Edgar Filing: DELUXE CORP

form10q.htm

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 September 30, 2010

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		41-0216800
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3680 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, Minnesota		55126-2966
(Address of principal executive offices)		(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.

þ Yes 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).

þ Yes 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 October 25, 2010 was 51,303,808.

PART I − FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

DELUXE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share par value)

(Unaudited)

	September 30,			December 31,
	2010			2009

ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,091		$	12,789
Trade accounts receivable (net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $4,197 and $4,991, respectively)		61,624			65,564
Inventories and supplies		21,886			22,122
Deferred income taxes		11,209			10,841
Funds held for customers		40,848			26,901
Other current assets		23,913			21,282
Total current assets		180,571			159,499
Long-Term Investments (including $2,073 and $2,231 of investments at fair value, respectively)		36,917			39,200
Property, Plant, and Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $337,376 and $335,415, respectively)		119,569			121,797
Assets Held for Sale		4,527			4,527
Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $398,929 and $362,201, respectively)		163,174			145,910
Goodwill		725,450			658,666
Other Non-Current Assets		94,643			81,611
Total assets	$	1,324,851		$	1,211,210

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	63,584		$	60,640
Accrued liabilities		155,849			156,408
Short-term debt		30,000			26,000
Total current liabilities		249,433			243,048
Long-Term Debt		749,278			742,753
Deferred Income Taxes		46,531			24,800
Other Non-Current Liabilities		77,196			83,399
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 11, 12 and 15)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: 2010 – 51,302; 2009 – 51,189)		51,302			51,189
Additional paid-in capital		61,486			58,071
Retained earnings		139,981			60,768
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(50,356	)		(52,818	)
Total shareholders’ equity		202,413			117,210
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,324,851		$	1,211,210

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

DELUXE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Revenue	$	367,633		$	332,297		$	1,050,749		$	1,003,887
Cost of goods sold, including restructuring charges		121,433			121,911			361,736			378,135
Gross Profit		246,200			210,386			689,013			625,752

Selling, general and administrative expense		157,589			153,999			466,319			464,085
Net restructuring charges		103			1,838			2,011			1,953
Asset impairment charges		—			—			—			24,900
Operating Income		88,508			54,549			220,683			134,814

Gain on early debt extinguishment		—			—			—			9,834
Interest expense		(11,207	)		(11,495	)		(33,250	)		(35,542	)
Other income (expense)		383			170			(1,017	)		734
Income Before Income Taxes		77,684			43,224			186,416			109,840

Income tax provision		26,512			14,669			67,846			41,004
Income From Continuing Operations		51,172			28,555			118,570			68,836

Net Loss From Discontinued Operations		(372	)		—			(771	)		—
Net Income	$	50,800		$	28,555		$	117,799		$	68,836

Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.99		$	0.56		$	2.31		$	1.34
Net loss from discontinued operations		(0.01	)		—			(0.02	)		—
Basic earnings per share		0.99			0.56			2.29			1.34

Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.99		$	0.56		$	2.30		$	1.34
Net loss from discontinued operations		(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)		—
Diluted earnings per share		0.98			0.56			2.28			1.34

Cash Dividends Per Share	$	0.25		$	0.25		$	0.75		$	0.75

Total Comprehensive Income	$	52,369		$	31,908		$	120,261		$	79,008

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

DELUXE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2010			2009
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$	117,799		$	68,836
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Net loss from discontinued operations		771			—
Depreciation		15,728			17,174
Amortization of intangibles		38,935			33,794
Asset impairment charges		—			24,900
Amortization of contract acquisition costs		14,696			18,523
Deferred income taxes		7,164			7,565
Employee share-based compensation expense		4,548			5,498
Gain on early debt extinguishment		—			(9,834	)
Other non-cash items, net		9,024			11,573
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and discontinued operations:
Trade accounts receivable		1,889			1,420
Inventories and supplies		(294	)		933
Other current assets		(249	)		(3,351	)
Non-current assets		1,974			4,486
Accounts payable		(2,502	)		2,054
Contract acquisition payments		(13,837	)		(17,941	)
Other accrued and non-current liabilities		(25,162	)		(15,422	)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations		170,484			150,208

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of capital assets		(31,613	)		(35,006	)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(98,621	)		(30,825	)
Purchases of customer lists		(70	)		(1,639	)
Purchases of marketable securities		(8	)		(4,575	)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities		1,970			914
Proceeds from life insurance policies		5,782			—
Other		(1,805	)		(1,813	)
Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations		(124,365	)		(72,944	)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net proceeds (payments) on short-term debt		4,000			(14,700	)
Payments on long-term debt		—			(22,627	)
Payments for debt issue costs, credit facility		(2,361	)		—
Change in book overdrafts		(1,595	)		(4,577	)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans		3,078			1,972
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards		396			37
Payments for common shares repurchased		(2,999	)		(1,319	)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders		(38,586	)		(38,452	)
Net cash used by financing activities of continuing operations		(38,067	)		(79,666	)

Effect Of Exchange Rate Change On Cash		250			1,453
Cash Used By Operating Activities Of Discontinued Operations		—			(470	)
Cash Used By Investing Activities Of Discontinued Operations		—			(30	)

Net Change In Cash And Cash Equivalents		8,302			(1,449	)
Cash And Cash Equivalents: Beginning Of Period		12,789			15,590
End Of Period	$	21,091		$	14,141

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

DELUXE CORPORATION

CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Consolidated financial statements

The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010, the consolidated statements of income for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 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, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”).

Note 2: New accounting pronouncements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This guidance requires new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The disclosures required under this guidance are included in Note 5, with the exception of disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures, if applicable to us, will be effective for our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.

In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. This guidance removes the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements for companies that file financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This new guidance was effective immediately. We evaluate subsequent events through the date our financial statements are filed with the SEC.

Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet information

Inventories and supplies – Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
Raw materials	$	4,543	$	4,048
Semi-finished goods		8,480		8,750
Finished goods		5,469		5,602
Total inventories		18,492		18,400
Supplies, primarily production		3,394		3,722
Inventories and supplies	$	21,886	$	22,122

Marketable securities – Available-for-sale marketable securities included within funds held for customers and other current assets were comprised of the following:

	September 30, 2010
(in thousands)	Cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
Corporate investments:
Money market securities	$	1,962	$	—	$	—	$	1,962
Funds held for customers:(1)
Money market securities		4,906		—		—		4,906
Canadian and provincial government securities		4,963		75		—		5,038
Marketable securities – funds held for customers		9,869		75		—		9,944
Total marketable securities	$	11,831	$	75	$	—	$	11,906

(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010, also included cash and cash equivalents of $30,904.

	December 31, 2009
(in thousands)	Cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
Corporate investments:
Money market securities	$	3,667	$	—	$	—	$	3,667
Funds held for customers:(1)
Money market securities		9,522		—		—		9,522
Total marketable securities	$	13,189	$	—	$	—	$	13,189

(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, also included cash and cash equivalents of $17,379.

Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2010 were as follows:

(in thousands)	Fair value
Due in one year or less	$	6,996
Due in one to three years		2,109
Due in three to five years		346
Due after five years		2,455
Total marketable securities	$	11,906

Further information regarding the fair value of marketable securities can be found in Note 5: Fair value measurements.

Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:

	September 30, 2010							December 31, 2009
(in thousands)	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		373,109		(306,875	)		66,234		341,822		(285,181	)		56,641
Customer lists/relationships		71,079		(38,146	)		32,933		55,745		(25,777	)		29,968
Trade names		59,361		(21,139	)		38,222		51,861		(20,375	)		31,486
Distributor contracts		30,900		(25,945	)		4,955		30,900		(24,594	)		6,306
Other		8,554		(6,824	)		1,730		8,683		(6,274	)		2,409
Amortizable intangibles		543,003		(398,929	)		144,074		489,011		(362,201	)		126,810
Intangibles	$	562,103	$	(398,929	)	$	163,174	$	508,111	$	(362,201	)	$	145,910

Total amortization of intangibles was $14.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and $10.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Amortization of intangibles was $38.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $33.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Based on the intangibles in service as of September 30, 2010, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

(in thousands)
Remainder of 2010	$	15,291
2011		41,026
2012		21,778
2013		11,842
2014		7,998

Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were as follows:

(in thousands)	Small Business Services			Financial Services		Direct Checks		Total
Balance, December 31, 2009:
Goodwill	$	596,429		$	—	$	82,237	$	678,666
Accumulated impairment charges		(20,000	)		—		—		(20,000	)
		576,429			—		82,237		658,666
Acquisition of Custom Direct, Inc. (see Note 7)		—			—		65,843		65,843
Acquisition of Cornerstone Customer Solutions, LLC (see Note 7)		—			897		—		897
Currency translation adjustment		44			—		—		44
Balance, September 30, 2010:
Goodwill		596,473			897		148,080		745,450
Accumulated impairment charges		(20,000	)		—		—		(20,000	)
	$	576,473		$	897	$	148,080	$	725,450

Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
Contract acquisition costs (net of accumulated amortization of $94,840 and $107,971, respectively)	$	55,159	$	45,701
Deferred advertising costs		15,738		14,455
Other		23,746		21,455
Other non-current assets	$	94,643	$	81,611

See Note 15 for discussion of the risks associated with the recoverability of contract acquisition costs. Changes in contract acquisition costs during the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009
Balance, beginning of year	$	45,701		$	37,706
Additions(1)		24,388			31,380
Amortization		(14,696	)		(18,523	)
Write-offs		(234	)		—
Balance, end of period	$	55,159		$	50,563

(1) Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $13,837 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $17,941 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Accrued liabilities – Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
Funds held for customers	$	40,605	$	26,901
Employee profit sharing and pension		26,022		36,594
Customer rebates		22,859		21,861
Interest		15,817		5,227
Contract acquisition payments due within one year		9,883		2,795
Wages, including vacation		8,763		5,272
Deferred revenue		7,614		23,720
Restructuring due within one year (see Note 8)		2,021		11,151
Other		22,265		22,887
Accrued liabilities	$	155,849	$	156,408

Note 4: Derivative financial instruments

In September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our ten-year bonds due in 2012. 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 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 income. Hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. The fair value of the interest rate swaps was an asset of $6.6 million as of September 30, 2010, which is included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was a liability of $0.2 million, which is included in other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 5 for further information regarding the fair value of these instruments.

Note 5: Fair value measurements

2010 acquisition – During April 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Custom Direct, Inc. (see Note 7). With the exception of goodwill and deferred income taxes, we were required to measure the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired. The identifiable net assets acquired (excluding goodwill) were comprised primarily of a customer list, internal-use software and trade names. The fair value of the customer list was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. Assumptions used in this calculation included a same-customer revenue growth rate and an estimated annual customer retention rate. The customer retention rate was based on estimated re-order rates, as well as management’s estimates of the costs to obtain and retain customers. The calculated fair value of the customer list was $15.0 million, which is being amortized over 1.3 years using an accelerated method. The fair value of the 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 estimated time and labor rates derived from our historical data from previous upgrades of similar size and nature. The calculated fair value of the internal-use software was $12.6 million, which is being amortized on the straight-line basis over a weighted average useful life of 4.7 years. The fair value of the trade names was estimated using a relief from royalty method, which calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the trade names. An assumed royalty rate was applied to forecasted revenue and the resulting cash flows were discounted. The assumed royalty rate was based on market data and an analysis of the expected margins for Custom Direct’s operations. The calculated fair value of the trade names was $8.9 million, which is being amortized on the straight-line basis over 10 years.

2010 asset impairment analyses – We evaluate the carrying value of our indefinite-lived trade name and goodwill as of July 31st of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would indicate a possible impairment. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we completed the annual impairment analyses of our indefinite-lived trade name and goodwill. The calculated fair value of the indefinite-lived trade name was estimated to be $24.1 million as of the measurement date, compared to its carrying value of $19.1 million. In our analysis of goodwill, the estimated fair value of each reporting unit as of the measurement date exceeded its carrying amount. As such, no impairment charges were recorded as a result of our 2010 annual impairment analyses. See further information regarding our impairment analyses in Note 15.

2009 asset impairment analyses – During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we experienced continued declines in our stock price, as well as a continuing negative impact of the economic downturn on our expected operating results. Based on these indicators of potential impairment, we completed impairment analyses of our indefinite-lived trade name and goodwill as of March 31, 2009.

The estimate of fair value of our indefinite-lived trade name is based on a relief from royalty method, which calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the trade name. An assumed royalty rate is applied to forecasted revenue and the resulting cash flows are discounted. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge in our Small Business Services segment of $4.9 million related to our indefinite-lived trade name.

A two-step approach is used in evaluating goodwill for impairment. First, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the carrying amount of its net assets. In calculating fair value, we use the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique under which we estimate future cash flows using the reporting unit’s financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Future estimated cash flows are discounted to their present value to calculate fair value. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the carrying value of the net assets of one of our reporting units exceeded the estimated fair value. As such, the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis required that we compare the implied fair value of the goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of the goodwill, we measured the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amount assigned to its assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, is the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Significant intangible assets of the reporting unit identified for purposes of this impairment analysis included the indefinite-lived trade name discussed above and a distributor contract intangible asset. The fair value of the distributor contract was measured using the income approach, including adjustments for an estimated distributor retention rate based on historical experience. As a result of our analysis, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 in our Small Business Services segment of $20.0 million related to goodwill.

Information regarding the nonrecurring fair value measurements completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was as follows:

			Fair value measurements using
(in thousands)	Fair value as of measurement date		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Impairment charge
Goodwill(1)	$	20,245	$	—	$	—	$	20,245	$	20,000
Indefinite-lived trade name(2)		19,100		—		—		19,100		4,900
Total impairment charges									$	24,900

(1) Represents the implied fair value of the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit for which we were required to calculate this amount.

(2) Represents the fair value determined from the event-driven impairment analysis completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Recurring fair value measurements – We held, as corporate investments, available-for-sale marketable securities of $2.0 million as of September 30, 2010 and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2009. These investments are included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these assets is determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. 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 marketable securities were realized during the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Funds held for customers included available-for-sale marketable securities of $9.9 million as of September 30, 2010 and $9.5 million as of December 31, 2009. The fair value of these assets is determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are included in other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. Realized gains and losses are included in revenue on the consolidated statements of income and were not significant for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method.

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. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, as well as dividends earned by the investment, are included in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in our consolidated statements of 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 liability changes accordingly. As changes in the liability are reflected within SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of 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 income. The fair value of this investment is included in long-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets. The long-term investment caption on our consolidated balance sheets also includes life insurance policies which are recorded at their cash surrender values. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. Unrealized gains recognized on the investment in mutual funds were not significant during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010. We recognized net unrealized gains of $0.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Realized gains and losses recognized during the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were not significant.

The fair value of interest rate swaps (see Note 4) 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 applicable to the interest rate swaps. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we recognized a gain on these derivative instruments of $1.8 million, which was largely offset by a loss of $1.7 million related to an increase in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized a gain on these derivative instruments of $6.8 million, which was partially offset by a loss of $6.3 million related to an increase in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized a gain on these derivative instruments of $0.4 million, which was offset by a loss of $0.4 million related to an increase in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt. These changes in fair value are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Information regarding recurring fair value measurements completed during each period was as follows:

			Fair value measurements using
(in thousands)	Fair value as of September 30, 2010		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Marketable securities – funds held for customers	$	9,944	$	9,944	$	—	$	—
Marketable securities – corporate investments		1,962		1,962		—		—
Long-term investment in mutual funds		2,073		2,073		—		—
Derivative assets		6,648		—		6,648		—

			Fair value measurements using
(in thousands)	Fair value as of December 31, 2009		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Marketable securities – funds held for customers	$	9,522	$	9,522	$	—	$	—
Marketable securities – corporate investments		3,667		3,667		—		—
Long-term investment in mutual funds		2,231		2,231		—		—
Derivative liabilities		152		—		152		—

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

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 (Level 1 fair value measurement). 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:

	September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
(in thousands)	Carrying amount		Fair value		Carrying amount		Fair value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,091	$	21,091	$	12,789	$	12,789
Cash and cash equivalents – funds held for customers		30,904		30,904		17,379		17,379
Short-term debt		30,000		30,000		26,000		26,000
Long-term debt		749,278		746,680		742,753		719,283

Note 6: Earnings per share

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. During each period, certain options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Earnings per share – basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	51,172		$	28,555		$	118,570		$	68,836
Income allocated to participating securities		(267	)		(214	)		(627	)		(527	)
Income available to common shareholders	$	50,905		$	28,341		$	117,943		$	68,309

Weighted-average shares outstanding		51,171			50,900			51,120			50,812
Earnings per share – basic	$	0.99		$	0.56		$	2.31		$	1.34

Earnings per share – diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	51,172		$	28,555		$	118,570		$	68,836
Income allocated to participating securities		(265	)		(214	)		(625	)		(527	)
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities		2			131			53			67
Income available to common shareholders	$	50,909		$	28,472		$	117,998		$	68,376

Weighted-average shares outstanding		51,171			50,900			51,120			50,812
Dilutive impact of options and employee stock purchase plan		191			149			197			76
Weighted-average shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding		51,362			51,049			51,317			50,888

Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.99		$	0.56		$	2.30		$	1.34

Antidilutive options excluded from calculation		2,357			2,173			2,357			2,173

Earnings per share amounts for continuing operations, discontinued operations and net income, as presented on the consolidated statements of income, are calculated individually and may not sum due to rounding differences.

Note 7: Acquisitions and discontinued operations

During April 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Custom Direct, Inc. (Custom Direct), a leading provider of direct-to-consumer checks, in a cash transaction for $97.9 million, net of cash acquired. We funded the acquisition with our credit facility. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Direct Checks segment. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price based upon the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in goodwill of $65.8 million. We believe this acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill as we expect Custom Direct to contribute to our strategy of optimizing cash flows in our Direct Checks segment. Transaction costs related to this acquisition were expensed as incurred and were not significant to our consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

The allocation of the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities is preliminary pending completion of the valuation of current income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes, as well as our analysis of the establishment of reserves for uncertain income tax positions. Our preliminary allocation of the purchase price includes current income taxes receivable of $10.8 million and net deferred tax liabilities of $12.5 million. The following illustrates our preliminary allocation of the Custom Direct purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	24
Other current assets		13,141
Intangibles		36,487
Goodwill		65,843
Other non-current assets		5,082
Current liabilities		(8,685	)
Non-current liabilities		(13,947	)
Total purchase price		97,945
Less: cash acquired		(24	)
Purchase price, net of cash acquired	$	97,921

Acquired intangible assets included a customer list valued at $15.0 million with a useful life of 1.3 years, internal-use software valued at $12.6 million with a weighted-average useful life of 4.7 years, and trade names valued at $8.9 million with a useful life of 10 years. The software and the trade name are being amortized using the straight-line method, while the customer list is being amortized using an accelerated method. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair values of these assets can be found in Note 5.

During March 2010, we purchased substantially all of the assets of Cornerstone Customer Solutions, LLC (CCS) in a cash transaction for $0.7 million. CCS is a full-service, marketing solutions provider specializing in the development and execution of analytics-driven direct marketing programs. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Financial Services segment. The allocation of the purchase price based upon the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in tax deductible goodwill of $0.9 million. We believe this acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill as we are offering these strategic and tactical marketing solutions to our financial institution clients. Transaction costs related to this acquisition were expensed as incurred and were not significant to our consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Net loss from discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010 represents an additional loss on the disposal of a previously divested business.

Note 8: Restructuring charges

Net restructuring charges for each period consisted of the following components:

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Severance accruals	$	384		$	1,424		$	3,591		$	2,401
Severance reversals		(686	)		(645	)		(2,238	)		(2,222	)
Operating lease obligations		—			—			415			865
Operating lease reversals		(72	)		—			(380	)		(19	)
Net restructuring (reversals) accruals		(374	)		779			1,388			1,025
Other costs		476			1,432			1,185			3,586
Net restructuring charges	$	102		$	2,211		$	2,573		$	4,611

2010 restructuring charges – During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions in various functional areas as we continue our cost reduction initiatives. Net restructuring accruals for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 also included employee reductions resulting from the acquisition of Custom Direct in April 2010 (see Note 7). The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for approximately 40 employees for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and severance benefits for approximately 115 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities. The net restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $0.1 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the net restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $0.6 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring charges of $2.0 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income.

2009 restructuring charges – During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions in various functional areas as we continued our cost reduction initiatives. Net restructuring accruals for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 also included operating lease obligations on two manufacturing facilities which were closed during 2009. The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for 50 employees for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and severance benefits for 131 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities. The net restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $0.4 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring charges of $1.8 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the net restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $2.7 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring charges of $1.9 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income.

Restructuring accruals – Restructuring accruals of $2.1 million as of September 30, 2010 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $2.0 million and other non-current liabilities of $0.1 million. Restructuring accruals of $11.5 million as of December 31, 2009 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $11.2 million and other non-current liabilities of $0.3 million. The majority of the employee reductions are expected to be completed by early 2011. We expect most of the related severance payments to be fully paid by mid-2011, utilizing cash from operations. The remaining payments due under operating lease obligations will be paid through May 2013. As of September 30, 2010, approximately 75 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 2009 Form 10-K.

As of September 30, 2010, our restructuring accruals, by company initiative, were as follows:

(in thousands)	2007 initiatives			2008 initiatives			2009 initiatives			2010 initiatives			Total
Balance, December 31, 2009	$	64		$	2,175		$	9,253		$	—		$	11,492
Restructuring charges		—			516			99			3,391			4,006
Restructuring reversals		(64	)		(957	)		(1,415	)		(182	)		(2,618	)
Payments, primarily severance		—			(1,429	)		(6,928	)		(2,396	)		(10,753	)
Balance, September 30, 2010	$	—		$	305		$	1,009		$	813		$	2,127

Cumulative amounts:
Restructuring charges	$	7,181		$	27,536		$	11,015		$	3,391		$	49,123
Restructuring reversals		(1,503	)		(5,842	)		(1,563	)		(182	)		(9,090	)
Payments, primarily severance		(5,678	)		(21,389	)		(8,443	)		(2,396	)		(37,906	)
Balance, September 30, 2010	$	—		$	305		$	1,009		$	813		$	2,127

As of September 30, 2010, the components of our restructuring accruals, by segment, were as follows:

	Employee severance benefits												Operating lease obligations
(in thousands)	Small Business Services			Financial Services			Direct Checks			Corporate			Small Business Services			Total
Balance, December 31, 2009	$	4,745		$	1,053		$	116		$	4,781		$	797		$	11,492
Restructuring charges		383			151			2,173			884			415			4,006
Restructuring reversals		(873	)		(166	)		(116	)		(1,083	)		(380	)		(2,618	)
Payments		(3,944	)		(860	)		(1,990	)		(3,445	)		(514	)		(10,753	)
Balance, September 30, 2010	$	311		$	178		$	183		$	1,137		$	318		$	2,127

Cumulative amounts for current initiatives(1) :
Restructuring charges	$	15,247		$	5,842		$	2,648		$	23,585		$	1,801		$	49,123
Restructuring reversals		(2,248	)		(1,279	)		(125	)		(5,045	)		(393	)		(9,090	)
Inter-segment transfer		1,552			739			61			(2,352	)		—			—
Payments		(14,240	)		(5,124	)		(2,401	)		(15,051	)		(1,090	)		(37,906	)
Balance, September 30, 2010	$	311		$	178		$	183		$	1,137		$	318		$	2,127

(1) Includes accruals related to our cost reduction initiatives for 2007 through 2010.

Note 9: Pension and other postretirement benefits

We have historically provided certain health care benefits for a large number of retired employees. In addition to our retiree health care plan, we also have a supplemental executive retirement plan in the United States. We previously had a pension plan that covered certain Canadian employees which was settled during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Further information regarding our postretirement benefit plans can be found under the caption “Note 12: Pension and other postretirement benefits” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K. See Note 15 for discussion of the risks associated with the plan assets of our postretirement benefit plan.

Pension and postretirement benefit expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following components:

	Postretirement benefit plan						Pension plan
(in thousands)	2010			2009			2010		2009
Interest cost	$	1,820		$	2,188		$	45	$	51
Expected return on plan assets		(1,806	)		(1,489	)		—		—
Amortization of prior service credit		(936	)		(936	)		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial losses		1,352			1,388			—		(1	)
Total periodic benefit expense	$	430		$	1,151		$	45	$	50

Pension and postretirement benefit expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following components:

	Postretirement benefit plan						Pension plans
(in thousands)	2010			2009			2010		2009
Interest cost	$	5,461		$	6,372		$	135	$	212
Expected return on plan assets		(5,419	)		(4,430	)		—		(58	)
Amortization of prior service credit		(2,807	)		(2,879	)		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial losses		4,055			6,994			—		10
Total periodic benefit expense		1,290			6,057			135		164
Settlement loss		—			—			—		402
Net periodic benefit expense	$	1,290		$	6,057		$	135	$	566

Note 10: Income tax provision

Our effective tax rate for continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 36.4%, compared to our 2009 annual effective tax rate of 35.9%. Our 2010 effective tax rate included discrete items which increased our tax rate by 0.4 points, as well as lower tax credits in 2010 for research and development as Federal tax law providing credits for increasing research and development costs expired on December 31, 2009. The discrete items in 2010 consisted primarily of a $3.4 million charge resulting from a reconciliation bill, formerly known as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which was signed into law in March 2010 and requires that certain tax deductions after 2012 be reduced by the amount of the Medicare Part D subsidy payments. Prior to this law change, the subsidy was to be disregarded in all future years when computing tax deductions. This resulted in a reduction in the deferred tax asset associated with our postretirement benefit plan. Partially offsetting the impact of this unfavorable discrete item were discrete credits to income tax expense related to adjustments to accruals for uncertain tax positions.

Our 2009 effective tax rate included the non-deductible portion of the goodwill impairment charge recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (see Note 5), which increased our effective tax rate 2.9 percentage points. Our 2009 effective tax rate also included favorable adjustments related to receivables for prior year tax returns, which lowered our effective tax rate 2.2 percentage points.

Note 11: Debt

Total debt outstanding was comprised of the following:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
5.0% senior, unsecured notes due December 15, 2012, net of discount, including cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt: 2010 - $6,095 increase; 2009 - $254 decrease	$	286,014	$	279,533
5.125% senior, unsecured notes due October 1, 2014, net of discount		263,264		263,220
7.375% senior, unsecured notes due June 1, 2015		200,000		200,000
Long-term portion of debt		749,278		742,753
Amounts drawn on credit facilities		30,000		26,000
Total debt	$	779,278	$	768,753

Our senior, unsecured notes include covenants that place restrictions on the issuance of additional debt, the execution of certain sale-leaseback agreements and limitations on certain liens. Discounts from par value are being amortized ratably as increases to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

In May 2007, we issued $200.0 million of 7.375% senior, unsecured notes maturing on June 1, 2015. 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 June 29, 2007. Interest payments are due each June and December. The notes place a limitation on restricted payments, including increases in dividend levels and share repurchases. This limitation does not apply if the notes are upgraded to an investment-grade credit rating. Principal redemptions may be made at our election at any time on or after June 1, 2011 at redemption prices ranging from 100% to 103.688% of the principal amount. In addition, at any time prior to June 1, 2011, 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. If we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes in control, we must offer to purchase the notes at 101% of the principal amount. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $196.3 million. These proceeds were subsequently used on October 1, 2007 as part of our repayment of $325.0 million of unsecured notes plus accrued interest. The fair value of the notes issued in May 2007 was $205.5 million as of September 30, 2010, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets.

In October 2004, we issued $275.0 million 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 $272.3 million. These proceeds were used to repay commercial paper borrowings used for the acquisition of New England Business Service, Inc. in 2004. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we retired $11.5 million of these notes, realizing a pre-tax gain of $4.1 million. As of September 30, 2010, the fair value of the $263.5 million remaining notes outstanding was $255.1 million, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets.

In December 2002, we issued $300.0 million of 5.0% senior, unsecured notes maturing on December 15, 2012. These notes were issued under our shelf registration statement covering up to $300.0 million in medium-term notes, thereby exhausting that registration statement. Interest payments are due each June and December. Principal redemptions may be made at our election prior to the stated maturity. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $295.7 million. These proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including funding share repurchases, capital asset purchases and working capital. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we retired $19.7 million of these notes, realizing a pre-tax gain of $5.7 million. As of September 30, 2010, the fair value of the $280.3 million remaining notes outstanding was $286.1 million, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets. As discussed in Note 4, during September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge a portion of these notes. The fair value of long-term debt disclosed here does not reflect the impact of these fair value hedges. The carrying amount of long-term debt has increased $6.1 million since the inception of the interest rate swaps due to changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt.

As of December 31, 2009, we had a $275.0 million committed line of credit which was scheduled to expire in July 2010. During March 2010, we cancelled this line of credit and executed a new $200.0 million credit facility, which expires in March 2013. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all of our assets. Our commitment fee ranges from 0.40% to 0.50% based on our leverage ratio. 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.

The daily average amount outstanding under our credit facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $60.9 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 3.18%. As of September 30, 2010, $30.0 million was outstanding at a weighted-average interest rate of 3.31%. During 2009, the daily average amount outstanding under our line of credit was $69.3 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 0.76%. As of December 31, 2009, $26.0 million was outstanding at a weighted-average interest rate of 0.67%. As of September 30, 2010, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:

(in thousands)	Total Available
Credit facility commitment	$	200,000
Amounts drawn on credit facility		(30,000	)
Outstanding letters of credit		(9,313	)
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2010	$	160,687

Absent certain defined events of default under our debt instruments, and as long as our ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization 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.

Note 12: Other commitments and contingencies

Information regarding indemnifications, environmental matters, self-insurance and litigation can be found under the caption “Note 14: Other commitments and contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K. No significant changes in these items occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Note 13: Shareholders’ equity

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 6.2 million shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of September 30, 2010. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 0.2 million shares for $3.0 million. The terms of our $200.0 million notes maturing in 2015 place a limitation on restricted payments, including increases in dividend levels and share repurchases. The terms of our $200.0 million credit facility also limit our ability to increase dividends or repurchase shares above certain levels.

Changes in shareholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were as follows:

	Common shares						Additional						Accumulated other			Total
	Number			Par			paid-in			Retained			comprehensive			shareholders’
(in thousands)	of shares			value			capital			earnings			loss			equity
Balance, December 31, 2009		51,189		$	51,189		$	58,071		$	60,768		$	(52,818	)	$	117,210
Net income		—			—			—			117,799			—			117,799
Cash dividends		—			—			—			(38,586	)		—			(38,586	)
Common shares issued		331			331			3,474			—			—			3,805
Tax impact of share-based awards		—			—			(715	)		—			—			(715	)
Common shares repurchased		(167	)		(167	)		(2,832	)								(2,999	)
Other common shares retired		(53	)		(53	)		(850	)		—			—			(903	)
Fair value of share-based compensation		2			2			4,338			—			—			4,340
Amortization of postretirement prior service credit, net of tax		—			—			—			—			(1,741	)		(1,741	)
Amortization of postretirement net actuarial losses, net of tax		—			—			—			—			2,515			2,515
Amortization of loss on derivatives, net of tax(1)		—			—			—			—			990			990
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax		—			—			—			—			51			51
Currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			647			647
Balance, September 30, 2010		51,302		$	51,302		$	61,486		$	139,981		$	(50,356	)	$	202,413

(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004 and 2002. See “Note 6: Derivative financial instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss was comprised of the following:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2010			December 31, 2009
Postretirement and defined benefit pension plans:
Unrealized prior service credit	$	16,237		$	17,978
Unrealized net actuarial losses		(67,813	)		(70,328	)
Postretirement and defined benefit pension plans, net of tax		(51,576	)		(52,350	)
Loss on derivatives, net of tax		(4,851	)		(5,841	)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax		51			—
Currency translation adjustment		6,020			5,373
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(50,356	)	$	(52,818	)

Note 14: Business segment information

We operate three reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Small Business Services sells personalized printed products, which include business checks, printed forms, promotional products, marketing materials and related services, as well as retail packaging supplies and a suite of business services, including web design and hosting, fraud protection, payroll, logo design, search engine marketing and business networking, to small businesses. These products and services are sold through direct response marketing, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications companies, independent distributors and dealers, the internet and sales representatives. Financial Services’ products and services for financial instituations include comprehensive check programs for both personal and business checks, fraud prevention and monitoring services, customer acquisition campaigns, marketing communications, and services intended to enhance the financial institution customer experience, such as customer loyalty programs. These products and services are sold through multiple channels, including a direct sales force. Direct Checks sells personal and business checks and related products and services directly to consumers through direct response marketing and the internet. All three segments operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and portions of Europe.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2009 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 reported in that segment’s results. 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 and deferred income taxes.

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.

The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

		Reportable Business Segments
(in thousands)		Small Business Services		Financial Services		Direct Checks		Corporate		Consolidated
Revenue from external customers:	2010	$	206,572	$	102,614	$	58,447	$	—	$	367,633
	2009		193,874		98,947		39,476		—		332,297
Operating income:	2010		45,298		27,157		16,053		—		88,508
	2009		23,279		18,482		12,788		—		54,549
Depreciation and amortization expense:	2010		11,099		2,911		5,369		—		19,379
	2009		12,466		2,691		1,057		—		16,214
Total assets:	2010		779,588		65,054		181,982		298,227		1,324,851
	2009		796,642		59,545		95,694		291,707		1,243,588
Capital asset purchases:	2010		—		—		—		10,547		10,547
	2009		—		—		—		11,269		11,269

The following is our segment information as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

		Reportable Business Segments
(in thousands)		Small Business Services		Financial Services		Direct Checks		Corporate		Consolidated
Revenue from external customers:	2010	$	592,063	$	302,307	$	156,379	$	—	$	1,050,749
	2009		579,095		301,422		123,370		—		1,003,887
Operating income:	2010		104,843		71,178		44,662		—		220,683
	2009		37,240		57,332		40,242		—		134,814
Depreciation and amortization expense:	2010		34,230		8,880		11,553		—		54,663
	2009		39,967		7,887		3,114		—		50,968
Asset impairment charges:	2010		—		—		—		—		—
	2009		24,900		—		—		—		24,900
Total assets:	2010		779,588		65,054		181,982		298,227		1,324,851
	2009		796,642		59,545		95,694		291,707		1,243,588
Capital asset purchases:	2010		—		—		—		31,613		31,613
	2009		—		—		—		35,006		35,006

Note 15: Market risks

Due to the downturn in the U.S. economy, including the liquidity crisis in the credit markets, as well as failures and consolidations of companies within the financial services industry since 2008, we have identified certain market risks which may affect our future operating performance.

Economic conditions – As discussed in Note 5, during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we completed impairment analyses of goodwill and our indefinite-lived trade name due to indicators of potential impairment. We recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $20.0 million in our Small Business Services segment related to one of our reporting units, as well as an impairment charge of $4.9 million in our Small Business Services segment related to an indefinite-lived trade name. The annual impairment analyses completed during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 indicated that the calculated fair values of our reporting units’ net assets exceeded their carrying values by amounts between $43 million and $546 million, or by amounts between 55% and 442% above the carrying values of their net assets. The calculated fair value of our indefinite-lived trade name exceeded its carrying value of $19.1 million by $5.0 million based on the analysis completed during the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Due to the ongoing uncertainty in market conditions, which may continue to negatively impact our expected operating results or share price, we will continue to monitor whether additional impairment analyses are required with respect to the carrying value of goodwill and the indefinite-lived trade name.

Postretirement benefit plan – The fair value of the plan assets of our postretirement benefit plan is subject to various risks, including credit, interest and overall market volatility risks. During 2008, the equity markets experienced a significant decline in value. As such, the fair value of our plan assets decreased significantly during the year, resulting in a $29.9 million increase in the unfunded status of our plan as compared to the end of the previous year. This affected the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and also contributed to an increase in postretirement benefit expense of $2.4 million in 2009, as compared to 2008. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of our plan assets had partially recovered, contributing to an $11.8 million improvement in the unfunded status of our plan as compared to December 31, 2008. If the equity and bond markets decline in future periods, the funded status of our plan could again be materially affected. This could result in higher postretirement benefit expense in the future, as well as the need to contribute increased amounts of cash to fund the benefits payable under the plan, although our obligation is limited to funding benefits as they become payable. We did not use plan assets to make benefit payments during the first nine months of 2010 or during 2009. Rather, we used cash provided by operating activities to make these payments.

Financial institution clients – Continued turmoil in the financial services industry, including further bank failures and consolidations, could have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations if we were to lose a significant amount of business and/or we were unable to recover the value of an unamortized contract acquisition cost or account receivable. As of September 30, 2010, unamortized contract acquisition costs totalled $55.2 million, while liabilities for contract acquisition costs not paid as of September 30, 2010 were $19.3 million. The inability to recover amounts paid to one or more of our larger financial institution clients could have a significant negative impact on our consolidated results of operations.

The consolidation of financial institutions may also impact our results of operations. In the past we have acquired new clients as financial institutions that were not our clients consolidated with our clients. When two of our financial institution clients consolidate, the increase in general negotiating leverage possessed by the consolidated entity could result in a new contract which is not as favorable to us as those historically negotiated with the clients individually. However, we may also generate non-recurring conversion revenue when obsolete checks have to be replaced after one financial institution merges with or acquires another. Conversely, we have also lost financial institution clients when they consolidated with financial institutions which were not our clients. If we were to lose a significant amount of business in this manner, it could have a significant negative impact on our consolidated results of operations. In such situations, we have typically collected contract termination payments and we may be able to do so in similar circumstances in the future.

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

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Our business is organized into three segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our Small Business Services segment generated 56.3% of our consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2010. This segment has sold personalized printed products, which include business checks, printed forms, promotional products, marketing materials and related services, as well as retail packaging supplies and a suite of business services, including web design and hosting, fraud protection, payroll, logo design, search engine marketing and business networking, to over four million small businesses in the last 24 months. These products and services are sold through direct response marketing, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications companies, independent distributors and dealers, the internet and sales representatives. Our Financial Services segment generated 28.8% of our consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2010. This segment’s products and services for financial instituations include comprehensive check programs for both personal and business checks, fraud prevention and monitoring services, customer acquisition campaigns, marketing communications, and services intended to enhance the financial institution customer experience, such as customer loyalty programs. These products and services are sold through multiple channels, including a direct sales force, to 6,400 financial institution clients nationwide, including banks, credit unions and financial services companies. Our Direct Checks segment generated 14.9% of our consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2010, including Custom Direct, Inc., which was acquired in April 2010. This segment is the nation’s leading direct-to-consumer check supplier, selling under various brand names including Checks Unlimited®, Designer® Checks, Checks.com, Check Gallery®, The Styles Check Company®, and Artistic Checks®, among others. Through these brands, we sell personal and business checks and related products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing and the internet. We operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and portions of Europe.

We have continued to see the negative impact of the economic environment on our results of operations for the first nine months of 2010. The severe downturn in the economy and the turmoil in the financial services industry continue to affect our operating results. Demand has fallen for many of our Small Business Services products as we believe small business owners have reduced their discretionary spending. Additionally, we believe interruptions and consumer uncertainty related to financial institution consolidations and failures have led to reduced check orders from several of our financial institution clients, and financial institution consolidations have also impacted our operating results. In July 2010, we finalized a contract settlement with a large financial institution that previously acquired one of our clients and recently chose to consolidate its check printing business with another provider. We had been producing checks for a minority portion of this client’s customers. This business transitioned during the third quarter of 2010 and we received contract termination payments of $24.6 million, which were included as revenue of $12.1 million in Small Business Services and $12.5 million in Financial Services. We expect revenue from a new financial institution client which began generating revenue during the third quarter of 2010 will offset the revenue lost from the contract termination.

During this difficult economic environment, we have accelerated many of our cost reduction actions, and we have identified additional opportunities to improve our cost structure. We believe we have taken appropriate steps to position ourselves for sustainable growth as the economy recovers, including accelerating our brand awareness and positioning initiatives, investing in technology for new service offerings, enhancing our internet capabilities, improving customer segmentation and adding new small business customers. We have invested in acquisitions that we believe offer higher growth business services, extend our direct-to-consumer offerings, improve our operating cash flow, and bring analytics-driven deposit acquisition marketing programs to our financial institution clients. We are focused on capitalizing on transformational opportunities available to us in this difficult environment and believe that we will be positioned to deliver strong margins once the economy recovers.

Our earnings for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, benefited from the following:

Asset impairment charges of $24.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 within Small Business Services related to goodwill and an indefinite-lived trade name;

Revenue of $24.6 million from a contract settlement executed during the third quarter of 2010;

Continuing initiatives to reduce our cost structure, primarily within manufacturing, sales and marketing and information technology;

Recognition of deferred revenue from a Financial Services contract termination settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009; and

Price increases in Small Business Services and Financial Services.

These benefits were partially offset by the following:

Reduced volume for our personal check businesses due to the continuing decline in check usage, turmoil in the financial services industry, including bank failures, and continued economic softness;

Lower volume in Small Business Services due primarily to declines in check and forms usage, as well as changes in our customers’ buying patterns, we believe, as a result of the continued economic downturn;

Pre-tax gains of $9.8 million in the first quarter of 2009 from the retirement of long-term notes;

Increased marketing investment in brand positioning and awareness and direct marketing tests; and

Increases in delivery rates.

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, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). There were no significant changes in our strategies during the first nine months of 2010.

During April 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Custom Direct, Inc. (Custom Direct), a leading provider of direct-to-consumer checks, in a cash transaction for $97.9 million, net of cash acquired. We funded the acquisition with our credit facility. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Direct Checks segment. We expect the acquisition of Custom Direct to contribute to our strategy of optimizing cash flows in this segment. During 2010, the acquisition is expected to generate approximately $60 million in revenue and more than $15 million of operating cash flow, including cash tax savings of approximately $10 million from certain acquired tax attributes, although we have not completed our analysis of these income tax positions. We expect the acquisition to be neutral to earnings per share in 2010, including $2.5 million of severance benefits and other transaction-related costs, as well as approximately $12 million of acquisition-related amortization.

Update on Cost Reduction Initiatives

As discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2009 Form 10-K, we are pursuing aggressive cost reduction and business simplification initiatives which we expect to collectively reduce our annual cost structure by at least $325 million, net of required investments, by the end of 2010. The baseline for these anticipated savings is the estimated cost structure for 2006, which was reflected in the earnings guidance reported in our press release on July 27, 2006 regarding second quarter 2006 results. We estimate that we realized approximately $260 million of the $325 million target through the end of 2009, and we are currently on track to realize the remaining $65 million in 2010. To date, most of our savings are from sales and marketing, information technology and fulfillment, including manufacturing and supply chain.

Outlook for 2010

We anticipate that consolidated revenue from continuing operations for 2010 will be between $1.397 billion and $1.405 billion, as compared to $1.344 billion for 2009, including approximately $60 million of revenue from the Custom Direct acquisition. Excluding $12.1 million of the contract settlement executed in the third quarter of 2010, we expect Small Business Services revenue to be roughly flat compared to 2009 as declines in core business products are expected to be offset by benefits from our e-commerce investments, price increases and growth in business service offerings, including 2009 acquisitions. In Financial Services, excluding $12.5 million of the contract settlement, we expect the revenue decline percentage to be in the mid to upper single digits. We estimate that the decline in our check orders will be approximately eight percent compared to 2009, given the increases in electronic payments and the continued weak economy. The eight percent estimated decline in our check orders may not necessarily correspond to our reported decline in orders, as this estimate excludes the impact of client additions and losses. We expect these declines to be partially offset by a second quarter 2010 price increase, the amortization of a past contract settlement and continued contributions from non-check revenue streams. Direct Checks revenue is expected to increase approximately thirty percent driven by the Custom Direct acquisition and improved reorder volumes stemming from past quantity reductions, partially offset by check usage declines and the continued weak economy.

We expect that 2010 diluted earnings per share will be between $2.93 and $3.00, which includes a $0.31 per diluted share impact of the $24.6 million third quarter contract settlement, as well a $0.10 per share impact of a first quarter charge to income tax expense due to recent health care reform legislation and 2010 restructuring-related costs. Earnings per share for 2009 was $1.94, which included a $0.50 per share impact of impairment charges, restructuring and transaction-related costs, and gains on debt repurchases. We expect that continued execution of our cost reduction initiatives will be offset by the revenue decline, excluding the Custom Direct acquisition, continued investments in revenue growth opportunities and increases in delivery and materials rates. Our outlook reflects a merit wage freeze in 2010, leaving base salary levels consistent with 2009. We estimate that our annual effective tax rate for 2010 will be approximately 34%, excluding a first quarter charge of $3.4 million related to recent health care reform legislation, compared to 35.9% in 2009.

We believe our credit facility, along with cash generated by operating activities, will be sufficient to support our operations, including capital expenditures, small-to-medium-sized acquisitions, required debt service and dividend payments, for the next 12 months. With no long-term debt maturities until December 2012, 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. We also anticipate that our board of directors will maintain our current dividend level. However, dividends are approved by the board of directors on a quarterly basis and thus, are subject to change. To the extent we have cash flow in excess of these priorities, our focus during the remainder of 2010 will be on further reducing our debt. During the first nine months of 2010, net borrowings under our credit facility were only $4.0 million, despite borrowing $98 million in the second quarter of 2010 to complete the acquisition of Custom Direct.

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 2009 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in these items during the first nine months of 2010.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Revenue

	Quarter Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per order amounts)	2010		2009		Change			2010		2009		Change
Revenue	$	367,633	$	332,297		10.6	%	$	1,050,749	$	1,003,887		4.7	%

Orders		14,339		14,691		(2.4	%)		42,549		44,819		(5.1	%)
Revenue per order	$	25.64	$	22.62		13.4	%	$	24.69	$	22.40		10.2	%

The increase in revenue for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, was primarily due to revenue of $24.6 million from a contract settlement executed during the third quarter of 2010 and a revenue contribution of $20.5 million from the acquisition of Custom Direct in April 2010 discussed under Executive Overview. In addition, revenue benefited from price increases in Financial Services and Small Business Services, growth in business services, and a favorable currency exchange rate impact of $0.9 million. The contract settlement revenue related to a contract settlement with a large financial institution that previously acquired one of our clients and recently chose to consolidate its check printing business with another provider. We had been producing checks for a minority portion of this client’s customers. This business transitioned during the third quarter of 2010 and we received contract termination payments of $24.6 million, which were included in revenue in our Small Business Services and Financial Services segments. We expect revenue from a new contract acquisition which began generating revenue during the third quarter of 2010 will offset the revenue lost from this contract termination. Partially offsetting these revenue increases were lower order volume and continued pricing pressure when executing contracts with financial institutions.

Revenue increased for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, for the same reasons as discussed for the quarter, as well as the recognition of deferred revenue from a Financial Services contract settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009 and business services revenue from businesses acquired in July 2009. The revenue contribution from the acquisition of Custom Direct was $38.8 million for the first nine months of 2010, and the favorable currency exchange rate impact was $6.1 million for the first nine months of 2010.

The number of orders decreased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, due primarily to the continuing decline in check and forms usage, partially offset by orders from Custom Direct. Revenue per order increased for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to the $24.6 million contract settlement executed during the third quarter of 2010 which increased revenue per order by 7.6 percentage points, as well as the benefit of price increases in Financial Services and Small Business Services. These increases in revenue per order were partially offset by continued pricing pressure when executing contracts with financial institutions. Revenue per order increased for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, for the same reasons as discussed for the quarter, as well as the recognition of deferred revenue from a Financial Services contract settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009. The $24.6 million contract settlement in the third quarter of 2010 increased revenue per order by 2.6 percentage points for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Consolidated Gross Margin

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
Gross profit	$	246,200		$	210,386			17.0	%	$	689,013		$	625,752			10.1	%
Gross margin		67.0	%		63.3	%	3.7 pts.				65.6	%		62.3	%	3.3 pts.

We evaluate gross margin when analyzing our consolidated results of operations as we believe it provides important insight into significant profit drivers. As more than 90% of our revenue at this time is generated from the sale of manufactured and purchased products, 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 increased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, due primarily to the higher revenue per order discussed earlier, including the $24.6 million contract settlement, manufacturing efficiencies and other benefits resulting from our cost reduction initiatives, and favorable product mix. Also contributing to the higher gross margin was a decrease in restructuring charges and other costs related to our cost reduction initiatives. Restructuring and related costs decreased $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2010 and $4.3 million for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009. Further information regarding our restructuring costs can be found under Restructuring Costs. The 2010 contract settlement contributed 2.4 percentage points of the increase in gross margin for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to 2009, and 0.9 percentage points of the increase in gross margin for the first nine months of 2010 as compared to 2009.

Consolidated Selling, General & Administrative Expense

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
SG&A expense	$	157,589		$	153,999			2.3	%	$	466,319		$	464,085			0.5	%
SG&A as a percentage of revenue		42.9	%		46.3	%	(3.4) pts.				44.4	%		46.2	%	(1.8) pts.

The increase in SG&A expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, was driven primarily by expenses from the businesses we acquired in 2009 and 2010, as well as marketing investments in our brand awareness and positioning initiatives and direct marketing tests. These increases were partly offset by various cost reduction initiatives within our shared services organizations, primarily within sales and marketing and information technology, as well as lower acquisition-related amortization related to acquisitions completed prior to 2009.

Net Restructuring Charges

	Quarter Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009		Change			2010		2009		Change
Net restructuring charges	$	103	$	1,838	$	(1,735	)	$	2,011	$	1,953	$	58

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 accruals for employee severance benefits. Additional restructuring charges were included within cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of income for each period. Further information can be found under Restructuring Costs.

Asset Impairment Charges

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009		Change		2010		2009		Change
Asset impairment charges	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	24,900	$	(24,900	)

As of March 31, 2009, we completed impairment analyses of goodwill and an indefinite-lived trade name due to declines in our stock price during the first quarter of 2009 coupled with the continuing negative impact of the economic downturn on our expected operating results. We recorded non-cash asset impairment charges in our Small Business Services segment of $20.0 million related to goodwill and $4.9 million related to the indefinite-lived trade name. Further information regarding our impairment analyses can be found under the caption “Note 5: Fair value measurements” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Gain on Early Debt Extinguishment

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009		Change		2010		2009		Change
Gain on early debt extinguishment	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	9,834	$	(9,834	)

During the first quarter of 2009, we retired $31.2 million of long-term notes at an average 32% discount from par value, realizing a pre-tax gain of $9.8 million. We may retire additional debt, depending on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other potential uses of cash, including acquisitions or share repurchases.

Interest Expense

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
Interest expense	$	11,207		$	11,495			(2.5	%)	$	33,250		$	35,542			(6.4	%)
Weighted-average debt outstanding		813,108			823,866			(1.3	%)		804,661			827,740			(2.8	%)
Weighted-average interest rate		5.07	%		5.16	%	(0.9)		pt.		5.07	%		5.21	%	(0.14)		pt.

The decrease in interest expense for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, was due primarily to the impact of interest rate swaps. During the third quarter of 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our long-term debt. These fair value hedges reduced interest expense by $0.8 million during the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009.

The decrease in interest expense for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, was due to a $2.8 million favorable impact of the interest rates swaps. Additionally, due to the early retirement of long-term notes during the first quarter of 2009, we were required to accelerate the recognition of a portion of a previously deferred derivative loss. This resulted in additional interest expense of $0.5 million during the first nine months of 2009.

Income Tax Provision

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010				2009				Change
Income tax provision	$	26,512		$	14,669			80.7	%		$	67,846			$	41,004			65.5	%
Effective tax rate		34.1	%		33.9	%	0.2		pts.			36.4	%			37.3	%	(0.9)		pts.

The increase in our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, was primarily due to a decrease in our estimated tax credits in 2010 for research and development, as well as a higher state income tax rate. These increases were partially offset by the higher favorable impact of discrete items in 2010. Discrete credits to income tax expense in the third quarter of 2010 lowered our effective tax rate 1.9 points and consisted primarily of adjustments to accruals for uncertain tax positions. Discrete credits to income tax expense in the third quarter of 2009 lowered our effective tax rate 1.5 points and consisted primarily of receivables related to prior year tax returns.

The decrease in our effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, was primarily due to the impact of discrete income tax expense in 2009, which increased our effective tax rate 1.8 points for the first nine months of 2009. The discrete items in 2009 consisted of the non-deductible portion of the goodwill impairment charge, among other items.

Discrete income tax expense for the first nine months of 2010 increased our effective tax rate by 0.4 points. The discrete items in 2010 consisted primarily of a $3.4 million charge resulting from a reconciliation bill, formerly known as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which was signed into law in March 2010 and requires that certain tax deductions after 2012 be reduced by the amount of the Medicare Part D subsidy payments. Prior to this law change, the subsidy was to be disregarded in all future years when computing tax deductions. This resulted in a reduction in the deferred tax asset associated with our postretirement benefit plan. Partially offsetting the impact of this unfavorable discrete item were discrete credits to income tax expense related to adjustments to accruals for uncertain tax positions.

Partially offsetting the favorable impact of the discrete items in the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, was a decrease in our estimated tax credits in 2010 for research and development. Federal tax law providing credits for increasing research and development costs expired on December 31, 2009.

RESTRUCTURING COSTS

During the first nine months of 2010, we recorded net restructuring charges of $2.6 million. This amount included expenses related to our restructuring activities, including equipment moves, training and travel which were expensed as incurred, as well as net restructuring accruals of $1.4 million. The net restructuring accruals included charges of $3.6 million related to severance for employee reductions primarily resulting from the acquisition of Custom Direct in April 2010, as well as reductions in various functional areas as we continue our cost reduction initiatives. The net restructuring accruals included severance benefits for approximately 115 employees. Further information regarding our cost reduction initiatives can be found under Executive Overview. These charges were reduced by the reversal of $2.2 million of severance accruals as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. The restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $0.6 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring charges of $2.0 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

During 2009, we recorded net restructuring charges of $12.0 million. This amount included expenses related to our restructuring activities, including items such as equipment moves, training and travel which were expensed as incurred, as well as net restructuring accruals of $8.2 million. The net restructuring accruals included charges of $11.8 million related to severance for employee reductions in various functional areas, including the closing of one customer call center, which was completed in the first quarter of 2010, and further consolidation in the sales, marketing and fulfillment organizations, as well as operating lease obligations on three manufacturing facilities closed during 2009. These actions were the result of our cost reduction initiatives. The net restructuring accruals included severance benefits for 643 employees.

During 2009, we closed seven manufacturing operations and two customer call centers which were located in five leased facilities and three owned facilities. The operations and related assets were relocated to other locations. We have remaining rent obligations for three of the five leased facilities and we are actively marketing the three owned facilities. The remaining payments due under the operating lease obligations will be paid through May 2013. Although we closed the manufacturing operations within our Colorado Springs, Colorado facility during 2009, this owned location also houses administrative functions and two customer call centers, one of which we closed during the first quarter of 2010. Once this facility is sold, we plan to relocate the remaining employees to another location in the same area. The majority of the employee reductions included in our restructuring accruals are expected to be completed in early 2011. We expect most of the related severance payments to be fully paid by mid-2011 utilizing cash from operations.

As a result of our employee reductions and facility closings, we expect to realize cost savings of approximately $11 million in cost of goods sold and $20 million in SG&A expense in 2010 relative to 2009. These cost savings exclude the impact of Custom Direct employee reductions, as Custom Direct’s results of operations were not included in our 2009 results. Expense reductions consist primarily of labor and facility costs.

Further information regarding our restructuring charges can be found under the caption “Note 8: 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 sells personalized printed products, which include business checks, printed forms, promotional products, marketing materials and related services, as well as retail packaging supplies and a suite of business services including web design and hosting, fraud protection, payroll, logo design, search engine marketing and business networking, to small businesses. These products and services are sold through direct response marketing, referrals from Financial Services’ financial institution clients and Small Business Services’ telecommunications clients, independent distributors and dealers, the internet and sales representatives.

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
Revenue	$	206,572		$	193,874			6.5	%	$	592,063		$	579,095			2.2	%
Operating income		45,298			23,279			94.6	%		104,843			37,240			181.5	%
Operating margin		21.9	%		12.0	%	9.9		pts.		17.7	%		6.4	%	11.3		pts.

The increase in revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, was due primarily to $12.1 million of revenue related to Small Business Services’ portion of the contract settlement executed during the third quarter of 2010, as well as sales of products and services by businesses acquired in 2009, price increases, and growth in business services revenue. Additionally, revenue increased due to a favorable currency exchange rate impact related to our Canadian operations of $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2010 and $6.1 million for the first nine months of 2010. These increases in revenue were partly offset by the continuing decline in check and forms usage. We also believe that the negative impact of general economic conditions continued to affect our customer’s buying patterns.

The increase in operating income and operating margin for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, was due to the revenue from the third quarter contract settlement, continued progress on our cost reduction initiatives, price increases, lower acquisition-related amortization related to acquisitions completed prior to 2009, favorable product mix and a $1.9 million decrease in restructuring and transaction-related costs in 2010. Further information regarding the restructuring costs can be found under Restructuring Costs. These increases in operating income were partially offset by the impact of negative economic conditions, the continuing decline in checks and forms, marketing investments in our brand awareness and positioning initiatives and direct marketing tests, and increases in delivery rates.

In addition to the reasons discussed above for the quarter, operating income and operating margin increased for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, due to the asset impairment charges of $24.9 million in 2009 discussed earlier under Consolidated Results of Operations and a $6.0 million reduction in restructuring and transaction-related costs in 2010.

Financial Services

Financial Services’ products and services for financial instituations include comprehensive check programs for both personal and business checks, fraud prevention and monitoring services, customer acquisition campaigns, marketing communications, and services intended to enhance the financial institution customer experience, such as customer loyalty programs. These products and services are sold through multiple channels, including a direct sales force. As part of our check programs, we also offer enhanced services such as customized reporting, file management and expedited account conversion support.

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
Revenue	$	102,614		$	98,947			3.7	%	$	302,307		$	301,422			0.3	%
Operating income		27,157			18,482			46.9	%		71,178			57,332			24.2	%
Operating margin		26.5	%		18.7	%	7.8		pts.		23.5	%		19.0	%	4.5		pts.

The increase in revenue for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, was due primarily to Financial Services’ portion of the revenue from a contract termination settlement executed during the third quarter of 2010 of $12.5 million, price increases implemented in the second quarter of 2010, and increased non-check revenue. These increases in revenue were partially offset by a decrease in order volume resulting from the continuing decline in check usage and the weak economy, as well as continuing competitive pricing pressure.

Revenue increased for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, for the same reasons as discussed for the quarter. In addition, revenue benefited from the recognition of deferred revenue related to a contract termination settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009, as well as price increases implemented in the third quarter of 2009.

Operating income and operating margin increased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, primarily due to the contract termination settlement, as well as the benefit of our various cost reduction initiatives. These increases in operating income and operating margin were partially offset by the volume decline, increased marketing investment and delivery rate increases.

Direct Checks

Direct Checks sells personal and business checks and related products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing and the internet. We use a variety of direct marketing techniques to acquire new customers in the direct-to-consumer channel, including newspaper inserts, in-package advertising, statement stuffers and co-op advertising. We also use e-commerce strategies to direct traffic to our websites. 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.

	Quarter Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change			2010			2009			Change
Revenue	$	58,447		$	39,476			48.1	%	$	156,379		$	123,370			26.8	%
Operating income		16,053			12,788			25.5	%		44,662			40,242			11.0	%
Operating margin		27.5	%		32.4	%	(4.9)		pts.		28.6	%		32.6	%	(4.0)		pts.

The increase in revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, was due to the revenue contribution from the acquisition of Custom Direct in April 2010 discussed under Executive Overview. Custom Direct contributed revenue of $20.5 million for the third quarter of 2010 and $38.8 million for the first nine months of 2010. Partially offsetting the impact of the acquisition was a reduction in orders stemming from the decline in check usage, as well as the weak economy, partially offset by an increase in orders from repeat customers.

The increase in operating income for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, was due to the benefit of our cost reduction initiatives, the contribution of Custom Direct’s operations, and a $0.7 million reduction in restructuring-related costs, partially offset by the lower order volume and increased delivery rates.

The increase in operating income for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, was due primarily to the benefit of our cost reduction initiatives and the contribution of Custom Direct’s operations, partially offset by the lower order volume, an increase of $1.7 million in restructuring-related costs related primarily to employee reductions at Custom Direct, and increased delivery rates.

CASH FLOWS

As of September 30, 2010, we held cash and cash equivalents of $21.1 million. The following table shows our cash flow activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements of cash flows appearing in Item 1 of this report.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009			Change
Continuing operations:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	170,484		$	150,208		$	20,276
Net cash used by investing activities		(124,365	)		(72,944	)		(51,421	)
Net cash used by financing activities		(38,067	)		(79,666	)		41,599
Effect of exchange rate change on cash		250			1,453			(1,203	)
Net cash provided (used) by continuing operations		8,302			(949	)		9,251
Net cash used by operating activities of discontinued operations		—			(470	)		470
Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations		—			(30	)		30
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	$	8,302		$	(1,449	)	$	9,751

The $20.3 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2010, as compared to the first nine months of 2009, was due primarily to the higher earnings discussed earlier under Consolidated Results of Operations, including the $24.6 million contract settlement, as well as decreases of $4.1 million in contract acquisition payments and $3.8 million in severance payments in 2010 as compared to 2009. These increases in cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by an $18.4 million increase in 2010 in employee profit sharing payments and pension contributions related to our 2009 performance, as well as higher income tax payments.

Included in net cash provided by operating activities were the following operating cash outflows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009		Change
Income tax payments	$	59,679	$	43,046	$	16,633
Voluntary employee beneficiary association (VEBA) trust contributions to fund medical benefits		32,800		32,300		500
Employee profit sharing payments and pension contributions		29,790		11,430		18,360
Interest payments		22,692		22,240		452
Contract acquisition payments		13,837		17,941		(4,104	)
Severance payments		10,239		14,029		(3,790	)

Net cash used by investing activities in the first nine months of 2010 was $51.4 million higher than the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to the acquisition of Custom Direct in April 2010, partly offset by proceeds from life insurance policies in 2010 and purchases of marketable securities in 2009.

Net cash used by financing activities in the first nine months of 2010 was $41.6 million lower than the first nine months of 2009. This was due primarily to net borrowings under our credit facility in 2010 to complete the acquisition of Custom Direct, as well as payments in 2009 of $21.2 million to retire long-term notes.

Significant cash inflows, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009		Change
Proceeds from life insurance policies	$	5,782	$	—	$	5,782
Net proceeds from short-term debt		4,000		—		4,000
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities		1,970		914		1,056
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans		3,078		1,972		1,106

Significant cash outflows, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009		Change
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$	98,621	$	30,825	$	67,796
Cash dividends paid to shareholders		38,586		38,452		134
Purchases of capital assets		31,613		35,006		(3,393	)
Payments for common shares repurchased		2,999		1,319		1,680
Payments for debt issue costs, credit facility		2,361		—		2,361
Purchases of marketable securities		8		4,575		(4,567	)
Payments on long-term debt		—		22,627		(22,627	)
Net payments on short-term debt		—		14,700		(14,700	)

We anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations will be between $220 million and $226 million in 2010, compared to $206 million in 2009. We anticipate that the increase will be driven by the third quarter contract settlement discussed under Executive Overview, cash flow generated by the Custom Direct acquisition, stronger earnings and continued progress on working capital initiatives. We expect these increases will be partly offset by higher performance-based compensation payments for all employee levels in 2010. We anticipate that cash generated by operating activities in 2010 will be utilized for dividend payments of approximately $50 million, capital expenditures of a little over $40 million, debt reduction, and possibly additional small-to-medium-sized acquisitions. We intend to focus our capital spending on key revenue growth initiatives, completing the automation of our flat check packaging process and investing in order fulfillment, delivery productivity and information technology infrastructure. We have no maturities of long-term debt until December 2012. We executed a $200.0 million credit facility during the first quarter of 2010 and we had $160.7 million available for borrowing under this credit facility as of September 30, 2010. We believe our credit facility, along with cash generated by operating activities, will be sufficient to support our operations, including capital expenditures, possible small-to-medium-sized acquisitions, required debt service and dividend payments, for the next 12 months.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our total debt was $779.3 million as of September 30, 2010, an increase of $10.5 million from December 31, 2009. During September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge a portion of our notes due in 2012. The carrying amount of long-term debt increased $6.3 million since December 31, 2009 due to changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt. Further information concerning the interest rate swaps and our outstanding debt can be found under the captions “Note 4: Derivative financial instruments” and “Note 11: Debt” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Our capital structure for each period was as follows:

	September 30, 2010					December 31, 2009
(in thousands)	Amount		Weighted-average interest rate			Amount		Weighted-average interest rate			Change
Fixed interest rate	$	533,476		6.0	%	$	533,399		6.0	%	$	77
Floating interest rate		245,802		3.3	%		235,354		3.0	%		10,448
Total debt		779,278		5.1	%		768,753		5.1	%		10,525
Shareholders’ equity		202,413					117,210					85,203
Total capital	$	981,691				$	885,963				$	95,728

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 6.2 million shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of September 30, 2010. During the third quarter of 2010, we repurchased 0.2 million shares for $3.0 million. Information regarding changes in shareholders’ equity appears under the caption “Note 13: Shareholders equity” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 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 otherwise. 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.

(in thousands)	Total available
Credit facility commitment	$	200,000
Amounts drawn on credit facility		(30,000	)
Outstanding letters of credit		(9,313	)
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2010	$	160,687

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. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $13.8 million for the first nine months of 2010 and $17.9 million for the first nine months of 2009. We anticipate cash payments of approximately $20 million in 2010. Changes in contract acquisition costs during the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2010			2009
Balance, beginning of year	$	45,701		$	37,706
Additions(1)		24,388			31,380
Amortization		(14,696	)		(18,523	)
Write-off		(234	)		—
Balance, end of period	$	55,159		$	50,563

The number of checks being written has been in decline since the mid-1990s, 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 increased in the mid-2000s, and 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. When the overall discount level provided for in a contract is unchanged, contract acquisition costs do not result in lower net revenue. These payments impact the timing of cash flows. An up-front cash payment is made rather than providing higher product discount levels throughout the term of the contract. Information regarding the recoverability of contract acquisition costs appears under the caption “Note 15: Market risks” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

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 $9.9 million as of September 30, 2010 and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2009. Accruals for contract acquisition payments included in other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets were $9.5 million as of September 30, 2010 and $6.0 million as of December 31, 2009.

Funds held for customers – Funds held for customers of $40.8 million as of September 30, 2010 increased $13.9 million from December 31, 2009. The increase in funds held for customers, and the corresponding accrued liability, was due primarily to the timing of the end of the quarter relative to the timing of customer payroll disbursements.

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 such items as product or service defects, including 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 likely 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 14: Other commitments and contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of the 2009 Form 10-K.

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 2009 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in these obligations during the first nine months of 2010.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We have not entered into any material related party transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or during 2009.

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 2009 Form 10-K. There were no changes in these policies during the first nine months of 2010.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Information regarding the accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of 2010 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 January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This guidance requires new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The disclosure required under this guidance regarding purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements will be effective for our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2011, if applicable to us.

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” 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 2009 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. During the first nine months of 2010, we used our credit facilities to fund working capital, acquisitions and debt service requirements. 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 September 30, 2010, our total debt was comprised of the following:

(in thousands)	Carrying amount		Fair value(1)		Weighted-average interest rate
Long-term notes maturing December 2012	$	286,014	$	286,112		3.76	%
Long-term notes maturing October 2014		263,264		255,068		5.13	%
Long-term notes maturing June 2015		200,000		205,500		7.38	%
Amounts drawn on credit facility		30,000		30,000		3.31	%
Total debt	$	779,278	$	776,680		5.13	%

(1) Based on quoted market prices as of September 30, 2010 for identical liabilities when traded as assets, with the exception of amounts drawn on our credit facility for which fair value equals carrying value due to its short-term nature.

We may, from time to time, retire outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. 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.

In September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our ten-year bonds due in 2012. 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 income. When the changes in 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 income. Hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2010. The fair value of the interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2010 was $6.6 million and is included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. 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 nine months of 2010, excluding the impact of the 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. We expect the effect of exchange rate changes to have a minimal impact on our results of operations and cash flows, as our foreign operations represent a relatively small portion of our business.

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 September 30, 2010, 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 will materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). There have been no significant changes to these risk factors since we filed the 2009 Form 10-K.

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 we completed during the third quarter of 2010.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

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
July 1, 2010 – July 31, 2010		—	$	—		—		6,363,900

August 1, 2010 – August 31, 2010		166,550		18.01		166,550		6,197,350

September 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010		—		—		—		6,197,350
Total		166,550	$	18.01		166,550		6,197,350

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 we may purchase additional shares under this authorization in the future.

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 third quarter of 2010, we withheld 221 shares in conjunction with the vesting and exercise of equity-based awards.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description	Method of Filing

1.1	Purchase Agreement, dated September 28, 2004, by and among us and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule 1 of the Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 4, 2004)	*

2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 2004, by and among us, Hudson Acquisition Corporation and New England Business Service, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) to the Deluxe Corporation Schedule TO-T filed with the Commission on May 25, 2004)	*

2.2	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 18, 2008, by and among us, Deluxe Business Operations, Inc., Helix Merger Corp. and Hostopia.com Inc. (excluding schedules which we agree to furnish to the Commission upon request) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 23, 2008)	*

3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation	Filed herewith

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)	*

4.2	First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 4, 2002, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association), as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 5, 2002)	*

4.3	Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2003, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association), 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)	*

4.4	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)	*

4.5	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)	*

4.6	Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2007, by and between us and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (including form of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 15, 2007)	*

4.7	Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 14, 2007, by and between us and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement related to the 7.375% Senior Notes due 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 15, 2007)	*

4.8	Specimen of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2015 (included in Exhibit 4.6)	*

4.9	Revolving credit agreement dated as of March 12, 2010, among us, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Fifth Third Bank as Syndication Agent, U.S. Bank National Association and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. as co-documentation agents, and the other financial institutions party thereto, related to a $200,000,000 three-year revolving credit agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2010)	*

12.1	Statement re: Computation of Ratios	Filed herewith

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 September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and (iv) Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text**	Furnished herewith

___________________

* Incorporated by reference

** Submitted electronically with this report

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: November 1, 2010	/s/ Lee Schram
	Lee Schram Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 1, 2010	/s/ Terry D. Peterson
	Terry D. Peterson Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.		Description

3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

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 September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and (iv) Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text