Document:

EX-10.01

 Exhibit 10.01 

EXECUTION VERSION 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT 

by and between 
 THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
 and 

BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORPORATION 

Dated as of April 18, 2014 

 Table of Contents 

 

									
	 	  	 	  	 	  	Page	 
			
	 I
	  	 DEFINITIONS.
	  	 	1	 
		  	 1.01.
	  	 Definitions of Certain Terms
	  	 	1	 
		  	 1.02.
	  	 Interpretation
	  	 	3	 
			
	 II
	  	 THE SECURITIES PURCHASE.
	  	 	4	 
		  	 2.01.
	  	 Purchase and Sale of the Shares and the Warrant
	  	 	4	 
		  	 2.02.
	  	 Closing of the Securities Purchase
	  	 	4	 
			
	 III
	  	 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
	  	 	4	 
		  	 3.01.
	  	 Representations and Warranties of the Company
	  	 	4	 
			
	 IV
	  	 COVENANTS.
	  	 	5	 
		  	 4.01.
	  	 Forbearances of the Seller
	  	 	5	 
		  	 4.02.
	  	 Further Action
	  	 	5	 
		  	 4.03.
	  	 Remaining Certification and Disclosure Requirements
	  	 	6	 
		  	 4.04.
	  	 Transferability Restrictions Related to Long-Term Restricted Stock
	  	 	6	 
		  	 4.05.
	  	 Placement Agency Agreement
	  	 	6	 
			
	 V
	  	 CONDITIONS TO THE CLOSING.
	  	 	6	 
		  	 5.01.
	  	 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations
	  	 	6	 
		  	 5.02.
	  	 Condition to Obligations of the Seller
	  	 	7	 
			
	 VI
	  	 TERMINATION.
	  	 	8	 
		  	 6.01.
	  	 Termination Events
	  	 	8	 
		  	 6.02.
	  	 Effect of Termination
	  	 	9	 
			
	 VII
	  	 MISCELLANEOUS.
	  	 	9	 
		  	 7.01.
	  	 Waiver; Amendment
	  	 	9	 
		  	 7.02.
	  	 Counterparts
	  	 	9	 
		  	 7.03.
	  	 Governing Law; Choice of Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial
	  	 	9	 
		  	 7.04.
	  	 Expenses
	  	 	10	 
		  	 7.05.
	  	 Notices
	  	 	10	 
		  	 7.06.
	  	 Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries
	  	 	11	 
		  	 7.07.
	  	 Assignment
	  	 	11	 
		  	 7.08.
	  	 Severability
	  	 	11	 

  
 i 

 SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT 

THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this
“Agreement”) is dated as of April 18, 2014, by and between the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Seller”) and Bank of the Carolinas Corporation, a North Carolina corporation (the
“Company”).  
 RECITALS 

WHEREAS, the Seller is currently the owner of and holds (i) 13,179 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock,
Series A, of the Company (the “Shares”) and (ii) a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 475,204 shares of Company Common Stock (the “Warrant”); and 

WHEREAS, the Seller desires to sell to the Company, and the Company desires to purchase from the Seller, subject to the terms and
conditions contained in this Agreement, all of the Shares and the Warrant (the “Securities Purchase”). 
 NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the various representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements and undertakings of the parties hereto, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows: 
 AGREEMENT 

 

	I	DEFINITIONS. 

 1.01. Definitions of Certain Terms. For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms are used with the meanings assigned below (such definitions to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms herein defined): 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common
control with, such other person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) when used with respect to any person, means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to cause the direction of management and/or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this agreement. 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking organizations in the State of New
York or the State of North Carolina are required or authorized by Law to be closed. 
 “Closing” has the meaning set forth
in Section 2.02(A). 
 “Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(A). 

 “Company” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. 

“Company Common Stock” means the common stock, $5.00 par value, of the Company. 

“Company Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations or financial
condition of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that Company Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the effects of (i) changes after the date hereof in general
business, economic or market conditions (including changes generally in prevailing interest rates, credit availability and liquidity, currency exchange rates and price levels or trading volumes in the United States or foreign securities or credit
markets), or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declared or undeclared acts of war or terrorism, in each case generally affecting the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, (ii) changes or proposed changes after
the date hereof in United States generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting requirements, or authoritative interpretations thereof, (iii) changes or proposed changes after date hereof in securities, banking and other Laws
of general applicability or related policies or interpretations of Governmental Entities (in the case of each of these clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), other than changes or occurrences to the extent that such changes or occurrences have or would
reasonably be expected to have a materially disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole relative to comparable United States banking or financial services organizations), or (iv) changes in
the market price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or any other equity, equity-related or debt securities of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (it being understood and agreed that the exception set forth in this clause
(iv) does not apply to the underlying reason giving rise to or contributing to any such change). 
 “Compensation
Regulations” means any guidance, rule or regulation, as the same shall be in effect from time to time, promulgated pursuant to or implementing Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, as amended by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or otherwise from time to time. 
 “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. 
 “Governmental Entity” means any court, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental or regulatory authority or instrumentality or self-regulatory organization. 
 “Law” means any law, statute,
code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, award, writ, decree or injunction issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Entity. 

“Liens” means any liens, licenses, pledges, charges, encumbrances, adverse rights or claims and security interests
whatsoever. 
 “Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01. 

“Regulatory Event” means, with respect to the Company, that (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
applicable Governmental Entity shall have been appointed as conservator or receiver for the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary 

  
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shall have been considered in “troubled condition” for the purposes of 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1831i or any regulation promulgated thereunder; (iii) the Company or any Subsidiary shall
qualify as “Undercapitalized,” “Significantly Undercapitalized,” or “Critically Undercapitalized” as those terms are defined in 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1831o or other applicable Law; or (iv) the Company or any Subsidiary
shall have become subject to any formal or informal regulatory action requiring the Company or any Subsidiary to materially improve its capital, liquidity or safety and soundness. 

“Relevant Period” means the period in which any obligation of the Company arising from financial assistance under the
Troubled Asset Relief Program remains outstanding, as it may be further described in the Compensation Regulations. 
 “Securities
Purchase” has the meaning set forth in the recitals in this Agreement. 
 “Seller” has the meaning set forth in
the introductory paragraph to this Agreement. 
 “Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, any bank, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company
or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, (i) of which such person or a subsidiary of such person is a general partner or managing member or (ii) at least a majority of the securities or other interests of which having
by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or persons performing similar functions with respect to such entity is directly or indirectly owned by such person and/or one or more subsidiaries thereof. 

“Warrant” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. 

1.02. Interpretation. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import
when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words “include,”
“includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The term “person” as used in this Agreement shall mean any individual,
corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity or any group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) comprised of
two or more of the foregoing. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement, all references to
“dollars” or “$” are to United States dollars. This Agreement and any documents or instruments delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall be construed without regard to the identity of the person who drafted the
various provisions of the same. Each and every provision of this Agreement and such other documents and instruments shall be construed as though all of the parties participated equally in the drafting of the same. Consequently, the parties
acknowledge and agree that any rule of construction that a document is to be construed against the drafting party shall not be applicable either to this Agreement or such other documents and instruments. 

  
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	II	THE SECURITIES PURCHASE. 

 2.01. Purchase and Sale of the Shares and the
Warrant. Subject to, and on the terms and conditions of, this Agreement, effective at the Closing, the Company will purchase from the Seller, and the Seller will sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to the Company, all of the Shares and
the Warrant, free and clear of all Liens. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares, including any and all accrued and unpaid dividends, and the Warrant shall be an amount in cash equal to Three Million Two Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Seven
Hundred Fifty Dollars ($3,294,750.00) (the “Purchase Price”). 
 2.02. Closing of the Securities Purchase.

 (A) Subject to Article V, the closing of the Securities Purchase (the “Closing”) shall be
held at such time or date that is agreed to in writing by the Seller and the Company (the date on which the Closing occurs, the “Closing Date”). The Closing shall be held at such place as the Seller and the Company shall mutually
agree in writing. 
 (B) At the Closing, or simultaneously therewith, the following shall occur: 

(1) the Seller will deliver to the Company certificates for the Shares and the Warrant, duly endorsed in blank or
accompanied by stock powers duly endorsed in blank or other required instruments of transfer; and 
 (2) the Company
will pay the aggregate Purchase Price to the Seller, by wire transfer in immediately available funds, to an account designated in writing by the Seller to the Company, such designation to be made not later than two Business Days prior to the Closing
Date. 
  

	III	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. 

 3.01. Representations and Warranties of the
Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Seller as follows: 
 (A) Existence and Power.
The Company is duly organized and validly existing as a corporation under the Laws of the State of North Carolina and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. 
 (B) Authorization. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly approved by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and no other corporate or shareholder proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to approve this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller) this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of
equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally. 

  
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 (C) Non-Contravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will violate any provision of the charter or bylaws or similar governing documents of the Company or, assuming that the consents, approvals, filings and
registrations referred to in Section 3.01(D) are received or made (as applicable), applicable Law. 
 (D)
Consents and Approvals. Except for the prior written approval of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks for the Company to purchase the
Shares from the Seller, no consents or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any Governmental Entity or of or with any other third party by and on behalf of the Company are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery by the
Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby. 
 (E)
Securities Matters. The Shares and the Warrant are being acquired by the Company for its own account and without a view to the public distribution or sale of the Shares or the Warrant. 

(F) Availability of Funds. The Company will have, as of the Closing, sufficient funds available to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereunder. 
  

	IV	COVENANTS. 

 4.01. Forbearances of the Seller. From the date hereof until
the Closing, without the prior written consent of the Company, the Seller will not: 
 (A) directly or indirectly
transfer, sell, assign, distribute, exchange, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of, or engage in or enter into any hedging transactions with respect to, any of the Shares, the Warrant or any portion thereof or interest
therein (other than pursuant to the Securities Purchase); 
 (B) exercise the Warrant, in whole or in part; or 

(C) agree, commit to or enter into any agreement to take any of the actions referred to in Section 4.01(A)
and Section 4.01(B). 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller may undertake any of the actions set forth in
Section 4.01(A) with an Affiliate of the Seller so long as this Agreement is assigned to such Affiliate in accordance with Section 7.07 of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, until the Closing, except as expressly set
forth in this Section 4.01, the Seller shall continue to be able to exercise all rights and privileges with respect to the Shares and the Warrant. 

4.02. Further Action. The Seller and the Company (A) shall each execute and deliver, or shall cause to be executed and
delivered, such documents and other instruments and shall take, 

  
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or shall cause to be taken, such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
(B) shall refrain from taking any actions that could reasonably be expected to impair, delay or impede the Closing or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

4.03. Remaining Certification and Disclosure Requirements. The Company acknowledges and agrees to comply with the certification
and disclosure requirements set forth in the Compensation Regulations, including without limitation those submissions that are required with respect to the final portion of the Relevant Period (see, for example, Sections 30.7(c) and (d), Sections
30.11(b) and (c) and Section 30.15(a)(3) of the Compensation Regulations and FAQ-14 in the Frequently Asked Questions to the Compensation Regulations, available at www.financialstability.gov). 

4.04. Transferability Restrictions Related to Long-Term Restricted Stock. The Company acknowledges that any long-term restricted
stock (as defined in Section 30.1 of the Compensation Regulations) awarded by the Company that has otherwise vested may not become transferable, or payable in the case of a restricted stock unit, at any time earlier than as permitted under the
schedule set forth in the definition of long-term restricted stock in Section 30.1 of the Compensation Regulations. For this purpose, aggregate financial assistance received (for purposes of the definition of long-term restricted stock)
includes the full original liquidation amount with respect to 13,179 Shares (see FAQ-15 in the Frequently Asked Questions to the Compensation Regulations, available at www.financialstability.gov). Upon the sale of the Shares to the Company, in the
event that any long-term restricted stock awarded by the Company is not permitted to become transferable, or payable in the case of a restricted stock unit, under the schedule set forth in the definition of long-term restricted stock in
Section 30.1 of the Compensation Regulations, the Company shall cancel such long-term restricted stock and/or restricted stock units. 

4.05. Placement Agency Agreement. The Company shall promptly review the form of placement agency agreement for auctions
previously provided by the Seller and assemble any necessary information so that the placement agency agreement is in substantially complete form on or before July 31, 2014. In addition, the Company shall take such other actions as are
necessary so that the Seller shall be in a position to immediately auction the Shares if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article VI. 
  

	V	CONDITIONS TO THE CLOSING. 

 5.01. Conditions to Each Party’s
Obligations. The respective obligations of each of the Company and the Seller to consummate the Securities Purchase are subject to the fulfillment, or written waiver by the Company and the Seller, prior to the Closing, of each of the following
conditions: 
 (A) Completion of Equity Offering. The Company shall have closed one or more transactions in
which investors have collectively provided a minimum aggregate amount of Thirty Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($37,500,000) in gross cash proceeds to the Company in exchange for Company Common Stock and such Company Common Stock shall
have been offered and sold at a price equal to $10.00 per share of Company Common Stock (after giving effect to a 1-for-100 reverse stock split). 

  
 6 

 (B) Company Regulatory Approvals. All regulatory approvals required
to consummate the Securities Purchase shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated. 

(C) No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Securities Purchase shall be in effect. No Law shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity which prohibits or
makes illegal the consummation of the Securities Purchase. 
 5.02. Condition to Obligations of the Seller. The obligation of
the Seller to consummate the Securities Purchase is also subject to the fulfillment, or written waiver by the Seller, prior to the Closing, of the following conditions: 

(A) Other Events. None of the following shall have occurred since the date hereof: 

(1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have (a) dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation,
amalgamation or merger); (b) become insolvent or unable to pay its debts or failed or admitted in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (c) made a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for
the benefit of its creditors; (d) instituted or have instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’
rights, or a petition shall have been presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition shall have resulted in a judgment of insolvency or
bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation; (e) had a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation
or merger); (f) sought or shall have become subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets;
(g) had a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or had a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets;
(h) caused or shall have been subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, had an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (a) to (g) (inclusive); or (i) taken
any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; 

  
 7 

 (2) a Governmental Entity in any jurisdiction shall have
(a) commenced an action or proceeding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (b) issued or entered a temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order applicable to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, which in the case of (a) and (b) shall have had or shall be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; 

(3) any fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence, condition or development shall have occurred that, individually
or in the aggregate, shall have had or shall be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; or 
 (4)
any Regulatory Event not otherwise existing on the date hereof. 
 (B) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties set forth in Article III of this Agreement shall be true and correct as though made on and as of the Closing Date. 

(C) Consents and Approvals. All consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, all Governmental
Entities and of or with any other third party by and on behalf of the Company that are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained or made, as applicable, and shall remain in full force and effect. 
 (D)
Performance Obligations. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing. 

(E) Closing Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Seller a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date,
signed on behalf of the Company by a senior executive officer thereof certifying to the effect that all conditions precedent to the Closing have been satisfied. 
  

	VI	TERMINATION. 

 6.01. Termination Events. This Agreement may be terminated
at any time prior to the Closing: 
 (A) by mutual written agreement of the Company and the Seller; 

(B) by the Company, upon written notice to the Seller, or by the Seller, upon written notice to the Company, in the
event that the Closing Date does not occur on or before August 15, 2014; provided, however, that the respective rights to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.01(B) shall not be available to any party
whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have been the cause of, or shall have resulted in, the failure of the Closing Date to occur on or prior to such date; 

  
 8 

 (C) by the Seller, upon written notice to the Company, if the Company has
not received approval of the transactions contemplated herein from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on or before July 31, 2014; or 

(D) by the Seller, upon written notice to the Company, if the Company has not complied with its obligations under
Section 4.05 hereof on or before July 31, 2014. 
 6.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination
of this Agreement as provided in Section 6.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, and none of the Seller, the Company, any affiliates of the Company or any officers or directors of the Company or any of its
affiliates shall have any liability of any nature whatsoever hereunder, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except that this Section 6.02 and Sections 7.03, 7.04, 7.05 and 7.06
shall survive any termination of this Agreement. 
  

	VII	MISCELLANEOUS. 

 7.01. Waiver; Amendment. 

Any provision of this Agreement may be (A) waived in writing by the party benefiting by the provision, or (B) amended or modified at
any time by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto. Neither any failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any of the documents referred to in this Agreement will
operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege. 

7.02. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or other electronic means and in counterparts, all of which
shall be considered an original and one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart. 
 7.03. Governing Law; Choice of Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. 

(A) This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, the relationship of
the parties, and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the parties shall be enforced, governed, and construed in all respects (whether in contract or in tort) in accordance with the federal law of the United States if and
to the extent such law is applicable, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State. Each of the parties hereto agrees (a) to submit to the
exclusive jurisdictions and venue of the United States District Court of the District of Columbia and the United States Court of Federal Claims for any and all civil actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) that notice may be served upon (i) the Company at the address and in the manner set forth for notices to the Company in Section 7.05 and (ii) the Seller at the address and in the
manner set forth for notices to the Seller in Section 7.05, but otherwise in accordance with federal law. 

(B) To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of the parties hereto hereby unconditionally waives trial by jury in any
civil legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. 

  
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 7.04. Expenses. If requested by the Seller, the Company shall pay all reasonable
out of pocket and documented costs and expenses associated with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of the Seller’s legal
counsel and financial advisors. 
 7.05. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed given on the date of delivery if delivered personally or telecopied (upon telephonic confirmation of receipt), on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next day courier service, or on the third
Business Day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below or pursuant to such other instructions as may be
designated in writing by the party to receive such notice: 
 If to the Company to: 

Bank of the Carolinas Corporation 

135 Boxwood Village Drive 

Mocksville, North Carolina 27028 

Facsimile: (361) 751-1257 

Attention: Stephen R. Talbert 

With a copy to: 
 Wyrick Robbins
Yates & Ponton LLP 
 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300 

Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 

Facsimile: (919) 781-4865 

Attention: Todd H. Eveson 
 If to
the Seller to: 
 United States Department of the Treasury 

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Washington, D.C. 20220 

Facsimile: (202) 927-9225 

Attention: Chief Counsel Office of Financial Stability 

With a copy to: 
 Cadwalader,
Wickersham & Taft LLP 
 One World Financial Center 

New York, New York 10281 

Facsimile: (212) 504-6666 

Attention: William P. Mills 

  
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 7.06. Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (together
with the documents, agreements and instruments referred to herein) represents the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements heretofore made with respect
to the subject matter hereof. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies hereunder. 

7.07. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof
shall be assignable by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, and any attempt to assign any right, remedy, obligation or liability hereunder without such consent shall be null and void; provided,
however, that the Seller may assign this Agreement to an Affiliate of the Seller. If the Seller assigns this Agreement to an Affiliate, the Seller shall be relieved of its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement but (i) all
rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities of the Seller hereunder shall continue and be enforceable by and against and assumed by such Affiliate, (ii) the Company’s obligations and liabilities hereunder shall continue to be outstanding
and (iii) all references to the Seller herein shall be deemed to be references to such Affiliate. The Seller will give the Company notice of any such assignment; provided, that the failure to provide such notice shall not void any such
assignment. 
 7.08. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid, illegal or unenforceable the remaining terms and
provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity, legality or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, and if any provision of this Agreement is determined to be so broad as to be
unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable, in all cases so long as neither the economic nor legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is affected in any manner materially adverse to any
party or its shareholders. Upon any such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent of the parties. 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their
respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written. 
  

					
	BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORPORATION
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Stephen R. Talbert

		 	Name:	 	Stephen R. Talbert
		 	Title:	 	President and Chief Executive Officer
	
	UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Timothy J. Bowler

		 	Name:	 	Timothy J. Bowler
		 	Title:	 	Acting Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability

 [Signature Page to Securities Purchase Agreement]EX-10.2

 Exhibit 10.2 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 
 FS INVESTMENT
CORPORATION III 
 AND 

FSIC III ADVISOR, LLC 

This Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) is
made this 6th day of August, 2014, by and between FS INVESTMENT CORPORATION III, a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), and FSIC III ADVISOR, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (the “Adviser”). 
 WHEREAS, the Corporation is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”); and

 WHEREAS, the Adviser is an investment adviser that intends to register as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”); and 
 WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Adviser are parties to that certain
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2013 (the “Original Agreement”), and they wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety, as set forth herein. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows: 

1. Duties of the Adviser. 

(a) Retention of Adviser. The Corporation hereby appoints the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Corporation and to manage
the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Corporation, subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth: 

 

	 	(i)	in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Corporation’s then effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”), as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”), the Corporation’s prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented (the
“Prospectus”), and/or the Corporation’s periodic reports filed with the SEC from time to time; and 

  

	 	(ii)	during the term of this Agreement in accordance with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the Corporation’s articles of amendment and restatement
(“Articles”) and bylaws (the “Bylaws”), in each case as may be amended from time to time. 

 (b) Responsibilities of Adviser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement: 
  

	 	(i)	determine the composition and allocation of the portfolio of the Corporation, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; 

 

	 	(ii)	identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Corporation; 

  

	 	(iii)	execute, monitor and service the Corporation’s investments; 

  

	 	(iv)	determine the securities and other assets that the Corporation shall purchase, retain, or sell; 

  

	 	(v)	perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; and 

  

	 	(vi)	provide the Corporation with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Corporation may, from time to time, reasonably request or require for the investment of its funds. 

(c) Power and Authority. To facilitate the Adviser’s performance of these undertakings, but subject to the restrictions contained
herein, the Corporation hereby delegates to the Adviser, and the Adviser hereby accepts, the power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to effectuate its investment decisions for the Corporation, including the execution and delivery of all
documents relating to the Corporation’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to acquire debt financing, the Adviser shall
arrange for such financing on the Corporation’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board. If it is necessary or appropriate for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of the Corporation through one or more special purpose
vehicles, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such special purpose vehicles and to make such investments through such special purpose vehicles in accordance with the Investment Company Act. 

(d) Administrative Services. Subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board, the provisions of the Articles and Bylaws
and applicable federal and state law, the Adviser shall perform, or cause to be performed by other persons, all administrative services in connection with the operation of the Corporation. 

(e) Acceptance of Employment. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services
described herein for the compensation provided herein, subject to the limitations contained herein. 
 (f) Sub-Advisers. The Adviser
is hereby authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser may obtain the services of the Sub-Adviser(s) to assist the Adviser
in fulfilling its responsibilities hereunder. Specifically, the Adviser may retain a Sub-Adviser to recommend specific securities or other investments based upon the Corporation’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and work,
along with the Adviser, in sourcing, structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Corporation, subject to the oversight of the Adviser and the
Corporation. 

  
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	 	(i)	The Adviser and not the Corporation shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser. 

  

	 	(ii)	Any sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Adviser shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act, including without limitation the requirements relating to the Board and the
Corporation’s stockholder approval thereunder, and other applicable federal and state law. 

  

	 	(iii)	Any Sub-Adviser shall be subject to the same fiduciary duties imposed on the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act, as well as other applicable federal and state law.

 (g) Independent Contractor Status. The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an
independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Corporation in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Corporation. 

(h) Record Retention. Subject to review by, and the overall control of, the Board, the Adviser shall keep and preserve for the period
required by the Investment Company Act any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Corporation and shall specifically maintain all books and records with respect to the Corporation’s portfolio
transactions and shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request or as may be required under applicable federal and state law, and shall make such records available for inspection by the Board and its
authorized agents, at any time and from time to time during normal business hours. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Corporation are the property of the Corporation and shall surrender promptly to the Corporation any such
records upon the Corporation’s request and upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9, provided that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records. 

The following provisions in this Section 1 shall apply for only so long as the shares of common stock of the Corporation (“Common Stock”)
are not listed on a national securities exchange. 
 (i) Administrator. The Adviser shall, upon request by an official or
agency administering the securities laws of a state, province or commonwealth (an “Administrator”), submit to such Administrator the reports and statements required to be distributed to the Corporation’s stockholders
pursuant to this Agreement, the Registration Statement and applicable federal and state law. 
 (j) Fiduciary Duty. It is
acknowledged that the Adviser shall have a fiduciary responsibility for the safekeeping and use of all funds and assets of the Corporation, whether or not in the Adviser’s immediate possession or control. The Adviser shall not employ, or permit
another to employ, such funds or assets in any manner except for the exclusive benefit of the Corporation. The Adviser shall not, by entry into an agreement with any stockholder of the Corporation or otherwise, contract away the fiduciary obligation
owed to the Corporation and the Corporation’s stockholders under common law. 
 2. The Corporation’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable
by the Corporation. 
 (a) Adviser Personnel. All personnel of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing
investment advisory services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Corporation. 

  
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 (b) Costs. Subject to the limitations on reimbursement of the Adviser as set forth in
Section 2(c) below, the Corporation, either directly or through reimbursement to the Adviser, shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including (without limitation): expenses deemed to be “organization
and offering expenses” of the Corporation for purposes of Conduct Rule 2310(a)(12) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (for purposes of this Agreement, such expenses, exclusive of commissions, the dealer manager fee and any
discounts, are hereinafter referred to as “Organization and Offering Expenses”); corporate and organizational expenses relating to offerings of shares of Common Stock, subject to limitations included in the Agreement; the
cost of calculating the Corporation’s net asset value, including the cost of any third-party pricing or valuation firms; the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of Common Stock and other securities; fees payable to third parties
relating to, or associated with, making investments and valuing investments, including fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence reviews of prospective investments; research and market data (including news and quotation equipment
and services, and any computer hardware and connectivity hardware (e.g., telephone and fiber optic lines) incorporated into the cost of obtaining such research and market data); transfer agent and custodial fees, fees and expenses associated
with marketing efforts; federal and state registration fees; federal, state and local taxes; fees and expenses of directors not also serving in an executive officer capacity for the Corporation or the Adviser; brokerage commissions for the
Corporation’s investments; costs associated with the Corporation’s chief compliance officer; costs of proxy statements, stockholders’ reports, notices and other filings; fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions
liability insurance and other insurance premiums; direct costs such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff costs associated with the Corporation’s reporting and compliance obligations under the Investment Company Act and
applicable federal and state securities laws, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended; fees and expenses associated with accounting, corporate governance, independent audits and outside legal costs; and all other
expenses incurred by the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser or the Corporation in connection with administering the Corporation’s business, including expenses incurred by the Adviser or any Sub-Adviser in performing administrative services for the
Corporation and administrative personnel paid by the Adviser, to the extent they are not controlling persons of the Adviser or any of its affiliates. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not be liable for Organization and Offering Expenses to the extent that Organization and Offering
Expenses, together with all prior Organization and Offering Expenses, exceed 1.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the offering of the Corporation’s securities (the “Reimbursable O&O Expenses”). 

The following provisions in this Section 2(c) shall apply for only so long as shares of Common Stock are not listed on a national securities
exchange. 
 (c) Limitations on Reimbursement of Expenses. 

 

	 	(i)	In addition to the compensation paid to the Adviser pursuant to Section 3, the Corporation shall reimburse the Adviser for all expenses of the Corporation incurred by the Adviser as well as the actual cost of goods
and services used for or by the Corporation and obtained from entities not affiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser may be reimbursed for the administrative services performed by it on behalf of the Corporation; provided, however, the reimbursement
shall be an amount equal to the lower of the Adviser’s actual cost or the amount the Corporation would be required to pay third parties for the provision of comparable administrative services in the same geographic location; and provided,
further, that such costs are reasonably allocated to the Corporation on the basis of assets, revenues, time allocations and/or other reasonable metrics. No reimbursement shall be permitted for services for which the Adviser is entitled to
compensation by way of a separate fee. Excluded from the allowable reimbursement shall be: 

  

	 	(A)	rent or depreciation, utilities, capital equipment, and other administrative items of the Adviser; and 

  
 4 

	 	(B)	salaries, fringe benefits, travel expenses and other administrative items incurred or allocated to any executive officer or board member of the Adviser (or any individual performing such services) or a holder of 10% or
greater equity interest in the Adviser (or any person having the power to direct or cause the direction of the Adviser, whether by ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise). 

(d) Periodic Reimbursement. Expenses incurred by the Adviser on behalf of the Corporation and payable pursuant to this Section 2
shall be reimbursed no less than monthly to the Adviser. The Adviser shall prepare a statement documenting the expenses of the Corporation and the calculation of the reimbursement and shall deliver such statement to the Corporation prior to full
reimbursement. 
 3. Compensation of the Adviser. The Corporation agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the
services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (“Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”) as hereinafter set forth. The Adviser may
agree to temporarily or permanently waive, in whole or in part, the Base Management Fee and/or the Incentive Fee. See Appendix A for examples of how these fees are calculated. 

(a) Base Management Fee. The Base Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate of 2.0% of the Corporation’s average weekly
gross assets. The Base Management Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears, and shall be calculated based on the average weekly value of the Corporation’s gross assets during the most recently completed calendar quarter. All or any part of the
Base Management Fee not taken as to any quarter shall be deferred without interest and may be taken in any such other quarter prior to the occurrence of a liquidity event (as such term is defined in the Prospectus) as the Adviser shall determine.
The Base Management Fee for any partial quarter shall be appropriately prorated. 
 (b) Incentive Fee. The Incentive Fee shall
consist of two parts, as follows: 
  

	 	(i)	The first part, referred to as the “Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income,” shall be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Corporation’s “Pre-Incentive Fee Net
Investment Income” for the immediately preceding quarter. The payment of the Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income shall be subject to payment of a preferred return to investors each quarter, expressed as a quarterly rate of return on the
average Adjusted Capital (as defined below) for the most recently completed calendar quarter, of 1.875% (7.5% annualized), subject to a “catch up” feature (as described below). 

For this purpose, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” means interest income, dividend income and any other
income (including any other fees, other than fees for providing managerial assistance, such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Corporation receives from portfolio companies) accrued during
the calendar quarter, minus the Corporation’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses reimbursed to the Adviser under this Agreement and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and
outstanding preferred 

  
 5 

 
stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount debt
instruments with payment-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Corporation has not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or
unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. 
 For purposes of this fee, “Adjusted Capital” shall mean
cumulative gross proceeds generated by the Corporation from sales of shares of Common Stock (including proceeds from the Corporation’s distribution reinvestment plan) reduced for amounts paid for share repurchases pursuant to the
Corporation’s share repurchase program. 
 The calculation of the Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income for each quarter is as follows: 

 

	 	(A)	No Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income shall be payable to the Adviser in any calendar quarter in which the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the preferred return rate of 1.875%
(7.5% annualized) (the “Preferred Return”) on Adjusted Capital; 

  

	 	(B)	100% of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Preferred Return but is less than or equal to 2.34375% in any calendar quarter (9.375% annualized) shall be payable to the
Adviser. This portion of the Corporation’s Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income that exceeds the Preferred Return but is less than or equal to 2.34375% is referred to as the “catch up” and is intended to provide the
Adviser with an incentive fee of 20.0% on all of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income when the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income reaches 2.34375% in any calendar quarter (9.375% annualized); and

  

	 	(C)	20.0% of the amount of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.34375% in any calendar quarter (9.375% annualized) shall be payable to the Adviser once the Preferred Return
and catch-up have been achieved (20.0% of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income thereafter shall be allocated to the Adviser). 

  

	 	(ii)	The second part of the incentive fee, referred to as the “Incentive Fee on Capital Gains,” shall be an incentive fee on capital gains and shall be determined and payable in arrears as of the end
of each calendar year (or upon termination of this Agreement). This fee shall equal 20.0% of the Corporation’s incentive fee capital gains, which shall equal the Corporation’s realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception,
calculated as of the end of the applicable period, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees.

  
 6 

 4. Covenants of the Adviser. 

(a) Adviser Status. The Adviser covenants that it will be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act as of the date the
Corporation commences investment operations and will maintain such registration. The Adviser agrees that its activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations
and investments. 
 The following provisions in this Section 4 shall apply for only so long as shares of Common Stock are not listed on a
national securities exchange. 
 (b) Reports to Stockholders. The Adviser shall prepare or shall cause to be prepared and
distributed to stockholders during each year the following reports of the Corporation (either included in a periodic report filed with the SEC or distributed in a separate report): 

 

	 	(i)	Quarterly Reports. Within 60 days of the end of each quarter, a report containing the same financial information contained in the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Corporation under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

  

	 	(ii)	Annual Report. Within 120 days after the end of the Corporation’s fiscal year, an annual report containing: 

  

	 	(A)	A balance sheet as of the end of each fiscal year and statements of income, equity, and cash flow, for the year then ended, all of which shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
accompanied by an auditor’s report containing an opinion of an independent certified public accountant; 

  

	 	(B)	A report of the activities of the Corporation during the period covered by the report; 

  

	 	(C)	Where forecasts have been provided to the Corporation’s stockholders, a table comparing the forecasts previously provided with the actual results during the period covered by the report; and 

 

	 	(D)	A report setting forth distributions by the Corporation for the period covered thereby and separately identifying distributions from (i) cash flow from operations during the period; (ii) cash flow from
operations during a prior period which have been held as reserves; and (iii) proceeds from disposition of the Corporation’s assets. 

  

	 	(iii)	Previous Reimbursement Reports. The Adviser shall prepare or shall cause to be prepared a report, prepared in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants United States Auditing
Standards relating to special reports, and distributed to stockholders not less than annually, containing an itemized list of the costs reimbursed to the Adviser pursuant to Section 2(c) for the previous fiscal year. The special report shall at
a minimum provide: 

  

	 	(A)	A review of the allocations of individual employees, the costs of whose services were reimbursed; and 

  
 7 

	 	(B)	A review of the specific nature of the work performed by each such employee. 

  

	 	(iv)	Proposed Reimbursement Reports. The Adviser shall prepare or shall cause to be prepared a report containing an itemized estimate of all proposed expenses for which it shall receive reimbursements pursuant to
Section 2(c) of this Agreement for the next fiscal year, together with a breakdown by year of such expenses reimbursed in each of the last five public programs formed by the Adviser. 

(c) Reports to Administrators. The Adviser shall, upon written request of any Administrator, submit any of the reports and statements
to be prepared and distributed by it pursuant to this Section 4 to such Administrator. 
 (d) Reserves. In performing its duties
hereunder, the Adviser shall cause the Corporation to provide for adequate reserves for normal replacements and contingencies (but not for payment of fees payable to the Adviser hereunder) by causing the Corporation to retain a reasonable percentage
of proceeds from offerings and revenues. 
 (e) Recommendations Regarding Reviews. From time to time and not less than quarterly, the
Adviser must review the Corporation’s accounts to determine whether cash distributions are appropriate. The Corporation may, subject to authorization by the Board, distribute pro rata to the stockholders funds received by the Corporation which
the Adviser deems unnecessary to retain in the Corporation. 
 (f) Temporary Investments. The Adviser shall, in its sole discretion,
temporarily place proceeds from offerings by the Corporation into short term, highly liquid investments which, in its reasonable judgment, afford appropriate safety of principal during such time as it is determining the composition and allocation of
the portfolio of the Corporation and the nature, timing and implementation of any changes thereto pursuant to Section 1(b); provided however, that the Adviser shall be under no fiduciary obligation to select any such short-term, highly liquid
investment based solely on any yield or return of such investment. The Adviser shall cause any proceeds of the offering of the Corporation’s securities not committed for investment within the later of two years from the initial date of
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or one year from termination of the offering, unless a longer period is permitted by the applicable Administrator, to be paid as a distribution to the stockholders of the Corporation as a return of capital
without deduction of Front End Fees (as defined below). 
 5. Brokerage Commissions, Limitations on Front End Fees; Period of Offering;
Assessments. 
 (a) Brokerage Commissions. The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter
permitted by law, to cause the Corporation to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange,
broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of
execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by
such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Corporation’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net results for the Corporation. 

  
 8 

 The following provisions in this Section 5 shall apply for only so long as shares of Common Stock are
not listed on a national securities exchange. 
 (b) Limitations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary: 

 

	 	(i)	All fees and expenses paid by any party for any services rendered to organize the Corporation and to acquire assets for the Corporation (“Front End Fees”) shall be reasonable and shall not exceed
15% of the gross offering proceeds, regardless of the source of payment. Any reimbursement to the Adviser or any other person for deferred organizational and offering expenses, including any interest thereon, if any, will be included within this 15%
limitation. 

  

	 	(ii)	The Adviser shall commit at least eighty-two percent (82%) of the gross offering proceeds towards the investment or reinvestment of assets and reserves as set forth in Section 4(d) above on behalf of the
Corporation. The remaining proceeds may be used to pay Front End Fees. 

 6. Other Activities of the Adviser. 

The services of the Adviser to the Corporation are not exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or
different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to those of the
Corporation, so long as its services to the Corporation hereunder are not impaired thereby, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, member (including its members and the owners of its members),
officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith
(including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Corporation’s portfolio companies, subject to applicable law). The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render
the services called for hereunder. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Corporation are or may become interested in the Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders,
members, managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Corporation as stockholders or
otherwise. 
 7. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees. 

If any person who is a manager, partner, member, officer or employee of the Adviser is or becomes a director, officer and/or employee of the
Corporation and acts as such in any business of the Corporation, then such manager, partner, member, officer and/or employee of the Adviser shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Corporation, and not as a manager, partner,
member, officer or employee of the Adviser or under the control or direction of the Adviser, even if paid by the Adviser. 
 8. Indemnification;
Limitation of Liability. 
 (a) Indemnification. The Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, members (and their
members, including the owners of their members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser) shall not be liable to the Corporation for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser or
such other person in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Corporation (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company
Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings)) with respect 

  
 9 

 
to the receipt of compensation for services, and the Corporation shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, members (and their members,
including the owners of their members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “Indemnified
Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of
any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the
Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Corporation, to the extent such damages, liabilities, costs and expenses are not fully reimbursed by insurance, and to the extent that such
indemnification would not be inconsistent with the laws of the State of Maryland, the Articles or, for only as long as the shares of Common Stock are not listed on a national securities exchange, the provisions of Section II.G of the Omnibus
Guidelines published by the North American Securities Administrators Association on March 29, 1992, as it may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 8 to the contrary, nothing contained herein
shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of any liability to the Corporation or its stockholders to which the Indemnified Parties
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (to
the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder). As long as the shares of Common Stock are not listed on a national
securities exchange, nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the scope or applicability of Sections 8(b) and 8(c). 

The following provisions in this Section 8 shall apply for only so long as shares of Common Stock are not listed on a national securities exchange.

 (b) Limitations on Indemnification. Notwithstanding Section 8(a) to the contrary, the Corporation shall not provide
for indemnification of the Indemnified Parties for any liability or loss suffered by the Indemnified Parties, nor shall the Corporation provide that any of the Indemnified Parties be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by the
Corporation, unless all of the following conditions are met: 
  

	 	(i)	the Indemnified Party has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct which caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Corporation; 

 

	 	(ii)	the Indemnified Party was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Corporation; 

  

	 	(iii)	such liability or loss was not the result of negligence or misconduct by the Indemnified Party; and 

  

	 	(iv)	such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of the Corporation’s net assets and not from stockholders. 

  
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 Furthermore, the Indemnified Party shall not be indemnified for any losses, liabilities or
expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws unless one or more of the following conditions are met: 
  

	 	(i)	there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations; 

  

	 	(ii)	such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction; or 

  

	 	(iii)	a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and related costs should be made, and the court of law considering
the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Corporation were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of
securities laws. 

 (c) Advancement of Funds. The Corporation shall be permitted to advance funds to the Indemnified
Party for legal expenses and other costs incurred as a result of any legal action for which indemnification is being sought and will do so if: 
  

	 	(i)	the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Corporation; 

  

	 	(ii)	the Indemnified Party provides the Corporation with written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation has been met; 

 

	 	(iii)	the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a stockholder or, if by a stockholder of the Corporation acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement;
and 

  

	 	(iv)	the Indemnified Party provides the Corporation with a written agreement to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Corporation, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, in cases in which such
Indemnified Party is found not to be entitled to indemnification. 

 9. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement.

 (a) Term and Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date that the Corporation meets the minimum
offering requirement, as such term is defined in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement. This Agreement shall remain in effect for two years from the date such minimum offering requirement is satisfied, and thereafter shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation and
(ii) the vote of a majority of the Corporation’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party
(“Independent Directors”), in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. 
 (b)
Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (a) by the Corporation upon 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser, (i) upon the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Corporation, or (ii) by the vote of the Corporation’s Independent Directors, or (b) by the Adviser upon 120 days’ written notice to the Corporation. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its “assignment” (as such term is defined for 

  
 11 

 
purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act). Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any
amounts owed to it under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration, the provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof. 

(c) Payments to and Duties of Adviser Upon Termination. 
  

	 	(i)	After the termination of this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be entitled to compensation for further services provided hereunder, except that it shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation within 30 days after
the effective date of such termination all unpaid reimbursements and all earned but unpaid fees payable to the Adviser prior to termination of this Agreement. 

  

	 	(ii)	The Adviser shall promptly upon termination: 

  

	 	(A)	Deliver to the Board a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the
Board; 

  

	 	(B)	Deliver to the Board all assets and documents of the Corporation then in custody of the Adviser; and 

  

	 	(C)	Cooperate with the Corporation to provide an orderly management transition. 

 The following provisions in
this Section 9 shall apply for only so long as shares of Common Stock are not listed on a national securities exchange. 
 (d)
Other Matters. Without the approval of holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on the matter, the Adviser shall not: (i) amend this Agreement except for amendments that do not adversely affect the interests
of the stockholders; (ii) voluntarily withdraw as the Adviser unless such withdrawal would not affect the tax status of the Corporation and would not materially adversely affect the stockholders; (iii) appoint a new Adviser; (iv) sell
all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business; or (v) cause the merger or other reorganization of the Corporation. In the event that the Adviser should withdraw
pursuant to (ii) above, the withdrawing Adviser shall pay all expenses incurred as a result of its withdrawal. The Corporation may terminate the Adviser’s interest in the Corporation’s revenues, expenses, income, losses, distributions
and capital by payment of an amount equal to the then present fair market value of the terminated Adviser’s interest, determined by agreement of the terminated Adviser and the Corporation. If the Corporation and the Adviser cannot agree upon
such amount, then such amount will be determined in accordance with the then-current rules of the American Arbitration Association. The expenses of such arbitration shall be borne equally by the terminated Adviser and the Corporation. The method of
payment to the terminated Adviser must be fair and must protect the solvency and liquidity of the Corporation. 

  
 12 

 10. Conflicts of Interests and Prohibited Activities. 

The following provisions in this Section 10 shall apply for only so long as shares of Common Stock are not listed on a national securities exchange.

 (a) No Exclusive Agreement. The Adviser is not hereby granted or entitled to an exclusive right to sell or exclusive
employment to sell assets for the Corporation. 
 (b) Rebates, Kickbacks and Reciprocal Arrangements. 

 

	 	(i)	The Adviser agrees that it shall not (A) receive or accept any rebate, give-up or similar arrangement that is prohibited under applicable federal or state securities laws, (B) participate in any reciprocal
business arrangement that would circumvent provisions of applicable federal or state securities laws governing conflicts of interest or investment restrictions, or (C) enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding that would circumvent
the restrictions against dealing with affiliates or promoters under applicable federal or state securities laws. 

  

	 	(ii)	The Adviser agrees that it shall not directly or indirectly pay or award any fees or commissions or other compensation to any person or entity engaged to sell shares of Common Stock or give investment advice to a
potential stockholder; provided, however, that this subsection shall not prohibit the payment to a registered broker-dealer or other properly licensed agent of sales commissions for selling or distributing shares of Common Stock. 

(c) Commingling. The Adviser covenants that it shall not permit or cause to be permitted the Corporation’s funds to be commingled
with the Corporations of any other entity. Nothing in this Subsection 10(c) shall prohibit the Adviser from establishing a master fiduciary account pursuant to which separate sub-trust accounts are established for the benefit of affiliated programs,
provided that the Corporation’s funds are protected from the claims of other programs and creditors of such programs. 
 11. Notices.

 Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at
its principal office. 
 12. Amendments. 

This Agreement may be amended in writing by mutual consent of the parties hereto, subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act and
the Articles. 
 13. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect
to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. For so long as the Corporation is
regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act and the Adviser is regulated as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, this Agreement shall also be construed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and
the Advisers Act, respectively, and any other then-current regulatory interpretations thereunder. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company
Act, the latter shall control. 

  
 13 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date
above written. 
  

			
	FS INVESTMENT CORPORATION III
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Gerald F. Stahlecker

	Name:	 	Gerald F. Stahlecker
	Title:	 	Executive Vice President
	
	FSIC III ADVISOR, LLC
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Gerald F. Stahlecker

	Name:	 	Gerald F. Stahlecker
	Title:	 	Executive Vice President

 [Signature Page to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement] 

 Appendix A 

NOTE: All percentages herein refer to Adjusted Capital. 

Example 1: Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income for Each Calendar Quarter 

Scenario 1 
 Assumptions 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25% 

Preferred return(1) = 1.875% 

Base Management Fee(2) = 0.50% 

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2% 

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income 

(investment income — (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 0.55% 

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the preferred return rate, therefore there is no Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income
payable. 
 Scenario 2 
 Assumptions 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.775% 

Preferred return(1) = 1.875% 

Base Management Fee(2) = 0.50% 

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.2% 

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income 

(investment income — (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.075% 

Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income = 100% x Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (subject to “catch-up”)(4) 
 = 100% × (2.075% — 1.875%) 

= 0.20% 
 Pre-Incentive Fee Net
Investment Income exceeds the preferred return rate, but does not fully satisfy the “catch-up” provision, therefore the Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income is 0.20%. 

Scenario 3 
 Assumptions 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.5% 

Preferred return(1) = 1.875% 

Base Management Fee(2) = 0.50% 

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2% 

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income 

(investment income — (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.8% 

Catch up = 100% × Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (subject to “catch-up”
)(4) 

 Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income = 100% × “catch-up” + (20.0% ×
(Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income —2.34375%)) 
 Catch up = 2.34375% — 1.875% 

  = 0.46875% 

Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income = (100% × 0.46875%) + (20.0% × (2.8% — 2.34375%)) 

= 0.46875% + (20.0% × 0.45625%) 

= 0.46875% + 0.09125% 
 = 0.56%

 Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the preferred return and fully satisfies the “catch-up” provision, therefore the
Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income is 0.56%. 
  

	(1)	Represents 7.5% annualized preferred return. 

	(2)	Represents 2.0% annualized Base Management Fee on average weekly gross assets. Examples assume assets are equal to Adjusted Capital. 

	(3)	Excludes organizational and offering expenses. 

	(4)	The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide FS Advisor with an incentive fee of 20.0% on all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income when the Corporation’s net investment income exceeds 2.34375% in
any calendar quarter. 

 Example 2: Incentive Fee on Capital Gains 

Scenario 1: 
 Assumptions 

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment
B”) 
 Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million and fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $32 million

 Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million 

Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million 

The Incentive Fee on Capital Gains would be: 

Year 1: None 
 Year 2: Incentive
Fee on Capital Gains of $6 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20.0%) 
 Year 3: None ® $5 million (20.0% multiplied by ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2) 

Year 4: Incentive Fee on Capital Gains of $200,000 ® $6.2 million ($31 million cumulative
realized capital gains multiplied by 20.0%) less $6 million (Incentive Fee on Capital Gains taken in Year 2) 

  
 16 

 Scenario 2 

Assumptions 
 Year 1: $20 million
investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”) 

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25
million 
 Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million 

Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million 

Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million 

The capital gains incentive fee, if any, would be: 

Year 1: None 
 Year 2: $5
million Incentive Fee on Capital Gains ® 20.0% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B) 

Year 3: $1.4 million Incentive Fee on Capital Gains ® $6.4 million (20.0% multiplied by $32
million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5 million Incentive Fee on Capital Gains received in Year 2 

Year 4: None 
 Year 5: None ® $5 million (20.0% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million cumulative Incentive Fee on Capital Gains paid in
Year 2 and Year 3 
  

	*	The returns shown are for illustrative purposes only. No incentive fee is payable to the Adviser in any calendar quarter in which the Corporation’s pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle
rate. Positive returns are shown to demonstrate the fee structure and there is no guarantee that positive returns will be realized. Actual returns may vary from those shown in the examples above.

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