As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2017

Securities Act File No. 333-212436

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-2

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
Pre-Effective Amendment No.  
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3

 

NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

 

1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 130
Lake Success, NY 11042

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code: (212) 356-9500
Barry Sloane
Chief Executive Officer and President
Newtek Business Services Corp.
1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 130
Lake Success, NY 11042

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

COPIES TO:
Steven B. Boehm
Cynthia M. Krus
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
700 Sixth Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-0100
Fax: (202) 637-3593

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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

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

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

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Title of Security Being Registered

Amount Being Registered

Proposed Maximum Offer Price Per Note

Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offer Price(1)

Amount of Registration Fee(1)(7)

Common Stock, $0.02 par value per share(2)(3)

Preferred Stock, $0.02 par value per share(2)

Subscription Rights(2)

Warrants(4)

Debt Securities(5)

Total

$

300,000,000

(6)

$

30,210

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

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

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 6, 2017

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

Newtek Business Services Corp.

$300,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Subscription Rights
Warrants
Debt Securities

 

This prospectus relates to the offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, of up to $300,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, warrants or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities”. There are $263,229,100 securities available for issuance under this prospectus as a result of our issuance of $36,770,900 in aggregate principal amount of shares of our common stock, par value $0.02 per share, since January 2017. The preferred stock, subscription rights, warrants and debt securities offered hereby may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting discounts or commissions will generally not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering. However, we may issue shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the prior approval of the majority of our common stockholders or (iii) under such other circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit.

We may sell our common stock through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. Each prospectus supplement relating to an offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, discount or commissions arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution”. We may not sell any of the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

Newtek Business Services Corp. is an internally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Along with its wholly owned subsidiary and controlled portfolio companies, Newtek provides a wide range of business services and financial products under the Newtek® brand to the small- and medium-sized business market. Newtek’s products and services include: Business Lending, including SBA 7(a) and 504 lending, Electronic Payment Processing, Managed Technology Solutions (Cloud Computing), eCommerce, Accounts Receivable and Inventory Financing, Insurance Solutions, Web and Ecommerce Solutions, Data Backup, Storage and Retrieval, and Payroll and Benefit Solutions.

Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation primarily through loans originated by our business finance platform and our equity investments in certain portfolio companies that we control.

Our common shares are currently traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NEWT.” As of June 2, 2017, the last reported closing price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market was $17.21.

 

An investment in our securities is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If our shares trade at a discount to our net asset value, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to their own risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in our securities.

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

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

 

Please read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements before investing and keep each for future reference. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements contain important information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in our securities. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This information is available free of charge by contacting us by mail at 1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 130, Lake Success, New York 11042, by telephone at (212) 356-9500 or on our website at http://www.NewtekOne.com. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information. Information contained on our website or on the SEC’s web site about us is not incorporated into this prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website or on the SEC’s website to be part of this prospectus.

The date of this prospectus is           , 2017.

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained in this prospectus or any such supplements as if we had authorized it. This prospectus and any such supplements do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do they constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus and any such supplements is accurate as of the dates on their covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.

		Page
About this Prospectus			1
The Offering			9
Fees and Expenses			18
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data			20
Financial Highlights			22
Risk Factors			23
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Projections			56
Use of Proceeds			57
Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions			58
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			61
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation			62
Senior Securities			89
Business			92
Portfolio Companies			121
Management			175
Executive Compensation			184
Certain Relationships and Transactions			197
Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value			198
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management			203
Regulation			204
Determination of Net Asset Value			211
Dividend Reinvestment Plan			213
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations			214
Description of Our Capital Stock			222
Description of Our Preferred Sock			229
Description of Subscription Rights			230
Description of Our Warrants			232
Description of Our Debt Securities			233
Plan of Distribution			246
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices			248
Custodian Transfer and Distribution Paying Agent and Registrar			248
Legal Matters			248
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			248
Available Information			248
Index to Financial Statements			F-1

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, which constitutes a delayed offering in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Company may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to $300,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, warrants or debt securities, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker, into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Please carefully read this prospectus and any such supplements together with any exhibits and the additional information described under “Available Information” and in the “Prospectus Summary” and “Risk Factors” sections before you make an investment decision.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary contains basic information about offerings pursuant to this prospectus. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of offerings pursuant to this prospectus, we encourage you to read this entire prospectus and the documents to which we have referred in this prospectus, together with any accompanying prospectus supplements, including the risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information set forth under the caption “Available Information” in this prospectus. Throughout this prospectus, we refer to Newtek Business Services Corp., its consolidated subsidiaries and its predecessor, Newtek Business Services, Inc., as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Newtek.”

Our Business

We are an internally managed non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Additionally, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with our 2015 tax year. Our investment activities are managed by our executive officers and supervised by our board of directors (the “Board”).

Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation primarily through loans originated by our business finance platform and our equity investments in certain portfolio companies that we control. We currently are the largest non-bank financial institution licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under the federal Section 7(a) loan program (“SBA 7(a) Loans”) based on dollar lending volume. We generally structure our loans so that we can both sell the government guaranteed portions of loans and securitize the unguaranteed portions. This structure generally allows us to recover our capital and earn excess capital on each loan, typically within a year. We may in the future determine to retain the government guaranteed or unguaranteed portions of loans pending deployment of excess capital. Additionally, we and our controlled portfolio companies provide a wide range of business and financial solutions to small- and medium-sized business (“SMB”) accounts, including electronic payment processing, managed technology solutions (cloud computing), e-commerce, accounts receivable and inventory financing, The Secure Gateway, personal and commercial insurance services, web services, data backup, storage and retrieval and payroll and benefits solutions. We support the operations of our controlled portfolio companies by providing access to our proprietary and patented technology platform, including NewTracker®, our patented prospect management software.

We define SMBs as companies having revenues of $1.0 million to $100.0 million, and we estimate the SMB market to be over 27 million businesses in the U.S. While our primary investments include making loans and providing business solutions to the SMB market through our controlled portfolio companies, we also may make opportunistic investments in larger or smaller companies. We expect to generate returns through a combination of realized gains on the sale of the government guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans, contractual interest payments on debt investments, dividends from our controlled portfolio companies, equity appreciation (through direct investment in our controlled portfolio companies), servicing income and other income. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve our investment objective.

Organizational Overview

On November 12, 2014, our predecessor, Newtek Business Services, Inc. (“Newtek NY”), merged with and into Newtek Business Services Corp. for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in the state of Maryland in anticipation of the election by the Company to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act (the “BDC Conversion”). In addition, on October 22, 2014, we effectuated a 1 for 5 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) to attract institutional investors. As a result of the BDC Conversion, Newtek NY ceased to exist and the Company succeeded to Newtek NY’s operations as the sole surviving entity.

The Company is a Maryland corporation that is an internally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, we are required to meet regulatory tests, including the requirement to invest at least 70% of our gross assets in “qualifying assets.” Qualifying assets generally include securities of private or thinly traded

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U.S. companies and cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. See “Regulation” in this prospectus. In addition, we have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Code. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus.

Set forth below is a diagram of our current organizational structure:

Business Finance Platform

Our portfolio consists of guaranteed and unguaranteed non-affiliate SBA loan investments that were made through our business finance platform, which includes Newtek Small Business Finance, LLC (“NSBF”), a nationally licensed SBA lender under the federal Section 7(a) loan program. SBA 7(a) loans are partially guaranteed by the SBA, an independent government agency that facilitates one of the nation’s largest sources of SMB financing. SBA guarantees typically range between 75% and 90% of the principal and interest due. NSBF has a dedicated Senior Lending Team that originates and services SBA 7(a) loans to qualifying SMBs.

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NSBF sells the guaranteed portions of its SBA 7(a) loans, typically within two weeks of origination, and retains the unguaranteed portion until accumulating sufficient loans for a securitization. NSBF’s securitization process is as follows. After accumulating sufficient loans, the loans are transferred to a special purpose vehicle (a “Trust”), which in turn issues notes against the Trust’s assets in a private placement. The Trust’s primary source of income for repaying the securitization notes is the cash flows generated from the unguaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans now owned by the Trust; principal on the securitization notes will be paid by cash flow in excess of that needed to pay various fees related to the operation of the Trust and interest on the debt. Securitization notes have an expected maturity of about five years, and the Trust is dissolved when the securitization notes are paid in full.

NSBF has received preferred lender program (“PLP”) status, a designation whereby the SBA authorizes the most experienced SBA lenders to place SBA guarantees on loans without seeking prior SBA review and approval. PLP status allows NSBF to serve its clients in an expedited manner since it is not required to present applications to the SBA for concurrent review and approval.

NSBF maintains a diversified pool of loans by focusing on making smaller loans, approximately $1.0 million or less, that are dispersed both geographically and among industries, thereby limiting NSBF’s exposure to regional and industry-specific economic downturns. NSBF supports its lending activities with lines of credit for the unguaranteed and guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) Loans. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Resources — Capital One Facility” for more information.

NSBF evaluates the credit quality of its loan portfolio by employing a risk rating system that is similar to the Uniform Classification System, which is the asset classification system adopted by the Federal Financial Institution Examinations Council. NSBF’s risk rating system is granular with multiple risk ratings in both the Acceptable and Substandard categories. NSBF assigns ratings based on numerous factors, including credit risk scores, collateral type, loan to value ratios, industry, financial health of the business, payment history, other internal metrics/analysis, and qualitative assessments. NSBF refreshes risk ratings as appropriate based upon considerations such as market conditions, loan characteristics, and portfolio trends. Refer to “Business —  Ongoing Relationships with Portfolio Companies” for a description of our risk rating system.

The business finance platform also includes Newtek Business Credit Solutions (“NBC”), a wholly-owned portfolio company that provides financing services to businesses through receivables financing and, beginning in 2015, originates loans under the SBA 504 loan program. NBC provides billing and accounts receivable maintenance services to businesses, as well as inventory financing services to businesses via prime plus interest lending based on eligible inventory balances. NBC also offers managerial assistance to SMBs, including offering back office receivables services, such as billing and cash collections.

An additional wholly-owned portfolio company, Small Business Lending, LLC (“SBL”), engages in third party loan servicing for SBA and non-SBA loans. NSBF, along with SBL, manages a portfolio of approximately $1.2 billion of loans, which as of March 31, 2017 included approximately $218.5 million of loans that SBL services on behalf of third parties.

Controlled Portfolio Companies

In addition to our debt investments in portfolio companies, we also hold controlling equity interests, either directly or through our business finance platform, in certain portfolio companies that, as of March 31, 2017, represented approximately 35% of our total investment portfolio. Specifically, we hold a controlling equity interest in SBL, NBC, ADR Partners, LLC d/b/a banc-serv Partners, LLC (“BSP”), Universal Processing Services of Wisconsin, LLC d/b/a Newtek Merchant Solutions (“NMS” or “UPSW”), Premier Payments LLC d/b/a Newtek Payment Solutions (“Premier”), CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc. d/b/a Newtek Technology Solutions (“NTS”), PMTWorks Payroll, LLC d/b/a Newtek Payroll and Benefits Solutions (“NPS”), Newtek Insurance Agency, LLC (“NIA”), and International Professional Marketing, Inc. (“IPM”). We refer to these entities (among others), collectively, as our “controlled portfolio companies.” Our controlled portfolio companies provide us with an extensive network of business relationships that supplement our referral sources and that we believe will help us to maintain a robust pipeline of lending opportunities and

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expand our business finance platform. For example, NMS has entered into agreements with two chartered banks (“bank sponsorships”), which allow NMS to access the Visa® and MasterCard® networks in order to process bankcard transactions.

Neither the controlled portfolio companies nor their operating revenues are consolidated in our financial reporting. The revenues that our controlled portfolio companies generate, after deducting operational expenses, may be distributed to us. As a BDC, our Board will determine quarterly the fair value of our controlled portfolio companies in a similar manner as our other investments. In particular, our investments in our controlled portfolio companies are valued using a valuation methodology that incorporates both the market approach (guideline public company method) and the income approach (discounted cash flow analysis). In following these approaches, factors that we may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments include, as relevant: available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading comparables, the portfolio company’s earnings and discounted cash flows, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public, and enterprise values, among other factors. In addition, the Company has engaged third party valuation firms to provide valuation consulting services for the valuation of certain of our controlled portfolio companies for which there is not a readily available market value. Specifically, the Board has directed the Company to engage independent valuation firms to assist in valuing certain portfolio investments without a readily available market quotation, at least once during a trailing twelve-month period under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. See “Critical Accounting and Estimates — Fair Value Measurement.”

Certified Capital Companies (Capcos)

Certified capital companies, or “Capcos,” are companies that Newtek created pursuant to state-sponsored programs, which are designed to encourage investment in small and new businesses and to create economic activity and jobs in designated geographic areas. See “Business — Organizational Overview — Certified Capital Companies (Capcos).”

Historically, our Capcos invested in SMBs and generated interest income, investment returns, non-cash income from tax credits, and non-cash expenses (i.e., interest, insurance, and cash management fees and expenses). We have de-emphasized our Capco business in favor of growing our controlled portfolio companies and do not anticipate creating any new Capcos. We continue to invest in and lend to SMBs through our existing Capcos and intend to meet the goals of the Capco programs.

As the Capcos reach 100% investment we will seek to de-certify them as Capcos and liquidate their remaining assets, which will reduce their operational costs (particularly compliance costs). Eight of our original sixteen Capcos have reached this stage. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Capco Business.”

Newtek Branding

We use an integrated multi-channel marketing approach featuring direct, indirect and outbound solicitation efforts. Our direct marketing efforts feature a line of products and services that were branded with our “go-to market” brand, The Small Business Authority®, and which was supported by a marketing campaign built around this brand, and our former web presence, www.thesba.com. We have rolled out our new “go to market” brand, Your Business Solutions Company®, which is being supported by a new marketing campaign and our new web domain, NewtekOne.com^TM.

We market indirectly through referrals from our strategic alliance partners, which include banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and other affinity groups, using our patented NewTracker® referral system. The NewTracker® system provides for security and transparency between referring parties, and allows us and our alliance partners to review in real time the status of any referral as well as to provide real time compliance oversight by the respective alliance partner. We own the NewTracker® patent, as well as all trademarks and other patented intellectual property used by us or our controlled portfolio companies.

We obtain referrals from individual professionals in geographic markets that have signed up to provide referrals and earn commissions through our BizExec and TechExec Programs, which include traditional information technology professionals, CPAs, independent insurance agents and sales and/or marketing professionals. We also market our electronic payment processing services through independent sales agents, and web technology and eCommerce services through internet-based marketing and third-party resellers.

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Senior Lending Team and Executive Committee

Each of the key members of our Senior Lending Team, which include Barry Sloane, Peter Downs, David Leone, Robert Hawes, Gary Golden, and Gary Taylor (our “Senior Lending Team”), has over 25 years of experience in finance-related fields. We believe that each member brings a complementary component to a team well-rounded in finance, accounting, operations, strategy, business law, and executive management.

Our executive officers include Barry Sloane, Peter Downs, Jennifer C. Eddelson, Michael A. Schwartz, John Raven, and Nilesh Joshi (our “Executive Committee”), which manage the Company, under the supervision of our Board. While our portfolio companies are independently managed, our Executive Committee oversees our controlled portfolio companies and, to the extent that we may make additional equity investments in the future, the Executive Committee will also have primary responsibility for identifying, screening, reviewing, and completing such investments. We do not expect to focus our resources on investing in additional stand-alone equity investments, but may elect to do so from time to time on an opportunistic basis, if such opportunities arise. Messrs. Sloane and Downs have been involved together in the structuring and management of equity investments for the past fourteen years.

Market Opportunity

We believe that the limited amount of capital and financial products available to SMBs, coupled with the desire of these companies for flexible and partnership-oriented sources of capital and other financial products, create an attractive investment environment for us to further expand our business finance platform and overall brand. We believe the following factors will continue to provide us with opportunities to grow and deliver attractive returns to stockholders.

The SMB market represents a large, underserved market.  We believe that the SMB market, which we estimate to be over 27 million mostly privately-held businesses, is relatively underserved by traditional capital providers such as commercial banks, finance companies, hedge funds and collateralized loan obligation funds. Further, we believe that such companies generally possess conservative capital structures with significantly less debt to equity, as compared to larger companies with more financing options. As the largest non-bank originator of SBA 7(a) loans by dollar volume and currently the seventh largest SBA 7(a) lender in the U.S., we believe we and our controlled portfolio companies are well positioned to provide financing to SMBs, and have the technology and infrastructure in place to do so it cost effectively, in all 50 states, and across many industries.

Recent credit market dislocation for SMBs has created an opportunity for attractive risk-weighted returns.  We believe the credit crisis that began in 2007, and the subsequent exit of traditional capital sources, such as commercial banks, finance companies, hedge funds and collateralized loan obligation funds, has resulted in an increase in opportunities for alternative funding sources such as our SMB lending platform. We believe that the reduced competition in our market and an increased opportunity for attractive risk-weighted returns positions us well for future growth. The remaining lenders and investors in the current environment are requiring lower amounts of senior and total leverage, increased equity commitments and more comprehensive covenant packages than was customary in the years leading up to the credit crisis.

Future refinancing activity is expected to create additional investment opportunities.  A high volume of financings completed between 2005 and 2008 will mature in the coming years. We believe this supply of opportunities coupled with limited financing providers focused on SMBs will continue to offer investment opportunities with attractive risk-weighted returns.

The increased capital requirements and other regulations placed on banks may reduce lending by traditional large financial institutions and community banks.  We believe that debt financing through traditional large financial institutions will continue to be constrained for several years as U.S. and international regulators continue to phase in financial reforms, such as Basel III, and U.S. regulators promulgate rules and regulations under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. We believe that these regulations will increase capital requirements and have the effect of further limiting the capacity of traditional financial institutions to hold non-investment grade loans on their balance sheets. As a result, we believe that many of these financial institutions have de-emphasized their service and product offerings to SMBs, which we believe will make a higher volume of deal flow available to us.

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Increased demand for comprehensive, business-critical SMB solutions.  Increased competition and rapid technological innovation are creating an increasingly competitive business environment that requires SMBs to fundamentally change the way they manage critical business processes. This environment is characterized by greater focus on increased quality, lower costs, faster turnaround and heightened regulatory scrutiny. To make necessary changes and adequately address these needs, we believe that companies are focusing on their core competencies and utilizing cost-effective outsourced solutions to improve productivity, lower costs and manage operations more efficiently. Our controlled portfolio companies provide critical business solutions such as business lending, receivables financing, including inventory financing and health care receivables, electronic payment processing, managed IT solutions (including eCommerce, webhosting and datacenters), personal and commercial insurance services and full-service payroll and benefit solutions. We believe that each of these market segments is underserved for SMBs and since we are able to provide comprehensive solutions under one platform, we are well positioned to continue to realize growth from these product offerings.

Competitive Advantages

We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities in SMBs due to the following competitive advantages:

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We generally seek to avoid investing in high-risk, early-stage enterprises that are only beginning to develop their market share or build their management and operational infrastructure with limited collateral. We also believe our SBA license, combined with our PLP designation, provides us with a distinct competitive advantage over other SMB lenders that have not overcome these significant barriers-to-entry in our primary loan market.

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The Offering

We may offer, from time to time, up to $300,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, warrants, or debt securities, on terms to be determined at the time of each offering. We will offer our securities at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The offering price per share of our securities, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, generally will not be less than the net asset value per share of our securities at the time of an offering. However, we may issue securities pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the prior approval of the majority of our common stockholders or (iii) under such other circumstances as the SEC may permit. Any such issuance of shares of our common stock below net asset value may be dilutive to the net asset value of our common stock. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus”.

Our securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, or through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, commission, or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution”. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of securities.

Set forth below is additional information regarding offerings of securities pursuant to this prospectus:

Use of Proceeds

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we plan to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for funding investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus. Additionally, we may use net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which include funding investments, repaying any outstanding indebtedness, acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes. The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of proceeds from such offering. See “Use of Proceeds”.

Distributions

We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. The quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board. The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our taxable income for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. See “Price Range Of Common Stock And Distributions.”

Taxation

We have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with our 2015 tax year, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders. To maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually 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 (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). See “Price Range Of Common Stock And Distributions” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Leverage

As of June 2, 2017, we had an aggregate of $179.8 million of debt outstanding, including $25.6 million outstanding under our $100.0 million credit facility with Capital One (the “Credit Facility”), securitization notes payable of $105.6 million, $40.3 million of Notes due 2021, and $8.3 million of Notes due 2022. We may seek additional forms of leverage and borrow funds to make investments, including before we have fully

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invested the proceeds of this offering. As a result, we will be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for loss on amounts invested and therefore increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. The costs associated with our borrowings are borne by our common stockholders. See “Risk Factors.”

Trading

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NEWT.” Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. The risk that our shares may trade at a discount to our net asset value is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below net asset value. As of June 2, 2017, our common stock closed at a 20.27% premium to our net asset value of $14.31 per share as of March 31, 2017.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan. If your shares of common stock are registered in your own name, your distributions will automatically be reinvested under our dividend reinvestment plan in additional whole and fractional shares of common stock, unless you “opt out” of our dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, you should contact the broker or nominee for details regarding opting out of our dividend reinvestment plan. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock will be subject to the same federal, state, and local tax consequences as stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

Summary Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our shares, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investing in Newtek involves other risks, including the following:

Risk Related to Our Business and Structure

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Risks Related to Our Investments Generally

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Risks Relating to Our Controlled Portfolio Companies — Newtek Merchant Solutions (NMS)

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Risks Related to Our Controlled Portfolio Companies — Newtek Technology Solutions (NTS)

Risks Related to Our Controlled Portfolio Companies — Newtek Insurance Agency (NIA)

Risks Related to Our Controlled Portfolio Companies — Newtek Payroll and Benefits Solutions (NPS)

Risks Related to Our Controlled Portfolio Companies — Newtek Business Credit Solutions (NBC)

Legal Proceedings — Portfolio Companies

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Risks Relating to Our CAPCO Business

Risks Relating to Our Securities

Risk Related to Our Publicly-Traded Debt

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See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23, and the other information included in this prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

Recent Developments

Appointment of Gregory L. Zink to the Board of Directors

On March 28, 2017, the Board accepted the resignation of Sam Kirschner from his position as a member of the Board, effective immediately, and appointed Gregory L. Zink to serve the balance of Mr. Kirschner’s term, effective as of that same date. Mr. Kirschner’s decision to resign from the Board was not due to any dispute or disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices.

Mr. Zink will serve on the Board from March 28, 2017 until the date of the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, at which time stockholders will have an opportunity to elect him to a subsequent three-year term, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Mr. Zink was also appointed to serve on the Audit and Compensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating committees of the Board.

Mr. Zink has served as Chairman and CEO of NGJ Brand Solutions, the exclusive representative in Japan for leading commercial fitness equipment brands including Nautilus, Stairmaster, and Schwinn since 1995. Mr. Zink has been the Managing Partner of the Lowell Group LLC since 1998 providing consulting and financial advice to small and medium sized businesses. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Zink was a manager of the Company’s Florida based certified capital company and an officer of the Company’s predecessor. Mr. Zink was formerly employed by Touche Ross/Deloitte Consulting and AT&T, and is a graduate of the General Electric Financial Management Program. He holds an undergraduate degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

Mr. Zink is not an “interested person” of the Company as such term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Mr. Zink was not appointed to the Board pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any other person, and there are no current or proposed transactions between the Company and Mr. Zink or his immediate family members which would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. Zink will receive director fees consistent with the director compensation arrangements of the Company, under terms consistent with those previously disclosed by the Company, and Mr. Zink has entered into an indemnification agreement with the Company.

Investment in International Professional Marketing, Inc.

On April 6, 2017, Newtek closed on its investment in IPM, which is now a new wholly owned controlled portfolio company of Newtek. IPM, with 2016 sales of $35.9 million, has over 30 years’ experience in the IT consulting space, with over 45 full time employees and a virtual bench of 80 IT subcontractors, that have historically consulted, strategized, designed and implemented technology solutions for enterprise and commercial clients across the United States. The consideration paid by the Company was $11,119,688, which equates to 4.0 times IPM’s 2016 EBITDA, and consisted of the payment at closing of $1 million in restricted shares of Newtek common stock and $8,751,735 in cash, with the $1,367,953 balance to be paid in cash in two equal installments in 2018 and 2019 only if IPM attains specific EBITDA levels for fiscal 2017 and 2018. Newtek will hold IPM’s white labeled consulting, strategy, implementation and design business in a separate wholly owned and controlled portfolio company, named Sidco, LLC.

NSBF Revolving Credit Facility

As of May 11, 2017, NSBF entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Capital One, National Association (“Capital One”) and UBS Bank USA (“UBS”) as Lenders (in such capacity, collectively the “Lenders”), and Capital One as Administrative Agent, Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, pursuant to which UBS was added a Lender thereunder and the Lenders

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increased the aggregate amount of the credit facility extended to NSBF thereunder from a maximum aggregate amount of $50,000,000 to $100,000,000 (the “Amended Credit Facility”). The full Amended Credit Facility may be used to fund both those portions of SBA 7(a) loans made by NSBF that are guaranteed by the SBA and those portions of SBA 7(a) loans made by NSBF that are not guaranteed by the SBA. NSBF plans to continue to draw on this Amended Credit Facility to continue the expansion of its SBA loan originations.

Concurrent with the line increase, NSBF received a reduction in the interest rate from the credit facility in effect immediately prior to the Agreement of 1.125% when NSBF utilizes the Amended Credit facility to fund the unguaranteed portion of SBA loans and 1.25% when NSBF utilizes the Amended Credit Facility to fund the guaranteed portion of SBA loans.

The Amended Credit Facility will convert into a term loan on May 11, 2020, which term loan will have a maturity date of May 11, 2022. The Agreement also specifies certain events of default, pursuant to which Capital One could require immediate repayment by NSBF of all outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility.

In addition, the Company has guaranteed NSBF’s performance and repayment obligations under the Agreement, pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment and Performance, dated as of May 11, 2017.

ATM Program Update

During the period from April 1, 2017 to May 23, 2017 (with settlement through May 26, 2017), we sold 140,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of $17.56 per share, and raised $2.5 million gross proceeds, under our at-the-market offering program, or ATM Program. Net proceeds were $2.4 million after commissions to the placement agent on shares sold and offering costs.

Annual Governance Review

As part of the annual governance review by the Newtek Business Services Corp. (the “Company”) board of directors (the “Board”) in 2017, management will discuss with the Board the restrictions in the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation on the ability of stockholders to amend the Company’s Bylaws. This review is in response to updated voting guidelines issued by a proxy advisory firm. Revised guidance by the proxy advisory firm issued in April 2017 clarified that the guidelines apply to business development companies like the Company.

General Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 130, Lake Success, NY 11042, our telephone number is (212) 356-9500 and our website may be found at http://www.NewtekOne.com. Information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus.

We are required to file periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549 and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. This information is also available free of charge by contacting us at Newtek Business Services Corp., 1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 130, Lake Success, NY 11042, by telephone at (212) 356-9500 or on our website at http://www.NewtekOne.com. Information contained on our website or on the SEC’s website about us is not incorporated into this prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website or on the SEC’s website to be part of this prospectus.

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that many of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you,” “us” or “Newtek,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, the Company will pay such fees and expenses out of our net assets and, consequently, you will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as an investor in Newtek Business Services Corp. However you will not be required to deliver any money or otherwise bear personal liability or responsibility for such fees or expenses.

Stockholder transaction expenses:
Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)			—	%(1)
Offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of offering price)			—	%(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan fees			—	%(3)
Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)(4)			—	%
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock)(5):
Operating expenses			14.76	%(6)
Interest payments on borrowed funds			5.04	%(7)
Other expenses			0.03	%(8)
Acquired funds fees and expenses			None	(9)
Total annual expenses			19.83	%(10)

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Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above.

		1 Year				3 Years				5 Years				10 Years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return		$	208			$	656			$	1,150			$	2,618

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. Further, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, generally determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the dividend payment date, which may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following selected statements of operations and balance sheet data have been derived from the audited financial statements for each of the five years ended December 31, 2016. The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015, the period from November 12, 2014 to December 31, 2014, the period from January 1, 2014 to November 11, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013 have been audited by RSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey LLP). The Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2012 (not separately presented herein) have been audited by an independent registered public accountant. The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto. The selected financial and other data for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and other quarterly financial information is derived from our unaudited financial statements, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the results of such interim periods. Interim results as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.

		For the Three Months Ended March 31, (unaudited)								As a Business Development Company												Prior to becoming a Business Development Company
Statement of Operations Data:		2017				2016				2016				2015				November 12, 2014 to December 31, 2014				January 1, 2014 to November 11, 2104				2013				2012
Investment income		$	8,993			$	6,794			$	30,965			$	26,070			$	1,976			$	—			$	—			$	—
Operating revenues			—				—				—				—				—				131,847				143,593				131,130
Expenses			11,087				8,174				40,225				32,255				4,305				121,036				131,319				120,570
Net investment loss			(2,094	)			(1,380	)			(9,260	)			(6,185	)			(2,523	)			—				—				—
Net increase in net assets			5,904				5,604				27,305				35,736				681				—				—				—
Net income			—				—				—				—				—				3,208				7,151				5,557
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)			7,998				6,984				36,565				41,921				3,204				(3,668	)			(1,205	)			(1,121	)
Per Share Data:
Net investment loss		$	(0.13	)		$	(0.10	)		$	(0.64	)		$	(0.57	)		$	(0.33	)		$	—			$	—			$	—
Net increase in net assets		$	0.36			$	0.39			$	1.88			$	3.32			$	0.09
Basic earnings per share		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—				0.45				1.07				0.79
Diluted earnings per share		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—				0.45				0.99				0.77
Dividends declared		$	0.36			$	0.35			$	1.53			$	4.45			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Investments, at fair value		$	358,969			$	278,004			$	345,224			$	266,874			$	233,462				N/A			$	83,685			$	43,951
Total assets		$	443,311			$	350,266			$	401,450			$	352,430			$	301,832				N/A			$	198,612			$	152,742
Total debt		$	174,511			$	134,422			$	171,242			$	131,761			$	122,543				N/A			$	101,358			$	61,862
Total liabilities		$	196,947			$	146,504			$	192,356			$	148,481			$	135,414				N/A			$	121,603			$	83,840
Net assets/stockholders’ equity		$	246,364			$	203,762			$	209,094			$	203,949			$	166,418				N/A			$	77,009			$	68,902
Common shares outstanding at end of period			17,220				14,509				14,624				14,509				10,206				N/A				7,077				7,036

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2016		For the quarter ended (In Thousands, except per share data)
		March 31, 2016				June 30, 2016				September 30, 2016				December 31, 2016
Total Investment Income		$	6,794			$	7,223			$	7,851			$	9,097
Net investment (loss) income		$	(1,380	)		$	(4,081	)		$	(2,125	)		$	(1,674	)
Net increase in net assets		$	5,604			$	5,372			$	10,040			$	6,289
Net increase in net assets per share		$	0.39			$	0.37			$	0.69			$	0.43

2015		For the quarter ended (In Thousands, except per share data)
		March 31, 2015				June 30, 2015				September 30, 2015				December 31, 2015
Total Investment Income		$	4,750			$	5,606			$	7,038			$	8,676
Net investment (loss) income		$	(2,476	)		$	(2,295	)		$	(1,491	)		$	77
Net increase in net assets		$	10,003			$	4,876			$	4,749			$	16,108
Net increase in net assets per share		$	0.98			$	0.48			$	0.47			$	1.31

2014		For the quarter ended												Period from
		(In Thousands, except Per Share Data)
		March 31				June 30				September 30				October 1, 2014 through November 11, 2014				November 12, 2014 through December 31, 2014
Total Revenue		$	36,087			$	38,128			$	38,166			$	19,466			$	—
Investment income		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,976
Income (loss) before income taxes		$	2,216			$	2,289			$	4,523			$	(1,228	)		$	—
Net investment loss before income tax		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(2,329	)
Net income available to common stockholders		$	1,391			$	1,394			$	2,644			$	(1,415	)		$	—
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	681
Income (loss) per share – Basic		$	0.20			$	0.20			$	0.35			$	(0.19	)		$	—
Income (loss) per share – Diluted		$	0.18			$	0.18			$	0.34			$	(0.19	)		$	—
Net increase in net assets per share		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	0.09

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights for the Company are as follows:

Per share data(2)		Year ended December 31, 2016				Year ended December 31, 2015				November 12, 2014 through December 31, 2014
Net asset value at beginning of period		$	14.06			$	16.31			$	13.49
Issuance of common stock			—				2.43				2.73
Dividends from capital gains			(1.53	)			(1.76	)			—
Special dividend			—				(2.69	)			—
Net investment loss			(0.64	)			(0.57	)			(0.33	)
Net realized gain on investments			2.17				3.14				0.08
Net unrealized appreciation on investments			0.85				0.95				0.36
Change in provision for deferred taxes			(0.35	)			(0.06	)			—
Stock compensation			0.04				—				—
Net unrealized depreciation on servicing assets			(0.16	)			(0.12	)			(0.02	)
Exponential of New York LLC distributions to members			—				(0.25	)			—
Consolidation of Exponential Business Development Co., Inc.			(0.03	)			—				—
Reversal of deferred tax asset			—				(0.19	)			—
Out of period adjustment related to BDC Conversion			—				(0.06	)			—
Impact of restricted stock awards			(0.11	)			—				—
Dilutive effect of special dividend			—				(3.07	)			—
Net asset value at end of period		$	14.30			$	14.06			$	16.31
Per share market value at end of period		$	15.90			$	14.32			$	14.76
Total return based on market value(3)			24.51	%			24.46	%			13.10	%
Total return based on average net asset value(4)			12.59	%			13.52	%			20.87	%
Shares outstanding at end of period			14,624				14,509				10,206
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets			19.48	%			17.42	%			20.46	%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets			(4.48	)%			(3.34	)%			(11.99	)%
Net assets at end of period		$	209,094			$	203,949			$	166,418
Average debt outstanding		$	151,502			$	128,680			$	108,483
Average debt outstanding per share		$	10.36			$	8.87			$	10.63
Asset coverage ratio			222	%			249	%			223	%
Portfolio turnover			109.64	%			103.50	%			5.08	%

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risk factors described below and under the caption “Risk Factors” in any accompanying prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, 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. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE

Throughout our 19 year history we have never operated as a BDC until we converted on November 12, 2014.

Although Newtek has operated since 1998, we have limited operating history as a BDC. As a result, we can offer no assurance that we will achieve our investment objective and that the value of any investment in our Company will not decline substantially. As a BDC, we are subject to the regulatory requirements of the SEC, in addition to the specific regulatory requirements applicable to BDCs under the 1940 Act and RICs under the Code. Prior to our BDC Conversion, our management did not have any prior experience operating under this BDC regulatory framework, and we may incur substantial additional costs, and expend significant time or other resources, to do so. In addition, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenue from our operations to make or sustain distributions to our shareholders.

Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value, with our Board having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving, in good faith, its estimate of fair value and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by us, with our Board having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving, in good faith, our estimate of fair value. Typically, there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we invest. As a result, we value these securities annually and quarterly at fair value based on various inputs, including management, third-party valuation firms and our audit committee, and with the oversight, review and approval of our Board.

The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized gains and losses in our portfolio, are to a certain degree, subjective and dependent on a valuation process approved by our Board. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include external events, such as private mergers, sales and acquisitions involving comparable companies. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, they 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. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our common stock based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling stock during a period in which the net asset value understates the value of our investments will receive a lower price for their stock than the value of our investments might warrant.

Our financial condition and results of operations will depend on our ability to manage and deploy capital effectively.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to manage and deploy capital, which will depend, in turn, on our management’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor, and our ability to finance and invest in, companies that meet our investment criteria.

Accomplishing our investment objective on a cost-effective basis will largely be a function of our management’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient

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services and our access to investments offering acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee is called upon, from time to time, to provide managerial assistance to some of our portfolio companies.

These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. Even if we are able to grow and build upon our investment operations, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and economic conditions. Furthermore, if we cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies as described herein, it could negatively impact our ability to pay dividends.

We are dependent upon our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee for our future success, and if we are unable to hire and retain qualified personnel or if we lose any member of our Senior Lending Team or our Executive Committee our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

We depend on our Senior Lending Team and Executive Committee as well as other key personnel for the identification, final selection, structuring, closing and monitoring of our investments. These executive officers and employees have critical industry experience and relationships that we rely on to implement our business plan. Our future success depends on the continued service of our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee and the replacement of any departing individuals with others of comparable skills and experience. The departure of any of the members of our Senior Lending Team, our Executive Committee or a significant number of our senior personnel could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. As a result, we may not be able to operate our business as we expect, and our ability to compete could be harmed, which could cause our operating results to suffer.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.

We compete for investments with other financial institutions and various SMB lenders, as well as other sources of funding. Additionally, competition for investment opportunities has emerged among alternative investment vehicles, such as CLOs, some of which are sponsored by other alternative asset investors, as these entities have begun to focus on making investments in SMBs. As a result of these new entrants, competition for our investment opportunities may intensify. Many of our competitors will be substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that will not be available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we will have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we will be able to offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. Furthermore, many of our competitors will have greater experience operating under, or will not be subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act will impose on us as a BDC, or the source-of-income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements we must satisfy to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC.

If we are unable to source investments effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Senior Lending Team’s and our Executive Committee’s ability to identify, evaluate and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our Senior Lending Team, our Executive Committee and our other investment professionals may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. To grow, we need to continue to hire, train, supervise and

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manage new employees and to implement computer and other systems capable of effectively accommodating our growth. However, we cannot provide assurance that any such employees will contribute to the success of our business or that we will implement such systems effectively. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships, and our inability to maintain or further develop these relationships, as well as the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

We expect that members of our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee will maintain their relationships with intermediaries, financial institutions, investment bankers, commercial bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, consultants, alliance partners, and other individuals within their networks, and we will rely, to a significant extent, upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee fail to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships with sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom members of our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

Any failure on our part to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their gross assets in specified types of securities, primarily in private companies or thinly-traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants. In addition, upon approval of a majority of our shareholders, we may elect to withdraw our status as a BDC. If we decide to withdraw our election, or if we otherwise fail to maintain our qualification, as a BDC, we may be subject to the substantially greater regulation under the 1940 Act as a closed-end investment company. Compliance with such regulations would significantly decrease our operating flexibility, and could significantly increase our costs of doing business.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

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. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities in amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% of gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common shareholders. Continuing to expand our debt financing activities in SBA 7(a) loans will require us to raise additional capital. The failure to continue to generate such loans on a consistent basis could have a material impact on our results of operations, and accordingly, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

We generally may not issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in our best interests and in the best interests of our shareholders, and our shareholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities

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convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our shareholders at that time will decrease, and you may experience dilution.

Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income to our shareholders to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth, and regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital and make distributions.

As a RIC, we generally are required to distribute substantially all of our ordinary income to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement and the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement (discussed below), which consequently increases the need to raise additional debt and equity capital. Furthermore, as a result of issuing senior securities, we would also be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, preferred shareholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences, or privileges more favorable than those of our common shareholders, and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest.

Because we borrow money, the potential for loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.

Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for loss on investments in our indebtedness and on invested equity capital. As we use leverage to partially finance our investments, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged our business. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay common stock dividends, scheduled debt payments or other payments related to our securities. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.

Illustration:  The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. 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⁽¹⁾
(net of expenses)

		(10)%				(5)%				0%				5%				10%
Corresponding net return to shareholders(2)			(22.10	)%			(13.10	)%			(4.11	)%			4.89	%			13.89	%

Our ability to achieve our investment objective may depend in part on our ability to access additional leverage on favorable terms, and there can be no assurance that such additional leverage can in fact be achieved.

To the extent we borrow money to finance our investments, changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

To the extent we borrow money to finance investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a

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material adverse effect on our net investment income in the event we borrow money to finance our investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. We expect that our long-term fixed-rate investments will be financed primarily with equity and/or long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. If we do not implement these techniques properly, we could experience losses on our hedging positions, which could be material. In addition, depending on the frequency and magnitude of rising interest rates, these interest rate increases could negatively impact premiums received on the sale of guaranteed SBA loans, and further, could increase prepayment speeds on outstanding SBA loans, potentially negatively impacting the Company’s financial results.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate of such securities, the level of portfolio dividend and fee income, 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.

Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

Although we must obtain shareholder approval to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC, our Board has the authority to modify or waive our investment objective, current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and value of our stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to make distributions and cause shareholders to lose all or part of their investment.

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC or are unable to make the distributions required to maintain RIC tax treatment.

Although we have elected to be treated as a RIC commencing with our tax year ending December 31, 2015, no assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC in the future. To maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements.

The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.

The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Failure to meet those requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of our qualification as a RIC. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses. The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of our net long-term capital losses, if any. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify as a RIC.

If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment for any reason and remain or become subject to corporate 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. Although we have elected to be treated as a RIC

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commencing with our tax year ending December 31, 2015, no assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC in the future.

We may not be able to pay distributions to our shareholders, our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.

We intend to pay distributions to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure investors 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. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by, among other things, the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this prospectus. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC can limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure investors that we will pay distributions to our shareholders in the future.

When we make distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of an investor’s basis in our stock and, assuming that an investor holds our stock as a capital asset, thereafter as a capital gain. Generally, a non-taxable return of capital will reduce an investor’s basis in our stock for federal tax purposes, which will result in higher tax liability when the stock is sold. Stockholders should read any written disclosure accompanying a distribution carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.

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 are required to include in our taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or PIK interest. Such original issue discount or increases in loan balances as a result of contractual PIK arrangements will be included in our taxable income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in our taxable income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash. Since, in certain cases, we may recognize taxable income before or without receiving corresponding cash payments, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. Accordingly, to satisfy our RIC distribution requirements, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case investors may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash they receive.

We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in part in our stock. In accordance with certain applicable Treasury regulations and private letter rulings issued by the Internal Revenue Service, a RIC may treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling the RIC distribution requirements if each shareholder may elect to receive his or her entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC, subject to a limitation that the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed to all shareholders must be at least 20% of the aggregate declared distribution. If too many shareholders elect to receive cash, each shareholder electing to receive cash must receive a pro rata amount of cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). In no event will any shareholder, electing to receive cash, receive less than 20% of his or her entire distribution in cash. If these and certain other requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock. Taxable shareholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the amount of the dividends as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for United States federal income

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tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. shareholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. shareholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. shareholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our shareholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.

Internal control deficiencies could impact the accuracy of our financial results or prevent the detection of fraud. As a result, shareholders 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. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Any failure by us to identify future deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner or remediate any such deficiencies, could prevent us from accurately and timely reporting our financial results. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We are required to disclose changes made in our internal control and procedures on a quarterly basis and our management is required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation. In the event that we are unable to maintain or achieve compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, the market price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

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 will be subject to applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations, including, without limitation, federal immigration laws and regulations. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our shareholders, potentially with retroactive effect. Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating 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 herein and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee to other types of investments in which our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

NSBF, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is subject to regulation by the SBA.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, NSBF, is licensed by the SBA as a Small Business Lending Company (“SBLC”). In order to operate as an SBLC, a licensee is required to maintain a minimum regulatory capital (as defined by SBA regulations) of the greater of (1) 10% of its outstanding loans receivable and other investments or (2) $1.0 million. Moreover, before consenting to a securitization, NSBF and other securitizers must be considered well capitalized by the SBA. For NSBF and other SBLC securitizers, the SBA will consider it well capitalized if it maintains a minimum unencumbered paid in capital and paid in surplus equal to at least 10 percent of its assets, excluding the guaranteed portion of 7(a) loans. In addition, an SBLC is subject to certain other regulatory restrictions. Among other things, SBLCs are required to: establish, adopt, and maintain a formal written capital plan; submit to the SBA for review a credit policy that demonstrates the

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SBLC’s compliance with the applicable regulations and the SBA’s Standard Operating Procedures for origination, servicing and liquidation of 7(a) loans; submit to the SBA for review and approval annual validation, with supporting documentation and methodologies, demonstrating that any scoring model used by the SBLC is predictive of loan performance; obtain SBA approval for loan securitization and borrowings; and adopt and fully implement an internal control policy which provides adequate direction for effective control over and accountability for operations, programs, and resources.

We have specific risks associated with SBA loans.

We have generally sold the guaranteed portion of SBA loans in the secondary market. Such sales have resulted in our earning premiums and creating a stream of servicing income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue originating these loans, or that a secondary market will exist for, or that we will continue to realize premiums upon the sale of the guaranteed portions of the SBA 7(a) loans.

If NSBF fails to comply with SBA regulations in connection with the origination, servicing, or liquidation of an SBA 7(a) loan, liability on the SBA guaranty, in whole or part, could be transferred to NSBF.

Since we sell the guaranteed portion of substantially all of our SBA 7(a) loan portfolio, we retain credit risk on the non-guaranteed portion of the SBA loans. We share pro rata with the SBA in any recoveries. In the event of default on an SBA loan, our pursuit of remedies against a borrower is subject to SBA approval.

If we fail to comply with certain of the SBA’s regulations in connection with the origination, servicing, or liquidation of an SBA 7(a) loan, the SBA may be released from liability on its guaranty of a 7(a) loan, and may refuse to honor a guaranty purchase request in full (referred to by SBA as a “denial”) or in part (referred to by SBA as a “repair”), or recover all or part of the funds already paid in connection with a guaranty purchase. In the event of a repair or denial, liability on the guaranty, in whole or part, would be transferred to NSBF. In addition, the growth in the number of loans made by NSBF, changes in SBA regulations and economic factors may adversely impact our current repair and denial rate.

Curtailment of the government-guaranteed loan programs could adversely affect our results of operations.

Although the program has been in existence since 1953, there can be no assurance that the federal government will maintain the SBA 7(a) loan program, or that it will continue to guarantee loans at current levels. If we cannot continue originating and selling government-guaranteed loans, we will generate fewer origination fees and our ability to generate gains on the sale of loans will decrease. From time-to-time, the government agencies that guarantee these loans reach their internal budgeted limits and cease to guarantee loans for a stated time period. In addition, these agencies may change their rules for extending loans. Also, Congress may adopt legislation that would have the effect of discontinuing or changing the SBA’s programs. Non-governmental programs could replace government programs for some borrowers, but the terms might not be equally acceptable. If these changes occur, the volume of loans to SMBs and industrial borrowers of the types that now qualify for government-guaranteed loans could decline, as could the profitability of these loans.

Additionally, under current law, SBA 7(a) lenders must share equally with the SBA any SBA 7(a) loan premium in excess of 110% of the par value of such loans. Legislation pending in the U.S. Senate would, among other things, require SBA 7(a) lenders to share equally with the SBA any SBA 7(a) loan premium in excess of 108% of the par value of such loans, thereby decreasing the share of loan premium received by the SBA 7(a) lender. Such legislation also would impose a new fee of 3 basis points on the guaranteed portion of the SBA 7(a) loan. If passed in its present form, the legislation could serve to negatively impact the profitability of SBA 7(a) loans and our financial performance and results of operations.

Curtailment of our ability to utilize the SBA 7(a) Loan Program by the Federal government could adversely affect our results of operations.

We are dependent upon the federal government to maintain the SBA 7(a) Program. There can be no assurance that the program will be maintained or that loans will continue to be guaranteed at current levels. From time-to-time the SBA has reached its internal budgeted limits and ceased to guarantee loans for a stated period of time. In addition, the SBA may change its rules regarding loans or Congress may adopt legislation or fail to approve a budget that would have the effect of discontinuing, reducing availability of funds for, or

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changing loan programs. Non-governmental programs could replace government programs for some borrowers, but the terms might not be equally acceptable. If these changes occur, the volume of loans to small businesses that now qualify for government guaranteed loans could decline, as could the profitability of these loans.

NSBF’s failure to maintain PLP status or maintain its SBA 7(a) license could adversely affect our results of operation.

NSBF has been granted PLP status and originates, sells and services small business loans and is authorized to place SBA guarantees on loans without seeking prior SBA review and approval. Being a national lender, PLP status allows NSBF to expedite loans since NSBF is not required to present applications to the SBA for concurrent review and approval. The loss of PLP status could adversely impact our marketing efforts and ultimately loan origination volume which could negatively impact our results of operations.

There can be no assurance that NSBF will be able to maintain its status as a PLP or that NSBF can maintain its SBA 7(a) license. If NSBF cannot continue originating and selling government guaranteed loans at current levels, we could experience a decrease in future servicing spreads and earned premiums and negatively impact our results of operations.

Our loans under the Section 7(a) Loan Program involve a high risk of default and such default could adversely impact our results of operations.

Loans to small businesses involve a high risk of default. Such loans are generally not rated by any statistical rating organization. Small businesses usually have smaller product lines and market shares than larger companies and therefore may be more vulnerable to competition and general economic conditions. These businesses’ success typically depends on their management talents and efforts of one person or a small group of persons whose death, disability or resignation would adversely affect the business. Because these businesses frequently have highly leveraged capital structures, reduced cash flow resulting from economic downturns can severely impact the businesses’ ability to meet their obligations, which could impact our results of operations. The portions of Section 7(a) loans to be retained by the Company do not benefit directly from any SBA guarantees; in an event of default, however, the Company and the SBA typically cooperate in collateral foreclosure or other work-out efforts and share in any resulting collections.

The loans we make under the Section 7(a) Loan Program face competition.

There are several other non-bank lenders as well as a large number of banks that participate in the SBA Section 7(a) Loan Program. All of these participants compete for the business of eligible borrowers. In addition, pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Company is limited as to the amount of indebtedness it may have. Accordingly, the Company may be at a competitive disadvantage with regard to other lenders or financial institutions that may be able to achieve greater leverage at a lower cost.

Our business is subject to increasingly complex corporate governance, public disclosure and accounting requirements that are costly and could adversely affect our business and financial results.

We are subject to changing rules and regulations of federal and state government as well as the stock exchange on which our common stock is listed. These entities, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Market, have issued a significant number of new and increasingly complex requirements and regulations over the course of the last several years and continue to develop additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by Congress. Our efforts to comply with existing requirements, or any revised or amended requirements, have resulted in, and may continue to result in, an increase in expenses and a diversion of management’s time from other business activities.

In addition, our failure to keep pace with any such rules, or for our management to appropriately address compliance with such rules fully and in a timely manner, exposes us to an increasing risk of inadvertent non-compliance. While our management team takes reasonable efforts to ensure that the Company is in full compliance with all laws applicable to its operations, the increasing rate and extent of regulatory change

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increases the risk of a failure to comply, which may result in our ability to operate our business in the ordinary course or may subject us to potential fines, regulatory findings or other matters that may materially impact our business.

If we cannot obtain additional capital because of either regulatory or market price constraints, we could be forced to curtail or cease our new lending and investment activities, our net asset value could decrease and our level of distributions and liquidity could be affected adversely.

Our ability to secure additional financing and satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to the prevailing general economic and credit market conditions, including interest rate levels and the availability of credit generally, and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The prolonged continuation or worsening of current economic and capital market conditions could have a material adverse effect on our ability to secure financing on favorable terms, if at all.

If we are unable to obtain additional debt capital, then our equity investors will not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage to the extent that our investment strategy is successful and we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or fundings to our portfolio companies.

Capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability and we cannot predict when these conditions will occur. Such market conditions could materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As a BDC, we must maintain our ability to raise additional capital for investment purposes. Without sufficient access to the capital markets or credit markets, we may be forced to curtail our business operations or we may not be able to pursue new business opportunities.

The U.S. and global capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption during the economic downturn that began in mid-2007, and the U.S. economy was in a recession for several consecutive calendar quarters during the same period. In 2010, a financial crisis emerged in Europe, triggered by high budget deficits and rising direct and contingent sovereign debt, which created concerns about the ability of certain nations to continue to service their sovereign debt obligations. Risks resulting from such debt crisis, including any austerity measures taken in exchange for the bail out of certain nations, and any future debt crisis in Europe or any similar crisis elsewhere could have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, sovereign and non-sovereign debt in certain countries and the financial condition of financial institutions generally. In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the European Union (“Brexit”), and, accordingly, on February 1, 2017, the U.K. Parliament voted in favor of allowing the U.K. government to begin the formal process of Brexit. Brexit created political and economic uncertainty and instability in the global markets (including currency and credit markets), and especially in the United Kingdom and the European Union, and this uncertainty and instability may last indefinitely. There is continued concern about national-level support for the Euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among European Economic and Monetary Union member countries. In addition, the fiscal and monetary policies of foreign nations, such as Russia and China, may have a severe impact on the worldwide and U.S. financial markets.

Additionally, as a result of the 2016 U.S. election, the Republican Party currently controls both the executive and legislative branches of government, which increases the likelihood that legislation may be adopted that could significantly affect the regulation of U.S. financial markets. Areas subject to potential change, amendment, or repeal include the Dodd-Frank Act and the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. The U.S. may also potentially withdraw from or renegotiate various trade agreements and take other actions that would change current trade policies of the U.S. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the U.S. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities

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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.

A failure or the perceived risk of a failure to raise the statutory debt limit of the U.S. could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Recent U.S. debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns have increased the possibility of additional credit-rating downgrades and economic slowdowns, or a recession in the U.S. In the future, the U.S. government may not be able to meet its debt payments unless the federal debt ceiling is raised. If legislation increasing the debt ceiling is not enacted, as needed, and the debt ceiling is reached, the U.S. federal government may stop or delay making payments on its obligations, which could negatively impact the U.S. economy and our portfolio companies. In addition, disagreement over the federal budget has caused the U.S. federal government to shut down for periods of time. Continued adverse political and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our securities and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Our business is highly dependent on our communications and information systems. Certain of these systems are provided to us by third party service providers. Any failure or interruption of such systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any such third party service provider, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our securities and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Terrorist attacks, acts of war or natural disasters may affect any market for our securities, impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Terrorist acts, acts of war or natural disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.

We could be adversely affected by information security breaches or cyber security attacks.

Our business operations and our portfolio companies’ business operations rely upon secure information technology systems for data processing, storage and reporting. Despite careful security and controls design, implementation and updating, such information technology systems could become subject to cyber-attacks. Network, system, application and data breaches could result in operational disruptions or information misappropriation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, our business operations and our portfolio companies’ business operations involve the storage and transmission of Newtek, portfolio company, customer and employee proprietary information. Our businesses rely on our digital technologies, computer and email systems, software, and networks to conduct operations. Our technologies, systems and networks may become the target of criminal cyber-attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of us, our portfolio companies, or third parties with whom we and our portfolio companies deal, or otherwise disrupt our or our customers’ or other third parties’ business operations. It is critical to our business strategy that our facilities and infrastructure remain secure and are perceived by the marketplace to be secure. Although we employ appropriate security technologies (including data encryption processes, intrusion detection systems), and conduct comprehensive

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risk assessments and other internal control procedures to assure the security of our and our customers’ data, we cannot guarantee that these measures will be sufficient for this purpose. If our security measures are breached as a result of third-party action, employee error or otherwise, and as a result our or our customers’ data becomes available to unauthorized parties, we could incur liability and our reputation would be damaged, which could lead to the loss of current and potential customers. If we experience any breaches of our network security or sabotage, we might be required to expend significant capital and other resources to detect, remedy, protect against or alleviate these and related problems, and we may not be able to remedy these problems in a timely manner, or at all. Because techniques used by outsiders to obtain unauthorized network access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Although we have insurance in place that covers such incidents, the cost of a breach or cyber-attack could well exceed any such insurance coverage.

The failure in cyber-security systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If a significant number of our managers were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely compromised.

We and our portfolio companies depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our portfolio companies implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, we and our portfolio companies may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our and our portfolio company computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to our and our portfolio companies’ reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR INVESTMENTS GENERALLY

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.

We invest primarily in senior secured term loans and select equity investments issued by companies, some of which are highly leveraged. The majority of senior secured loans are SBA 7(a) loans and the majority of equity investments are comprised of controlled affiliate equity investments.

Senior Secured Loans.  There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans, in most cases real estate, 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, and, in some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of 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. In some cases we may take second lien position on additional business or personal assets to secure further our first lien positions.

Equity Investments.  We occasionally invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. The equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we

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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.

In addition, investing in SMBs involves a number of significant risks, including:

An investment strategy focused primarily on smaller privately held companies involves a high degree of risk and presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns.

Our portfolio consists primarily of debt and equity investments in smaller privately-owned companies. Investing in these types of companies involves a number of significant risks. Typically, the debt in which we invest is not initially rated by any rating agency; however, we believe that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “high yield” or “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Compared to larger publicly-owned companies, these small companies may be in a weaker financial position and experience wider variations in their operating results, which may make them more vulnerable to economic downturns. Typically, these companies need more capital to compete; however, their access to capital is limited and their cost of capital is often higher than that of their competitors. Our portfolio companies often face intense competition from larger companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resources and their success typically depends on the managerial talents and efforts of an individual or a small group of persons. Therefore, any loss of its key employees could affect a portfolio company’s ability to compete effectively and harm its financial condition. Further, some of these companies conduct business in regulated industries that are susceptible to regulatory changes. These factors could impair the cash flow of our portfolio companies and result in other events, such as bankruptcy. These events could limit a portfolio company’s ability to repay its obligations to us, which may have an adverse effect on the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these businesses. Deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition and prospects may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the loan’s collateral.

Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of our Senior Lending Team and our Executive Committee to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Also, privately held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market

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presence than larger competitors. These factors could adversely affect our investment returns as compared to companies investing primarily in the securities of public companies.

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

Investment in leveraged companies involves a number of significant risks. Leveraged companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their loans and debt securities that we hold. Such developments may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees that we may have obtained in connection with our investment. Smaller leveraged companies also may have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance their expansion or maintain their competitive position.

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

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or in some cases senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments 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. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have sufficient remaining assets to repay its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

Certain loans that we make are secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral pledged by a portfolio company to secure senior first lien debt owed by the portfolio company to commercial banks or other traditional lenders. Often the senior lender has procured covenants from the portfolio company prohibiting the incurrence of additional secured debt without the senior lender’s consent. Prior to and as a condition of permitting the portfolio company to borrow money from us secured by the same collateral pledged to the senior lender, the senior lender will require assurances that it will control the disposition of any collateral in the event of bankruptcy or other default. In many such cases, the senior lender will require us to enter into an “intercreditor agreement” prior to permitting the portfolio company to borrow from us. Typically the intercreditor agreements we will be requested to expressly subordinate our debt instruments to those held by the senior lender and further provide that the senior lender shall control: (1) the commencement of foreclosure or other proceedings to liquidate and collect on the collateral; (2) the nature, timing and conduct of foreclosure or other collection proceedings; (3) the amendment of any collateral document; (4) the release of the security interests in respect of any collateral; and (5) the waiver of defaults under any security agreement. Because of the control we may cede to senior lenders under intercreditor agreements we may enter, we may be unable to realize the proceeds of any collateral securing some of our loans.

If we make subordinated investments, the obligors or the portfolio companies may not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to us.

We may make subordinated investments that rank below other obligations of the obligor in right of payment. Subordinated investments are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or economic conditions in general. If we make a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service all of its debt obligations.

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The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.

We currently expect that substantially all of our investments will involve loans and private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in loans and 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 potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately result in funding obligations that we must satisfy through our return of distributions previously made to us.

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

Even though we may have structured certain of our investments as secured loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, and based upon principles of equitable subordination as defined by existing case law, a bankruptcy court could subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors and transfer any lien securing such subordinated claim to the bankruptcy estate. The principles of equitable subordination defined by case law have generally indicated that a claim may be subordinated only if its holder is guilty of misconduct or where the senior loan is re-characterized as an equity investment and the senior lender has actually provided significant managerial assistance to the bankrupt debtor. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business.

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

Certain of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to an economic downturn and may be unable to repay our loans during this period. Therefore, assets may become non-performing and the value of our portfolio may decrease during this period. The adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. A recession could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and the value of our assets.

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

We generally invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. There is no established trading market for the securities in which we invest. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. 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 had previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the near-term. Further, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we have material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in order to: (1) increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage; (2) exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or a subsequent financing; or (3) attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment. We may elect not to make follow-on investments or otherwise lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We will have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. 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

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participation in a successful operation. 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 concentration of risk, we prefer other opportunities, we are subject to BDC requirements that would prevent such follow-on investments, or the follow-on investment would affect our qualification as a RIC.

Our portfolio may lack diversification among portfolio companies which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these companies default on its obligations under any of its debt instruments.

Our portfolio holds a limited number of controlled affiliate portfolio companies. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments may be concentrated in relatively few companies. As our portfolio is less diversified than the portfolios of some larger funds, we are more susceptible to failure if a single loan fails. Similarly, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment.

We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we may invest a significant portion of our assets in a relatively small number of issuers, which subjects us to a risk of significant loss if any of these issuers defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or as a result of a downturn in the particular industry.

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we may invest a significant portion of our assets in a relatively small number of issuers in a limited number of industries. As of March 31, 2017, our three largest investments, Newtek Merchant Solutions, Newtek Technology Solutions and Newtek Payments Solutions equaled approximately 14%, 4% and 5%, respectively, of the fair value of our total assets. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and while we are not targeting any specific industries, relatively few industries may become significantly represented among our investments. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value 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, changes in fair value over time or a downturn in any particular industry. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company.

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of industries, which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if there is a downturn in a particular industry in which a number of our investments are concentrated.

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of industries. A downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize. If an industry in which we have significant investments suffers from adverse business or economic conditions, as these industries have to varying degrees, a material portion of our investment portfolio could be affected adversely, which, in turn, could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

Because we may not hold controlling equity interests in certain of our portfolio companies, we may 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 hold controlling equity positions in the majority of our portfolio companies where our investments are in the form of debt, particularly SBA loans. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and that the management and/or shareholders of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity of the debt and equity investments that we typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company and 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 secured assets, which

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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. Any extension or restructuring of our loans could adversely affect our cash flows. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we may have structured our interest as senior debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

If we and our portfolio companies are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our business and prospects could be harmed, and if we and our portfolio companies are required to devote significant resources to protecting their intellectual property rights, the value of our investment could be reduced.

The proprietary software essential to our business and that of our controlled portfolio companies is owned by us and made available to them for their use. Our future success and competitive position will depend in part upon our ability to maintain and protect proprietary technology used in our products and services. We will rely, in part, on patent, trade secret and trademark law to protect that technology, but competitors may misappropriate our intellectual property, and disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise. We may, from time to time, be required to institute litigation to enforce the patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights, protect trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We will be subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity; most of our SBA loans do not carry prepayment penalties. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments or repay outstanding debt, depending on future investment in new portfolio companies. Temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our securities.

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Certain investments that we may make in the future include warrants or other equity securities. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. Investments in preferred securities involve special risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity investments in portfolio companies. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We will often seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company issuer. We may be unable to exercise these puts rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.

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

If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to certain risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps,

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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 gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions increase. 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. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge 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 is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

An increase in non-performing assets would reduce our income and increase our expenses.

If our level of non-performing assets in our SBA lending business rises in the future, it could adversely affect our investment income and earnings. Non-performing assets are primarily loans on which borrowers are not making their required payments. Non-performing assets also include loans that have been restructured to permit the borrower to have smaller payments and real estate that has been acquired through foreclosure of unpaid loans. To the extent that our financial assets are non-performing, we will have less cash available for lending and other activities.

If the assets securing the loans that we make decrease in value, then we may lack sufficient collateral to cover losses.

To attempt to mitigate credit risks, we will typically take a security interest in the available assets of our portfolio companies. There is no assurance that we will obtain or properly perfect our liens. 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 a portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. 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 that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

In addition, because we may invest in technology-related companies, a substantial portion of the assets securing our investment may be in the form of intellectual property, if any, inventory and equipment and, to a lesser extent, cash and accounts receivable. Intellectual property, if any, that is securing our loan could lose value if, among other things, the company’s rights to the intellectual property are challenged or if the company’s license to the intellectual property is revoked or expires, the technology fails to achieve its intended results or a new technology makes the intellectual property functionally obsolete. Inventory may not be adequate to secure our loan if our valuation of the inventory at the time that we made the loan was not accurate or if there is a reduction in the demand for the inventory.

Similarly, any equipment securing our loan may not provide us with the anticipated security if there are changes in technology or advances in new equipment that render the particular equipment obsolete or of limited value, or if the company fails to adequately maintain or repair the equipment. Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to recover principal in a foreclosure.

We could be adversely affected by weakness in the residential housing and commercial real estate markets.

Continued weakness in residential home and commercial real estate values could impair our ability to collect on defaulted SBA loans as real estate is pledged in many of our SBA loans as part of the collateral package.

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RISKS RELATING TO OUR CONTROLLED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES — NEWTEK MERCHANT SOLUTIONS (NMS) AND NEWTEK PAYMENT SOLUTIONS (PREMIER PAYMENTS)

We could be adversely affected if either of NMS’ two bank sponsors is terminated.

Because NMS is not a bank, it is unable to belong to and directly access the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations. The Visa® and MasterCard® operating regulations require NMS to be sponsored by a bank in order to process bankcard transactions. A bank sponsorship is an agreement under which a financial institution that has a membership with MasterCard®, Visa® or American Express sponsors an independent sales organization, like NMS, that markets credit card processing services to merchants who accept credit cards as a form of payment, gains access to the Visa®, MasterCard®, and American Express networks. NMS is currently sponsored by two banks. If either of the sponsorships is terminated, and NMS is not able to secure or transfer the respective merchant portfolio to a new bank sponsor or sponsors, the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the electronic payment processing business could be materially adversely affected. If both the sponsorships are terminated and NMS is unable to secure a bank sponsor for the merchant portfolios, it will not be able to process bankcard transactions for the affected portfolios. Consequently, the loss of both of NMS’ sponsorships would have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, NMS’ agreements with sponsoring banks gives the sponsoring banks substantial discretion in approving certain elements of its business practices, including its solicitation, application and qualification procedures for merchants, the terms of their agreements with merchants, the processing fees that they charge, their customer service levels and its use of independent sales organizations and independent sales agents. We cannot guarantee that NMS’ sponsoring banks’ actions under these agreements would not be detrimental to us.

Other service providers, some of whom are NMS’ competitors, are necessary for the conduct of NMS’ business. The termination by service providers of these arrangements with NMS or their failure to perform these services efficiently and effectively may adversely affect NMS’ relationships with the merchants whose accounts it serves and may cause those merchants to terminate their processing agreements with NMS.

If NMS or its processors or bank sponsors fail to adhere to the standards of the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations, its registrations with these associations could be terminated and it could be required to stop providing payment processing services for Visa® and MasterCard®.

Substantially all of the transactions NMS processes involve Visa® or MasterCard®. If NMS, its bank sponsors or its processors fail to comply with the applicable requirements of the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations, Visa® or MasterCard® could suspend or terminate its registration. The termination of NMS’ registration or any changes in the Visa® or MasterCard® rules that would impair its registration could require it to stop providing payment processing services, which would have a material adverse effect on its business and could be detrimental to us.

On occasion, NMS experiences increases in interchange and sponsorship fees. If it cannot pass along these increases to its merchants, its profit margins will be reduced.

NMS pays interchange fees or assessments to bankcard associations for each transaction it processes using their credit, debit and gift cards. From time to time, the bankcard associations increase the interchange fees that they charge processors and the sponsoring banks, which generally pass on such increases to NMS. From time to time, the sponsoring banks increase their fees as well. If NMS is not able to pass these fee increases along to merchants through corresponding increases in its processing fees, its profit margins in this line of business will be reduced.

Unauthorized disclosure of merchant or cardholder data, whether through breach of our computer systems or otherwise, could expose us to liability and business losses.

Through NMS, we collect and store sensitive data about merchants and cardholders, and we maintain a database of cardholder data relating to specific transactions, including payment, card numbers and cardholder addresses, in order to process the transactions and for fraud prevention and other internal processes. If anyone penetrates our network security or otherwise misappropriates sensitive merchant or cardholder data, we could be subject to liability or business interruption. While we subject these systems to periodic independent testing

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and review, we cannot guarantee that our systems will not be penetrated in the future. If a breach of our system occurs, we may be subject to liability, including claims for unauthorized purchases with misappropriated card information, impersonation or other similar fraud claims. Similar risks exist with regard to the storage and transmission of such data by our processors. In the event of any such a breach, we may also be subject to a class action lawsuit. SMBs are less prepared for the complexities of safeguarding cardholder data than their larger counterparts. In the event of noncompliance by a customer of card industry rules, we could face fines from payment card networks. There can be no assurance that we would be able to recover any such fines from such customer.

NMS is liable if its processing merchants refuse or cannot reimburse charge-backs resolved in favor of their customers.

If a billing dispute between a merchant and a cardholder is not ultimately resolved in favor of the merchant, the disputed transaction is “charged back” to the merchant’s bank and credited to the account of the cardholder. If NMS or its processing banks are unable to collect the charge-back from the merchant’s account, or if the merchant refuses or is financially unable due to bankruptcy or other reasons to reimburse the merchant’s bank for the charge-back, NMS must bear the loss for the amount of the refund paid to the cardholder’s bank. Most of NMS’ merchants deliver products or services when purchased, so a contingent liability for charge-backs is unlikely to arise, and credits are issued on returned items. However, some of its merchants do not provide services until sometime after a purchase, which increases the potential for contingent liability and future charge backs. NMS and the sponsoring bank can require that merchants maintain cash reserves under its control to cover charge back liabilities but such reserves may not be sufficient to cover the liability or may not even be available to them in the event of a bankruptcy or other legal action.

NMS has potential liability for customer or merchant fraud.

Credit card fraud occurs when a merchant’s customer uses a stolen card (or a stolen card number in a card-not-present transaction) to purchase merchandise or services. In a traditional card-present transaction, if the merchant swipes the card, receives authorization for the transaction from the card issuing bank and verifies the signature on the back of the card against the paper receipt signed by the customer, the card issuing bank remains liable for any loss. In a fraudulent card-not-present transaction, even if the merchant receives authorization for the transaction, the merchant is liable for any loss arising from the transaction. Many NMS customers are small and transact a substantial percentage of their sales over the Internet or by telephone or mail orders. Because their sales are card-not-present transactions, these merchants are more vulnerable to customer fraud than larger merchants, and NMS could experience charge-backs arising from cardholder fraud more frequently with these merchants.

Merchant fraud occurs when a merchant, rather than a customer, knowingly uses a stolen or counterfeit card or card number to record a false sales transaction or intentionally fails to deliver the merchandise or services sold in an otherwise valid transaction. Anytime a merchant is unable to satisfy a charge-back, NMS is ultimately responsible for that charge-back unless it has required that a cash reserve be established. We cannot assure that the systems and procedures NMS has established to detect and reduce the impact of merchant fraud are or will be effective. Failure to effectively manage risk and prevent fraud could increase NMS charge-back liability and adversely affect its results of operations.

NMS payment processing systems may fail due to factors beyond its control, which could interrupt its business or cause it to lose business and likely increase costs.

NMS depends on the uninterrupted operations of our computer network systems, software and our processors’ data centers. Defects in these systems or damage to them due to factors beyond its control could cause severe disruption to NMS’ business and other material adverse effects on its payment processing businesses.

The electronic payment processing business is undergoing very rapid technological changes which may make it difficult or impossible for NMS or Premier Payments to compete effectively.

The introduction of new technologies, primarily mobile payment capabilities, and the entry into the payment processing market of new competitors, Apple, Inc., for example, could dramatically change the

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competitive environment and require significant changes and costs for NMS to remain competitive. There is no assurance that NMS or Premier will have the capability to stay competitive with such changes.

NMS and others in the payment processing industry have come under increasing pressures from various regulatory agencies seeking to use the leverage of the payment processing business to limit or modify the practices of merchants which could lead to increased costs.

Various agencies, particularly the Federal Trade Commission, have within the past few years attempted to pressure merchants to discontinue or modify various sales or other practices. As a part of the payment processing industry, processors such as NMS could experience pressure and/or litigation aimed at restricting access to credit card sales by such merchants. These efforts could cause an increase in the cost to NMS of doing business or otherwise make its business less profitable and may subject NMS to assess penalties for not taking actions deemed sufficiently aggressive to limit such practices.

Increased regulatory focus on the payments industry may result in costly new compliance burdens on NMS’ clients and on NMS itself, leading to increased costs and decreased payments volume and revenues.

Regulation of the payments industry has increased significantly in recent years. Complying with these and other regulations increases costs and can reduce revenue opportunities. Similarly, the impact of such regulations on clients may reduce the volume of payments processed. Moreover, such regulations can limit the types of products and services that are offered. Any of these occurrences can materially and adversely affect NMS’ business, prospects for future growth, financial condition and results of operations.

Examples include:

RISKS RELATING TO OUR CONTROLLED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES — NEWTEK TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS (NTS)

NTS operates in a highly competitive industry in which technological change can be rapid.

The information technology business and its related technology involve a broad range of rapidly changing technologies. NTS equipment and the technologies on which it is based may not remain competitive over time, and others may develop superior technologies that render its products non-competitive, without significant additional capital expenditures. Some of NTS’ competitors are significantly larger and have

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substantially greater market presence as well as greater financial, technical, operational, marketing and other resources and experience than NTS. In the event that such a competitor expends significant sales and marketing resources in one or several markets, NTS may not be able to compete successfully in such markets. We believe that competition will continue to increase, placing downward pressure on prices. Such pressure could adversely affect NTS gross margins if it is not able to reduce its costs commensurate with such price reductions. There can be no assurances that NTS will remain competitive.

NTS’ technology solutions business depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of its computer and communications hardware systems and infrastructure.

Despite precautions taken by NTS against possible failure of its systems, interruptions could result from natural disasters, power loss, the inability to acquire fuel for its backup generators, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks and similar events. NTS also leases telecommunications lines from local, regional and national carriers whose service may be interrupted. NTS’ business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed by any damage or failure that interrupts or delays its operations. There can be no assurance that NTS’ insurance will cover all of the losses or compensate NTS for the possible loss of clients occurring during any period that NTS is unable to provide service.

NTS’ inability to maintain the integrity of its infrastructure and the privacy of confidential information would materially affect its business.

The NTS infrastructure is potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, viruses or similar problems. If its security measures are circumvented, it could jeopardize the security of confidential information stored on NTS’ systems, misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in NTS’ operations. We may be required to make significant additional investments and efforts to protect against or remedy security breaches. Security breaches that result in access to confidential information could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or liability. The security services that NTS offers in connection with customers’ networks cannot assure complete protection from computer viruses, break-ins and other disruptive problems. The occurrence of these problems may result in claims against NTS or us or liability on our part. These claims, regardless of their ultimate outcome, could result in costly litigation and could harm our business and reputation and impair NTS’ ability to attract and retain customers.

NTS could be adversely affected by information security breaches or cyber security attacks.

NTS’ web and cloud services involve the storage and transmission of our customers’, employees’, and portfolio companies’ proprietary information. NTS’ business relies on its digital technologies, computer and email systems, software, and networks to conduct its operations. NTS’ technologies, systems and networks may become the target of criminal cyber-attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of NTS or third parties with whom NTS deals, or otherwise disrupt our or our customers’ or other third parties’ business operations. It is critical to NTS’ business strategy that its facilities and infrastructure remain secure and are perceived by the marketplace to be secure. Although NTS employs appropriate security technologies (including data encryption processes, intrusion detection systems), and conduct comprehensive risk assessments and other internal control procedures to assure the security of our customers’ data, we cannot guarantee that these measures will be sufficient for this purpose. If NTS’ security measures are breached as a result of third-party action, employee error or otherwise, and as a result its customers’ data becomes available to unauthorized parties, NTS and our other portfolio companies could incur liability and its reputation would be damaged, which could lead to the loss of current and potential customers. If NTS experiences any breaches of its network security or sabotage, NTS might be required to expend significant capital and other resources to detect, remedy, protect against or alleviate these and related problems, and it may not be able to remedy these problems in a timely manner, or at all. Because techniques used by outsiders to obtain unauthorized network access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, NTS may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. As cyber threats continue to evolve, NTS may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Although NTS has insurance in place that covers such incidents, the cost of a breach or cyber-attack could well exceed any such insurance coverage.

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NTS’ business depends on Microsoft Corporation and others for the licenses to use software as well as other intellectual property in the managed technology solutions business.

NTS’ managed technology business is built on technological platforms relying on the Microsoft Windows® products and other intellectual property that NTS currently licenses. As a result, if NTS is unable to continue to have the benefit of those licensing arrangements or if the products upon which its platform is built become obsolete, its business could be materially and adversely affected.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR CONTROLLED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES — NEWTEK INSURANCE AGENCY (NIA)

NIA depends on third parties, particularly property and casualty insurance companies, to supply the products marketed by its agents.

NIA contracts with property and casualty insurance companies typically provide that the contracts can be terminated by the supplier without cause. NIA’s inability to enter into satisfactory arrangements with these suppliers or the loss of these relationships for any reason would adversely affect the results of its insurance business. Also, NIA’s inability to obtain these products at competitive prices could make it difficult for it to compete with larger and better capitalized providers of such insurance services.

If NIA fails to comply with government regulations, its insurance agency business would be adversely affected.

NIA insurance agency business is subject to comprehensive regulation in the various states in which it conducts business. NIA’s success will depend in part upon its ability to satisfy these regulations and to obtain and maintain all required licenses and permits. NIA’s failure to comply with any statutes and regulations could have a material adverse effect on it. Furthermore, the adoption of additional statutes and regulations, changes in the interpretation and enforcement of current statutes and regulations could have a material adverse effect on it.

NIA does not have any control over the commissions it earns on the sale of insurance products which are based on premiums and commission rates set by insurers and the conditions prevalent in the insurance market.

NIA earns commissions on the sale of insurance products. Commission rates and premiums can change based on the prevailing economic and competitive factors that affect insurance underwriters. In addition, the insurance industry has been characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity and periods of favorable premium levels due to shortages of capacity. We cannot predict the timing or extent of future changes in commission rates or premiums or the effect any of these changes will have on the operations of NIA.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR CONTROLLED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES — NEWTEK PAYROLL AND BENEFIT SOLUTIONS (NPS)

Unauthorized disclosure of employee data, whether through a cyber-security breach of our computer systems or otherwise, could expose NPS to liability and business losses.

NPS collects and stores sensitive data about individuals in order to process the transactions and for other internal processes. If anyone penetrates its network security or otherwise misappropriates sensitive individual data, NPS could be subject to liability or business interruption. NPS is subject to laws and rules issued by different agencies concerning safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of this information. Its activities have been, and will continue to be, subject to an increasing risk of cyber-attacks, the nature of which is continually evolving. Cyber-security risks include unauthorized access to privileged and sensitive customer information, including passwords and account information of NPS’ customers. While it subjects its data systems to periodic independent testing and review, NPS cannot guarantee that its systems will not be penetrated in the future. Experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate NPS’ network security, and misappropriate or compromise our confidential information, create system disruptions, or cause shutdowns. As a result, NPS’ customers’ information may be lost, disclosed, accessed or taken without its customers’ consent. If a breach of NPS’ system occurs, it may be subject to liability, including claims for

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impersonation or other similar fraud claims. In the event of any such breach, NPS may also be subject to a class action lawsuit. Any significant violations of data privacy could result in the loss of business, litigation and regulatory investigations and penalties that could damage NPS’ reputation, and the growth of its business could be adversely affected.

NPS is subject to risks surrounding Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) payments.

Credit risk in ACH payments arises when a party to a contract fails to deposit funds required to settle the contract. This can occur if a client of NPS suffers losses, enters into bankruptcy or defrauds NPS. In such an event, NPS could bear the financial burden of settling the customer’s contract.

NPS’ systems may be subject to disruptions that could adversely affect its business and reputation.

NPS’ payroll business relies heavily on its payroll, financial, accounting and other data processing systems. If any of these systems or any of the vendors which supply them fails to operate properly or becomes disabled even for a brief period of time, NPS could suffer financial loss, a disruption of its business, liability to clients, regulatory intervention or damage to its reputation. NPS has disaster recovery plans in place to protect its businesses against natural disasters, security breaches, military or terrorist actions, power or communication failures or similar events. Despite NPS’ preparations, its disaster recovery plans may not be successful in preventing the loss of client data, service interruptions, and disruptions to its operations or damage to its important facilities.

If NPS fails to adapt its technology to meet client needs and preferences, the demand for its services may diminish.

NPS operates in industries that are subject to rapid technological advances and changing client needs and preferences. In order to remain competitive and responsive to client demands, NPS continually upgrades, enhances and expands its existing solutions and services. If NPS fails to respond successfully to technological challenges, the demand for its services may diminish.

NPS could incur unreimbursed costs or damages due to delays in processing inherent in the banking system.

NPS generally determines the availability of customer (employer) funds prior to making payments to employees or taxing authorities, and such employer funds are generally transferred in to its accounts prior to making payments out. Due to the structure of the banking system however, there are times when NPS may make payroll or tax payments and not immediately receive the funds to do so from the employer. There can be no assurance that the procedures NPS has in place to prevent these occurrences or mitigate the damages will be sufficient to prevent loss to its business. In addition, NPS could incur unreimbursed costs or damages due to delays in processing customer payrolls or payroll taxes in a timely manner.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR CONTROLLED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES — NEWTEK BUSINESS CREDIT SOLUTIONS (NBC)

An unexpected level of defaults in NBC’s accounts receivables, inventory or SBA 504 loan portfolios would reduce its income and increase its expenses.

If NBC’s level of non-performing assets in its receivable financing, inventory financing or SBA 504 lending business rises in the future, it could adversely affect its revenue, earnings and cash flow. Non-performing assets primarily consist of receivables for which the customer has not made timely payment. In certain situations, NBC may restructure the receivable to permit such a customer to have smaller payments over a longer period of time. Such a restructuring or non-payment by a receivables or inventory customer will result in lower revenue and less cash available for NBC’s operational activities.

NBC’s reserve for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover unexpected losses.

NBC’s business depends on the behavior of its customers. In addition to its credit practices and procedures, NBC maintains a reserve for credit losses on its accounts receivable and inventory portfolios, which it has judged to be adequate given the receivables it purchases. NBC periodically reviews its reserve

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for adequacy considering current economic conditions and trends, charge-off experience and levels of non-performing assets, and adjusts its reserve accordingly. However, because of recent unstable economic conditions, its reserves may prove inadequate, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

NBC depends on outside financing to support its receivables financing and inventory business.

NBC’s receivables and inventory financing business depends on outside financing to support its acquisition of receivables. Termination of the credit lines for any reason would have a material adverse effect on its business, including but not limited to, the liquidation of its receivables portfolios to pay down the lines. If funds from such sale were insufficient to completely pay down the line of credit, NBC would be responsible for any short fall. We are a guarantor on a bank line of credit held at NBC to fund receivables and inventory financing, with maximum borrowings under the line of credit of $15,000,000. At March 31, 2017, total principal owed by NBC was $10,865,000. NBC also entered into an additional line of credit to fund SBA 504 loans extended by NBC (the “504 Facility”). The maximum amount of the 504 Facility is up to $35,000,000, depending upon syndication. At March 31, 2017, total principal owed by NBC was $2,311,000. The 504 Facility specifies certain events of default, pursuant to which all outstanding amounts under the 504 Facility could become immediately due and payable. We have guaranteed NBC’s obligations under the 504 Facility. If NBC defaults on these lines of credit, we would be required to make payments under the guarantees, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, if NBC loses either of these lines of credit and NBC is unable to renew or replace these lines of credit, it would materially impact the business of NBC and have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS — PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

Our portfolio companies may, from time to time, be involved in various legal matters, including the currently pending case — Federal Trade Commission v. WV Universal Management, LLC et al., which may have an adverse effect on their operations and/or financial condition.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) amended an existing complaint in the matter Federal Trade Commission v. WV Universal Management, LLC et al., in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “Court”), to add UPSW as an additional defendant on one count of providing substantial assistance in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule. On November 18, 2014, the Court issued an Order granting the FTC’s motion for summary judgment against UPSW on the single count. Subsequently, the FTC filed motions for a permanent injunction and equitable monetary relief against UPSW and the other remaining defendants. Prior to the Court hearing on the motions, UPSW and the FTC reached a settlement on the FTC’s motion for a permanent injunction. On May 19, 2015, the Court entered an equitable monetary judgment against UPSW for $1,735,000. The $1,735,000 was fully expensed in 2014 by UPSW.

On June 14, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit vacated the Court’s order awarding joint and several liability for equitable monetary relief in the amount of $1,735,000 against UPSW, and remanded the case to the Court for findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether and why UPSW should be jointly and severally liable for restitution, and in what amount, if any. On October 26, 2016, the Court entered an equitable monetary judgment against UPSW for $1,735,000. UPSW in in the process of appealing the judgment.

UPSW instituted an action against a former independent sales agent in Wisconsin state court for, among other things, breach of contract. The former sales agent answered the complaint and filed counterclaims against UPSW. Following UPSW’s successful appeal of several of the court’s rulings, the action has been assigned to a new judge for further proceedings. UPSW intends to vigorously pursue its claims against the former sales agent and defend the counterclaims asserted.

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RISKS RELATING TO OUR CAPCO BUSINESS

The Capco programs and the tax credits they provide are created by state legislation and implemented through regulation, and such laws and rules are subject to possible action to repeal or retroactively revise the programs for political, economic or other reasons. Such an attempted repeal or revision would create substantial difficulty for the Capco programs and could, if ultimately successful, cause us material financial harm.

The tax credits associated with the Capco programs and provided to our Capcos’ investors are to be utilized by the investors over a period of time, which is typically ten years. Much can change during such a period and it is possible that one or more states may revise or eliminate the tax credits. Any such revision or repeal could have a material adverse economic impact on our Capcos, either directly or as a result of the Capco’s insurer’s actions. Any such final state action that jeopardizes the tax credits could result in the provider of our Capco insurance assuming partial or full control of the particular Capco in order to minimize its liability under the Capco insurance policies issued to our investors.

Because our Capcos are subject to requirements under state law, a failure of any of them to meet these requirements could subject the Capco and our shareholders to the loss of one or more Capcos.

Despite the fact that we have met all applicable minimum requirements of the Capco programs in which we still participate, each Capco remains subject to state regulation until it has invested 100% of its funds and otherwise remains in full legal compliance. There can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so. A major regulatory violation, while not fatal to our Capco business, would materially increase the cost of operating the Capcos.

We know of no other publicly-held company that sponsors and operates Capcos as a part of its business. As such, there are, to our knowledge, no other companies against which investors may compare our Capco business and its operations, results of operations and financial and accounting structures.

In the absence of any meaningful peer group comparisons for our Capco business, investors may have a difficult time understanding and judging the strength of our business. This, in turn, may have a depressing effect on the value of our stock.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR SECURITIES

As of March 31, 2017, our CEO beneficially owned approximately 6% of our common stock, and may be able to exercise significant influence over the outcome of most shareholder actions.

Because of his ownership of our stock, Barry Sloane, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, may be able to exercise significant influence over actions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to the certificate of incorporation, approval of stock incentive plans and approval of major transactions such as a merger or sale of assets. This could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a change in control and have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.

Our common stock price may be volatile and may decrease substantially.

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially. The price of our common stock may be higher or lower depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

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In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Due to the potential volatility of our stock price once a market for our stock is established, we may become the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

Future issuances of our common stock or other securities, including preferred shares, may dilute the per share book value of our common stock or have other adverse consequences to our common shareholders.

Our Board has the authority, without the action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or part of the approximately 182,561,670 authorized but unissued shares of our common stock. Our business strategy relies upon investments in and acquisitions of businesses using the resources available to us, including our common stock. Additionally, we anticipate granting additional options or restricted stock awards to our employees and directors in the future. Absent exemptive relief, a BDC generally may not issue restricted stock to its directors, officers and employees. In May 2016, the SEC issued an order granting the Company’s request for exemptive relief to allow us to amend our equity compensation plan and make such grants and awards, subject to shareholder approval. We may also issue additional securities, through public or private offerings, in order to raise capital. Future issuances of our common stock will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of current shareholders and could decrease the per share book value of our common stock. In addition, option holders may exercise their options at a time when we would otherwise be able to obtain additional equity capital on more favorable terms. In July 2016, our shareholders approved the amendments to our equity compensation plan, and certain restricted stock awards granted thereunder.

We may also issue additional securities, through public or private offerings, in order to raise capital. Future issuances of our common stock will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of current shareholders and could decrease the per share book value of our common stock. In addition, option holders may exercise their options at a time when we would otherwise be able to obtain additional equity capital on more favorable terms.

Pursuant to our amended and restated charter, our Board is authorized to classify any unissued shares of stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of stock of any class or series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, preferred shareholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences, or privileges more favorable than those of our common shareholders, and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest. We will not generally be able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in our best interests and in the best interests of our shareholders, and our shareholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we

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raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our shareholders at that time will decrease, and you may experience dilution.

Our shareholders may experience dilution upon the repurchase of common shares.

The Company has instituted programs which allow the Company to repurchase the Company’s outstanding common shares on the open market. Under the programs, purchases may be made at management’s discretion from time to time in open-market transactions, in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations. On May 11, 2016, the Company announced that its Board approved a new share repurchase program under which the Company was able to repurchase up to 150,000 of the Company’s outstanding common shares on the open market. This program terminated on November 11, 2016. On November 21, 2016 the Company announced that its Board approved a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 200,000 of the Company’s outstanding common shares on the open market. Unless extended or terminated by the Board, the Company expects the termination date for this new repurchase program will be on May 21, 2017. If we were to repurchase shares at a price above net asset value, such repurchases would result in an immediate dilution to existing common shareholders due to a reduction in our earnings and assets due to the repurchase that is greater than the reduction in total shares outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 70,000 common shares in open market transactions for approximately $866,000.

The authorization and issuance of “blank check” preferred shares could have an anti-takeover effect detrimental to the interests of our shareholders.

Our certificate of incorporation allows our Board to issue preferred shares with rights and preferences set by the Board without further shareholder approval. The issuance of these “blank check” preferred shares could have an anti-takeover effect detrimental to the interests of our shareholders. For example, in the event of a hostile takeover attempt, it may be possible for management and the Board to impede the attempt by issuing the preferred shares, thereby diluting or impairing the voting power of the other outstanding common shares and increasing the potential costs to acquire control of us. Our Board has the right to issue any new shares, including preferred shares, without first offering them to the holders of common shares, as they have no preemptive rights.

Our business and operation could be negatively affected if we become subject to any securities litigation or shareholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of investment strategy and impact our stock price.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Stockholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, has been increasing in the BDC space recently. While we are currently not subject to any securities litigation or shareholder activism, due to the potential volatility of our stock price and for a variety of other reasons, we may in the future become the target of securities litigation or shareholder activism. Securities litigation and shareholder activism, including potential proxy contests, could result in substantial costs and divert management’s and our board of directors’ attention and resources from our business. Additionally, such securities litigation and shareholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future, adversely affect our relationships with service providers and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, we may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to any securities litigation and activist shareholder matters. Further, our stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any securities litigation and shareholder activism.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of Newtek or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act, subject to any applicable requirements of

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the 1940 Act. Our Board has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our Board, including approval by a majority of our independent directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our Board does not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act acquisitions of our stock by any person.

The SEC staff has taken the position that, under the 1940 Act, an investment company may not avail itself of the Control Share Act. As a result, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and, after notification, the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. If such conditions are met, and we amend our bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, the Control Share Acquisition Act also may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such a transaction.

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter classifying our Board in three classes serving staggered three-year terms and authorizing our Board to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, to amend our charter without shareholder approval and to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders.

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.

All of the common stock held by our executive officers and directors, represents approximately 1,196,717 shares, or approximately 7% of our total outstanding shares as of March 31, 2017. Such shares are generally freely tradable in the public market. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

If we issue preferred stock, the net asset value and market value of our common stock will likely become more volatile.

We cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock would likely cause the net asset value and market value of the common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued preferred stock. Any decline in the net asset value of our investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock. This greater net asset value decrease would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common stock. We might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred stock or of losing our ratings, if any, on the preferred stock or, in an extreme case, our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock. To counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred stock. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of common stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock, including higher advisory fees if our total return exceeds the dividend rate on the preferred stock. Holders of preferred stock may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.

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Stockholders may incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock or issue securities to subscribe to, convert to or purchase shares of our common stock.

The 1940 Act prohibits us from selling shares of our common stock at a price below the current net asset value per share of such stock, with certain exceptions. One such exception is prior shareholder approval of issuances below net asset value provided that our Board makes certain determinations. On July 27, 2016, at our Special Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders approved a proposal that authorizes us to sell up to 20% of our common stock at a price below the Company’s then-current net asset value per share, subject to certain conditions. Any decision to sell shares of our common stock below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock or securities to subscribe to, convert to, or purchase shares of our common stock would be subject to the determination by our Board that such issuance is in our and our shareholders’ best interests.

If we were to sell shares of our common stock below net asset value per share, such sales would result in an immediate dilution to the net asset value per share. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock and a proportionately greater decrease in a shareholder’s interest in our earnings and assets and voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. In addition, if we issue securities to subscribe to, convert to or purchase shares of common stock, the exercise or conversion of such securities would increase the number of outstanding shares of our common stock. Any such exercise would be dilutive on the voting power of existing shareholders, and could be dilutive with regard to dividends and our net asset value, and other economic aspects of the common stock. Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted; however, the example below illustrates the effect of dilution to existing shareholders resulting from the sale of common stock at prices below the net asset value of such shares.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR PUBLICLY-TRADED DEBT

The 7.50% Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) and the 7.00% Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes,” and together with the 2022 Notes, the “Notes”) are unsecured and therefore are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have outstanding or may incur in the future.

In September 2015 and April 2016, we issued $8,324,000 and $40,250,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes and 2021 Notes, respectively. The Notes are not secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have outstanding or may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security). In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the existing or future secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes.

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

The Notes are obligations exclusively of the Company and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiaries we may acquire or create in the future. Any assets of our subsidiaries will not be directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes.

Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and 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 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 Notes are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities

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(including trade payables) of any of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish as financing vehicles or otherwise.

The indenture under which the Notes were issued contains limited protection for holders of the Notes.

The indentures under which the Notes were issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indentures and the 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 a material adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. In particular, the terms of the indentures and the Notes do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

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In addition, the indentures does not require us to offer to purchase the Notes in connection with a change of control, asset sale or any other event. Furthermore, the terms of the indentures and the Notes do not protect holders of the 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. Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes.

Other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indentures and the 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 Notes.

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

In the future, we may enter into agreements to incur additional indebtedness, including a secured credit facility. A default under such agreements 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 Notes and substantially decrease the market value of the 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 such future additional indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing such future additional indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders of 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 we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because any future credit facilities likely will have customary cross-default provisions, if the indebtedness under any future credit facility is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due.

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

On or after April 22, 2017 and September 23, 2018, we may choose to redeem the 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes, respectively, from time to time, especially when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate on the 2021 Notes or 2022 Notes. If prevailing rates are lower at the time of redemption, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the interest rate on the Notes being redeemed. Our redemption right also may adversely impact your ability to sell the Notes as the optional redemption date or period approaches.

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In addition, on November 21, 2016, the Company announced that its Board approved a repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 10%, or $832,400 in aggregate principal amount, of its 7.50% Notes due 2022 and up to 10%, or $4,025,000 in aggregate principal amount, of its 7.00% Notes due 2021 through open market purchases, including block purchases, in such manner as will comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Exchange Act. Unless extended or terminated by the Board, the Company expects the termination date for the repurchase plan will be on May 21, 2017.

The trading market or market value of our publicly traded debt securities may fluctuate.

The 2022 Notes and the 2021 Notes are new issues of debt securities listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “NEWTZ” and “NEWTL,” respectively. Although the Notes are listed on Nasdaq, we cannot assure you that a trading market for our publicly issued debt securities will be maintained. 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, but are not limited to, the following:

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

Pending legislation may allow us to incur additional leverage.

As a BDC, under the 1940 Act we generally are not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing we have an asset coverage for total borrowings of at least 200% (i.e., the amount of debt may not exceed 50% of the value of our assets). Pending legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, if passed, would modify this section of the 1940 Act and increase the amount of debt that BDCs may incur by modifying the asset coverage percentage from 200% to 150%. As a result, we may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future and therefore your risk of an investment in us may increase.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new loans and investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. However, we will update this prospectus to reflect any material changes to the information contained herein. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from selling our securities for funding investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus. Additionally, we may use net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which include funding investments, repaying any outstanding indebtedness, acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes. The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of proceeds from such offering.

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of any offering of our securities will be used for the above purposes within six to nine months from the consummation of the offering, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace. We expect that it may take more than three months to invest all of the net proceeds of an offering of our securities, in part because investments in private companies often require substantial research and due diligence.

Pending such investments, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality temporary investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. See “Regulation — Temporary Investments” for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NEWT.” The following table sets forth, for the two most recent fiscal years and the current fiscal year, the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market:

Period		Price Range(3)								NAV(1)				Premium (Discount) of High Sales Price to NAV(2)				Premium (Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV(2)
		High				Low
2015
First Quarter: January 1, 2015 Through March 31, 2015		$	19.95			$	14.06			$	16.61				20	%			(15	)%
Second Quarter: April 1, 2015 Through June 30, 2015		$	18.85			$	16.42			$	16.62				13	%			(1	)%
Third Quarter: July 1, 2015 Through September 30, 2015		$	19.82			$	14.66			$	16.88				17	%			(13	)%
Fourth Quarter: October 1, 2015 Through December 31, 2015		$	19.18			$	12.80			$	14.06				36	%			(9	)%
2016
First Quarter: January 1, 2016 Through March 31, 2016		$	14.51			$	9.37			$	14.10				3	%			(34	)%
Second Quarter: April 1, 2016 Through June 30, 2016		$	13.36			$	11.83			$	14.11				(6	)%			(19	)%
Third Quarter: July 1, 2016 Through September 30, 2016		$	14.44			$	12.26			$	14.26				1	%			(14	)%
Fourth Quarter: October 1, 2016 Through December 31, 2016		$	16.09			$	13.76			$	14.30				13	%			(4	)%
2017
First Quarter: January 1, 2017 Through March 31, 2017		$	17.58			$	15.15			$	14.31				23	%			6	%
Second Quarter: April 1, 2017 Through June 2, 2017		$	18.00			$	15.68			$		*				*%				*%

The last reported price for our common stock on June 2, 2017 was $17.21 per share. As of June 2, 2017 Newtek Business Services Corp. had approximately 148 stockholders of record.

Shares of BDCs may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from net asset value or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above, or below net asset value. As of June 2, 2017, our common stock closed at $17.21 per share. Our net asset value was $14.31 per share as of March 31, 2017.

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Distributions

In order to receive tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute to our shareholders, in respect of each taxable year, dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount generally at least equal to the Annual Distribution Requirement. Upon satisfying this requirement in respect of a taxable year, we generally will not be subject to corporate taxes on any income we distribute to our shareholders as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

However, as a RIC we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income and gains unless we make distributions treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a timely manner to our shareholders in respect of each calendar year of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which we paid no corporate-level income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). We will not be subject to this excise tax on any amount on which we incurred U.S. federal corporate income tax (such as the tax imposed on a RIC’s retained net capital gains).

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a taxable year, we may choose to carry over taxable income in excess of current taxable year distributions treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes from such taxable income into the next taxable year and incur a 4% excise tax on such taxable income, as required. The maximum amount of excess taxable income that may be carried over for distribution in the next taxable year under the Code is the total amount of distributions treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid in the following taxable year, subject to certain declaration and payment guidelines. To the extent we choose to carry over taxable income into the next taxable year, distributions declared and paid by us in a taxable year may differ from our taxable income for that taxable year as such distributions may include the distribution of current taxable year taxable income, the distribution of prior taxable year taxable income carried over into and distributed in the current taxable year, or returns of capital.

We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings. Our ability to make distributions will be limited by the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act. See “Regulation.”

The following table summarizes the Company’s dividend declarations and distributions during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. There were no dividend declarations or distributions for the periods November 12, 2014 through December 31, 2014 or January 1, 2014 through November 11, 2014.

Record Date		Payment Date				Distribution Declared
March 30, 2015			April 13, 2015			$	0.39
June 29, 2015			July 15, 2015			$	0.47
October 22, 2015			November 3, 2015			$	0.50
November 18, 2015			December 31, 2015			$	2.69
January 7, 2016			January 19, 2016			$	0.40
March 22, 2016			March 31, 2016			$	0.35
June 20, 2016			June 30, 2016			$	0.35
September 20, 2016			September 30, 2016			$	0.43
December 15, 2016			December 30, 2016			$	0.40
March 20, 2017			March 31, 2017			$	0.36
						$	6.34

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On May 4, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share payable on June 30, 2017 to shareholders of record as of May 31, 2017. The dividend will be paid in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock through participation in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, at the election of shareholders.

Our Board maintains a variable distribution policy with the objective of distributing four quarterly distributions in an amount that approximates 90 – 100% of our taxable quarterly income or potential annual income for a particular taxable year. In addition, at the end of our taxable year, our Board may choose to pay an additional special distribution, or fifth distribution, so that we may distribute approximately all of our annual taxable income in the taxable year in which it was earned, or may elect to maintain the option to spill over our excess taxable income into the following taxable year as part of any future distribution payments.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would generally be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in our shares, and any distributions paid in excess of a shareholder’s tax basis in our shares would generally be treated as a capital gain. The determination of the tax attributes of our distributions is made annually as of the end of our taxable year and is generally based upon our taxable income for the full taxable year and distributions paid for the full taxable year. Of the distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, 100% were distributions derived from our current and accumulated earnings and profits. There can be no certainty to shareholders that this determination is representative of the tax attributes of the 2017 distributions that we anticipate would be made to shareholders.

We maintain an “opt-out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common shareholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock unless the shareholder specifically “opts out” of the dividend reinvestment plan and chooses to receive cash distributions. During 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 57,500 and 16,600 shares, respectively, of common stock to shareholders in connection with the dividend reinvestment plan.

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of March 31, 2017:

Plan Category

(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

(b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

None

None

2,866,306 shares

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

None

None

None

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table contains our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated, computed as set forth below. You should read these ratios of earnings to fixed charges in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, included in this prospectus.

		As a Business Development Company																Prior to Becoming a Business Development Company
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				For the Year Ended December 31, 2016				For the Year Ended December 31, 2015				For the Period November 11, 2014 through December 31, 2014				For the Period January 1, 2014 through November 10, 2014				For the Year Ended December 31, 2013				For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
Earnings to Fixed Charges			3.33				4.24				6.52				2.20				1.98				2.89				3.10

For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings represent net increase in stockholders’ equity resulting from operations plus (or minus) income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax expense, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest and credit facility fees expense and amortization of deferred financing costs.

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere herein.

Overview

We are a leading national non-bank lender and own and control certain portfolio companies under the Newtek® brand (our “controlled portfolio companies,” as defined below) that provide a wide range of business and financial products to small- and medium-sized businesses (“SMBs”). Newtek’s products and services include: Business Lending, including U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) 7(a) and 504 lending, Electronic Payment Processing, Managed Technology Solutions (Cloud Computing), eCommerce, Accounts Receivable and Inventory Financing, The Secure Gateway, The Newtek Advantage®, personal and commercial Insurance Services, Web Services, Data Backup, Store and Retrieval and Payroll and Benefits Solutions to SMB accounts nationwide across all industries. We have an established and reliable platform that is not limited by client size, industry type, or location. As a result, we believe we have a strong and diversified client base across every state in the U.S and across a variety of different industries. In addition, we have developed a financial and technology based business model that enables us and our controlled portfolio companies to acquire and process our SMB clients in a very cost effective manner. This capability is supported in large part by NewTracker®, our patented prospect management technology software, which is similar to but we believe better than the system popularized by Salesforce.com. We believe that this technology and business model distinguishes us from our competitors.

We consolidate the following wholly-owned subsidiaries:

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Set forth is a diagram of our current organizational structure:

Our common shares are currently listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NEWT”.

NSBF has been granted Preferred Lender Program (“PLP”) status and originates, sells and services SBA 7(a) small business loans and is authorized to place SBA guarantees on loans without seeking prior SBA review and approval. Being a national lender, PLP status allows NSBF to expedite the origination of loans since NSBF is not required to present applications to the SBA for concurrent review and approval. The loss of PLP status could adversely impact our marketing efforts and ultimately our loan origination volume which could negatively impact our results of operations.

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As a BDC, our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation primarily through loans originated by our business finance platform and our equity investments in certain portfolio companies that we control.

We target our debt investments, which are principally made through our business finance platform under the SBA 7(a) program, to produce a coupon rate of prime plus 2.75% which enables us to generate rapid sales of loans in the secondary market. We typically structure our debt investments with the maximum seniority and collateral along with personal guarantees from portfolio company owners, in many cases collateralized by other assets including real estate. In most cases, our debt investment will be collateralized by a first lien on the assets of the portfolio company and a first or second lien on assets of guarantors, in both cases primarily real estate. All SBA loans are made with personal guarantees from any owner(s) of 20% or more of the portfolio company’s equity.

We typically structure our debt investments to include non-financial covenants that seek to minimize our risk of capital loss such as lien protection and prohibitions against change of control. Our debt investments have strong protections, including default penalties, information rights and, in some cases, board observation rights and affirmative, negative and financial covenants. Debt investments in portfolio companies, including the controlled portfolio companies, have historically and are expected to continue to comprise the majority of our overall investments in number and dollar volume.

While the vast majority of our investments have been structured as debt, we have in the past and expect in the future to make selective equity investments primarily as either strategic investments to enhance the integrated operating platform or, to a lesser degree, under the Capco programs. For investments in our controlled portfolio companies, we focus more on tailoring them to the long term growth needs of the companies than to immediate return. Our objectives with these companies is to foster the development of the businesses as a part of the integrated operational platform of serving the SMB market, so we may reduce the burden on these companies to enable them to grow faster than they would otherwise and as another means of supporting their development.

We regularly engage in discussions with third parties with respect to various potential transactions. We may acquire an investment or a portfolio of investments or an entire company or sell a portion of our portfolio on an opportunistic basis. We, our subsidiaries, or our affiliates may also agree to manage certain other funds that invest in debt, equity or provide other financing or services to companies in a variety of industries for which we may earn management or other fees for our services. We may also invest in the equity of these funds, along with other third parties, from which we would seek to earn a return and/or future incentive allocations. Some of these transactions could be material to our business. Consummation of any such transaction will be subject to completion of due diligence, finalization of key business and financial terms (including price) and negotiation of final definitive documentation as well as a number of other factors and conditions including, without limitation, the approval of our board of directors and required regulatory or third party consents and, in certain cases, the approval of our shareholders. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any such transaction would be consummated. Any of these transactions or funds may require significant management resources either during the transaction phase or on an ongoing basis depending on the terms of the transaction.

In June 2016, we invested $5,400,000 in exchange for 100% of the membership interests in BSP, a new wholly owned and controlled portfolio company. BSP provides over 350 lending institutions with outsourced solutions for the entire SBA lending process, including credit analysis, structuring and eligibility, packaging, closing compliance and servicing.

Revenues

We generate revenue in the form of interest, dividend, servicing and other fee income on debt and equity investments. Our debt investments typically have a term of 10 to 25 years and bear interest at prime plus a margin. In some instances, we receive payments on our debt investments based on scheduled amortization of the outstanding balances. In addition, we receive repayments of some of our debt investments prior to their scheduled maturity date. The frequency or volume of these repayments fluctuates significantly from period to period. Our portfolio activity also reflects the proceeds of sales of securities. We receive servicing income related to the guaranteed portions of SBA investments which we sell into the secondary market. These

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recurring fees are earned daily and recorded when earned. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of packaging, prepayment, legal and late fees. We record such fees related to loans as other income. Dividends are recorded as dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income is recorded at the time dividends are declared. Distributions of earnings from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is income, return of capital or realized gain. We recognize realized gains or losses on investments based on the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. We record current period changes in fair value of investments and assets that are measured at fair value as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments or servicing assets, as appropriate, in the consolidated statements of operations.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses are salaries and benefits, interest expense and other general and administrative costs, such as professional fees, marketing, loan related costs and rent. Since we are an internally-managed BDC with no outside adviser or management company, the BDC incurs all the related costs to operate the Company.

Loan Portfolio Asset Quality and Composition

The following table sets forth distribution by business type of the Company’s SBA 7(a) unguaranteed loan portfolio at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017

Distribution by Business Type

Business Type		# of Loans				Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
Existing Business			981			$	186,561			$	190				81.5	%
Business Acquisition			174				29,603				170				12.9	%
Start-Up Business			134				12,741				95				5.6	%
Total			1,289			$	228,905			$	178				100.0	%

As of December 31, 2016

Distribution by Business Type

Business Type		# of Loans				Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
Existing Business			921			$	177,430			$	193				80.7	%
Business Acquisition			169				30,454				180				13.9	%
Start-Up Business			138				11,900				86				5.4	%
Total			1,228			$	219,784			$	179				100.0	%

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The following table sets forth distribution by borrower’s credit score of the Company’s SBA 7(a) unguaranteed loan portfolio at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017

Distribution by Borrower Credit Score

Credit Score		# of Loans				Aggregate Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
500 to 550			17			$	2,017			$	119				0.9	%
551 to 600			41				7,775				190				3.4	%
601 to 650			171				33,909				198				14.8	%
651 to 700			362				68,084				188				29.7	%
701 to 750			385				69,574				181				30.4	%
751 to 800			263				42,049				160				18.4	%
801 to 850			39				3,630				93				1.6	%
Not available			11				1,867				170				0.8	%
Total			1,289			$	228,905			$	178				100.0	%

As of December 31, 2016

Distribution by Borrower Credit Score

Credit Score		# of Loans				Aggregate Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
500 to 550			17			$	2,036			$	120				0.9	%
551 to 600			38				6,748				178				3.1	%
601 to 650			160				32,912				206				15.0	%
651 to 700			344				64,923				189				29.5	%
701 to 750			372				67,006				180				30.5	%
751 to 800			250				39,600				158				18.0	%
801 to 850			40				4,124				103				1.9	%
Not available			7				2,435				348				1.1	%
Total			1,228			$	219,784			$	179				100.0	%

The following table sets forth distribution by primary collateral type of the Company’s SBA 7(a) unguaranteed loan portfolio at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017

Distribution by Primary Collateral Type

Collateral Type		# of Loans				Aggregate Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
Commercial Real Estate			631			$	141,667			$	225				61.9	%
Machinery and Equipment			205				37,027				181				16.2	%
Residential Real Estate			270				21,019				78				9.2	%
Other			47				14,587				310				6.4	%
Accounts Receivable and Inventory			86				12,485				145				5.5	%
Liquid Assets			16				716				45				0.3	%
Furniture and Fixtures			11				552				50				0.2	%
Unsecured			23				852				37				0.3	%
Total			1,289			$	228,905			$	178				100.0	%

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As of December 31, 2016

Distribution by Primary Collateral Type

Collateral Type		# of Loans				Aggregate Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
Commercial Real Estate			589			$	133,263			$	226				60.6	%
Machinery and Equipment			201				37,426				186				17.0	%
Residential Real Estate			264				21,211				80				9.7	%
Other			45				13,822				307				6.3	%
Accounts Receivable and Inventory			80				12,075				151				5.5	%
Liquid Assets			15				667				44				0.3	%
Unsecured			23				883				38				0.4	%
Furniture and Fixtures			11				437				40				0.2	%
Total			1,228			$	219,784			$	179				100.0	%

The following table sets forth distribution by days delinquent of the Company’s SBA 7(a) unguaranteed loan portfolio at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017

Distribution by Days Delinquent

Delinquency Status		# of Loans				Aggregate Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
Current			1,165			$	203,058			$	174				88.7	%
1 to 30 days			39				7,471				192				3.3	%
31 to 60 days			17				3,957				223				1.7	%
61 to 90 days			1				233				233				0.1	%
91 days or greater			67				14,186				212				6.2	%
Total			1,289			$	228,905			$	178				100.0	%

As of December 31, 2016

Distribution by Days Delinquent

Delinquency Status		# of Loans				Aggregate Balance				Average Balance				% of Balance
Current			1,119			$	199,170			$	178				90.6	%
1 to 30 days			35				3,680				105				1.7	%
31 to 60 days			7				1,570				224				0.7	%
61 to 90 days			—				—				—				—	%
91 days or greater			67				15,364				229				7.0	%
Total			1,228			$	219,784			$	179				100.0	%

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

Investment Income

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Investment income:
Interest income		$	4,382			$	2,533			$	1,849
Dividend income			2,300				2,293				7
Servicing income			1,646				1,371				275
Other income			665				597				68
Total investment income		$	8,993			$	6,794			$	2,199

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Interest Income

The increase in interest income was attributable to the average outstanding performing portfolio of SBA non-affiliate investments increasing to $207,437,000 from $158,140,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively combined with an increase in the Prime Rate from 3.50% to 3.75% . The increase in the average outstanding performing portfolio resulted from the origination of new SBA non-affiliate investments period over period. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized $641,000 of interest income related to accrued non-performing interest owed by one borrower that paid their loan balance in full.

Dividend Income

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Universal Processing Services of Wisconsin, LLC (UPSW)		$	1,750			$	1,300			$	450
Premier Payments LLC			450				450				—
CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc. (NTS)			—				330				(330	)
Small Business Lending, LLC (SBL)			100				200				(100	)
The Secure CyberGateway, LLC			—				13				(13	)
Total dividend income		$	2,300			$	2,293			$	7

Dividend income was flat period over period. We earned $1,750,000 in dividend income from UPSW, representing a $450,000 increase over dividend income earned during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was offset by decreases in dividend income earned from NTS and SBL. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, distributions received from NTS were classified as a return of capital. Dividend income is dependent on portfolio company earnings. Current quarter dividend income may not be indicative of future period dividend income.

NSBF Servicing Portfolio and Related Servicing Income

The following table represents NSBF originated servicing portfolio and servicing income earned for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

(in thousands):		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Total NSBF originated servicing portfolio(1)		$	998,871			$	797,167			$	201,704
Total servicing income earned		$	1,646			$	1,371			$	275

The increase in servicing income was attributable to the increase in total portfolio investments for which we earn servicing income. The portfolio earning servicing income increased $136,295,000 period over period. The increase was a direct result of increased investments in SBA non-affiliate investments from March 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

Other Income

Other income relates primarily to legal, packaging, prepayment, and late fees earned from SBA loans. The increase was related to an increase in legal and packaging fees earned as a result of the larger dollar volume of loans funded.

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Expenses:

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Expenses:
Salaries and benefits		$	4,651			$	3,344			$	1,307
Interest			2,530				1,488				1,042
Depreciation and amortization			89				40				49
Other general and administrative costs			3,817				3,302				515
Total expenses		$	11,087			$	8,174			$	2,913

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries and benefits increased $1,307,000 primarily due to an increase in headcount at NSBF. The additional headcount relates primarily to employees performing loan processing, loan closing or loan servicing functions as a result of the increase in loan originations.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized $385,000 of stock-based compensation expense related to the grant of restricted stock awards in 2016. No stock-based compensation expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The increase was also attributable to a $113,000 decrease in managerial assistance fees charged to controlled affiliates which are credited to salaries and benefits.

Interest Expense

The following is a summary of interest expense by facility for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Notes payable — Securitization trusts		$	1,411			$	959			$	452
Bank notes payable			137				217				(80	)
Notes due 2022			177				178				(1	)
Notes due 2021			790				—				790
Notes payable — related parties			9				122				(113	)
Other			6				12				(6	)
Total interest expense		$	2,530			$	1,488			$	1,042

In April 2016, we issued $40,250,000 of 7.0% Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The Company incurred $790,000 in related interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2017 on the 2021 Notes. Interest expense related to Notes payable — Securitization Trusts increased as a result of an additional securitization transaction completed in November 2016. The decrease in interest expense on Notes payable — related parties is attributed to a decrease in the average outstanding balance on Notes payable — related parties during the period.

Other General and Administrative Costs

Other general and administrative costs include professional fees, marketing, loan related costs and rent. The increase in other general and administrative costs is primarily related to an increase in loan related costs and rent expense. Loan related costs include referral fees, servicing expenses, appraisal fees, legal fees, search fees and other collateral preservation costs. Loan related costs increase as the number of loans we originate and service increase. At March 31, 2017, our loan portfolio consists of 1,289 SBA 7(a) loans as compared to 1,017 at March 31, 2016. Loan related costs increased $123,000 period over period. Rent expense increased $210,000 period over period. The increase is a result of a $151,000 property tax refund received during the three months ended March 31, 2016 which reduced rent expense. The remaining increase in rent is attributed to the April 2016 move to Lake Success. Other increases were the result of increases in accounting and tax services, as well as managed IT services from a related party.

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Net Realized Gains and Net Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation

Net realized gains or losses on investments are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the cost basis of our investments without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized and includes investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. Realized gains for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $8,685,000 and $6,276,000, respectively. We did not recognize any realized losses during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments reflects the change in portfolio investment fair values during the period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses become realized.

Net Realized Gains on SBA Non-Affiliate Investments

		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2017								March 31, 2016
(in thousands)		# of Debt Investments				$ Amount				# of Debt Investments				$ Amount
SBA non-affiliate investments funded during the quarter			98			$	78,643				102			$	56,058
SBA guaranteed non-affiliate investments sold during the quarter			84			$	59,813				99			$	42,493
Realized gains recognized on sale of SBA guaranteed non-affiliate investments			—			$	8,685				—			$	6,276
Average sale price as a percent of principal balance(1)			—				112.03	%			—				112.41	%

Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Net unrealized appreciation on SBA guaranteed non-affiliate investments		$	113			$	62			$	51
Net unrealized depreciation on SBA unguaranteed non-affiliate investments			(556	)			(1,027	)			471
Net unrealized appreciation on controlled investments			931				3,690				(2,759	)
Change in provision for deferred taxes on unrealized gains on investments			(566	)			(1,608	)			1,042
Net unrealized depreciation on non-control/non-affiliate investments			—				(16	)			16
Total net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on investments		$	(78	)		$	1,101			$	(1,179	)

Net unrealized appreciation on SBA guaranteed non-affiliate investments relates to guaranteed portions of SBA debt investments made which the Company sells into a secondary market. Unrealized appreciation of SBA guaranteed investments represents the fair value adjustment to the cost basis of the guaranteed portions of loans which have not yet been sold to reflect the expected sale price of those loans. Unrealized depreciation represents the reversal of unrealized appreciation when the loans are sold.

The decrease in net unrealized depreciation on SBA unguaranteed non-affiliate investments was driven by an increase in the prime rate and assumed prime rate increases combined with a decrease in the discount rate on non-performing SBA unguaranteed investments. The prime rate increased from 3.50% to 4.00% period over period. The discount rate on non-performing SBA unguaranteed investments decreased from 8.37% to 5.90% period over period.

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Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Controlled and Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Universal Processing Services of Wisconsin, LLC (UPSW)		$	1,000			$	2,800			$	(1,800	)
CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc. (NTS)			(350	)			—				(350	)
Premier Payments LLC (Premier)			—				988				(988	)
CDS Business Services, Inc. (NBCS)			1,750				(100	)			1,850
PMTWorks Payroll, LLC (PMT)			(1,395	)			—				(1,395	)
The Secure CyberGateway, LLC			—				2				(2	)
Titanium Asset Management LLC			(27	)			(16	)			(11	)
Excel WebSolutions, LLC			(47	)			—				(47	)
Total net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		$	931			$	3,674			$	(2,743	)

The primary driver of the increases for UPSW were increases in multiples of comparable companies and increases in revenue growth projections for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase at NBCS was a result of growth in its SBA 504 lending program and growth in Accounts Receivable and Inventory Financing programs. The decreases at NTS and PMT were a result of weaker than projected financial performance.

Provision for Deferred Taxes on Unrealized Appreciation of Investments

Certain consolidated subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. These taxable subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for income tax purposes, but are consolidated for GAAP purposes, and may generate income tax liabilities or assets from temporary differences in the recognition of items for financial reporting and income tax purposes at the subsidiaries. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized a provision for deferred taxes on unrealized gains of $566,000 and $1,608,000, respectively.

Net Unrealized Depreciation on Servicing Assets

(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				Three Months Ended March 31, 2016				Change
Net unrealized depreciation on servicing assets		$	(609	)		$	(403	)		$	(206	)

The increase in unrealized depreciation on servicing assets is primarily related to the increase in the discount rate from 12.03% to 12.20% and an increase in the cumulative prepayment rate from 15.50% to 18.50% period over period.

Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Investment Income

(in thousands)		December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015				Change
Investment income:
Interest income		$	11,518			$	9,201			$	2,317
Dividend income			10,573				10,218				355
Servicing income			6,160				4,611				1,549
Other income			2,714				2,040				674
Total investment income		$	30,965			$	26,070			$	4,895