WHF Whitehorse Finance, Inc. - 10-K

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this annual report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, 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 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, the 1940 Act requires, among other things, that a business development company invest at least 70% of its total assets in qualifying assets. Qualifying assets include 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. 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 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 restrictions of the 1940 Act 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. If we need to dispose of investments quickly, it may be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms, or at all. For example, we may have difficulty 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.

Qualification for taxation as a RIC requires certain satisfaction of source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC generally is satisfied if we distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders on an annual basis. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate income taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of funds available for distributions to our stockholders and the amount of funds available for new investments.

The constraints imposed on us by the 1940 Act and the Code may hinder our and our Investment Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. Further, failure to operate under these constraints could have a material adverse impact on our business, our relationship with our portfolio companies and our reputation and could subject us to regulatory inquiries, enforcement actions and fines, civil litigation and possible financial liability, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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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 expertise, 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 the 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.

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, 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

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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 reduce 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.

Reductions, waivers or absorptions of fees and costs can temporarily result in higher returns to investors than they would otherwise receive if full fees and costs were charged. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates are permitted to reduce, waive or absorb some of the fees or costs otherwise due by us. While this activity can be seen as friendly to investors, reductions, waivers and absorptions of fees and costs result in higher returns to investors than such investors would receive if full fees and costs were charged. There is no guarantee that any reductions, waivers or absorptions will occur in the future, and any reductions, waivers and absorptions are entirely at the discretion of the Investment Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm (when undertaken, as noted below), may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be significant deficiencies, material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our consolidated financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Historically, we had a material weakness in our disclosure controls and procedures in the past and may identify other material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors and lenders to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We may not replicate the historical results achieved by other entities managed or sponsored by members of the 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 the 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. In recent years, these entities have attracted substantial amounts of new investment capital. Additionally, as competition for investment opportunities has increased, alternative investment

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vehicles, such as hedge funds and collateralized loan obligations, have invested in lower middle market companies. As a result of this additional capital and 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, tolerate looser covenants and other investment protections, 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 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 losses.

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 source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we 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 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 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. If we fail to meet these requirements, we may need 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 subject us to additional state, local or foreign income, franchise, withholding or other tax liabilities.

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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 OID, 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, generally we are required 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, 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, the Private Notes, or the Public Notes or if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the Credit Facility, 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, the Private Notes or the Public Notes.

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.

We may be exposed to higher risks with respect to our investments that include OID or PIK interest.

Our investments may include OID and contractual PIK interest, which typically represents contractual interest added to a loan balance and due at the end of such loan’s term. To the extent OID or PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we are exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

OID and PIK instruments may have higher yields, which reflect the payment deferral and credit risk associated with these instruments;

OID and PIK accruals may create uncertainty about the source of our distributions to stockholders;

OID and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of the collateral; and

OID and PIK instruments may represent a higher credit risk than coupon loans.

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 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.

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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. As a business development company, we are required to meet an asset coverage ratio, as defined under the 1940 Act, by the Small Business Credit Availability Act, or the SBCAA, as the ratio of our gross assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) to our outstanding senior securities of at least 150% (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) after each issuance of senior securities. See “— 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 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirement. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments at a time when such sale may be disadvantageous and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness. The issuance of senior securities exposes us 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. See “— The SBCAA allows us to incur additional leverage, which may increase the risk of investing with us.” 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 interest 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.

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 would 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.

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The SBCAA allows us to incur additional leverage, which may increase the risk of investing with us.

As a business development company, we are permitted under the 1940 Act 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, 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 May 3, 2018 and August 1, 2018, our board of directors, including a “required majority” ​(as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act), and our stockholders, respectively, approved a reduced asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150% in accordance with the SBCAA, effective on August 2, 2018. These actions increased our maximum debt to equity ratio from a prior maximum of 1.0x (equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity). As of December 31, 2025, our asset coverage for borrowed amounts was 179.1%. 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.”

Our business and the businesses of our portfolio companies are dependent on bank relationships and concerns associated with the banking system may adversely impact us.

In recent years, the financial markets experienced volatility in connection with concerns that some banks, especially small and regional banks, may have significant investment-related losses that might make it difficult to fund demands to withdraw deposits and other liquidity needs. Although the federal government has announced measures to assist certain banks and protect depositors, some banks have already been impacted and others may be adversely impacted in the future, by such volatility. Our business and the businesses of our portfolio companies are dependent on bank relationships, and we are proactively monitoring the financial health of these relationships. Continued strain on the banking system may adversely impact the business, financial condition and results of operations of us and our portfolio companies.

We hold our cash and cash equivalents that we use to meet our working capital needs in deposit accounts at multiple financial institutions. The balance held in these accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation standard deposit insurance limit or similar government guarantee schemes. If a financial institution in which we hold such funds fails or is subject to significant adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets, we could be subject to a risk of loss of all or a portion of such uninsured funds or be subject to a delay in accessing all or a portion of such uninsured funds. Any such loss or lack of access to these funds could adversely impact our short-term liquidity and ability to meet our obligations. We also maintain investment accounts with other financial institutions in which we hold our investments and, if access to the funds we use for working capital is impaired, we may not be able to sell investments or transfer funds from our investment accounts to new accounts on a timely basis sufficient to meet our working capital needs.

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 credit facilities and issuance of public and private notes. From time to time, we 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.

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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 our 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 WhiteHorse Advisers.

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 adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions to our stockholders. As of December 31, 2025, our total outstanding indebtedness was $328.5 million and our asset coverage was 179.1%.

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 our existing indebtedness or to 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 Item 1A. Risk Factors - “The SBCAA allows us to incur additional leverage, which may increase the risk of investing with us”.

In addition, the terms governing our existing indebtedness 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 instruments governing our existing indebtedness contain terms and conditions for senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement, including minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum asset coverage ratio, maximum debt to equity ratio and prohibitions on certain fundamental changes of the Company or any subsidiary guarantor. These instruments also contain 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 them, and we may not be able to refinance such arrangements on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

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The reduction of our asset coverage requirement from 200% to 150% increases the amount of debt that we are permitted to incur, 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 equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity). Increased leverage could amplify the risks associated with investing in the Company. For example, if the value of the Company’s assets decreases, although the asset base and expected revenues would be larger because increased leverage would permit the Company to acquire additional assets, leverage will cause the Company’s NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage or with lower leverage. Any decrease in the Company’s revenue would cause its net income to decline more sharply, on a relative basis, than it would have if the Company had not borrowed or had borrowed less.

The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock as of December 31, 2025, assuming that we employ leverage such that our asset coverage equals (1) our actual asset coverage as of December 31, 2025 and (2) 150%, each at various annual returns, net of expenses and as of December 31, 2025. 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)

Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming actual asset coverage (1)

Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming 150% asset coverage (2)

Assumes $615.1 million in total assets, $328.5 million in debt outstanding and $259.8 million in net assets as of December 31, 2025, and an average cost of funds of 5.35%, which is our weighted average borrowing cost as of December 31, 2025.

Assumes $806.2 million in total assets, $519.6 million in debt outstanding and $259.8 million in net assets as of December 31, 2025, and an average cost of funds of 5.56%, which would be our weighted average borrowing cost assuming 150% asset coverage as of December 31, 2025.

Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $328.5 million as of December 31, 2025 and an average cost of funds of 5.58%, 5.375%, 4.00%, 5.625%, 4.250% and 7.875%, which were the effective annualized interest rates of the 2025 CLO Notes, 5.375% 2026 Notes, 4.000% 2026 Notes, 5.625% 2027 Notes, 4.250% 2028 Notes and 7.875% 2028 Notes, respectively, as of that date, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 3.04% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.

Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $519.6 million (equal to an assumed 150% asset coverage ratio) and an average cost of funds of 5.90% 5.58%, 5.375%, 4.00%, 5.625%, 4.250% and 7.875%, which were the effective annualized interest rates of the Credit Facility, 2025 CLO Notes 5.375% 2026 Notes, 4.000% 2026 Notes, 5.625% 2027 Notes, 4.250% 2028 Notes and 7.875% 2028 Notes, respectively, as of December 31, 2025, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 3.75% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness. The annualized interest rate of 5.90% on the Credit Facility assumes a spread on outstanding indebtedness of 2.25% plus three-month SOFR of 3.65% as of December 31, 2025.

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

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investments. If we are unable 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.

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. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

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 also is limited by rules adopted by the CFTC. Our Investment Adviser has claimed Exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the CEA and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under such Act. The Investment Adviser intends to affirm the Exclusion on an annual basis, and as of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, has affirmed the Exclusion through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

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.

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates, including increasing the difficulty for portfolio companies paying loans

Interest rate risk refers to the risk of market changes in interest rates. Interest rate changes affect the value of debt. In general, rising interest rates will negatively impact the price of fixed rate debt, and falling interest rates will have a positive effect on price. Adjustable rate debt also reacts to interest rate changes in a similar manner, although generally to a lesser degree. Interest rate sensitivity is generally larger and less predictable in debt with uncertain payment or prepayment schedules. Further, rising interest rates make it more difficult for borrowers to repay debt, which could increase the risk of payment 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.

From March 2022 to July 2023, the Federal Reserve periodically raised interest rates to combat inflation concerns and maintained the same benchmark rate from July 2023 to September 2024. While the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rates through 2025, future reduction to benchmark rates are not certain. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve will not make upwards adjustments to the federal funds rate in the future.

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Our portfolio primarily consists of fixed and floating rate investments. Market prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed-rate securities that have longer maturities. Although we have no policy governing the maturities of our investments, under current market conditions we expect that we will invest in a portfolio of debt generally having maturities of up to 10 years. Market prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to decline as interest rates rise.

This means that we are subject to greater risk (other things being equal) than a fund invested solely in shorter-term, fixed-rate securities. Market prices for floating rate investments may also fluctuate in rising rate environments with prices tending to decline when credit spreads widen. A decline in the prices of the debt we own could adversely affect our net assets resulting from operations and the market price of our common stock.

If general interest rates rise, there is a risk that the portfolio companies in which we hold floating rate securities 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. In addition, rising interest rates may increase pressure on us to provide fixed rate loans to our portfolio companies, which could adversely affect our net investment income, as increases in our cost of borrowed funds would not be accompanied by increased interest income from such fixed-rate investments.

Inflation has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.

Certain of our portfolio companies are in industries that have been impacted by inflation. Recent inflationary pressures have increased the costs of labor, energy and raw materials and have adversely affected consumer spending, economic growth and our portfolio companies’ operations. If such portfolio companies are unable to pass any increases in their costs of operations along to their customers, it could adversely affect their operating results and impact their ability to pay interest and principal on our loans, particularly if interest rates rise in response to inflation. In addition, any projected future decreases in our portfolio companies’ operating results due to inflation could adversely impact the fair value of those investments. Any decreases in the fair value of our investments could result in future realized or unrealized losses and therefore reduce our net assets resulting from operations. See “Risk Factors — We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates, including increasing the difficulty for portfolio companies paying loans.”

We may expose ourselves to risks by engaging in hedging transactions.

We currently engage in currency or interest rate hedging transactions as such transactions are permitted under the 1940 Act and applicable commodities law. By engaging in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions, including the risk of counterparty default. In this regard, we utilize instruments such as futures and forward contracts ,and may in the future utilize 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 have entered 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

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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 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. In addition, derivatives may expose us to leverage risk, market risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, operational risk and legal risk.

Our ability to enter into transactions involving derivatives and financial commitment transactions may be limited.

Under SEC Rule 18f-4, related to the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by business development companies and registered investment companies, we are permitted to enter into derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations, notwithstanding the senior security provisions of the 1940 Act if we comply with certain value-at-risk leverage limits and derivatives risk management program and board oversight and reporting requirements or comply with a “limited derivatives users” exception. We expect to operate under the limited derivatives users exception. We may change this election and comply with the other provisions of Rule 18f-4 related to derivatives transactions at any time and without notice. To satisfy the limited derivatives users exception, we have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures to manage our derivatives risk and limit our derivatives exposure in accordance with Rule 18f-4. We also are permitted to enter into reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions notwithstanding the senior security provisions of the 1940 Act if we aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with our reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating our asset coverage ratios. In addition, we are permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security under the 1940 Act, provided that (i) we intend to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”). We may otherwise engage in such transactions that do not meet the conditions of the Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision so long as we treat any such transaction as a “derivatives transaction” for purposes of compliance with the rule. Furthermore, we are permitted to enter into an unfunded commitment agreement, and such unfunded commitment agreement will not be subject to the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act, if we reasonably believe, at the time we enter into such agreement, that we will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet our obligations with respect to all such agreements as they come due.

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 the Investment Committee, there may be times when H.I.G. Capital or the Investment Committee have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

There are conflicts related to obligations the Investment Committee, our Investment Adviser or its affiliates have to other clients.

The members of the 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, the members of the Investment Committee and personnel of our Investment Adviser or its affiliates may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which could conflict with our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders. For example, the members of the 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. The allocation of time and focus by members of the Investment Committee and personnel of our Investment Adviser and its affiliates to these other investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles could reduce the time that such individuals have to spend on our investing activities. These other investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles may have different fee and expense

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arrangements, including requirements to share or offset certain fees from portfolio companies, than those paid by us to the Investment Adviser, which can create an incentive for our Investment Adviser to favor such other investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles. Our investment objective overlaps or may overlap with the investment objectives of such affiliated investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. We can compete with these investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, members of our Investment Committee and personnel of our Investment Adviser or its affiliates could face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. 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 assure you that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time or that there may not be inadvertent errors in our application of our Investment Advisor’s allocation policy, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable to us. 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.

The 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 the 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 benefits 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 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 consider whether such

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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 cause us to invest 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, 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 before such investor becomes 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, the Investment Adviser, as the Company’s “valuation designee”, subject to the oversight of our board of directors, determines the fair value of these securities in good faith under our valuation policies and procedures. In connection with that determination, our Investment Adviser’s investment professionals 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.

In addition, on December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which established an updated regulatory framework for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board designated the Investment Adviser as the Company’s valuation designee to perform the fair value determinations relating to all of our investments, subject to the oversight of the Board. The Investment Adviser as the valuation designee:

periodically assesses and manage valuation risks;

establishes and applies fair value methodologies;

tests fair value methodologies;

oversees and evaluates third-party pricing services;

provides the Board with reporting required under Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act; and

maintains recordkeeping requirements under Rule 2a-5. It is expected that the Company will have a limited ability to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing most of its investments, which may require the Investment Adviser to estimate in accordance with valuation policies established by the Board.

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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 pursuant to 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.

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 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.

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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 continue to 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 the Investment Adviser as the Company’s valuation designee, subject to the oversight of 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 the Investment Adviser as the Company’s valuation designee, subject to the oversight of 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 and Estimates,” 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 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. In addition, on December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which established an updated regulatory framework for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act.

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 Investment Adviser 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

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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 the valuation of our portfolio quarterly to reflect the Investment Adviser’s 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 the valuation designee, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions, 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:

a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to publicly traded securities;

​the enterprise value of the portfolio company;

the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

information rights;

available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading comparables;

security covenants;

call protection provisions;

comparison of financial ratios of peer companies that are public;

comparable merger and acquisition transactions;

the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings;

changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors.

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 all of these factors on our portfolio may

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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 the U.S. presidential administration and others in the executive branch, 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. The Biden administration enacted significant changes to the existing U.S. tax rules that include, among others, a minimum tax on book income and profits of certain multinational corporations, and there are a number of proposals in the U.S. Congress that would similarly modify the existing U.S. tax rules. If additional regulations are adopted, if existing 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.

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 annual report on Form 10-K 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.

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 that 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

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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 in both the United States and in the European Union can adversely affect certain amendments to or new issuances by the Credit Facility and may prevent us from entering into certain securitization transactions. These risk retention rules may increase our cost of funds or may prevent us from completing future securitization transactions or certain amendments to 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 DGCL, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and our various debt instruments could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock and the rights of our common stockholders.

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 “interested persons.” If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our board of directors 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, deter 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)

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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 Agreements, see “Risks Relating to our Other Indebtedness — We may not be able to prepay 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 for such person or persons to serve as our investment adviser. 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 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 to serve as our replacement 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 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 of 2002, as amended, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and related rules and regulations of the SEC. 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.

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As a result, we incur additional expenses that may negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. This process also results in a diversion of management’s time and attention. 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.

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, other than the obligation 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 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 liens 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.

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“Unitranche” Loans. We also invest in “unitranche” senior secured loans, which are a combination of senior secured and subordinated financing in the same facility, generally in a first-lien position. Unitranche secured loans provide all of the debt needed to finance a leveraged buyout or other corporate transaction, both senior and subordinated, but generally in a first lien position, while the borrower generally pays a blended, uniform interest rate rather than different rates for different tranches. Unitranche secured debt generally requires payments of both principal and interest throughout the life of the loan. Generally, we expect these securities to carry a blended yield that is between senior secured and subordinated debt interest rates. Unitranche secured loans provide a number of advantages for borrowers, including the following: simplified documentation, greater certainty of execution and reduced decision-making complexity throughout the life of the loan. In addition, we may receive additional returns from any warrants we may receive in connection with these investments. In some cases, a portion of the total interest may accrue or be paid in kind. Because unitranche secured loans combine characteristics of senior and subordinated financing, unitranche secured loans have risks similar to the risks associated with senior secured, including first lien loans and second lien loans, and subordinated debt in varying degrees according to the combination of loan characteristics of the unitranche loan.

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. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of direct equity investments (and equity received upon exercising warrants) 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.

Warrants. When we invest in first lien, second lien, unitranche or mezzanine loans, we may acquire warrants to purchase equity securities. We may not be able to sell warrants we receive from borrowers, or the equity securities (including those received upon exercise of warrants) for a significant period of time due to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or the absence of a liquid secondary market. The value of the warrants that we receive is dependent on the value of the equity securities for which the warrants can be exercised. If the value of the equity securities underlying a warrant does not increase above the exercise price during the life of the warrant, the warrant may be permitted to expire unexercised and the warrant would then have no value.

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

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

these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;

​they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;​

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they are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;

​generally little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on our Investment Adviser to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies;

​they generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In addition, our executive officers, directors and our Investment Adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; and

​they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity.

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. Although we are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, we maintain the flexibility to operate as a diversified investment company and may do so for an extended period of time.

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.

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

As of December 31, 2025, our investments in portfolio companies that operate in the health care sector represented 7.0% 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 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 to change their policies related to how they operate, restrict revenue, change costs, change reserve levels and change business practices.

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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 in such portfolio companies 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 require the portfolio companies to pay down the outstanding principal of such debt prior to maturity. In addition, if general interest rates rise,

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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.

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

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 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.

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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:

• increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage;

​• exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that we acquired in the original or a subsequent financing; or

​• attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment.

​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 our debt instruments. 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 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

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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 prevent us from making 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, 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. 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:

• the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral;

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​• the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

​• the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

​• releases of liens on the collateral; and

​• waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.

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.

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 can generally be prepaid 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.

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.

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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 appreciation, and political developments. We have employed certain hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective.

We may invest through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles and our investments through these vehicles may entail greater risks, and investments in which we have a non-controlling interest may involve risks specific to third-party management of those investments.

We may co-invest with third parties through partnerships, joint ventures or other entities, thereby acquiring jointly-controlled or non-controlling interests in certain investments in conjunction with participation by one or more third parties in such investment. Such joint venture partners or third party managers may include former H.I.G. Capital personnel or associated persons. For example, on January 14, 2019, we entered into an agreement with the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, a public pension fund established under Ohio law, to create WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund, LLC, a joint venture, which invests primarily in senior secured first and second lien term loans. As co-investors, we may have interests or objectives that are inconsistent with those of the third-party partners or co-venturers. Although we may not have full control over these investments and therefore, may have a limited ability to protect its position therein, we expect that we will negotiate appropriate rights to protect our interests. Nevertheless, such investments may involve risks not present in investments where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that a third-party partner or co-venturer may have financial difficulties, resulting in a negative impact on such investment, may have economic or business interests or goals which are inconsistent with ours, or may be in a position to take (or block) action in a manner contrary to the our investment objectives or the increased possibility of default by, diminished liquidity or insolvency of, the third party, due to a sustained or general economic downturn. Third-party partners or co-venturers may opt to liquidate an investment at a time during which such liquidation is not optimal for us. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of its third-party partners or co-venturers. In those circumstances where such third parties involve a management group, such third parties may receive compensation arrangements relating to such investments, including incentive compensation arrangements.

Risks Relating 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.

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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 NAV 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 60%, 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 167.5% 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 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.

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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 may result in losses.

Risks Relating to our Other Indebtedness

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

The 5.375% 2026 Notes mature on December 4, 2026 and bear interest at an annual rate of 5.375%. The 5.625% 2027 Notes mature on December 4, 2027 and bear interest at an annual rate of 5.625%. The 4.250% 2028 Notes mature on December 6, 2028 and bear interest at an annual rate of 4.25%. The 7.785% 2028 Notes mature on September 15, 2028 and bear interest at an annual rate of 7.875%. The 4.000% 2026 Notes mature on December 15, 2026 and bear interest at an annual rate of 4.00%. The Private Notes and the Public 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 and the Public 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 and the Public Notes.

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

The Private Notes and the Public 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 and the Public 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 and Public 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 and the Public Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our 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 and the Public 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 and the Public Notes.

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.

The 5.375% 2026 Notes, the 5.625% 2027 Notes, the 4.250% 2028 Notes, 4.000% 2026 Notes and the 7.875% 2028 Notes will mature on December 4, 2026, December 4, 2027, December 6, 2028, December 15, 2026 and

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September 15, 2028, respectively, 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 Note Purchase Agreements for the Private Notes or the indentures for the Public 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 immediately due and payable. Any of these developments would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may form one or more additional CLOs, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks. To finance investments, we have previously, and may again in future, securitize certain of our secured loans or other investments, including through the formation of one or more additional CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in such entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers. It is possible that an interest in any such CLO held by us may be considered a “non-qualifying” portfolio investment for purposes of the 1940 Act.

If we create an additional CLO, we will depend in part on distributions from the CLOs assets out of its earnings and cash flows to enable us to make distributions to shareholders. If distributions on the CLOs assets are insufficient to pay required fees and expenses, to make payments on the CLOs debt securities or to pay dividends or other distributions on the CLOs first loss interests, all in accordance with the applicable priority of payments, no other assets of the CLO issuer or any other person will be available for the payment of the deficiency, and once all proceeds of the collateral have been applied, no funds will be available for payment or distributions on the CLO securities. The amount of distributions from the CLO may also be affected by, among other factors, the timing of purchases of underlying loans, the rates of repayment of or distributions on the underlying loans, the timing of reinvestment in substitute underlying loans and the interest rates available at the time of reinvestment, rates of delinquencies and defaults on and liquidations of the underlying loans, sales of underlying loans and purchases of underlying loans having different payment characteristics. The ability of a CLO to make distributions will further be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt, a breach of which could, for example, require that the senior tranches of the CLOs liabilities be repaid, in order of priority, until compliance with such covenant is restored. Additionally, a CLO may take actions that delay distributions in order to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the CLO may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of the CLOs debt, which could impact our ability to receive distributions from the CLO. If we do not receive cash flow from any such CLO that is necessary to satisfy the annual distribution requirement for RIC status, and we are unable to obtain cash from other sources necessary to satisfy this requirement, we may not qualify for or maintain our treatment as a RIC, which would have a material adverse effect on an investment in the shares.

In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force a CLO to sell certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to shareholders. To the extent that any losses are incurred by the CLO in respect of any collateral, such losses will be borne first by us as owner of equity interests in the CLO.

The manager for a CLO that we create may be the Company, the Investment Advisor or an affiliate, and such manager may be entitled to receive compensation for structuring and/or management services. To the extent the Investment Advisor or an affiliate other than the Company serves as manager and the Company is obligated to compensate the Investment Advisor or the affiliate for such services, we, the Investment Advisor or the affiliate will implement offsetting arrangements to assure that we, and indirectly, our shareholders, pay no additional management fees to the Investment Advisor or the affiliate in connection therewith. To the extent we serve as manager, we will waive any right to receive fees for such services from the Company (and indirectly its shareholders) or any affiliate.

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On June 10, 2025, the Company completed a $298.15 million term debt securitization transaction (the "CLO transaction"). Pursuant to the CLO transaction, WhiteHorse Finance CLO I (“Issuer”) issued (i) $0 of AAA(sf) Class A-L Notes, which outstanding amount may be increased upon conversion of the Class A-L loans, and which bear interest at the three-month secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“SOFR”) plus 1.70%, (ii) $164 million of AAA(sf) Class A Notes, which bear interest at three-month SOFR plus 1.70%, (iii) $30 million of AA(sf) Class B Notes, which bear interest at three month SOFR plus 2.15%, (iv) $24 million of A(sf) Class C Notes, which bear interest at three-month SOFR plus 2.80%, (together, the “Secured Notes”) and (v) $70.15 million of subordinated notes (“Subordinated Notes”) and (B) the borrowing by the Issuer of $10.0 million under AAA(sf) convertible Class A-L loans (the “Class A-L Loans”, and collectively with the Secured Notes and Subordinated Notes, the “Debt”), which outstanding amount may be reduced by the corresponding amount upon a conversion of the Class A-L Loans, and which bear interest at three-month SOFR plus 1.70%, under a credit Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2025 by and among the Issuer, as borrower, various financial institutions, as lenders, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as loan agent and as trustee. The Class A-L Loans and the Secured Notes are secured by below investment-grade middle market loans, the participation interests therein and other assets of the Issuer. The Debt is scheduled to mature on May 25, 2037.

The indenture for the 4.000% 2026 Notes contains limited protection for holders of the 4.000% 2026 Notes.

The indenture for the 4.000% 2026 Notes offers limited protection to holders of the 4.000% 2026 Notes. The terms of the applicable indenture for the 4.000% 2026 Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the 4.000% 2026 Notes. In particular, the terms of the applicable indenture pursuant to which the 4.000% 2026 Notes were issued do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

• issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the 4.000% 2026 Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the 4.000% 2026 Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore would rank structurally senior to the 4.000% 2026 Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or other obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior in right of payment to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore would rank structurally senior in right of payment to the 4.000% 2026 Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of the asset coverage requirement under Section 18(a)(1)(A), as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions;

​• pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the 4.000% 2026 Notes;

​• sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);

• create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

​• make investments; or

​• create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.

In addition, the indenture does not require us to offer to purchase the 4.000% 2026 Notes in connection with a change of control or any other event, except in limited circumstances.

Furthermore, the terms of the indenture for the 4.000% 2026 Notes do not protect holders of the 4.000% 2026 Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results

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of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity, except in limited circumstances as set forth in the indenture and as required under the 1940 Act.

Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the 4.000% 2026 Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the 4.000% 2026 Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the 4.000% 2026 Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the 4.000% 2026 Notes.

Certain of our current debt instruments include more protections for their holders than the indenture and the 4.000% 2026 Notes. In addition, other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the applicable indenture for the 4.000% 2026 Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the 4.000% 2026 Notes.

The indenture for the 7.875% 2028 Notes contains limited protection for holders of the 7.875% 2028 Notes.

The indenture for the 7.875% 2028 Notes offers limited protection to holders of the 7.875% 2028 Notes. The terms of the applicable indenture and the 7.875% 2028 Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the 7.875% 2028 Notes. In particular, the terms of the applicable indenture and the 7.875% 2028 Notes do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

• issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the 7.875% 2028 Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the 7.875% 2028 Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness or other obligations of ours that are guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore would rank structurally senior to the 7.875% 2028 Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or other obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior in right of payment to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore would rank structurally senior in right of payment to the 7.875% 2028 Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, as modified by Section 61(a)(1) and (2) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions, as such obligations may be amended or superseded, giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC;

• pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the 7.875% 2028 Notes;

• sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);

• enter into transactions with affiliates;

• create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

• make investments; or

• create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.

In addition, the indenture does not require us to offer to purchase the 7.875% 2028 Notes in connection with a change of control.

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Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and the 7.875% 2028 Notes do not protect holders of the 7.875% 2028 Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity, except as required under the 1940 Act.

Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the 7.875% 2028 Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the 7.875% 2028 Notes, including negatively affecting the trading value of the 7.875% 2028 Notes or making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the 7.875% 2028 Notes.

Certain of our current debt instruments include more protections for their holders than the indenture and the 7.875% 2028 Notes. In addition, we routinely finance our investments with borrowed money, and intend to continue to do so in the future by issuing both unsecured and secured debt in the ordinary course as a means of raising additional capital. Any additional debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the 7.875% 2028 Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the 7.875% 2028 Notes.

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

The Note Purchase Agreement governing the respective 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 each 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1984, as amended, or 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 each of the Private Notes may require us to prepay for cash some or all of the respective Private Notes at a prepayment price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% 2026 Notes, 5.625% 2027 Notes and 4.250% 2028 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 and the Public Notes when prevailing interest rates are relatively low.

At any time on or after June 4, 2026, June 4, 2027 and March 6, 2028 (each a Prepayment Date), the 5.375% 2026 Notes, 5.625% 2027 Notes and 4.250% 2028 Notes may be prepaid, respectively, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the Prepayment Date. Prior to each respective Prepayment Date, we may prepay all or any principal amount of the respective Private Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, subject to a make-whole premium.

The 4.000% 2026 Notes may be redeemed, at our option, in whole or in part, at a redemption of the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the 4.000% 2026 Notes to be redeemed, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date) on the 4.000% 2026 Notes to be redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using the applicable treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to the date fixed for redemption.

The 7.875% 2028 Notes may be redeemed, at our option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time at our option on or after September 15, 2025, upon not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ written notice by mail prior to

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the date fixed for redemption thereof, at a redemption price of $25 per note plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to the date fixed for redemption.

We may choose to prepay the Private Notes and redeem the Public Notes from time to time, especially when prevailing interest rates are lower than the rate borne by the respective Private Notes and the Public 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 and the Public Notes being redeemed. Our prepayment and redemption right may adversely impact holders’ ability to sell the Private Notes and the Public Notes as the applicable prepayment date and redemption date approaches. If we choose to prepay the Private Notes prior to the maturity date of December 15, 2026 and/or redeem the Public Notes prior to the maturity date of September 15, 2028, we will need to obtain sufficient liquidity, through available cash, refinancings of our existing indebtedness or otherwise, to repay the principal or redemption price, together with any accrued and unpaid interest and applicable make-whole premiums, on the Private Notes and the Public Notes. For example, in September 2025, the Company repaid the 5.375% 2025 Notes in full prior to their maturity date on October 20, 2025.

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

FATCA withholding may apply to payments to certain foreign entities.

Payments made under the Private Notes and the Public Notes to a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity (including such an institution or entity acting as an intermediary) may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30% under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Code, or FATCA. This tax may apply to certain payments of interest unless the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity complies with certain information reporting, withholding, identification, certification and related requirements imposed by FATCA. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding FATCA and how it may affect an investment in the Private Notes and the Public Notes.

The trading market or market value of any publicly issued debt securities may fluctuate.

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Our publicly issued debt securities, if any, may or may not have an established trading market. We cannot assure you that a trading market for our publicly issued debt securities will ever develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthiness, many factors may materially adversely affect the trading market for, and market value of, our publicly issued debt securities. These factors include the following:

• the time remaining to the maturity of these debt securities;

​• the outstanding principal amount of debt securities with terms identical to these debt securities;

​• the ratings assigned by national statistical ratings agencies, if any;

​• the general economic environment;

​• the supply of debt securities trading in the secondary market, if any;

​• the redemption or repayment features, if any, of these debt securities;

​• the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally; and

​• market rates of interest higher or lower than rates borne by the debt securities.

You should also be aware that there may be a limited number of buyers when you decide to sell your debt securities. This too may materially adversely affect the market value of the debt securities or the trading market for the debt securities.

Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect your return on any debt securities that we may issue.

If your debt securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem your debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In addition, if your debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem your debt securities also at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as your debt securities being redeemed.

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.

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

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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 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 annual report on Form 10-K. 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, the Private Notes or the Public Notes or if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the Credit Facility, the Private Notes or the Public Notes, then income and capital gains which

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would otherwise be distributable by us to our stockholders will be diverted to pay down debt or other amounts due under the Credit Facility, the Private Notes or the Public 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.

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 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.

Our stock repurchase program could affect the price of our common stock and increase volatility and could be suspended or terminated at any time, which could result in a decrease in the trading price of our common stock.

Our board of directors most recently approved our share repurchase program (the "Program") in November 2025, under which we can repurchase up to $15 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the Program, purchases can be made at management's discretion from time to time in open-market transactions, in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, at prices below our NAV as reported in our most recently published consolidated financial statements. We have in the past, and could in the future, enter into a plan to repurchase shares of our common stock pursuant to the Program in a manner intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.

The Program is discretionary and whether purchases will be made under the Program and how much will be purchased at any time is uncertain and dependent on prevailing market prices and trading volumes, all of which we

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cannot predict. These activities could have the effect of maintaining the market price of our common stock or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of our common stock could be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. Repurchases pursuant to the Program could affect the price of our common stock and increase its volatility. The existence of the Program could also cause the price of our common stock to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentially reduce the market liquidity for our common stock. There can be no assurance that any stock repurchases will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our common stock could decline below the levels at which we repurchased such shares. Any failure to repurchase shares after we have announced our intention to do so could negatively impact our reputation and investor confidence in us and could negatively impact our stock price. Although the Program is intended to enhance long-term stockholder value, short-term stock price fluctuations could reduce the Program's effectiveness.

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) 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, 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.

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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 Our Offerings

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:

• significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of business development companies or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of the companies;

​• changes in regulatory policies, accounting pronouncements or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs and business development companies;

​• loss of our qualification or ability to be subject to tax as a RIC or qualification as a business development company;

​• changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

​• changes in the value of our portfolio investments;

​• changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;

​• any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;

​• departure of WhiteHorse Advisers’ or any of its affiliates’ key personnel;

​• operating performance of companies comparable to us;

​• general economic trends and other external factors; and

​• loss of a major funding source or an event of default under a material financing contract.

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.

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

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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.

General Risk Factors

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. The fiscal, trade and foreign policies of foreign nations, such as China, North Korea and Iran, may have a severe impact on the worldwide and U.S. financial markets. In addition, the policies of the U.S. 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.

Changes to U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may affect our portfolio companies, and may negatively impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Significant potential changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties and tariffs, creating uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other countries. These developments, may have material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade. Any of these factors could dampen economic activity and limit our portfolio companies’ access to suppliers or customers, resulting in a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition and results of operations, which in turn would negatively impact us.

On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the imposition of a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico as well as an additional 10% tariff on imports from China as part of a broader strategy to leverage access to American markets in exchange for concessions from other countries. On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump , et al., setting aside those tariffs. In response thereto, President Trump announced a 10% global tariff on all imports. The continued maintenance of such a strategy and any judicial resistance thereto could result in changes to American trade policy, that would negatively impact our portfolio companies by subjecting them to the aforementioned material negative effects associated with tariffs and an increasingly uncertain investment environment.

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Trade negotiations and related government actions may create regulatory uncertainty for our portfolio companies and our investment strategies and adversely affect the profitability of our portfolio companies.

In recent years, the U.S. government has indicated its intent to alter its approach to international trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements and treaties with foreign countries, and has made proposals and taken actions related thereto. For example, the U.S. government has imposed, and may in the future further increase, tariffs on certain foreign goods, including from China, such as steel and aluminum. Some foreign governments, including China, have instituted retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods. Most recently, the current U.S. presidential administration has imposed or sought to impose significant increases to tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., including from China, Canada and Mexico. Tariffs on imported goods could further increase costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of products and services offered by current and future portfolio companies and adversely affect the revenues and profitability of portfolio companies whose businesses rely on goods imported from such impacted jurisdictions.

Judicial intervention may create uncertainty related to the enforceability of tariffs on imported goods. For example, on February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump , et al. , setting aside tariffs imposed on Canada, China and Mexico under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA"), the claimed statutory basis for U.S. President Trump's imposition of those tariffs. While the decision undermined that claimed statutory basis for the imposition of those tariffs, its ruling focused explicitly on the narrow question of whether the IEEPA grants the power to impose tariffs to the President. Whether the President retains the ability to unilaterally impose such tariffs, or tariffs more broadly under other sources of claimed authority and will continue to do so remains uncertain. Such uncertainty may contribute to an uncertain investment environment, materially negatively impacting our portfolio companies.

There is uncertainty as to further actions that may be taken under the current U.S. presidential administration with respect to U.S. trade policy. Further governmental actions related to the imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers, or changes to international trade agreements or policies, could further increase costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of products and services offered by current and future portfolio companies and adversely affect the revenues and profitability of companies whose businesses rely on goods imported from outside of the United States.

We are currently operating in a period of capital markets disruptions and economic uncertainty which could impair our portfolio companies’ financial positions and operating results and affect the industries in which we invest and, in turn, harm our operating results.

The U.S. and global markets have, from time to time, experienced periods of disruption due to events such as terrorist attacks; acts of war; natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, floods or hurricanes; and outbreaks of epidemic, pandemic or contagious diseases. Such events have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to recent global economic instability. In particular, the U.S. capital markets have recently experienced, and continue to experience, extreme volatility and disruption as a result of inflation, changing interest rates, the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S military action in Venezuela, conflicts in the Middle East, Iran and the Gulf States and the possibility of an economic recession. These events are having an adverse impact on the ability of lenders to originate loans, the volume and type of loans originated, the ability of borrowers to make payments on their loans and the volume and type waivers given to borrowers and remedies in the event of a default, each of which could have an adverse impact on the quantity and quality of loans available to us. Unfavorable economic conditions could also increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “— Continued uncertainty surrounding geopolitical and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.”

Equity capital may be particularly difficult to raise during periods of extreme volatile market conditions because, as a business development company, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price below NAV without obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our board of directors. Volatility

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and dislocation in the capital markets can also create a challenging environment in which to raise or access debt capital. If sustained for a prolonged period of time, the current market conditions could result in difficulties refinancing or extending the maturity of our existing indebtedness or obtaining additional indebtedness with comparable terms. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at increased costs and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently experience.

In addition, significant changes or volatility in the capital markets may also have an adverse effect on the valuations of our investments. We also face an increased risk of investor, creditor or portfolio company disputes, litigation and governmental and regulatory scrutiny as a result of the effects of these events on economic and market conditions. Although governmental authorities worldwide have implemented measures to stabilize the markets and foster economic growth, the ultimate success of these measures remain unknown at this time and they may not adequately address the market dislocation.

Events beyond our control, including public health crises, could adversely impact our portfolio companies and our results of our operations.

Periods of market volatility have occurred and may in the future occur in response to pandemics or other events that are beyond our control. These types of events have adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect our operating results and the operating results of our portfolio companies.

Some force majeure events (such as natural disasters, outbreaks of an infectious disease, pandemics or any other serious public health concern, war, terrorism, labor strikes, government shutdowns, major plant breakdowns, ransomware attacks, government macroeconomic policies and social instability) could adversely affect the ability of a party (including the Company, the Adviser, a portfolio company or a counterparty to the Company, the Adviser or a portfolio company) to perform its obligations. These risks could, among other effects, adversely impact the cash flows available from a portfolio company, damage property, or instigate disruptions of service. In addition, the cost to a portfolio company or the Company of repairing or replacing damaged assets resulting from such force majeure event could be considerable. It is not possible to insure against all such events, and insurance proceeds received, if any, could be inadequate to completely or even partially cover any loss of revenues or investments, any increases in operating and maintenance expenses, or any replacements or rehabilitation of property.

In addition, certain force majeure events could have a broader negative impact on the world economy and international business activity generally, or in any of the countries in which we invest or our portfolio companies operate specifically. Such force majeure events could result in or coincide with: increased volatility in the global securities, derivatives and currency markets; a decrease in the reliability of market prices and difficulty in valuing assets; greater fluctuations in currency exchange rates; increased risk of default (by both government and private issuers); further social, economic, and political instability; nationalization of private enterprise; greater governmental involvement in the economy or in social factors that impact the economy; less governmental regulation and supervision of the securities markets and market participants and decreased monitoring of the markets by governments or self-regulatory organizations and reduced enforcement of regulations; limited, or limitations on, the activities of investors in such markets; controls or restrictions on foreign investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; inability to purchase and sell investments or otherwise settle security or derivative transactions (i.e., a market freeze); unavailability of currency hedging techniques; substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation, which can last many years and have substantial negative effects on credit and securities markets as well as the economy as a whole; recessions; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.

Additionally, a major governmental intervention into industry, including the nationalization of an industry or the assertion of control over one or more portfolio companies or its assets, could result in a loss to us, including if the investment in such portfolio companies is canceled, unwound or acquired (which could result in inadequate compensation). Any of the foregoing could therefore adversely affect the performance of us and our investments.

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Although it is impossible to predict the consequences of these governmental actions, it is clear that these types of events are negatively impacting and will continue to negatively impact us and our portfolio companies in the future. The effects of public health crises, may materially and adversely affect (i) the value of our investments and the performance of us and our portfolio companies, (ii) the ability of our portfolio companies to continue to satisfy loan covenants or make timely payments under loans provided by us, which may require us to restructure our investments or write down the value of our investments, (iii) our ability to repay debt obligations to our lenders on time or at all, or (iv) our ability to source, manage and achieve our investment objectives, all of which could adversely impact our portfolio companies and our results of operations.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of confidential information and/or damage to business relationships, or those of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.

A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to, use, alteration or destruction of our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, obtaining ransom payments, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption, or may involve phishing. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen information, misappropriation of assets, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. This could result in significant losses, reputational damage, litigation, regulatory fines or penalties, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. There may be substantial financial penalties or fines for breach of privacy laws (which may include insufficient security for personal or other sensitive information). Non-compliance with any applicable privacy or data security laws represents a serious risk to our business. Some jurisdictions have also enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches involving certain types of personal information. In addition, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks. The costs related to cybersecurity incidents may not be fully insured or indemnified. As our and our portfolio companies’ reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by our Investment Adviser and third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. We, our Investment Adviser and its affiliates have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, may be ineffective and do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.

Third parties with which we do business (including, but not limited to, service providers, such as accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators, and the issuers of securities in which we invest) may also be sources or targets of cybersecurity or other technological risks. We outsource certain functions and these relationships allow for the storage and processing of our information and assets, as well as certain investor, counterparty, employee and borrower information. While we engage in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, we cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by these third parties and ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure or destruction of data, or other cybersecurity incidents, with increased costs and other consequences, including those described above. Privacy and information security laws and regulation changes, and compliance with those changes, may also result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes.

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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 (i) electrical or telecommunication outages, (ii) natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, (iii) disease pandemics, (iv) events arising from local or larger state political or social matters, including terrorist activities, and (v) cyberattacks could cause disruptions in our activities.

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

We and 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 proceedings could continue without resolution for long periods of time and the outcome of any such proceedings could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results. 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 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.

We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.

There is ongoing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities of public companies. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we do not act responsibly in a number of key areas, including diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, support for local communities, corporate governance and transparency and considering ESG factors in our investment processes. Adverse incidents with respect to ESG activities could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could negatively affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business.

Continued uncertainty surrounding geopolitical and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

International security issues and adverse developments in respect thereof such as the current political tension between Russia, Ukraine and potentially western security alliances could materially adversely affect global trade and economic activity. U.S military action in Venezuela, and conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, Iran and the Gulf States have caused disruption, instability and volatility in global markets, economies and industries that could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. The conflicts have already resulted in significant volatility in certain equity, debt and currency markets, material increases in certain commodity prices, and economic uncertainty. The conflicts may escalate and its resolution is unclear. For example, the U.S. government and other governments have imposed severe sanctions against Russia and Russian interests and threatened additional sanctions and controls. Sanctions and export control laws and regulations are complex, frequently changing, and increasing in number, and they may impose additional legal compliance costs or business risks associated with our operations.

In addition, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and political instability in Latin America may also cause additional inflation, disrupt supply chains and potentially destabilize the region. These ongoing conflicts may also disrupt local, regional, national, and global markets and economies affected by sanctions, and it is not possible to predict how long such conflicts and any related sanctions will last. It is also not possible to predict with certainty these

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ongoing conflicts’ additional adverse effects on existing macroeconomic conditions, currency exchange rates, and financial markets, all of which may affect our business operations or the business operations of our portfolio companies.

In addition to the increasing geopolitical risks in Ukraine and the Latin America and the Middle East region, economic conditions across the world face continued uncertainty due to inflation, higher interest rates, global supply chain challenges, concerns of an economic recession and heightened volatility in key emerging market economies. New or continued economic deterioration will renew concerns about sovereign debt sustainability, interdependencies among financial institutions and sovereigns, and political and other risks, particularly as many global central banks implement differing monetary policy. Continued uncertainty in the external environment has led to increased concern around the near- to medium-term outlook for economic progress in the regions in which we operate, or may in the future operate, including Europe and Asia.

Continuing uncertainties and challenging conditions in the global economy and in the countries in which we operate, or may in the future operate, may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The current macroeconomic environment is highly volatile, and continuing instability in global markets, including ongoing trade negotiations, uncertainty over inflation and energy price fluctuations, have contributed to a challenging global economic environment. Future developments are dependent upon a number of political and economic factors, including the additional borrowing incurred by countries since the start of the pandemic and the potential for low growth expectations as social restrictions are lifted. As a result, we cannot predict how long challenging conditions will exist or the extent to which the markets in which we operate, or may in the future operate, may deteriorate.

Uncertainty about presidential administration initiatives could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There is significant uncertainty with respect to legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal level, as well as at the state and local levels. Recent events, have created a climate of heightened uncertainty and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with potentially far-reaching implications. The presidential administration’s changes to U.S. policy may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade and relations, unemployment, immigration, taxes, healthcare, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our business, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Until we know what policy changes are made and how those changes impact our business and the business or our competitors over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.

We are subject to risks associated with artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.

Artificial intelligence, including machine learning and similar tools and technologies that collect, aggregate, analyze or generate data or other materials, or collectively, AI, and its current and potential future applications including in the private investment and financial industries, as well as the legal and regulatory frameworks within which AI operates, continue to rapidly evolve.

Recent technological advances in AI pose risks to the Company, the Investment Adviser, and our portfolio companies. The Company and our portfolio companies could also be exposed to the risks of AI if third-party service providers or any counterparties, whether or not known to the Company, use AI in their business activities. The Company and the Investment Adviser may not be in a position to control the use of AI in third-party products or services.

Use of AI could include the input of confidential information in contravention of applicable policies, contractual or other obligations or restrictions, resulting in such confidential information becoming part accessible by other third-party AI applications and users. While the Investment Adviser does not currently use AI to make investment recommendations, the use of AI could also exacerbate or create new and unpredictable risks to our business, the

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Investment Adviser’s business, and the business of our portfolio companies, including by potentially significantly disrupting the markets in which we and our portfolio companies operate or subjecting us, our portfolio companies and the Investment Adviser to increased competition and regulation, which could materially and adversely affect business, financial condition or results of operations of us, our portfolio companies and the Investment Adviser. In addition, the use of AI by bad actors could heighten the sophistication and effectiveness of cyber and security attacks experienced by our portfolio companies and the Investment Adviser.

Independent of its context of use, AI technology is generally highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and it is not possible or practicable to incorporate all relevant data into the model that AI technology utilizes to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the effectiveness of AI technology. To the extent we or our portfolio companies are exposed to the risks of AI technology use, any such inaccuracies or errors could have adverse impacts on the Company or our investments.

AI technology and its applications, including in the private investment and financial sectors, continue to develop rapidly, and it is impossible to predict the future risks that may arise from such developments.

Item  7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this annual report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

our future operating results;

our ability to consummate new investments and the impact of such investments;

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the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

the impact of changes in interest rates;

changes in political, economic or industry conditions, and conditions affecting the financial and capital markets, which could result in changes to the value of our assets, including changes from the impact of the ongoing global conflicts, trade barriers, tariffs and wars

the elevated levels of inflation, and the potential impact of inflation on our portfolio companies and on the industries in which we invest;

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

the impact of increased competition;

the ability of our investment adviser to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor our investments;

our ability to maintain our qualification as a BDC, and as a RIC under the Code;

our expected financings and investments and the rate at which our investments are refunded by portfolio companies;

our ability to pay dividends or make distributions;

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our prospective portfolio companies; and

the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures.

We use words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “intends,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “plan” and similar expressions 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 in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K on information available to us on the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. 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 may file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC in the future, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

You should understand that under Sections 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Sections 21E(b) (2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, do not apply to statements made in connection with this annual report on Form 10-K or any periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

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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 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.

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 two private funds that were advised by an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C., or 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 LLC 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 H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC (“WhiteHorse Advisers” or the “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 exempt from registration under the Securities Act. Our shares of common stock are 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 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 index rate such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR, plus a spread and typically 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 are supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of us, WhiteHorse Advisers and its affiliates. Under the 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. 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.

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 originate 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 fixed or floating rate based on a spread over SOFR or an equivalent index 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

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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.

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

our organization;

calculating our net asset value and net asset value per share (including the costs and expenses of independent valuation firms);

fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by WhiteHorse Advisers or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights;

the costs of all future offerings of common shares and other securities, and other incurrences of debt;

the base management fee and any incentive fee;

distributions on our shares;

transfer agent and custody fees and expenses;

amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments;

brokerage fees and commissions;

registration fees;

listing fees;

taxes;

independent directors’ fees and expenses;

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws;

the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs;

costs of holding stockholder meetings;

our fidelity bond;

directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance and any other insurance premiums;

litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses;

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direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including audit and legal costs;

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts, including deal sourcing and marketing to financial sponsors;

dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; and

all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or WhiteHorse Administration in connection with administering our business, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs and expenses of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer along with their respective staffs.

WhiteHorse Advisers or WhiteHorse Administration may pay for certain expenses that we incur, which are subject to reimbursement by us.

Recent Developments

For the period January 1, 2026 through March 6, 2026, we contributed two additional assets to the STRS JV, which included one issuer of senior secured debt facilities held as of December 31, 2025.

Subsequent to the quarter ended December 31, 2025, we received financial information related to our investment in The Kyjen Company, LLC (d/b/a Outward Hound). Based on the information currently available, we expect to reduce the fair value mark of the first lien secured investments from 85.8% to within a range of between approximately 55.0% and 65.0% of face value during the first quarter, but this conclusion is subject to change based on additional information which may become available.

Subsequent to the quarter ended December 31, 2025, we received financial information related to our investment in Camarillo Fitness Holdings, LLC (f/k/a Honors Holdings, LLC). Based on the information currently available, we expect to reduce the fair value mark of the first lien secured investments from 40.0% to within a range of between approximately 15.0% and 25.0% of face value during the first quarter, but this conclusion is subject to change based on additional information which may become available.

On February 26, 2026, the Company’s board of directors approved a $7.5 million increase in the authorized amount available for repurchases under the Repurchase Program up to $22.5 million.

On February 26, 2026, the Company's board of directors dismissed Crowe LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm effective upon the issuance of the Company’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The Company's board of directors subsequently appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024

Set forth below are the consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For information regarding the consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, see the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2025.

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 or decrease 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, period to period comparisons of net increases or decrease in net assets resulting from operations may not be meaningful.

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Consolidated operating results for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:

Year ended December 31,

($ in thousands)

Variance

Total investment income

Total expenses

Net investment income

Net realized gains/(losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions

Net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

Net Investment Income

Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $26.1 million and $37.2 million, respectively. Net investment income decreased by $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, as described below under “Investment Income” and “Operating Expenses”.

Investment Income

The following table summarizes our investment income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

Year ended December 31,

($ in thousands)

Variance

Investment income (excluding STRS JV):

Interest income other than payment-in-kind ("PIK")

PIK income

Fee and dividend income

Investment income of STRS JV:

Interest and dividend income

Total investment income

Interest income other than PIK income, decreased $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily attributable to lower yields, investments placed on non-accrual status and lower portfolio size. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the weighted average size and weighted average yield of the debt portfolio, excluding STRS JV, was $517.5 million and 9.2%, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the weighted average size and weighted average yield of the debt portfolio, excluding STRS JV, was $584.5 million and 10.4%, respectively.

PIK income decreased by $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to lower PIK income earned in the year ended December 31, 2025.  PIK income earned for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily from investments in Lift Brands, Inc. of $0.5 million and Motivational Marketing, LLC of $0.3 million. PIK income earned for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily from investments in Telestream Holdings Corporation of $2.0 million, MSI Information Services of $1.2 million and Honors Holdings, LLC (d/b/a Orange Theory) of $0.9 million, respectively .

We may invest in loans that contain a PIK interest rate provision where PIK interest is accrued at the contractual rates and added to loan principal on the reset dates to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. For the years ended December 31,  2025 and December 31, 2024, PIK income as a percentage of total investment income was 3.0% and 7.8%, respectively.

Fee and dividend income, excluding STRS JV, decreased by $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024. We expect to generate some level of non-recurring fee income during most

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quarters from prepayments, amendments and other sources. For the years ended December 31,  2025 and December 31, 2024, we earned non-recurring fee income of $2.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Interest and dividend income from STRS JV decreased by $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily attributable to a decrease in base rates and portfolio yields. For the year ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the weighted average yield of the debt portfolio was 10.5% and 12.0%, respectively.

Operating Expenses

The following table summarizes our expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

Year ended December 31,

($ in thousands)

Variance

Interest expense

Base management fees

Performance-based incentive fees, net of fee waiver

Administrative service fees

General and administrative expenses

Total expenses, before excise tax

Excise tax

Total expenses, including excise tax

Interest expense decreased by $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to lower weighted average borrowing base and weighted average interest rate . For the year ended December 31, 2025, the weighted average outstanding borrowings were $359.2 million at a weighted average interest rate of 5.65%. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the weighted average outstanding borrowings were $376.5 million at a weighted average interest rate of 6.37%.

Base management fees decreased by $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to a lower management fee base of $52.4 million.

Performance-based incentive fees decreased by $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, was mainly attributable to lower pre-incentive fee net investment income. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized an irrevocable fee waiver of $0.2 million. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no capital gains incentive fee expense incurred.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to audit and tax fees.

Excise Tax Expense

We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to be subject to tax as a RIC, we are required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements, as well as timely distribute to our stockholders dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, and determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid for each tax year. We have made and intend to continue to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders that will generally relieve us from U.S. federal income taxes.

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to retain taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year in an amount less than what would trigger payments of U.S. federal income tax under Subchapter M of the Code. We may then be required to incur a 4% excise tax on such income. To the

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extent that we determine that our estimated current year annual taxable income may exceed estimated current year distributions, we accrue excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as taxable income is earned.

For the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we accrued a net federal excise tax expense of $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments

The following shows the breakdown of net realized gains and losses on investments for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

Year ended December 31,

($ in millions)

AG Kings Holdings Inc. (1)

American Crafts, LC

Atlas Purchaser, Inc. (d/b/a Aspect Software, Inc.)

Alvaria Holdco (Cayman) (d/b/a Aspect Software, Inc.)

Escalon Services Inc.

Foodservices Brand Group, LLC (d/b/a Crown Brands Group)

Hollander Intermediate LLC (d/b/a Hollander Sleep Products, LLC)

Honors Holdings, LLC (d/b/a Orange Theory)

MSI Information Services, Inc.

Manchester Acquisition Sub LLC (d/b/a Draslovka Holding AS)

PFB Holdco, Inc. (d/b/a PFB Corporation)

Project Castle, Inc. (d/b/a Material Handling Systems, Inc.)

SFS Global Holding Company (d/b/a Sigue Corporation)

Token Buyer, Inc. (d/b/a Therm-O-Disc, Inc.)

Other (2)

Total net realized gains/(losses) on investments

Escrow receivable amounts were recognized in connection with realization events.

Includes various investments with aggregate realized gains or losses less than $50,000.

The following shows the breakdown in the changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

Year ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Gross unrealized appreciation on investments

Gross unrealized depreciation on investments

Reversal of prior period net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation upon a realization (1)

Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

The year ended December 31, 2024 includes reversal of unrealized appreciation of $0.4 million from the collection of the AG Kings Holdings Inc. escrow receivable.

Financial Condition, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, 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, borrowings under 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. In the future, we may obtain borrowings under other credit facilities and from issuances of senior securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. 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.

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Our board of directors may decide to issue common stock, such as through at-the-market offerings, direct placements or otherwise, to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. Any decision to sell shares below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock is subject to stockholder approval and a determination by our board of directors that such issuance and sale is in our and our stockholders’ best interests. Any sale or other issuance of shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share results in immediate dilution to our stockholders’ interests in our common stock and a reduction in our net asset value per share. If we were to issue additional shares of our common stock during the next 12 months, we do not intend to issue shares below the then-current net asset value per share.

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 generally once a quarter after the payment of operating expenses and amounts due under the Credit Facility.

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 December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had commitments to fund approximately $41.0 million and $26.4 million, respectively, of revolving lines of credit or delayed draw facilities to our portfolio companies. We reasonably believe that we have sufficient assets to adequately cover and allow us to satisfy our outstanding unfunded commitments.

Senior Securities

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following tables as of December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is attached as an exhibit to this report. The “— ” indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.

Involuntary

Average

Total Amount

Asset Coverage

Liquidating

Market Value

Class and Year ($ in thousands)

Outstanding (1)

per Unit (2)

Preference per Unit (3)

per Unit (4)

Credit Facility (5)

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2020

Fiscal 2019

Fiscal 2018

Fiscal 2017

Fiscal 2016

Fiscal 2015

2025 CLO Notes (10)

Fiscal 2025

5.375% 2026 Notes

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2020

5.625% 2027 Notes

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2020

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Involuntary

Average

Total Amount

Asset Coverage

Liquidating

Market Value

Class and Year ($ in thousands)

Outstanding (1)

per Unit (2)

Preference per Unit (3)

per Unit (4)

4.250% 2028 Notes

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

4.000% 2026 Notes

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

7.875% 2028 Notes

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

5.375% 2025 Notes (11)

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2020

6.000% 2023 Notes (6)

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2020

Fiscal 2019

Fiscal 2018

2025 Public Notes (7)

Fiscal 2020

Fiscal 2019

Fiscal 2018

2020 Notes (8)

Fiscal 2017

Fiscal 2016

Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented (in thousands), exclusive of debt issuance costs.

The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as our consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by total senior securities representing indebtedness. This asset coverage ratio is multiplied by $1,000 to determine the Asset Coverage Per Unit (including for the 2020 Notes, 2025 Public Notes and 7.875% 2028 Notes, which were issued in $25 increments).

​(3) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the involuntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it.

Not applicable, except for with respect to the 2020 Notes, 2025 Notes and 7.875% 2028 Notes, as other senior securities are not registered for public trading on a stock exchange. The average market value per unit for the 2020 Notes, 2025 Notes and 7.875% 2028 Notes is based on the average daily prices two weeks prior to the fiscal year end of such notes and is expressed per $1,000 of indebtedness.

​ On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC entered into a $150,000 revolving credit and security agreement with Natixis, New York Branch, acting as facility agent- (the “Natixis Credit Facility”). On December 23, 2015, WhiteHorse Credit entered into the Credit Facility, and we drew $102.0 million on the Credit Facility and used the proceeds to repay the Natixis Credit Facility in full.

On August 7, 2023, the 6.000% 2023 Notes matured and were fully repaid by the Company.

On December 17, 2021, we redeemed 100% of the $35 million aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Public Notes outstanding and delisted the 2025 Public Notes from the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

​ On August 9, 2018, we redeemed 100% of the $30 million aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes outstanding and delisted the 2020 Notes from the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

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“Unsecured Term Loan” refers to the $90 million unsecured term loan, as amended, between us, H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., as guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as sole lead arranger. On June 30, 2016, we repaid in full the outstanding balance of $55.0 million due under the Unsecured Term Loan.

On June 10, 2025, the Company completed a $ 298.15 million  term debt securitization transaction (the “2025 CLO Securitization”). The 2025 CLO Securitization functions as a source of long-term balance sheet financing for a portion of the Company’s portfolio investments and, as a result, the debt issued in connection with the 2025 CLO Securitization that is held by external counterparties to the Company is subject to the Company’s regulatory asset coverage requirement.

On September 29, 2025, the 5.375% 2025 Notes were fully repaid by the Company.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024

Set forth below are our liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For information regarding our liquidity and capital resources for the year ended December 31, 2023, see the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2025.

Our operating activities provided cash and cash equivalents of $77.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily from the net proceeds received from realizations and repayments on our investments, partially offset by acquisition of investments and cash used from the net change in working capital. Our financing activities used cash and cash equivalents of $75.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily due to repayments on the Credit Facility, 5.375% 2025 Notes, purchases of common stock, and the payment of distributions to stockholders.

Our operating activities provided cash and cash equivalents of $ 78.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily from the net proceeds received from realizations and repayments on our investments, partially offset by acquisition of investments and cash used from the net change in working capital. Our financing activities used cash and cash equivalents of $75.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to repayments on the Credit Facility and the payment of distributions to stockholders.

As of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalent resources of $29.7 million, including $22.7 million of restricted cash. As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately $100.0 million undrawn and available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit agreement. As of December 31, 2025 due to borrowing base limitations, approximately $43.8 million was available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on these requirements.

As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalent resources of $27.8 million, including $15.4 million of restricted cash. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $173.5 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.

STRS JV

In January 2019, we and STRS Ohio formed a joint venture, STRS JV, that invests primarily in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest index rate based on SOFR, or an equivalent index rate and have a term of three to six years. STRS JV invests in portfolio companies in the same industries in which we may directly invest. STRS JV was formed as a Delaware LLC and is not consolidated by either us or STRS Ohio for financial reporting purposes. On July 19, 2019 STRS JV formally launched operations. As of December 31, 2025, STRS JV had total assets of $335.9 million. As of December 31, 2024, STRS JV had total assets of $309.1 million.

We provide capital to STRS JV in the form of LLC equity interests and subordinated notes. In February 2023, we increased our capital commitment to the STRS JV in the amount of an additional $15.0 million, bringing our total capital commitment to the STRS JV to $115.0 million, comprised of $92.0 million of subordinated notes and $23.0 million of LLC equity interests. We previously increased our capital commitment in February 2022 to the STRS JV in the amount

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of an additional $25.0 million, bringing our then total capital commitment to the STRS JV to $100.0 million, comprised of $80.0 million of subordinated notes and $20.0 million of LLC equity interests.

As of both December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we and STRS Ohio owned approximately 65.71% and 34.29%, respectively, of the LLC equity interests of STRS JV. As of both December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, our investment in STRS JV consisted of equity contributions and subordinated note advance commitments of $23.0 million and $92.0 million, of which $1.9 million and $7.6 million were unfunded, respectively.

STRS JV is managed by a four-person board of managers, two of whom are selected by us and two of whom are selected by STRS Ohio. All material decisions with respect to STRS JV, including those involving its investment portfolio, require unanimous approval of a quorum of the board of managers. Quorum is defined as (i) the presence of two members of the board of managers; provided that at least one individual is present that was elected, designated or appointed by each member; (ii) the presence of three members of the board of managers; provided that the individual that was elected, designated or appointed by the member with only one individual present is entitled to cast two votes on each matter; or (iii) the presence of four members of the board of managers; provided that two individuals are present that were elected, designated or appointed by each member.

Below is a summary of STRS JV’s portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

($ in thousands)

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

Total investments (1)

Weighted average effective yield on total portfolio (2)

Number of portfolio companies in STRS JV

Largest portfolio company investment (1)

Total of five largest portfolio company investments (1)

At fair value.

Weighted average effective yield is computed by dividing (a) annualized interest income (including interest income resulting from the amortization of fees and discounts) by (b) the weighted average cost of investment.

STRS JV’s investments consisted of the following:

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

($ in thousands)

Amortized Cost

Fair Value

Amortized Cost

Fair Value

First lien secured loans

Total

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The following table shows the portfolio composition by industry grouping at fair value:

Industry ($ in thousands)

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

Advertising

Aerospace & Defense

Air Freight & Logistics

Asset Management & Custody Banks

Broadline Retail

Building Products

Commodity Chemicals

Construction & Engineering

Data Processing & Outsourced Services

Distributors

Diversified Support Services

Electrical Components & Equipment

Environmental & Facilities Services

Food Distributors

Health Care Facilities

Health Care Services

Health Care Supplies

Health Care Technology

Household Appliances

Household Products

Human Resource & Employment Services

IT Consulting & Other Services

Packaged Foods & Meats

Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials

Personal Care Products

Pharmaceuticals

Real Estate Services

Research & Consulting Services

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

Water Utilities

Wireless Telecommunication Services

Total

See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on STRS JV’s portfolio and selected balance sheet information as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 and selected statement of operations information for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

At-the-Market Offering

On March 31, 2023, we entered into an equity distribution agreement, or the Equity Distribution Agreement, with WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration and B. Riley Securities, Inc., as the sales agent, or the Sales Agent, in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock, with an aggregate offering price of up to $35.0 million. The Equity Distribution Agreement provides that we may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time through the Sales Agent in amounts and at times to be determined by us (the “ATM Offering”). Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including market conditions and the trading price of our common stock. We expect to use all or substantially all of the net proceeds from the ATM Offering to invest in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and for general corporate purposes.

Stock Repurchase Program

On November 10, 2025, the Company’s board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program for the purpose of repurchasing up to an aggregate of $15.0 million of its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated purchases at prices below our then-current net asset value per share in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Repurchase Program"). The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, based upon an evaluation of

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economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other factors. The Repurchase Program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares of common stock or any shares of common stock at all and there can be no assurance that any shares of common stock will be repurchased under the Repurchase Program. The timing and amount of any common stock repurchased depend on the terms and conditions of the Repurchase Program, the market price of the common stock and trading volumes. The Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. Repurchases are subject to SEC regulations as well as certain price, market volume and timing constraints.

As of December 31, 2025, the Company purchased common stock in the aggregate of $7.4 million, after deducting commissions and $7.6 million remains available under the Repurchase Program.

Credit Facility

On December 23, 2015, our wholly owned subsidiary WhiteHorse Credit I, LLC, or WhiteHorse Credit, entered into a revolving credit and security agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent and lender (the “Credit Facility”).

On January 4, 2022, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended to, among other things, continue to establish a temporary upsize to the borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility, which allowed WhiteHorse Credit to borrow up to $335.0 million for a four-month period that originally began on October 4, 2021.

On February 4, 2022, the terms of the Credit Facility were further amended to, among other things apply an annual interest rate equal to applicable SOFR plus 2.50% to any borrowings under the Credit Facility.

On March 30, 2022, the terms of the Credit Facility were further amended to, among other things: (i) increase WhiteHorse Credit’s availability under the Credit Facility from $310.0 million to $335.0 million; (ii) retain an accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit up to $375.0 million; and (iii) increase the minimum funding amount from $217.0 million to $234.5 million.

On April 12, 2023, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended to, among other things, (i) apply an annual interest rate equal to the applicable base rate plus 2.50% to any USD denominated borrowings, and (ii) convert to SOFR for USD denominated borrowings effective June 6, 2023.

On January 17, 2025, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended to, among other things, (i) reduce the applicable margins for interest rates to 2.25%, (ii) extend the non-call period to January 17, 2027, (iii) extend the reinvestment period to January 17, 2028, and (iv) extend the scheduled termination date to January 17, 2030​.

On June 27, 2025, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended to, among other things, reduce the availability under the Credit Facility to $100.0 million from $335.0 million.

As of December 31, 2025 , the Credit Facility provided for borrowings in an aggregate principal amount up to $100.0 million. As of December 31, 2025 , the required minimum outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $50.0 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 and to make distributions in the ordinary course: (i) a borrowing base test and (ii) 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, as amended and restated from time to time, in connection therewith (the “Amended Loan Agreement”), and related documentation. To meet the borrowing base test, this ratio must be less than or equal to 60%, as set forth in the Amended Loan Agreement and related documentation. To meet the market value test, the value of WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio investments must exceed a minimum of 167.5% of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances as set forth in the Amended Loan Agreement and related documentation.

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Advances under the Credit Facility are based on SOFR for USD denominated borrowings plus an annual spread of 2.25%. The Credit Facility bears interest at EurIBOR for EUR denominated borrowings, CORRA for CAD denominated borrowings and SONIA for GBP denominated borrowings, plus a spread of 2.25% on outstanding borrowings. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. WhiteHorse Credit is required to pay a non-usage fee which accrues at 0.55% per annum 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. WhiteHorse Credit is required to pay a minimum outstanding borrowing fee which accrues at 2.25% per annum on the average daily outstanding principal borrowing amounts below the minimum funding amount. 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 are due and payable, on January 17, 2030.

Prior to the Credit Facility amendment on January 17, 2025, advances under the Credit Facility were based on SOFR for USD denominated borrowings plus an annual spread of 2.50%. The Credit Facility bore interest at EurIBOR for EUR denominated borrowings, CORRA for CAD denominated borrowings and SONIA for GBP denominated borrowings, plus a spread of 2.35% on outstanding borrowings. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. WhiteHorse Credit was required to pay a non-usage fee which accrues at 0.75% per annum 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. WhiteHorse Credit paid an upfront fee and incurred certain other customary costs and expenses in connection with obtaining the Credit Facility.

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.

If we fail to perform our obligations under the Amended Loan Agreement or the related agreements, an event of default may occur, 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 Amended Loan Agreement. Any such developments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition 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.

As of December 31, 2025, there was no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit Facility agreement, approximately $100.0 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 $139.5 million as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, due to borrowing base limitations, approximately $43.8 million was available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on these requirements.

As of December 31, 2024, there was $161.5 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit Facility agreement, approximately $173.5 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 $512.2 million as of December 31, 2024.

2025 CLO Securitization

On June 10, 2025, we completed a $298.15 million term debt securitization transaction (the “2025 CLO Securitization”). The 2025 CLO Securitization functions as a source of long-term balance sheet financing for a portion of our portfolio investments and, as a result, the debt issued in connection with the 2025 CLO Securitization that is held by external counterparties to the Company is subject to the Company’s regulatory asset coverage requirement.

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The debt tranches offered in the 2025 CLO Securitization were issued by WHF CLO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse Finance, and executed through a private placement comprised of both senior secured floating rate notes and loans (the “2025 Senior CLO Notes”) as well as subordinated notes (the “2025 Subordinated CLO Notes”). The 2025 Senior CLO Notes consisted of (i) $174.0 million of AAA-rated Class A Notes and Class A-L Loans, issued in the aggregate and pari passu to one another (the “Class A Notes”); (ii) $30.0 million of AA-rated Class B Notes (the “Class B Notes”); (iii) $24.0 million of A-rated Class C Notes (the “Class C Notes”). Additionally, $70.15 million of 2025 Subordinated CLO Notes were issued, which do not bear interest but are entitled to all of the residual principal and interest payments made on the loan portfolio of assets collateralizing the 2025 CLO Securitization, net of the interest expense and debt principal payments distributed to the holders of the 2025 Senior CLO Notes. The 2025 Senior CLO Notes, together with the 2025 Subordinated CLO Notes, are collectively referred to herein as the “2025 CLO Notes”. As of December 31, 2025, the Company indirectly retained $30.0 million of the Class B Notes, $24.0 million of the Class C Notes and $70.15 million of the 2025 Subordinated CLO Notes. The Class A Notes are included in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as debt of the Company. As of December 31, 2025, the Class B Notes, Class C Notes and 2025 Subordinated CLO Notes were eliminated in consolidation.

The following table presents additional information on the 2025 CLO Notes issued in the 2025 CLO Securitization as of December 31, 2025 :

December 31, 2025

CLO Note Tranches

Maturity

Principal

Interest Rate

Class A Notes

SOFR (3M) + 1.70%

Class B Notes (1)

SOFR (3M) + 2.15%

Class C Notes (1)

SOFR (3M) + 2.80%

2025 Subordinated CLO Notes (1)

None

Total Notes

The Company retained the Class B Notes, Class C Notes and Subordinated Notes issued in the CLO Transaction, which are eliminated in consolidation.

As part of the 2025 CLO Securitization, the Company entered into master loan sale agreements that provide for the sale of assets on the 2025 CLO Securitization closing date as well as for future sales from the Company to WHF CLO. The 2025 CLO Securitization is collateralized and secured by a diversified portfolio of senior secured loans or participation interests therein with the potential for reinvestment in (i) first and second lien loans or participation interests therein, (ii) corporate bonds or (iii) loans made to a debtor-in-possession pursuant to Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code (“DIP loans”). Through May 25, 2029, all principal collections received on the underlying collateral may be used by WHF CLO to purchase new collateral (allowing the Company to maintain the initial leverage obtained in the 2025 CLO Securitization) under the direction of H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C., an affiliate of the Investment Advisor, in its capacity as the collateral manager to WHF CLO (the “CLO Investment Manager”), and in accordance with the Company’s investment strategy and subject to customary conditions set forth in the documents governing the 2025 CLO Securitization; any fees that the CLO Investment Manager would otherwise be entitled to for providing such services has been waived. The 2025 CLO Notes are scheduled to mature on May 5, 2037; however, they may be redeemed by the Company, at the written direction of (i) a majority of the Subordinated Notes (with the consent of the CLO Investment Manager) or (ii) the CLO Investment Manager (with the consent of a majority of the 2025 Subordinated CLO Notes), in each case, on any business day on or after June 10, 2027.

As of December 31, 2025, there were 35 portfolio companies with a total fair value of approximately $294.6 million securing the 2025 CLO Securitization. The pool of loans in the 2025 CLO Securitization must meet certain requirements, including asset mix and concentration, collateral coverage, term, agency rating, minimum coupon, minimum spread and sector diversity requirements.

5.375% 2025 Notes

On October 20, 2020, we entered into the 2025 Note Purchase Agreement to sell in a private offering $40 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the

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Securities Act. Interest on the 5.375% 2025 Notes is payable semiannually on April 20 and October 20, at a fixed, annual rate of 5.375%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.375%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 5.375% 2025 Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 5.375% 2025 Notes mature on October 20, 2025, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms. The 5.375% 2025 Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on October 20, 2020. We used the net proceeds from this offering to redeem existing debt. On September 29, 2025 the 5.375% 2025 Notes were fully repaid by the Company.

5.375% 2026 Notes

On December 4, 2020, we entered into the 2026 Note Purchase Agreement to sell in a private offering $10 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 5.375% 2026 Notes is payable semiannually on June 4 and December 4, at a fixed, annual rate of 5.375%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.375%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 5.375% 2026 Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 5.375% 2026 Notes mature on December 4, 2026, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms. The 5.375% 2026 Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on December 4, 2020.

5.625% 2027 Notes

On December 4, 2020, we entered into the 2027 Note Purchase Agreement to sell in a private offering $10 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 5.625% 2027 Notes is payable semiannually on June 4 and December 4, at a fixed, annual rate of 5.625%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.625%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 5.625% 2027 Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 5.625% 2027 Notes mature on December 4, 2027, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms. The 5.625% 2027 Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on December 4, 2020.

4.000% 2026 Notes

On November 24, 2021, we completed a public offering of $75 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, the net proceeds of which were used to fund investments in debt and equity securities and repay outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility. Interest on the 4.000% 2026 Notes is paid semiannually on June 15, and December 15, at a fixed, annual rate of 4.00%. The 4.000% 2026 Notes will mature on December 15, 2026 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time prior to September 15, 2026, at par plus a “make-whole” premium, and thereafter at par. The 4.000% 2026 Notes are direct unsecured obligations and are structurally subordinate to borrowings under the Credit Facility and will rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness.

4.250% 2028 Notes

On December 6, 2021, we entered into the 2028 Note Purchase Agreement to sell in a private offering $25 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 4.250% 2028 Notes is payable semiannually on June 6 and December 6, at a fixed, annual rate of 4.25%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 5.25%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 4.250% 2028 Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 4.250% 2028 Notes mature on December 6, 2028, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms. The 4.250% 2028 Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on December 6, 2021.

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7.875% 2028 Notes

On August 24, 2023, the Company completed a public offering of 7.875% 2028 Notes in aggregate principal amount of $30 million, the net proceeds of which were used to fund investments in debt and equity securities and repay outstanding indebtedness under its revolving credit facility. Additionally, the offering included an overallotment feature for up to an additional $4.5 million of aggregate principal amount under the same terms as the initial offering. On August 31, 2023, the underwriters fully exercised their option to purchase an additional $4.5 million, bringing the aggregate principal amount of the 7.875% 2028 Notes to $34.5 million. Interest on the 7.875% 2028 Notes is paid quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 each year, at an annual rate of 7.875%. The 7.875% 2028 Notes will mature on September 15, 2028 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time, or from time to time, at the Company’s option on or after September 15, 2025. The 7.875% 2028 Notes are direct unsecured obligations and are structurally subordinate to borrowings under the Credit Facility and will rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness we may issue. The 7.875% 2028 Notes are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “WHFCL.”

Portfolio Investments and Yield

As of December 31, 2025, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 129 positions in 68 companies with an aggregate fair value of $578.6 million. As of December 31, 2025, 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 SOFR, with fixed-rate loan investments representing 1.3% based on fair value. As of December 31, 2025, our portfolio had an average investment size of $3.7 million based on fair value and average debt investment size of $5.2 million, with investment sizes ranging from zero to $20.0 million and a weighted average effective yield of 9.1% (and a weighted average effective yield on income-producing debt investments of 11.0%).

As of December 31, 2024, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 127 positions in 71 companies with an aggregate fair value of $642.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, 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 SOFR, with fixed-rate loan investments representing 1.3% based on fair value. As of December 31, 2024, our portfolio had an average investment size of $4.3 million based on fair value and average debt investment size of $5.5 million, with investment sizes ranging from zero to $22.4 million and a weighted average effective yield of 10.2% (and a weighted average effective yield on income-producing debt investments of 12.5%).

For the year ended December 31, 2025, we invested $191.7 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $249.7 million. Proceeds from sales totaled $87.5 million while repayments included $24.9 million of scheduled repayments and $137.3 million of unscheduled repayments.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, we invested $207.3 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $245.4 million. Proceeds from sales totaled $90.4 million while repayments included $6.6 million of scheduled repayments and $148.4 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:

frequent discussions with management and sponsors, including board observation rights where possible;

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comparing/analyzing financial performance to the portfolio company’s business plan, as well as our internal projections developed at underwriting;

tracking portfolio company compliance with covenants as well as other metrics identified at initial investment stage, such as acquisitions, divestitures, product development and specified management hires; and

periodic review by the investment committee of each asset in the portfolio and more rigorous monitoring of “watch list” positions.

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.

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

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

Investment Performance Rating ($ in millions)

Investments at

Fair Value

Percentage of

Total Portfolio

Investments at

Fair Value

Percentage of

Total Portfolio

Total Portfolio

Distributions

In order to maintain our status as a RIC and to avoid the imposition of corporate-level tax on income, we must distribute to our stockholders each taxable year an amount generally at least equal to the sum of 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses out of the assets legally available for distribution. In order to avoid the imposition of certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we must distribute in respect of each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses, or capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary losses, for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years on which we incurred no U.S. federal income tax.

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 tax status as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions.

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During the year ended December 31, 2025 we declared distributions of $1.44 per share for total distributions of $36.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2024 we declared distributions of $1.785 per share for total distributions of $41.5 million. 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. Notices to stockholders will be provided in accordance with Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, distributions to stockholders did not include a return of capital or long-term capital gains, 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 .

In addition, in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we may declare a significant portion of our dividends in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend under published guidance from the Internal Revenue Service) 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.

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan, or the DRIP, 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 DRIP. 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 DRIP will not receive any corresponding cash distributions with which to pay any such applicable taxes.

Related Party Transactions

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

WhiteHorse Advisers manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment management services to us pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

WhiteHorse Administration and certain of its affiliates provide us with the office facilities and administrative services, including access to the resources necessary for us to perform our obligations towards certain portfolio companies, pursuant to the Administration Agreement.

We have entered into a license agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital pursuant to which we have been granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “WhiteHorse” name.

We entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers in accordance with the 1940 Act on December 4, 2012, which was most recently amended and restated on February 22, 2024. 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 a 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 1.75% of the value of our consolidated gross assets; provided, however, that the management fee on consolidated gross assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x debt to equity) will be equal to 1.25% and (2) an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Investment Advisory Agreement” in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

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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 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 financial officer and chief compliance officer along with their respective staffs.

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 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.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

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 and estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

Under the investment company financial accounting guidance, as formally codified in Accounting Standards Codification, or 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, WhiteHorse Finance (CA), LLC (“WhiteHorse California”), WHF American Craft Blocker, LLC, WhiteHorse RCKC Holdings, LLC, WhiteHorse Finance CLO I, LLC and WhiteHorse Finance Holdings, LLC, which are investment companies for accounting purposes. As such, we have consolidated the accounts of WhiteHorse Credit, WhiteHorse California, WHF American Craft Blocker, LLC, WhiteHorse RCKC Holdings LLC, WhiteHorse Finance CLO I, LLC and WhiteHorse Finance Holdings, LLC into our financial statements. As a result of this consolidation, the amount outstanding under the Credit Facility and the 2025 CLO Securitization is treated as our indebtedness.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

We value our investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures . 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

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advantageous, market and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs within a measurement of fair value.

In addition, on December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes an updated regulatory framework for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. The rule permits boards to designate the fund’s investment adviser to perform fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board designated the Investment Adviser as the Company’s valuation designee to perform the fair value determinations relating to all of our investments, subject to the oversight of the Board.

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 net asset value could be materially 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.

The Investment Adviser, as the valuation designee, is 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. The Investment Adviser 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 the Investment Adviser 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, the Investment Adviser does not intend to have de minimis investments of less than 1.5% 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 when 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 Investment Adviser undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by investment professionals of our Investment Adviser responsible for credit monitoring in accordance with our valuation procedures.

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our investment committee and our Investment Adviser.

The valuation committee, comprised of a number of representatives from different functions of the Investment Adviser, reviews these preliminary valuations, and on a quarterly basis, reviews the bases of the valuations by our Investment Adviser and the independent valuation firms.

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At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment is reviewed by an independent valuation firm.

Our Board, through the Audit Committee, performs oversight of the fair valuation process in accordance with Rule 2a-5.

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:

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.

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

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paid or realized in a completed transaction or binding offer received in an arm’s-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 investments. Dividend income is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or 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

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, which discusses recent accounting pronouncements applicable to us, if any.