Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) unit takes 59.6% stake in BSP Lending fund

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Franklin Resources, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary BSP Fund HoldCo (Debt Strategy) L.P., reports beneficial ownership of 75,000 Class I shares of Franklin BSP Lending Fund, representing 59.6% of the Class I Shares based on 125,897 shares outstanding as of July 9, 2026.

HoldCo acquired the 75,000 Class I Shares on January 29, 2026 for a total purchase price of $750,000, using its own working capital, for investment and to support the fund’s investment strategy. HoldCo has sole voting and dispositive power over all 75,000 shares; Franklin Resources, Inc., Charles B. Johnson, and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. report no direct voting or dispositive power over these shares and the individuals disclaim any pecuniary interest and beneficial ownership under Rule 13d-3.

Insights

Equity ownership analyst

Control-sized stake disclosed via subsidiary, but framed as passive investment.

BSP Fund HoldCo (Debt Strategy) L.P., a wholly owned unit of Franklin Resources, Inc., holds 59.6% of Franklin BSP Lending Fund’s Class I Shares, having bought 75,000 shares for $750,000 on January 29, 2026. That is a control-level position in this share class.

The filing states the shares were acquired for investment and to support the issuer’s investment strategy, and explicitly notes no current plans for corporate actions listed in Item 4, such as mergers, reorganizations, or additional acquisitions or dispositions. This language positions the holding as strategic but not activist under the current disclosure.

Beneficial ownership is concentrated at the HoldCo level, which has sole voting and dispositive power over the 75,000 shares. Franklin Resources, Inc. and the principal shareholders (Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.) emphasize disclaimers of pecuniary interest and beneficial ownership under Rule 13d-3 and state they do not consider themselves part of a "group" under Rule 13d-5. Any future change in ownership percentage or stated purpose would likely require an updated filing.

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Available on EDGAR 07/11/2026 - 02:02 PM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 07/10/2026 - 02:47 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 11)

Franklin BSP Lending Fund

(Name of Issuer)

Class I Shares

(Title of Class of Securities)

35243L403

(CUSIP Number)

Thomas Merchant
Franklin Resources, Inc., One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA, 94403
800-632-2350

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

07/09/2026

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

schemaVersion:

SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP Number(s): 35243L403

1

Name of reporting person

FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

SEC use only

4

Source of funds (See Instructions)

WC

5

Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

6

Citizenship or place of organization

DELAWARE

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

7	Sole Voting Power 75,000.00
8	Shared Voting Power 0.00
9	Sole Dispositive Power 75,000.00
10	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

11

Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

75,000.00

12

Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

13

Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

59.6 %

14

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

CO, HC

Comment for Type of Reporting Person:

Percentage represents the current beneficial ownership percentage that Franklin Resources, Inc. and its investment management subsidiaries may be deemed to beneficially own based upon 125,897 Class I Shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 9, 2026.

SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP Number(s): 35243L403

1

Name of reporting person

JOHNSON CHARLES B

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

SEC use only

4

Source of funds (See Instructions)

AF

5

Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

6

Citizenship or place of organization

UNITED STATES

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

7	Sole Voting Power 0.00
8	Shared Voting Power 0.00
9	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
10	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

11

Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

0.00

12

Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

13

Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

0.00 %

14

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IN, HC

SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP Number(s): 35243L403

1

Name of reporting person

JOHNSON RUPERT H JR

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

SEC use only

4

Source of funds (See Instructions)

AF

5

Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

6

Citizenship or place of organization

UNITED STATES

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

7	Sole Voting Power 0.00
8	Shared Voting Power 0.00
9	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
10	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

11

Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

0.00

12

Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

13

Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

0.00 %

14

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IN, HC

SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP Number(s): 35243L403

1

Name of reporting person

BSP FUND HOLDCO (DEBT STRATEGY) LP

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

SEC use only

4

Source of funds (See Instructions)

WC

5

Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

6

Citizenship or place of organization

DELAWARE

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

7	Sole Voting Power 75,000.00
8	Shared Voting Power 0.00
9	Sole Dispositive Power 75,000.00
10	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

11

Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person

75,000.00

12

Check if the aggregate amount in Row (11) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

13

Percent of class represented by amount in Row (11)

59.6 %

14

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

PN, OO

SCHEDULE 13D

Item 1.	Security and Issuer
(a)	Title of Class of Securities: Class I Shares
(b)	Name of Issuer: Franklin BSP Lending Fund
(c)	Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: c/o Franklin Templeton, ONE MADISON AVENUE, New York, NEW YORK , 10010.
Item 2.	Identity and Background
(a)	This Schedule 13D is being filed by Franklin Resources, Inc. ("FRI"), a Delaware corporation, Charles B. Johnson ("C. Johnson"), Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. ("R. Johnson, Jr."), and BSP Fund HoldCo (Debt Strategy) L.P. ("HoldCo"), a Delaware limited partnership), a California corporation (HoldCo, FAV, and together with FRI, C. Johnson and R. Johnson, Jr., the "Reporting Persons"). HoldCo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FRI. C. Johnson and R. Johnson, Jr. are the principal stockholders of FRI. R. Johnson, Jr. is also the Vice Chairman of FRI and C. Johnson is an Executive Consultant to FRI. C. Johnson and R. Johnson, Jr. are citizens of the United States.
(b)	The address of the principal business office of each of the Reporting Persons is One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906. The directors and principal executive officers of FRI and HoldCo, their present principal occupations, citizenship and business addresses are listed on Exhibit C.
(c)	The principal business of FRI is to act as a holding company for various subsidiaries engaged in the investment management and related services business. The principal business of HoldCo is to make investments into credit related instruments and vehicles. The principal occupation of each of C. Johnson and R. Johnson, Jr. are listed on Exhibit C.
(d)	During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons, and to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, none of the persons listed on Exhibit C, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e)	During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons, and to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, none of the persons listed on Exhibit C, was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f)	Franklin Resources, Inc. and HoldCo: Delaware Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.: USA
Item 3.	Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
	The Reporting Persons have invested in the Issuer as follows: BSP Fund Holdco (Debt Strategy) L.P.("Holdco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FRI, acquired 75,000 Class I shares, ("Shares") on January 29, 2026, using its own working capital, for a purchase price of $750,000.00.
Item 4.	Purpose of Transaction
	Holdco acquired the Shares for investment and to support the Issuer in its investment strategy. Except as described above, Holdco and FRI currently have no plans or proposals that relate to or would result in any of the actions described in paragraphs (a) through (j) of the instructions to Item 4 of Schedule 13D, or any present plans or intentions to acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer.
Item 5.	Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a)	75,000 or 59.6%
(b)	Sole power to vote or to direct the vote of the Shares: Franklin Resources, Inc.: 0 Charles B. Johnson: 0 Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.: 0 BSP Fund HoldCo (Debt Strategy) L.P.: 75,000 Shared power to vote or to direct the vote of the Shares: 0 Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of the Shares: Franklin Resources, Inc.: 0 Charles B. Johnson: 0 Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.: 0 BSP Fund HoldCo (Debt Strategy) L.P.: 75,000 Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of the Shares: 0
(c)	There have been no transactions in the past 60 days.
(d)	Not Applicable
(e)	Not Applicable
Item 6.	Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer
	Not Applicable
Item 7.	Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
	Exhibit A: Joint Filing Agreement Exhibit B: Item 5 Ownership Exhibit C: Principal Executive Officers and Directors of FRI and FAV (EX-1) EXHIBIT A: JOINT FILING AGREEMENT In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each other of the attached statement on Schedule 13D and to all amendments to such statement and that such statement and all amendments to such statement are made on behalf of each of them. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on the date of the signing of this filing. Franklin Resources, Inc. Charles B. Johnson Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. By:/s/THOMAS C. MANDIA Thomas C. Mandia Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc. Attorney in Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this Schedule 13D Attorney in Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this Schedule 13D BSP FUND HOLDCO (DEBT STRATEGY) L.P By: Franklin Templeton Institutional GP LLC, its general partner By:/s/SHIRLEY HAMBELTON Assistant Secretary of Franklin Templeton Institutional GP LLC Exhibit B: Item 5 Ownership C. Johnson and R. Johnson, Jr. (the "Principal Shareholders") may each own in excess of 10% of FRI's outstanding common stock and are the principal stockholders of FRI (see FRI's Proxy Statement-Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners). The Principal Shareholders may be deemed to be, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Act, the beneficial owners of securities held by a wholly-owned subsidiary of FRI. The Principal Shareholders disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of the Shares reported herein. In addition, the filing of the Schedule 13D on behalf of FRI and the Principal Shareholders should not be construed as an admission that any of them is, and each disclaims that it or he is, the beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3, of any of the Shares. FRI, HoldCo, and the Principal Shareholders believe that they are not a "group" within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Act and that they are not otherwise required to attribute to each other the beneficial ownership of the Shares held by any of them.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC

Signature:	/s/THOMAS C. MANDIA
Name/Title:	Thomas C. Mandia, Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.
Date:	07/10/2026

JOHNSON CHARLES B

Signature:	/s/THOMAS C. MANDIA
Name/Title:	Attorney in Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this Schedule 13G
Date:	07/10/2026

JOHNSON RUPERT H JR

Signature:	/s/THOMAS C. MANDIA
Name/Title:	Attorney in Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this Schedule13G
Date:	07/10/2026

BSP FUND HOLDCO (DEBT STRATEGY) LP

Signature:	/s/SHIRLEY HAMBELTON
Name/Title:	Shirley Hambelton, Assistant Secretary of Franklin Templeton Institutional GP LLC
Date:	07/10/2026

Comments accompanying signature:

LIMITED POWERS OF ATTORNEY FOR SECTION 13 AND 16 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS FOR CHARLES B. JOHNSON AND RUPERT H, JOHNSON, JR. (incorporated by reference to Schedule 13D filed on February 10, 2026)