10.DEBT

On December 23, 2024 (the “Credit Agreement Closing Date”), BMS entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Byline Bank, as lender (the “Lender”), pursuant to which the Lender agreed, at BMS’s request, to (i) make to BMS a term loan in the original principal amount of $20.3 million (the “Term Loan”), which was funded on the Credit Agreement Closing Date; (ii) make to BMS, from time to time, certain non-revolving loans (the “Non-Revolving Loans”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.0 million (the “Non-Revolving Loan Commitment”), to be funded through, but excluding, the Maturity Date (as defined below); and (iii) issue to BMS, from time to time, letters of credit (the “Letters of Credit” and together with the Term Loan and Non-Revolving Loans, the “Loans”) until the earliest to occur of (x) the one year from the Credit Agreement Closing Date and (b) the date on which the Non-Revolving Loans are fully drawn. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan was $17.7 million and $19.6 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, respectively.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, to the extent that BMS requests a Letter of Credit, the Non-Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the amount of such Letter of Credit. The Non-Revolving Loans may not be requested by BMS and may only be advanced in connection with a repayment of a Letter of Credit (“LC Payment”). As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no amounts outstanding under the Non-Revolving Loan or Letter of Credit. Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Company entered into two Letters of Credit in the amounts of approximately $0.05 million. These Letters of Credit were issued to support two office leases. The Letters of Credit are due on demand and carry an interest rate at the same rate as the Term Loan as outlined below.

The Loans (both principal and interest) made by the Lender to BMS is scheduled to mature and become immediately due and payable in full on December 23, 2029 (“Maturity Date”). The obligations under the Credit Agreement shall bear interest (i) as to the Term Loan, a per annum variable interest rate equal to the Applicable Margin (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus the greater of (x) the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (y) one percent (1.00%) (the “Term Loan Interest Rate”); (ii) as to the Non-Revolving Loans or any reimbursement obligations relating to a Letter of Credit, at an interest rate equal to the Term SOFR plus four percent (4.00%) per annum; and (iii) if any other obligations is created under the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), at the Term Loan Interest Rate. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the effective interest rate was 7.9% and 8.3%, respectively.

10.DEBT (continued)

On April 10, 2025, BMS entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $10 million in connection with the above-mentioned Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the swap, BMS pays a fixed rate of 3.98% plus four percent (4.00%) and receives a variable interest rate based on SOFR plus 4.00% as defined above. The swap agreement requires monthly payments to be made or received. The swap is designated as cash flow hedge of the variability of the SOFR-based interest payments on $10 million of BMS’s outstanding variable-rate debt.

As of December 31, 2025, the interest rate swap liability had a fair value of $0.2 million and is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The Company has adopted the shortcut method allowing it to assume perfect hedge effectiveness. Changes in the effective portion of the swap’s fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) and included on the consolidated statements of other comprehensive income (loss).The Term Loan was used by BMS to refinance Existing Credit Facilities (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Non-Revolving Loans must be used solely to reimburse the Lender with respect to any Letters of Credit issued to BMS.

The Credit Agreement also includes customary covenants for a transaction of this type, including financial covenants whereby BMS and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis may not have, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2025, (1) a fixed charge coverage ratio as of the last day of the fiscal quarter for the twelve (12) month period then ended of not less than 1.20 to 1.00; (ii) a senior net leverage ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter for the twelve (12) month period then ended, of (A) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 and each fiscal quarter through and including September 30, 2025, not more than 3.00 to 1.00; and (B) for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025 and each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, not more than 2.75 to 1.00; or (iii) an annualized revenue received from custodians of at least $18.0 million.

The minimum calendar maturities of the Term Loan as of December 31, 2025, are as follows (in thousands):

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2,030

2027

 

3,045

2028

 

3,045

2029

 

10,149

$

18,269

About Debt Disclosures

Debt disclosures detail a company's borrowing structure — the types of instruments, interest rates, maturity schedule, and covenant restrictions that define its financial obligations and flexibility. This section is essential for assessing refinancing risk, interest rate exposure, and the margin of safety against financial distress.

Key signals: the maturity schedule reveals concentration risk — large maturities within 1-2 years during tight credit markets can force dilutive refinancing or asset sales. Compare the fair value of debt against carrying amount to gauge whether the market views the company's credit risk differently than the balance sheet suggests. Watch covenant compliance disclosures for tightening cushions, especially leverage and interest coverage ratios. Variable-rate debt exposure quantifies sensitivity to interest rate changes. Secured versus unsecured mix affects recovery rates and future borrowing capacity. Compare net debt-to-EBITDA against industry peers and covenant limits to assess financial health.