Form DEF 14A - Other definitive proxy statements

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

☐

Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☒

Definitive Proxy Statement

☐

Definitive Additional Materials

☐

Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒

No fee required.

☐

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials

☐

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

201 Rouse Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112

October 17, 2024

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of FS Specialty Lending Fund (formerly FS Energy and Power Fund) (the “Company”) to be held on December 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of the Company, located at 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112 (the “Annual Meeting”).

Your vote is very important! Your immediate response will help avoid potential delays and may save the Company significant additional expenses associated with soliciting shareholder votes.

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and proxy statement accompanying this letter provide an outline of the business to be conducted at the meeting. At the meeting, you will be asked to:

(i) elect the six members of the board of trustees named in the enclosed proxy statement to serve as trustees of the Company until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified; and

(ii) ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

The Company’s board of trustees unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the proposals to be considered and voted on at the Annual Meeting.

The Company has elected to provide access to its proxy materials to certain of its shareholders over the Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. On or about October 18, 2024, the Company intends to mail to most of its shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the proxy statement and annual report and how to submit proxies over the Internet. All other shareholders will receive a copy of the proxy statement and annual report by mail. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also contains instructions on how you can elect to receive a printed copy of the proxy statement. The Company believes that providing its proxy materials over the Internet will expedite shareholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the costs associated with the Annual Meeting and conserve resources.

It is important that your common shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, I urge you to complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the envelope provided, or follow the instructions printed on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or the proxy card to authorize a proxy through the Internet or by telephone.

Your vote and participation in the governance of the Company are very important to us.

Sincerely yours,

Michael C. Forman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND
(formerly FS Energy and Power Fund)

201 Rouse Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On December 12, 2024

To the Shareholders of FS Specialty Lending Fund:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of FS Specialty Lending Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Company”), will be held at the offices of the Company, located at 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112, on December 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, (the “Annual Meeting”), for the following purposes:

To elect the six members of the board of trustees named in the enclosed proxy statement to serve as trustees of the Company until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

The board of trustees has fixed the close of business on October 15, 2024 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

If you plan on attending the Annual Meeting and voting your common shares in person, you will need to bring photo identification in order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held through a broker and you attend the Annual Meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. To obtain directions to the Annual Meeting, please call the Company at (877) 628-8575.

By Order of the Board of Trustees,

Stephen S. Sypherd
General Counsel

October 17, 2024

Shareholders are requested to promptly authorize a proxy over the Internet or by telephone, or execute and return the accompanying proxy card, which is being solicited by the board of trustees of the Company. You may authorize a proxy over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or the proxy card. You may execute the proxy card using the methods described in the proxy card. Authorizing a proxy is important to ensure a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Proxies may be revoked at any time before they are exercised by submitting a written notice of revocation or a subsequently executed proxy, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND
(formerly FS Energy and Power Fund)

201 Rouse Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on December 12, 2024

PROXY STATEMENT

GENERAL

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of trustees (the “Board”) of FS Specialty Lending Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Company”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the offices of the Company, located at 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112, on December 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). This proxy statement and the accompanying materials, or a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the proxy statement and annual report and how to submit proxies over the Internet, are being mailed on or about October 18, 2024 to shareholders of record described below and are available at www.proxyvote.com.

All properly executed proxies representing common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Shares”) received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. If no instructions are marked, the Common Shares will be voted FOR:

(i) the proposal to elect the six members of the board of trustees named in the enclosed proxy statement to serve as trustees of the Company until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successor is duly elected and qualified (the “Trustee Proposal”); and

(ii) the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 (the “Accountant Proposal”).

Any shareholder who has given a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise. Any shareholder who executes a proxy may revoke it with respect to any proposal by attending the Annual Meeting and voting his or her Common Shares in person, or by submitting a letter of revocation or a later-dated proxy to the Company at the above address prior to the date of the Annual Meeting.

Quorum

Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each Common Share held. Under the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, one third of the number of Common Shares entitled to be cast, present in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions will be treated as Common Shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Annual Meeting. Common Shares for which brokers have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the Common Shares and do not have, or choose not to exercise, discretionary authority to vote the Common Shares on certain proposals (which are considered “broker non- votes” with respect to such proposals) also will be treated as Common Shares present for quorum purposes.

Adjournments

In the event that a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, the chairman of the Annual Meeting or the shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than the announcement at the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. 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. Any business that might have been transacted at the Annual Meeting as originally called may be transacted at any such adjourned session(s) at which a quorum is present.

If it appears that there are not enough votes to approve any proposal at the Annual Meeting, the chairman of the Annual Meeting may adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the Annual Meeting without notice other than announcement at the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. The persons named as proxies for the Company will vote proxies held by them for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against any proposal for which an adjournment is sought, to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

If sufficient votes in favor of one or more proposals have been received by the time of the Annual Meeting, the proposals will be acted upon and such actions will be final, regardless of any subsequent adjournment to consider other proposals.

Record Date

The Board has fixed the close of business on October 15, 2024 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and all adjournments or postponements thereof. As of the Record Date, there were 455,506,155 Common Shares outstanding.

Required Vote

Election of Trustee Nominees. Each trustee shall be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, provided that a quorum is present. Plurality voting means that the trustee nominee with the most votes for a particular seat is elected for that seat. Because all of the trustee nominees are running unopposed, all six trustee nominees are expected to be elected as trustees of the Company, as all nominees who receive votes in favor will be elected. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are trustee nominees and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. Abstentions will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will have no effect on the Trustee Proposal. Common Shares represented by broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and thus have no effect on the Trustee Proposal. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes.

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, provided that a quorum is present, is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Abstentions will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will not have any effect on the result of the vote with respect to the Accountant 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 Common Shares, there will not be any broker non-votes with respect to the Accountant Proposal.

Householding

The Company combines mailings for multiple accounts going to a single household by delivering to that address, in a single envelope, a copy of the document (annual reports, prospectuses, proxy statements, etc.) or other communications for all accounts who have consented or are deemed to have consented to receiving such communications in such manner in accordance with the rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). If you do not want the Company to continue consolidating your mailings from the Company and would prefer to receive separate mailings of Company communications, please contact the Company’s transfer agent, SS&C Technologies, Inc. by telephone at (877) 628-8575 or by mail to FS Specialty Lending Fund, c/o SS&C Technologies, Inc., 430 W. 7th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

Voting

You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy in accordance with the instructions provided below. You may also authorize a proxy by telephone or through the Internet using the toll-free

telephone number or web address included in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card. Authorizing a proxy by telephone or through the Internet requires you to input the control number located on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card. After inputting the control number, you will be prompted to direct your proxy to vote on each proposal. You will have an opportunity to review your directions and make any necessary changes before submitting your directions and terminating the telephone call or Internet link. Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each Common Share held.

When voting by proxy and mailing your proxy card, you are required to:

•

indicate your instructions on the proxy card;

•

date and sign the proxy card;

•

mail the proxy card promptly in the envelope provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States; and

•

allow sufficient time for the proxy card to be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 11, 2024.

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting. The Company’s proxy statement, the proxy card and the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”) are available at www.proxyvote.com. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how you can elect to receive a printed copy of the proxy statement and Annual Report.

If you plan on attending the Annual Meeting and voting your Common Shares in person, you will need to bring photo identification in order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. To obtain directions to the Annual Meeting, please call the Company at (877) 628-8575.

Other Information Regarding This Solicitation

The Company 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 Shareholders, the proxy card, the Annual Report and the Notice of Internet availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable. The Company has requested that brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other persons holding Common 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. The Company will reimburse such persons for their reasonable expenses in so doing.

In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, proxies may be solicited in person and by telephone or facsimile transmission by trustees, officers or regular employees of the Company and its affiliates (without special compensation therefor). The Company has also retained Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of approximately $20,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. 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 shareholder in the same manner as the proxy being revoked and delivered to the Company’s proxy tabulator.

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Company has made this proxy statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Annual Report available to shareholders on the Internet. Shareholders may (i) access and review the Company’s proxy materials, (ii) authorize their proxies, as described in “Voting,” and/or (iii) elect to receive future proxy materials by electronic delivery, via the Internet address provided below.

This proxy statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting and the Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials

Pursuant to the rules adopted by the SEC, the Company furnishes proxy materials by email to those shareholders who have elected to receive their proxy materials electronically. While the Company encourages

shareholders to take advantage of electronic delivery of proxy materials, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of annual meetings and the cost associated with the physical printing and mailing of materials, shareholders who have elected to receive proxy materials electronically by email, as well as beneficial owners of Common Shares held by a broker or custodian, may request a printed set of proxy materials. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how you can elect to receive a printed copy of the proxy statement and Annual Report.

Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, the beneficial ownership of the trustee nominees, the Company’s executive officers and trustees, each person known to the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, and all of the Company’s executive officers and trustees as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and includes voting or investment power with respect to the Common Shares. There are no Common Shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 15, 2024. Ownership information for those persons who beneficially own 5% or more of the Common Shares is based upon information furnished by the Company’s transfer agent and other information provided by such persons, if available.

Common Shares Beneficially Owned
as of October 15, 2024

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

Number of
Common Shares

Percentage(2)

Interested Trustees:

Michael C. Forman(3)

439,409.339

Independent Trustees:

Sidney R. Brown(4)

64,870.090

Gregory P. Chandler(5)

30,845.311

Richard I. Goldstein

43,992.788

Charles P. Pizzi

22,003.792

Pedro A. Ramos

—

Executive Officers:

James R. Beach

2,114.739

David S. Weiser

—

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr

5,171.140

Stephen S. Sypherd(6)

7,920.475

James F. Volk

2,316.699

All Executive Officers and Trustees as a group (11 persons)

618,644.373

Less than one percent.

(1)

The address of each beneficial owner is c/o FS Specialty Lending Fund, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112.

(2)

Based on a total of 455,506,154.629 Common Shares issued and outstanding on October 15, 2024.

(3)

Includes 270,905.320 Common Shares held through MCFDA SCV LLC, 3,958.563 Common Shares held for the benefit of minor children in trust and 164,545.456 Common Shares held by FSH Seed Capital Vehicle I LLC.

(4)

Includes 28,055.556 Common Shares held by NFI International, Ltd., a company of which Mr. Brown is a principal interest holder, and 36,814.53 Common Shares held in trust.

(5)

All shares held in 401(k) account.

(6)

All shares held in a joint account with spouse.

Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned by Trustees and Trustee Nominees

The table below shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Company that were beneficially owned by each trustee as of October 15, 2024 stated as one of the following dollar ranges: None; $1-$10,000; $10,001-$50,000; $50,001-$100,000; or over $100,000.

Name of Trustee			Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned in the Company(1)(2)
Interested Trustees:
Michael C. Forman			Over $100,000
Independent Trustees:
Sidney R. Brown			Over $100,000
Gregory P. Chandler			Over $100,000
Richard I. Goldstein			Over $100,000
Charles P. Pizzi			$50,001 - $100,000
Pedro A. Ramos			—

(1)

Beneficial ownership determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

(2)

The dollar range of equity securities of the Company is calculated in accordance with the applicable account statement rules of The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

At the Annual Meeting, shareholders of the Company are being asked to consider the election of six trustees of the Company. Pursuant to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, the number of trustees on the Board may not be fewer than either the minimum number required by the Delaware General Corporation Law or three, except for a period of up to 60 days after the death, removal or resignation of a trustee pending the election of such trustee’s successor, or greater than twelve. Trustees of the Company are elected annually for a term of one year, and serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Board is currently comprised of six trustees. Each trustee below has been nominated for election by the Board to serve a one-year term until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified: (i) Michael C. Forman, (ii) Sidney R. Brown, (iii) Gregory P. Chandler, (iv) Richard I. Goldstein, (v) Charles P. Pizzi, and (vi) Pedro A. Ramos.

Each trustee has agreed to serve as a trustee if elected and has consented to being named as a nominee. No person being nominated as a trustee is being proposed for election pursuant to any agreement or understanding between such person and the Company.

A shareholder can vote for, or withhold his or her vote from, any or all of the trustee 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 trustee nominees named below. If any of the trustee nominees should decline or be unable to serve as a trustee, the persons named as proxies will vote for such other nominee as may be proposed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the persons named will be unable or unwilling to serve.

Information about the Board and Trustee Nominees

The role of the Board is to provide general oversight of the Company’s business affairs and to exercise all of the Company’s powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The responsibilities of the Board also include, among other things, the oversight of the Company’s investment activities, the quarterly valuation of the Company’s assets, the oversight of the Company’s financing arrangements and corporate governance activities.

A majority of the members of the Board are not “interested persons,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), of the Company or FS/EIG Advisor, LLC, the Company’s investment adviser (“FS/EIG Advisor”) and are “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. These individuals are referred to as the Company’s independent trustees (the “Independent Trustees”). Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act defines an “interested person” to include, among other things, any person who has, or within the last two years had, a material business or professional relationship with the Company. The members of the Board who are not Independent Trustees are referred to as interested trustees (the “Interested Trustees”).

The Board is currently comprised of six trustees, five of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board has determined that the following trustees and trustee nominees are, or if applicable will be, Independent Trustees: Messrs. Brown, Chandler, Goldstein, Pizzi and Ramos. Based upon information requested from each trustee concerning their background, employment and affiliations, the Board has affirmatively determined that none of the Independent Trustees has, or within the last two years had, a material business or professional relationship with the Company, other than in their capacity as a member of the Board or any Board committee or as a shareholder. If each of the trustee nominees is elected, the Board will be comprised of six trustees, five of whom will be Independent Trustees.

In considering each trustee and the composition of the Board as a whole, the Board seeks a diverse group of experiences, characteristics, attributes and skills, including diversity in gender, ethnicity and race, that the Board believes enables a trustee to make a significant contribution to the Board, the Company and its shareholders. These experiences, characteristics, attributes and skills, which are more fully described below, include, but are not limited to, management experience, independence, financial expertise and experience serving as directors or trustees of other entities. The Board may also consider such other experiences, characteristics, attributes and skills as it deems appropriate, given the then-current needs of the Board and the Company.

These experiences, characteristics, attributes and skills relate directly to the management and operations of the Company. Success in each of these categories is a key factor in the Company’s overall operational success and creating shareholder value. The Board believes that trustees who possess these experiences, characteristics, attributes and skills are better able to provide oversight of the Company’s management and the Company’s long-term and strategic objectives.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Independent Trustee nominees and Interested Trustee nominees, including a description of the experience, characteristics, attributes and skills of each trustee nominee that led the Board to conclude that each such person should serve as a trustee.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Sidney R.
Brown
Age: 67

Trustee

Since 2011

Mr. Brown has served as the chief executive officer of NFI, Inc. (“NFI”), a premier integrated supply chain solutions company, since the late 1990s. NFI, founded in 1932 as National Hauling, has evolved from a trucking company in a regulated environment into one of the largest privately-held third-party logistics companies in the United States. NFI in North America now consists of logistics, warehousing and distribution, transportation, intermodal, real estate, transportation brokerage, contract packaging, solar, global freight forwarding and NFI Canada. From 1990 to 2017, Mr. Brown served in various capacities with Sun National Bank, including chairman and interim chief executive officer. In addition, Mr. Brown is a general partner of various real estate companies having extensive holdings with an emphasis on development and management of commercial and industrial real estate. He began his career working for Morgan Stanley in New York City as a financial analyst in the corporate finance department of the investment bank. Mr. Brown has served as a trustee of J & J Snack Foods Corp. since 2004, and currently serves on the board of trustees of Cooper Health System. Mr. Brown also served as a director of Sun National Bank from 1990 to 2016, and as chairman from 2013 to 2016. Mr. Brown received a B.S.B.A. in Finance from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Mr. Brown has served as a member of various boards for publicly-traded companies. In addition, his service as chief executive officer of NFI has provided him, in the opinion of the Board, with experience and insight which is beneficial to the Company.

One

Sun National Bank; J&J Snack Foods Corp.; Cooper Health System

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Gregory P.
Chandler
Age: 57

Trustee

Since 2010

Mr. Chandler has been chief financial officer of Herspiegel Consulting LLC (“Herspiegel”), a leading pharmaceutical and biotech consulting firm since December 2020. Prior to Herspiegel, Mr. Chandler acted as chief financial officer of Emtec, Inc. (“Emtec”), a global information technology services provider, from May 2009 to April 2020. Mr. Chandler was a member of Emtec’s board of directors from 2005 to 2019, where he served as chairman of the audit committee from 2005 through 2009. He was a member of the board of directors of FS KKR Capital Corp. (formerly FS Investment Corporation) from April 2008 through December 2018, and served as chairman of its audit committee and as a member of its valuation committee.

Mr. Chandler also presently serves as director and chairman of the audit committee of the RBB Funds and the Wilmington Funds. Mr. Chandler’s degrees include a B.S. in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Mr. Chandler began his career as an officer in the United States Army. After business school he spent four years with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), and its predecessor, Coopers and Lybrand, where he assisted companies in the “Office of the CFO Practice” and also worked as a certified public accountant. During his tenure at PwC he spent the majority of his time in the investment company practice. He was also an Investment Banker for 10 years leading the Business and IT services practice at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC prior to his CFO positions.

Mr. Chandler has extensive experience in valuations and in negotiating debt, equity and mergers and acquisitions transactions in a variety of industries with both public and private companies. In addition, Mr. Chandler has experience managing the audits of mutual funds, hedge funds and venture capital funds. This experience has provided Mr. Chandler, in the opinion of the Board, with experience and insight which is beneficial to the Company.

One

Emtec, Inc.; RBB Funds; Penn Capital Funds Trust overseeing forty portfolios; Wilmington Funds overseeing ten portfolios; FS KKR Capital Corp (formerly FS Investment Corporation)

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Richard I.
Goldstein
Age: 63

Trustee and Lead Independent Trustee

Trustee since 2011

Lead Independent Trustee since March 2015

Mr. Goldstein has served as the Company’s lead independent trustee since March 2015. Mr. Goldstein also serves as a member of the board of directors of FS KKR Capital Corp. and has served in such role since April 2015. Mr. Goldstein also serves as a member of the board of trustees of KKR FS Income Trust and KKR FS Income Trust Select and has served in such roles since October 2022 and May 2023 respectively. He currently acts as chief operating officer of Radius Global Infrastructure Inc. since 2020 and also served as a managing trustee of Liberty Associated Partners, LP (“LAP”), since 2000 and Associated Partners, LP, or AP, since 2006, both investment funds that make private and public market investments in communications, media, internet and energy companies. Prior to joining LAP and AP, Mr. Goldstein was vice president of The Associated Group, Inc. (“AGI”), a multi- billion dollar publicly-traded owner and operator of communications-related businesses and assets. While at AGI, he assisted in establishing Teligent, Inc., of which he was a trustee, and was responsible for operating AGI’s cellular telephone operations. Mr. Goldstein has also served as a director of Ubicquia since 2017. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of The Shipley School from 2009 through 2014 and has counseled many early stage companies. Mr. Goldstein received a B.S. in Business and Economics from Carnegie Mellon University and received training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Management Information Systems.

Mr. Goldstein has extensive experience as a senior executive and in negotiating investment transactions in a variety of industries, including in the energy industry. This experience has provided Mr. Goldstein, in the opinion of the Board, with experience and insight which is beneficial to the Company.

One

FS KKR Capital Corp.;
KKR FS Income Trust;
KKR FS Income Trust Select

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Charles P.
Pizzi
Age: 74

Trustee

Since 2012

Mr. Pizzi is the retired president, director and chief executive officer of Tasty Baking Company, manufacturer of Tastykake branded snack cakes. He served in these positions from 2002 to May 2011. Prior to leading Tasty Baking Company, Mr. Pizzi served as president and chief executive officer of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, vice-chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and chairman of the Metro Council of Presidents.

His career also includes work with the transition teams for the former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and the former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. Mr. Pizzi has also served as Commerce Director for the City of Philadelphia. He has been a trustee of Brandywine Realty Trust since 1996, serving on the audit committee and as a chair of the compensation committee, the chairman of the board of directors of Independence Health Group (“IHG”) where he has been a member since 1991, trustee of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust since May 2013 and a director of Drexel University since 1991. Mr. Pizzi has also been a Trustee Emeritus at Drexel University since 2023. Since 2020, Mr. Pizzi is also a trustee of Mistras Group Inc., a multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions. He serves on the Board of AmeriHealth Caritas, a subsidiary of IHG and a provider of Medicaid service, and previously served as chairman. Mr. Pizzi was a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia from 2006 to December 2011, serving as chairman from January 2010 to December 2011. He also previously served as a director of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange from 1998 until it was acquired by NASDAQ in July 2008, on the board of governors of NASDAQ OMX PHLX, Inc. from August 2008 to March 2009 and as a director of Allied Security Holdings LLC from 2011 to 2016. Mr. Pizzi holds a bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Pizzi has significant experience as an executive and director at various companies and governmental organizations. This experience has provided Mr. Pizzi, in the opinion of the Board, with experience and insight which is beneficial to the Company.

One

Brandywine Realty Trust; FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund; PHH Corporation; Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust; Mistras Group, Inc.; AmeriHealth Caritas

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Pedro Ramos
Age: 59

Trustee

Since 2011

Pedro A. Ramos has served as the president and chief executive officer of The Philadelphia Foundation, or TPF, since August 2015, a charitable foundation that builds, manages and distributes philanthropic resources to improve lives in the greater Philadelphia region. Prior to joining TPF, he was a partner with the law firm of Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis LLP (“Schnader”) where he advised clients in the business, nonprofit and government sectors, focusing on transactions, financings, compliance, risk management and investigations. From June 2009 until the firm’s attorneys joined Schnader in August 2013, Mr. Ramos was a partner with the law firm of Trujillo, Rodriguez & Richards, LLC and led the firm’s government, education and social sector practice. From June 2007 to June 2009, Mr. Ramos was a partner with the law firm of Blank Rome LLP in its employment, benefits and labor group and its government relations practice. Mr. Ramos previously served as Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia from April 2005 to June 2007 and as City Solicitor from March 2004 to April 2005. Before working for the City of Philadelphia, Mr. Ramos served as vice president and chief of staff to the president of the University of Pennsylvania from January 2002 to March 2004. From September 1992 to January 2002, Mr. Ramos served as an associate and partner with the law firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP in its employee benefits group. From November 2011 to October 2013, Mr. Ramos served as the chairman of the School Reform Commission, which oversees the School District of Philadelphia. Mr. Ramos served on the Board of the School District of Philadelphia from December 1995 through December 2001, with his last two years as president of that board. Mr. Ramos has served as a director of Independence Health Group, Inc. since 2015 and prior to mergers served as a director of AmeriGas Propane, Inc (NYSE:APU) from September 2015 to August 2019 and trustee of FS Investment Corporation (NYSE: FSIC) from September 2013 to December 2018. A civic leader, Mr. Ramos has served as director of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce since October 2016 and on its executive committee from October 2017 to October 2023. An Eisenhower Fellow since 2000, he was elected to be a trustee and member of the executive committee of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships in 2022.

Mr. Ramos’ extensive service in the private and public sectors has provided him, in the opinion of the Board, with experience and insight which is beneficial to the Company.

One

AmeriGas Propane, Inc.; FS KKR Capital Corp. (formerly FS Investment Corporation); Independence Health Group, Inc.

INTERESTED TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Michael C.
Forman
Age: 63

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Since 2010

Michael C. Forman is chairman and chief executive officer of Franklin Square Holdings, LP (“FS Investments”) and has been leading FS Investments since its founding in 2007. Mr. Forman has served as the Company’s chairman and chief executive officer since its inception in September 2010 and as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Company’s former investment adviser, FS Investment Advisor, LLC, since its inception in September 2010. He has also served as the chairman and chief executive officer of FS/EIG Advisor since its inception. Mr. Forman also currently serves as chairman, president and/or chief executive officer of certain of the other funds sponsored by FS Investments and its affiliates. Mr. Forman has served as a member of the board of directors of FS KKR Capital Corp. (“FSK”) since 2007, FS Credit Opportunities Corp. since 2013, FS Series Trust since 2017, FS Credit Income Fund since 2016, and FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. since 2017. Mr. Forman has served as a member of the boards of trustees of KKR FS Income Trust since 2022, and KKR FS Income Trust Select since 2023. In 2005, Mr. Forman co-founded FB Capital Partners, L.P., an investment firm that previously invested in private equity, senior and mezzanine debt and real estate, and has served as managing general partner since inception. Prior to co-founding FB Capital Partners, L.P., Mr. Forman spent nearly 20 years as an attorney in the Corporate and Securities Department at the Philadelphia based law firm of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP, where he was a partner from 1991 until leaving the firm to focus exclusively on investments. In addition to his career as an attorney and investor, Mr. Forman has been an active entrepreneur and has founded several companies, including companies engaged in the gaming, specialty finance and asset management industries. Mr. Forman serves as a member of the board of directors of a number of private companies. He is also a member of several civic and charitable boards, including the Barnes Foundation Corporate Leadership (board member), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (corporate council member), Drexel University, the Center City District Foundation and Cobbs Creek Foundation (board member). He is a founding member of the Philadelphia Equity Alliance. Mr. Forman received his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Rhode Island, where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa, and received his J.D. from Rutgers University.

One

FS KKR Capital Corp; FS Credit Opportunities Corp.; FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust; FS Credit Income Fund; FS Energy Total Return Fund; FS Series Trust; FS Multi- Alternative Income Fund; KKR FS Income Trust; KKR FS Income Trust Select

INTERESTED TRUSTEE NOMINEES

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Number of
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other Public
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years†

Mr. Forman has extensive experience in corporate and securities law and has founded and served in a leadership role of various companies, including FS/EIG Advisor. The Board believes Mr. Forman’s experience and his positions as the Company and FS/EIG Advisor’s chief executive officer make him a significant asset to the Company.

†

Includes directorships held in (1) any investment company registered under the 1940 Act, (2) any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and (3) any company subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case, other than with respect to the Company.

(1)

The address for each trustee is c/o FS Specialty Lending Fund, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112.

(2)

Trustees serve for a one-year term until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

(3)

“Interested person” of the Company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Mr. Forman is an “interested person” because of his affiliation with FS/EIG Advisor.

Risk Oversight and Board Structure

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Through its direct oversight role, and indirectly through its committees, the Board performs a risk oversight function for the Company consisting of, among other things, the following activities: (1) at regular and special Board meetings, and on an ad hoc basis as needed, receiving and reviewing reports related to the performance and operations of the Company; (2) reviewing and approving, as applicable, the compliance policies and procedures of the Company and the Adviser; (3) reviewing investment strategies, techniques and the processes used to manage related risks; (4) overseeing the Company’s investment valuation process through the Company’s Valuation Committee that operates pursuant to authority assigned to it by the Board; (5) overseeing the Company’s cyber security risk management program through the Company’s Audit Committee; (6) meeting with representatives of, or reviewing reports prepared by or with respect to, key service providers, including the investment adviser, administrator, transfer agent, custodian and independent registered public accounting firm of the Company, to review and discuss the activities of the Company and to provide direction with respect thereto; (7) reviewing periodically, and at least annually, the Company’s fidelity bond, trustees and officers, and errors and omissions insurance policies and such other insurance policies as may be appropriate; and (8) overseeing the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, including supervision of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to ensure that they provide timely analyses of significant financial reporting and internal control issues; and (9) overseeing the services of the Company’s chief compliance officer to test its compliance procedures and those of its service providers.

The Board also performs its risk oversight responsibilities with the assistance of the Company’s chief compliance officer. The Board receives a quarterly report from the chief compliance officer, who reports on, among other things, the Company’s compliance with applicable securities laws and its internal compliance policies and procedures. In addition, the Company’s chief compliance officer prepares a written report annually evaluating, among other things, the adequacy and effectiveness of the compliance policies and procedures of the Company and certain of its service providers. The chief compliance officer’s report, which is reviewed by the Board, addresses at a minimum: (1) the operation and effectiveness of the compliance policies and procedures of the Company and certain of its service providers since the last report; (2) any material changes to such policies and procedures since the last report; (3) any recommendations for material changes to such policies and procedures as a result of the chief compliance officer’s annual review; and (4) any

material compliance matters that have occurred since the date of the last report about which the Board would reasonably need to know to oversee the Company’s compliance activities and risks. The chief compliance officer also meets separately in executive session with the Independent Trustees at least once each year. In addition to compliance reports from the Company’s chief compliance officer, from time to time, the Board also receives reports from legal counsel to the Company regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters.

Board Composition and Leadership Structure

Mr. Forman, who is an “interested person” of the Company (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act), serves as both the chief executive officer of the Company and chairman of the Board. The Board believes that Mr. Forman, as co-founder and chief executive officer of the Company, is the trustee with the most knowledge of the Company’s business strategy and is best situated to serve as chairman of the Board. The Company’s Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as well as regulations governing business development companies (“BDCs”) generally, requires that a majority of the Board be persons other than “interested persons” of the Company, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

While the Company currently does not have a policy mandating a lead Independent Trustee, the Board believes that having an Independent Trustee fill the lead trustee role is appropriate. On March 9, 2015, the Board appointed Mr. Goldstein as lead Independent Trustee. The lead Independent Trustee, among other things, works with the Chairman of the Board in the preparation of the agenda for each Board meeting and in determining the need for special meetings of the Board, chairs any meeting of the Independent Trustees in executive session, facilitates communications between other members of the Board and the chairman of the Board and/or the chief executive officer and otherwise consults with the chairman of the Board and/or the chief executive officer on matters relating to corporate governance and Board performance.

The Board, after considering various factors, has concluded that its structure is appropriate given the current size and complexity of the Company and the extensive regulation to which the Company is subject as a BDC.

Board Meetings and Attendance

The Board met 6 times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including four regular quarterly meetings. Each incumbent trustee attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and each committee on which they served to which they were invited during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Company does not have a formal policy regarding trustee attendance at an annual meeting of shareholders. None of the trustees attended the Company’s annual meeting held on December 8, 2023.

Committees of the Board

The Board has established three standing committees of the Board, which consist of an Audit Committee, a Valuation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Board has not established a standing compensation committee because the executive officers of the Company do not receive any direct compensation from the Company. The Board, as a whole, participates in the consideration of trustee compensation and decisions on trustee compensation are based on, among other things, a review of data of comparable BDCs.

Audit Committee

The Board has established an Audit Committee that operates pursuant to a charter and consists of three members, including a Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee members are currently Messrs. Chandler (Chairman), Pizzi and Ramos, each an Independent Trustee. The Board has determined that Mr. Chandler is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act. The primary function of the Audit Committee is to oversee the integrity of the Company’s accounting policies, financial reporting process and system of internal controls regarding finance and accounting policies. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting, engaging and discharging

the Company’s independent accountants, reviewing the plans, scope and results of the audit engagement with the Company’s independent accountants, approving professional services provided by the Company’s independent accountants (including compensation therefor), and reviewing the independence of the Company’s independent accountants. The Audit Committee held eight meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Audit Committee charter is available on the Corporate Governance portion of the Company’s website at https://fsinvestments.com/investments/investments/fssl/.

Valuation Committee

The Board has established a Valuation Committee that operates pursuant to a charter and consists of three members, including a Chairman of the Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee members are currently Messrs. Chandler, Goldstein (Chairman) and Ramos. The primary functions of the Valuation Committee are (1) to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility of overseeing the Valuation Designee’s (Adviser’s) process of valuing the Company’s investments for which market quotations are not readily available; and (2) to undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may from time-to-time be delegated by the Board to the Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Board has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that operates pursuant to a charter and consists of two members, including a Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members are currently Messrs. Brown and Pizzi. The primary function of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to consider and make recommendations to the Board regarding certain governance matters, including selection of trustees for election by shareholders, selection of trustee nominees to fill vacancies on the Board or a committee thereof, development and revision, as appropriate, of applicable corporate governance documentation and practices and oversight of the evaluation of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held no meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

With respect to nominating trustee candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate. Among the qualifications considered in the selection of candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following attributes and criteria of candidates: experience, including experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, skills, expertise, diversity, including diversity of gender, race and national origin, personal and professional integrity, time availability in light of other commitments, conflicts of interest and such other relevant factors that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board, including, when applicable, to enhance the ability of the Board or committees of the Board to fulfill their duties and/or to satisfy any independence or other applicable requirements imposed by law, rule, regulation or listing standard including, but not limited to, the 1940 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Each of the trustee nominees was approved by the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the entire Board.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as the Company’s management and shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board must provide notice to the Secretary of the Company in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are described in greater detail under the heading “Submission of Shareholder Proposals.” Nominees for trustee who are recommended by shareholders will be evaluated in the same manner as any other nominee for trustee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter is available on the Corporate Governance portion of the Company’s website at https://fsinvestments.com/investments/investments/fssl/.

Communications Between Shareholders and the Board

The Board welcomes communications from the Company’s shareholders. Shareholders may send communications to the Board or to any particular trustee to the following address: c/o FS Specialty Lending Fund, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112. Shareholders should indicate clearly the

trustee or trustees to whom the communication is being sent so that each communication may be forwarded directly to the appropriate trustee(s).

Information about Executive Officers Who Are Not Trustees

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company who are not trustees of the Company. Each executive officer holds their office until their successor is chosen and qualifies, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Length of
Time
Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

David S. Weiser
Age: 44

Chief Investment Officer

Since 2021

David Weiser has served as the Company’s chief investment officer since March 2021. Mr. Weiser is also a managing director in the investment management group of FS Investments, which he joined in 2015. Before joining FS Investments and its affiliated investment advisers, Mr. Weiser served as a research analyst at Towerview LLC, a long-biased public equities fund, from January 2007 to July 2015, where he originated and executed investments in companies involved in mergers, restructurings and deep value situations. Prior to that role, Mr. Weiser was an associate at Golub Capital from May 2005 to January 2007, where he executed middle market debt and equity investments. Mr. Weiser earned a Bachelor of Science in economics (magna cum laude) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.
Age: 62

Chief Financial Officer

Since 2012

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr. has served as the Company’s chief financial officer and treasurer since November 2012. Mr. Gallivan also serves as the chief financial officer of certain of the other funds sponsored by FS Investments. Prior to his appointment as chief financial officer, Mr. Gallivan was director of financial reporting at BlackRock and assistant treasurer of mutual funds at State Street Research & Management. Mr. Gallivan began his career as an auditor at the global accounting firm PwC where he practiced as a certified public accountant. Mr. Gallivan received his B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) degree at Stonehill College.

James R. Beach
Age: 38

Chief Operating Officer

Since 2020

James Beach has served as the Company’s chief operating officer since June 2020. Mr. Beach is also a managing director of FS Investments, which he joined in 2010. He is one of the persons responsible for fund administration and portfolio management, including forecasting, and management reporting. Prior to joining FS Investments, Mr. Beach was an investment banking analyst at Ewing Bemiss & Co. Mr. Beach received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Richmond and a general course certificate from the London School of Economics. Mr. Beach holds the CFA Institute’s Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Name, Address,
Age and
Position(s) with
Company(1)

Length of
Time
Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Stephen S. Sypherd
Age: 47

General Counsel

Since 2013

Stephen S. Sypherd serves as the Company’s general counsel. Mr. Sypherd also currently serves as the general counsel, vice president, treasurer and/or secretary of certain of the other funds sponsored by FS Investments. Mr. Sypherd has also served in various senior officer capacities for FS Investments and its affiliated investment advisers, including as senior vice president from December 2011 to August 2014, general counsel since January 2013 and managing director since August 2014. He is responsible for legal and compliance matters across all entities and investment products of FS Investments. Prior to joining FS Investments, Mr. Sypherd served for eight years as an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he practiced corporate and securities law. Mr. Sypherd received his B.A. in Economics from Villanova University and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was an executive editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.

James F. Volk
Age: 62

Chief Compliance Officer

Since 2015

James F. Volk has served as the Company’s chief compliance officer since 2015. Mr. Volk also serves as the chief compliance officer of the other funds sponsored by FS Investments. He is responsible for all compliance and regulatory issues affecting the Company and the foregoing companies. Before joining FS Investments and its affiliated investment advisers in October 2014, Mr. Volk was the chief compliance officer, chief accounting officer and head of traditional fund operations at SEI’s Investment Manager Services market unit. Mr. Volk was also formerly the assistant chief accountant at the SEC’s Division of Investment Management and a senior manager for PwC. Mr. Volk graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Accounting and is currently an inactive Certified Public Accountant.

(1)

The address for each officer is c/o FS Specialty Lending Fund, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics (as amended and restated to date, the “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”) pursuant to Rule 17j-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act, which applies to, among others, its officers, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as well as the members of the Board. The Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be accessed on the Corporate Governance portion of the Company’s website at https://fsinvestments.com/investments/investments/fssl/. In addition, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to or waivers of required provisions of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on Form 8-K, as required by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Practice and Policies Regarding Personal Trading and Hedging of Company Equity

The Company has also established a policy designed to prohibit its officers, directors, and certain employees of FS/EIG Advisor from purchasing or selling shares of the Company while in possession of

material nonpublic information, or otherwise using such information for their personal benefit or in any manner that would violate applicable laws and regulations. The policy also prohibits all directors and officers from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to the Company’s securities without prior approval of the Company’s chief compliance officer.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Company’s executive officers do not receive any direct compensation from the Company. The Company does not currently have any employees and does not expect to have any employees. As an externally managed BDC, services necessary for the Company’s business are provided by individuals who are employees of FS/EIG Advisor or its affiliates or by individuals who were contracted by FS/EIG Advisor, the Company or their respective affiliates to work on behalf of the Company. Each of the Company’s executive officers is an employee of FS/EIG Advisor or its affiliates, and the day-to-day investment operations and administration of the Company’s portfolio are managed by FS/EIG Advisor. In addition, the Company reimburses FS/EIG Advisor for expenses necessary to perform services related to the Company’s administration and operations, including FS/EIG Advisor’s allocable portion of the compensation and/or related expenses of certain personnel of FS Investments and EIG providing administrative services to the Company on behalf of FS/EIG Advisor in performing its obligations under the investment advisory and administrative services agreement between the Company and FS/EIG Advisor (the “FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement”).

Trustee Compensation

The Company does not pay compensation to its trustees who also serve in an executive officer capacity for the Company or FS/EIG Advisor or its affiliates. Trustees who do not also serve in an executive officer capacity for the Company or FS/EIG Advisor or its affiliates are entitled to receive annual cash retainer fees, fees for participating in quarterly Board and Board committee meetings and certain other Board and Board committee meetings and annual fees for serving as a committee chairperson. These trustees are Messrs. Brown, Chandler, Goldstein, Pizzi and Ramos. Mr. Goldstein also receives an annual retainer for his service as the lead Independent Trustee.

Amounts payable under the trustee fee arrangement are determined and paid quarterly in arrears as follows:

Fee	Amount
Annual Board Retainer		$	100,000
Board Meeting Fees		$	2,500
Annual Committee Chair Retainers:
Audit and Valuation Committees		$	20,000
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee		$	15,000
Other Committees		$	10,000
Committee Meeting Fees		$	1,000
Annual Lead Independent Trustee Retainer		$	25,000

The Company will also reimburse each of the above trustees for all reasonable and authorized business expenses in accordance with its policies as in effect from time to time, including reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each in-person Board meeting and each in-person committee meeting not held concurrently with a Board meeting.

The table below sets forth the compensation received by each of the Company’s trustees for service during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

Name of Trustee	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash by the Company			Total Compensation from the Company
Sidney R. Brown		$	112,500		$	112,500
Gregory P. Chandler		$	140,500		$	140,500
Michael C. Forman(1)			—			—
Richard I. Goldstein		$	161,500		$	161,500
Charles P. Pizzi		$	131,500		$	131,500
Pedro A. Ramos		$	120,500		$	120,500

(1)

Mr. Forman does not receive fees.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

The Company has procedures in place for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving the Company and certain persons related to the Company. For example, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics generally prohibits any employee, officer or trustee from engaging in any transaction where there is a conflict between such individual’s personal interest and the interests of the Company. Waivers to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for any executive officer or member of the Board must be approved by the Board and are publicly disclosed as required by applicable law and regulations. In addition, the Audit Committee is required to review and approve all transactions with related persons (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act). Prior to the occurrence of a liquidity event (which we define as (1) a listing of the Company’s Common Shares on a national securities exchange, (2) the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either on a complete portfolio basis or individually followed by a liquidation or (3) a merger or another transaction approved by the Board in which the Company’s shareholders likely will receive cash or shares of a publicly traded company), all future transactions with affiliates of the Company will be on terms no less favorable than could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party and must be approved by a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees.

Compensation of the Investment Adviser

Pursuant to the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, FS/EIG Advisor is entitled to an annual base management fee based on the average weekly value of the Company’s gross assets (gross assets equals total assets as set forth on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets) during the most recently completed calendar quarter and an incentive fee based on the Company’s performance, as described below. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears, and is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of the average weekly value of the Company’s gross assets. FS/EIG Advisor has agreed to waive the fees it may be entitled to under the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement with respect to income received by the Company pursuant to the Company’s equity total return swap with Nomura Global Financial Products Inc.

The incentive fee consists of two parts: (i) the capital gains incentive fee and (ii) the subordinated income incentive fee. Pursuant to the terms of the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, the incentive fee on capital gains is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of such agreement). Such fee equals 20.0% of the Company’s “incentive fee capital gains,” which are the Company’s realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception, calculated as of the end of the applicable period, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fees on capital gains. The Company will accrue for the incentive fee on capital gains, which, if earned, will be paid annually. The Company will accrue the incentive fee on capital gains based on net realized and unrealized gains; however, the fee payable to FS/EIG Advisor will be based on realized gains and no such fee will be payable with respect to unrealized gains unless and until such gains are actually realized.

Pursuant to the terms of the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, FS/EIG Advisor may also be entitled to receive a subordinated incentive fee on income. The subordinated incentive fee on income under the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and equals 20.0% of the Company’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on adjusted capital, equal to 1.625% per quarter, or an annualized hurdle rate of 6.5%. As a result, FS/EIG Advisor will not earn this incentive fee for any quarter until the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.625%. For purposes of this fee, “adjusted capital” means cumulative gross proceeds generated from sales of the Company’s Common Shares (including proceeds from its distribution reinvestment plan) reduced for distributions from non- liquidating dispositions of the Company’s investments paid to shareholders and amounts paid for share repurchases pursuant to the Company’s share repurchase program. Once the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income in any quarter exceeds the hurdle rate, FS/EIG Advisor will be entitled to a “catch-up” fee equal to the amount of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate, until the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter equals 2.031%, or 8.125% annually, of adjusted capital. This “catch-up” feature will allow FS/EIG Advisor to recoup the fees foregone as a result of the existence of the hurdle rate. Thereafter, FS/EIG Advisor will be entitled to receive 20.0% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income.

FS/EIG Advisor may receive structuring or other upfront fees from portfolio companies in which FS/EIG Advisor has caused the Company to invest. FS/EIG Advisor has agreed to offset the amount of any structuring, upfront or certain other fees received by FS/EIG Advisor or its members against the management fees payable by the Company under the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, $2,600 and $273,496, respectively, of structuring, upfront or certain other fees received by FS/EIG Advisor, or its members were offset against management fees.

Pursuant to the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, FS/EIG Advisor oversees the Company’s day-to-day operations, including the provision of general ledger accounting, fund accounting, legal services, investor relations, certain government and regulatory affairs activities and other administrative services. FS/EIG Advisor also performs, or oversees the performance of, the Company’s corporate operations and required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial records that the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports for the Company’s shareholders and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

The Company reimburses FS/EIG Advisor for expenses necessary to perform services related to the Company’s administration and operations, including FS/EIG Advisor’s allocable portion of the compensation and/or related expenses of certain personnel of FS Investments and EIG providing administrative services to the Company on behalf of FS/EIG Advisor, and for transactional expenses for prospective investments, such as fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence reviews of investments that do not close, often referred to as “broken deal” costs. The Company reimburses FS/EIG Advisor no less than quarterly for expenses necessary to perform services related to the Company’s administration and operations. The amount of this reimbursement is set at the lesser of (1) FS/EIG Advisor’s actual costs incurred in providing such services and (2) the amount that the Company estimates it would be required to pay alternative service providers for comparable services in the same geographic location. FS/EIG Advisor allocates the cost of such services to the Company based on factors such as time allocations and other reasonable metrics. The Company’s board of trustees reviews the methodology employed in determining how the expenses are allocated to the Company and assesses the reasonableness of such reimbursements for expenses allocated to the Company based on the breadth, depth and quality of such services as compared to the estimated cost to the Company of obtaining similar services from third-party providers known to be available. In addition, the Company’s board of trustees considers whether any single third-party service provider would be capable of providing all such services at comparable cost and quality. Finally, the Company’s board of trustees, among other things, compares the total amount paid to FS/EIG Advisor for such services as a percentage of the Company’s net assets to the same ratio as reported by other comparable BDCs. The Company does not reimburse FS/EIG Advisor for any services for which it receives a separate fee, or for rent, depreciation, utilities, capital equipment or other administrative items allocated to a controlling person of FS/EIG Advisor.

The following table describes the fees and expenses accrued under the FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollar amounts in the table below and the related notes are presented in thousands):

Related Party	Source Agreement	Description	Six Months Ended June 30, 2024			Six Months Ended June 30, 2023			Year Ended December 31, 2023			Year Ended December 31, 2022
FS/EIG Advisor	FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement	Base Management Fee(1)		$	18,074		$	18,905		$	35,036		$	41,940
FS/EIG Advisor	FS/EIG Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement	Administrative Services Expenses(2)		$	3,070		$	2,679		$	6,087		$	5,626

(1)

During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, $17,528 and $21,404, respectively, in base management fees were paid to FS/EIG Advisor. The base management fee amount shown in the table above is shown net of $3 and $274 in structuring, upfront or certain other fees received by FS/EIG Advisor or its members and offset against base management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, $962 in base management fees were payable to FS/EIG Advisor. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, $37,805 and $41,221 in base management fees were paid to the Advisor. The base management fee amounts shown in the table above for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown net of $341 and $2,619, respectively, in structuring, upfront or certain other fees received by the Advisor and offset against base management fees.

(2)

During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, $1,373 and $1,649, respectively, of the accrued administrative services expenses related to the allocation of costs of administrative personnel for services rendered to the Company by FS/EIG Advisor and the remainder related to other reimbursable expenses. The Company paid $1,949 and $2,933 in administrative services expenses to FS/EIG Advisor, or its affiliates, during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, $4,431 and $3,930, respectively, of the accrued administrative services expenses related to the allocation of costs of administrative personnel for services rendered to the Company by FS/EIG Advisor and the remainder related to other reimbursable expenses. The Company paid $6,469 and $5,134, respectively, in administrative services expenses to FS/EIG Advisor, or its affiliates, during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Exemptive Relief

As a BDC, the Company is subject to certain regulatory restrictions in making its investments. For example, BDCs generally are not permitted to co-invest with certain affiliated entities in transactions originated by the BDC or its affiliates in the absence of an exemptive order from the SEC. However, BDCs are permitted to, and may, simultaneously co-invest in transactions where price is the only negotiated term. In an order dated June 4, 2013 (the “Order”), the SEC granted exemptive relief permitting the Company, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to co-invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions with certain affiliates of its former investment advisor and FS KKR Capital Corp., or collectively the Company’s co-investment affiliates. Effective April 9, 2018 (the “JV Effective Date”), and in connection with the transition of advisory services to a joint advisory relationship with EIG, the Company’s board of trustees has authorized and directed that the Company (i) withdraw from the Order, except with respect to any transaction in which the Company participated in reliance on the Order prior to the JV Effective Date, and (ii) rely on an exemptive relief order dated April 10, 2018, granted to EIG and its affiliates, which permits the Company to participate in co-investment transactions with certain other EIG advised funds (the “EIG Order”). On September 19, 2023, the Company, FS/EIG Advisor and certain of their affiliates (the “FS Funds”) filed an application for exemptive relief with the SEC to permit the FS Funds, including future affiliated investment funds, to co-invest in the same investment opportunities (the “FS Application”). On October 3, 2024, the SEC issued a notice for the FS application. Once the FS application is granted, the Company will withdraw from the EIG Order, except with respect to any transaction in which the Company participated in reliance on the EIG Order prior to the issuance of the new order.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

The members of the senior management and investment teams of FS/EIG Advisor serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as the

Company does, or of investment vehicles managed by the same personnel, including in similar or other capacities for the investment advisers to future investment vehicles affiliated with FS Investments or EIG. In serving in these multiple and other capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the Company’s best interests or in the best interest of the Company’s shareholders. The Company’s investment objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of such investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. For example, the Company relies on FS/EIG Advisor to manage its day-to-day activities and to implement its investment strategy. FS/EIG Advisor, FS Investments, EIG and certain of their respective affiliates are presently, and plan in the future to continue to be, involved with activities which are unrelated to the Company. As a result of these activities, FS/EIG Advisor, FS Investments, EIG, their employees and certain of their affiliates will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between the Company and other activities in which they are or may become involved, including the management of other entities affiliated with FS Investments or EIG. FS/EIG Advisor and its employees will devote only as much of its or their time to the Company’s business as FS/EIG Advisor and its employees, in their judgment, determine is reasonably required, which may be substantially less than their full time.

FS/EIG Advisor’s affiliates and its personnel are simultaneously providing investment advisory services to other affiliated entities. FS/EIG Advisor may determine that it is appropriate for the Company and one or more other investment accounts managed by FS/EIG Advisor’s affiliates to participate in an investment opportunity. To the extent the Company is able to make co-investments with investment accounts managed by FS/EIG Advisor or its affiliates, these co-investment opportunities may give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest among the Company and the other participating accounts. In addition, conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest may also arise in determining which investment opportunities should be presented to the Company and other participating accounts. To mitigate these conflicts, FS/EIG Advisor will seek to execute such transactions on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with its allocation policies, taking into account various factors, which may include: the source of origination of the investment opportunity; investment objectives and strategies; tax considerations; risk, diversification or investment concentration parameters; characteristics of the security; size of available investment; available liquidity and liquidity requirements; regulatory restrictions; and/or such other factors as may be relevant to a particular transaction. As affiliates of FS Investments and EIG currently serve as the investment adviser to other entities and accounts, it is possible that some investment opportunities will be provided to such other entities and accounts rather than to the Company.

Required Vote

Each trustee shall be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, provided that a quorum is present. Plurality voting means that the trustee nominee with the most votes for a particular seat is elected for that seat. Because all of the trustee nominees are running unopposed, all six trustee nominees are expected to be elected as trustees of the Company, as all nominees who receive votes in favor will be elected. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are trustee nominees and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. Abstentions will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will have no effect on the Trustee Proposal. Common Shares represented by broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and thus have no effect on the Trustee Proposal. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE TRUSTEE NOMINEES.

PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

On September 23, 2022, the Company appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), 2005 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, as its independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Prior to EY’s appointment, RSM US LLP, 518 Township Line Road, Suite 300, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania 19422, acted as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 through 2021. A representative of EY is expected to be available by telephone to answer questions during the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.

The decision to appoint EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was previously recommended by the Audit Committee. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the subsequent interim period through September 23, 2022, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with EY regarding: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company by EY; (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions; or (iii) any reportable event within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. A representative of EY is expected to be available by telephone to answer questions during the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.

Although action by the shareholders on this matter is not required, the Audit Committee and the Board believe it is appropriate to seek shareholder ratification of this selection in light of the role played by the independent registered public accounting firm in reporting on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting and the appointment of EY as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 is not ratified by the shareholders, the adverse vote will be considered by the Audit Committee in determining whether to appoint EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the succeeding fiscal year.

Fees to Auditors

Set forth in the table below are audit fees, audit related fees, tax fees and all other fees billed to the Company by EY for professional services performed for the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Fiscal Year	Audit Fees(1)	Audit-Related Fees(2)	Tax Fees(3)	All Other Fees(4)
2023	$551,103	$61,800	—	—
2022	$509,800	$62,500	—	—

(1)

“Audit Fees” consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.

(2)

“Audit-Related Fees” consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”. These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

(3)

“Tax Fees” consist of fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state and local tax compliance.

(4)

“All Other Fees” are those fees, if any, billed to the Company by EY other than Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees and Tax Fees.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Company’s Audit Committee reviews, negotiates and approves in advance the scope of work, any related engagement letter and the fees to be charged by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for audit services and permitted non-audit services for the Company and for permitted non-audit services for FS/EIG Advisor and any affiliates thereof that provide services to the Company if such non-audit services have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Company. 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 in accordance with its pre-approval policy, irrespective of the amount, and cannot commence until such approval has been granted. Normally, pre-approval is considered 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 must 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 an independent registered public accounting firm to management. All of the audit and non-audit services described above for which EY invoiced the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

Audit Committee Report

As part of its oversight of the Company’s financial statements, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with both management and EY, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Management advised the Audit Committee that all financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and reviewed significant accounting issues with the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also discussed with EY the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, and by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The Audit Committee has established a pre-approval policy that describes the permitted audit, audit-related, tax and other services to be provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Pursuant to the policy, the Audit Committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in order to assure that the provision of such service does not impair the firm’s independence.

Any request 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 in accordance with its pre-approval policy, irrespective of the amount of fees associated with such services, 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 must 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 EY to management.

The Audit Committee received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from EY required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding EY’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with EY its independence. The Audit Committee has reviewed the audit fees paid by the Company to EY. It has also reviewed non-audit services and fees to assure compliance with the Company’s and the Audit Committee’s policies restricting EY from performing services that might impair its independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee also recommended the appointment of EY to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

Audit Committee Members:
Gregory P. Chandler, Chairman
Charles P. Pizzi
Pedro A. Ramos

The material in this 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 the Company under the Securities Act 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 in person or by proxy, provided a quorum is present, is required to ratify the appointment of EY to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Abstentions will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will not have any effect on the result of the vote with respect to the Accountant 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 Common Shares, there will not be any broker non-votes with respect to the Accountant Proposal.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EY AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.

SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws require the Company to hold an annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of trustees and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Company on a date and at a time set by the Board. In addition, the Company will hold special meetings as required or deemed desirable, or upon the request of holders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Any shareholder that wishes to submit a proposal for consideration at a subsequent meeting of the shareholders should mail the proposal promptly to the Secretary of the Company. Any proposal to be considered for submission to shareholders must comply with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act and must be received by the Company in accordance with the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws and any other applicable law, rule or regulation regarding trustee nominations. When submitting a nomination to the Company for consideration, a shareholder must provide certain information that would be required under applicable SEC rules, including the following minimum information for each trustee nominee: full name and address; class, series and number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the nominee, if any; the date such Common Shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition; whether such shareholder believes the individual is an “interested person” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act; and all other information required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of trustees in an election contest or is otherwise required.

Pursuant to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, for a trustee nomination or other business to be considered for the next annual meeting of shareholders, notice must be provided in writing and delivered to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal executive office before July 20, 2025, but not before June 20, 2025, which such dates are the 90th day and 120th day, respectively, prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the notice for the 2024 meeting of shareholders. In the event that the date of mailing of the notice for the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the notice for 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, which is expected to be mailed on or about October 18, 2024, a notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of mailing of the notice for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders and not later than close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of mailing of the notice for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of mailing of the notice for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders is first made. The timely submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion.

Any shareholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company on or before June 20, 2025 (or if the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders is held more than 30 days before or after the first anniversary of the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, the Company must receive such proposal within a reasonable time prior to the Company beginning to print and distribute proxy materials for such meeting). Such proposals must also comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC if such proposals are to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy. Any such proposal should be mailed to: FS Specialty Lending Fund, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112, Attention: Secretary.

OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

The Board is not aware of any matters that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than the matters set forth herein. Should any other matters requiring a vote of shareholders arise, it is intended that the proxies that do not contain specific instructions to the contrary will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy.

ANNUAL REPORT

We will furnish, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 to any stockholder upon request. Requests should be directed to the Secretary of the Company, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112.

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR AND SUB-ADMINISTRATOR

Set forth below are the names and addresses of the Company’s investment adviser and administrator and sub-administrator:

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR			SUB-ADMINISTRATOR
FS/EIG Advisor, LLC 201 Rouse Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19112			State Street Bank and Trust Company One Congress Street Boston, MA 02114-2016

PLEASE VOTE PROMPTLY BY SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE PAID RETURN ENVELOPE OR BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PRINTED ON THE NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS OR PROXY CARD, WHICH PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORIZING A PROXY THROUGH THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

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Your Vote Counts!FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND2024 Annual MeetingVote by December 11, 202411:59 PM ETVote in Person at the Meeting*December 12, 20249:00 a.m., Eastern Time201 Rouse Blvd.Philadelphia, PA 19112*Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares.Smartphone usersPoint your camera here and vote without entering a control numberFor complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control #V58301-P19733You invested in FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND and it’s time to vote!You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the shareholder meeting to be held on December 12, 2024.Get informed before you voteView the Notice and Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Shareholder Letter online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to November 28, 2024. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future shareholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy.FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND201 ROUSE BLVD.PHILADELPHIA, PA 19112

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THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOTThis is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming shareholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters.Vote at www.ProxyVote.comPrefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”.V58302-P19733Voting ItemsBoard Recommends1. Election of TrusteesForNominees:01) Sidney R. Brown02) Gregory P. Chandler03) Michael C. Forman04) Richard I. Goldstein 05) Charles P. Pizzi 06) Pedro A. Ramos2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.ForNOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) DateTO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDSTHIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLYV58298-P19733! ! !ForAllWithholdAllFor AllExceptFor Against Abstain! ! !To withhold authority to vote for any individualnominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write thenumber(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUNDThe Board of Trustees recommends you vote FORthe following:01. Sidney R. Brown02. Gregory P. Chandler03. Michael C. Forman04. Richard I. Goldstein05. Charles P. Pizzi06. Pedro A. Ramos2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year endingDecember 31, 2024.NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.1. Election of TrusteesThe Board of Trustees recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:Nominees:Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor,administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each signpersonally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporateor partnership name by authorized officer.FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUND201 ROUSE BLVD.PHILADELPHIA, PA 19112 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode aboveUse the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of informationup until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have yourproxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain yourrecords and to create an electronic voting instruction form.ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALSIf you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials,you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reportselectronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow theinstructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agreeto receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m.Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in handwhen you call and then follow the instructions.VOTE BY MAILMark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope wehave provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way,Edgewood, NY 11717.SCAN TOVIEW MATERIALS & VOTEw

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V58299-P19733Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:The Notice and Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Shareholder Letter are available at www.proxyvote.com.FS SPECIALTY LENDING FUNDAnnual Meeting of ShareholdersDecember 12, 2024This proxy is solicited by the Board of TrusteesThe undersigned hereby appoints Michael C. Forman and Stephen S. Sypherd, and each of them, as proxies of the undersigned with fullpower of substitution in each of them, to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of FS Specialty Lending Fund, a Delawarestatutory trust (the "Company"), to be held at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on December 12, 2024, at the offices of the Company located at201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112, and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Annual Meeting"), and voteas designated on the reverse side of this proxy card all of the common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company("Common Shares") held of record by the undersigned.The proxy statement and the accompanying materials or a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials are being mailed on or aboutOctober 18, 2024 to shareholders of record as of October 15, 2024 and are available at www.proxyvote.com. All properly executed proxiesrepresenting Common Shares received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. If noinstructions are marked, the Common Shares will be voted FOR the proposal to elect each of the trustee nominees listed in Proposal 1and FOR the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.If any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting, this proxy will be voted by the proxies in their best judgment, including any motionto adjourn or postpone the Annual Meeting to another time and/or place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies. At the present time,the board of trustees of the Company knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting. Any shareholder who has givena proxy has the right to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise. Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them with respect toa proposal by attending the Annual Meeting and voting his or her Common Shares in person or by submitting a letter of revocation or a laterdatedproxy to the Company at the above address prior to the date of the Annual Meeting.Continued and to be signed on reverse side

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