We believe now is the right time to combine the Companies, as we can finally do so in a manner that is expected to be accretive to both sets of shareholders. The merger will significantly increase the size and scale of Portman Ridge, which we believe will translate into increased trading volume and improved secondary liquidity, lower operating expenses and potentially greater access to more diverse sources of financing at a lower cost.
Looking ahead, we will continue to execute our strategy of targeting inorganic growth opportunities that we believe have the potential to be earnings accretive for shareholders of both PTMN and LRFC. I look forward to updating our shareholders on the work management will be doing on this front over the course of 2025."
Transaction Advisors
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, is serving as financial advisor to the Special Committee of PTMN in connection with the transaction. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP is acting as the legal counsel to the Special Committee of PTMN.
Houlihan Lokey is serving as financial advisor to the Special Committee of LRFC in connection with the transaction. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as the legal counsel to the Special Committee of LRFC.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel to PTMN and LRFC with respect to the transaction. Dechert LLP serves as legal counsel to PTMN and LRFC.
Conference Call Details
PTMN and LRFC will host a joint conference call on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET to discuss the transaction. All interested persons are invited to attend the call and should dial (646) 307-1963 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call and use the conference ID 4584554. A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed via the Internet, on a listen-only basis on both Company's websites, www.portmanridge.com, and www.loganridge.com, in the Investor Relations sections under Events and Presentations. The webcast can also be accessed by clicking the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/sx9vwkih. The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's websites shortly after the call.
The Companies will be utilizing an investor presentation as an accompaniment to the live call, which will be available on LRFC's website at www.loganridgefinance.com and PTMN's website at www.portmanridge.com.
About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation
Logan Ridge Finance Corporation $(LRFC)$ is a BDC that invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle-market companies. LRFC invests in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. It employs fundamental credit analysis, targeting investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. For more information, visit www.loganridgefinance.com.
About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Portman Ridge's middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. Portman Ridge's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest.
Portman Ridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge's website at www.portmanridge.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this document constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results of PTMN and LRFC, and distribution projections; business prospects of PTMN and LRFC, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that PTMN and LRFC expect to make. In addition, words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "seek," "plan," "should," "estimate," "project" and "intend" indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this document involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) the ability of the parties to consummate the merger on the expected timeline, or at all; (ii) the expected synergies and savings associated with the merger; (iii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger, including the expected elimination of certain expenses and costs due to the merger; (iv) the percentage of PTMN shareholders and LRFC shareholders voting in favor of the applicable Proposal (as defined below) submitted for their approval; (v) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; (vi) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (vii) risks related to diverting management's attention from ongoing business operations; (viii) the combined company's plans, expectations, objectives and intentions, as a result of the merger; (ix) any potential termination of the merger agreement; (x) the future operating results and net investment income projections of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xi) the ability of Sierra Crest to implement its future plans with respect to the combined company; (xii) the ability of Sierra Crest and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (xiii) the business prospects of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; (xiv) the impact of the investments that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company expect to make; (xv) the ability of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company to achieve their objectives; (xvi) the expected financings and investments and additional leverage that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company may seek to incur in the future; (xvii) the adequacy of the cash resources and working capital of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xviii) the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xix) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the merger may result in significant costs of defense and liability; and (xx) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities). PTMN and LRFC have based the forward-looking statements included in this document on information available to them on the date hereof, and they assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although PTMN and LRFC 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 they may make directly to you or through reports that PTMN and LRFC in the future may file with the SEC, including the Joint Proxy Statement and Registration Statement (in each case, as defined below), annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
No Offer or Solicitation
This document is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, a prospectus or an advertisement and the communication of this document is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in PTMN, LRFC or in any fund or other investment vehicle managed by BC Partners or any of its affiliates.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This document relates to the proposed merger and certain related matters (the "Proposals"). In connection with the Proposals, PTMN will file with the SEC and mail to its and LRFC's respective shareholders a combined joint proxy statement for PTMN and LRFC and a prospectus of PTMN (the "Registration Statement"). The Registration Statement will contain important information about PTMN, LRFC and the Proposals. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SHAREHOLDERS OF PTMN AND LRFC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PTMN, LRFC AND THE PROPOSALS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov or, for documents filed by PTMN, from PTMN's website at https://www.portmanridge.com, and, for documents filed by LRFC, from LRFC's website at https://www.loganridgefinance.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
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