Simpson Thacher represents Franklin BSP Lending Fund (“FBLEND”), a continuously offered evergreen interval fund registered under the 1940 Act that provides access to a portfolio anchored in direct lending, in connection with its formation and continuous public offering. FBLEND seeks to generate consistent income, provide diversification benefits, and lower volatility compared to public credit markets.
The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective through private debt investment opportunities in middle market companies in the United States, which it generally defines as companies with $25 million to $100 million EBITDA. Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC is the Fund’s investment manager. The Fund’s assets are managed by its sub-adviser, Benefit Street Partners L.L.C.
The Simpson Thacher team included Ryan Brizek, Steven Grigoriou, David Blass, Debbie Sutter, Andy Madore, Sophie Kim, Yiran Wang, Sarah Yan, Neekta Eftekharzadeh and Caitlynn Corie (Registered Funds); Russell Light, Caroline Phillips and Benjamin Bressler (Tax); and Jeanne Annarumma (ERISA).