2014.6.30 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ________________________ to ________________________
 
Commission file number: 1-7945

 
DELUXE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Minnesota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
41-0216800
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3680 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, Minnesota
(Address of principal executive offices)
55126-2966
(Zip Code)

(651) 483-7111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þYes   o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
þYes   o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer þ   
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes þ  No

The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, at July 22, 2014 was 49,762,745.

1


PART I − FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share par value)
(Unaudited)

 
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
146,942

 
$
121,089

Trade accounts receivable (net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $4,300 and $3,861, respectively)
 
85,376

 
88,049

Inventories and supplies
 
32,737

 
28,966

Deferred income taxes
 
6,655

 
6,946

Funds held for customers
 
41,700

 
42,425

Other current assets
 
30,777

 
31,838

Total current assets
 
344,187

 
319,313

Deferred income taxes
 
1,586

 
1,851

Long-term investments (including $2,269 and $2,407 of investments at fair value, respectively)
 
45,697

 
44,451

Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $367,114 and $360,926, respectively)
 
96,752

 
101,343

Assets held for sale
 
26,762

 
25,451

Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $369,277 and $346,086, respectively)
 
154,440

 
153,576

Goodwill
 
823,008

 
822,777

Other non-current assets
 
143,968

 
100,767

Total assets
 
$
1,636,400

 
$
1,569,529

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
72,238

 
$
71,492

Accrued liabilities
 
159,486

 
162,990

Long-term debt due within one year
 
254,791

 
255,589

Total current liabilities
 
486,515

 
490,071

Long-term debt
 
391,185

 
385,115

Deferred income taxes
 
84,553

 
82,814

Other non-current liabilities
 
92,314

 
61,072

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 11 and 12)
 


 


Shareholders’ equity:
 
 

 
 

Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: 2014 – 49,759; 2013 – 50,344)
 
49,759

 
50,344

Additional paid-in capital
 

 
22,596

Retained earnings
 
564,318

 
510,941

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(32,244
)
 
(33,424
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
581,833

 
550,457

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
1,636,400

 
$
1,569,529


See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

2


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Product revenue
 
$
344,463

 
$
332,790

 
$
690,127

 
$
672,666

Service revenue
 
60,947

 
48,643

 
122,238

 
96,321

Total revenue
 
405,410

 
381,433

 
812,365

 
768,987

Cost of products
 
(119,550
)
 
(111,450
)
 
(237,936
)
 
(223,721
)
Cost of services
 
(26,341
)
 
(22,097
)
 
(52,884
)
 
(43,123
)
Total cost of revenue
 
(145,891
)
 
(133,547
)
 
(290,820
)
 
(266,844
)
Gross profit
 
259,519

 
247,886

 
521,545

 
502,143

Selling, general and administrative expense
 
(173,546
)
 
(164,501
)
 
(351,476
)
 
(339,653
)
Net restructuring charges
 
(1,014
)
 
(924
)
 
(4,314
)
 
(2,295
)
Operating income
 
84,959


82,461

 
165,755

 
160,195

Interest expense
 
(9,530
)
 
(9,563
)
 
(19,097
)
 
(19,043
)
Other income
 
368

 
142

 
499

 
491

Income before income taxes
 
75,797

 
73,040

 
147,157

 
141,643

Income tax provision
 
(25,721
)
 
(24,888
)
 
(49,758
)
 
(47,616
)
Net income
 
$
50,076

 
$
48,152

 
$
97,399

 
$
94,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
53,125

 
$
46,788

 
$
98,579

 
$
92,038

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
1.00

 
$
0.95

 
$
1.94

 
$
1.85

Diluted earnings per share
 
0.99

 
0.94

 
1.92

 
1.83

Cash dividends per share
 
0.30

 
0.25

 
0.55

 
0.50


See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


3


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Common shares
 
Common shares
par value
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
Retained earnings
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
50,344

 
$
50,344

 
$
22,596

 
$
510,941

 
$
(33,424
)
 
$
550,457

Net income
 

 

 

 
97,399

 

 
97,399

Cash dividends
 

 

 

 
(27,677
)
 

 
(27,677
)
Common shares issued
 
450

 
450

 
8,379

 

 

 
8,829

Tax impact of share-based awards
 

 

 
1,708

 

 

 
1,708

Common shares repurchased
 
(988
)
 
(988
)
 
(34,607
)
 
(16,345
)
 

 
(51,940
)
Other common shares retired
 
(47
)
 
(47
)
 
(2,261
)
 

 

 
(2,308
)
Fair value of share-based compensation
 

 

 
4,185

 

 

 
4,185

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 
1,180

 
1,180

Balance, June 30, 2014
 
49,759

 
$
49,759

 
$

 
$
564,318

 
$
(32,244
)
 
$
581,833



See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


4


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
97,399

 
$
94,027

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation
 
8,503

 
9,048

Amortization of intangibles
 
24,115

 
22,998

Amortization of contract acquisition costs
 
8,533

 
8,277

Deferred income taxes
 
123

 
(594
)
Employee share-based compensation expense
 
4,597

 
3,611

Other non-cash items, net
 
4,617

 
4,745

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
 
 

 
 

Trade accounts receivable
 
1,646

 
(5,825
)
Inventories and supplies
 
(1,434
)
 
(1,153
)
Other current assets
 
(2,073
)
 
41

Non-current assets
 
(805
)
 
(4,896
)
Accounts payable
 
(860
)
 
(3,686
)
Contract acquisition payments
 
(4,326
)
 
(5,753
)
Other accrued and non-current liabilities
 
(14,186
)
 
(18,698
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
125,849

 
102,142

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

Purchases of capital assets
 
(19,851
)
 
(16,590
)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(8,886
)
 
(35,080
)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies
 
764

 
4,599

Other
 
222

 
1,389

Net cash used by investing activities
 
(27,751
)
 
(45,682
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 

 
 

Net payments on short-term debt
 
(125
)
 

Payments on long-term debt
 
(472
)
 
(41
)
Payments for debt issue costs
 
(1,029
)
 
(207
)
Change in book overdrafts
 

 
51

Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans
 
7,133

 
9,366

Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards
 
2,027

 
1,121

Payments for common shares repurchased
 
(51,940
)
 
(32,000
)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
 
(27,677
)
 
(25,362
)
Net cash used by financing activities
 
(72,083
)
 
(47,072
)
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
 
(162
)
 
(1,993
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
25,853

 
7,395

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
121,089

 
45,435

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
146,942

 
$
52,830


See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

5


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)


Note 1: Consolidated financial statements

The consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2014, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated financial statements are included. Adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, except for any discussed in the notes below. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q, and do not contain certain information included in our annual consolidated financial statements and notes. The consolidated financial statements and notes appearing in this report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”).


Note 2: New accounting pronouncements

On January 1, 2014, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This standard provides guidance regarding when an unrecognized tax benefit should be classified as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or when it should be classified as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet. Adoption of this standard resulted in an increase of $669 in non-current deferred income tax liabilities and a corresponding decrease in other non-current liabilities.

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for determining which disposals should be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Additionally, the new guidance requires that a business which qualifies as held for sale upon acquisition should be reported as discontinued operations. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2015 and applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. We are currently assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard provides revenue recognition guidance for any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other accounting standards. The new standard also expands the required financial statement disclosures regarding revenue recognition. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2017. We are currently assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements, as well as the method of transition that we will use in adopting the new standard.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. The new standard requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2016. We currently have share-based payment awards that fall within the scope of this standard. Our current accounting treatment is in compliance with the new standard, so we expect no impact on our consolidated financial statements.



6


Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet information

Inventories and supplies – Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Raw materials
 
$
5,578

 
$
5,426

Semi-finished goods
 
8,701

 
8,361

Finished goods
 
15,182

 
11,948

Supplies
 
3,276

 
3,231

Inventories and supplies
 
$
32,737

 
$
28,966


Available-for-sale securities – Available-for-sale securities included within cash and cash equivalents, funds held for customers and other current assets were comprised of the following:
 
 
June 30, 2014
 
 
Cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses
 
Fair value
Money market securities (cash equivalents)
 
$
65,985

 
$

 
$

 
$
65,985

Canadian and provincial government securities (funds held for customers)(1)
 
9,972

 

 
(203
)
 
9,769

Canadian money market fund (other current assets)
 
2,046

 

 

 
2,046

Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
78,003

 
$


$
(203
)

$
77,800


(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2014, also included cash of $31,931.
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses
 
Fair value
Money market securities (cash equivalents)
 
$
70,001

 
$

 
$

 
$
70,001

Funds held for customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Canadian and provincial government securities
 
9,901

 

 
(343
)
 
9,558

Canadian guaranteed investment certificate
 
5,178

 

 

 
5,178

Available-for-sale securities (funds held for customers)(1)
 
15,079




(343
)

14,736

Canadian money market fund (other current assets)
 
2,045

 

 

 
2,045

Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
87,125

 
$

 
$
(343
)
 
$
86,782

 
(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, also included cash of $27,689.
 
Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Fair value
Due in one year or less
 
$
68,520

Due in two to five years
 
4,914

Due in six to ten years
 
4,366

Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
77,800


Further information regarding the fair value of available-for-sale securities can be found in Note 8: Fair value measurements.


7


Assets held for sale – Assets held for sale included the operations of small business distributors which we previously acquired and which consisted primarily of customer list intangible assets. The net assets of one of the small business distributors were sold during the quarter ended June 30, 2014, realizing a net pre-tax gain of $430. We are actively marketing the remaining assets and expect the selling prices will exceed the carrying values. Net assets held for sale consisted of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
Balance sheet caption
Current assets
 
$
215

 
$
727

 
Other current assets
Intangibles
 
25,909

 
24,603

 
Assets held for sale
Other non-current assets
 
853

 
848

 
Assets held for sale
Accrued liabilities
 
(1,013
)
 
(733
)
 
Accrued liabilities
Non-current deferred income tax liabilities
 
(8,735
)
 
(7,821
)
 
Other non-current liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
 
(14
)
 
(32
)
 
Other non-current liabilities
Net assets held for sale
 
$
17,215

 
$
17,592

 
 

Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
 
 
June 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net carrying amount
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net carrying amount
Indefinite-lived:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade name
 
$
19,100

 
$

 
$
19,100

 
$
19,100

 
$

 
$
19,100

Amortizable intangibles:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Internal-use software
 
359,701

 
(292,485
)
 
67,216

 
339,995

 
(275,159
)
 
64,836

Customer lists/relationships
 
68,995

 
(34,989
)
 
34,006

 
63,282

 
(31,606
)
 
31,676

Trade names
 
67,761

 
(35,648
)
 
32,113

 
67,961

 
(33,642
)
 
34,319

Other
 
8,160

 
(6,155
)
 
2,005

 
9,324

 
(5,679
)
 
3,645

Amortizable intangibles
 
504,617

 
(369,277
)

135,340


480,562


(346,086
)

134,476

Intangibles
 
$
523,717

 
$
(369,277
)

$
154,440


$
499,662


$
(346,086
)

$
153,576


Amortization of intangibles was $12,091 for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and $11,655 for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. Amortization of intangibles was $24,115 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and $22,998 for the six months ended June 30, 2013. Based on the intangibles in service as of June 30, 2014, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
 
 
Estimated
amortization
expense
Remainder of 2014
 
$
21,167

2015
 
35,898

2016
 
23,845

2017
 
11,791

2018
 
8,043



8


We acquire internal-use software in the normal course of business. We also acquire internal-use software and other intangible assets in conjunction with acquisitions (Note 6). The following intangible assets were acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2014:
 
 
Amount
 
Weighted-average amortization period
(in years)
Internal-use software
 
$
19,704

 
4
Customer lists/relationships
 
6,522

 
8
Other
 
50

 
2
Acquired intangibles
 
$
26,276

 
5

Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Small
Business
Services
 
Financial
Services
 
Direct
Checks
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill, gross
 
$
652,554

 
$
41,717

 
$
148,506

 
$
842,777

Accumulated impairment charges
 
(20,000
)
 

 

 
(20,000
)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges
 
632,554

 
41,717


148,506


822,777

Adjustment for acquisition of Destination Rewards, Inc. (Note 6)
 

 
(1,375
)
 

 
(1,375
)
Acquisition of NetClime, Inc. (Note 6)
 
1,615

 

 

 
1,615

Currency translation adjustment
 
(9
)
 

 

 
(9
)
Balance, June 30, 2014:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Goodwill, gross
 
654,160

 
40,342

 
148,506

 
843,008

Accumulated impairment charges
 
(20,000
)
 

 

 
(20,000
)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges
 
$
634,160

 
$
40,342


$
148,506


$
823,008


Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Contract acquisition costs
 
$
79,832

 
$
35,421

Postretirement benefit plan asset
 
26,943

 
24,981

Loans and notes receivable from distributors
 
16,467

 
16,162

Deferred advertising costs
 
8,861

 
10,447

Other
 
11,865

 
13,756

Other non-current assets
 
$
143,968

 
$
100,767



9


Changes in contract acquisition costs during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
35,421

 
$
43,036

Additions(1)
 
53,164

 
6,033

Amortization
 
(8,533
)
 
(8,277
)
Other
 
(220
)
 
(271
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
79,832

 
$
40,521

 
(1) Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $4,326 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and $5,753 for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Accrued liabilities – Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Funds held for customers
 
$
40,834

 
$
41,810

Employee performance-based compensation
 
18,813

 
29,544

Customer rebates
 
18,709

 
21,623

Deferred revenue
 
18,233

 
16,897

Contract acquisition costs due within one year
 
13,095

 
3,880

Interest
 
8,865

 
8,869

Restructuring due within one year (Note 9)
 
2,936

 
5,609

Other
 
38,001

 
34,758

Accrued liabilities
 
$
159,486

 
$
162,990




10


Note 4: Earnings per share

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. During each period, certain stock options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. 
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
2014
 
2013
Earnings per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
50,076

 
$
48,152

$
97,399

 
$
94,027

Income allocated to participating securities
 
(287
)
 
(198
)
(486
)
 
(529
)
Income available to common shareholders
 
$
49,789

 
$
47,954

$
96,913

 
$
93,498

Weighted-average shares outstanding
 
49,789

 
50,545

50,021

 
50,625

Earnings per share – basic
 
$
1.00

 
$
0.95

$
1.94

 
$
1.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – diluted:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Net income
 
$
50,076

 
$
48,152

$
97,399

 
$
94,027

Income allocated to participating securities
 
(285
)
 
(197
)
(483
)
 
(525
)
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities
 
117

 
(128
)
109

 
25

Income available to common shareholders
 
$
49,908

 
$
47,827

$
97,025

 
$
93,527

Weighted-average shares outstanding
 
49,789

 
50,545

50,021

 
50,625

Dilutive impact of potential common shares
 
441

 
437

448

 
451

Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding
 
50,230

 
50,982

50,469

 
51,076

Earnings per share – diluted
 
$
0.99

 
$
0.94

$
1.92

 
$
1.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Antidilutive options excluded from calculation
 
279

 
446

279

 
446





11


Note 5: Other comprehensive income

Reclassification adjustments Information regarding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income was as follows:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss components
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
Affected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive income
 
 
Quarter Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Amortization of loss on interest rate locks(1)
 
$
(427
)
 
$
(418
)
 
$
(855
)
 
$
(836
)
 
Interest expense
Tax benefit
 
167

 
158

 
334

 
316

 
Income tax provision
Amortization of loss on interest rate locks, net of tax
 
(260
)
 
(260
)
 
(521
)
 
(520
)
 
Net income
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
 
355

 
355

 
711

 
711

 
(2) 
Net actuarial loss
 
(854
)
 
(1,110
)
 
(1,709
)
 
(2,220
)
 
(2) 
Total amortization
 
(499
)
 
(755
)
 
(998
)
 
(1,509
)
 
(2) 
Tax benefit
 
139

 
228

 
279

 
456

 
(2) 
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items, net of tax
 
(360
)
 
(527
)
 
(719
)
 
(1,053
)
 
(2) 
Total reclassifications, net of tax
 
$
(620
)
 
$
(787
)
 
$
(1,240
)
 
$
(1,573
)
 
 

(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
(2) Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items is included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. Additional details can be found in Note 10: Postretirement benefits.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
 
 
Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax
 
Loss on derivatives, net of tax(1)
 
Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax(2)
 
Currency translation adjustment
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
$
(34,874
)
 
$
(781
)
 
$
(276
)
 
$
2,507

 
$
(33,424
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 

 

 
101

 
(161
)
 
(60
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
719

 
521

 

 

 
1,240

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
719

 
521

 
101

 
(161
)
 
1,180

Balance, June 30, 2014
 
$
(34,155
)
 
$
(260
)
 
$
(175
)
 
$
2,346

 
$
(32,244
)

(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
(2) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications is net of income tax expense of $35.



12


Note 6: Acquisitions

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we made the following payments, net of cash acquired, for business acquisitions:
 
 
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Small business distributors
 
$
4,641

NetClime, Inc.
 
2,011

Gift Box Corporation of America
 
1,750

Other
 
484

Total
 
$
8,886


In May 2014, we acquired selected assets of Gift Box Corporation of America (GBCA), a supplier of retail packaging solutions, including gift boxes, bags, bows, ribbons and wraps. We are operating this business under the name WholeStyle Packaging™. We expect to finalize the allocation of the purchase price during the third quarter of 2014, as we finalize the valuation of acquired inventory. Transaction costs related to the acquisition were expensed as incurred and were not significant to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Small Business Services segment. Intangible assets acquired consisted primarily of a customer list with a value of $1,098 and a useful life of 5 years, which is being amortized using the straight-line method. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair value of the customer list can be found in Note 8.

In January 2014, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of NetClime, Inc., a provider of website development software. The allocation of the purchase price, based upon the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulted in goodwill of $1,615. The acquisition resulted in goodwill as we expect to drive future revenue as we incorporate NetClime's software solution into our technology platform and the marketing solutions services we offer our customers. Transaction costs related to the acquisition were expensed as incurred and were not significant to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Small Business Services segment. Intangible assets acquired consisted primarily of internal-use software with an aggregate value of $1,050 and a useful life of 4 years, which is being amortized using the straight-line method. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair value of the internal-use software can be found in Note 8.

In December 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Destination Rewards, Inc., a rewards and loyalty program provider. During the first quarter of 2014, we adjusted the valuation of the intangibles acquired, and we finalized the determination of the intangible useful lives, resulting in tax-deductible goodwill of $11,705. This is a decrease of $1,375 from the amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2013. We expect to finalize the allocation of the purchase price during the third quarter of 2014, as we finalize the valuation of an acquired liability. The acquisition resulted in goodwill as we plan to offer Destination Rewards to our clients as a key component of our marketing solutions product set. The acquired intangible assets consisted primarily of customer relationships of $4,400 with a useful life of 10 years, internal-use software with an aggregate value of $4,100 and a weighted-average useful life of 4 years, and supplier relationships of $1,100 with a useful life of 5 years. All of the intangibles are being amortized using the straight-line method. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair values of these assets can be found in Note 8.

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we acquired the operations of several small business distributors for aggregate cash payments of $4,641. The assets acquired consisted primarily of customer lists, $3,024 of which are being amortized using the straight-line method over a weighted-average useful life of 9 years. The remaining portion of the acquired customer lists are being held for sale and are classified as such in our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2014. The distributors’ results of operations are included in our Small Business Services segment from their acquisition dates. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair values of the customer lists can be found in Note 8 and further information regarding net assets held for sale can be found in Note 3.

As our acquisitions were immaterial to our operating results both individually and in the aggregate, pro forma results of operations are not provided.


13



Note 7: Derivative financial instruments

We have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our long-term debt. We entered into these swaps, which we designated as fair value hedges, to achieve a targeted mix of fixed and variable rate debt, where we receive a fixed rate and pay a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the related long-term debt are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2020 meet the criteria for using the short-cut method for a fair value hedge based on the structure of the hedging relationship. As such, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the related long-term debt are equal. The short-cut method is not being used for the interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2014. When the change in the fair value of these interest rate swaps and the hedged debt are not equal (i.e., hedge ineffectiveness), the difference in the changes in fair value affects the reported amount of interest expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Information regarding hedge ineffectiveness in each period is presented in Note 8.

Information regarding interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2014 was as follows:
 
 
Notional amount
 
Fair value of interest rate swaps
 
Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment
 
Balance sheet caption including interest rate swaps
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014
 
$
198,000

 
$
1,234

 
$
538

 
Other current assets
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020
 
200,000

 
(10,377
)
 
(10,377
)
 
Other non-current liabilities
Total fair value hedges
 
$
398,000

 
$
(9,143
)

$
(9,839
)
 
 

Information regarding interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2013 was as follows:
 
 
Notional amount
 
Fair value of interest rate swaps
 
Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment
 
Balance sheet caption including interest rate swaps
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014
 
$
198,000

 
$
2,158

 
$
1,569

 
Other current assets
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020
 
200,000

 
(16,239
)
 
(16,239
)
 
Other non-current liabilities
Total fair value hedges
 
$
398,000

 
$
(14,081
)
 
$
(14,670
)
 
 


Note 8: Fair value measurements

2014 acquisitions – For all acquisitions, we are required to measure the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired, excluding goodwill and deferred income taxes. The identifiable net assets acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were comprised primarily of customer lists associated with acquisitions of small business distributors and GBCA, as well as internal-use software associated with the acquisition of NetClime, Inc. (Note 6). The aggregate fair value of the acquired customer lists was $4,322 and was estimated using an income approach. The fair value of the acquired internal-use software was estimated using a cost of reproduction method. The primary components of the software were identified and the estimated cost to reproduce the software was calculated based on data provided by NetClime. The calculated fair value of the acquired internal-use software was $1,050.

During the first quarter of 2014, we finalized the valuation of the intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Destination Rewards, Inc. in December 2013 (Note 6). The acquired intangibles consisted primarily of customer relationships, internal-use software and supplier relationships. The fair value of the customer relationships was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. Assumptions used in this calculation included same-customer revenue growth rates and estimated customer retention rates based on the acquirees' historical information. The fair value of the acquired customer

14


relationships was $4,400, which represents an increase of $2,200 from the December 31, 2013 amount. The fair value of the acquired internal-use software was estimated using a cost of reproduction method. The primary components of the software were identified and the estimated cost to reproduce the software was calculated using estimated time and labor rates derived from our historical data from previous upgrades of a similar size and nature. The fair value of the acquired internal-use software was $4,100. The fair value of the supplier relationships was estimated by comparing the forecasted gross margin with the supplier relationships in place compared to the forecasted gross margin without the supplier relationships. The fair value of the acquired supplier relationships was $1,100.

Recurring fair value measurements – Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included available-for-sale marketable securities (Note 3). These securities consisted of investments in money market funds which are traded in active markets. As such, the fair value of the securities is determined based on quoted market prices. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of these securities approximates their fair value. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. No gains or losses on sales of these marketable securities were realized during the quarters or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013.

Funds held for customers included available-for-sale marketable securities (Note 3). These securities consisted of a mutual fund investment which invests in Canadian and provincial government securities, and as of December 31, 2013, an investment in a six-month Canadian guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) which matured in February 2014. The mutual fund is not traded in an active market and its fair value is determined by obtaining quoted prices in active markets for the underlying securities held by the fund. The fair value of the GIC approximated cost due to its relatively short duration. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. Realized gains and losses are included in revenue in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and were not significant for the quarters or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013.

Other current assets included available-for-sale marketable securities (Note 3). These securities consisted of a Canadian money market fund which is not traded in an active market. As such, the fair value of this investment is determined by obtaining quoted prices in active markets for the underlying securities held by the fund. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of these securities approximates their fair value. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. No gains or losses on sales of these marketable securities were realized during the quarters or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013.

We have elected to account for a long-term investment in domestic mutual funds under the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. The fair value option provides companies an irrevocable option to measure many financial assets and liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The investment is included in long-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets. Long-term investments also include the cash surrender values of company-owned life insurance policies. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, as well as dividends earned by the mutual fund investment, are included in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. This investment corresponds to a liability under an officers’ deferred compensation plan which is not available to new participants and is fully funded by the investment in mutual funds. The liability under the plan equals the fair value of the investment in mutual funds. Thus, as the value of the investment changes, the value of the liability changes accordingly. As changes in the liability are reflected within SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, the fair value option of accounting for the investment in mutual funds allows us to net changes in the investment and the related liability in the statements of comprehensive income. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. During the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, net realized gains were not significant. We recognized net unrealized losses of $103 during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and net unrealized gains of $145 during the six months ended June 30, 2013.


15


The fair value of interest rate swaps (Note 7) is determined at each reporting date by means of a pricing model utilizing readily observable market interest rates. The change in fair value is determined as the change in the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted using the LIBOR rate. The interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2020 meet the criteria for using the short-cut method for a fair value hedge based on the structure of the hedging relationship. As such, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and related long-term debt are equal. The short-cut method is not being used for our other interest rate swaps. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps, as well as changes in the fair value of the hedged debt, are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and were as follows:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Gain (loss) from derivatives
 
$
2,897

 
$
(8,536
)
 
$
4,938

 
$
(11,181
)
(Loss) gain from change in fair value of hedged debt
 
(2,840
)
 
8,580

 
(4,831
)
 
11,264

Net decrease in interest expense
 
$
57

 
$
44

 
$
107


$
83


Information regarding recurring fair value measurements completed during each period was as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using
 
 
Fair value as of
 June 30, 2014
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
 
Significant other observable inputs
 
Significant unobservable inputs
 
 
 
(Level 1)
 
 (Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)
 
$
65,985

 
$
65,985

 
$

 
$

Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)
 
9,769

 

 
9,769

 

Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)
 
2,046

 

 
2,046

 

Long-term investment in mutual funds
 
2,269

 
2,269

 

 

Derivative assets
 
1,234

 

 
1,234

 

Derivative liabilities
 
(10,377
)
 

 
(10,377
)
 

 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using
 
 
Fair value as of
December 31, 2013
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
 
Significant other
observable inputs
 
Significant unobservable inputs
 
 
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)
 
$
70,001

 
$
70,001

 
$

 
$

Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)
 
14,736

 

 
14,736

 

Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)
 
2,045

 

 
2,045

 

Long-term investment in mutual funds
 
2,407

 
2,407

 

 

Derivative assets
 
2,158

 

 
2,158

 

Derivative liabilities
 
(16,239
)
 

 
(16,239
)
 


Our policy is to recognize transfers between fair value levels as of the end of the reporting period in which the transfer occurred. There were no transfers between fair value levels during the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Fair value measurements of other financial instruments – The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.

Cash, excluding cash equivalents, and cash included within funds held for customers – The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.


16


Loans and notes receivable from distributors – We have receivables for loans made to certain of our Safeguard distributors. In addition, we have acquired the operations of several small business distributors which we then sold to our Safeguard distributors. In most cases, we entered into notes receivable upon the sale of the assets to the distributors. The fair value of these loans and notes receivable is calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted using an estimated interest rate based on published bond yields for companies of similar risk.

Long-term debt – The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets in an active market. The fair value of long-term debt included in the table below does not reflect the impact of hedging activity. The carrying amount of long-term debt includes the change in fair value of hedged long-term debt.

The estimated fair values of these financial instruments were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using
 
 
June 30, 2014
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
 
Significant other observable inputs
 
Significant unobservable inputs
 
 
Carrying value
 
Fair value
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)
 
$
80,957

 
$
80,957

 
$
80,957

 
$

 
$

Cash (funds held for customers)
 
31,931

 
31,931

 
31,931

 

 

Loans and notes receivable from distributors
 
18,667

 
17,942

 

 

 
17,942

Long-term debt, including portion due within one year(1)
 
643,647

 
682,932

 
682,932

 

 


(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.
 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
 
Significant other observable inputs
 
Significant unobservable inputs
 
 
Carrying value
 
Fair value
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)
 
$
51,088

 
$
51,088

 
$
51,088

 
$

 
$

Cash (funds held for customers)
 
27,689

 
27,689

 
27,689

 

 

Loans and notes receivable from distributors
 
18,047

 
17,051

 

 

 
17,051

Long-term debt, including portion due within one year(1)
 
638,787

 
684,133

 
684,133

 

 


(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.



17


Note 9: Restructuring charges

Net restructuring charges for each period consisted of the following components:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Severance accruals
 
$
1,122

 
$
884

 
$
2,667

 
$
1,874

Severance reversals
 
(285
)
 
(179
)
 
(595
)
 
(478
)
Operating lease obligations
 

 
2

 

 
2

Operating lease obligations reversal
 

 

 

 
(157
)
Net restructuring accruals
 
837

 
707


2,072


1,241

Other costs
 
87

 
344

 
2,384

 
1,259

Net restructuring charges
 
$
924

 
$
1,051


$
4,456


$
2,500


The net restructuring charges are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as follows:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Total cost of revenue
 
$
(90
)
 
$
127

 
$
142

 
$
205

Operating expenses
 
1,014

 
924

 
4,314

 
2,295

Net restructuring charges
 
$
924

 
$
1,051


$
4,456


$
2,500


2014 restructuring charges – During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions across functional areas as we continue to reduce costs, primarily within our sales and marketing, information technology and fulfillment functions. The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for approximately 25 employees for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and severance benefits for approximately 65 employees for the six months ended June 30, 2014. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals recorded primarily in previous years, as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as information technology costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities.

2013 restructuring charges – During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions across functional areas as we continued to reduce costs. The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for approximately 30 employees for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and severance benefits for approximately 50 employees for the six months ended June 30, 2013. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals recorded in previous years, as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated and we entered into a sub-lease agreement related to an operating lease obligation. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as information technology costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities.

Restructuring accruals of $2,936 as of June 30, 2014 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet in accrued liabilities. Restructuring accruals of $5,638 as of December 31, 2013 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $5,609 and other non-current liabilities of $29. The majority of the employee reductions are expected to be completed in 2014, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by early 2015, utilizing cash from operations. The remaining payments due under operating lease obligations will be paid through February 2015. As of June 30, 2014, approximately 35 employees had not yet started to receive severance benefits. Further information regarding our restructuring accruals can be found under the caption “Note 8: Restructuring charges” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.


18


Accruals for our restructuring initiatives, summarized by year, were as follows:
 
 
2012
 initiatives
 
2013
 initiatives
 
2014 initiatives
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
$
409

 
$
5,229

 
$

 
$
5,638

Restructuring charges
 
21

 
200

 
2,446

 
2,667

Restructuring reversals
 
(10
)
 
(538
)
 
(47
)
 
(595
)
Payments
 
(286
)
 
(3,775
)
 
(713
)
 
(4,774
)
Balance, June 30, 2014
 
$
134


$
1,116

 
$
1,686

 
$
2,936

Cumulative amounts:
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Restructuring charges
 
$
8,012

 
$
7,579

 
$
2,446

 
$
18,037

Restructuring reversals
 
(1,361
)
 
(675
)
 
(47
)
 
(2,083
)
Payments
 
(6,517
)
 
(5,788
)
 
(713
)
 
(13,018
)
Balance, June 30, 2014
 
$
134


$
1,116

 
$
1,686

 
$
2,936


The components of our restructuring accruals, by segment, were as follows:
 
 
Employee severance benefits
 
Operating lease obligations
 
 
 
 
Small Business Services
 
Financial Services
 
Direct Checks
 
 
Corporate
 
Small Business Services
 
Direct Checks
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
$
1,624

 
$
1,991

 
$
365

 
$
1,508

 
$
150

 
$

 
$
5,638

Restructuring charges
 
1,497

 
436

 

 
734

 

 

 
2,667

Restructuring reversals
 
(265
)
 
(104
)
 
(9
)
 
(217
)
 

 

 
(595
)
Payments
 
(1,626
)
 
(1,653
)
 
(260
)
 
(1,175
)
 
(60
)
 

 
(4,774
)
Balance, June 30, 2014
 
$
1,230

 
$
670


$
96


$
850


$
90

 
$


$
2,936

Cumulative amounts(1):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Restructuring charges
 
$
6,374

 
$
4,324

 
$
549

 
$
6,178

 
$
442

 
$
170

 
$
18,037

Restructuring reversals
 
(706
)
 
(373
)
 
(31
)
 
(816
)
 
(157
)
 

 
(2,083
)
Inter-segment transfer
 

 

 
(25
)
 
25

 

 

 

Payments
 
(4,438
)
 
(3,281
)
 
(397
)
 
(4,537
)
 
(195
)
 
(170
)
 
(13,018
)
Balance, June 30, 2014
 
$
1,230

 
$
670


$
96


$
850


$
90

 
$


$
2,936


(1) Includes accruals related to our cost reduction initiatives for 2012 through 2014.


Note 10: Postretirement benefits

We have historically provided certain health care benefits for a portion of our retired U.S. employees. In addition to our retiree health care plan, we also have a supplemental executive retirement plan in the United States. Further information regarding our postretirement benefit plans can be found under the caption “Note 12: Postretirement benefits” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.

Postretirement benefit income for each period consisted of the following components:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest cost
 
$
1,138

 
$
913

 
$
2,277

 
$
1,826

Expected return on plan assets
 
(2,183
)
 
(2,008
)
 
(4,367
)
 
(4,015
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(355
)
 
(355
)
 
(711
)
 
(711
)
Amortization of net actuarial losses
 
854

 
1,110

 
1,709

 
2,220

Net periodic benefit income
 
$
(546
)
 
$
(340
)
 
$
(1,092
)
 
$
(680
)

19




Note 11: Debt

Debt outstanding was comprised of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
7.0% senior notes due March 15, 2019
 
$
200,000

 
$
200,000

6.0% senior notes due November 15, 2020(1)
 
189,623

 
183,761

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations
 
1,562

 
1,354

Long-term portion of debt
 
391,185

 
385,115

5.125% senior, unsecured notes due October 1, 2014, net of discount(2)
 
254,024

 
255,026

Capital lease obligations due within one year
 
767

 
563

Total debt
 
$
645,976

 
$
640,704


(1) Includes decrease due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $10,377 as of June 30, 2014 and $16,239 as of December 31, 2013.
(2) Includes increase due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $538 as of June 30, 2014 and $1,569 as of December 31, 2013.

Discounts from par value are being amortized ratably as increases to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

All of our notes include covenants that place certain restrictions on the issuance of additional debt and limitations on certain liens. If our ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to interest expense, as defined in such instruments, falls below two to one, there would be additional limitations on our ability to issue additional debt. The notes due in 2020 and 2019 also include limitations on our ability to issue redeemable stock and preferred stock, make loans and investments, and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. Absent certain defined events of default under our debt instruments, and as long as our ratio of EBITDA to interest expense is in excess of two to one, our debt covenants do not restrict our ability to pay cash dividends at our current rate. There are currently no limitations on the amount of dividends and share repurchases under the terms of our amended credit facility agreement executed in February 2014. However, if our leverage ratio, defined in the agreement as total debt less unrestricted cash to EBITDA, should exceed 2.75 to one, there would be an annual limitation on the amount of dividends and share repurchases under the terms of the credit facility.

In November 2012, we issued $200,000 of 6.0% senior notes maturing on November 15, 2020. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via a registration statement which became effective on April 3, 2013. Interest payments are due each May and November. The notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and place a limitation on restricted payments, including share repurchases and increases in dividend levels. The limitation on restricted payments does not apply if the notes are upgraded to an investment-grade credit rating. Financial information for the guarantor subsidiaries can be found in Note 15. At any time prior to November 15, 2015, we may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price of 106% of the principal amount of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to November 15, 2016, we may also redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. At any time on or after November 15, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the notes at prices ranging from 100% to 103% of the principal amount. If at any time we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes in control, we must offer to purchase all of the outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $196,340. These proceeds were used to retire our senior notes which were due in June 2015. The fair value of the notes issued in November 2012 was $212,180 as of June 30, 2014, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets. As discussed in Note 7, we have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge these notes.

In March 2011, we issued $200,000 of 7.0% senior notes maturing on March 15, 2019. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the SEC via a registration statement which became effective on January 10, 2012. Interest payments are due each March and September. The notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and place a limitation on restricted payments, including share repurchases and increases in dividend levels. The limitation on restricted payments does not apply if the notes are upgraded to an investment-grade credit rating. Financial information for the guarantor subsidiaries can be found in Note 15. At any time prior to March 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. At any time on or after March 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the notes at

20


prices ranging from 100% to 103.5% of the principal amount. If at any time we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes in control, we must offer to purchase all of the outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $196,195. These proceeds were used to retire a portion of our senior, unsecured notes due in 2012. The fair value of the notes issued in March 2011 was $214,900 as of June 30, 2014, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets.

In October 2004, we issued $275,000 of 5.125% senior, unsecured notes maturing on October 1, 2014. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the SEC via a registration statement which became effective on November 23, 2004. Interest payments are due each April and October. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $272,276. These proceeds were used to repay commercial paper borrowings used for the acquisition of New England Business Service, Inc. in 2004. During 2011, we retired $10,000 of these notes and during 2009, we retired $11,500 of these notes. As of June 30, 2014, the fair value of the $253,500 remaining notes outstanding was $255,852, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets. As discussed in Note 7, we have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of these notes.

We had capital lease obligations of $2,329 as of June 30, 2014 and $1,917 as of December 31, 2013 related to information technology hardware. The lease obligations will be paid through February 2018. The related assets are included in property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation of the leased assets is included in depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

As of December 31, 2013, we had a $200,000 credit facility which was scheduled to expire in February 2017. In February 2014, we modified the terms of this credit facility, increasing the amount available for borrowing to $350,000 and extending the term to February 2019. Our commitment fee under the amended agreement ranges from 0.20% to 0.40% based on our leverage ratio. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all of our personal and intangible property. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains customary covenants regarding limits on levels of subsidiary indebtedness and capital expenditures, liens, investments, acquisitions, certain mergers, certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and change in control as defined in the agreement. The agreement also contains financial covenants regarding our leverage ratio, interest coverage and liquidity. No amounts were outstanding under our credit facility during the six months ended June 30, 2014 or during 2013. As of June 30, 2014, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:
 
 
Total
available
Credit facility commitment
 
$
350,000

Outstanding letters of credit(1)
 
(9,000
)
Net available for borrowing as of June 30, 2014
 
$
341,000

(1) We use standby letters of credit primarily to collateralize certain obligations related to our self-insured workers’ compensation claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility.

Note 12:  Other commitments and contingencies

Indemnifications – In the normal course of business, we periodically enter into agreements that incorporate general indemnification language. These indemnifications encompass third-party claims arising from our products and services, including service failures, breach of security, intellectual property rights, governmental regulations and/or employment-related matters. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by our breach of the terms of the contract. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks including, for example, unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not have the ability to estimate the potential liability from such indemnities because they relate to unknown conditions. However, we have no reason to believe that any possible liability under these indemnities would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, annual results of operations or annual cash flows. We have recorded liabilities for known indemnifications related to environmental matters.

Environmental matters – We are currently involved in environmental compliance, investigation and remediation activities at some of our current and former sites, primarily printing facilities of our Financial Services and Small Business Services segments which have been sold. Remediation costs are accrued on an undiscounted basis when the obligations are either known or considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Remediation or testing costs that result directly from the

21


sale of an asset and which we would not have otherwise incurred are considered direct costs of the sale of the asset. As such, they are included in our measurement of the carrying value of the asset sold.

Accruals for environmental matters were $8,080 as of June 30, 2014 and $8,294 as of December 31, 2013, primarily related to facilities which have been sold. These accruals are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued costs consist of direct costs of the remediation activities, primarily fees which will be paid to outside engineering and consulting firms. Although recorded accruals include our best estimates, our total costs cannot be predicted with certainty due to various factors such as the extent of corrective action that may be required, evolving environmental laws and regulations and advances in environmental technology. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of the liability, that estimate is used. Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range is recorded. We do not believe that the range of possible outcomes could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Expense reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for environmental matters was $469 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and $750 for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

As of June 30, 2014, $3,535 of the costs included in our environmental accruals were covered by an environmental insurance policy which we purchased during 2002. The insurance policy covers up to $12,911 of remediation costs, of which $9,376 had been paid through June 30, 2014. This insurance policy does not cover properties acquired subsequent to 2002. However, costs included in our environmental accruals for such properties were not material as of June 30, 2014. We do not anticipate significant net cash outlays for environmental matters in 2014. The insurance policy also covers up to $10,000 of third-party claims through 2032 at certain owned, leased and divested sites. We consider the realization of recovery under the insurance policy to be probable based on the insurance contract in place with a reputable and financially-sound insurance company. As our environmental accruals include our best estimates of these costs, we have recorded receivables from the insurance company within other current assets and other non-current assets based on the amounts of our environmental accruals for insured sites.

We also have an additional environmental site liability insurance policy providing coverage on facilities which we acquired subsequent to 2002. This policy covers liability for claims of bodily injury or property damage arising from pollution events at the covered facilities. The policy also provides remediation coverage should we be required by a governing authority to perform remediation activities at the covered sites. The policy provides coverage of up to $15,000 through April 2019. No accruals have been recorded in our consolidated financial statements for any of the events contemplated in this insurance policy.

Self-insurance – We are self-insured for certain costs, primarily workers' compensation claims and medical and dental benefits. The liabilities associated with these items represent our best estimate of the ultimate obligations for reported claims plus those incurred, but not reported. The liability for workers' compensation, which totaled $4,588 as of June 30, 2014 and $4,560 as of December 31, 2013, is accounted for on a discounted basis. The difference between the discounted and undiscounted workers' compensation liability was not significant as of June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013. We record liabilities for medical and dental benefits for active employees and those employees on long-term disability. Our liability for active employees is not recorded on a discounted basis as we expect the benefits to be paid in a relatively short period of time. Our liability for those employees on long-term disability is accounted for on a discounted basis. Our total liability for these medical and dental benefits totaled $3,238 as of June 30, 2014 and $3,322 as of December 31, 2013. The difference between the discounted and undiscounted medical and dental liability was $149 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Our self-insurance liabilities are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future events and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.


Note 13: Shareholders’ equity

We have an outstanding authorization from our board of directors to purchase up to 10,000 shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date, and 2,108 shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of June 30, 2014. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we repurchased 988 shares for $51,940.



22


Note 14: Business segment information

We operate three reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our business segments are generally organized by type of customer served and reflect the way we manage the company. Small Business Services promotes and sells products and services to small businesses via direct response mail and internet advertising, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications clients, Safeguard distributors. a network of local dealers, a direct sales force which focuses on major accounts, and an outbound telemarketing group. Financial Services' products and services are sold primarily through a direct sales force, which executes supply contracts with our financial institution clients nationwide, including banks, credit unions and financial services companies. Once the financial institution relationship is established, consumers may submit their check orders through their financial institution or over the phone or internet. Direct Checks sells products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing, including print advertising and search engine marketing and optimization strategies. All three segments operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and portions of Europe. Our product and service offerings are comprised of the following:

Checks – We remain one of the largest providers of checks in the United States, both in terms of revenue and the number of checks produced. Checks account for the majority of the revenue in our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments and represented 43.2% of our Small Business Services segment's revenue in 2013.

Forms – Our Small Business Services segment provides printed forms to small businesses, including deposit tickets, billing forms, work orders, job proposals, purchase orders, invoices and personnel forms. This segment also offers computer forms compatible with accounting software packages commonly used by small businesses. Forms sold by our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments include deposit tickets and check registers.

Accessories and other products – Small Business Services provides products designed to provide small business owners with the customized documents necessary to efficiently manage their business including envelopes, office supplies, stamps and labels, as well as retail packaging supplies. Our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments offer checkbook covers and stamps.

Marketing solutions – All three of our segments offer products and services that help small businesses and/or financial institutions promote their businesses and acquire customers. Our Small Business Services segment offers services designed to fulfill the sales and marketing needs of small businesses, including web design, hosting and other web services; search engine optimization; marketing services, including email, mobile, social media and other self-service marketing solutions; digital printing services; and logo design. In addition, Small Business Services offers products such as promotional products, postcards, brochures, apparel, greeting cards and business cards. Financial Services offers various customer acquisition programs, marketing communications services, and rewards and loyalty programs. Direct Checks provides package insert programs under which companies' marketing materials are included in our check packages.

Other services – All three of our segments provide fraud protection and security services. In addition, our Small Business Services segment offers payroll services, and Financial Services provides financial institution profitability and risk management services.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2013 Form 10-K. We allocate corporate costs for our shared services functions to our business segments, including costs of our executive management, human resources, supply chain, finance, information technology and legal functions. Generally, where costs incurred are directly attributable to a business segment, primarily within the areas of information technology, supply chain and finance, those costs are charged directly to that segment. Because we use a shared services approach for many of our functions, certain costs are not directly attributable to a business segment. These costs are allocated to our business segments based on segment revenue, as revenue is a measure of the relative size and magnitude of each segment and indicates the level of corporate shared services consumed by each segment. Corporate assets are not allocated to the segments and consist of property, plant and equipment, internal-use software, inventories and supplies related to our corporate shared services functions of manufacturing, information technology and real estate, as well as long-term investments.

We are an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and the sharing of assets. Therefore, we do not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating income and other financial information shown.


23


The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
 
Reportable Business Segments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Small Business Services
 
Financial Services
 
Direct Checks
 
Corporate
 
Consolidated
Total revenue from external
 
2014
 
$
273,763

 
$
88,497

 
$
43,150

 
$

 
$
405,410

customers:
 
2013
 
251,825

 
83,082

 
46,526

 

 
381,433

Operating income:
 
2014
 
48,765

 
22,300

 
13,894

 

 
84,959

 
 
2013
 
46,193

 
21,554

 
14,714

 

 
82,461

Depreciation and amortization
 
2014
 
11,504

 
3,139

 
1,710

 

 
16,353

expense:
 
2013
 
11,468

 
2,695

 
1,984

 

 
16,147

Total assets:
 
2014
 
949,189

 
149,533

 
164,932

 
372,746

 
1,636,400

 
 
2013
 
912,068

 
86,104

 
167,362

 
282,435

 
1,447,969

Capital asset purchases:
 
2014
 

 

 

 
8,901

 
8,901

 
 
2013
 

 

 

 
8,286

 
8,286


The following is our segment information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
 
Reportable Business Segments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Small Business Services
 
Financial Services
 
Direct Checks
 
Corporate
 
Consolidated
Total revenue from external
 
2014
 
$
543,607

 
$
177,610

 
$
91,148

 
$

 
$
812,365

customers:
 
2013
 
500,144

 
170,213

 
98,630

 

 
768,987

Operating income:
 
2014
 
92,356

 
43,929

 
29,470

 

 
165,755

 
 
2013
 
84,790

 
44,492

 
30,913

 

 
160,195

Depreciation and amortization
 
2014
 
22,850

 
6,341

 
3,427

 

 
32,618

expense:
 
2013
 
22,690

 
5,390

 
3,966

 

 
32,046

Total assets:
 
2014
 
949,189

 
149,533

 
164,932

 
372,746

 
1,636,400

 
 
2013
 
912,068

 
86,104

 
167,362

 
282,435

 
1,447,969

Capital asset purchases:
 
2014
 

 

 

 
19,851

 
19,851

 
 
2013
 

 

 

 
16,590

 
16,590



Note 15: Supplemental guarantor financial information

Our long-term notes due in 2019 and 2020 (Note 11), as well as obligations under our credit facility, are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis, subject to the release provisions described herein, by certain 100%-owned subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantees with respect to our long-term notes are subject to release upon the occurrence of certain events: the sale of all or substantially all of a subsidiary's assets, when the requirements for defeasance of the guaranteed securities have been satisfied, when the subsidiary is declared an unrestricted subsidiary, or upon satisfaction and discharge of the indenture.

The following condensed supplemental consolidating financial information reflects the summarized financial information of Deluxe Corporation, the guarantors on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis. Separate financial statements of the guarantors are not presented because the guarantors are jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees, subject to the release provisions described herein, and we believe that the condensed consolidating financial statements presented are sufficient to provide an understanding of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the guarantors. During the third quarter of 2013, additional subsidiaries were designated as guarantor entities. As such, the presentation of prior period information for the guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries and eliminations was modified to reflect these entities as guarantors for all periods presented.


24


We are an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and the sharing of assets. Therefore, we do not represent that the financial information presented is indicative of the financial position, results of operations or cash flows which the entities would have reported if they had operated independently. The condensed consolidating financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements.


25


Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)

 
 
June 30, 2014
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
92,141

 
$
6,651

 
$
49,213

 
$
(1,063
)
 
$
146,942

Trade accounts receivable, net
 

 
71,247

 
14,129

 

 
85,376

Inventories and supplies
 

 
28,109

 
4,628

 

 
32,737

Deferred income taxes
 
3,784

 
2,811

 
60

 

 
6,655

Funds held for customers
 

 

 
41,700

 

 
41,700

Other current assets
 
8,754

 
18,265

 
3,758

 

 
30,777

Total current assets
 
104,679

 
127,083

 
113,488

 
(1,063
)
 
344,187

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 
1,586

 

 
1,586

Long-term investments
 
37,864

 
7,833

 

 

 
45,697

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
5,073

 
84,550

 
7,129

 

 
96,752

Assets held for sale
 

 
3,075

 
23,687

 

 
26,762

Intangibles, net
 
334

 
151,789

 
2,317

 

 
154,440

Goodwill
 

 
821,138

 
1,870

 

 
823,008

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
 
1,261,031

 
89,084

 

 
(1,350,115
)
 

Intercompany receivable
 

 
129,578

 

 
(129,578
)
 

Other non-current assets
 
11,573

 
131,934

 
461

 

 
143,968

Total assets
 
$
1,420,554

 
$
1,546,064

 
$
150,538

 
$
(1,480,756
)
 
$
1,636,400

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
13,604

 
$
55,326

 
$
4,371

 
$
(1,063
)
 
$
72,238

Accrued liabilities
 
20,604

 
90,691

 
48,191

 

 
159,486

Long-term debt due within one year
 
254,782

 

 
9

 

 
254,791

Total current liabilities
 
288,990

 
146,017

 
52,571

 
(1,063
)
 
486,515

Long-term debt
 
391,166

 

 
19

 

 
391,185

Deferred income taxes
 
2,333

 
82,220

 

 

 
84,553

Intercompany payable
 
129,467

 

 
111

 
(129,578
)
 

Other non-current liabilities
 
26,765

 
56,796

 
8,753

 

 
92,314

Total shareholders' equity
 
581,833

 
1,261,031

 
89,084

 
(1,350,115
)
 
581,833

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
1,420,554

 
$
1,546,064

 
$
150,538

 
$
(1,480,756
)
 
$
1,636,400


26



Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)

 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
71,972

 
$
6,991

 
$
45,229

 
$
(3,103
)
 
$
121,089

Trade accounts receivable, net
 

 
70,317

 
17,732

 

 
88,049

Inventories and supplies
 

 
24,173

 
4,793

 

 
28,966

Deferred income taxes
 
2,698

 
4,198

 
50

 

 
6,946

Funds held for customers
 

 

 
42,425

 

 
42,425

Other current assets
 
8,266

 
20,118

 
3,454

 

 
31,838

Total current assets
 
82,936

 
125,797

 
113,683

 
(3,103
)
 
319,313

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 
1,851

 

 
1,851

Long-term investments
 
35,155

 
9,296

 

 

 
44,451

Property, plant and equipment, net
 

 
93,472

 
7,871

 

 
101,343

Assets held for sale
 

 
4,046

 
21,405

 

 
25,451

Intangibles, net
 

 
151,361

 
2,215

 

 
153,576

Goodwill
 

 
820,898

 
1,879

 

 
822,777

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
 
1,155,705

 
82,918

 

 
(1,238,623
)
 

Intercompany receivable
 

 
39,192

 
1,373

 
(40,565
)
 

Other non-current assets
 
8,077

 
92,461

 
229

 

 
100,767

Total assets
 
$
1,281,873

 
$
1,419,441

 
$
150,506

 
$
(1,282,291
)
 
$
1,569,529

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
11,831

 
$
54,655

 
$
8,109

 
$
(3,103
)
 
$
71,492

Accrued liabilities
 
13,794

 
97,577

 
51,619

 

 
162,990

Long-term debt due within one year
 
255,589

 

 

 

 
255,589

Total current liabilities
 
281,214

 
152,232

 
59,728

 
(3,103
)
 
490,071

Long-term debt
 
385,115

 

 

 

 
385,115

Deferred income taxes
 
2,821

 
79,993

 

 

 
82,814

Intercompany payable
 
40,565

 

 

 
(40,565
)
 

Other non-current liabilities
 
21,701

 
31,511

 
7,860

 

 
61,072

Total shareholders' equity
 
550,457

 
1,155,705

 
82,918

 
(1,238,623
)
 
550,457

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
1,281,873

 
$
1,419,441

 
$
150,506

 
$
(1,282,291
)
 
$
1,569,529



27




Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Product revenue
 
$

 
$
321,043

 
$
23,420

 
$

 
$
344,463

Service revenue
 
21,560

 
56,215

 
7,018

 
(23,846
)
 
60,947

Total revenue
 
21,560

 
377,258

 
30,438

 
(23,846
)
 
405,410

Cost of products
 

 
(108,036
)
 
(11,514
)
 

 
(119,550
)
Cost of services
 
(19,744
)
 
(24,773
)
 
(2,070
)
 
20,246

 
(26,341
)
Total cost of revenue
 
(19,744
)
 
(132,809
)
 
(13,584
)
 
20,246

 
(145,891
)
Gross profit
 
1,816

 
244,449

 
16,854

 
(3,600
)
 
259,519

Operating expenses
 

 
(166,215
)
 
(11,945
)
 
3,600

 
(174,560
)
Operating income
 
1,816

 
78,234

 
4,909

 

 
84,959

Interest expense
 
(9,510
)
 
(3,049
)
 

 
3,029

 
(9,530
)
Other income
 
3,096

 
260

 
41

 
(3,029
)
 
368

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(4,598
)
 
75,445

 
4,950

 

 
75,797

Income tax benefit (provision)
 
2,248

 
(26,613
)
 
(1,356
)
 

 
(25,721
)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(2,350
)
 
48,832

 
3,594

 

 
50,076

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
52,426

 
3,594

 

 
(56,020
)
 

Net income
 
$
50,076

 
$
52,426

 
$
3,594

 
$
(56,020
)
 
$
50,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
53,125

 
$
55,177

 
$
6,023

 
$
(61,200
)
 
$
53,125



28



Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Product revenue
 
$

 
$
315,450

 
$
17,340

 
$

 
$
332,790

Service revenue
 
2,175

 
43,951

 
6,324

 
(3,807
)
 
48,643

Total revenue
 
2,175

 
359,401

 
23,664

 
(3,807
)
 
381,433

Cost of products
 

 
(104,292
)
 
(7,158
)
 

 
(111,450
)
Cost of services
 
(1,316
)
 
(20,036
)
 
(2,238
)
 
1,493

 
(22,097
)
Total cost of revenue
 
(1,316
)
 
(124,328
)
 
(9,396
)
 
1,493

 
(133,547
)
Gross profit
 
859

 
235,073

 
14,268

 
(2,314
)
 
247,886

Operating expenses
 

 
(157,274
)
 
(10,465
)
 
2,314

 
(165,425
)
Operating income
 
859

 
77,799

 
3,803

 

 
82,461

Interest expense
 
(9,555
)
 
(2,979
)
 

 
2,971

 
(9,563
)
Other income (expense)
 
2,372

 
(59
)
 
800

 
(2,971
)
 
142

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(6,324
)
 
74,761

 
4,603

 

 
73,040

Income tax benefit (provision)
 
2,929

 
(26,690
)
 
(1,127
)
 

 
(24,888
)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(3,395
)
 
48,071

 
3,476

 

 
48,152

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
51,547

 
3,476

 

 
(55,023
)
 

Net income
 
$
48,152

 
$
51,547

 
$
3,476

 
$
(55,023
)
 
$
48,152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
46,788

 
$
49,916

 
$
1,325

 
$
(51,241
)
 
$
46,788



29



Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Product revenue
 
$

 
$
643,692

 
$
46,435

 
$

 
$
690,127

Service revenue
 
43,130

 
111,747

 
15,079

 
(47,718
)
 
122,238

Total revenue
 
43,130

 
755,439

 
61,514

 
(47,718
)
 
812,365

Cost of products
 

 
(214,702
)
 
(23,234
)
 

 
(237,936
)
Cost of services
 
(43,795
)
 
(49,205
)
 
(5,146
)
 
45,262

 
(52,884
)
Total cost of revenue
 
(43,795
)
 
(263,907
)
 
(28,380
)
 
45,262

 
(290,820
)
Gross profit
 
(665
)
 
491,532

 
33,134

 
(2,456
)
 
521,545

Operating expenses
 

 
(333,980
)
 
(24,266
)
 
2,456

 
(355,790
)
Operating (loss) income
 
(665
)
 
157,552

 
8,868

 

 
165,755

Interest expense
 
(18,976
)
 
(6,471
)
 

 
6,350

 
(19,097
)
Other income
 
5,699

 
932

 
218

 
(6,350
)
 
499

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(13,942
)
 
152,013

 
9,086

 

 
147,157

Income tax benefit (provision)
 
5,954

 
(53,168
)
 
(2,544
)
 

 
(49,758
)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(7,988
)
 
98,845

 
6,542

 

 
97,399

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
105,387

 
6,542

 

 
(111,929
)
 

Net income
 
$
97,399

 
$
105,387

 
$
6,542

 
$
(111,929
)
 
$
97,399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
98,579

 
$
105,972

 
$
6,482

 
$
(112,454
)
 
$
98,579



30



Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Product revenue
 
$

 
$
641,341

 
$
31,325

 
$

 
$
672,666

Service revenue
 
4,351

 
86,544

 
13,052

 
(7,626
)
 
96,321

Total revenue
 
4,351

 
727,885

 
44,377

 
(7,626
)
 
768,987

Cost of products
 

 
(211,385
)
 
(12,336
)
 

 
(223,721
)
Cost of services
 
(2,654
)
 
(39,051
)
 
(4,447
)
 
3,029

 
(43,123
)
Total cost of revenue
 
(2,654
)
 
(250,436
)
 
(16,783
)
 
3,029

 
(266,844
)
Gross profit
 
1,697

 
477,449

 
27,594

 
(4,597
)
 
502,143

Operating expenses
 

 
(325,834
)
 
(20,711
)
 
4,597

 
(341,948
)
Operating income
 
1,697

 
151,615

 
6,883

 

 
160,195

Interest expense
 
(19,022
)
 
(4,823
)
 

 
4,802

 
(19,043
)
Other income (expense)
 
4,090

 
(347
)
 
1,550

 
(4,802
)
 
491

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(13,235
)
 
146,445

 
8,433

 

 
141,643

Income tax benefit (provision)
 
6,579

 
(51,923
)
 
(2,272
)
 

 
(47,616
)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
(6,656
)
 
94,522

 
6,161

 

 
94,027

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
 
100,683

 
6,161

 

 
(106,844
)
 

Net income
 
$
94,027

 
$
100,683

 
$
6,161

 
$
(106,844
)
 
$
94,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
92,038

 
$
98,160

 
$
2,599

 
$
(100,759
)
 
$
92,038



31


Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities
 
$
(1,237
)
 
$
120,051

 
$
4,995

 
$
2,040

 
$
125,849

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Purchases of capital assets
 
(334
)
 
(18,400
)
 
(1,117
)
 

 
(19,851
)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 

 
(8,886
)
 

 

 
(8,886
)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies
 
764

 

 

 

 
764

Other
 
(206
)
 
421

 
7

 

 
222

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
 
224

 
(26,865
)
 
(1,110
)
 

 
(27,751
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Net payments on short-term debt
 

 
(125
)
 

 

 
(125
)
Payments on long-term debt
 
(449
)
 
(20
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(472
)
Payments for debt issue costs
 
(1,029
)
 

 

 

 
(1,029
)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans
 
7,133

 

 

 

 
7,133

Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards
 
2,027

 

 

 

 
2,027

Payments for common shares repurchased
 
(51,940
)
 

 

 

 
(51,940
)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
 
(27,677
)
 

 

 

 
(27,677
)
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries
 
93,117

 
(93,381
)
 
264

 

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
 
21,182

 
(93,526
)
 
261

 

 
(72,083
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
 

 

 
(162
)
 

 
(162
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
20,169

 
(340
)
 
3,984

 
2,040

 
25,853

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
71,972

 
6,991

 
45,229

 
(3,103
)
 
121,089

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
92,141

 
$
6,651

 
$
49,213

 
$
(1,063
)
 
$
146,942





32



Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Deluxe Corporation
 
Guarantor subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities
 
$
(6,558
)
 
$
100,155

 
$
8,545

 
$

 
$
102,142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of capital assets
 

 
(15,717
)
 
(873
)
 

 
(16,590
)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 

 
(35,080
)
 

 

 
(35,080
)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies
 
3,641

 
958

 

 

 
4,599

Other
 
1,340

 
45

 
4

 

 
1,389

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
 
4,981

 
(49,794
)
 
(869
)
 

 
(45,682
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on long-term debt
 
(41
)
 

 

 

 
(41
)
Payments for debt issue costs
 
(207
)
 

 

 

 
(207
)
Change in book overdrafts
 
51

 
(3,200
)
 

 
3,200

 
51

Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans
 
9,366

 

 

 

 
9,366

Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards
 
1,121

 

 

 

 
1,121

Payments for common shares repurchased
 
(32,000
)
 

 

 

 
(32,000
)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
 
(25,362
)
 

 

 

 
(25,362
)
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries
 
48,507

 
(47,409
)
 
(1,098
)
 

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
 
1,435

 
(50,609
)
 
(1,098
)
 
3,200

 
(47,072
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
 

 

 
(1,993
)
 

 
(1,993
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(142
)
 
(248
)
 
4,585

 
3,200

 
7,395

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
14,862

 
3,228

 
31,346

 
(4,001
)
 
45,435

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
14,720

 
$
2,980

 
$
35,931

 
$
(801
)
 
$
52,830


 

33


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

We employ a multi-channel strategy to provide a suite of life-cycle driven solutions to our customers. We use printed and electronic marketing, a direct sales force, financial institution and telecommunication client referrals, purchased search results from online search engines, and independent distributors and dealers to promote and sell a wide range of customized products and services. Our Small Business Services segment provides products and services to over 4.5 million small business customers and our Direct Checks segment provides products and services to more than six million consumers. Through our Financial Services segment, we provide products and services to approximately 5,500 financial institution clients. We operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and portions of Europe. Our product and service offerings are comprised of the following:

Checks – We remain one of the largest providers of checks in the United States, both in terms of revenue and the number of checks produced. Checks account for the majority of the revenue in our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments and represented 43.2% of our Small Business Services segment's revenue in 2013.

Forms – Our Small Business Services segment is a leading provider of printed forms to small businesses, including deposit tickets, billing forms, work orders, job proposals, purchase orders, invoices and personnel forms. This segment also offers computer forms compatible with accounting software packages commonly used by small businesses. Forms sold by our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments include deposit tickets and check registers.

Accessories and other products – Small Business Services offers products designed to provide small business owners with the customized documents necessary to efficiently manage their business including envelopes, office supplies, stamps and labels, as well as retail packaging supplies. Our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments offer checkbook covers and stamps.

Marketing solutions – All three of our segments offer products and services that help small businesses and/or financial institutions promote their businesses and acquire customers. Our Small Business Services segment offers services designed to fulfill the sales and marketing needs of small businesses, including web design, hosting and other web services; search engine optimization; marketing services, including email, mobile, social media and other self-service marketing solutions; digital printing services; and logo design. In addition, Small Business Services offers products such as promotional products, postcards, brochures, apparel, greeting cards and business cards. Financial Services offers various customer acquisition programs, marketing communications services, and rewards and loyalty programs. Direct Checks provides package insert programs under which companies' marketing materials are included in our check packages.

Other services – All three of our segments provide fraud protection and security services. In addition, our Small Business Services segment offers payroll services, and Financial Services provides financial institution profitability and risk management services.

Throughout the past several years, we have focused on opportunities to increase revenue and operating income, while maintaining strong operating margins. These opportunities have included new product and service offerings, brand awareness and positioning initiatives, investing in technology for our service offerings, enhancing our internet capabilities, improving customer segmentation, adding new small business customers, and reducing costs. In addition, we invested in various acquisitions that extend the range of products and services we offer to our customers, including marketing solutions and other services offerings. During the remainder of 2014, we will continue our focus in these areas, with an emphasis on profitable revenue growth, increasing revenue from our marketing solutions and other services offerings for small businesses and financial institutions, and assessing small to medium-sized acquisitions that complement our large customer bases, with a focus on marketing solutions and other services opportunities.

Earnings for the first half of 2014, as compared to the first half of 2013, benefited from price increases in all three segments and continuing initiatives to reduce our cost structure, primarily within our fulfillment, sales and marketing, and information technology organizations. These increases in earnings were partially offset by volume reductions for our personal check businesses, due primarily to the continuing decline in check usage, as well as increased investments in revenue growth opportunities, including product and service enhancements.


34


Our Strategies

Details concerning our strategies were provided in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). We made no significant changes to our strategies during the first half of 2014.

Consistent with our strategy, during the first half of 2014, we purchased the operations of several small business distributors for $4.6 million, net of cash acquired. We also purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of NetClime, Inc. for cash of $2.0 million, net of cash acquired, as well as selected assets of Gift Box Corporation of America (GBCA) for cash of $1.8 million. NetClime is a provider of website development software and GBCA is a supplier of retail packaging solutions, including gift boxes, bags, bows, ribbons and wraps. The results of operations of each of these businesses from their acquisition dates are included in our Small Business Services segment.

Cost Reduction Initiatives

As discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2013 Form 10-K, we anticipated that we would realize net cost reductions of approximately $55 million in 2014, as compared to our 2013 results of operations. To date, we have realized approximately $30 million of net cost reductions primarily from our sales, marketing, fulfillment and information technology organizations, and we are currently on track to realize approximately $55 million of net cost reductions during 2014.

Outlook for 2014

We anticipate that consolidated revenue will be between $1.635 billion and $1.655 billion for 2014, compared to $1.585 billion for 2013. In Small Business Services, we expect revenue to increase between 7% and 8% compared to 2013 revenue of $1.050 billion, as volume declines in core business products are expected to be more than offset by benefits from our e-commerce investments, price increases and growth in our distributor, dealer and major accounts channels and in our marketing solutions and other services offerings. The anticipated revenue increase includes incremental revenue from the VerticalResponse acquisition in June 2013. In Financial Services, we expect revenue to range from flat to up 1% compared to 2013 revenue of $343.2 million. We expect that year-over-year check order declines of approximately 6%, as well as pricing pressure on contract renewals, will be offset by continued growth in non-check revenue, including incremental revenue from the Acton Marketing acquisition in August 2013 and the Destination Rewards acquisition in December 2013. Additionally, we expect Financial Services revenue to benefit from higher revenue per order, a full year of revenue from a new large financial institution client acquired in the third quarter of 2013, and a quarter of revenue from a new client recently acquired. In Direct Checks, we expect revenue to decline approximately 9% compared to 2013 revenue of $191.4 million, driven by check order volume declines.

We expect that 2014 diluted earnings per share will be between $3.96 and $4.06, including $0.08 per share for restructuring and transaction costs related to acquisitions, compared to $3.65 for 2013, which included total charges of $0.22 per share related to restructuring, an asset impairment charge and transaction costs related to acquisitions. We expect that the benefits of additional cost reduction activities and lower fourth quarter interest expense will be partially offset by a continued sluggish economy, increases in medical expenses, material costs and delivery rates, as well as continued investments in revenue growth opportunities, including brand awareness, marketing solutions and other services offers, and enhanced e-commerce capabilities. We estimate that our annual effective tax rate for 2014 will be approximately 34.0%, compared to 33.6% for 2013. A number of discrete credits to income tax expense in 2013 collectively reduced our 2013 tax rate by 0.7 points.

We anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities will be between $270 million and $280 million in 2014, compared to $262 million in 2013, driven by higher earnings, lower contributions to our trust used to fund medical benefits, and lower employee performance-based compensation payments, partially offset by higher income tax payments. We anticipate contract acquisition payments of approximately $15 million in 2014, and we estimate that capital spending will be approximately $40 million in 2014, as we continue to invest in key revenue growth initiatives, as well as order fulfillment and information technology infrastructure.

We believe that cash generated by operating activities, along with availability under our credit facility, will be sufficient to support our operations for the next 12 months, including required interest and principal payments related to our long-term debt, dividend payments, capital expenditures and possible small-to-medium-sized acquisitions. We are focused on a disciplined approach to capital deployment that focuses on our need to continue investing in initiatives to drive revenue growth, including small-to-medium-sized acquisitions and continued expansion of our distributor channel. In April 2014, our board of directors increased our quarterly dividend amount from $0.25 per share to $0.30 per share. Dividends are approved by the

35


board of directors on a quarterly basis, and thus are subject to change. We also anticipate that we will repurchase additional shares during the remainder of 2014, although not at the level we did during the first half of 2014. For the foreseeable future, we plan to allocate more funding to common share repurchases than we have in previous years. To the extent we generate cash flow in excess of these priorities, we plan to accumulate cash in advance of our October 2014 senior note maturity of $253.5 million. In February 2014, we increased the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility from $200.0 million to $350.0 million, along with extending the term of the agreement from February 2017 to February 2019. We currently anticipate using cash on hand and our credit facility to meet the October 2014 debt obligation. We may also, from time to time, consider retiring outstanding debt through open market repurchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means.


BUSINESS CHALLENGES/MARKET RISKS

Details concerning business challenges/market risks were provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our 2013 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in these items during the first half of 2014.


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Revenue
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per order amounts)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Total revenue
 
$
405,410

 
$
381,433

 
6.3
%
 
$
812,365

 
$
768,987

 
5.6
%
Orders(1)
 
13,062

 
13,001

 
0.5
%
 
25,577

 
26,333

 
(2.9
%)
Revenue per order
 
$
31.04

 
$
29.34

 
5.8
%
 
$31.76
 
$29.20
 
8.8
%

(1) Orders is our company-wide measure of volume and includes both products and services.
 
The increase in total revenue for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was primarily due to price increases in all three segments and growth in marketing solutions and other services revenue, including incremental revenue from acquisitions, as well as growth in our Small Business Services distributor channel. These revenue increases were partially offset by lower order volume for our personal check businesses, continued pricing pressure on contract renewals within Financial Services and decreased volume for our core Small Business Services business products.

Service revenue represented 15.0% of total revenue for the first half of 2014 and 12.5% for the first half of 2013. As such, the majority of our revenue is generated by product sales. We do not manage our business based on product versus service revenue. Instead, we analyze our products and services based on the following categories:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Checks, including contract settlements
 
53.7
%
 
57.0
%
 
54.2
%
 
57.7
%
Forms
 
12.2
%
 
13.3
%
 
12.2
%
 
13.0
%
Accessories and other products
 
11.0
%
 
9.1
%
 
11.1
%
 
9.4
%
Marketing solutions, including services
 
17.7
%
 
14.9
%
 
16.7
%
 
14.1
%
Other services
 
5.4
%
 
5.7
%
 
5.8
%
 
5.8
%
Total revenue
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

The number of orders increased slightly for the second quarter of 2014, as compared to the second quarter of 2013, due to growth in the Small Business Services distributor channel and in marketing solutions and other services, partially offset by the continuing decline in check and forms usage. The volume decline for our Financial Services segment for the second quarter of 2014 was lower than for the first half of 2014.

The number of orders decreased for the first half of 2014, as compared to the first half of 2013, due primarily to the continuing decline in check and forms usage, partially offset by growth in the Small Business Services distributor channel and in marketing solutions and other services.

36



Revenue per order increased for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to the benefit of price increases in all three segments, as well as a continued shift from personal check orders to higher dollar Small Business Services orders. At the same time, Financial Services continues to experience pricing pressure on contract renewals.

Consolidated Gross Margin
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Gross profit
 
$
259,519

 
$
247,886

 
4.7
%
 
$
521,545

 
$
502,143

 
3.9
%
Gross margin
 
64.0
%
 
65.0
%
 
(1.0) pts.

 
64.2
%
 
65.3
%
 
(1.1) pts.


As with revenue, we do not separately analyze gross margin generated by product revenue and service revenue. Instead, we evaluate gross margin on a consolidated basis when analyzing our consolidated results of operations to gain important insight into significant profit drivers. As a significant portion of our revenue is generated from the sale of manufactured and purchased products, we believe the measure of gross margin best demonstrates our manufacturing and distribution performance, as well as the impact of pricing on our profitability. Gross margin is not a complete measure of profitability, as it omits selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense. However, it is a financial measure which we believe is useful in evaluating our results of operations.

Gross margin decreased for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, due primarily to the shift in our revenue mix to lower margin services and outsourced products, as well as higher delivery rates and material costs in 2014. These decreases in gross margin were partially offset by the benefit of price increases, as well as manufacturing and delivery efficiencies and other benefits resulting from our continued cost reduction initiatives.

Consolidated Selling, General & Administrative Expense
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
SG&A expense
 
$
173,546

 
$
164,501

 
5.5
%
 
$
351,476

 
$
339,653

 
3.5
%
SG&A expense as a percentage of total revenue
 
42.8
%
 
43.1
%
 
(0.3) pts.

 
43.3
%
 
44.2
%
 
(0.9) pts.


The increase in SG&A expense for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was driven primarily by incremental operating expenses of the businesses we acquired in 2014 and 2013 and investments in revenue growth opportunities, including efforts to grow our Small Business Services distributor channel. In addition, performance-based compensation expense and medical costs increased as compared to 2013. These increases were partially offset by various expense reduction initiatives within sales, marketing and our shared services organizations, including improved labor efficiency.

Net Restructuring Charges
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net restructuring charges
 
$
1,014

 
$
924

 
$
90

$
4,314

 
$
2,295

 
$
2,019


We recorded restructuring charges and reversals related to the cost reduction initiatives discussed under Executive Overview. The charges and reversals for each period primarily relate to costs of our restructuring activities such as employee severance benefits and other direct costs of our initiatives, including information technology costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel. In addition to the restructuring charges shown here, total cost of revenue in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income included net restructuring credits of $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2014, and net restructuring charges of $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2013, $0.1 million for the first half of 2014, and $0.2 million for the first half of 2013. Further information can be found under Restructuring Costs.


37


Interest Expense
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Interest expense
 
$
9,530

 
$
9,563

 
(0.3
%)
 
$
19,097

 
$
19,043

 
0.3
%
Weighted-average debt outstanding
 
655,806

 
654,237

 
0.2
%
 
655,771

 
654,202

 
0.2
%
Weighted-average interest rate
 
5.30
%
 
5.33
%
 
(0.03) pts.

 
5.30
%
 
5.33
%
 
(0.03) pts.


Interest expense for the second quarter and first half of 2014, was virtually flat as compared to the same periods in 2013, as our average debt outstanding and weighted-average interest rate in 2014 approximated the 2013 amounts.

Income Tax Provision
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Income tax provision
 
$
25,721

 
$
24,888

 
3.3
%
 
$
49,758

 
$
47,616

 
4.5
%
Effective tax rate
 
33.9
%
 
34.1
%
 
(0.2) pts.

 
33.8
%
 
33.6
%
 
0.2 pts.


The slight decrease in our effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2014, as compared to the second quarter of 2013, was primarily due to a decrease in our state income tax rate in 2014. Partially offsetting this decrease was a lower current year research and development credit, as the law allowing for the federal credit expired at the end of 2013 and extension legislation for 2014 has not yet been enacted.

The slight increase in our effective tax rate for the first half of 2014, as compared to the first half of 2013, was primarily due to discrete credits to income tax expense in the first half of 2013, which collectively reduced our effective tax rate 0.7 points, and which related primarily to the impact of federal legislation enacted in January 2013 which allowed us to claim the research and development credit on our 2012 federal income tax return. Additionally, our current year research and development credit is lower than in the first half of 2013, as the law allowing for the federal credit expired at the end of 2013 and extension legislation for 2014 has not yet been enacted. Partially offsetting these increases in our effective tax rate relative to 2013 were discrete credits to income tax expense in the first half of 2014, which collectively reduced our effective tax rate by 0.4 points. Additionally, our state income tax rate decreased in 2014.


RESTRUCTURING COSTS

We have recorded expenses related to our restructuring activities, including accruals consisting primarily of employee severance benefits, as well as costs which are expensed as incurred, including information technology costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel. Our restructuring activities are driven by our cost reduction initiatives and include employee reductions in various functional areas, as well as the closing of facilities. Restructuring costs have been reduced by the reversal of severance accruals when fewer employees receive severance benefits than originally estimated.

Net restructuring charges for each period were as follows:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Severance accruals
 
$
1,122

 
$
884

 
$
2,667

 
$
1,874

Severance reversals
 
(285
)
 
(179
)
 
(595
)
 
(478
)
Operating lease obligations
 

 
2

 

 
2

Operating lease obligations reversal
 

 

 

 
(157
)
Net restructuring accruals
 
837

 
707

 
2,072

 
1,241

Other costs
 
87

 
344

 
2,384

 
1,259

Net restructuring charges
 
$
924

 
$
1,051

 
$
4,456

 
$
2,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of employees included in severance accruals
 
25

 
30

 
65

 
50



38


The majority of the employee reductions included in our restructuring accruals are expected to be completed by the end of 2014, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by early 2015, utilizing cash from operations.

As a result of our employee reductions and facility closings, we expect to realize cost savings of approximately $3 million in total cost of revenue and $11 million in SG&A expense in 2014, in comparison to our 2013 results of operations, which represents a portion of the estimated $55 million of total net cost reductions we expect to realize in 2014. Expense reductions consist primarily of labor and facility costs.

Further information regarding our restructuring charges can be found under the caption “Note 9: Restructuring charges” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.


SEGMENT RESULTS

Additional financial information regarding our business segments appears under the caption “Note 14: Business segment information” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Small Business Services

This segment's products and services are promoted through direct response mail and internet advertising, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications clients, Safeguard® distributors, a network of local dealers, a direct sales force which focuses on major accounts, and an outbound telemarketing group. Results for this segment were as follows:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Total revenue
 
$
273,763

 
$
251,825

 
8.7
%
 
$
543,607

 
$
500,144

 
8.7
%
Operating income
 
48,765

 
46,193

 
5.6
%
 
92,356

 
84,790

 
8.9
%
Operating margin
 
17.8
%
 
18.3
%
 
(0.5) pts.

 
17.0
%
 
17.0
%
 


The increase in total revenue for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was due primarily to growth in marketing solutions and other services revenue, including incremental revenue from acquisitions, as well as growth in our distributor channel and price increases. These increases in revenue were partially offset by a decrease in volume for our core business products.

The increase in operating income for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was primarily due to price increases, benefits of our cost reduction initiatives and planned lower spending on brand awareness initiatives relative to 2013, as well as lower amortization expense related to previous acquisitions. Brand awareness spending decreased as we incurred considerable production start-up expenses in 2013. Partially offsetting these increases in operating income and operating margin was the shift in our revenue mix to lower margin services and outsourced products, an increase in investments in revenue growth opportunities, including those to grow our distributor channel, and increases in delivery rates, material costs, performance-based compensation and medical costs in 2014. In addition, restructuring charges for the first half of 2014 were $2.1 million higher than in the first half of 2013.

The decrease in operating margin for the second quarter of 2014, as compared to the second quarter of 2013, was due primarily to increased SG&A expense associated with acquisitions and investments in revenue growth opportunities.


39


Financial Services

Financial Services' products and services are sold primarily through a direct sales force, which executes supply contracts with our financial institution clients nationwide, including banks, credit unions and financial services companies. Once the financial institution relationship is established, consumers may submit their check orders through their financial institution or over the phone or internet. Results for this segment were as follows:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Total revenue
 
$
88,497

 
$
83,082

 
6.5
%
 
$
177,610

 
$
170,213

 
4.3
%
Operating income
 
22,300

 
21,554

 
3.5
%
 
43,929

 
44,492

 
(1.3
%)
Operating margin
 
25.2
%
 
25.9
%
 
(0.7) pts.

 
24.7
%
 
26.1
%
 
(1.4) pts.


The increase in revenue for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was due to price increases and growth in marketing solutions and other services, including incremental revenue from the acquisitions of Acton Marketing in August 2013 and Destination Rewards in December 2013. Partially offsetting these revenue increases was lower order volume, resulting primarily from the continued decline in check usage, and continuing competitive pricing pressure on contract renewals.

Operating income increased for the second quarter of 2014, as compared to the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to price increases and the benefit of our continuing cost reduction initiatives. Partially offsetting these increases in operating income were increased delivery and material costs in 2014, as well as the impact of acquisitions. Operating margin decreased for the second quarter of 2014, as compared to the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to the increased material and delivery rates and the impact of acquisitions.

Operating income and operating margin decreased for the first half of 2014, as compared to the first half of 2013, primarily due to increased delivery and material costs in 2014, as well as the impact of acquisitions. Partially offsetting these decreases in operating income and operating margin were price increases and the benefit of our continuing cost reduction initiatives.

Direct Checks

Direct Checks sells products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing, including print advertising and search engine marketing and optimization strategies. Direct Checks sells under various brand names, including Checks Unlimited®, Designer® Checks, Checks.com, Check Gallery®, The Styles Check Company®, and Artistic Checks®, among others. Results for this segment were as follows:
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Total revenue
 
$
43,150

 
$
46,526

 
(7.3
%)
 
$
91,148

 
$
98,630

 
(7.6
%)
Operating income
 
13,894

 
14,714

 
(5.6
%)
 
29,470

 
30,913

 
(4.7
%)
Operating margin
 
32.2
%
 
31.6
%
 
0.6 pts.

 
32.3
%
 
31.3
%
 
1.0 pts.


The decrease in revenue for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was due to a reduction in orders stemming from the continued decline in check usage. Partially offsetting the revenue decline was higher revenue per order, partly due to price increases.

The decrease in operating income for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was due primarily to the lower order volume and increased delivery rates and material costs in 2014. These decreases in operating income were partially offset by benefits from our cost reduction initiatives and price increases.

Operating margin increased for the second quarter and first half of 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, as the benefits from our cost reduction initiatives and price increases exceeded the impact of increased delivery rates and material costs in 2014.



40


CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY

As of June 30, 2014, we held cash and cash equivalents of $146.9 million. The following table shows our cash flow activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements of cash flows appearing in Item 1 of this report.
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
125,849

 
$
102,142

 
$
23,707

Net cash used by investing activities
 
(27,751
)
 
(45,682
)
 
17,931

Net cash used by financing activities
 
(72,083
)
 
(47,072
)
 
(25,011
)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
 
(162
)
 
(1,993
)
 
1,831

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
25,853

 
$
7,395


$
18,458


The $23.7 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the first half of 2014, as compared to the first half of 2013, was primarily due to the positive impact of working capital changes, higher cash provided by earnings, a $9.8 million decrease in the funding of medical benefits, as we utilized more of the plan assets of our postretirement benefit plan and reduced pre-funding of the trust used to pay medical benefits, and a $5.2 million decrease in employee performance-based compensation payments related to our 2013 performance. These increases in net cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by a $5.9 million increase in income tax payments.

Included in net cash provided by operating activities were the following operating cash outflows:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Income tax payments
 
$
52,076

 
$
46,194

 
$
5,882

Employee performance-based compensation payments
 
25,050

 
30,286

 
(5,236
)
Interest payments
 
19,675

 
19,109

 
566

Funding of medical benefits
 
9,300

 
19,078

 
(9,778
)
Severance payments
 
4,714

 
3,445

 
1,269

Contract acquisition payments
 
4,326

 
5,753

 
(1,427
)

Net cash used by investing activities in the first half of 2014 was $17.9 million lower than the first half of 2013, driven primarily by a decrease in payments for acquisitions of $26.2 million. In 2014, we acquired small business distributors, NetClime, Inc. and Gift Box Corporation of America for an aggregate of $8.9 million, net of cash acquired. In 2013, we acquired VerticalResponse and small business distributors for an aggregate of $35.1 million, net of cash acquired. Partially offsetting this decrease in cash used by investing activities was a decrease of $3.8 million in benefits received from company-owned life insurance policies, as well as an increase of $3.3 million in purchases of capital assets, as we continue to invest in key revenue growth initiatives and in order fulfillment and information technology infrastructure.

Net cash used by financing activities in the first half of 2014 was $25.0 million higher than the first half of 2013 due primarily to an increase of $19.9 million in payments to repurchase common shares. In addition, dividend payments increased $2.3 million, as we increased our per share dividend amount in the second quarter of 2014, and proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans decreased $2.2 million, as fewer stock options were exercised in 2014.

Significant cash inflows, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans
 
$
7,133

 
$
9,366

 
$
(2,233
)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance policies
 
764

 
4,599

 
(3,835
)


41


Significant cash outflows, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Payments for common shares repurchased
 
$
51,940

 
$
32,000

 
$
19,940

Cash dividends paid to shareholders
 
27,677

 
25,362

 
2,315

Purchases of capital assets
 
19,851

 
16,590

 
3,261

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
8,886

 
35,080

 
(26,194
)

We anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities will be between $270 million and $280 million in 2014, compared to $262 million in 2013, driven by higher earnings, lower contributions to our trust used to fund medical benefits, and lower employee performance-based compensation payments, partially offset by higher income tax payments. We anticipate that net cash generated by operating activities in 2014 will be utilized for share repurchases, dividend payments, capital expenditures of approximately $40 million and possible small-to-medium-sized acquisitions. We intend to focus our capital spending on key revenue growth initiatives and investments in order fulfillment and information technology infrastructure. We plan to accumulate cash in advance of our October 2014 senior note maturity of $253.5 million. In February 2014, we increased the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility from $200.0 million to $350.0 million, along with extending the term of the agreement from February 2017 to February 2019. We currently anticipate using cash on hand and our credit facility to meet the October 2014 debt obligation. We may also, from time to time, consider retiring outstanding debt through open market repurchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means.

As of June 30, 2014, our subsidiaries located in Canada held cash and marketable securities of $49.6 million. Deferred income taxes have not been recognized on unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, as these amounts are intended to be reinvested indefinitely in the operations of those subsidiaries. If we were to repatriate all of the Canadian cash and marketable securities into the U.S. at one time, we would incur a U.S. tax liability of approximately $7 million, based on current federal tax law.

We had $341.0 million available for borrowing under our credit facility as of June 30, 2014. We believe that net cash generated by operating activities, along with availability under our credit facility, will be sufficient to support our operations for the next 12 months, including required interest and principal payments related to our long-term debt, share repurchases, dividend payments, capital expenditures and possible small-to-medium-sized acquisitions.


CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our total debt was $646.0 million as of June 30, 2014, an increase of $5.3 million from December 31, 2013. We have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our long-term debt. As of June 30, 2014, interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $398.0 million were designated as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of long-term debt as of June 30, 2014 included a $9.8 million decrease related to adjusting the hedged debt for changes in its fair value. As of December 31, 2013, this fair value adjustment was a decrease of $14.7 million. Further information concerning the interest rate swaps and our outstanding debt can be found under the captions “Note 7: Derivative financial instruments” and “Note 11: Debt” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report. Information regarding our debt service obligations can be found under Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Contractual Obligations in the 2013 Form 10-K.

Our capital structure for each period was as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Weighted-
average interest rate
 
Amount
 
Weighted-
average interest rate
 
Change
Fixed interest rate
 
$
257,826

 
6.6
%
 
$
257,408

 
6.6
%
 
$
418

Floating interest rate
 
388,150

 
4.5
%
 
383,296

 
4.5
%
 
4,854

Total debt
 
645,976

 
5.3
%
 
640,704

 
5.3
%
 
5,272

Shareholders’ equity
 
581,833

 
 

 
550,457

 
 

 
31,376

Total capital
 
$
1,227,809

 
 

 
$
1,191,161

 
 

 
$
36,648


42



We have an outstanding authorization from our board of directors to purchase up to 10 million shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date, and 2.1 million shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of June 30, 2014. During the first half of 2014, we purchased 1.0 million shares for $51.9 million. Information regarding changes in shareholders' equity can be found in the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity appearing in Item 1 of this report.

We may, from time to time, consider retiring outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means. Any such repurchases or exchanges would depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other potential uses of cash, including acquisitions or share repurchases.

As of June 30, 2014, we had a $350.0 million credit facility, which expires in February 2019. Our commitment fee ranges from 0.20% to 0.40% based on our leverage ratio. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all of our personal and intangible property. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains customary covenants regarding limits on levels of subsidiary indebtedness and capital expenditures, liens, investments, acquisitions, certain mergers, certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and change in control as defined in the agreement. The agreement also contains financial covenants regarding our leverage ratio, interest coverage and liquidity. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 30, 2014 and we expect to remain in compliance with all debt covenants throughout the next 12 months.

No amounts were outstanding under our credit facility during the first half of 2014 or during 2013. As of June 30, 2014, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:
(in thousands)
Total
available
Credit facility commitment
$
350,000

Outstanding letters of credit(1)
(9,000
)
Net available for borrowing as of June 30, 2014
$
341,000

(1) We use standby letters of credit primarily to collateralize certain obligations related to our self-insured workers’ compensation claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility.


OTHER FINANCIAL POSITION INFORMATION

Contract acquisition costs – Other non-current assets include contract acquisition costs of our Financial Services segment. These costs, which are essentially pre-paid product discounts, are recorded as non-current assets upon contract execution and are amortized, generally on the straight-line basis, as reductions of revenue over the related contract term. Changes in contract acquisition costs during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 can be found under the caption "Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet information" of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report. Cash payments for contract acquisition costs were $4.3 million for the first half of 2014 and $5.8 million for the first half of 2013. We anticipate cash payments of approximately $15 million for the year ending December 31, 2014.

The number of checks being written has been declining, which has contributed to increased competitive pressure when attempting to retain or acquire clients. Both the number of financial institution clients requesting contract acquisition payments and the amount of the payments has fluctuated significantly from year to year. Although we anticipate that we will selectively continue to make contract acquisition payments, we cannot quantify future amounts with certainty. The amount paid depends on numerous factors, such as the number and timing of contract executions and renewals, competitors’ actions, overall product discount levels and the structure of up-front product discount payments versus providing higher discount levels throughout the term of the contract.

Liabilities for contract acquisition payments are recorded upon contract execution. These obligations are monitored for each contract and are adjusted as payments are made. Contract acquisition payments due within the next year are included in accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. These accruals were $13.1 million as of June 30, 2014 and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2013. Accruals for contract acquisition payments included in other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets were $41.8 million as of June 30, 2014 and $2.4 million as of December 31, 2013.


43



OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

It is not our general business practice to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements or to guarantee the performance of third parties. In the normal course of business we periodically enter into agreements that incorporate general indemnification language. These indemnifications encompass third-party claims arising from our products and services, including service failures, breach of security, intellectual property rights, governmental regulations and/or employment-related matters. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by our breach of terms of the contract. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks, including, for example, unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not have the ability to estimate the potential liability from such indemnities because they relate to unknown conditions. However, we have no reason to believe that any possible liability under these indemnities would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, annual results of operations or annual cash flows. We have recorded liabilities for known indemnifications related to environmental matters. Further information can be found under the caption “Note 12: Other commitments and contingencies” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the Item 1 of this report.

We are not engaged in any transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other third parties that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our liquidity or on our access to, or requirements for, capital resources. In addition, we have not established any special purpose entities.

A table of our contractual obligations was provided in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2013 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in these obligations during the first half of 2014.


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We did not enter into any material related party transactions during the first half of 2014 or during 2013.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A description of our critical accounting policies was provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2013 Form 10-K. There were no changes in these policies during the first half of 2014.


NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Information regarding the accounting pronouncement adopted during 2014 can be found under the caption “Note 2: New accounting pronouncements” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for determining which disposals should be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Additionally, the new guidance requires that a business which qualifies as held for sale upon acquisition should be reported as discontinued operations. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2015 and applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. We are currently assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard provides revenue recognition guidance for any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other accounting standards. The new standard also expands the required financial statement disclosures regarding revenue recognition. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2017. We are currently assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements, as well as the method of transition that we will use in adopting the new standard.

44



In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. The new standard requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2016. We currently have share-based payment awards that fall within the scope of this standard. Our current accounting treatment is in compliance with the new standard, so we expect no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are filing this cautionary statement in connection with the Reform Act. When we use the words or phrases “should result,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “are expected to,” “targeted,” “will continue,” “will approximate,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook” or similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in oral statements made by our representatives, they indicate forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act.
 
We want to caution you that any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause them to be incorrect. Known material risks are discussed in Item 1A of the 2013 Form 10-K and are incorporated into this Item 2 of this report on Form 10-Q as if fully stated herein. Although we have attempted to compile a comprehensive list of these important factors, we want to caution you that other factors may prove to be important in affecting future operating results. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors, nor can we assess the impact each factor or combination of factors may have on our business.

You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements because they speak only of our views as of the date the statements were made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of the borrowing activities used to support our capital structure, maintain liquidity and fund business operations. We do not enter into financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The nature and amount of debt outstanding can be expected to vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors. As of June 30, 2014, our total debt was comprised of the following:
(in thousands)
 
Carrying amount
 
Fair value(1)
 
Weighted-average interest rate
Long-term notes maturing October 2014, including increase of $538 related to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt
 
$
254,024

 
$
255,852

 
4.3
%
Long-term notes maturing March 2019
 
200,000

 
214,900

 
7.0
%
Long-term notes maturing November 2020, including decrease of $10,377 related to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt
 
189,623

 
212,180

 
4.9
%
Capital lease obligations
 
2,329

 
2,329

 
2.1
%
Total debt
 
$
645,976

 
$
685,261

 
5.3
%
 
(1) For our long-term notes, fair value is based on quoted market prices as of June 30, 2014 for identical liabilities when traded as assets. Capital lease obligations are presented at their carrying amount.

We may, from time to time, retire outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means. Any such repurchases or exchanges would depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other potential uses of cash, including acquisitions or share repurchases.
 
We have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our long-term debt. As of June 30, 2014, interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $398.0 million were designated as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of long-term debt as of June 30, 2014 included a $9.8 million decrease related to adjusting the hedged debt for

45


changes in its fair value. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the related long-term debt are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. When the change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the hedged debt are not equal (i.e., hedge ineffectiveness), the difference in the changes in fair value affects the reported amount of interest expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Information regarding hedge ineffectiveness can be found under the caption “Note 8: Fair value measurements” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Based on the outstanding variable rate debt in our portfolio, a one percentage point change in interest rates would have resulted in a $2.0 million change in interest expense for the first half of 2014, excluding any hedge ineffectiveness related to our interest rate swaps.

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Investments in, loans and advances to foreign subsidiaries and branches, as well as the operations of these businesses, are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the Canadian dollar. The effect of exchange rate changes is expected to have a minimal impact on our earnings and cash flows, as our foreign operations represent a relatively small portion of our business. We have not entered into any hedges against changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

See Business Challenges/Market Risks in Item 2 of this report for further discussion of market risks.


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

(a)  Disclosure Controls and Procedures — As of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting —There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with our evaluation during the quarter ended June 30, 2014, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II−OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We record provisions with respect to identified claims or lawsuits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Claims and lawsuits are reviewed quarterly and provisions are taken or adjusted to reflect the status of a particular matter. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable outcomes. Recorded liabilities were not material to our financial position, results of operations or liquidity, and we do not believe that any of the currently identified claims or litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, will materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity upon resolution.


Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

Our risk factors are outlined in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). There have been no significant changes to these risk factors since we filed the 2013 Form 10-K.



46


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table shows purchases of our own equity securities, based on trade date, which were completed during the second quarter of 2014:
Period
 
Total number of shares (or units) purchased
 
Average price paid per share (or unit)
 
Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
April 1, 2014 -
April 30, 2014
 

 
$

 

 
2,472,904
May 1, 2014 -
May 31, 2014
 
327,675

 
54.78

 
327,675

 
2,145,229
June 1, 2014 -
June 30, 2014
 
37,522

 
54.87

 
37,522

 
2,107,707
Total
 
365,197

 
$
54.79

 
365,197

 
2,107,707

In August 2003, our board of directors approved an authorization to purchase up to 10 million shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date and 2.1 million shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of June 30, 2014.

While not considered repurchases of shares, we do at times withhold shares that would otherwise be issued under equity-based awards to cover the withholding taxes due as a result of the exercising or vesting of such awards. During the second quarter of 2014, we withheld 8 shares in conjunction with the vesting and exercise of equity-based awards.

 
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.


Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.


Item 5.  Other Information.

None.


Item 6.  Exhibits.
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Method of Filing
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010)
 
 
*
3.2
 
Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 23, 2008)
 
 
*
4.1
 
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2006, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit A thereto, the Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 21, 2006)
 
 
*

47


Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Method of Filing
4.2
 
Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2003, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-104858) filed with the Commission on April 30, 2003)
 
 
*
4.3
 
Form of Officer’s Certificate and Company Order authorizing the 2014 Notes, series B (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-120381) filed with the Commission on November 12, 2004)
 
 
*
4.4
 
Specimen of 5 1/8% notes due 2014, series B (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-120381) filed with the Commission on November 12, 2004)
 
 
*
4.5
 
Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2011, by and among us, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (including form of 7.00% Senior Notes due 2019) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2011)
 
 
*
4.6
 
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2012, among us, OrangeSoda, Inc., the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012)
 
 
*
4.7
 
Indenture, dated as of November 27, 2012, by and among us, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (including form of 6.000% Senior Notes due 2020) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 27, 2012)
 
*
4.8
 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2013 among us, VerticalResponse, Inc., the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013)
 
*
4.9
 
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2013 among us, VerticalResponse, Inc., the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013)
 
*
4.10
 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2013 among us, ChecksByDeluxe.com, LLC, Direct Checks Unlimited, LLC, Direct Checks Unlimited Sales, Inc., Safeguard Acquisitions, Inc., Safeguard Franchise Systems, Inc., the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013)
 
*
4.11
 
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2013 among us, ChecksByDeluxe.com, LLC, Direct Checks Unlimited, LLC, Direct Checks Unlimited Sales, Inc., Safeguard Acquisitions, Inc., Safeguard Franchise Systems, Inc., the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013)
 
*
10.1
 
Omnibus Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, Amendment No. 1 to Subsidiary Guaranty and Amendment No. 1 to Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2014, by and among us, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as Administrative Agent for itself and the other lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 25, 2014)
 
*
12.1
 
Statement re: Computation of Ratios
 
 
 
Filed
herewith

48


Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Method of Filing
31.1
 
CEO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Filed
herewith
 
31.2
 
CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Filed
herewith
32.1
 
CEO and CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Furnished
herewith
 
101
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and (v) Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements**
 
Filed
herewith
___________________
* Incorporated by reference
** Submitted electronically with this report

49



SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
DELUXE CORPORATION
            (Registrant)
 
 
Date: August 1, 2014
/s/ Lee Schram
 
Lee Schram
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
Date: August 1, 2014
/s/ Terry D. Peterson
 
Terry D. Peterson
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
Date: August 1, 2014
/s/ Jeffrey J. Bata
 
Jeffrey J. Bata
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
 
Description
12.1
 
Statement re: Computation of Ratios
31.1
 
CEO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
 
CEO and CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and (v) Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

51