cash and cash equivalents of $18.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily from net borrowings under our revolving credit facility, partially offset by the payment of distributions to stockholders.

Our operating activities used cash and cash equivalents of $8.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to the acquisition of investments. Our financing activities generated cash and cash equivalents of $23.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily from the issuance of common stock and net borrowings under our revolving credit facility, partially offset by the payment of distributions to stockholders.

As of June 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalent resources of $18.6 million, including $4.1 million of restricted cash. As of the same date, we had approximately $12.2 million undrawn and available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit agreement.

As of December 31, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalent resources of $38.9 million, including $3.7 million of restricted cash. As of the same date, we had $45.0 million undrawn and available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit and security agreement.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

Our operating activities generated cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily from cash collected on our net investment income partially offset by net cash deployed for the acquisition of investments. Our financing activities generated cash and cash

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equivalents of approximately $2.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily from the issuance of common stock partially offset by the payment of distributions to stockholders.

Our operating activities generated cash and cash equivalents of approximately $34.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily for the net proceeds from principal repayments and sale of portfolio investments. Our financing activities used cash and cash equivalents of approximately $28.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily for the payment of distributions to stockholders.

Our operating activities used cash and cash equivalents of approximately $9.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily from the net acquisitions of investments. Our financing activities generated cash and cash equivalents of approximately $15.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by the payment of distributions to stockholders.

As of December 31, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalent resources, including restricted cash, of $38.9 million. As of the same date, we had $45.0 million undrawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit and security agreement.

As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents resources, including restricted cash, of $28.9 million. As of the same date, we had $45.0 million undrawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit and security agreement.

As of December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents resources of $22.8 million. As of the same date, we had $98.0 million undrawn and available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit and security agreement.

Capital Raises

On June 30, 2017, we completed an offering of 2,200,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $13.97 per share. Our investment adviser agreed to bear a portion of the underwriting discounts and commissions in connection with the offering, such that the issuance of shares resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $30.3 million, which was at or above our NAV per share at the time of the offering.

On November 20, 2015, we completed our non-transferable subscription rights offering to our stockholders of record as of October 23, 2015, which resulted in the issuance of 3,321,033 additional shares of our common stock at a price equal to $13.55 per share, the closing price of our common stock as of October 16, 2015. Our affiliates subscribed for 3,319,107 shares of our common stock. Record stockholders received one right for each share of common stock owned on the record date. The rights entitled the holders to purchase one new share of common stock for every 4.511505 rights held, and record stockholders who fully exercised their rights were entitled to subscribe, subject to certain limitations and allotment, for additional shares that remained unsubscribed as a result of any unexercised rights. Our net proceeds from the rights offering was approximately $44.0 million, after payment of offering expenses of $1.0 million, including the dealer manager fee of $0.5 million.

Credit Facility

On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, or WhiteHorse Warehouse, entered into a $150 million secured revolving credit facility, or the Natixis Credit Facility, with an asset-backed commercial paper conduit, for which Natixis, New York Branch, provided liquidity support, to finance the business of WhiteHorse Warehouse in acquiring, managing and financing loans consistent with our investment strategy.

On December 23, 2015, WhiteHorse Credit entered into a $200 million revolving credit and security agreement with the Lender. We drew $102.0 million on the Credit Facility and used the proceeds to repay the Natixis Credit Facility in full. On June 27, 2016, the Credit Facility was amended and restated to clarify certain terms. On June 29, 2017, the Credit Facility was again amended and restated to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date to December 29, 2021, (ii) increase the amount contained within the accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit from $220 million to $235 million and (iii) reduce the interest rate spread applicable on outstanding borrowings to 2.75%. On May 15, 2018, the

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Credit Facility was further amended and restated to permit the financing of certain assets held by WhiteHorse California, a wholly owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse Credit.

As of June 30, 2018, there were $187.8 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the credit agreement, approximately $12.2 million was available to be drawn on such date. The facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Credit, which included loans with a fair value of $428.8 million as of June 30, 2018.

As of December 31, 2017, we had $155.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit Facility agreement, approximately $45.0 million was available to be drawn on such date. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Credit, which included loans with a fair value of $376.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2016, there were $155.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit Facility agreement, approximately $40 million was available to be drawn on such date. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Credit, which included loans with a fair value of $356.9 million as of December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2015, there were $102.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit Facility agreement, approximately $36.0 million was available to be drawn on such date. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Credit, which included loans with a fair value of $282.0 million as of December 31, 2015.

The Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate principal amount up to $200.0 million with an accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit up to $235.0 million, subject to consent from the lender and other customary conditions. Prior to December 29, 2020, the minimum required outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility are $155 million, unless the accordion feature is exercised, at which time the minimum required outstanding borrowings will be $175 million.

Under the Credit Facility, there are two coverage tests that WhiteHorse Credit must meet on specified compliance dates in order to permit WhiteHorse Credit to make new borrowings under the Credit Facility and to make distributions in the ordinary course — a borrowing base test and a market value test. The borrowing base test compares, at any given time, the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances under the Credit Facility less the amount of principal proceeds in respect of the collateral on deposit in the accounts to the net asset value of the collateral, as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation. To meet the borrowing base test, this ratio must be less than or equal to 50%, as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation. To meet the market value test, the value of WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio investments must exceed a minimum of 165% of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation.

Advances under the Credit Facility are based on the three month LIBOR plus an annual spread of 2.75%. Interest is generally payable quarterly in arrears. WhiteHorse Credit is required to pay a non-usage fee which accrues at 1.00% per annum (or 0.60% per annum with respect to any date in which the aggregated amount of outstanding borrowings is greater than 77.5% of the total commitments), on the average daily unused amount of the financing commitments, to the extent the aggregate principal amount available under the Credit Facility has not been borrowed. The non-usage fee was waived through September 22, 2016 while borrowings under the Credit Facility exceeded $100 million. WhiteHorse Credit paid an upfront fee and incurred certain other customary costs and expenses in connection with obtaining the Credit Facility. Any amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on December 29, 2021.

The Credit Facility and the related documents require WhiteHorse Finance and WhiteHorse Credit to, among other things, agree to make certain customary representations and to comply with customary affirmative and negative covenants. The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default for credit facilities of this nature, including breaches of representations, warranties or covenants by WhiteHorse Finance or WhiteHorse Credit, the occurrence of a change in control, or failure to maintain certain required ratios.

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If we fail to perform our obligations under the credit agreement or the related agreements, an event of default may occur under the credit agreement, which could cause the Lender to accelerate all of the outstanding debt and other obligations under the Credit Facility or to exercise other remedies under the Credit Facility. Any such developments could have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations.

If any of our contractual obligations discussed above is terminated, our costs under new agreements that we enter into may increase. In addition, we will likely incur significant time and expense in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our Investment Advisory Agreement and our Administration Agreement. Any new investment management agreement would also be subject to approval by our stockholders.

Senior Notes

On July 23, 2013, we completed a public offering of $30.0 million of aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, the net proceeds of which were used to reduce outstanding obligations under our Unsecured Term Loan (as defined below). Interest on the Senior Notes were paid quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, at an annual rate of 6.50%. The Senior Notes would have matured on July 31, 2020. The Senior Notes were our direct senior unsecured obligations and were structurally subordinate to borrowings under the Credit Facility. The Senior Notes were previously listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WHFBL.”

On July 10, 2018, we notified American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the trustee for our Senior Notes, of our election to redeem the $30 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding, and instructed the trustee to provide notice of such redemption to the holders of the Senior Notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture agreement under which the Senior Notes were issued. The redemption was completed on August 9, 2018 and the Senior Notes were delisted from the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

On July 13, 2018, we entered into an agreement governing the issuance of $30 million aggregate principal amount the Private Notes to qualified institutional investors in a private placement offered in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Private Notes have a fixed interest rate of 6.00% and are due on August 7, 2023, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with the terms of the Private Notes. Interest on the Private Notes will be due semiannually, and the interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.50%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. In addition, we are obligated to offer to repay the Private Notes at par if certain change in control events occur. The Private Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all of our outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us. The closing of the transaction occurred on August 7, 2018. We used the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem all of our Senior Notes, as discussed above.

Distributions

During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we declared to stockholders distributions of $0.355 per share, for total distributions of $7.3 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

During each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we declared distributions of $1.42 per share for total distributions of $27.6 million, $26.0 million and $22.5 million, respectively. We monitor available net investment income to determine if a return of capital for taxation purposes may occur for the fiscal year.

To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for a fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to our stockholders may be the original capital invested by the stockholder rather than our income or gains. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we estimate that distributions to stockholders did not include any return of capital, but included $3.8 million of long-term capital gains, for tax purposes, based on current earnings for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. Notices to stockholders will be provided in accordance with Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act. For the year ended December 31, 2017, distributions to stockholders did not include a return of capital, but did include

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approximately $0.9 million relating to long-term capital gains, for tax purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2016, distributions to stockholders did not include a return of capital for tax purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2015, distributions to stockholders included a return of capital of $0.8 million for tax purposes.

The specific tax characteristics of the distribution are reported to stockholders subject to tax reporting on Form 1099-DIV after the end of each calendar year and in our periodic reports with the SEC. Stockholders should read any written disclosure accompanying a distribution payment carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.

Portfolio Investments and Yield

As of June 30, 2018, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 52 positions in 36 companies with an aggregate fair value of $511.4 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers and nearly all of those loans were variable-rate investments (primarily indexed to LIBOR) with the single fixed-rate loan investment representing less than 0.1% based on fair value. As of June 30, 2018, our portfolio had an average investment size of $9.8 million based on fair value, with investment sizes ranging from less than $0.1 million to $37.4 million and a weighted average effective yield of 12.0% on our income-producing investments. The weighted average effective yield on our total portfolio, including equities, was 11.4% as of this date.

As of December 31, 2017, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 43 positions in 32 companies with an aggregate fair value of $440.7 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers and approximately 99.9% of those loans were variable-rate investments (primarily indexed to LIBOR) based on fair value. As of December 31, 2017, our portfolio had an average investment size of $10.2 million based on fair value, with investment sizes ranging from less than $0.1 million to $25.7 million and a weighted average effective yield of 11.9% on our income-producing investments. The weighted average effective yield on our total portfolio, including equities, was 11.4% as of this date.

As of December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 37 positions in 29 companies with an aggregate fair value of $411.7 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers and approximately 99.8% of those loans were variable-rate investments (primarily indexed to LIBOR). As of December 31, 2016, our portfolio had an average investment size of $10.8 million, with investment sizes ranging from less than $0.2 million to $26.7 million and a weighted average effective yield of 11.8% on our income-producing investments. The weighted average effective yield on our total portfolio, including equities, was 11.1% as of this date.

As of December 31, 2015, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 35 positions in 29 companies with an aggregate fair value of $415.3 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers and approximately 97.1% of those loans were variable-rate investments (primarily indexed to LIBOR). As of December 31, 2015, our portfolio had an average investment size of $12.3 million, with investment sizes ranging from less than $0.1 million to $41.0 million and a weighted average effective yield of 11.8% on our income-producing investments. The weighted average effective yield on our total portfolio, including equities, was 11.0% as of this date.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we invested $164.5 million in new and existing portfolio companies, partially offset by repayments and sales of $116.2 million. Proceeds from sales totaled $4.8 million while repayments included $4.4 million of scheduled repayments and $107.0 million of unscheduled repayments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, we invested $86.5 million in new and existing portfolio companies, partially offset by repayments and sales of $65.7 million. Proceeds from sales totaled $9.1 million while repayments included $5.1 million of scheduled repayments and $51.5 million of unscheduled repayments.

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For the year ended December 31, 2017, we invested $137.6 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $120.6 million. Proceeds from sales totaled $11.7 million while repayments included $25.9 million of scheduled repayments and $83.0 million of unscheduled repayments.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, WhiteHorse Finance invested $121.5 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $133.7 million. Repayments included $23.4 million of scheduled repayments and $110.3 million of unscheduled repayments.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, WhiteHorse Finance invested $167.7 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $135.0 million. Proceeds from sales totaled $38.3 million while repayments included $14.7 million of scheduled repayments and $82.0 million of unscheduled repayments.

We actively monitor and manage our portfolio with regard to individual company performance as well as general market conditions. Investment decisions on new originations generally include an analysis of the impact of the new loan on our broader portfolio, including a “top-down” assessment of portfolio diversification and risk exposure. This assessment includes a review of portfolio concentration by issuer, industry, geography and type of credit as well as an evaluation of our portfolio’s exposure to macroeconomic factors and cyclical trends.

We believe that consistent, active monitoring of individual companies and the broader market is integral to portfolio management and a critical component of our investment process. Our Investment Adviser uses several methods to evaluate and monitor the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:

As part of the monitoring process, our Investment Adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. This risk rating system is intended to identify and assess risks relative to when we initially made the investment and could be impacted by such factors as company-specific performance, changes in collateral, changes in potential exit opportunities or macroeconomic conditions.

All investments are initially assigned a rating of 2, as this grade represents a company that is meeting initial expectations with regard to performance and outlook. A rating may be improved to a 1 if, in the opinion of our Investment Adviser, a portfolio company’s risk of loss has been reduced relative to initial expectations. An investment will be assigned a rating of 3 if the risk of loss has increased relative to initial expectations and will be assigned a rating of 4 if our investment principal is at a material risk of not being fully repaid. A rating of 5 indicates an investment is in payment default and has significant risk of not receiving full repayment.

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The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value:

		June 30, 2018								December 31, 2017								December 31, 2016
Investment Performance Rating		Investments at Fair Value (in millions)				Percentage of Total Portfolio				Investments at Fair Value (in millions)				Percentage of Total Portfolio				Investments at Fair Value (in millions)				Percentage of Total Portfolio
1		$	66.1				12.9	%		$	—				—	%		$	—				—	%
2			376.5				73.7				369.7				83.9				358.2				87.0
3			68.7				13.4				70.8				16.1				53.5				13.0
4			0.1				0.0				0.2				0.0				—				—
5			—				—				—				—				—				—
Total Portfolio		$	511.4				100.00	%		$	440.7				100.0	%		$	411.7				100.0	%

Inflation

Inflation has not had a significant effect on our results of operations in any of the reporting periods presented in our consolidated financial statements. However, from time to time, inflation may impact the operating results of our portfolio companies.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We may become a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of our business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. These instruments may include commitments to extend credit and involve elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2018, we had commitments to fund approximately $9.0 million of revolving lines of credit or delayed draw facilities to our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had commitments to fund approximately $6.4 million and $0.0 million, respectively, of revolving lines of credit or delayed draw facilities to our portfolio companies. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we funded commitments of $3.9 and $6.3 million, respectively relating to new and existing investments that were outstanding as of June 30, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we funded commitments of $0 million that were outstanding as of December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we funded commitments of $14.0 million that were outstanding as of December 31, 2015.

Distributions

In order to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC and to avoid the imposition of corporate-level tax on income, we must meet the Annual Distribution Requirement.

The timing and amount of our quarterly distributions, if any, are determined by our board of directors. While we intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution, we may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of our distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions due to the asset coverage requirements applicable to us as a business development company under the 1940 Act. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including the possible loss of our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions.

We have adopted an “opt out” distribution reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock unless a stockholder specifically “opts out” of our distribution reinvestment plan. If a stockholder “opts out,” that stockholder receives cash distributions. Although distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions, stockholders participating in our distribution reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash distributions with which to pay any such applicable taxes.

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Contractual Obligations

A summary of our significant contractual payment obligations as of June 30, 2018 is as follows:

		Payments Due by Period (Dollars in millions)
		Total				Less Than 1 Year				1 – 3 Years				3 – 5 Years				More Than 5 Years
Credit Facility		$	187.8			$	—			$	—			$	187.8			$	—
Senior Notes(1)			30.0				—				30.0				—				—
Total contractual obligations		$	217.8			$	—			$	30.0			$	187.8			$	—

As of June 30, 2018, we had $12.2 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility.

We entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers in accordance with the 1940 Act. The Investment Advisory Agreement became effective upon the pricing of the IPO. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WhiteHorse Advisers manages our day-to-day investment operations and provides us with access to personnel and an investment committee and certain other resources so that we may fulfill our obligation to act as portfolio manager of WhiteHorse Credit under the Credit Facility. Payments under the Investment Advisory Agreement in future periods will be equal to (1) a management fee equal to a percentage of the value of our consolidated gross assets and (2) an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Business — Management Agreements — Investment Advisory Agreement.”

We also entered into the Administration Agreement with WhiteHorse Administration on December 4, 2012. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration furnishes us with office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. WhiteHorse Administration also furnishes us with the resources necessary for us to act as portfolio manager to WhiteHorse Credit under the Credit Facility. If requested to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, WhiteHorse Administration will be paid an additional amount based on the services provided, which amount will not, in any case, exceed the amount we receive from the portfolio companies for such services. Payments under the Administration Agreement will be based upon our allocable portion of WhiteHorse Administration’s overhead expenses in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer along with their respective staffs. See “Business — Management Agreements — Administration Agreement.”

Related Party Transactions

We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:

WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration or their respective affiliates may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives. In serving in these multiple capacities, WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration or their respective affiliates may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Such persons may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment funds or accounts advised by or affiliated with WhiteHorse Advisers or WhiteHorse Administration. WhiteHorse Advisers or its affiliates will seek to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in

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a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, we can offer no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

We depend on the communications and information systems and policies of WhiteHorse Advisers and its affiliates as well as certain third-party service providers to monitor and prevent cybersecurity incidents. Our board of directors and management periodically review and assess the effectiveness of such communications and information systems and policies.

Impact of Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among other things, permanently reduces the maximum federal corporate income tax rate, reduces the maximum individual income tax rate (effective for taxable years 2018 through 2025), restricts the deductibility of business interest expense, changes the rules regarding the calculation of net operating loss deductions that may be used to offset taxable income, expands the circumstances in which a foreign corporation will be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” and, under certain circumstances, requires accrual method taxpayers to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than the income is taken into account as revenue in an applicable financial statement. Although we currently believe the new tax law will not have a material impact on us, the effects of the various provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act listed above on the respective tax positions of us, our stockholders and our portfolio companies depend on the factual circumstances of each, over time.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. We have identified the following as critical accounting policies.

Principles of Consolidation

Under the investment company financial accounting guidance, as formally codified in ASC Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies, we are precluded from consolidating any entity other than another investment company. As provided under ASC Topic 946, we generally consolidate any investment company when we own 100% of its partners’ or members’ capital or equity units. We own a 100% equity interest in each of WhiteHorse Credit and WhiteHorse Warehouse, which are investment companies for accounting purposes. As such, we have consolidated the accounts of WhiteHorse Credit and its subsidiary, WhiteHorse California, and WhiteHorse Warehouse into our financial statements. As a result of this consolidation, the amount outstanding under Credit Facility is treated as our indebtedness.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

We value our investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. ASC Topic 820’s definition of fair value focuses on exit price in the principal, or most advantageous, market and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs within a measurement of fair value.

Our portfolio consists primarily of debt investments. These investments are valued at their bid quotations obtained from unaffiliated market makers or other financial institutions that trade in similar investments or based on prices provided by independent third party pricing services. For investments where there are no available bid quotations, fair value is derived using proprietary models that consider the analyses of independent valuation agents as well as credit risk, liquidity, market credit spreads and other applicable factors for similar transactions.

Due to the nature of our strategy, our portfolio includes relatively illiquid investments that are privately held. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our NAV could be materially

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affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

Our board of directors is ultimately responsible for determining the fair value of the portfolio investments that are not publicly traded, whose market prices are not readily available on a quarterly basis in good faith or any other situation where portfolio investments require a fair value determination. Our board has retained one or more independent valuation firms to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that does not have a readily available market quotation at least once during each 12-month period. Independent valuation firms retained by our board provide a valuation review on approximately 25% of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available each quarter to ensure that the fair value of each investment for which a market quote is not readily available is reviewed by an independent valuation firm at least once during each 12-month period. However, our board does not intend to have de minimis investments of less than 2.0% of our total assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our total assets) independently reviewed.

The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion of our valuations of portfolio companies without market quotations subject to review by one or more independent valuation firms each quarter. When an external event occurs with respect to one of our portfolio companies, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we expect to use the pricing indicated by such external event to corroborate our valuation.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

Fair value of publicly traded instruments is generally based on quoted market prices. Fair value of non-publicly traded instruments, and of publicly traded instruments for which quoted market prices are not readily available, may be determined based on other relevant factors, including without limitation, quotations from unaffiliated market makers or independent third party pricing services, the price activity of equivalent instruments and valuation pricing models. For those investments valued using quotations, the bid price is generally used unless we determine that it is not representative of an exit price.

Fair value is the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation models involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity. Our fair value analysis includes an analysis of the value of any unfunded loan commitments. Financial investments recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are categorized for disclosure purposes based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. The valuation hierarchical levels are based upon the transparency of the inputs to the valuation of the investment as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

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Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active public markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2:  Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:  Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Investments for which fair value is determined using inputs defined above as Level 3 are fair valued using the income and market approaches, which may include the discounted cash flow method, reference to performance statistics of industry comparables, relative comparable yield analysis and, in certain cases, third party valuations performed by independent valuation firms. The valuation methods can reference various factors and use various inputs such as assumed growth rates, capitalization rates and discount rates, loan-to-value ratios, liquidation value, relative capital structure priority, market comparables, compliance with applicable loan, covenant and interest coverage performance, book value, market derived multiples, reserve valuation, assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower, review of ongoing performance, review of financial projections as compared to actual performance, review of interest rate and yield risk. Such factors may be given different weighting depending on our assessment of the underlying investment, and we may analyze apparently comparable investments in different ways. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to our Business and Structure — Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our NAV through increased net unrealized depreciation.”

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Fair value for each investment is derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment committee of the Investment Adviser are most relevant to such investment, including being based on one or more of the following: (i) market prices obtained from market makers for which the investment committee has deemed there to be enough breadth (number of quotes) and depth (firm bids) to be indicative of fair value, (ii) the price paid or realized in a completed transaction or binding offer received in an arms’-length transaction, (iii) a discounted cash flow analysis, (iv) the guideline public company method, (v) the similar transaction method or (vi) the option pricing method.

Investment Transactions and Related Investment Income and Expense

We record our investment transactions on a trade date basis, which is the date when we have determined that all material terms have been defined for the transactions. These transactions could possibly settle on a subsequent date depending on the transaction type. All related revenue and expenses attributable to these transactions are reflected on our consolidated statements of operations commencing on the trade date unless otherwise specified by the transaction documents. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are recorded on the specific identification method.

We accrue interest income if we expect that ultimately we will be able to collect it. Generally, when an interest payment default occurs on a loan in our portfolio, or if our management otherwise believes that the issuer of the loan will not be able to service the loan and other obligations, we place the loan on non-accrual status and will cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest is current through payment or until a restructuring occurs, such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. However, we remain contractually entitled to this interest. We may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is written off when it becomes probable that such interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated. Any original issue discount as well as any other market purchase discount or premium on debt investments, are accreted or amortized to interest income or expense, respectively, over the maturity periods of the

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investments. Dividend income is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies and on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Interest expense is recorded on an accrual basis. Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral appraisals may arise when we make certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as they are incurred.

Loan Origination, Facility, Commitment and Amendment Fees

We may receive fees in addition to interest income from the loans during the life of the investment. We may receive origination fees upon the origination of an investment. We defer these origination fees and deduct them from the cost basis of the investment and subsequently accrete them into income over the term of the loan. We may receive facility, commitment and amendment fees, which are paid to us on an ongoing basis. We accrue facility fees, sometimes referred to as asset management fees, as a percentage periodic fee on the base amount (either the funded facility amount or the committed principal amount). Commitment fees are based upon the undrawn portion committed by us and we record them on an accrual basis. Amendment fees are paid in connection with loan amendments and waivers and we account for them upon completion of the amendments or waivers, generally when such fees are receivable. We include any such fees in fee income on the consolidated statements of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. Under current guidance, entities generally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. The new guidance shortened the amortization period for the premium to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures but do not expect this guidance to have a material impact as we do not hold any material purchased callable debt securities at a premium.

During January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new guidance is expected to reduce the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated as businesses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

During November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230 ): Restricted Cash, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts presented on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The amendment should be adopted retrospectively. We adopted this ASU effective December 31, 2017. The adoption of this ASU impacted the presentation of cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated statements of cash flows with inclusion of restricted cash for each of the periods presented.

During August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues including, among other things, the classification of debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after

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December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our cash flows or disclosures.

During January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which, among other things, requires that (i) all equity investments, other than equity-method investments, in unconsolidated entities generally be measured at fair value through earnings and (ii) an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. Additionally, this ASU changes the disclosure requirements for financial instruments. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and the interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures as we do not hold any investments at amortized cost.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations, which clarifies the guidance in ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, an update on identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which includes amendments for enhanced clarification of the guidance. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The amendments in this update are of a similar nature to the items typically addressed in the technical corrections and improvements project. Additionally, in February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income — Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets, an update clarifying that a financial asset is within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 if it is deemed an “in-substance non-financial asset.” All of the guidance issued in conjunction with ASU 2014-09 have the same effective date as the original standard and should be adopted concurrent with the adoption of ASU 2014-09. We adopted the revised provisions to ASC Topic 606 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this guidance did not result in a change to the accounting for any of our revenue streams; as such, no cumulative effect adjustment was recorded.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. During the period covered by our financial statements, many of the loans in our portfolio had floating interest rates, and we expect that many of our loans to portfolio companies in the future will also have floating interest rates. These loans are usually based on a floating rate based on LIBOR that resets quarterly to the applicable LIBOR. Interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. Since we plan to use debt to finance investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.

Assuming that the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2018 was to remain constant and that we took no actions to alter our existing interest rate sensitivity, the following table shows the annualized impact of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands):

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Basis point increase		Increase in Interest Income				Increase in Interest Expense				Net Increase
100		$	5,633			$	1,878			$	3,755
200			10,270				3,756				6,514
300			14,907				5,634				9,273
400			19,544				7,512				12,032
500			24,181				9,390				14,791

As of June 30, 2018, nearly all of the floating rate investments in our portfolio had interest rate floors. Variable-rate investments subject to a floor generally reset periodically to the applicable floor and, in the case of investments in our portfolio, quarterly to a floor based on LIBOR, only if the floor exceeds the index. Under these loans, we do not benefit from increases in interest rates until such rates exceed the floor and thereafter benefit from market rates above any such floor. As of June 30, 2018, LIBOR was above the floor for all variable-rate investments.

Although management believes that this analysis is indicative of our existing sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for changes in the credit markets, the size, credit quality or composition of the assets in our portfolio and other business developments, including borrowing, that could affect net increase in net assets resulting from operations or net income. It also does not adjust for the effect of the time-lag between a change in the relevant interest rate index and the rate adjustment under the applicable loan. Accordingly, we can offer no assurances that actual results would not differ materially from the statement above.

We may in the future hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the investments in our portfolio with fixed interest rates.

SENIOR SECURITIES
(In Thousands)

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following tables as of December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and as of June 30, 2018. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The “ — ” indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.

Class and Year		Total Amount Outstanding(1)				Asset Coverage per Unit(2)				Involuntary Liquidating Preference per Unit(3)				Average Market Value per Unit(4)
Credit Facility(5)
Fiscal 2018 (as of June 30, 2018, unaudited)		$	187,800			$	2,418			$	—				N/A
Fiscal 2017			155,000				2,576				—				N/A
Fiscal 2016			155,000				2,368				—				N/A
Fiscal 2015			102,000				2,305				—				N/A
Fiscal 2014			105,500				2,183				—				N/A
Fiscal 2013			25,000				3,064				—				N/A
Fiscal 2012			51,250				2,622				—				N/A
Senior Notes(6)
Fiscal 2018 (as of June 30, 2018, unaudited)		$	30,000			$	2,418			$	—			$	1,023
Fiscal 2017			30,000				2,576				—				1,026
Fiscal 2016			30,000				2,368				—				1,005
Fiscal 2015			30,000				2,305				—				1,010
Fiscal 2014			30,000				2,183				—				1,006
Fiscal 2013			30,000				3,064				—				982

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Class and Year		Total Amount Outstanding(1)				Asset Coverage per Unit(2)				Involuntary Liquidating Preference per Unit(3)				Average Market Value per Unit(4)
Unsecured Term Loan(7)
Fiscal 2015		$	55,000			$	2,305			$	—				N/A
Fiscal 2014			55,000				2,183				—				N/A
Fiscal 2013			55,000				3,064				—				N/A
Fiscal 2012			90,000				2,622				—				N/A

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock began trading on December 5, 2012 and is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WHF”. The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter since January 1, 2016, the NAV per share of our common stock, the high and low closing sales price for our common stock, such closing sales price as a premium or discount to our NAV per share and quarterly distributions declared per share.

Period		NAV(1)				Closing Sales Price								Premium (Discount of High Sales Price to NAV(2)				(Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV(2)				Distributions Declared Per Share(3)
						High				Low
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2018
Fourth Quarter (as of October 19, 2018)			N/A			$	13.90			$	13.05				N/A				N/A			$	—
Third Quarter			N/A				15.29				13.80				N/A				N/A				0.355
Second Quarter			14.87				15.80				12.52				6.3	%			(15.8	)%			0.355
First Quarter			14.30				13.38				10.99				(6.4	)			(23.1	)			0.355
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
Fourth Quarter		$	13.98			$	15.04			$	13.42				7.6	%			(4.0	)%		$	0.355
Third Quarter			13.92				14.90				13.15				7.1				(5.5	)			0.355
Second Quarter			13.83				14.65				13.30				5.9				(3.8	)			0.355
First Quarter			13.80				13.86				12.22				0.5				(11.4 )				0.355

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Period		NAV(1)				Closing Sales Price								Premium (Discount of High Sales Price to NAV(2)				(Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV(2)				Distributions Declared Per Share(3)
						High				Low
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
Fourth Quarter		$	13.63			$	12.61			$	10.40				(7.5	)%			(23.7	)%		$	0.355
Third Quarter			13.48				12.07				10.89				(10.5	)			(19.2	)			0.355
Second Quarter			13.37				10.98				9.81				(17.9	)			(26.6	)			0.355
First Quarter			13.28				12.25				9.38				(7.8	)			(29.4	)			0.355

Shares of business development companies may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount or premium to NAV is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether our shares will trade at, above or below NAV in the future.

The last reported closing market price of our common stock on October 19, 2018 was $13.05 per share. As of October 19, 2018, we had 17 stockholders of record.

During the six months ended June 30, 2018, we estimate that distributions to stockholders did not include any return of capital, but included $3.8 million of long-term capital gains, for tax purposes, based on current earnings for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, distributions to stockholders did not include a return of capital, but did include approximately $0.9 million relating to long-term capital gains, for tax purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2016, distributions to stockholders did not include a return of capital for tax purposes.

Our distributions, if any, are determined by the board of directors. We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC each taxable year, we must meet the Annual Distribution Requirement. In addition, we are subject to ordinary income and capital gain distribution requirements under U.S. federal excise tax rules with respect to each calendar year. If we do not meet the required distributions with respect to any calendar year we will generally be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on the undistributed amount. See “Tax Matters — Taxation as a RIC.”

We currently intend to distribute net capital gains (i.e. net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. However, we may decide in the future to retain such capital gains for investment and elect to treat such gains as deemed distributions to you. If this happens, stockholders will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they had received an actual distribution of the capital gains that we retain and reinvested the net after tax proceeds in us. In this situation, stockholders would be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. See “Tax Matters — Taxation of U.S. Stockholders.” We cannot assure you that we will achieve results that will permit us to pay any cash distributions, and if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so would cause us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if such distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

We have adopted a distribution reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividends and other distributions on behalf of our stockholders. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our stockholders who have not “opted out” of our distribution reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.

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SALES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE

Our stockholders may give approval for us to sell shares of our common stock below our then-current NAV per share during a 12-month period in one or more public offerings of our common stock in the future. In making a determination that an offering below NAV per share is in our and our stockholders’ best interests, our board of directors, a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the sale and a majority of our independent directors considered a variety of factors, including:

Our board of directors will also consider the fact that a sale of shares of common stock at a discount will benefit our Investment Adviser, as the Investment Adviser will earn additional investment management fees on the proceeds of such offerings, as it would from the offering of any other securities of WhiteHorse Finance or from the offering of common stock at premium to NAV per share.

Sales by us of our common stock at a discount from NAV pose potential risks for our existing stockholders whether or not they participate in the offering, as well as for new investors who participate in the offering.

We will not seek to sell shares under a prospectus supplement to the registration statement, or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part (as used in this section, the “current registration statement”) if the cumulative dilution to our NAV per share arising from offerings from the effective date of the current registration statement through and including any follow-on offering would exceed 15% based on the anticipated pricing of such follow-on offering. This limit would be measured separately for each offering pursuant to the current registration statement by calculating the percentage dilution or accretion to aggregate NAV from that offering and then summing the anticipated percentage dilution from each subsequent offering.

For example, if our most recently determined NAV per share at the time of the first offering is $10.00, and we have 100,000,000 shares outstanding, the sale of an additional 25,000,000 shares at net proceeds to us of $5.00 per share (a 50% discount) would produce dilution of 10.0%.

If we subsequently determined that our NAV per share increased to $11.00 on the then outstanding 125,000,000 shares and contemplated an additional offering, we could, for example, propose to sell approximately 31,250,000 additional shares at a price that would be expected to yield net proceeds to us of $8.25 per share, resulting in incremental dilution of 5.0%, before we would reach the aggregate 15% limit. If we file a new post-effective amendment, the threshold would reset.

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The following three headings and accompanying tables explain and provide hypothetical examples assuming proceeds are temporarily invested in cash equivalents on the impact of an offering at a price less than NAV per share on three different sets of investors:

Impact on Existing Stockholders who do not Participate in the Offering

Our existing stockholders who do not participate, or who are not given the opportunity to participate, in an offering below NAV per share or who do not buy additional shares of common stock in the secondary market at the same or lower price we obtain in the offering (after any underwriting discounts and commissions) face the greatest potential risks. All stockholders will experience an immediate decrease (often called dilution) in the NAV of the shares of common stock they hold. Stockholders who do not participate in the offering will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than stockholders who do participate in the offering. All stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares of common stock, which often reflects, to some degree, announced or potential increases and decreases in NAV per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increase.

The following examples illustrate the level of NAV dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating stockholder in three different hypothetical common stock offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.

The examples assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, $15.0 million in total assets and $5.0 million in total liabilities. The current NAV and NAV per share are thus $10.0 million and $10.00, respectively. The table below illustrates the dilutive effect on nonparticipating Stockholder A of (1) an offering of 50,000 shares (5% of the outstanding shares) at $9.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 5% discount from NAV); (2) an offering of 100,000 shares (10% of the outstanding shares) at $9.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 10% discount from NAV); (3) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $7.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 25% discount from NAV); and (4) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $0.001 per share after offering expenses and commissions (effectively a 100% discount from NAV). The 100% column in the following table is presented for illustrative purposes only, as our directors would not be able to approve such an offering under Delaware law.

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						Example 1 5% Offering at 5% Discount								Example 2 10% Offering at 10% Discount								Example 3 25% Offering at 25% Discount								Example 4 25% Offering at 100% Discount
		Prior to Sale Below NAV				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change
Offering Price
Price per share to public			—			$	10.00				—			$	9.47				—			$	7.89				—			$	0.001				—
Net proceeds per share to issuer			—			$	9.50				—			$	9.00				—			$	7.50				—			$	0.001				—
Decrease to NAV
Total shares outstanding			1,000,000				1,050,000				5.00	%			1,100,000				10.00	%			1,250,000				25.00	%			1,250,000				25.00	%
NAV per share		$	10.00			$	9.98				(0.20	)%		$	9.91				(0.90	)%		$	9.50				(5.00	)%		$	8.00				(20.00	)%
Dilution to Stockholder
Shares held by Stockholder A			10,000				10,000				—				10,000				—				10,000				—				10,000				—
Percentage held by Stockholder A			1.00	%			0.95	%			(5.00	)%			0.91	%			(9.00	)%			0.80	%			(20.00	)%			0.80	%			(20.00	)%
Total Asset Values
Total NAV held by Stockholder A		$	100,000			$	99,800				(0.20	)%		$	99,100				(0.90	)%		$	95,000				(5.00	)%		$	80,000				(20.00	)%
Total investment by Stockholder A (assumed to be $10.00 per Share)		$	100,000			$	100,000				—			$	100,000				—			$	100,000				—			$	100,000				—
Total dilution to Stockholder A (total NAV less total investment)			—			$	(200	)			—			$	(900	)			—			$	(5,000	)			—			$	(20,000	)			—
Per Share Amounts
NAV per share held by Stockholder A			—			$	9.98				—			$	9.91				—			$	9.50				—			$	8.00				—
Investment per share held by Stockholder A (assumed to be $10.00 per share on shares held prior to sale)		$	10.00			$	10.00				—			$	10.00				—			$	10.00				—			$	10.00				—
Dilution per share held by Stockholder A (NAV per share less investment per share)			—			$	(0.02	)			—			$	(0.09	)			—			$	(0.50	)			—			$	(2.00	)			—
Percentage dilution to Stockholder A (dilution per share divided by investment per share)			—				—				(0.20	)%			—				(0.90	)%			—				(5.00	)%			—				(20.00	)%

Impact on Existing Stockholders who Participate in the Offering

Our existing stockholders who participate in an offering below NAV per share or who buy additional shares of common stock in the secondary market at the same or lower price as we obtain in the offering (after any underwriting discounts and commissions) will experience the same types of NAV dilution as the nonparticipating stockholders, albeit at a lower level, to the extent they purchase less than the same percentage of the discounted offering as their interest in our shares of common stock immediately prior to the offering. The level of NAV dilution on an aggregate basis will decrease as the number of shares of common stock such stockholders purchase increases. Existing stockholders who buy more than such percentage will experience NAV dilution but will, in contrast to existing stockholders who purchase less than their proportionate share of the offering, experience an increase (often called accretion) in NAV per share over their investment per share and will also experience a disproportionately greater increase in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to the offering. The level of accretion will increase as the excess number of shares of common stock such stockholder purchases increases. Even a stockholder who over-participates will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such stockholder does not participate, in which case such a stockholder will experience NAV dilution as described above in such subsequent offerings. These stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some

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degree announced or potential increases and decreases in NAV per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discount to NAV increases.

The examples assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, $15.0 million in total assets and $5.0 million in total liabilities. The current NAV and NAV per share are thus $10.0 million and $10.00, respectively. The table below illustrates the (dilutive) and accretive effect in the hypothetical 25% discount offering from the prior chart for Stockholder A that acquires shares equal to (1) 50% of their proportionate share of the offering (i.e., 1,250 shares, which is 0.50% of the offering of 250,000 shares rather than their 1.00% proportionate share) and (2) 150% of their proportionate share of the offering (i.e., 3,750 shares, which is 1.50% of the offering of 250,000 shares rather than their 1.00% proportionate share). The prospectus supplement pursuant to which any discounted offering is made will include a chart for this example based on the actual number of shares in such offering and the actual discount from the most recently determined NAV per share.

		Prior to Sale Below NAV				50% Participation								150% Participation
						Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change
Offering Price
Price per share to public			—			$	7.89				—			$	7.89				—
Net proceeds per share to issuer			—			$	7.50				—			$	7.50				—
Increases in Shares and Decrease to NAV
Total shares outstanding			1,000,000				1,250,000				25.00	%			1,250,000				25.00	%
NAV per share		$	10.00			$	9.50				(5.00	)%		$	9.50				(5.00	)%
(Dilution)/Accretion to Participating Stockholder A
Shares held by Stockholder A			10,000				11,250				12.50	%			13,750				37.50	%
Percentage held by Stockholder A			1.0	%			0.90	%			(10.00	)%			1.10	%			10.00	%
Total Asset Values
Total NAV held by Stockholder A		$	100,000			$	106,875				6.88	%		$	130,625				30.63	%
Total investment by Stockholder A (assumed to be $10.00 per share on shares held prior to sale)		$	100,000			$	109,863				9.86	%		$	129,588				29.59	%
Total (dilution)/accretion to Stockholder A (total NAV less total investment)			—			$	(2,988	)			—			$	1,037
Per Share Amounts
NAV per share held by Stockholder A			—			$	9.50				—			$	9.50
Investment per share held by Stockholder A (assumed to be $10.00 per share on shares held prior to sale)		$	10.00			$	9.77				(2.30	)%			9.42				(5.80	)%
(Dilution)/accretion per share held by Stockholder A (NAV per share less investment per share)			—				(0.27	)			—			$	0.08				—
Percentage (dilution)/accretion to Stockholder A (dilution/accretion per share divided by investment per share)			—				—				(2.76	)%			—				0.85	%

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Impact on New Investors

The following examples illustrate the level of NAV dilution or accretion that would be experienced by a new stockholder in three different hypothetical common stock offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.

Investors who are not currently stockholders, but who participate in an offering below NAV and whose investment per share is greater than the resulting NAV per share due to any underwriting discounts and expenses paid by us will experience an immediate decrease, albeit small, in the NAV of their shares of common stock and their NAV per share compared to the price they pay for their shares. Investors who are not currently stockholders and who participate in an offering below NAV per share and whose investment per share is also less than the resulting NAV per share due to any underwriting discounts and expenses paid by us being significantly less than the discount per share, will experience an immediate increase in the NAV of their shares and their NAV per share compared to the price they pay for their shares. All these investors will experience a disproportionately greater participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests. These investors will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such new stockholder does not participate, in which case such new stockholder will experience dilution as described above in such subsequent offerings. These investors may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential increases and decreases in NAV per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increases.

The following examples illustrate the level of NAV dilution or accretion that would be experienced by a new stockholder who purchases the same percentage (1.00%) of the shares in the three different hypothetical offerings of common stock of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share. The examples assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, $15.0 million in total assets and $5.0 million in total liabilities. The current NAV and NAV per share are thus $10.0 million and $10.00, respectively. The table below illustrates the dilutive and accretive effects on Stockholder A at (1) an offering of 50,000 shares (5% of the outstanding shares) at $9.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 5% discount from NAV); (2) an offering of 100,000 shares (10% of the outstanding shares) at $9.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 10% discount from NAV); (3) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $7.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 25% discount from NAV); and (4) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $0.001 per share after offering expenses and commissions (effectively a 100% discount from NAV). The 100% column in the following table is presented for illustrative purposes only, as our directors would not be able to approve such an offering under Delaware law.

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		Prior to Sale Below NAV				Example 1 5% Offering at 5% Discount								Example 2 10% Offering at 10% Discount								Example 3 25% Offering at 25% Discount								Example 4 25% Offering at 100% Discount
						Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change
Offering Price
Price per share to public			—			$	10.00				—			$	9.47				—			$	7.89				—			$	0.001				—
Net offering proceeds per share to issuer			—			$	9.50				—			$	9.00				—			$	7.50				—			$	0.001				—
Decrease to NAV
Total shares outstanding			—				1,050,000				5.00	%			1,100,000				10.00	%			1,250,000				25.00	%			1,250,000				25.00	%
NAV per share			—			$	9.98				(0.20	)%		$	9.91				(0.90	)%		$	9.50				(5.00	)%		$	8.00				(20.00	)%
Dilution to Stockholder A
Shares held by Stockholder A			—				500				—				1,000				—				2,500				—				2,500				—
Percentage held by Stockholder A			—				0.05	%			—				0.90	%			—				0.20	%			—				0.20	%			—
Total Asset Values
Total NAV held by Stockholder A			—			$	4,990				—			$	9,910				—			$	23,750				—			$	20,000				—
Total investment by Stockholder A			—			$	5,000				—			$	9,470				—			$	19,725				—			$	2.50				—
Total (dilution)/accretion to Stockholder A (total NAV less total investment)			—			$	(10	)			—			$	440				—			$	4,025				—			$	19,997.50				—
Per Share Amounts
NAV per share held by Stockholder A			—			$	9.98				—			$	9.91				—			$	9.50				—			$	8.00				—
Investment per share held by Stockholder A			—			$	10.00				—			$	9.47				—			$	7.89				—			$	0.001				—
(Dilution)/Accretion per share held by Stockholder A (NAV per share less investment per share)			—			$	(0.02	)			—			$	0.44				—			$	1.61				—			$	8.00				—
Percentage (dilution)/accretion to Stockholder A ((dilution)/accretion per share divided by investment per share)			—				—				(0.20	)%			—				4.65	%			—				20.41	%			—				—