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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

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New Mountain Finance Corporation

787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor

New York, New York 10019

March 4, 2019

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of New Mountain Finance Corporation (“NMFC” or the “Company”) to be held on March 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. You will be able to participate in the Annual Meeting, vote and submit your questions via live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NMFC2019. Prior to the Annual Meeting you will be able to vote electronically at www.proxyvote.com.

The notice of the Annual Meeting and the proxy statement accompanying this letter provide an outline of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting the stockholders of NMFC will be asked to: (i) elect two directors to the board of directors of NMFC to serve for a term of three years, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify; (ii) ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019; (iii) approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock; and (iv) transact such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to participate in the Annual Meeting during the scheduled time, I urge you to follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card to vote your proxy on the Internet. I encourage you to vote via the Internet, as it saves us significant time and processing costs. However, you may vote your proxy by returning your proxy card to us. Your vote is important.

To vote or to submit your questions during the Annual Meeting, please log on to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NMFC2019. You will need to enter the 16-digit control number on your notice of the Annual Meeting. Your vote is important to us.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on March 29, 2019.

Our proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting is available on the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NMFC2019.

The following information applicable to the Annual Meeting may be found in the proxy statement and accompanying proxy card:

·              The date, time and location of the meeting;

·              A list of the matters intended to be acted on and our recommendations regarding those matters;

·              Any control/identification numbers that you need to access your proxy card; and

·              Information about attending the meeting and voting.

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New Mountain Finance Corporation
787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor
New York, New York 10019

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 29, 2019

To the Stockholders of New Mountain Finance Corporation:

A meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of stockholders of New Mountain Finance Corporation (“NMFC” or the “Company”) will be held on March 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We are very pleased that this year’s Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted via live webcast. It is important to note that shareholders have the same rights and opportunities by participating in a virtual meeting, as they would if attending an in-person meeting. You can participate in the Annual Meeting, vote and submit your questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NMFC2019. You must have your 16- Digit Control Number in order to access the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1.                To elect two directors to the board of directors of NMFC who will each serve for a term of three years, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify;

2.                To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019;

3.                To approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock; and

4.                To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

You have the right to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on February 19, 2019. Your vote is extremely important to us. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, and whatever the number of shares you own, please follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card to vote your shares via the Internet or telephone, or by signing, dating and returning the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve NMFC’s proposals at the time of the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by NMFC.

New York, New York
March 4, 2019

This is an important meeting. To ensure proper representation at the Annual Meeting, complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the enclosed, self-addressed envelope, vote your shares by telephone, or vote via the Internet. Even if you vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting, you still may attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares via the Internet.

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New Mountain Finance Corporation

787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor

New York, New York 10019

PROXY STATEMENT

2019 Annual Meeting

of Stockholders of New Mountain Finance Corporation

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of New Mountain Finance Corporation (“NMFC”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) for use at the NMFC 2019 Annual Meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on March 29, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. You can virtually attend the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NMFC2019, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. You will need to enter the 16-digit control number on your notice of the Annual Meeting. It is important to note that shareholders have the same rights and opportunities by participating in a virtual meeting, as they would if attending an in-person meeting. This Proxy Statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the accompanying proxy card and the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are first being sent to our stockholders of record on or about March 4, 2019.

We encourage you to vote your shares of NMFC’s stock either by voting via the Internet while virtually attending the Annual Meeting, by telephone, or by granting a proxy (i.e., authorizing someone to vote your shares). Shares represented by duly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you give no instructions on the proxy card, the shares covered by the proxy card will be voted “FOR” the matters listed in this Proxy Statement.

If you are a stockholder “of record” (i.e., you hold shares directly in your name), you may revoke a proxy at any time before it is exercised by notifying the proxy tabulator, Broadridge Shareholder Solutions, Inc., in writing, by submitting a properly executed, later-dated proxy, or by voting virtually at the Annual Meeting. Please send your notification to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, and submit a properly executed, later-dated proxy or vote virtually at the Annual Meeting. Any stockholder of record attending the Annual Meeting may vote virtually whether or not he or she has previously voted his or her shares. If your shares are held for your account by a broker, bank or other institution or nominee (“Broker Securities”), you may vote such securities at the Annual Meeting only if you obtain proper written authority from your institution or nominee and present it at the Annual Meeting. All of our directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. Stockholders have no dissenters’ or appraisal rights in connection with any of the proposals described herein.

Stockholders of record may also vote either via the Internet or by telephone. Specific instructions to be followed by stockholders of record interested in voting via the Internet or the telephone are shown on the enclosed proxy card. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate the voter’s identity and to allow stockholders to vote their shares and confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded.

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Purpose of Annual Meeting

At the Annual Meeting:

1.                 The stockholders of NMFC will be asked to elect two directors to the board of directors of NMFC, who will each serve for a term of three years, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify;

2.                The stockholders of NMFC will be asked to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019;

3.                The stockholders of NMFC will be asked to approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock; and

4.                Such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting will be transacted.

Shares

Stockholders of NMFC may vote their shares, virtually or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting only if such stockholders were stockholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2019 (the “Record Date”). On the Record Date, there were 80,418,872 shares of NMFC’s common stock outstanding. Each share of NMFC’s common stock is entitled to one vote.

Quorum Required

A quorum of NMFC’s stockholders must be present at the Annual Meeting for any business to be conducted. The presence at the Annual Meeting, online or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of NMFC common stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum. Abstentions will be treated as shares present for quorum purposes. Broker Securities for which the nominee has not received voting instructions from the record holder and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares on certain proposals (which are considered “Broker Non-Votes” with respect to such proposals) will be treated as shares present for quorum purposes.

If a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, the stockholders who are represented may adjourn the Annual Meeting until a quorum is present. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against any proposal for which an adjournment is sought, to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

Vote Required

Election of Directors. A nominee for director shall be elected to the board of directors of NMFC if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election. If you vote “Withhold Authority” with respect to a nominee, your shares will not be voted with respect to the person indicated. Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will have no effect on this proposal.

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting or by proxy is required to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Abstentions will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will have no effect on this proposal. Because brokers will have discretionary authority to vote for the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in the event that they do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, your broker will be permitted to vote your shares for this proposal. If you give no instructions on the proxy card, the shares covered by the proxy card will be voted FOR the ratification of appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

Approval of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock. The affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of common stock outstanding is required to approve the proposed amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.

Additional Solicitation. If there are not enough votes to approve any proposals at the Annual Meeting, the stockholders who are represented may adjourn the Annual Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against the proposal for which an adjournment is sought, to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

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Also, a vote may be taken on one or more of the proposals in this Proxy Statement prior to any such adjournment if there are sufficient votes for approval thereof.

Information Regarding This Solicitation

NMFC will bear the expense of the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting, including the cost of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy card(s). We have requested that brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other persons holding shares in their names, or in the name of their nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, forward the proxy materials to, and obtain proxies from, such beneficial owners. We will reimburse such persons for their reasonable expenses in so doing.

In addition to the solicitation of proxies by the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited in person and by telephone or facsimile transmission by directors, officers or employees of NMFC, NMFC’s investment adviser, New Mountain Finance Advisers BDC, L.L.C. (the “Investment Adviser”), or NMFC’s administrator, New Mountain Finance Administration, L.L.C. (the “Administrator”), without special compensation therefor. NMFC has also retained Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting for a fee of approximately $4,250, plus reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses.

Stockholders may also provide their voting instructions by telephone or through the Internet. These options require stockholders to input the Control Number which is located on each proxy card. After inputting this number, stockholders will be prompted to provide their voting instructions. Stockholders will have an opportunity to review their voting instructions and make any necessary changes before submitting their voting instructions and terminating their telephone call or Internet link. Stockholders who vote via the Internet, in addition to confirming their voting instructions prior to submission, will also receive an e-mail confirming their instructions upon request.

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by notice from the person giving the proxy at any time before it is exercised. Any such notice of revocation should be provided in writing and signed by the stockholders in the same manner as the proxy being revoked and delivered to NMFC’s proxy tabulator.

The principal business address of both the Investment Adviser and the Administrator is 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

Control Persons and Principal Stockholders

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of NMFC’s common stock as of the Record Date by:

·       each person known to NMFC to beneficially own 5.0% or more of the outstanding shares of NMFC’s common stock;

·       each of NMFC’s directors and each executive officer individually; and

·       all of NMFC’s directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and includes voting or investment power (including the power to dispose) with respect to the securities and assumes no other purchases or sales of securities since the most recently available Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. This assumption has been made under the rules and regulations of the SEC and does not reflect any knowledge that NMFC has with respect to the present intent of the beneficial owners of the securities listed in the table below.

Percentage of beneficial ownership below takes into account 80,418,872 shares of common stock of NMFC outstanding as of the Record Date. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed holder is c/o New Mountain Finance Corporation, 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

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*       Represents less than 1.0%.

(1)    Any fractional shares owned directly or beneficially have been rounded down for purposes of this table.

(2)    Based upon information contained in the Schedule 13G/A filed on January 22, 2019 by Wells Fargo & Company. Such securities are held by certain investment vehicles controlled and/or managed by Wells Fargo & Company or its affiliates. The address for Wells Fargo & Company is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94163.

(3)    Based upon information contained in the Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2019 by Radcliffe Capital Management, L.P. Such securities are held by certain investment vehicles and individuals controlled by or employed by Radcliffe Capital Management, L.P.  The address for Radcliffe Capital Management, L.P. is 50 Monument Road, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd Pennsylvania 19004.

(4)    Mr. Klinsky directly owns 6,385,751 shares of NMFC’s common stock. The Steven B. Klinsky Trust directly owns 1,020,267 shares of NMFC’s common stock. The Steven B. Klinsky Non-GST Exempt Trust holds 179,162 shares.

(5)    Mr. Hamwee directly owns 351,822 shares of NMFC’s common stock. The Dana L. Hamwee Inherited IRA holds 12,000 shares.

(6)    Mr. Wolfgruber directly owns 57,457 shares of NMFC’s common stock. Mr. Wolfgruber has an indirect interest in 2,500 shares of NMFC’s common stock as trustee under the will of Paul J. Wolfgruber. Mr. Wolfgruber’s spouse and his three children hold 43,401 shares, 3,153 shares, 3,153 shares and 3,152 shares, respectively.

(7)    Total number of shares owned is reflected as of the Record Date.

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The following table sets forth the dollar range of NMFC equity securities which stockholders of NMFC have voting power that is beneficially owned by each of NMFC’s directors.

(1)    Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(a)(2).

(2)    The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned in NMFC is based on the closing price for NMFC’s common stock of $13.87 per share on the Record Date on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

(3)    The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned are: None, $1 - $10,000, $10,001 - $50,000, $50,001 - $100,000 or over $100,000.

(4)    Mr. Arnold is the beneficial owner of a limited partnership interest in New Mountain Partners II, L.P., New Mountain Partners III, L.P. and New Mountain Partners IV, L.P. that is held by Arnold Family LLC

(5)    Mr. Ogens is the beneficial owner of a limited partnership interest in New Mountain Partners II, L.P. that is held by Ogens Family, Inc.

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PROPOSALS
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Pursuant to NMFC’s governing documents, the board of directors of NMFC is divided into three classes. Directors are elected for a staggered term of three years each, with a term of office of the three classes of directors expiring each year. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Messrs. Robert A. Hamwee and Alfred F. Hurley, Jr. have each been nominated for election for a three year term expiring in 2022 to the board of directors of NMFC, have indicated their willingness to serve if elected and have consented to be named as nominees. Messrs. Hamwee and Hurley have not been proposed for election pursuant to any agreement or understanding between each of Messrs. Hamwee and Hurley and NMFC or any other person or entity.

A stockholder can vote for or withhold his or her vote from the nominees. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote such proxy “FOR” the election of each of the nominees named below. If a nominee should decline or be unable to serve as a director, it is intended that the proxy will vote for the election of such person as is nominated by the board of directors as a replacement. The board of directors has no reason to believe that the persons named below will be unable or unwilling to serve.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

Information about the Nominees and Directors

As described below under “Committees of the Board of Directors—Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”, the board of directors of NMFC has identified certain desired attributes for director nominees. Each of the directors and the director nominees have demonstrated high character and integrity, superior credentials and recognition in his respective field and the relevant expertise and experience upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to our management. Each of the directors and the director nominees also have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of NMFC, are able to work with the other members of the board of directors and contribute to the success of NMFC and can represent the long-term interests of NMFC’s stockholders, as a whole. NMFC’s directors and the director nominees have been selected such that the board of directors represents a range of backgrounds and experiences.

Certain information, as of the Record Date, with respect to the nominees for election at the Annual Meeting, as well as each of the current directors, is set forth below, including their names, ages, a brief description of their recent business experience, including present occupations and employment, certain directorships that each person holds, the year in which each person became a director of NMFC, and a discussion of their particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that lead us to conclude, as of the Record Date, that such individual should serve as a director of NMFC, in light of its business and structure.

The business address of the director nominees, other directors and executive officers listed below is c/o New Mountain Finance Corporation, 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

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Nominees for Directors
Class II Directors—Term Expiring 2022

Mr. Hamwee is an “interested person” of NMFC as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) due to his position as the Chief Executive Officer of NMFC.

Mr. Hamwee’s depth of experience in managerial operational positions in investment management and financial services and as a member of other corporate board of directors, as well as his intimate knowledge of the business and operations of NMFC, provides the boards of directors valuable industry- and company-specific knowledge and expertise. This background positions Mr. Hamwee well to serve as a director of NMFC.

Mr. Hurley brings his experience in risk management as well as his experience in the banking and money management industries to the board of directors of NMFC. This background positions Mr. Hurley well to serve as a director of NMFC.

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Class III Directors—Term Expiring 2020

Mr. Klinsky is an “interested person” of NMFC as defined in the 1940 Act due to his position as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. since its inception in 1999.

From his experience as an executive or director of public and private companies and of financial advisory and private equity companies, Mr. Klinsky brings broad financial advisory and investment management expertise to the board of directors. Mr. Klinsky’s intimate knowledge of the business and operations of NMFC, as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. and his experience as a board member or chairman of other publicly-held companies, positions him well to serve as the chairman of NMFC’s board of directors.

Mr. Wolfgruber brings experience in portfolio management and his abilities as a chartered financial analyst to the board of directors of NMFC. This background positions Mr. Wolfgruber well to serve as a director of NMFC.

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Mr. Arnold brings his vast experience in investment banking and energy focus to the board of directors of NMFC. This background positions Mr. Arnold well to serve as a director of NMFC.

Current Directors
Class I Directors—Term Expiring 2021

Mr. Ogens brings his experience in wealth management and investment banking, including experience with debt issuances, as well as industry-specific expertise in the healthcare industry to NMFC’s board of directors. This background positions Mr. Ogens well to serve as a director of NMFC.

Mr. Weinstein is an “interested person” of NMFC as defined in 1940 Act due to his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of NMFC.

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Mr. Weinstein brings his industry-specific expertise and background in accounting to NMFC’s board of directors. This background positions Mr. Weinstein well to serve as a director of NMFC.

Information about Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

The following information, as of the Record Date, pertains to the executive officers who are not directors or nominees for election as directors of NMFC.

Director Independence

In accordance with rules of the NYSE, NMFC’s board of directors annually determines each director’s independence. We do not consider a director independent unless the board of directors has determined that he has no material relationship with us. We monitor the relationships of our directors and officers through a questionnaire each director and officer completes no less frequently than annually and updates periodically as information provided in the most recent questionnaire changes.

Our governance guidelines, which are available on NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com, require any director who has previously been determined to be independent to inform the chairman of the board of directors, the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee and the corporate secretary of any change in circumstance that may cause his status as an independent director to change. The board of directors limits membership on the audit committee, the valuation committee, the nominating and corporate governance committee and the compensation committee to independent directors. In order to evaluate the materiality of any such relationship, the board of directors uses the definition of director independence set forth in the corporate governance listing standards promulgated by the NYSE.

The board of directors has determined that each of the directors and the director nominees are independent and has no relationship with us, except as a director and stockholder of NMFC, with the exception of Steven B. Klinsky, as a result of his positions as founder and chief executive officer of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., Robert A. Hamwee, as a result of his position as chief executive officer of NMFC and Adam B. Weinstein, as a result of his positions as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of NMFC.

Board Leadership Structure

NMFC’s board of directors monitors and performs an oversight role with respect to NMFC’s business and affairs, compliance with regulatory requirements and the services, expenses and performance of service providers to NMFC. Among other things, NMFC’s board of directors approves the appointment of the Administrator and officers, reviews and monitors the services and activities performed by the Administrator and officers and approves the engagement, and reviews the performance of, NMFC’s independent public accounting firm.

Under NMFC’s bylaws, NMFC’s board of directors may designate a chairman to preside over the meetings of the board of directors and meetings of the stockholders and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to the chairman by the board of directors. NMFC does not have a fixed policy as to whether the chairman of the board should be an independent director and believe that they should maintain the flexibility to select the chairman and

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reorganize the leadership structure, from time to time, based on the criteria that is in the best interests of NMFC and its stockholders at such times.

Mr. Klinsky currently serves as the chairman of NMFC’s board of directors. Mr. Klinsky is an “interested person” of NMFC as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act because he is the founder and chief executive officer of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., serves on the investment committee of the Investment Adviser and is the managing member of the sole member of the Investment Adviser. NMFC believes that Mr. Klinsky’s history with New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., familiarity with our investment objectives and investment strategy, and extensive knowledge of the financial services industry and the investment valuation process in particular qualify him to serve as the chairman of NMFC’s board of directors. NMFC believes that, at present, they are best served through this leadership structure, as Mr. Klinsky’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., provides an effective bridge and encourages an open dialogue between NMFC’s management and its board of directors, ensuring that all groups act with a common purpose.

NMFC’s board of directors does not currently have a designated lead independent director. NMFC is aware of the potential conflicts that may arise when a non-independent director is chairman of the board of directors, but believes these potential conflicts are offset by its strong corporate governance policies. NMFC’s corporate governance policies include regular meetings of the independent directors in executive session without the presence of interested directors and management over which the chairman of the audit committee presides, the establishment of audit, valuation, nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees comprised solely of independent directors and the appointment of a chief compliance officer, with whom the independent directors meet regularly without the presence of interested directors and other members of management, for administering NMFC’s compliance policies and procedures.

NMFC recognizes that different board leadership structures are appropriate for companies in different situations. NMFC intends to continue to re-examine its corporate governance policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet NMFC’s needs.

Board of Directors’ Role In Risk Oversight

NMFC’s board of directors performs its risk oversight function primarily through (1) its four standing committees which report to the board of directors, each of which is comprised solely of independent directors and (2) active monitoring by NMFC’s chief compliance officer and its compliance policies and procedures.

NMFC’s audit committee, valuation committee, nominating and corporate governance committee and compensation committee assist NMFC’s board of directors in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities. The audit committee’s risk oversight responsibilities include overseeing NMFC’s accounting and financial reporting processes, NMFC’s systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting, and audits of NMFC’s financial statements, including the independence of NMFC’s independent auditors. The valuation committee is responsible for making recommendations in accordance with the valuation policies and procedures adopted by NMFC’s board of directors, reviewing valuations and any reports of independent valuation firms, confirming that valuations are made in accordance with the valuation policies of NMFC’s board of directors and reporting any deficiencies or violations of such valuation policies to NMFC’s board of directors on at least a quarterly basis, and reviewing other matters that NMFC’s board of directors or the valuation committee deems appropriate. The nominating and corporate governance committee’s risk oversight responsibilities include selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by NMFC’s stockholders, developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the board of directors and NMFC’s management. The compensation committee is responsible for periodically reviewing director compensation and recommending any appropriate changes to NMFC’s board of directors. The compensation committee is also responsible for annually reviewing and recommending for approval to NMFC’s board of directors an investment advisory and management agreement and an administration agreement. In addition, although NMFC does not directly compensate its executive officers currently, to the extent that NMFC does so in the future, the compensation committee would also be responsible for reviewing and evaluating their compensation and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding their compensation.

NMFC’s board of directors performs its risk oversight responsibilities with the assistance of the chief compliance officer. The board of directors quarterly reviews a written report from the chief compliance officer discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of NMFC’s compliance policies and procedures and its service providers. The chief compliance officer’s quarterly report addresses at a minimum:

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·                  the operation of NMFC’s compliance policies and procedures and its service providers since the last report;

·                  any material changes to these policies and procedures since the last report;

·                  any recommendations for material changes to these policies and procedures as a result of the chief compliance officer’s annual review; and

·                  any compliance matter that has occurred since the date of the last report about which the board of directors would reasonably need to know to oversee NMFC’s compliance activities and risks.

In addition, the chief compliance officer meets separately in executive session with the independent directors at least once each year.

NMFC believes that its board of director’s role in risk oversight is effective, and appropriate given the extensive regulation to which it is subject as a business development company. NMFC is required to comply with certain regulatory requirements that control the levels of risk in NMFC’s business and operations. For example, NMFC’s ability to incur indebtedness is limited because its asset coverage must equal at least 150.0% immediately after it incurs indebtedness. On November 5, 2014, the Company received exemptive relief from the SEC to permit the Company to exclude the SBA-guaranteed debentures of New Mountain Finance SBIC, L.P. and any other future SBIC subsidiaries, including New Mountain Finance SBIC II, L.P., from the Company’s 150.0% asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. As such, the Company’s ratio of total consolidated assets to outstanding indebtedness may be less than 150.0%. This provides the Company with increased investment flexibility but also increases the Company’s risks related to leverage. NMFC generally cannot invest in assets that are not “qualifying assets” unless at least 70.0% of its gross assets consist of “qualifying assets” immediately prior to such investment, and NMFC is not generally permitted to invest, subject to certain exceptions, in any portfolio company in which one of its affiliates currently has an investment.

NMFC recognizes that different board of director roles in risk oversight are appropriate for companies in different situations. NMFC intends to re-examine the manner in which the board of directors administers its oversight function on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to meet NMFC’s needs.

Committees of the Board of Directors

NMFC’s board of directors has established an audit committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee, a compensation committee and a valuation committee. The members of each committee have been appointed by the board of directors of NMFC and serve until their respective successor is duly elected and qualifies, unless they are removed or resign. During 2018, the board of directors of NMFC held thirteen board of directors meetings, four audit committee meetings, two nominating and corporate governance committee meetings, two compensation committee meeting and eight valuation committee meetings. All directors attended at least 75.0% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of directors and of the respective committees on which they serve. We require each director to make a diligent effort to attend all board and committee meetings as well as each annual meeting of NMFC’s stockholders. All of NMFC’s directors attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Audit Committee

The audit committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by NMFC’s board of directors, a copy of which is available on NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the audit committee. The audit committee is responsible for recommending the selection of, engagement of and discharge of NMFC’s independent auditors, reviewing the plans, scope and results of the audit engagement with the independent auditors, approving professional services provided by the independent auditors (including compensation therefore), reviewing the independence of the independent auditors and reviewing the adequacy of NMFC’s internal controls over financial reporting. The members of the audit committee are Alfred F. Hurley, Jr., David Ogens, Rome G. Arnold III and Kurt J. Wolfgruber, each of whom is not an interested person of NMFC for purposes of the 1940 Act and is independent for purposes of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. Kurt J. Wolfgruber serves as the chairman of the audit committee, and NMFC’s board of directors has determined that Rome G. Arnold, Alfred F. Hurley, Jr., David Ogens and Kurt J. Wolfgruber are “audit committee financial experts” as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K, as promulgated under the Exchange Act, and that each of them meets the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by NMFC’s board of directors, copies of which are available on NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for determining criteria for service on the board of directors, identifying, researching and nominating directors for election by NMFC’s stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on NMFC’s board of directors or committees of the board of directors, developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the self-evaluation of the board of directors and its committees and evaluation of NMFC’s management. The nominating and corporate governance committee considers nominees properly recommended by NMFC’s stockholders. The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Alfred F. Hurley, Jr., David Ogens, Rome G. Arnold III and Kurt J. Wolfgruber, each of whom is not an interested person of NMFC for purposes of the 1940 Act and is independent for purposes of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. Alfred F. Hurley, Jr. serves as the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

The nominating and corporate governance committee seeks candidates who possess the background, skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to the board of directors, NMFC and its stockholders. In considering possible candidates for election as a director, the nominating and corporate governance committee take into account, in addition to such other factors as they deem relevant, the desirability of selecting directors who:

·                    are of high character and integrity;

·                    are accomplished in their respective fields, with superior credentials and recognition;

·                    have relevant expertise and experience upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management;

·                    have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of NMFC;

·                    are able to work with the other members of the board of directors and contribute to the success of NMFC;

·                    can represent the long-term interests of NMFC’s stockholders as a whole; and

·                    are selected such that the board of directors represent a range of backgrounds and experience.

The nominating and corporate governance committee has not adopted formal policies with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. In determining whether to recommend a director nominee, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers and discusses diversity, among other factors, with a view toward the needs of the board of directors as a whole. The nominating and corporate governance committee generally conceptualizes diversity expansively to include, without limitation, concepts such as race, gender, national origin, differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other qualities that contribute to the board of directors, when identifying and recommending director nominees. The nominating and corporate governance committee believes that the inclusion of diversity as one of many factors considered in selecting director nominees is consistent with the nominating and corporate governance committee’s goal of creating a board of directors that best serves the needs of NMFC and the interest of its stockholders.

Compensation Committee

The compensation committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by NMFC’s board of directors, a copy of which is available on NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the compensation committee. The compensation committee is responsible for periodically reviewing director compensation and recommending any appropriate changes to the board of directors. In addition, although NMFC does not directly compensate its executive officers currently, to the extent that it does so in the future, the compensation committee would also be responsible for reviewing and evaluating their compensation and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding their compensation. The compensation committee is also responsible for annually reviewing and recommending for approval to NMFC’s board of directors an investment advisory and management agreement and an administration agreement. Lastly, the compensation committee would produce a report on NMFC’s executive compensation practices and policies for inclusion in our proxy statement if required by applicable proxy rules and regulations and, if applicable, make recommendations to the board of directors on NMFC’s executive compensation practices and policies. The compensation committee has the authority to engage compensation consultants, although it does not currently do so, and to delegate its duties and responsibilities to a member or to a subcommittee of the compensation committee. The compensation committee is composed of Alfred F. Hurley, Jr., David Ogens, Rome G. Arnold III and Kurt J. Wolfgruber, each of whom is not an interested person of NMFC for purposes of the 1940 Act and is independent for purposes of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. Alfred F. Hurley, Jr. serves as chairman of the compensation committee.

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Valuation Committee

The valuation committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by NMFC’s board of directors, a copy of which is available on NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the valuation committee. The valuation committee is responsible for making recommendations in accordance with the valuation policies and procedures adopted by the board of directors of NMFC, reviewing valuations and any reports of independent valuation firms, confirming that valuations are made in accordance with the valuation policies of the board of directors of NMFC and reporting any deficiencies or violations of such valuation policies to the board of directors on at least a quarterly basis, and reviewing other matters that the board of directors or the valuation committee deem appropriate. The valuation committee is composed of Rome G. Arnold III, Alfred F. Hurley, Jr., David Ogens and Kurt J. Wolfgruber, each of whom is not an interested person of NMFC for purposes of the 1940 Act and is independent for purposes of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. David Ogens serves as chairman of the valuation committee.

Executive Sessions and Communication with the Board of Directors

The independent directors serving on NMFC’s board of directors intend to meet in executive sessions at the conclusion of each regularly scheduled in-person meeting of the board of directors, and additionally as needed, without the presence of any directors or other persons who are part of the Company’s management. These executive sessions of NMFC’s board of directors will be presided over by the chairman of the audit committee.

Stockholders and all other interested parties with questions about NMFC are encouraged to contact NMFC via the “Contact Us” page on NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com or by emailing NMFCIR@newmountaincapital.com. However, if stockholders or other interested parties believe that their questions have not been addressed, they may communicate with NMFC’s board of directors by sending their communications to New Mountain Finance Corporation, c/o Karrie J. Jerry, Corporate Secretary, 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019. All stockholder communications received in this manner will be delivered to one or more members of the board of directors.

Code of Ethics

NMFC has adopted a code of ethics which applies to, among others, its senior officers, including its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, as well as every other officer, director and employee of NMFC. NMFC’s code of ethics can be accessed via its website at www.newmountainfinance.com. NMFC intends to disclose amendments to or waivers from a required provision of the code of ethics on Form 8-K.

Compensation of Directors

The following table sets forth the compensation received by NMFC’s directors for the year ended December 31, 2018.

(1)         For a discussion of the independent directors’ compensation, see below.

(2)         We do not maintain a stock or option plan, non-equity incentive plan or pension plan for our directors.

The independent directors of NMFC receive an annual retainer fee of $100,000 and further receive a fee of $2,500 for each regularly scheduled board of directors meeting and a fee of $1,000 for each special board of directors meeting as well as reimbursement of reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board of directors meeting. In addition, the chairman of the audit committee receives

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an annual retainer of $7,500, while the chairman of the valuation committee, the chairman of the compensation committee and the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee receive annual retainers of $5,000, $1,000 and $1,000, respectively. No compensation is paid to directors who are interested persons of NMFC as defined in the 1940 Act.

Compensation of Executive Officers

None of NMFC’s executive officers receive direct compensation from NMFC. NMFC does not engage any compensation consultants. The compensation of the principals and other investment professionals of the Investment Adviser is paid by the Investment Adviser. Compensation paid to NMFC’s chief financial officer and chief compliance officer is set by the Administrator and is subject to reimbursement by NMFC of the allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered to NMFC.

Indemnification Agreements

NMFC entered into indemnification agreements with its directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide the directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Delaware law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that NMFC shall indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement, or an Indemnitee, including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law and the 1940 Act. Any amounts owing by NMFC to any Indemnitee pursuant to the indemnification agreements will be payable by NMFC.

Certain Relationships and Transactions

NMFC has entered into an investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with the Investment Adviser. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, NMFC has agreed to pay the Investment Adviser a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee (described below) and an incentive fee (based on NMFC’s performance). The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of NMFC’s gross assets, which equals the Company’s total assets on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less (i) the borrowings under New Mountain Finance SPV Funding, L.L.C. Loan and Security Agreement, as amended and restated, dated October 27, 2010, (the “SLF Credit Facility”), and (ii) cash and cash equivalents. Since the initial public offering (“IPO”), the base management fee calculation has deducted the borrowings under the SLF Credit Facility. The SLF Credit Facility had historically consisted of primarily lower yielding assets at higher advance rates. As part of an amendment to the existing credit facilities with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the SLF Credit Facility merged with the New Mountain Finance Holdings L.L.C.’s credit facility on December 18, 2014. Post credit facility merger and to be consistent with the methodology since the IPO, the Investment Adviser will continue to waive management fees on the leverage associated with those assets that share the same underlying yield characteristics with investments leveraged under the legacy SLF Credit Facility. The Investment Adviser cannot recoup management fees that the Investment Adviser has previously waived.

The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and equals 20.0% of the Company’s “Pre-Incentive Fee Adjusted Net Investment Income” for the immediately preceding quarter, subject to a “preferred return”, or “hurdle”, and a “catch-up” feature. 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, upfront, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under an administration agreement, as amended and restated (the “Administration Agreement”), with the Administrator, and any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred 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 PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company 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.

Steven B. Klinsky, through his financial interest in the Investment Adviser, is entitled to a portion of any profits earned by the Investment Adviser, which includes any fees payable to the Investment Adviser under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, less expenses incurred by the Investment Adviser in performing its services

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under the Investment Management Agreement. In addition, NMFC’s executive officers and directors, as well as the current or future members of the Investment Adviser, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as NMFC or of investment funds managed by NMFC’s affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in NMFC and NMFC’s stockholders’ best interests.

The Investment Adviser and its affiliates may also manage other funds in the future that may have investment mandates that are similar, in whole and in part, to our investment mandates, including the New Mountain Guardian II fund complex, which commenced operations in April 2017. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates may determine that an investment is appropriate for us and for one or more of those other funds. In such event, depending on the availability of such investment and other appropriate factors, the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may determine that we should invest side-by-side with one or more other funds. Any such investments will be made only to the extent permitted by applicable law and interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff, and consistent with the Investment Adviser’s allocation procedures. On December 18, 2017, the SEC issued an exemptive order (the “Exemptive Order”), which superseded a prior order issued on June 5, 2017, which permits us to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain funds or entities managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates in certain negotiated transactions where co-investing would otherwise be prohibited under the 1940 Act, subject to the conditions of the Exemptive Order. Pursuant to the Exemptive Order, we are permitted to co-invest with our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including, but not limited to, that (1) the terms of the potential co-investment transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned, and (2) the potential co-investment transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and is consistent with our then-current investment objective and strategies.

NMFC has entered into Administration Agreement with the Administrator. The Administrator arranges office space for NMFC and provides office equipment and administrative services necessary to conduct NMFC’s day-to-day operations pursuant to the Administration Agreement. NMFC reimburses the Administrator for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations to us under the Administration Agreement, which includes the fees and expenses associated with performing administrative, finance, and compliance functions, and the compensation of NMFC’s chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, as amended and restated, and further restricted by NMFC, the Administrator may, in its own discretion, submit to NMFC for reimbursement some or all of the expenses that the Administrator has incurred on NMFC’s behalf during any quarterly period. As a result, the amount of expenses for which NMFC will have to reimburse the Administrator may fluctuate in future quarterly periods and there can be no assurance given as to when, or if, the Administrator may determine to limit the expenses that the Administrator submits to NMFC for reimbursement in the future. However, it is expected that the Administrator will continue to support part of NMFC’s expense burden in the near future and may decide to not calculate and charge through certain overhead related amounts as well as continue to cover some of the indirect costs. The Administrator cannot recoup any expenses that the Administrator has previously waived.

NMFC, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator have entered into a royalty-free Trademark License Agreement, as amended, with New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., pursuant to which New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. has agreed to grant NMFC, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the names “New Mountain” and “New Mountain Finance”. Under this Trademark License Agreement, as amended, subject to certain conditions, NMFC, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator have a right to use the “New Mountain” and the “New Mountain Finance” names for so long as the Investment Adviser or one of its affiliates remains NMFC’s investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, NMFC, the Investment Adviser and the Administrator have no legal right to the “New Mountain” and the “New Mountain Finance” names.

NMFC, as an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, acts as the collateral manager to NMFC Senior Loan Program I LLC (“SLP I”) and is entitled to receive a management fee for its investment management services provided to SLP I. As a result, SLP I is classified as an affiliate of NMFC. SLP I is structured as a private investment fund and is a portfolio company of NMFC in which NMFC owns a less than 25.0% ownership stake.

NMFC Senior Loan Program II LLC (“SLP II”) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on March 9, 2016 and commenced operations on April 12, 2016. SLP II is structured as a private joint venture investment fund

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between NMFC and SkyKnight Income, LLC (“SkyKnight”) and operates under a limited liability company agreement. All investment decisions must be unanimously approved by the board of managers of SLP II, which has equal representation from the Company and SkyKnight. SLP II is a portfolio company of NMFC.

New Mountain Net Lease Corporation (“NMNLC”) was formed as a Maryland corporation on April 18, 2016 and commenced operations on August 12, 2016. NMNLC was formed to acquire commercial real properties that are subject to “triple net” leases and to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. NMFC acts as the investment adviser to NMNLC and owns all of the outstanding common stock of NMNLC. NMFC is not entitled to receive any compensation for its services pursuant to its investment advisory and management agreement with NMNLC.

NMFC Senior Loan Program III LLC (“SLP III”) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company and commenced operations on April 25, 2018. SLP III is structured as a private joint venture investment fund between the Company and SkyKnight Income II, LLC (“SkyKnight II”) and operates under a limited liability company agreement. All investment decisions must be unanimously approved by the board of managers of SLP III, which has equal representation from the Company and SkyKnight II. SLP III is a portfolio company of NMFC.

In the ordinary course of business, NMFC may enter into transactions with portfolio companies that may be considered related party transactions. In order to ensure that NMFC does not engage in any prohibited transactions with any persons affiliated with NMFC, NMFC has implemented certain policies and procedures whereby NMFC’s executive officers screen each of NMFC’s transactions for any possible affiliations between the proposed portfolio investment, NMFC, companies controlled by us and our employees and directors. NMFC will not enter into any agreements unless and until NMFC is satisfied that doing so will not raise concerns under the 1940 Act or, if such concerns exist, NMFC has taken appropriate actions to seek board review and approval or exemptive relief for such transaction. NMFC’s board of directors reviews these procedures on a quarterly basis.

NMFC has adopted a code of ethics which applies to, among others, NMFC’s senior officers, including NMFC’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as well as all of NMFC’s officers, directors and employees. NMFC’s code of ethics requires that all employees and directors avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between an individual’s personal interests and NMFC’s interests. Pursuant to such code of ethics, each employee and director must disclose any conflicts of interest, or actions or relationships that might give rise to a conflict, to NMFC’s chief compliance officer.

Board Consideration of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

NMFC’s board of directors determined at an in-person meeting held on February 6, 2019, to re-approve the Investment Management Agreement between NMFC and the Investment Adviser. In its consideration of the re-approval of the Investment Management Agreement, the board of directors of NMFC focused on information it had received relating to, among other things:

·                     The nature, extent and quality of advisory and other services provided by the Investment Adviser, including information about the investment performance of NMFC relative to its stated objectives and in comparison to the performance of NMFC’s peer group and relevant market indices, and concluded that such advisory and other services are satisfactory and NMFC’s investment performance is reasonable;

·                     The experience and qualifications of the personnel providing such advisory and other services, including information about the backgrounds of the investment personnel, the allocation of responsibilities among such personnel and the process by which investment decisions are made, and concluded that the investment personnel of the Investment Adviser have extensive experience and are well qualified to provide advisory and other services to NMFC;

·                     The current fee structure, the existence of any fee waivers, and NMFC’s anticipated expense ratios in relation to those of other investment companies having comparable investment policies and limitations, and concluded that the current fee structure is reasonable;

·                     The advisory fees charged by the Investment Adviser to NMFC and comparative data regarding the advisory fees charged by other investment advisers to business development companies with similar investment objectives, and concluded that the advisory fees charged by the Investment Adviser to NMFC are reasonable;

·                     The direct and indirect costs, including for personnel and office facilities, that are incurred by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in performing services for NMFC and the basis of determining and allocating these costs, and concluded that the direct and indirect costs, including the allocation of such costs, are reasonable;

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·                     The total of all assets managed by the Adviser, as well as total number of investment companies and other clients serviced by the Adviser and possible economies of scale arising from NMFC’s size and/or anticipated growth, and the extent to which such economies of scale are reflected in the advisory fees charged by the Investment Adviser to NMFC, and concluded that some economies of scale may be possible in the future;

·                     Other possible benefits to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates arising from their relationships with NMFC, and concluded that any such other benefits were not material to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; and

·                     Possible alternative fee structures or bases for determining fees and the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third party service providers, and concluded that the Company’s current fee structure and bases for determining fees are satisfactory.

Based on the information reviewed and the discussions detailed above, the board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, concluded that the fees payable to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement were reasonable, and comparable to the fees paid by other management investment companies with similar investment objectives, in relation to the services to be provided. The board of directors did not assign relative weights to the above factors or the other factors considered by it. Individual members of the board of directors may have given different weights to different factors.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, NMFC’s directors and executive officers, and any persons holding more than 10.0% of its common stock, are required to report their beneficial ownership and any changes therein to the SEC and NMFC. Specific due dates for those reports have been established, and NMFC is required to report herein any failure to file such reports by those due dates. Based solely upon review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 (and amendments thereto) furnished to NMFC during or in respect of the year ended December 31, 2018 and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors, executive officers, and 10.0% or greater stockholders were satisfied in a timely manner during the year ended December 31, 2018.

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PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS NMFC’S

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2019

The Audit Committee and the independent directors of the board of directors of NMFC have selected Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for NMFC for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. This selection is subject to ratification or rejection by the stockholders of the Company.

Deloitte & Touche LLP has advised us that neither the firm nor any present member or associate of it has any material financial interest, direct or indirect, in NMFC or its affiliates. It is expected that a representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she chooses and will be available to answer questions.

Table below in thousands

Audit Fees: Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end consolidated financial statements and reviews of the condensed consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. Audit fees also include fees for the audit opinion rendered regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

Audit-Related Fees: Audit-related services consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”. These services include, among other things, providing comfort letters, consents and review of documents filed with the SEC, as well as attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

Tax Services Fees: Tax services fees consist of fees billed for professional tax services. These services also include assistance regarding federal, state, and local tax compliance.

All Other Fees: Other fees would include fees for products and services other than the services reported above.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The audit committee of the board of directors operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors. The audit committee is currently composed of Messrs. Hurley, Arnold, Ogens and Wolfgruber.

Management is responsible for NMFC’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. NMFC’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of NMFC’s financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The audit committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. The audit committee is also directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, oversight and termination of NMFC’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Audit Firm Selection/Ratification

At least annually, the audit committee reviews the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to decide whether to retain such firm on behalf of the Company. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2008.

When conducting its latest review of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the audit committee actively engaged with Deloitte & Touche LLP’s engagement partners and considered, among other factors:

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·                    the professional qualifications of Deloitte & Touche LLP and that of the lead audit partner and other key engagement members relative to the current and ongoing needs of the Company;

·                    Deloitte & Touche LLP’s historical and recent performance on the Company’s audits, including the extent and quality of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee related thereto;

·                    senior management’s assessment of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s performance;

·                    the appropriateness of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s fees relative to both efficiency and audit quality;

·                    Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence policies and processes for maintaining its independence;

·                    reports of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) on Deloitte & Touche LLP;

·                    Deloitte & Touche LLP’s tenure as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and its related depth of understanding of the Company’s businesses, operations and systems and the Company’s accounting policies and practices;

·                    Deloitte & Touche LLP’s demonstrated professional integrity and objectivity; and

·                    the relative benefits, challenges, overall advisability and potential impact of selecting a different independent registered public accounting firm.

As a result of this evaluation, the audit committee approved the appointment Deloitte & Touche LLP for 2019 subject to stockholder ratification.

Audit Engagement Partner Selection

Under SEC rules and Deloitte & Touche LLP’s practice, the lead engagement audit partner is required to change every five years, and the current lead audit partner has held such position since 2016.

Pre-Approval Policy

The audit committee has established a pre-approval policy that describes the permitted audit, audit-related, consulting services and other services to be provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, NMFC’s independent registered public accounting firm. The policy requires that the audit committee pre-approve the audit, non-audit and consulting services performed by the independent auditors in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditors’ independence.

Any requests for audit, audit-related, tax and other services that have not received general pre-approval must be submitted to the audit committee for specific pre-approval, irrespective of the amount, and cannot commence until such approval has been granted. Normally, pre-approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings of the audit committee. However, the audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. The audit committee does not delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm to management. The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of services described in this policy.

Review with Management

The audit committee has reviewed the audited financial statements and met and held discussions with management regarding the audited financial statements. Management has represented to the audit committee that NMFC’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Review and Discussion with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The audit committee has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, NMFC’s independent registered public accounting firm, matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) Auditing Standard 16 (Communication with Audit Committees). The audit committee receives and reviews the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by PCAOB Rule 3520 (Auditor Independence), and has discussed with the auditors the auditors’ independence. The audit committee has also considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors’ independence.

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Conclusion

Based on the audit committee’s discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the audit committee’s review of the audited financial statements, the representations of management and the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm to the audit committee, the audit committee recommends that the board of directors include the audited financial statements in NMFC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for filing with the SEC.

The material contained in the foregoing Audit Committee Report is not “soliciting material”, is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of NMFC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting or by proxy is required to approve this proposal. Unless marked to the contrary, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy card will be voted for ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2019. Because brokers will have discretionary authority to vote for the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s registered independent public accounting firm in the event that they do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, your broker will be permitted to vote your shares for this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019.

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PROPOSAL 3: TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

The board of directors recommends approval of the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares. On February 6, 2019, the board of directors unanimously approved this amendment, declared the amendment to be advisable and directed that the amendment be submitted to the stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.

Purposes and Effects of Increasing the Number of Authorized Shares

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock. As of February 19, 2019, there were 80,418,872 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and 11,042,000 shares were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the $155 million of convertible notes maturing in June 2019, and 8,333,333 shares were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the $115 million of convertible notes maturing in August 2023.

The board of directors believes that it is desirable to have additional authorized shares of common stock available for possible future issuances. The Company has no agreements, commitments or plans with respect to the sale or issuance of any of the additional shares of common stock as to which authorization is sought.

If approved, this proposal would allow the board of directors to issue additional shares of common stock without further stockholder approval, unless required by applicable law or stock exchange rules. Although the Company has no specific plans at this time for use of the additional shares of common stock, having additional authorized shares of common stock available for issuance in the future would give the Company greater flexibility and would allow such shares to be issued without the expense and delay of a special stockholders’ meeting or waiting until the next annual meeting of stockholders. If the Company were unable to access the capital markets by issuing additional shares when attractive opportunities arise, the Company’s ability to grow over time and to continue to pay dividends to stockholders could be adversely affected.

The additional common stock to be authorized will have rights identical to the currently outstanding common stock of the Company. This proposal will not affect the par value of the Company’s common stock, which will remain at $0.01 per share. Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders do not have preemptive rights to subscribe for additional securities which may be issued by the Company.

If the Company issues additional shares of common stock, or other securities convertible into common stock in the future, it could dilute the voting rights of existing holders of common stock and could also dilute earnings per share and net asset value per share of existing common stockholders. In addition, if the Company issues additional shares of common stock, or other securities convertible into common stock in the future, the Company’s investment adviser will receive greater fees as a result of the increased assets under management.

Certificate of Amendment

If approved, this amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, a form of which is attached as Exhibit A, which the Company would do promptly after the Annual Meeting. In such event, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would be amended to reflect the increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of NMFC’s shares of common stock outstanding is required to approve the proposed amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “FOR” Proposal 3 unless otherwise instructed. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.

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OTHER BUSINESS

Submission of Stockholder Proposals

NMFC currently expects that the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held in April 2020, but the exact date, time, and location of such meeting have yet to be determined. A stockholder who intends to present a proposal at that annual meeting pursuant to the SEC’s Rule 14a-8 must submit the proposal in writing to NMFC at its address of 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019, and NMFC must receive the proposal no later than November 5, 2019, in order for the proposal to be considered for inclusion in NMFC’s proxy statement for that meeting. The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in NMFC’s proxy statement or presentation at the meeting.

Stockholder proposals or director nominations to be presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, other than stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to the SEC’s Rule 14a-8, must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of NMFC not less than 90 days or more than 120 days in advance of the one year anniversary of the date of the Annual Meeting. For the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, NMFC must receive such proposals and nominations between November 30, 2019 and December 30, 2019, 2020. If the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is set to be more than 30 days prior to, or more than 60 days after, the one year anniversary of the Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals or director nominations to be timely must be so received by NMFC not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or prior to the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders was first mailed to stockholders or publicly disclosed by NMFC. Proposals must also comply with the other requirements contained in NMFC’s Bylaws, including supporting documentation and other information. Proxies solicited by NMFC will confer discretionary voting authority with respect to these proposals, subject to SEC rules governing the exercise of this authority.

Notices of intention to present proposals at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders should be addressed to Karrie J. Jerry, Corporate Secretary, 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019. NMFC reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

Submission of Complaints

NMFC’s audit committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to NMFC’s chief compliance officer. Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the chief compliance officer, including complaints involving the chief compliance officer, may submit complaints directly to NMFC’s audit committee chair. Complaints may also be submitted on an anonymous basis via an anonymous online reporting system.

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Other Business

The board of directors of NMFC does not presently intend to bring any other business before the Annual Meeting, and, so far as is known to the board of directors of NMFC, no matters may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting except as specified in the Notice of the Annual Meeting. As to any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, however, the proxies will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the discretion of the proxyholders. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your proxy via the Internet or request, complete, sign, date and a proxy card so that you may be represented at the Annual Meeting.

Annual Reports

When available, NMFC will furnish, without charge, copies of NMFC’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, to an investor upon request directed to New Mountain Finance Corporation, 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Investor Relations or by telephone at (212) 720-0300. The reports are also available at no cost through NMFC’s website at www.newmountainfinance.com or through the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.

Delivery Of Proxy Materials

Please note that only one copy of the 2019 Proxy Statement, the 2018 Annual Report or Notice of Annual Meeting may be delivered to two or more stockholders of record of the Company who share an address unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of such stockholders. We will deliver promptly, upon request, a separate copy of any of these documents to stockholders of record of the Company at a shared address to which a single copy of such documents was delivered. Stockholders who wish to receive a separate copy of any of these documents, or to receive a single copy of such documents if multiple copies were delivered, now or in the future, should submit their request by calling us at (212) 720-0300 or by writing to New Mountain Finance Corporation, c/o Karrie J. Jerry, Corporate Secretary, 787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

You are cordially invited to participate in the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, you are requested to vote in accordance with the voting instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or by requesting hard copy proxy materials from us and returning a proxy card.

New York, New York
March 4, 2019

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PRIVACY NOTICE

Your privacy is very important to us. This Privacy Notice sets forth our policies with respect to non-public personal information about our stockholders and prospective and former stockholders. These policies apply to stockholders of New Mountain Finance Corporation and may be changed at any time, provided a notice of such change is given to you. This notice supersedes any other privacy notice you may have received from us.

We will safeguard, according to strict standards of security and confidentiality, all information we receive about you. The only information we collect from you is your name, address, number of shares you hold and your social security number. This information is used only so that we can send you annual reports and other information about us, and send you proxy statements or other information required by law.

·                    Authorized Employees of our Investment Adviser. It is our policy that only authorized employees of our investment adviser who need to know your personal information will have access to it.

·                    Service Providers. We may disclose your personal information to companies that provide services on our behalf, such as recordkeeping, processing your trades, and mailing you information. These companies are required to protect your information and use it solely for the purpose for which they received it.

·                    Courts and Government Officials. If required by law, we may disclose your personal information in accordance with a court order or at the request of government regulators. Only that information required by law, subpoena, or court order will be disclosed.

We seek to carefully safeguard your private information and, to that end, restrict access to non-public personal information about you to those employees and other persons who need to know the information to enable us to provide services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your non-public personal information.

If you have any questions regarding this policy or the treatment of your non-public personal information, please contact our chief compliance officer at (212) 655-0083.

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Exhibit A

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

NEW MOUNTAIN FINANCE CORPORATION

New Mountain Finance Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: The Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by deleting Section 4.1 thereof in its entirety and replacing the following in lieu thereof:

AUTHORIZED SHARES.  The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Company shall have authority to issue is 202,000,000 shares, of which:

(a)           200,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share, shall be shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”); and

(b)           2,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share, shall be shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).

The number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a vote of any such holders as a class or series is required pursuant to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock.

SECOND: The Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 19, 2011.

THIRD: The foregoing amendment has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, New Mountain Finance Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed this          day of                     , 2019.

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