ARES STRATEGIC INCOME FUND Form 8-K Current Report Filed 2025-06-09

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

On June 9, 2025, Ares Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund”) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (the “Trustee”), entered into (i) a Fifth Supplemental Indenture (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture, dated June 5, 2024, between the Fund and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture,” and, together with the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the “2028 Notes Indenture”) and (ii) a Sixth Supplemental Indenture (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) to the Base Indenture (together with the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the “2030 Notes Indenture” and, together with the 2028 Notes Indenture, the “Indenture”). The Fifth Supplemental Indenture relates to the Fund’s issuance, offer and sale of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.450% per annum notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”). The Sixth Supplemental Indenture relates to the Fund’s issuance, offer and sale of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.800% per annum notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”, and together with the 2028 Notes, the “Notes”).

The 2028 Notes will mature on September 9, 2028, and the 2030 Notes will mature on September 9, 2030. The 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Fund’s option at any time at the redemption price set forth in the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, respectively. Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually on March 9 and September 9 of each year, commencing on September 9, 2025. The principal of each series of Notes is due and payable at the maturity of such series. The Notes are direct unsecured obligations of the Fund.

The Fund expects to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay certain outstanding indebtedness under its debt facilities. The Fund may reborrow under its debt facilities for general corporate purposes, which include investing in portfolio companies in accordance with its investment objective.

The Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, contains certain covenants including covenants requiring the Fund to comply with Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any successor provisions, as such obligation may be amended or superseded but giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to the Fund by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and to provide financial information to the holders of the Notes and the Trustee if the Fund should no longer be subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.

In addition, (i) the 2028 Notes Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a change of control repurchase event (which involves the occurrence of both a change of control and a below investment grade rating of the 2028 Notes by Fitch, Inc., Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and S&P Global Inc.), the Fund will be required to make an offer to purchase the 2028 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase; and (ii) the 2030 Notes Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a change of control repurchase event (which involves the occurrence of both a change of control and a below investment grade rating of the 2030 Notes by Fitch, Inc., Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and S&P Global Inc.), the Fund will be required to make an offer to purchase the 2030 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

The 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes were each sold to several initial purchasers (the “2028 Notes Initial Purchasers” and the “2030 Notes Initial Purchasers”, respectively, and, together, the “Initial Purchasers”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and for the initial resale by the Initial Purchasers to (i) qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder or (ii) certain non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The transaction closed on June 9, 2025.

The Trustee also serves as the Fund’s custodian under the terms of a custody agreement, pursuant to which it receives customary fees and expenses as custodian.

In connection with the sale of the Notes, the Fund entered into (i) a Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 9, 2025 (the “2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement”), with BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as the representatives of the 2028 Notes Initial Purchasers, relating to the 2028 Notes, and (ii) a Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 9, 2025 (the “2030 Notes Registration Rights Agreement” and, together with the 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the “Registration Rights Agreements”), with BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as the representatives of the 2030 Notes Initial Purchasers, relating to the 2030 Notes. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements, the Fund is obligated to file with the SEC a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes for new notes issued by the Fund that are registered under the Securities Act and otherwise have terms substantially identical to those of the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes, respectively (except for provisions relating to transfer restrictions and payment of additional interest), and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to consummate such exchange offer on the earliest practicable date after the registration statement has been declared effective but in no event later than 365 days after the initial issuance of the Notes. The Fund may include both series of Notes on a single exchange offer registration statement. If the Fund fails to satisfy its registration obligations under the 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement or the 2030 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, it will be required to pay additional interest to the holders of the 2028 Notes or the 2030 Notes, as applicable.

The foregoing descriptions of the Base Indenture, Fifth Supplemental Indenture, Sixth Supplemental Indenture, 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, 2030 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Base Indenture, Fifth Supplemental Indenture, Sixth Supplemental Indenture, 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, 2030 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the 2028 Notes and the 2030 Notes, respectively, each filed as exhibits hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information required by Item 2.03 contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with the issuance of the 2028 Notes, the Fund entered into an interest rate swap with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to swap from a fixed rate of interest to a floating rate of interest. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $600,000,000, pursuant to which the Fund will receive fixed rate interest at 5.450% and pay floating rate interest based on one-month SOFR +1.7465%. The interest rate swap matures on September 9, 2028.

In connection with the issuance of the 2030 Notes, the Fund entered into an interest rate swap with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to swap from a fixed rate of interest to a floating rate of interest. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $500,000,000, pursuant to which the Fund will receive fixed rate interest at 5.800% and pay floating rate interest based on one-month SOFR +2.049%. The interest rate swap matures on September 9, 2030.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of June 9, 2025, is between Ares Strategic Income Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Base Indenture (as defined below) unless otherwise defined herein.

The Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Base Indenture” and, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, together, the “Indenture”), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of the Company’s unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Indenture.

The Company desires to issue and sell (a) $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.450% Notes due 2028 (the “Initial Notes”) in the form of Exhibit A hereto and (b) if and when issued as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement in a Registered Exchange Offer in exchange for any Initial Notes or otherwise registered under the Securities Act and issued in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the Company’s 5.450% Notes due 2028 (the “Exchange Notes” and, together with the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes (as defined below), the “Notes”). The Initial Notes, the Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. The Notes will be distributed initially only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S, as such terms are defined herein.

Sections 9.01(v) and 9.01(vii) of the Base Indenture provide that without the consent of Holders of the Securities of any series issued under the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Base Indenture to (i) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of a supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and (ii) establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture or authorize the issuance of additional Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series as set forth in the Base Indenture or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed.

The Company desires to establish the form and terms of the Notes and to modify, alter, supplement and change certain provisions of the Base Indenture for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes (except as may be provided in a future supplemental indenture to the Indenture (“Future Supplemental Indenture”)).

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Notes and all acts and things necessary to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding, and legal obligation of the Company and to constitute a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done and performed.

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:

Section 1.01            Terms of the Notes. The following terms relating to the Notes are hereby established:

(a)            The Notes shall constitute a series of Securities having the title “5.450% Notes due 2028” and shall be designated as Senior Securities under the Indenture. The Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A shall bear a CUSIP number of 04020EAL1 and an ISIN number of US04020EAL11. The Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall bear a CUSIP number of U2225WAG6 and an ISIN number of USU2225WAG60. The Exchange Notes or any other Unrestricted Global Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes pursuant to the Indenture shall bear a CUSIP number of 04020EAM9 and an ISIN number of US04020EAM93.

(b)            The aggregate principal amount of the Initial Notes that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Initial Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.07 of the Base Indenture) shall be $600,000,000. In addition, Exchange Notes in a like principal amount of the Initial Notes or Additional Notes may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture for issue (i) in a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) otherwise pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. Under a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Notes, issue additional Notes (in any such case, other than any Exchange Notes, “Additional Notes”) having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity, CUSIP number and other terms as the Notes; provided that such Additional Notes must be part of the same issue as the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any Additional Notes and the existing Notes will constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Notes herein shall include the Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires.

(c)            The entire Outstanding principal amount of the Notes shall be payable on September 9, 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

(d)            The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest shall be 5.450% per annum (the “Applicable Interest Rate”). The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be June 9, 2025, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for; the Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be March 9 and September 9 of each year, commencing September 9, 2025 (if an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable interest payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment); the initial interest period will be the period from and including June 9, 2025 (or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for), to, but excluding, the initial Interest Payment Date, and the subsequent interest periods will be the periods from and including an Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity, as the case may be; the interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, will be paid to the Person in whose name the Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on the Notes will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by (i) check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(e)            The Notes offered on the date hereof will be distributed initially only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S. Such Notes may thereafter be transferred only in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

(f)            The Notes shall be initially issuable in global form (each such Note, a “Global Note” and together, the “Global Notes”). The Global Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Each Global Note shall represent the Outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of Outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, in accordance with Sections 2.03 and 3.05 of the Base Indenture.

(i)            The Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more 144A Global Notes and shall bear the applicable legends set forth in Section 1.02(f)(i)(A) hereof, which shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, or will remain in the custody of the Trustee pursuant to an agreement between the Depositary and the Trustee.

(ii)            The Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Regulation S Global Notes and shall bear the applicable legends set forth in Section 1.02(f)(i)(A) hereof, which shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, a custodian for the Depositary, or will remain in the custody of the Trustee pursuant to an agreement between the Depositary and the Trustee, for credit to the respective accounts of the purchasers (or to such other accounts as they may direct) at Euroclear or Clearstream.

(iii)           Unrestricted Global Notes shall be issued in accordance with Section 1.02(b)(vi) hereof and shall be deposited, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

(g)            The depositary for such Global Notes shall be the Depositary. The Security Registrar with respect to the Global Notes shall be the Trustee.

(h)            The Notes shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 14.02 or Section 14.03 of the Base Indenture. Covenant defeasance contained in Section 14.03 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the covenants contained in Sections 10.07 and 10.08 of the Base Indenture and Article Six of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

(i)            The Notes shall be redeemable pursuant to Section 11.01 of the Base Indenture and as follows:

(j)            Prior to August 9, 2028 (one month prior to their maturity date) (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price calculated by the Company (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(i)            (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(ii)            100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed.

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

If on the third business day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine the Treasury Rate or the Redemption Price, and shall be entitled to rely upon the determination thereof by the Company.

(i)            Notice of redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 calendar days but not more than 60 calendar days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at the Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture and may be given subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent as described in Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture.

(ii)            Any exercise of the Company’s option to redeem the Notes will be done in compliance with the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.

(iii)            If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Notes, the particular Notes to be redeemed will be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Trustee and, so long as the Notes are registered to the Depositary or its nominee, the Depositary; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Note not redeemed to less than $2,000.

(iv)            Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption hereunder.

(k)            The Notes shall not be subject to any sinking fund pursuant to Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture.

(l)             The Notes shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(m)           Holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the Stated Maturity other than in accordance with Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture (as amended by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture).

(n)            Holders of the Initial Notes are entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, the terms and conditions of which form part of the terms and conditions of the Initial Notes.

(a)            Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes only in accordance with this Section 1.02 and Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 3.05 and 3.06 of the Base Indenture. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 1.02 or Sections 3.05 and 3.06 of the Base Indenture, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 1.02(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 1.02(b) hereof. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Securities Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer or exchange of a Global Note complies with, or for otherwise monitoring or determining compliance with, the registration provisions of or any exemptions from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws or the applicable laws of any other jurisdiction, the Investment Company Act, or the terms hereof. The Trustee and the Securities Registrar shall be entitled to rely exclusively upon the information set forth on the face of any transfer certificates, written order, Company Orders, or Opinion of Counsel received by the Trustee or the Securities Registrar, as applicable, pursuant to the terms of this Section 1.02.

(b)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Security Registrar), in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with subsections (i) through (vi) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subsections, as applicable:

(i)            Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Notes Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. The Security Registrar shall have no involvement with, and no written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Security Registrar to effect, the transfers described in this Section 1.02(b)(i).

(ii)            All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 1.02(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Security Registrar (A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (B) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase. Upon receipt of such written order and instructions, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 1.02 hereof. Transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Restricted Period, shall be made only upon receipt by the Trustee of a certification in the form of Exhibit B from the transferor to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Regulation S or, after the expiration of the Restricted Period, if available, Rule 144 under the Securities Act and that, if such transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the interest transferred shall be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream.

(iii)           Restrictions on Transfer of Regulation S Global Note.

(A)            Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream. Prior to expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Rule 144A Global Note shall be made only in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor of the beneficial interest in the form provided by Exhibit B or as otherwise set forth in an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Company to the Trustee in accordance with law to the effect that such transfer is being made to a person whom the transferor reasonably believes is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting requirements of Rule 144A. Such certification or opinion shall not be required after the expiration of the Restricted Period.

(B)             Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Note shall be transferable in accordance with law and the other terms of this Indenture.

(iv)          Other Transfers of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 1.02(b)(ii) above and the transferor delivers a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

(v)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes to Definitive Notes. If a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including Section 1.02(a) hereof and Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture), such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 1.02(b), (c), (d) and (e) (including the certification requirements set forth therein intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law.

(vi)          Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 1.02(b)(ii) above and:

(A)            such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, makes any and all certifications required in the applicable letter of transmittal (or is deemed to have made such certifications if delivery is made through the Applicable Procedures) as may be required by the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(B)            such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

(D)            the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(a) thereof; or

(2)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Company or the Security Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Security Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this Section 1.02(b) at a time when, as applicable, an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued or is not then outstanding or no Restricted Global Notes bearing the appropriate legends are then outstanding, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Restricted Global Notes bearing the appropriate legends or one or more Unrestricted Global Notes, in each case as applicable, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this Section 1.02(b).

(i)            Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including Section 1.02(a) hereof and Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture), then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)           if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 2(a) thereof;

(B)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1 thereof;

(C)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof;

(D)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3 thereof;

(E)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3 thereof; or

(F)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3 thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 1.02(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Restricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 1.02(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Restricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 1.02(c)(i) shall bear the Restricted Notes Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii)            Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including Section 1.02(a) hereof and Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture) only if:

(B)            such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

(C)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4(a) thereof; or

(D)           such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an exchange offer registration statement; and

(E)            the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(b) thereof; or

(2)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (E), if the Company or the Security Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Security Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii)           Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including Section 1.02(a) hereof and Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture), then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 1.02(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 1.02(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions an Unrestricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 1.02(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Security Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 1.02(c)(iii) shall not bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

(d)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)           if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 2(b) thereof;

(B)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1 thereof;

(C)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof;

(D)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3 thereof;

(E)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3 thereof,

(F)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3 thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Restricted Global Note.

(ii)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(B)            such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

(D)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4(a) thereof; and

(E)            the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1)            if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(c) thereof; or

(2)            if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 1.02(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii)            Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to this Section 1.02(d) at a time when, as applicable, an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued or is not then outstanding or no Restricted Global Notes bearing the appropriate legends are then outstanding, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Company Order in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Restricted Global Notes bearing the appropriate legends or one or more Unrestricted Global Notes, in each case as applicable, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 1.02(e), the Security Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Security Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 1.02(e).

(i)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Security Registrar receives the following:

(A)           if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1 thereof;

(B)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof; or

(C)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item 3 thereof, if applicable.

(ii)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A)           such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, makes any and all certifications required in the applicable letter of transmittal (or is deemed to have made such certifications if delivery is made through the Applicable Procedures) as may be required by the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(B)            such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

(E)            the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1)            if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(d) thereof; or

(2)            if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (E), if the Company or the Security Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Security Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii)          Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Security Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f)            Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with notice thereof to the Trustee.

(A)            Except as permitted by subparagraphs (B), (C) and (D) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with notice thereof to the Trustee (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

(1) REPRESENTS THAT EITHER (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“REGULATION S”)) NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT; AND

(2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS [IN THE CASE OF NOTES SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144A: ONE YEAR (OR SUCH OTHER DATE WHEN RESALES OF SECURITIES BY NON-AFFILIATES ARE FIRST PERMITTED UNDER RULE 144(d)) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) OR THE DATE OF ANY SUBSEQUENT REOPENING OF THE SECURITIES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY)] [IN THE CASE OF NOTES SOLD IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) OR THE DATE OF ANY SUBSEQUENT REOPENING OF THE SECURITIES AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S], ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S, OR (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE) OR TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, INCLUDING ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, SUBJECT, IN THE CASE OF CLAUSES (C), (D) OR (E) ABOVE, TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM AND/OR A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE IN THE FORM PRESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFIT OF A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF THE ISSUE DATE, AMONG THE COMPANY AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INITIAL PURCHASERS, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF WHICH FORM PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS SECURITY.”

Except as permitted by subparagraphs (B), (C) and (D) below, each Definitive Note (and all Definitive Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear an additional legend in substantially the following form unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with notice thereof to the Trustee (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE SECURITIES REGISTRAR AND THE COMPANY SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH SECURITIES REGISTRAR OR COMPANY MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

(B)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Global Note or Unrestricted Definitive Note issued pursuant to this Section 1.02 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

(C)            After a transfer of any Initial Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to the Restricted Notes Legend on such Initial Notes shall cease to apply and the requirements that any such Initial Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

(D)            Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes pursuant to which Holders of such Initial Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to Initial Notes that Initial Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply, and Exchange Notes in global form without the Restricted Notes Legend shall be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

(ii)            Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Note within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof. This Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Security registered, and no transfer of this Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof, except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture.

Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment and such certificate issued in exchange for this certificate is registered in the name of Cede & Co., or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful, as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.”

(g)            Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.10 of the Base Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

Section 1.03            Additional Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made. If the Company is required to pay Additional Interest to Holders of the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will provide written notice (“Additional Interest Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Interest at least 15 days prior to the proposed payment date for the Additional Interest to the extent reasonably practicable, but in no event later than five Business Days prior to such proposed payment date, and the Additional Interest Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any holder of the Notes to determine the Additional Interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Additional Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Interest.

Section 1.04            Definitions. For purposes of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the following terms have the meanings set forth below.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme, and any successor thereto.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 1.02 hereof and Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and any successor thereto.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 1.02(f)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 1.02(b) or Section 1.02(d) hereof.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

“Regulation S Global Note” means the Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Restricted Notes Legend representing the Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that does not bear the Global Note Legend nor the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that bears the Restricted Notes Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

“Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 1.02(f)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Restricted Period” with respect to any Restricted Global Note, means the 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the commencement of the offering of the Notes to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the date of the issuance of the Notes initially offered under this Indenture.

“Rule 144A Global Note” means a global note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Restricted Notes Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that does not bear the Global Note Legend nor the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Section 2.01             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article One of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following defined terms to Section 1.01 in appropriate alphabetical sequence, as follows:

“Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are downgraded below Investment Grade by all three Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that results in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event hereunder) if any of the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

(1)            the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Controlled Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to any Permitted Holders; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Controlled Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or disposition;

(2)            the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than any Permitted Holders) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

(3)            the approval by the Company’s shareholders of any plan or proposal relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc., also known as Fitch Ratings, or any successor thereto.

“Interest” means, with respect to the Notes, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes (regardless of whether so stated).

“Investment Grade” means a rating of BBB– or better by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Fitch), Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s) and BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., or any successor thereof.

“Permitted Holders” means (i) the Company, (ii) one or more of the Company’s Controlled Subsidiaries and (iii) Ares Capital Management LLC or any Affiliate of Ares Capital Management LLC that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America and in the business of managing or advising clients.

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s and/or S&P, as the case may be.

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for their Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means (a) the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Notes, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company and BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the Initial Purchasers and (b) other similar registration rights agreements relating to any Additional Notes.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture (but excluding any Subsidiary which is (a) a non-recourse or limited recourse Subsidiary, (b) a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle or (c) is not consolidated with the Company for purposes of GAAP).

“Voting Stock” as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

Section 3.01             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 3.05 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by removing the second to last paragraph thereof.

Section 4.01             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clauses (i) and (ii) thereof with the following:

“(i)            default in the payment of any interest or Additional Interest upon any Note, when such interest or Additional Interest (if any) becomes due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 calendar days; or

(ii) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity, including upon any Redemption Date or required repurchase date; or”

Section 4.02             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clause (iii) thereof with the following:

“(iii)          default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Notes, and continuance of such default for a period of 5 days; or”

Section 4.03             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing (iv) thereof with the following:

“(iv)          the Company’s failure for 60 consecutive calendar days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding has been received to comply with any of the Company’s other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture;”

Section 4.04            Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing (vii) thereof with the following:

“(vii)         if, pursuant to Sections 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) and 61 of the Investment Company Act, on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months any class of Securities shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) of less than 100% or such lower percentage that is provided for by giving effect to any amendment to such provisions of the Investment Company Act or to any no-action, interpretive or exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Commission;”

Section 4.05             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following language as clause (ix):

“(ix):          default by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $100 million in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, unless, in either case, such indebtedness is discharged, or such acceleration is rescinded, stayed or annulled, within a period of 30 calendar days after written notice of such failure is given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding.”

Section 4.06             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by removing the final paragraph thereof.

Section 4.07             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.02 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the first paragraph of Section 5.02 with the following:

“If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(v) or 5.01(vi)), the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may declare the principal of all the Outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal shall become immediately due and payable; provided that 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes will automatically become due and payable in the case of an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(v) or 5.01(vi) hereof.”

Section 4.08             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.02 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by removing the third, fourth, fifth and sixth paragraphs thereof.

Section 4.09             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.02 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by removing the last sentence of the seventh paragraph thereof.

Section 5.01             Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the third paragraph thereof with the following:

“Any notice of redemption may, in the Company’s discretion, be given subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a corporate transaction that is pending (such as an equity or equity-linked offering, an incurrence of indebtedness or an acquisition or other strategic transaction involving a change of control of the Company or another entity). In that case, such notice of redemption shall describe each such condition, and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, (i) the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time (including by more than 60 calendar days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or (ii) such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the Company by the relevant Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date as so delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the Redemption Price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.”

Section 6.01           Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing Sections 13.01 to 13.05 with the following:

If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company shall have exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full, the Company shall make an offer to each Holder of the Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event.

To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 13.01, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 13.01 by virtue of such conflict.

On the Change of Control Repurchase Event payment date, subject to extension if necessary to comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

The Paying Agent will promptly remit to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the purchase price for the Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided that each new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

If any Repayment Date upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment.

The Company will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes an offer in respect of the Notes in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.”

Section 7.01            Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 8.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clause (ii) thereof with the following:

“the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Securities Outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed by the Company;”

Section 8.01             This Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws that would cause the application of laws of another jurisdiction. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of the Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. If any provision of the Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the imposed duties will control.

Section 8.02             In case any provision in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 8.03             This Fifth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, but such counterparts will together constitute but one and the same Fifth Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures (including, without limitation, any .pdf file, .jpeg file or any other electronic or image file, or any other “electronic signature” as defined under ESRA, including Orbit, Adobe Fill & Sign, Adobe Sign, DocuSign, or any other similar platform identified by the Company and reasonably available at no undue burden or expense to the Trustee), deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

Section 8.04             The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument with respect to the Notes. All provisions included in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture supersede any conflicting provisions included in the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes, unless not permitted by law. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Indenture, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions of the Indenture, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

Section 8.05             The provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective as of the date hereof.

Section 8.06             Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the terms and provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall apply only to the Notes and shall not apply to any other series of Securities under the Indenture and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall not and does not otherwise affect, modify, alter, supplement or change the terms and provisions of any other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding.

Section 8.07            The recitals contained herein and in the Notes shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Notes or any Additional Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, authenticate the Notes and any Additional Notes and perform its obligations hereunder. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or any Additional Notes or the proceeds thereof.

Section 8.08            No past, present or future trustee, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Indenture or the Notes or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting any Note, each Holder will be deemed to waive and release all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

This Security is a Global Note within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof. This Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Security registered, and no transfer of this Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof, except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture.

[Insert the applicable Restricted Notes Legend if required pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Ares Strategic Income Fund, a Delaware statutory trust duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________ (U.S. $_______________) on September 9, 2028, and to pay interest thereon from June 9, 2025, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on March 9 and September 9 in each year, commencing September 9, 2025, at the rate of 5.450% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. This Security may be issued as part of a series. Additional Interest may be payable on this Security as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. All references to interest on, or in respect of this Security shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by (i) check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (herein called the “Base Indenture”, which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Base Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, relating to the Securities, dated as of June 9, 2025, by and between the Company and the Trustee (herein called the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”; and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture together are herein called the “Indenture”). In the event of any conflict between the Base Indenture and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall govern and control.

This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $____________. Under a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Securities, issue additional Securities of this series (in any such case “Additional Securities”) having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity, CUSIP number and other terms as the Securities, provided that such Additional Securities must be part of the same issue as the Securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any Additional Securities and the existing Securities will constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Securities herein shall include the Additional Securities unless the context otherwise requires. The aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented hereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.

Holders of the Initial Notes are entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, the terms and conditions of which form part of the terms and conditions of the Initial Notes.

Prior to August 9, 2028 (one month prior to their maturity date) (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Securities of this series at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

Notice of redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 calendar days but not more than 60 calendar days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 11.04 of the Indenture and may be given subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent as described in Section 11.04 of the Indenture.

Any exercise of the Company’s option to redeem the Securities will be done in compliance with the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.

If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Securities, the particular Securities to be redeemed will be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Trustee and, so long as the Securities are registered to the Depositary or its nominee, the Depositary. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than $2,000.

Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities called for redemption.

Holders will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Securities upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event as set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing (other than Events of Default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, as set forth in the Indenture), the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the Indenture, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities will automatically become due and payable.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

To the extent any provision of this Security conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 9, 2025 (together, the “Indenture”), between Ares Strategic Income Fund, as issuer (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

____________, (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

________, (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of June 9, 2025, is between Ares Strategic Income Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Base Indenture (as defined below) unless otherwise defined herein.

The Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Base Indenture” and, as supplemented by this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, together, the “Indenture”), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of the Company’s unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Indenture.

The Company desires to issue and sell (a) $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.800% Notes due 2030 (the “Initial Notes”) in the form of Exhibit A hereto and (b) if and when issued as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement in a Registered Exchange Offer in exchange for any Initial Notes or otherwise registered under the Securities Act and issued in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the Company’s 5.800% Notes due 2030 (the “Exchange Notes” and, together with the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes (as defined below), the “Notes”). The Initial Notes, the Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. The Notes will be distributed initially only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S, as such terms are defined herein.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Notes and all acts and things necessary to make this Sixth Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding, and legal obligation of the Company and to constitute a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done and performed.

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:

Section 1.01            Terms of the Notes. The following terms relating to the Notes are hereby established:

(a)            The Notes shall constitute a series of Securities having the title “5.800% Notes due 2030” and shall be designated as Senior Securities under the Indenture. The Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A shall bear a CUSIP number of 04020EAK3 and an ISIN number of US04020EAK38. The Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall bear a CUSIP number of U2225WAF8 and an ISIN number of USU2225WAF87. The Exchange Notes or any other Unrestricted Global Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes pursuant to the Indenture shall bear a CUSIP number of 0402EAN7 and an ISIN number of US04020EAN76.

(b)            The aggregate principal amount of the Initial Notes that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Initial Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.07 of the Base Indenture) shall be $500,000,000. In addition, Exchange Notes in a like principal amount of the Initial Notes or Additional Notes may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture for issue (i) in a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) otherwise pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. Under a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Notes, issue additional Notes (in any such case, other than any Exchange Notes, “Additional Notes”) having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity, CUSIP number and other terms as the Notes; provided that such Additional Notes must be part of the same issue as the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any Additional Notes and the existing Notes will constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Notes herein shall include the Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires.

(c)            The entire Outstanding principal amount of the Notes shall be payable on September 9, 2030, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

(d)            The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest shall be 5.800% per annum (the “Applicable Interest Rate”). The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be June 9, 2025, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for; the Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be March 9 and September 9 of each year, commencing September 9, 2025 (if an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable interest payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment); the initial interest period will be the period from and including June 9, 2025 (or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for), to, but excluding, the initial Interest Payment Date, and the subsequent interest periods will be the periods from and including an Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity, as the case may be; the interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, will be paid to the Person in whose name the Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on the Notes will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by (i) check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(f)            The Notes shall be initially issuable in global form (each such Note, a “Global Note” and together, the “Global Notes”). The Global Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Sixth Supplemental Indenture. Each Global Note shall represent the Outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of Outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, in accordance with Sections 2.03 and 3.05 of the Base Indenture.

(g)            The depositary for such Global Notes shall be the Depositary. The Security Registrar with respect to the Global Notes shall be the Trustee.

(i)            The Notes shall be redeemable pursuant to Section 11.01 of the Base Indenture and as follows:

(j)            Prior to August 9, 2030 (one month prior to their maturity date) (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price calculated by the Company (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(i)            (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 35 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and