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

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019
[X]Quarterly Report Pursuant to SectionTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 orOR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2019
[ ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ________________________ to ________________________

For the transition period from  __________ to ___________

Commission file number: 1-79451-7945

deluxeenterpriselogoa10.jpg 

DELUXE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Minnesota
MN
41-0216800
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
41-0216800
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3680 Victoria St. N.,
Shoreview Minnesota
MN55126-2966
(Address of principal executive offices)
55126-2966
(Zip Code)

(651) 483-7111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per shareDLXNYSE

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. [X] Yes    [ ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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). [X] Yes   [ ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [X]Accelerated FilerAccelerated filer [ ]Filer
Non-accelerated filer [ ]FilerSmaller reporting company [ ]Reporting Company
 Emerging growth company [ ]Growth Company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per shareDLXNew York Stock Exchange

The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock par value $1.00 per share, as of April 23,October 16, 2019 was 43,638,328.42,101,861.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share par value)
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $61,529
 $59,740
 $73,472
 $59,740
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts 156,840
 173,862
 142,845
 173,862
Inventories and supplies 45,052
 46,441
 42,194
 46,441
Funds held for customers 92,954
 100,982
 94,848
 100,982
Revenue in excess of billings 33,911
 30,458
 25,745
 30,458
Other current assets 40,862
 38,563
 46,612
 38,563
Total current assets 431,148
 450,046
 425,716
 450,046
Deferred income taxes 4,102
 2,886
 5,494
 2,886
Long-term investments 44,422
 43,773
 44,616
 43,773
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $371,323 and $367,205, respectively) 89,926
 90,342
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $376,165 and $367,205, respectively) 92,661
 90,342
Operating lease assets 48,494
 
 41,739
 
Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $563,511 and $535,627, respectively) 339,639
 359,965
Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $591,450 and $535,627, respectively) 287,498
 359,965
Goodwill 1,160,821
 1,160,626
 800,286
 1,160,626
Assets held for sale 1,350
 1,350
 1,350
 1,350
Other non-current assets 202,509
 196,108
 189,603
 196,108
Total assets $2,322,411
 $2,305,096
 $1,888,963
 $2,305,096
        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
  
  
  
Current liabilities:  
  
  
  
Accounts payable $91,781
 $106,978
 $97,588
 $106,978
Accrued liabilities 264,668
 284,281
 264,259
 284,281
Long-term debt due within one year 
 791
 
 791
Total current liabilities 356,449
 392,050
 361,847
 392,050
Long-term debt 946,000
 911,073
 924,000
 911,073
Operating lease liabilities 36,087
 
 32,434
 
Deferred income taxes 49,567
 46,680
 10,257
 46,680
Other non-current liabilities 36,745
 39,880
 34,898
 39,880
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 13 and 14) 


 


Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 15) 


 


Shareholders' equity:  
  
  
  
Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: March 31, 2019 – 43,638; December 31, 2018 – 44,647) 43,638
 44,647
Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: September 30, 2019 – 42,099; December 31, 2018 – 44,647) 42,099
 44,647
Retained earnings 908,614
 927,345
 540,612
 927,345
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (54,689) (56,579) (57,184) (56,579)
Total shareholders’ equity 897,563
 915,413
 525,527
 915,413
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $2,322,411
 $2,305,096
 $1,888,963
 $2,305,096

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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

 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Product revenue $350,519
 $363,407
 $346,315
 $352,767
 $1,043,896
 $1,076,110
Service revenue 148,546
 128,507
 147,278
 140,423
 442,749
 397,239
Total revenue 499,065
 491,914
 493,593
 493,190
 1,486,645
 1,473,349
Cost of products (131,263) (133,371) (133,807) (132,996) (398,869) (400,700)
Cost of services (68,360) (55,387) (69,916) (64,638) (207,006) (175,894)
Total cost of revenue (199,623) (188,758) (203,723) (197,634) (605,875) (576,594)
Gross profit 299,442
 303,156
 289,870
 295,556
 880,770
 896,755
Selling, general and administrative expense (230,177) (211,154) (213,318) (208,533) (665,787) (629,272)
Restructuring and integration expense (5,492) (2,145) (26,255) (5,135) (49,089) (12,915)
Asset impairment charges 
 (2,149) (390,980) (99,170) (390,980) (101,319)
Operating income 63,773

87,708
Operating (loss) income (340,683)
(17,282) (225,086) 153,249
Interest expense (9,301) (5,579) (8,710) (7,244) (27,251) (18,953)
Other income 1,766
 1,289
 2,183
 2,356
 6,118
 6,081
Income before income taxes 56,238
 83,418
Income tax provision (15,048) (20,082)
Net income $41,190
 $63,336
Comprehensive income $43,080
 $61,565
Basic earnings per share 0.93
 1.32
Diluted earnings per share 0.93
 1.31
(Loss) income before income taxes (347,210) (22,170) (246,219) 140,377
Income tax benefit (provision) 28,717
 (8,913) 1,498
 (47,916)
Net (loss) income $(318,493) $(31,083) $(244,721) $92,461
Comprehensive (loss) income $(322,150) $(30,902) $(245,326) $87,936
Basic (loss) earnings per share (7.49) (0.67) (5.65) 1.94
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (7.49) (0.67) (5.65) 1.93

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


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

  Common shares 
Common shares
par value
 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Balance, December 31, 2018 44,647
 $44,647
 $
 $927,345
 $(56,579) $915,413
Net income 
 
 
 41,190
 
 41,190
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share) 
 
 
 (13,170) 
 (13,170)
Common shares issued 86
 86
 1,862
 
 
 1,948
Common shares repurchased (1,038) (1,038) (2,478) (46,484) 
 (50,000)
Other common shares retired (57) (57) (2,615) 
 
 (2,672)
Employee share-based compensation 
 
 3,231
 
 
 3,231
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (Note 2) 
 
 
 (267) 
 (267)
Other comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 1,890
 1,890
Balance, March 31, 2019 43,638
 $43,638
 $
 $908,614
 $(54,689) $897,563

  Common shares 
Common shares
par value
 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Balance, June 30, 2019 42,928
 $42,928
 $
 $904,748
 $(53,527) $894,149
Net loss 
 
 
 (318,493) 
 (318,493)
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share) 
 
 
 (12,977) 
 (12,977)
Common shares issued 51
 51
 1,472
 
 
 1,523
Common shares repurchased (876) (876) (6,109) (32,666) 
 (39,651)
Other common shares retired (4) (4) (200) 
 
 (204)
Employee share-based compensation 
 
 4,837
 
 
 4,837
Other comprehensive loss 
 
 
 
 (3,657) (3,657)
Balance, September 30, 2019 42,099
 $42,099
 $
 $540,612
 $(57,184) $525,527

  Common shares 
Common shares
par value
 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Balance, December 31, 2017 47,953
 $47,953
 $
 $1,004,657
 $(37,597) $1,015,013
Net income 
 
 
 63,336
 
 63,336
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share) 
 
 
 (14,417) 
 (14,417)
Common shares issued 249
 249
 7,457
 
 
 7,706
Common shares repurchased (278) (278) (4,373) (15,345) 
 (19,996)
Other common shares retired (83) (83) (6,046) 
 
 (6,129)
Employee share-based compensation 
 
 2,962
 
 
 2,962
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 
 
 
 4,966
 
 4,966
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-02 
 
 
 6,867
 (6,867) 
Other comprehensive loss 
 
 
 
 (1,771) (1,771)
Balance, March 31, 2018 47,841
 $47,841
 $
 $1,050,064
 $(46,235) $1,051,670
  Common shares 
Common shares
par value
 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Balance, December 31, 2018 44,647
 $44,647
 $
 $927,345
 $(56,579) $915,413
Net loss 
 
 
 (244,721) 
 (244,721)
Cash dividends ($0.90 per share) 
 
 
 (39,445) 
 (39,445)
Common shares issued 150
 150
 3,411
 
 
 3,561
Common shares repurchased (2,632) (2,632) (13,615) (102,300) 
 (118,547)
Other common shares retired (66) (66) (3,010) 
 
 (3,076)
Employee share-based compensation 
 
 13,214
 
 
 13,214
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (Note 2) 
 
 
 (267) 
 (267)
Other comprehensive loss 
 
 
 
 (605) (605)
Balance, September 30, 2019 42,099
 $42,099
 $
 $540,612
 $(57,184) $525,527

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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

  Common shares 
Common shares
par value
 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Balance, June 30, 2018 47,623
 $47,623
 $
 $1,076,683
 $(49,170) $1,075,136
Net loss 
 
 
 (31,083) 
 (31,083)
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share) 
 
 
 (14,209) 
 (14,209)
Common shares issued 28
 28
 1,504
 
 
 1,532
Common shares repurchased (1,346) (1,346) (5,246) (73,412) 
 (80,004)
Other common shares retired 
 
 (22) 
 
 (22)
Employee share-based compensation 
 
 3,764
 
 
 3,764
Other comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 181
 181
Balance, September 30, 2018 46,305
 $46,305
 $
 $957,979
 $(48,989) $955,295

  Common shares 
Common shares
par value
 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Balance, December 31, 2017 47,953
 $47,953
 $
 $1,004,657
 $(37,597) $1,015,013
Net income 
 
 
 92,461
 
 92,461
Cash dividends ($0.90 per share) 
 
 
 (43,012) 
 (43,012)
Common shares issued 518
 518
 18,181
 
 
 18,699
Common shares repurchased (1,919) (1,919) (10,121) (107,960) 
 (120,000)
Other common shares retired (247) (247) (17,601) 
 
 (17,848)
Employee share-based compensation 
 
 9,541
 
 
 9,541
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 
 
 
 4,966
 
 4,966
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-02 
 
 
 6,867
 (6,867) 
Other comprehensive loss 
 
 
 
 (4,525) (4,525)
Balance, September 30, 2018 46,305
 $46,305
 $
 $957,979
 $(48,989) $955,295

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019 2018  2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:Cash flows from operating activities:    Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income $41,190
 $63,336
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
Net (loss) incomeNet (loss) income $(244,721) $92,461
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
DepreciationDepreciation 4,245
 3,675
Depreciation 12,206
 12,724
Amortization of intangiblesAmortization of intangibles 28,174
 27,466
Amortization of intangibles 83,224
 84,199
Amortization of operating lease assets 4,030
 
Operating lease expenseOperating lease expense 15,145
 
Asset impairment chargesAsset impairment charges 
 2,149
Asset impairment charges 390,980
 101,319
Amortization of prepaid product discountsAmortization of prepaid product discounts 5,757
 5,408
Amortization of prepaid product discounts 17,861
 16,976
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes 1,640
 (233)Deferred income taxes (38,549) (12,157)
Employee share-based compensation expenseEmployee share-based compensation expense 3,760
 2,962
Employee share-based compensation expense 14,580
 9,481
Loss (gain) on sales of businesses and customer listsLoss (gain) on sales of businesses and customer lists 99
 (7,228)Loss (gain) on sales of businesses and customer lists 224
 (12,855)
Other non-cash items, netOther non-cash items, net 3,038
 1,361
Other non-cash items, net 9,858
 5,482
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:  
  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:  
  
Trade accounts receivableTrade accounts receivable 15,927
 12,763
Trade accounts receivable 27,505
 1,466
Inventories and suppliesInventories and supplies 1,322
 (189)Inventories and supplies 2,728
 (2,009)
Other current assetsOther current assets (6,231) (3,536)Other current assets (3,213) (13,030)
Non-current assetsNon-current assets (1,557) (2,444)Non-current assets (3,346) (5,116)
Accounts payableAccounts payable (15,069) (3,789)Accounts payable (10,779) (5,453)
Prepaid product discount paymentsPrepaid product discount payments (9,189) (5,364)Prepaid product discount payments (20,370) (19,125)
Other accrued and non-current liabilitiesOther accrued and non-current liabilities (31,737) (15,549)Other accrued and non-current liabilities (45,309) (35,261)
Net cash provided by operating activitiesNet cash provided by operating activities 45,399
 80,788
Net cash provided by operating activities 208,024
 219,102
Cash flows from investing activities:Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
Purchases of capital assetsPurchases of capital assets (14,619) (14,034)Purchases of capital assets (49,679) (42,566)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquiredPayments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (444) (52,369)Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1,598) (190,396)
Purchases of customer funds marketable securitiesPurchases of customer funds marketable securities (42) (46)Purchases of customer funds marketable securities (3,817) (3,981)
Proceeds from customer funds marketable securitiesProceeds from customer funds marketable securities 42
 46
Proceeds from customer funds marketable securities 3,817
 3,981
OtherOther 236
 (450)Other 1,398
 1,038
Net cash used by investing activitiesNet cash used by investing activities (14,827) (66,853)Net cash used by investing activities (49,879) (231,924)
Cash flows from financing activities:Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
Proceeds from issuing long-term debtProceeds from issuing long-term debt 82,500
 824,625
Proceeds from issuing long-term debt 203,500
 1,189,500
Payments on long-term debtPayments on long-term debt (46,500) (792,200)Payments on long-term debt (189,500) (1,009,139)
Net change in customer funds obligationsNet change in customer funds obligations (9,908) 10,293
Net change in customer funds obligations (8,711) (58)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plansProceeds from issuing shares under employee plans 1,548
 5,169
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans 3,159
 7,300
Employee taxes paid for shares withheldEmployee taxes paid for shares withheld (2,672) (4,557)Employee taxes paid for shares withheld (3,076) (7,969)
Payments for common shares repurchasedPayments for common shares repurchased (50,000) (19,996)Payments for common shares repurchased (118,547) (120,000)
Cash dividends paid to shareholdersCash dividends paid to shareholders (13,118) (14,393)Cash dividends paid to shareholders (39,068) (42,943)
OtherOther (1,257) (3,205)Other (1,654) (4,128)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activitiesNet cash (used) provided by financing activities (39,407) 5,736
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (153,897) 12,563
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalentsEffect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 2,076
 (2,011)Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 2,604
 (2,446)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalentsNet change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (6,759) 17,660
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 6,852
 (2,705)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of yearCash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of year 145,259
 128,819
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of year 145,259
 128,819
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period (Note 3)Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period (Note 3) $138,500
 $146,479
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period (Note 3) $152,111
 $126,114

See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 1: Consolidated financial statements

The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2019, the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the quarters and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018, the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the quarters and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the quartersnine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 are unaudited. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 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, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”).

Amounts within cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 have been modified to conform to the current year presentation. Loss (gain) on sales of businesses and customer lists is now presented separately. In the previous year, this amount was included within other non-cash items, net.

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-18, Restricted Cash. This standard requires the statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. This standard was effective for us on January 1, 2018 and was required to be applied retrospectively. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, we identified a misstatement in our statement of cash flows presentation under this standard. We concluded that the cash and cash equivalents included in funds held for customers should be included with cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows, in accordance with ASU No. 2016-18. Additionally, we determined that gross redemptions and purchases of marketable debt securities included in funds held for customers should be presented as cash flows from investing activities in the statements of cash flows. This misstatement affected our consolidated statements of cash flows as presented in our 2018 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

We assessed the materiality of this misstatement on prior periods' financial statements in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality, codified in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 250, Presentation of Financial Statements. We concluded that the misstatement was not material to any prior interim period and therefore, amendments of previously filed reports arewere not required. In accordance with ASC 250, we have corrected the misstatement for all prior periods presented by revising the consolidated financial statements appearing herein. Periods not presented herein will be revised, as applicable, in future filings. The revisions had no impact on total assets, total liabilities, shareholders' equity, net income or net cash provided by operating activities.

The impact of the revisions on our consolidated statement of cash flows for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 was as follows:
(in thousands) Previously reported Adjustment Revised Previously reported Adjustment Revised
Purchases of customer funds marketable securities $
 $(46) $(46) $
 $(3,981) $(3,981)
Proceeds from customer funds marketable securities 
 46
 46
 
 3,981
 3,981
Net cash used by investing activities (66,853) 
 (66,853) (231,924) 
 (231,924)
Net change in customer funds obligations 
 10,293
 10,293
 
 (58) (58)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (4,557) 10,293
 5,736
Net cash provided by financing activities 12,621
 (58) 12,563
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (890) (1,121) (2,011) (1,188) (1,258) (2,446)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 8,488
 9,172
 17,660
 (1,389) (1,316) (2,705)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of year 59,240
 69,579
 128,819
 59,240
 69,579
 128,819
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period $67,728
 $78,751
 $146,479
 $57,851
 $68,263
 $126,114



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



Note 2: New accounting pronouncements

ASU No. 2016-02 – In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leasing. This standard is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for virtually all leases and by requiring the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued two amendments to ASU No. 2016-02:this standard: ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which amendsamended narrow aspects of the guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, which providesprovided an optional transition method under which comparative periods presented in financial statements in the period of adoption would not be restated. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01, Codification Improvements. This standard addressesaddressed areas identified as companies prepared to implement ASU No. 2016-02. We adopted all of these standards on January 1, 2019, using a modified retrospective approach and the optional transition method under ASU No. 2018-11. As such, prior periods have not been restated to reflect the new guidance.

We elected the practical expedient package outlined in ASU No. 2016-02 under which we did not have to reassess whether an arrangement contains a lease, we carried forward our previous classification of leases as either operating or capital leases, and we did not have to reassess previously recorded initial direct costs. Additionally, we made the following policy elections:

Wewe excluded leases with original terms of 12 months or less from lease assets and lease liabilities;
Wewe separated nonlease components, such as common area maintenance charges and utilities, from the associated lease component for real estate leases, based on their estimated fair values; and
Wewe used the accounting lease term when determining the incremental borrowing rate for leases with renewal
options.

Adoption of the standards had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet, but did not have a significant impact on our consolidated statementstatements of incomecomprehensive loss or our consolidated statement of cash flows. The most significant impact was the recognition of operating lease assets of $50,803, current operating lease liabilities of $13,611 and non-current operating lease liabilities of $37,440 as of January 1, 2019. Our accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception by considering whether a contract explicitly or implicitly identifies assets deployed in the arrangement and whether we have obtained substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the underlying assets and direct how and for what purpose the assets are used during the term of the contract. Operating leases are included in operating lease assets, accrued liabilities and operating lease liabilities inon our consolidated balance sheet. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities inon our consolidated balance sheet.

Lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As our lease agreements typically do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Certain of our lease agreements include options to extend or terminate the lease. The lease term takes into account these options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is included in total cost of revenue and in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense on the consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive (loss) income, and interest on finance leases is included in interest expense on the consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive (loss) income. Operating lease expense is recognized on the straight-line basis over the lease term. Information regarding our leases can be found in Note 13.14.

ASU No. 2016-13 – In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade and loans receivable and available-for-sale debt securities. Subsequently, the FASB issued several amendments to this standard. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of ASU No. 2016-13. TheseIn April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. This standard provides additional guidance on the measurement and presentation of credit losses. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief, which provides transition guidance to entities that elect the fair value option for eligible instruments. All of
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

these standards are effective for us on January 1, 2020 and require adoption using a modified retrospective approach. We do not expect the application of these standards to have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
ASU No. 2018-13 – In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements. This standard removes, modifies and adds certain disclosures related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. During 2018, we adopted the provisions of the standard that remove and modify disclosure requirements. The additional disclosures required under the guidance are effective for us on January 1, 2020 and are required to be applied prospectively to fair value measurements completed on or after the effective date.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

ASU No. 2018-15 – In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the new standard. The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020 and may be adopted retrospectively or prospectively to eligible costs incurred on or after the date the guidance is first applied. This new guidance will impact our results of operations and financial position as we currently expense these implementation costs as incurred. As we have not historically tracked these costs separately, we are not able to quantify the expected impact on our consolidated financial statements. We plan to adopt the standard prospectively. As such, the impact of the standard on our financial statements will depend on the transactions that occur subsequent to adoption.


Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information

Allowance for uncollectible accounts – Changes in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the quartersnine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Balance, beginning of year $3,639
 $2,884
 $3,639
 $2,884
Bad debt expense 1,248
 875
 3,718
 2,275
Write-offs, net of recoveries (423) (905) (2,537) (2,036)
Balance, end of period $4,464
 $2,854
 $4,820
 $3,123


Inventories and supplies – Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Raw materials $7,818
 $7,543
 $7,537
 $7,543
Semi-finished goods 7,496
 7,273
 7,396
 7,273
Finished goods 25,767
 27,608
 23,719
 27,608
Supplies 3,971
 4,017
 3,542
 4,017
Inventories and supplies $45,052
 $46,441
 $42,194
 $46,441


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

Available-for-sale debt securities – Available-for-sale debt securities included within funds held for customers were comprised of the following:
 March 31, 2019 September 30, 2019
(in thousands) Cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
Funds held for customers:(1)
                
Domestic money market fund $16,000
 $
 $
 $16,000
 $14,000
 $
 $
 $14,000
Canadian and provincial government securities 8,711
 
 (219) 8,492
 8,856
 
 (199) 8,657
Canadian guaranteed investment certificates 7,491
 
 
 7,491
 7,552
 
 
 7,552
Available-for-sale debt securities $32,202
 $
 $(219) $31,983
 $30,408
 $
 $(199) $30,209

(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2019, also included cash of $60,971.$64,639.

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

  December 31, 2018
(in thousands) Cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
Funds held for customers:(1)
        
Domestic money market fund $16,000
 $
 $
 $16,000
Canadian and provincial government securities 8,485
 
 (355) 8,130
Canadian guaranteed investment certificates 7,333
 
 
 7,333
Available-for-sale debt securities $31,818
 $
 $(355) $31,463
 
(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, also included cash of $69,519.
 
Expected maturities of available-for-sale debt securities as of March 31,September 30, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) Fair value Fair value
Due in one year or less $25,614
 $24,019
Due in two to five years 4,102
 3,550
Due in six to ten years 2,267
 2,640
Available-for-sale debt securities $31,983
 $30,209


Further information regarding the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities can be found in Note 7.8.

Revenue in excess of billings – Revenue in excess of billings was comprised of the following:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Conditional right to receive consideration $20,364
 $19,705
 $16,032
 $19,705
Unconditional right to receive consideration 13,547
 10,753
 9,713
 10,753
Revenue in excess of billings $33,911
 $30,458
 $25,745
 $30,458


Assets held for sale Assets held for sale as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consisted of 1 small business customer list with a carrying value of $1,350. We are actively marketing this asset, and we expect the selling price will equal or exceed its current carrying value.

During the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2018, we sold the assets of 2a provider of printed and promotional products, as well as certain small business distributors.customer lists. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we also sold the assets of an additional provider of printed and promotional products and a small business distributor, as well as additional small business
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

customer lists. We determined that these businessesassets would be better positioned for long-term growth if they were managed by independent distributors. Subsequent to the sales, the businessesassets are owned by independent distributors that are part of our Safeguard® distributor network. As such, our revenue was not impacted by these sales and the impact to our costs was not significant. These sales resulted in aggregate net gains within SG&A expense of $7,228$1,765 for the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and $12,855 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Assets heldIntangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
  September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
(in thousands) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
Amortizable intangibles:  
  
  
  
  
  
Internal-use software $417,098
 $(334,336) $82,762
 $388,477
 $(308,313) $80,164
Customer lists/relationships 357,809
 (190,993) 166,816
 379,570
 (170,973) 208,597
Trade names 32,361
 (27,048) 5,313
 50,645
 (26,204) 24,441
Technology-based intangibles 34,080
 (19,772) 14,308
 39,300
 (14,007) 25,293
Software to be sold 36,900
 (18,601) 18,299
 36,900
 (15,430) 21,470
Other 700
 (700) 
 700
 (700) 
Intangibles $878,948
 $(591,450)
$287,498

$895,592

$(535,627)
$359,965


During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we recorded asset impairment charges related to customer lists/relationships, trade names and technology-based intangibles. Further information regarding these asset impairment charges can be found in Note 8.

Amortization of intangibles was $26,736 for salethe quarter ended September 30, 2019, $28,505 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, $83,224 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and $84,199 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Based on the intangibles in service as of March 31,September 30, 2019, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
(in thousands) 
Estimated
amortization
expense
Remainder of 2019 $27,463
2020 89,907
2021 68,423
2022 41,251
2023 26,533

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


The following intangibles were acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
(in thousands) Amount 
Weighted-average amortization period
(in years)
Internal-use software $33,370
 3
Customer lists/relationships(1)
 11,970
 8
Acquired intangibles $45,340
 5

(1) These asset purchases did not qualify as business combinations.

Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) 
Small
Business
Services
 
Financial
Services
 
Direct
Checks
 Total
Balance, December 31, 2018:        
Goodwill, gross $765,266
 $373,421
 $148,506
 $1,287,193
Accumulated impairment charges (126,567) 
 
 (126,567)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges 638,699
 373,421

148,506

1,160,626
Impairment charges (Note 8) (242,267) (115,474) 
 (357,741)
Measurement-period adjustments for prior year acquisitions (Note 6) (340) (1,427) 
 (1,767)
Currency translation adjustment (832) 
 
 (832)
Balance, September 30, 2019 $395,260
 $256,520
 $148,506
 $800,286
         
Balance, September 30, 2019:  
  
  
  
Goodwill, gross 764,094
 371,994
 148,506
 1,284,594
Accumulated impairment charges (368,834) (115,474) 
 (484,308)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges $395,260
 $256,520

$148,506

$800,286

Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:
(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors $67,924
 $78,693
Prepaid product discounts 51,748
 54,642
Postretirement benefit plan asset 45,808
 41,259
Deferred sales commissions(1)
 10,603
 6,482
Deferred advertising costs 4,089
 5,746
Other 9,431
 9,286
Other non-current assets $189,603
 $196,108


(1) Amortization of deferred sales commissions was $2,246 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consisted of 1 small business customer list with a carrying value of $1,350. We are actively marketing this asset, and we expect$2,033 for the selling price will equal or exceed its current carrying value.nine months ended September 30, 2018.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
(in thousands) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount
Amortizable intangibles:  
  
  
  
  
  
Internal-use software $397,667
 $(318,273) $79,394
 $388,477
 $(308,313) $80,164
Customer lists/relationships 377,877
 (184,144) 193,733
 379,570
 (170,973) 208,597
Trade names 50,706
 (27,923) 22,783
 50,645
 (26,204) 24,441
Technology-based intangibles 39,300
 (15,984) 23,316
 39,300
 (14,007) 25,293
Software to be sold 36,900
 (16,487) 20,413
 36,900
 (15,430) 21,470
Other 700
 (700) 
 700
 (700) 
Intangibles $903,150
 $(563,511)
$339,639

$895,592

$(535,627)
$359,965


During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, we purchased internal-use software of $9,018, with a weighted-average amortization period of 3 years. Amortization of intangibles was $28,174 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and $27,466 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Based on the intangibles in service as of March 31, 2019, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
(in thousands) 
Estimated
amortization
expense
Remainder of 2019 $64,770
2020 73,171
2021 56,320
2022 40,094
2023 29,628


Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) 
Small
Business
Services
 
Financial
Services
 
Direct
Checks
 Total
Balance, December 31, 2018:        
Goodwill, gross $765,266
 $373,421
 $148,506
 $1,287,193
Accumulated impairment charges (126,567) 
 
 (126,567)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges 638,699
 373,421

148,506

1,160,626
Currency translation adjustment 195
 
 
 195
Balance, March 31, 2019:  
  
  
  
Goodwill, gross 765,461
 373,421
 148,506
 1,287,388
Accumulated impairment charges (126,567) 
 
 (126,567)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges $638,894
 $373,421

$148,506

$1,160,821

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

Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors $79,191
 $78,693
Prepaid product discounts 58,237
 54,642
Postretirement benefit plan asset 43,165
 41,259
Deferred sales commissions(1)
 7,454
 6,482
Deferred advertising costs 5,009
 5,746
Other 9,453
 9,286
Other non-current assets $202,509
 $196,108


(1) Amortization of deferred sales commissions was $697 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and $694 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Changes in prepaid product discounts during the quartersnine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Balance, beginning of year $54,642
 $63,895
 $54,642
 $63,895
Additions(1)
 9,553
 7,492
 15,275
 11,695
Amortization (5,757) (5,408) (17,861) (16,976)
Other (201) (25) (308) (75)
Balance, end of period $58,237
 $65,954
 $51,748
 $58,539
 
(1) Prepaid product discounts are generally accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments for prepaid product discounts were $9,189$20,370 for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and $5,364$19,125 for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.

Accrued liabilities – Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Funds held for customers $91,552
 $99,818
 $93,337
 $99,818
Deferred revenue(1)
 49,428
 54,313
 39,845
 54,313
Employee profit sharing/cash bonus 14,442
 31,286
 31,323
 31,286
Wages 13,055
 6,359
Operating lease liabilities 13,008
 
 12,840
 
Prepaid product discounts due within one year 12,244
 10,926
 11,221
 10,926
Customer rebates 8,725
 9,555
 9,845
 9,555
Restructuring and integration (Note 8) 3,687
 3,320
Restructuring and integration (Note 9) 6,138
 3,320
Other 71,582
 75,063
 46,655
 68,704
Accrued liabilities $264,668
 $284,281
 $264,259
 $284,281

 
(1) $23,22545,032 of the December 31, 2018 amount was recognized as revenue during the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019.

Other non-current liabilities – Other non-current liabilities were comprised of the following:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Prepaid product discounts $11,358
 $12,513
 $6,860
 $12,513
Other 25,387
 27,367
 28,038
 27,367
Other non-current liabilities $36,745
 $39,880
 $34,898
 $39,880


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

Supplemental cash flow information – The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to the consolidated balance sheets was as follows:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 March 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Cash and cash equivalents $61,529
 $67,728
 $73,472
 $57,851
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for customers 76,971
 78,751
 78,639
 68,263
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents $138,500
 $146,479
 $152,111
 $126,114


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

Note 4: Earnings(Loss) earnings per share

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share. During each period, certain stock options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. 
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Earnings per share – basic:    
Net income $41,190
 $63,336
(Loss) earnings per share – basic:        
Net (loss) income $(318,493) $(31,083) $(244,721) $92,461
Income allocated to participating securities (110) (286) (24) (53) (79) (396)
Income available to common shareholders $41,080
 $63,050
(Loss) income available to common shareholders $(318,517) $(31,136)
$(244,800) $92,065
Weighted-average shares outstanding 43,965
 47,755
 42,533
 46,781
 43,312
 47,340
Earnings per share – basic $0.93
 $1.32
(Loss) earnings per share – basic $(7.49) $(0.67) $(5.65) $1.94
            
Earnings per share – diluted:  
  
Net income $41,190
 $63,336
(Loss) earnings per share – diluted:  
  
    
Net (loss) income $(318,493) $(31,083) $(244,721) $92,461
Income allocated to participating securities (65) (285) (24) (53) (79) (394)
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities 
 (85) 
 (98) 
 (274)
Income available to common shareholders $41,125
 $62,966
(Loss) income available to common shareholders $(318,517) $(31,234)
$(244,800) $91,793
Weighted-average shares outstanding 43,965
 47,755
 42,533
 46,781
 43,312
 47,340
Dilutive impact of potential common shares 100
 262
 
 22
 
 178
Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding 44,065
 48,017
 42,533
 46,803

43,312
 47,518
Earnings per share – diluted $0.93
 $1.31
(Loss) earnings per share – diluted $(7.49) $(0.67) $(5.65) $1.93
Antidilutive options excluded from calculation 1,097
 521
 1,422
 1,037
 1,422
 570



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

Note 5: Other comprehensive income

Reclassification adjustments Information regarding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net (loss) income was as follows:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss components Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss Affected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive income Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss Affected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019 2018  2019 2018 2019 2018 
Realized gain on interest rate swap $81
 $
 $81
 $
 Interest expense
Tax expense (21) 
 (21) 
 Income tax benefit (provision)
Realized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax 60
 
 60
 
 Net (loss) income
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items:              
Prior service credit $355
 $355
 Other income 355
 355
 1,066
 1,066
 Other income
Net actuarial loss (806) (721) Other income (806) (721) (2,417) (2,163) Other income
Total amortization (451) (366) Other income (451) (366) (1,351) (1,097) Other income
Tax benefit 70
 356
 Income tax provision 70
 47
 209
 447
 Income tax benefit (provision)
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items, net of tax (381) (319) (1,142) (650) Net (loss) income
Total reclassifications, net of tax $(381) $(10) Net income $(321) $(319) $(1,082) $(650) 


Accumulated other comprehensive loss Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) Postretirement benefit plans 
Net unrealized loss on marketable debt securities,
net of tax(1)
 Currency translation adjustment Accumulated other comprehensive loss Postretirement benefit plans 
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities(1)
 
Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedge(2)
 Currency translation adjustment Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance, December 31, 2018 $(36,529) $(323) $(19,727) $(56,579) $(36,529) $(323) $
 $(19,727) $(56,579)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 
 107
 1,402
 1,509
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 
 122
 (1,790) (19) (1,687)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 381
 
 
 381
 1,142
 
 (60) 
 1,082
Net current-period other comprehensive income 381
 107
 1,402
 1,890
Balance, March 31, 2019 $(36,148) $(216) $(18,325) $(54,689)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,142
 122
 (1,850) (19) (605)
Balance, September 30, 2019 $(35,387) $(201) $(1,850) $(19,746) $(57,184)


(1) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications is net of income tax expense of $37.$43.

(2) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications is net of an income tax benefit of $635.


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

Note 6: Acquisitions

We periodically complete business combinations that align with our business strategy. The assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values, and the results of operations of each acquired business are included in our consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income from their acquisition dates. Transaction costs related to acquisitions are expensed as incurred and are included in SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. Transaction costs were not significant to our consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the quartersnine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018.
We did not complete any acquisitions during the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019. Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 were $444$1,598 and related to holdback payments for prior year acquisitions. During the quarternine months ended September 30, 2018, we completed the following acquisitions within our Small Business Services segment:
In June 2018, we acquired selected assets of Velocity Servers, Inc., doing business as ColoCrossing, a data center solutions, cloud hosting and infrastructure colocation provider of dedicated hosing services.
In March 31, 2018, we acquired all of the equity of Logomix Inc., a self-service marketing and branding platform that helps small businesses create logos and custom marketing products.
We also acquired the operations of 23 small business distributors.
In August 2018, we acquired selected assets of REMITCO LLC, the remittance processing business of First Data Corporation. The results of this business are included in our Financial Services segment.
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, included payments of $51,815$170,011 for these acquisitions and $554$20,385 for holdback payments for prior year acquisitions. Further information regarding our 2018 acquisitions can be found under the caption “Note 6: Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.
As of March 31,During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, purchase accountingwe recorded measurement-period adjustments for the 2018 acquisitions of Velocity Servers, Inc., REMITCO LLC and My Corporation Business Services, Inc. was not finalized. We expectthat decreased goodwill $1,767, with the offset to finalize purchase accounting for Velocity Servers, Inc. and REMITCO LLC by mid-2019 when our valuation of the acquired intangible assets of Velocity Servers, Inc. is complete and the purchase price for REMITCO LLC is finalized. We expect to finalize purchase accounting for My Corporation Business Services, Inc. by the end of 2019, when our valuation of the acquired intangible assets and various other assets and liabilities, is complete. No significant measurement-period adjustments related to these acquisitions were recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2019.including a $1,000 increase in customer list intangible assets.


Note 7: Derivative financial instruments

As part of our interest rate risk management strategy, in July 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap, which we designated as a cash flow hedge, to mitigate variability in interest payments on a portion of the amount drawn under our revolving credit facility (Note 13). The interest rate swap, which terminates in March 2023 when our revolving credit facility matures, effectively converts $200,000 of variable rate debt to a fixed rate of 1.798%. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet and are subsequently reclassified into interest expense as interest payments are made on the variable-rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap was $2,506 as of September 30, 2019 and was included in other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of this derivative is calculated based on the prevailing LIBOR rate curve on the date of measurement. The cash flow hedge was fully effective as of September 30, 2019 and its impact on our 2019 statements of comprehensive loss and statement of cash flows was not significant. We also do not expect the amount to be reclassified into interest expense over the next 12 months to be significant.


Note 7:8: Fair value measurements

Non-recurringAnnual asset impairment analysisanalysesWe evaluate the carrying value of goodwill as of July 31 of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would indicate a possible impairment. Our policy on impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill, which is included under the caption "Note 1: Significant accounting policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K, explains our methodology for assessing impairment of these assets.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


2019 annual impairment analysesIn completing the 2019 annual impairment analysis of goodwill, we elected to perform a qualitative analysis for 4 of our reporting units and a quantitative assessment for 2 of our reporting units: Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing and Small Business Services Web Services. Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing includes our businesses that provide outsourced marketing campaign targeting and execution and marketing analytics solutions. Small Business Services Web Services includes our businesses that provide hosting and domain name services, logo and web design, search engine marketing and optimization, payroll services and business incorporation and organization services.

The qualitative analyses evaluated factors, including, but not limited to, economic, market and industry conditions, cost factors and the overall financial performance of the reporting units. We also considered the quantitative analyses completed as of July 31, 2017, which indicated that the estimated fair values of the 4 reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximate amounts between $64,000 and $1,405,000, or by amounts between 50% and 314% above the carrying values of their net assets. In completing these assessments, we noted no changes in events or circumstance that indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

The quantitative analyses as of July 31, 2019 indicated that the goodwill of our Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting unit was partially impaired and the goodwill of our Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit was fully impaired. As such, we recorded pretax goodwill impairment charges of $115,474 and $242,267, respectively. Both impairment charges resulted from a combination of triggering events and circumstances, including underperformance against 2019 expectations and the original acquisition business case assumptions, our decision in the third quarter of 2019 to exit certain customer contracts, the loss of certain large customers in the third quarter of 2019 as they elected to in-source some of the services we provide, and the sustained decline in our stock price. The impairment charges were measured as the amount by which the reporting units' carrying values exceeded their estimated fair values, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill. After the impairment charges, $70,914 of goodwill remained in the Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting unit.

2018 annual impairment analysesDetails of our 2018 annual impairment analyses can be found under the caption "Note 8: Fair value measurements" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K. These analyses indicated that the goodwill of the Small Business Services Indirect reporting unit was fully impaired, resulting in a pretax goodwill impairment charge of $78,188 during the quarter ended September 30, 2018. In addition, the assets of this reporting unit included an indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset. Our quantitative analysis of this asset indicated that it was also fully impaired (level 3 fair value measurement), resulting in a pretax asset impairment charge of $19,100.

Other non-recurring asset impairment analyses – Due to certain triggering events, we assessed for impairment the other long-lived assets of our Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing and Small Business Services Web Services reporting units as of July 31, 2019. As a result of the same factors that resulted in the goodwill impairment charge, we recorded pretax asset impairment charges of $31,316 related to certain trade name, customer list and technology-based intangible assets in the Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit. We concluded that the long-lived assets of our Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting unit were not impaired. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we also recorded a pretax asset impairment charge of $1,923 related to an additional Financial Services customer list intangible asset. Due to a change in the related forecasted cash flows associated with the asset, we determined that it was fully impaired as of July 31, 2019. We utilized the discounted value of estimated future cash flows to estimate the fair values of these asset groups (level 3 fair value measurements).

During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, we recorded pretax asset impairment charges of $1,882 for Financial Services customer list intangible assets related to 2 small distributors we acquired in 2015. Based on higher than anticipated customer attrition, we determined that the customer lists were partially impaired as of July 31, 2018. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a pre-taxpretax asset impairment charge of $2,149 related to a Small Business Services customer list intangible asset. Based on changes in the customer base of an acquiredone of our small business distributor,distributors, we determined that the customer list asset was fully impaired (level 3 fair value measurement) as of March 31, 2018. We utilized the discounted value of estimated future cash flows to estimate the fair values of these asset groups (Level 3 fair value measurements).

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

Information regarding the impairment analyses completed during each year was as follows:
    Fair value measurements using  
  Fair value as of measurement date Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs Impairment charge
(in thousands)  (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
2019 analyses:          
Trade names (Small Business Services) $1,834
 $
 $
 $1,834
 $14,441
Customer lists (Small Business Services) 4,405
 
 
 4,405
 11,655
Technology-based (Small Business Services) 
 
 
 
 5,220
Customer list (Financial Services) 
 
 
 
 1,923
Goodwill         357,741
Total impairment charges         $390,980
2018 analyses:          
Indefinite-lived trade name (Small Business Services) $
 $
 $
 $
 $19,100
Customer list (Small Business Services) 
 $
 
 
 2,149
Customer lists (Financial Services)(1)
 4,223
 
 
 4,223
 1,882
Goodwill         78,188
Total impairment charges         $101,319


(1) The fair value presented is for the entire asset group that includes the impaired customer lists.

Recurring fair value measurements – The fair value of accrued contingent consideration is remeasured each reporting period. Increases or decreases in projected revenue or operating income, as appropriate, and the related probabilities of achieving the forecasted results, may result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in fair value resulting from changes in the timing, amount of, or likelihood of contingent payments are included in SG&A expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. Changes in fair value resulting from accretion for the passage of time are included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

Changes in accrued contingent consideration during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Balance, December 31, 2018 $2,396
Change in fair value 213
Payments (1,284)
Balance, September 30, 2019 $1,325


Funds held for customers included cash equivalents and available-for-sale debt securities (Note 3). The cash equivalents consisted of a money market fund investment that is traded in an active market. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of this investment approximates its fair value. Available-for-sale debt securities consisted of a mutual fund investment that invests in Canadian and provincial government securities and investments in Canadian guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) with maturities of 1 year or less. The mutual fund is not traded in an active market and its fair value is determined by obtaining quoted prices in active markets for the underlying securities held by the fund. The
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

fair value of the GICs approximated cost due to their relatively short duration. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss inon the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. Realized gains and losses are included in revenue inon the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and were not significant for the quarters or nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018.

The fair value of accrued contingent consideration is remeasured each reporting period. Increases or decreases in projected revenue or operating income, as appropriate, and the related probabilities of achieving the forecasted results, may result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in fair value resulting from changes in the timing, amount of, or likelihood of contingent payments are included in SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Changes in fair value resulting from accretion for the passage of time are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

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

Changes in accrued contingent consideration during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) Quarter Ended March 31, 2019
Balance, December 31, 2018 $2,396
Change in fair value 128
Payments (1,284)
Balance, March 31, 2019 $1,240


Information regarding the fair values of our financial instruments was as follows:
    Fair value measurements using
  March 31, 2019 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs
(in thousands) Carrying value Fair value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)
Measured at fair value through net income:          
Accrued contingent consideration $(1,240) $(1,240) $
 $
 $(1,240)
Measured at fair value through comprehensive income:          
Cash equivalents (funds held for customers) 16,000
 16,000
 16,000
 
 
Available-for-sale debt securities (funds held for customers) 15,983
 15,983
 
 15,983
 
Amortized cost:          
Cash 61,529
 61,529
 61,529
 
 
Cash (funds held for customers) 60,971
 60,971
 60,971
 
 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors 82,382
 64,382
 
 
 64,382
Long-term debt 946,000
 946,000
 
 946,000
 

    Fair value measurements using
  September 30, 2019 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs
(in thousands) Carrying value Fair value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)
Measured at fair value through net (loss) income:          
Accrued contingent consideration $(1,325) $(1,325) $
 $
 $(1,325)
Measured at fair value through comprehensive (loss) income:          
Cash equivalents (funds held for customers) 14,000
 14,000
 14,000
 
 
Available-for-sale debt securities (funds held for customers) 16,209
 16,209
 
 16,209
 
Derivative liability (Note 7) (2,506) (2,506) 
 (2,506) 
Amortized cost:          
Cash 73,472
 73,472
 73,472
 
 
Cash (funds held for customers) 64,639
 64,639
 64,639
 
 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors 71,189
 64,506
 
 
 64,506
Long-term debt 924,000
 924,000
 
 924,000
 


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

    Fair value measurements using
  December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs
(in thousands) Carrying value Fair value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)
Measured at fair value through net (loss) income:          
Accrued contingent consideration $(2,396) $(2,396) $
 $
 $(2,396)
Measured at fair value through comprehensive (loss) income:          
Cash equivalents (funds held for customers) 16,000
 16,000
 16,000
 
 
Available-for-sale debt securities (funds held for customers) 15,463
 15,463
 
 15,463
 
Amortized cost:          
Cash 59,740
 59,740
 59,740
 
 
Cash (funds held for customers) 69,519
 69,519
 69,519
 
 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors 81,560
 60,795
 
 
 60,795
Long-term debt(1)
 910,000
 910,000
 
 910,000
 
    Fair value measurements using
  December 31, 2018 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs
(in thousands) Carrying value Fair value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)
Measured at fair value through net income:          
Accrued contingent consideration $(2,396) $(2,396) $
 $
 $(2,396)
Measured at fair value through comprehensive income:          
Cash equivalents (funds held for customers) 16,000
 16,000
 16,000
 
 
Available-for-sale debt securities (funds held for customers) 15,463
 15,463
 
 15,463
 
Amortized cost:          
Cash 59,740
 59,740
 59,740
 
 
Cash (funds held for customers) 69,519
 69,519
 69,519
 
 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors 81,560
 60,795
 
 
 60,795
Long-term debt(1)
 910,000
 910,000
 
 910,000
 


(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.


Note 8:9: Restructuring and integration expense

Restructuring and integration expense consists of costs related to the integration of acquired businesses into our systems and processes. It also includes costs related to the consolidation and migration of certain applications and processes, including our human resources management system and certain of our sales and financial systems. These costs primarily consist of information technology consulting and project management services, internal labor, training and travel. In addition, we recorded employee severance costs related to these initiatives, as well as our ongoing cost reduction initiatives, across functional areas. Our restructuring and integration activities have increased in 2019, as we are currently pursuing several initiatives designed to focus our business behind our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency.

Restructuring and integration expense for each period consisted of the following components:
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except number of employees) 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Severance accruals $2,233
 $844
 $5,124
 $2,118
 $10,270
 $6,766
Severance reversals (169) (135) (91) (1,157) (476) (1,387)
Operating lease obligations 
 291
 
 291
Net accruals 2,064
 709
 5,033
 1,252

9,794

5,670
Other costs 4,219
 1,613
 22,641
 3,852
 41,660
 8,127
Restructuring and integration expense $6,283
 $2,322
 $27,674
 $5,104

$51,454

$13,797
Number of employees included in severance accruals 50
 25
 180
 75
 270
 180

Restructuring and integration expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as follows:
  Quarter Ended
March 31,
(in thousands) 2019 2018
Total cost of revenue $791
 $177
Operating expenses 5,492
 2,145
Restructuring and integration expense $6,283
 $2,322


During the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the net accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions across functional areas as we continued to reduce costs, primarily within our sales, marketing and fulfillment functions, as well as employee reductions related to our integration initiatives. These charges were reduced by the reversal of accruals recorded in previous periods when fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

restructuringRestructuring and integration costs, which were expensedexpense is reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income as incurred, included items such as information technology costs, labor costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel. During 2019, these costs related primarily to the integration of acquired businesses and the consolidation of information technology systems.follows:
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Total cost of revenue $1,419
 $(31) $2,365
 $882
Operating expenses 26,255
 5,135
 49,089
 12,915
Restructuring and integration expense $27,674
 $5,104

$51,454

$13,797


Restructuring and integration accruals of $3,687$6,138 as of March 31,September 30, 2019 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities. Accruals of $3,461 as of December 31, 2018 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $3,320 and other non-current liabilities of $141. The majority of the related employee reductions are expected to be completed by mid-2019,the end of 2019, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by the end of 2019, utilizing cash from operations.mid-2020. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, approximately 35130 employees had not yet started to receive severance benefits.

Restructuring and integration accruals, summarized by year, were as follows:
(in thousands) 
2019
 initiatives
 
2018
 initiatives
 
2017
initiatives
 Total 
2019
 initiatives
 
2018
 initiatives
 
2017
initiatives
 Total
Balance, December 31, 2018 $
 $3,448
 $13
 $3,461
 $
 $3,448
 $13
 $3,461
Charges 2,227
 6
 
 2,233
 9,919
 351
 
 10,270
Reversals 
 (156) (13) (169) (155) (308) (13) (476)
Payments (122) (1,434) 
 (1,556) (3,886) (2,949) 
 (6,835)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(1)
 
 (282) 
 (282) 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, March 31, 2019 $2,105
 $1,582
 $
 $3,687
Balance, September 30, 2019 $5,878
 $260
 $
 $6,138
Cumulative amounts:  
      
  
      
Charges $2,227
 $8,142
 $7,355
 $17,724
 $9,919
 $8,487
 $7,355
 $25,761
Reversals 
 (1,568) (726) (2,294) (155) (1,720) (726) (2,601)
Payments (122) (4,710) (6,629) (11,461) (3,886) (6,225) (6,629) (16,740)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(1)
 
 (282) 
 (282) 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, March 31, 2019 $2,105

$1,582
 $
 $3,687
Balance, September 30, 2019 $5,878

$260
 $
 $6,138


(1) Upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leasing, on January 1, 2019 (Note 2), our operating lease obligations accrual was reversed and the related operating lease asset was analyzed for impairment in accordance with the new guidance.

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

The components of our restructuring and integration accruals, by segment, were as follows:
 Employee severance benefits Operating lease obligations   Employee severance benefits Operating lease obligations  
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks 
 
Corporate(1)
 Small Business Services Financial Services Total Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks 
 
Corporate(1)
 Small Business Services Financial Services Total
Balance, December 31, 2018 $1,326
 $1,397
 $
 $456
 $282
 $
 $3,461
 $1,326
 $1,397
 $
 $456
 $282
 $
 $3,461
Charges 187
 1,269
 50
 727
 
 
 2,233
 3,309
 2,449
 168
 4,344
 
 
 10,270
Reversals (16) (70) 
 (83) 
 
 (169) (140) (108) (1) (227) 
 
 (476)
Payments (704) (726) 
 (126) 
 
 (1,556) (1,944) (2,570) (107) (2,214) 
 
 (6,835)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(2)
 
 
 
 
 (282) 
 (282) 
 
 
 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, March 31, 2019 $793
 $1,870

$50

$974

$
 $
 $3,687
Balance, September 30, 2019 $2,551
 $1,168

$60

$2,359

$
 $
 $6,138
Cumulative amounts:(3)
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
Charges $4,726
 $7,435
 $193
 $4,750
 $329
 $291
 $17,724
 $7,848
 $8,615
 $311
 $8,367
 $329
 $291
 $25,761
Reversals (620) (1,277) (5) (321) 
 (71) (2,294) (744) (1,315) (6) (465) 
 (71) (2,601)
Payments (3,313) (4,288) (138) (3,455) (47) (220) (11,461) (4,553) (6,132) (245) (5,543) (47) (220) (16,740)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(2)
 
 
 
 
 (282) 
 (282) 
 
 
 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, March 31, 2019 $793
 $1,870

$50

$974

$
 $
 $3,687
Balance, September 30, 2019 $2,551
 $1,168

$60

$2,359

$
 $
 $6,138

(1) As discussed in Note 16,17, corporate costs are allocated to our business segments. As such, the net corporate charges are reflected in the business segment operating (loss) income presented in Note 1617 in accordance with our allocation methodology.

(2) Upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leasing, on January 1, 2019 (Note 2), our operating lease obligations accrual was reversed and the related operating lease asset was analyzed for impairment in accordance with the new guidance.

(3) Includes accruals related to our integration and cost reduction initiatives for 2017 through 2019.


Note 9:10: Chief Executive Officer transition costs

In April 2018, we announced the retirement of Lee Schram, our former Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Schram remained employed under the terms of a transition agreement through March 1, 2019. Under the terms of this agreement, we provided certain benefits to Mr. Schram, including a transition bonus in the amount of $2,000 that was paid in March 2019, accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock unit awards, and continued vesting and settlement of a pro-rata portion of outstanding performance share awards to the extent such awards were earned based on the attainment of performance goals. The modifications to Mr. Schram's share-based payment awards resulted in expense of $2,088, which was largely recognized in 2018.

In conjunction with the CEO transition, we offered retention agreements to certain members of our management team under which each employee will be entitled to receive a cash bonus equal to his or her annual base salary or up to 1.5 times his or her annual base salary if he or she remains employed during the retention period, generally from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, and complies with certain covenants. The retention bonus will be paid to an employee if his or her employment is terminated without cause before the end of the retention period. In addition to the retention expense,these expenses, we incurred certain other costs related to the CEO transition process, during the quarter ended March 31,including executive search, legal, travel and board of directors fees in 2018. During 2019, includingwe incurred consulting fees related to the evaluation of our strategic plan.plan and we expensed the majority of the current CEO's signing bonus in 2019. CEO transition costs of $5,488 are included in SG&A expense inon the consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive (loss) income and were $1,145 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.September 30, 2019, $2,622 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, $8,539 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and $4,152 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Accruals for CEO transition costs of $3,939were $3,925 as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and were included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Accruals for CEO transition costs as of December 31, 2018 were $1,972 within accrued liabilities and $1,808 within other non-current liabilities.


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


Note 10:11: Income tax provisionbenefit (provision)

The effective tax rate on pre-tax (loss) income reconciles to the United States federal statutory rate of 21% as follows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018
Income tax at federal statutory rate 21.0% 21.0% 21.0% 21.0%
Goodwill impairment charge 
 7.1%
Goodwill impairment charges (Note 8) (22.0%) 7.1%
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit 3.4% 3.0% 4.9% 3.0%
Foreign deferred tax valuation allowance (3.4%) 
Foreign tax rate differences 1.2% 0.4%
Net tax impact of share-based compensation 1.6% (0.8%) (0.7%) (0.8%)
Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 
 (0.8%) 
 (0.8%)
Other 0.8% 0.1% (0.4%) (0.3%)
Effective tax rate 26.8% 29.6 % 0.6% 29.6%


During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we recorded asset impairment charges related to certain intangible assets located in Australia. As a result, we placed a full valuation allowance on the intangible-related deferred tax asset of $8,432, as we do not expect that we will realize the benefit of this deferred tax asset.


Note 11:12: Postretirement benefits

We have historically provided certain health care benefits for a large number of retired United States employees. In addition to our retiree health care plan, we also have a supplemental executive retirement plan in the United States. Further information regarding our postretirement benefit plans can be found under the caption “Note 14: Postretirement benefits” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.

Postretirement benefit income is included in other income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and consisted of the following components:
 Quarter Ended
March 31,
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Interest cost $682
 $656
 $682
 $656
 $2,046
 $1,969
Expected return on plan assets (1,740) (1,934) (1,740) (1,934) (5,218) (5,802)
Amortization of prior service credit (355) (355) (355) (355) (1,066) (1,066)
Amortization of net actuarial losses 806
 721
 806
 721
 2,417
 2,163
Net periodic benefit income $(607) $(912) $(607) $(912) $(1,821) $(2,736)


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

Note 12:13: Debt

Debt outstanding was comprised of the following:
(in thousands) March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility $946,000
 $910,000
 $924,000
 $910,000
Capital lease obligations(1)
 
 1,864
 
 1,864
Long-term debt, principal amount 946,000
 911,864
 924,000
 911,864
Less current portion of long-term debt 
 (791) 
 (791)
Long-term debt 946,000
 911,073
 924,000
 911,073
Current portion of capital lease obligations(1)
 
 791
 
 791
Long-term debt due within one year 
 791
 
 791
Total debt $946,000
 $911,864
 $924,000
 $911,864


(1) Upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leasing, on January 1, 2019 (Note 2), we reclassified our capital lease obligations, now known as finance lease obligations, to accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

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

There are currently no limitations on the amount of dividends and share repurchases under the terms of our credit agreement. However, if our leverage ratio, defined as total debt less unrestricted cash to EBITDA, should exceed 2.75 to 1, there would be an annual limitation on the amount of dividends and share repurchases.

As of December 31, 2018, we had a revolving credit facility in the amount of $950,000. In January 2019, we increased the credit facility by $200,000, bringing the total availability to $1,150,000, subject to increase under the credit agreement to an aggregate amount not exceeding $1,425,000. The credit facility matures in March 2023. Our quarterly commitment fee ranges from 0.175% to 0.35%, based on our leverage ratio. Amounts drawn under the credit facility had a weighted-average interest rate of 3.78%3.29% as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and 3.79% as of December 31, 2018. In July 2019, we executed an interest rate swap to convert $200,000 of the amount drawn under the credit facility to fixed rate debt. Further information can be found in Note 7.

Borrowings under the credit agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our personal and intangible property. The credit agreement governing our 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 requires us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.5 and a minimum ratio of consolidated earnings before interest and taxes to consolidated interest expense, as defined in the credit agreement, of 3.0.

Daily average amounts outstanding under our credit facility were as follows:
(in thousands) Quarter Ended March 31, 2019 
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
Revolving credit facility:        
Daily average amount outstanding $936,583
 $731,110
 $933,934
 $731,110
Weighted-average interest rate 3.76% 3.24% 3.69% 3.24%
Term loan facility:(1)
        
Daily average amount outstanding $
 $63,638
 $
 $63,638
Weighted-average interest rate 
 2.97% 
 2.97%

 
(1) During 2018, we had borrowings outstanding under a variable rate term loan facility. These amounts were repaid in March 2018.

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

As of March 31,September 30, 2019, amounts were available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility as follows:
(in thousands) 
Total
available
 
Total
available
Revolving credit facility commitment $1,150,000
 $1,150,000
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility (946,000) (924,000)
Outstanding letters of credit(1)
 (5,868) (5,733)
Net available for borrowing as of March 31, 2019 $198,132
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2019 $220,267


(1) We use standby letters of credit to collateralize certain obligations related primarily to our self-insured workers’ compensation claims, as well as claims for environmental matters, as required by certain states. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility.


Note 13:14:  Leases

We have entered into operating leases for the majority of our facilities. These real estate leases have remaining terms of up to 10.510.0 years, with a weighted-average remaining term of 5.65.5 years as of March 31,September 30, 2019. We utilize leases for these facilities to limit our exposure to risks related to ownership, such as fluctuations in real estate prices, and to maintain flexibility in our real estate utilization. We have also entered into operating leases for certain equipment, primarily production printers and data center equipment. Certain of our leases include options to extend the lease term. The impact of renewal periods was not significant to the amounts recorded for operating lease assets and liabilities.

We have entered into finance leases for certain information technology hardware. The net book value of the related lease assets was $1,530$1,164 as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and the related lease liabilities were $1,942.$1,545. The lease obligations are due through December 2022 and do not have a significant impact on our consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income or our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Operating lease expense was $6,363 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and $15,145 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Additional information regarding our operating leases was as follows:
(in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating cash outflows $12,329
Lease assets obtained during the period in exchange for lease obligations 5,501
   
  September 30, 2019
Operating lease assets $41,739
   
Accrued liabilities 12,840
Operating lease liabilities 32,434
Total operating lease liabilities $45,274
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) 5.2
Weighted-average discount rate 3.6%


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

through December 2022 and do not have a significant impact on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income or our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Information regarding our operating leases was as follows:
(in thousands) Quarter Ended March 31, 2019
Lease expense $4,465
Operating cash outflows 4,119
Lease assets obtained during the period in exchange for lease obligations 1,738
   
  March 31, 2019
Operating lease assets $48,494
   
Accrued liabilities 13,008
Operating lease liabilities 36,087
Total operating lease liabilities $49,095
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) 5.3
Weighted-average discount rate 3.6%


Maturities of operating lease liabilities were as follows:
(in thousands) Operating leases Operating leases
Remainder of 2019 $11,030
 $3,332
2020 13,275
 14,626
2021 9,438
 10,954
2022 6,208
 7,593
2023 3,628
 3,731
Thereafter 11,328
 11,334
Total lease payments 54,907
 51,570
Less imputed interest (5,812) (6,296)
Present value of lease payments $49,095
 $45,274



Note 14:15:  Other commitments and contingencies

Indemnifications – In the normal course of business, we periodically enter into agreements that incorporate general indemnification language. These indemnification provisions generally encompass third-party claims arising from our products and services, including, without limitation, service failures, breach of security, intellectual property rights, governmental regulations and/or employment-related matters. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by our breach of the terms of the contract. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks, including, for example, unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal matters 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 do not believe that any liability under these indemnities would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, annual results of operations or annual cash flows. We have recorded liabilities for known indemnifications related to environmental matters.

Environmental matters – We are currently involved in environmental compliance, investigation and remediation activities at some of our former sites, primarily printing facilities of our Financial Services and Small Business Services segments that have been sold. Remediation costs are accrued on an undiscounted basis when the obligations are either known or considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Remediation or testing costs that result directly from the sale of an asset and that we would not have otherwise incurred are considered direct costs of the sale of the asset. As such, they are included in our measurement of the carrying value of the asset sold.

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

Accruals for environmental matters were $2,6072,272 as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and $2,755 as of December 31, 2018. These accruals are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities inon the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued costs consist of direct costs of the remediation activities, primarily fees that will be paid to outside engineering and consulting firms. Although recorded accruals include our best estimates, our total costs cannot be predicted with certainty due to various factors, such as the extent of corrective action that may be required, evolving environmental laws and regulations and advances in environmental technology. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of the liability, that estimate is used. Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range is recorded. We do not believe that the range of possible outcomes could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Environmental expense was not significant for the quarters or nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018.

We maintain an insurance policy that covers up to $10,000 of third-party pollution claims through 2032 at certain owned, leased and divested sites. We also maintain a policy that covers up to $15,000 of third-party pollution claims through April 2022 at certain other sites. These policies cover liability for claims of bodily injury or property damage arising from pollution events at the covered facilities, as well as remediation coverage should we be required by a governing authority to perform remediation activities at the covered sites. NoNaN accruals have been recorded in our consolidated financial statements for any of the events contemplated in these insurance policies. We do not anticipate significant net cash outlays for environmental matters during 2019.

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

Self-insurance – We are self-insured for certain costs, primarily workers' compensation claims and medical and dental benefits for active employees and those employees on long-term disability. The liabilities associated with these items represent our best estimate of the ultimate obligations for reported claims plus those incurred, but not reported, and totaled $7,312$7,596 as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and $6,627 as of December 31, 2018. These accruals are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities inon the consolidated balance sheets. Our workers' compensation liability is recorded at present value. The difference between the discounted and undiscounted liability was not significant as of March 31,September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

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

Litigation – Recorded liabilities for legal matters, as well as related charges recorded in each period, were not material to our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the quarters or nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018, 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, upon resolution. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, it may cause a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity in the period in which the ruling occurs or in future periods.


Note 15:16: Shareholders’ equity

In May 2016,October 2018, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300,000$500,000 of our common stock, and in October 2018, the board increased our share repurchase authorization to $500,000, inclusive of the remaining amount outstanding under the prior authorization.stock. This authorization has no expiration date. During the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019, we repurchased 1.02.6 million shares for $50,000.$118,547. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, $370,000$301,452 remained available for repurchase under the current authorization.


Note 16:17: Business segment information

We currently operateAs of September 30, 2019, we operated 3 reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our business segments are generally organized by type of customer served and reflect the way we currently manage the company. Small Business Services promotes and sells products and services to small businesses via direct response mail and internet advertising; referrals from financial institutions, telecommunications clients and others; networks of Safeguard distributors and independent dealers; a direct sales force that focuses on selling to and through enterprise accounts; and an outbound telemarketing group. Financial Services' products and services are sold primarily through a direct sales force that executes product and service supply contracts with our financial institution clients, including banks, credit unions and financial
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

services companies. Direct Checks sells products and services directly to consumers using direct marketing, including print advertising and search engine marketing and optimization strategies. All 3 segments operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada, Australia and portions of Europe, and Financial Services has operations in Canada.

Our product and service offerings are comprised of the following:

Marketing solutions and other services (MOS) – We offer products and services designed to meet our customers' sales and marketing needs, as well as various other service offerings. Our MOS offerings generally consist of the following:

Small business marketing solutions – Our marketing products utilize digital printing and web-to-print solutions to provide printed marketing materials and promotional solutions, such as postcards, brochures, retail packaging supplies, apparel, greeting cards and business cards.

Treasury management solutions – These Financial Services solutions include remote deposit capture, receivables management, payment processing, and paperless treasury management, as well as software, hardware and digital imaging solutions.

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

Web services – These service offerings include hosting and domain name services, logo and web design, search engine marketing and optimization, email marketing, payroll services and business incorporation and organization services.

Data-driven marketing solutions – These Financial Services offerings include outsourced marketing campaign targeting and execution and marketing analytics solutions that help our customers grow revenue through strategic targeting, lead optimization, retention and cross-selling services.

Fraud, security, risk management and operational services – These service offerings include fraud protection and security services, electronic checks and deposits ("ePayments") and digital engagement solutions, including loyalty and rewards programs and finacial management tools.

Checks – We remain one of the largest providers of personal and business checks in the United States.

Forms, accessories and other products – Our Small Business Services segment provides printed forms to small businesses, including deposit tickets, billing forms, work orders, job proposals, purchase orders, invoices and personnel forms, as well as computer forms compatible with accounting software packages commonly used by small businesses. Small Business Services also offers other customized products, including envelopes, office supplies, ink stamps and labels. Our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments offer deposit tickets, check registers, checkbook covers, labels and ink stamps.

The following tables present revenue disaggregated by our product and service offerings:
  Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Consolidated
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions $68,258
 $
 $
 $68,258
Treasury management solutions 
 45,836
 
 45,836
Web services 40,906
 
 
 40,906
Data-driven marketing solutions 
 39,889
 
 39,889
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 6,171
 12,749
 3,144
 22,064
Total MOS 115,335
 98,474
 3,144
 216,953
Checks 115,392
 53,111
 24,330
 192,833
Forms, accessories and other products 79,484
 3,014
 1,309
 83,807
Total revenue $310,211
 $154,599
 $28,783
 $493,593

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Consolidated
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions $203,192
 $
 
 $203,192
Treasury management solutions 
 136,782
 
 136,782
Web services 125,856
 
 
 125,856
Data-driven marketing solutions 
 115,469
 
 115,469
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 18,339
 37,278
 9,899
 65,516
Total MOS 347,387
 289,529
 9,899
 646,815
Checks 349,116
 165,778
 75,587
 590,481
Forms, accessories and other products 235,268
 9,779
 4,302
 249,349
Total revenue $931,771
 $465,086
 $89,788
 $1,486,645

  Quarter Ended September 30, 2018
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Consolidated
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions $69,490
 $
 $
 $69,490
Treasury management solutions 
 35,833
 
 35,833
Web services 41,973
 
 
 41,973
Data-driven marketing solutions 
 39,808
 
 39,808
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 6,383
 12,953
 3,460
 22,796
Total MOS 117,846
 88,594
 3,460
 209,900
Checks 117,918
 54,800
 25,874
 198,592
Forms, accessories and other products 79,835
 3,377
 1,486
 84,698
Total revenue $315,599
 $146,771
 $30,820
 $493,190
         
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Consolidated
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions $205,694
 $
 $
 $205,694
Treasury management solutions 
 93,591
 
 93,591
Web services 120,199
 
 
 120,199
Data-driven marketing solutions 
 114,275
 
 114,275
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 19,487
 37,856
 10,761
 68,104
Total MOS 345,380
 245,722
 10,761
 601,863
Checks 360,637
 170,442
 81,425
 612,504
Forms, accessories and other products 243,638
 10,563
 4,781
 258,982
Total revenue $949,655
 $426,727
 $96,967
 $1,473,349


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

The following tables present revenue disaggregated by our product and service offerings:
  Quarter Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Consolidated
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions $66,621
 $
 $
 $66,621
Treasury management solutions 
 45,471
 
 45,471
Web services 43,604
 
 
 43,604
Data-driven marketing solutions 
 36,784
 
 36,784
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 6,111
 12,285
 3,524
 21,920
Total MOS 116,336
 94,540
 3,524
 214,400
Checks 118,423
 56,186
 26,542
 201,151
Forms, accessories and other products 78,299
 3,634
 1,581
 83,514
Total revenue $313,058
 $154,360
 $31,647
 $499,065

  Quarter Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Consolidated
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions $66,762
 $
 $
 $66,762
Treasury management solutions 
 29,200
 
 29,200
Web services 37,376
 
 
 37,376
Data-driven marketing solutions 
 37,140
 
 37,140
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 6,516
 12,307
 3,857
 22,680
Total MOS 110,654
 78,647
 3,857
 193,158
Checks 122,932
 58,051
 29,355
 210,338
Forms, accessories and other products 82,727
 3,943
 1,748
 88,418
Total revenue $316,313
 $140,641
 $34,960
 $491,914


Product revenue is recognized at a point in time. Total MOS revenue included product revenue of $65,854 and service revenue of $148,546 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and product revenue of $64,651 and service revenue of $128,507 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The majority of our service revenue is recognized over time as services are provided.
The following tables present our revenue disaggregated by geography, based on where items are shipped or services are performed.
(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Total Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Total
Quarter Ended March 31, 2019:        
Quarter Ended September 30, 2019:        
United States $288,208
 $150,050
 $31,647
 $469,905
 $286,025
 $149,575
 $28,783
 $464,383
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia 24,850
 4,310
 
 29,160
 24,186
 5,024
 
 29,210
Total revenue $313,058
 $154,360
 $31,647
 $499,065
 $310,211
 $154,599
 $28,783
 $493,593
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019:        
United States $857,759
 $451,126
 $89,788
 $1,398,673
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia 74,012
 13,960
 
 87,972
Total revenue $931,771
 $465,086
 $89,788
 $1,486,645

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

(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Total Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Total
Quarter Ended March 31, 2018:        
Quarter Ended September 30, 2018:        
United States $289,598
 $135,166
 $34,960
 $459,724
 $290,752
 $141,979
 $30,820
 $463,551
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia 26,715
 5,475
 
 32,190
 24,847
 4,792
 
 29,639
Total revenue $316,313
 $140,641
 $34,960
 $491,914
 $315,599
 $146,771
 $30,820
 $493,190
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018:        
United States $871,574
 $411,185
 $96,967
 $1,379,726
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia 78,081
 15,542
 
 93,623
Total revenue $949,655
 $426,727
 $96,967
 $1,473,349


The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2018 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, real estate, finance, information technology and legal functions. Where costs incurred are directly attributable to a business segment, those costs are charged directly to that segment. Those costs not directly attributable to a business segment, primarily certain human resources costs, are allocated to the segments based on the number of employees in each segment. Corporate assets are not allocated to the segments and consisted primarily of long-term investments and assets related to our corporate shared services functions of manufacturing, information technology and real estate, including property, plant and equipment; internal-use software; operating lease assets; and inventories and supplies.

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

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

The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018:
   Reportable Business Segments       Reportable Business Segments    
(in thousands)   Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Corporate Consolidated   Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Corporate Consolidated
Total revenue from external customers: 2019 $313,058
 $154,360
 $31,647
 $
 $499,065
 2019 $310,211
 $154,599
 $28,783
 $
 $493,593
 2018 316,313
 140,641
 34,960
 
 491,914
 2018 315,599
 146,771
 30,820
 
 493,190
Operating income: 2019 44,682
 10,251
 8,840
 
 63,773
Operating (loss) income: 2019 (243,193) (105,691) 8,201
 
 (340,683)
 2018 58,900
 17,973
 10,835
 
 87,708
 2018 (45,254) 17,612
 10,360
 
 (17,282)
Depreciation and amortization expense: 2019 16,612
 15,043
 764
 
 32,419
 2019 14,497
 15,220
 777
 
 30,494
 2018 15,439
 14,893
 809
 
 31,141
 2018 17,173
 15,424
 809
 
 33,406
Asset impairment charges: 2019 
 
 
 
 
 2019 273,583
 117,397
��
 
 390,980
 2018 2,149
 
 
 
 2,149
 2018 97,288
 1,882
 
 
 99,170
Total assets: 2019 1,075,950
 740,936
 157,011
 348,514
 2,322,411
 2019 809,058
 560,405
 155,487
 364,013
 1,888,963
 2018 1,141,551
 672,718
 158,683
 300,864
 2,273,816
 2018 1,056,086
 753,240
 157,806
 300,235
 2,267,367
Capital asset purchases: 2019 
 
 
 14,619
 14,619
 2019 
 
 
 17,335
 17,335
 2018 
 
 
 14,034
 14,034
 2018 
 
 
 14,526
 14,526
The following is our segment information as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
             
    Reportable Business Segments    
(in thousands)   Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Corporate Consolidated
Total revenue from external customers: 2019 $931,771
 $465,086
 $89,788
 $
 $1,486,645

 2018 949,655
 426,727
 96,967
 
 1,473,349
Operating (loss) income: 2019 (163,805) (86,134) 24,853
 
 (225,086)
  2018 72,288
 49,565
 31,396
 
 153,249
Depreciation and amortization expense: 2019 47,730
 45,231
 2,469
 
 95,430

 2018 48,765
 45,740
 2,418
 
 96,923
Asset impairment charges: 2019 273,583
 117,397
 
 
 390,980
  2018 99,437
 1,882
 
 
 101,319
Total assets: 2019 809,058
 560,405
 155,487
 364,013
 1,888,963
  2018 1,056,086
 753,240
 157,806
 300,235
 2,267,367
Capital asset purchases: 2019 
 
 
 49,679
 49,679
  2018 
 
 
 42,566
 42,566



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

Our Management'sThe following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated unaudited financial statements and related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. 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 herein. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Our MD&A includes the following sections:

Executive Overview that discusses what we do, our operating results at a high level and our financial outlook for the year;

Consolidated Results of Operations,Operations; Restructuring, Integration and Integration Expense,Other Costs; CEO Transition Costs and Segment Results that include a more detailed discussion of our revenue and expenses;
Cash Flows and Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Financial Position Information that discusses key aspects of our cash flows, capital structure and financial position;

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Contractual Obligations that discusses our financial commitments; and
Critical Accounting Policies that discusses the policies we believe are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments underlying our financial statements.

Please note that this MD&A discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the "2018 Form 10-K") outlines known material risks and important information to consider when evaluating our forward-looking statements and is incorporated into this Item 2 of this report on Form 10-Q as if fully stated herein. Updates to the risk factors discussed in the 2018 Form 10-K are included in Part II, Item 1A of this report on Form 10-Q. 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 make the following cautionary statement in connection with the Reform Act. When we use the words or phrases “should result,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “are expected to,” “targeted,” “will continue,” “will approximate,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” "forecast" or similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases, investor presentations and in oral statements made by our representatives, they indicate forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act.

This MD&A includes financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In addition, we discuss adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, can provide useful information to assist investors in analyzing our current period operating performance and in assessing our future period operating performance. For this reason, our internal management reporting also includes adjusted diluted EPS, which should be considered in addition to, and not as superior to or as a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. We strongly encourage investors and shareholders to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Our measure of adjusted diluted EPS may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and therefore, may not result in useful comparisons. The detailed reconciliation of GAAP diluted EPS to adjusted diluted EPS can be found in Consolidated Results of Operations.

Our unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 has been revised to correct a misstatement associated with the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for customers on our consolidated balance sheet. Further information regarding this misstatement can be found under the caption "Note 1: Consolidated financial statements" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.


EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

We currently operateAs of September 30, 2019, we operated 3 reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our business segments are generally organized by type of customer served and reflect the way we currently manage the company. Further information regarding our segments and our product and service offerings can be found under the caption "Note 16:17: Business segment information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

EarningsNet loss for the first quarternine months of 2019 were negatively impacted byof $244.7 million, as compared to net income of $92.5 million for the first nine months of 2018, reflected an increase in asset impairment charges of $289.7 million (as described below), an increase in restructuring and integration expense of $37.7 million in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, as well as continued volume reductions in personal and business checks and forms, due primarily to the secular decline in check and forms usageusage. Additionally, medical costs increased approximately $11.0 million, interest expense increased $8.3 million, organic web services and 1 fewer business daytreasury management revenue declined, and the Small Business Services commission rate increased. Stock-based compensation increased $5.6 million, driven by an increase in the level of equity awards in 2019, as well as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) transition costs of $5.5increased $4.4 million, in 2019, a $4.7 million increase in medical costs, an increase of $4.0 million in restructuring and integration expense, higher interest expense and continued check pricing allowances within Financial Services. In addition, weServices continued. We also recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists within Small Business Services of $7.2$12.9 million in the first quarternine months of 2018. These decreasesincreases in earningsnet loss were partially offset by an $11.0a benefit of approximately $35.0 million benefit from continuing initiatives to reduce our cost structure, primarily within our sales, marketing and fulfillment organizations, and the benefit of Small Business Services price increases.increases and incremental earnings from businesses acquired in 2018.


Diluted loss per share for the first nine months of 2019 of $5.65, as compared to diluted EPS of $1.93 for the first nine months of 2018, reflects the decrease in net income described in the preceding paragraph, partially offset by lower average shares outstanding in 2019.

Adjusted diluted EPS for the first nine months of 2019 was $4.88, compared to $5.01 for the first nine months of 2018, and excludes the impact of items that we believe are not indicative of ongoing operations. A reconciliation of diluted (loss) earnings per share to adjusted diluted EPS can be found in Consolidated Results of Operations.

Asset impairment charges – Net loss for the first nine months of 2019 was driven by the impact of pretax asset impairment charges in the third quarter of 2019 of $391.0 million, or $7.92 per share. The impairment charges related to the goodwill of our Small Business Services Web Services and Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting units, as well as amortizable intangible assets, primarily in our Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit. Further information regarding these impairment charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies. This compares to asset impairment charges of $101.3 million, or $1.95 per share, in the first nine months of 2018. Further information regarding the 2018 asset impairment charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies in the MD&A section of the 2018 Form 10-K.

"New Deluxe" Strategy

Throughout the past several years, as the use of checks and forms has continued to decline, we have focused on opportunities to increase revenue and operating income and to diversify our revenue streams and customer base. These opportunities have included new product and service offerings, brand awareness and positioning initiatives, investing in technology for our service offerings, enhancing our information technology capabilities and infrastructure, improving customer segmentation, extending the reach of our sales channels, and reducing costs. In addition, we invested in various acquisitions that extendextended the range of products and services we offer to our customers, primarily marketing solutions and other services

(MOS) offerings.customers. Information about our acquisitions can be found under the caption "Note 6: Acquisitions" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.

We plan to movehave moved beyond diversification as we transformpart of our transformation into a trusted, technology-enabled solutions provider. This will requireTrusted, Tech-Enabled Solutions CompanyTM. Our growth strategy focuses on organic growth, supplemented by acquisitions, rather than being dependent on acquisitions for growth. The shift in our strategic focus requires us to fundamentally change our go-to-market strategy, operating model and organizational design. We expect that fully integrating past acquisitions and consolidating and standardizing our technology platforms will enable us to operate as one Deluxe, selling all of our products and services to any customer. In each of the next 2 years, weWe plan to invest between $40.0 million and $45.0 million in 2019 and between $30.0 million and $60.0 million in 2020 to build out our technology platforms, including sales technology that will enable a single view of our customer, providing for deeper cross-sell opportunities. We are also plan to investinvesting in our human capital management and financial management and planning systems to enable integration and replacement of duplicative and aging collaboration tools and platforms. Strategically, we believe these enhancements will make it easier for us to quickly integrate any future acquisitions. These investments will consist of capital and expense items, which we plan to fund from structural cost savings and free cash flow. However, we expect that timing differences will impact our ability to fully self-fund through efficiency savings alone. These investments are not included in our outlook information for 2019.

As we move forward, we intend to focus on growth businesses with recurring revenue streams, scalable business models, attractive cost structures, data-rich business models and strong price-to-earnings ratios. Instead of relying solely upon acquisitions to deliver growth, weWe will first focus on accelerating revenue growth organically and then supplement growth with selective, strategic acquisitions. While we will continue to sell to enterprise, small business, and financial services and individual customers, our business will not be organized by customer type in the future. Instead, we intend to focus our efforts on 4 primary business areas: Payments, Cloud, Promotional Products and Checks. We expect to reinvest free cash flow into the two2 areas we view as our primary growth areas:platforms for growth: Payments and Cloud. Our intent is to re-segmentrealign our business segments and have the capability to report our operating results under the new structure, both internally and externally, in 2019. However, this process may not be complete until early 2020. During the transition period, we plan to implement our new strategy while delivering on our annual plan and consistently paying a dividend to shareholders.

Outlook for 2019

We anticipate that consolidated revenue will be between $2.00at the low end of our previous outlook range of $2.005 billion and $2.05to $2.045 billion for 2019, compared to $2.001.998 billion for 2018. We expect that continued secular declines in personal and business checks and forms and continued pricing allowances in Financial Services will be more than offset by incremental revenue from acquisitions we completed in 2018, modest growth in treasury management and data-driven marketing revenue. We do not plan to complete any acquisitions during the first half of 2019, as we intend to focus on integrating our previous acquisitions and ensuring that any acquisitions are in line with our strategy. Going forward, we believe acquisitions are an important element of our growth, and we expect acquisitions will augment our strategy when appropriate.

We expect that 2019 diluted EPS will be between $4.33 and $4.63, compared to $3.16 for 2018, and we expect that 2019 adjusted diluted EPS will be betweenat the low end of our previous outlook range of $6.65 andto $6.95, compared to $6.88 for 2018. We estimate that our annual effective tax rate for 2019 will be approximately 25.0%, compared to our 2018 rate of 29.6%, which included 7.1 points related to a goodwill impairment charge.

We continue to anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities will be between $325.0$270.0 million and $340.0$285.0 million in 2019, compared to $339.3 million in 2018, driven primarily by increased restructuring and integration activities in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, the first quarter continuing secular decline in check and forms usage, the

payment of $12.5 million of certain legal-related expenses, including $12.5 million accrued in the prior year and paid in the continuing decline in checks and formsfirst quarter of 2019, and higher interest payments, partially offset by benefits from our cost savings initiatives and lower income tax payments. We believe that cash generated by operating activities, along with availability under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to support our operations for the next 12 months, including capital expenditures of approximately $75.0 million, dividend payments, required interest payments, and periodic share repurchases, as well as possible acquisitions in the second half of 2019.acquisitions. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, $198.1$220.3 million was available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility. We expect to maintain a disciplined approach to capital deployment that focuses on our need to continue investing in initiatives to drive revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions. We 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 generate excess cash, we expect to opportunistically repurchase common shares and/or reduce the amount outstanding under our credit facility.



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Revenue
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per order amounts) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $499,065
 $491,914
 1.5% $493,593
 $493,190
 0.1%$1,486,645
 $1,473,349
 0.9%
Orders(1)
 11,724
 12,008
 (2.4%) 11,925
 11,595
 2.8%35,295
 35,555
 (0.7%)
Revenue per order $42.57
 $40.97
 3.9% $41.39
 $42.53
 (2.7%)$42.12
 $41.44
 1.6%

(1) Orders is our company-wide measure of volume and includes both products and services.
 
The slight increase in total revenue for the firstthird quarter of 2019, as compared to the firstthird quarter of 2018, was driven primarily by incremental revenue of approximately $11.3 million from businesses acquired in 2018, as well as Small Business Services price increases and an increase of approximately $5.0 million related to 1 additional business day in 2019. Information regarding our acquisitions can be found under the caption "Note 6: Acquisitions" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K. These increases in revenue were partially offset by the continuing decline in order volume for both personal and business checks, as well as forms and accessories sold by Small Business Services. In addition, Small Business Services web services volume, excluding incremental revenue from a business acquired in 2018, declined approximately $2.0 million. Revenue was also negatively impacted during the third quarter of 2019 by continued check pricing allowances within Financial Services.

The increase in total revenue for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, was driven primarily by incremental revenue of approximately $62.2 million from businesses of $28.6 million,acquired in 2018, as well as Small Business Services price increases. Information regarding our acquisitions can be found under the caption "Note 6: Acquisitions" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K. These increases in revenue were partially offset by the continuing decline in order volume for both personal and business checks, as well as forms and accessories sold by Small Business Services, including a decrease of approximately $5.0 million due to 1 fewer business day in the first quarter of 2019.Services. In addition, Small Business Services web services and Financial Services treasury management revenue,volume, excluding incremental revenue from businesses acquired businesses,in 2018, declined approximately $3.0$6.0 million and revenue$4.0 million, respectively. Revenue was also negatively impacted during the first nine months of 2019 by continued check pricing allowances within Financial Services.

The number of orders increased in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to the third quarter of 2018, as the impact of growth in marketing solutions and other services (MOS) revenue, including the impact of our 2018 acquisitions, exceeded the impact of the continuing secular decline in check and forms usage. The number of orders decreased for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, due primarily to the continuing secular decline in check and forms usage, partially offset by growth in MOS, including the impact of our 2018 acquisitions. The decrease in revenue per order for the third quarter of 2019 and the increase in revenue per order for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were primarily driven by the mix of product and service revenue in each period, as well as the benefit of Small Business Services price increases and the negative impact of continued check pricing allowances in Financial Services.


Service revenue represented 29.8% of total revenue for the first quarternine months of 2019 and 26.1%27.0% for the first quarternine months of 2018. As such, the majority of our revenue is generated by product sales. We do not manage our business based on product versus service revenue. Instead, we analyze our products and servicesrevenues based on the following categories:
  Quarter Ended
March 31,
  2019 2018
Marketing solutions and other services:    
Small business marketing solutions 13.3% 13.6%
Treasury management solutions 9.1% 5.9%
Web services 8.8% 7.6%
Data-driven marketing solutions 7.4% 7.6%
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 4.4% 4.6%
Total MOS 43.0% 39.3%
Checks 40.3% 42.7%
Forms, accessories and other products 16.7% 18.0%
Total revenue 100.0% 100.0%

The number of orders decreased for the first quarter of 2019, as compared to the first quarter of 2018, due to the continuing secular decline in check and forms usage and the impact of 1 fewer business day in 2019, partially offset by growth in MOS, including the impact of MOS-related acquisitions. Revenue per order increased for the first quarter 2019, as compared to the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to the benefit of Small Business Services price increases and favorable product and service mix, partially offset by the impact of continued check pricing allowances in Financial Services.
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Marketing solutions and other services:        
Small business marketing solutions 13.8% 14.1% 13.7% 14.0%
Treasury management solutions 9.3% 7.3% 9.2% 6.3%
Web services 8.3% 8.5% 8.4% 8.2%
Data-driven marketing solutions 8.1% 8.1% 7.8% 7.8%
Fraud, security, risk management and operational services 4.4% 4.6% 4.4% 4.6%
Total MOS 43.9% 42.6% 43.5% 40.9%
Checks 39.1% 40.3% 39.7% 41.5%
Forms, accessories and other products 17.0% 17.1% 16.8% 17.6%
Total revenue 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Consolidated Cost of Revenue
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total cost of revenue $199,623
 $188,758
 5.8% $203,723
 $197,634
 3.1% $605,875
 $576,594
 5.1%
Total cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue 40.0% 38.4% 1.6 pts. 41.3% 40.1% 1.2 pts. 40.8% 39.1% 1.7 pts.

Cost of revenue consists primarily of raw materials used to manufacture our products, shipping and handling costs, third-party costs for outsourced products and services, payroll and related expenses, information technology costs, depreciation and amortization of assets used in the production process and in support of digital service offerings, and related overhead.


The increaseincreases in total cost of revenue for the third quarter and first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarter ofsame periods in 2018, waswere primarily attributable to incremental costs of businesses acquired businessesin 2018 of $14.3$5.9 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $31.4 million for the first nine months of 2019, as well as increased deliveryshipping and material rates and higher material and medical costs in 2019. In addition, restructuring and integration expense increased $1.5 million for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2019. Partially offsetting these increases in total cost of revenue was the impact of the lower order volume for both personal and business checks, as well as forms and accessories sold by Small Business Services. In addition, manufacturing efficiencies and other benefits resulting from our continued cost reduction initiatives resulted in a reduction in total cost of revenue of approximately $2.0$3.0 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $8.0 million for the first quarternine months of 2019. Total cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue increased in both periods as compared to 2018, in large part due to the increase in service revenues, including the impact of our 2018 acquisitions, as well as the increased shipping, materials, medical, restructuring and integration costs, partially offset by Small Business Services price increases.

Consolidated Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) Expense
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
SG&A expense $230,177
 $211,154
 9.0% $213,318
 $208,533
 2.3% $665,787
 $629,272
 5.8%
SG&A expense as a percentage of total revenue 46.1% 42.9% 3.2 pts. 43.2% 42.3% 0.9 pts. 44.8% 42.7% 2.1 pts.

The increase in SG&A expense for the firstthird quarter of 2019, as compared to the firstthird quarter of 2018, was driven by incremental costs of $4.9 million from businesses acquired businesses of $11.9 million,in 2018, including acquisition amortization, CEO transitionamortization. In addition, information technology costs related to infrastructure investments increased, we incurred business transformation costs of $5.5$2.0 million a higher average Small Business Services commission rate and a $3.0in the third quarter of 2019, share-based compensation expense increased approximately $2.0 million, driven by an

increase in the level of equity awards in 2019, and medical costs.costs continued to increase. Also, during the firstthird quarter of 2018, we recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists within Small Business Services of $7.2$1.8 million. Further information regarding these asset sales can be found under the caption "Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report. These increases in SG&A expense were partially offset by various expense reduction initiatives of approximately $9.0 million, primarily within our sales and marketing organizations, and lowerorganizations. Also, amortization expense related to acquisitions prior to 2018 decreased approximately $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018.

The increase in SG&A expense for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, was driven by incremental costs of $26.1 million from businesses acquired in 2018, including acquisition amortization, medical costs increased approximately $6.0 million, information technology costs related to infrastructure investments and the average Small Business Services commission rate increased, and share-based compensation expense increased approximately $5.0 million, driven by an increase in the level of equity awards in 2019. In addition, CEO transition costs increased $4.4 million, and legal-related expenses increased approximately $4.0 million. Also, during the first nine months of 2018, we recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists within Small Business Services of $12.9 million. Further information regarding these asset sales can be found under the caption "Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report. These increases in SG&A expense were partially offset by various expense reduction initiatives of approximately $27.0 million, primarily within our sales and marketing organizations. Also, amortization expense related to acquisitions prior to 2018 decreased approximately $9.5 million for the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018.

Restructuring and Integration Expense
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Restructuring and integration expense $5,492
 $2,145
 $3,347
 $26,255
 $5,135
 $21,120
 $49,089
 $12,915
 $36,174

We recordedRestructuring and integration expense related to our cost reduction initiatives and our initiatives related to the integration of acquired businesses and the consolidation of information technology systems. The increase in expenseincreased for the third quarter and first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarter ofsame periods in 2018, was driven primarily byas we are currently pursuing several initiatives designed to focus our increased integrationbusiness behind our growth strategies and consolidation activities. The expense for each period primarily included information technology costs, employee severance benefits, labor costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel.to increase our efficiency. Further information can be found under Restructuring, Integration and Integration ExpenseOther Costs.

Asset Impairment Charges
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Asset impairment charges $
 $2,149
 $(2,149) $390,980
 $99,170
 $291,810
 $390,980
 $101,319
 $289,661

During the third quarter of 2019, we recorded pretax asset impairment charges of $391.0 million related to goodwill and certain trade name, customer list and technology intangible assets. Further information regarding these charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies.

During the third quarter of 2018, we recorded pretax asset impairment charges of $99.2 million related to Small Business Services goodwill and an indefinite-lived trade name, as well as certain customer list intangible assets within Financial Services related to 2 small business distributors we acquired in 2015. During the first quarter of 2018, we recorded a pre-tax asset impairment charge of $2.1 million related to a Small Business Services customer list intangible asset. Based on changesFurther information regarding these charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies in the customer baseMD&A section of an acquired small business distributor, we determined that the customer list asset was fully impaired as of March 31, 2018.2018 Form 10-K.

Interest Expense
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Interest expense $9,301
 $5,579
 66.7% $8,710
 $7,244
 20.2% $27,251
 $18,953
 43.8%
Weighted-average debt outstanding 936,583
 711,686
 31.6% 931,092
 841,151
 10.7% 933,934
 767,045
 21.8%
Weighted-average interest rate 3.8% 3.0% 0.8 pts. 3.5% 3.2% 0.3 pts. 3.7% 3.1% 0.6 pts.



The increaseincreases in interest expense for the third quarter and first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarter ofsame periods in 2018, waswere primarily driven by our higher weighted-average interest rate during 2019,in both periods, as well as the higher weighted-average debt level arising, in part, from our share repurchase activity and financing for acquisitions completed duringthroughout 2018.

Income Tax (Benefit) Provision
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Income tax provision $15,048
 $20,082
 (25.1%)
Income tax (benefit) provision $(28,717) $8,913
 (422.2%) $(1,498) $47,916
 (103.1%)
Effective income tax rate 26.8% 24.1% 2.7  pts. 8.3% (40.2%) 48.5 pts. 0.6% 34.1% (33.5) pts.

The increasechanges in theour effective income tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were driven primarily by the nondeductible portion of the goodwill impairment charges in each period, combined with the impact of asset impairment charges on pretax (loss) income in each period. The nondeductible portion of the goodwill impairment charges resulted in tax expense of $54.2 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $15.9 million in the third quarter of 2018. In addition, during the third quarter of 2019, we placed a full valuation allowance of $8.4 million on the intangible-related deferred tax asset generated by the impairment of intangible assets located in Australia. Further information regarding our effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2019 as compared to our 2018 annual effective tax rate can be found under the caption: "Note 11: Income tax benefit (provision)" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Diluted EPS
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Diluted EPS $(7.49) $(0.67) 1,017.9% $(5.65) $1.93
 (392.7%)
Adjusted diluted EPS 1.71
 1.74
 (1.7%) 4.88
 5.01
 (2.6%)

The increase in diluted loss per share for the third quarter of 2019, as compared to the first quarter of 2018, was due to a $1.5 million unfavorable impact from share-based compensation, an increase in nondeductible officer compensation resulting from CEO transition costs, and the impact of foreign income taxes. These increases in the effective income tax rate were partially offset by a decrease in the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) liability on foreign earnings recorded during the first quarter of 2019. We expect that our annual effective tax rate for 2019 will be approximately 25.0%.

Diluted EPS
  Quarter Ended March 31,
  2019 2018 Change
GAAP diluted EPS $0.93
 $1.31
 (29.0%)
Adjusted diluted EPS 1.54
 1.60
 (3.8%)

The decrease in GAAP diluted EPS for the first quarter of 2019, as compared to the firstthird quarter of 2018, was driven primarily by the continuing decline$291.8 million increase in asset impairment charges in the third quarter of 2019, a $22.6 million increase in restructuring and integration expense in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, continued volume reductions in checks, forms and accessories and increased information technology costs related to infrastructure investments, as well as an increase in business transformation costs, share-based compensation expense and medical costs. These increases in diluted loss per share were partially offset by lower shares outstanding in 2019, benefits from our cost reduction initiatives of approximately $12.0 million, Small Business Services price increases and a $4.0 million decrease in acquisition-related amortization, including the impact of 1 fewer business dayour 2018 acquisitions.

The decrease in diluted EPS for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, was driven primarily by the $289.7 million increase in asset impairment charges in 2019, a $37.7 million increase in restructuring and integration expense in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, continued volume reductions in checks, forms and accessories, and the gain on sales of Small Business Services businesses and customer lists of $7.2$12.9 million in 2018,2018. Additionally, medical costs increased approximately $11.0 million, interest expense increased $8.3 million, organic web services and treasury management revenue declined, and information technology costs related to infrastructure investments and the Small Business Services commission rate increased. Stock-based compensation increased $5.6 million, driven by an increase in the level of equity awards in 2019, CEO transition costs of $5.5increased $4.4 million, in 2019, and increased medical, restructuring and integration and interest expense in 2019.check pricing allowances within Financial Services continued. These decreases in GAAP diluted EPS were partially offset by lower shares outstanding in 2019, benefits from our cost reduction initiatives andof approximately $35.0 million, the benefit of Small Business Services price increases.increases and incremental earnings from businesses acquired in 2018.


The decreasedecreases in adjusted diluted EPS was alsofor the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were driven primarily driven by the continuing decline in checks, forms and accessories, including the impact of 1 fewer business day in 2019, increased medical costs and interest expense, lower organic web services and treasury management revenue, increased information technology costs related to infrastructure investments, a higher average Small Business Services commission rate, higher interest and materials expensecontinued check pricing allowances within Financial Services and increased delivery rates,material and shipping rates. These decreases in adjusted diluted EPS were partially offset by lower shares outstanding in 2019, and benefits from our cost reduction initiatives, acquisitions and Small Business Services price increases.increases and incremental earnings from businesses acquired in 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

We believe that adjusted diluted EPS provides useful comparable information for investors by excluding the impact of items that we believe are not indicative of ongoing operations. It is reasonable to expect that one or more of these excluded items will occur in future periods, but the amounts recognized will vary significantly.


GAAP dilutedDiluted EPS reconciles to adjusted diluted EPS as follows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, Year Ending December 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Year Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 
2019
(Guidance)
 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2018
GAAP diluted EPS $0.93
 $1.31
 $4.33 to $4.63
 $3.16
Diluted EPS $(7.49) $(0.67) $(5.65) $1.93
 $3.16
Asset impairment charges 
 0.03
 
 1.96
 8.06
 1.93
 7.92
 1.95
 1.96
Acquisition amortization 0.32
 0.27
 1.27
 1.23
 0.49
 0.33
 1.13
 0.88
 1.23
Restructuring and integration expense 0.11
 0.04
 0.54
 0.34
Restructuring, integration and other costs 0.53
 0.09
 0.93
 0.22
 0.34
CEO transition costs 0.09
 
 0.16
 0.11
 0.02
 0.04
 0.15
 0.07
 0.11
Share-based compensation 0.08
 0.06
 0.34
 0.21
 0.10
 0.05
 0.29
 0.16
 0.21
Certain legal-related expense 0.01
 
 0.01
 0.15
 
 0.03
 0.11
 0.03
 0.15
Acquisition transaction costs 
 0.01
 
 0.02
 
 
 
 0.01
 0.02
Gain on sales of businesses and customer lists 
 (0.12) 
 (0.27) 
 (0.03) 
 (0.22) (0.27)
Loss on debt retirement 
 0.01
 
 0.01
 
 
 
 0.01
 0.01
Impact of federal tax reform 
 (0.01) 
 (0.04) 
 (0.03) 
 (0.03) (0.04)
Adjusted diluted EPS $1.54
 $1.60
 $6.65 to $6.95
 $6.88
 $1.71
 $1.74
 $4.88
 $5.01
 $6.88

Note that we have not reconciled adjusted diluted EPS outlook guidance for full year 2019 to diluted EPS because we do not provide outlook guidance on diluted EPS or the reconciling items between diluted EPS and this non-GAAP financial measure. Because of the substantial uncertainty and variability surrounding certain of these forward-looking reconciling items, including asset impairment charges, restructuring, integration and other costs, and certain legal-related expenses, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure outlook guidance to the corresponding GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable effort. The probable significance of certain of these items is high and, based on historical experience, could be material.


RESTRUCTURING, INTEGRATION AND INTEGRATION EXPENSEOTHER COSTS

We have recorded expensesRestructuring and integration expense consisted of costs related to the integration of acquired businesses into our systems and processes. It also includes costs related to the consolidation and migration of certain applications and processes, including our human resources management system and certain of our sales and financial systems. These costs primarily consisted of information technology consulting and project management services, internal labor, training and travel. In addition, we recorded employee severance costs related to these initiatives, as well as our ongoing cost reduction initiatives, primarily within our sales, marketing and fulfillment functions. Our restructuring and integration activities including accruals consisting primarily of employee severance benefits,have increased in 2019, as well as costs thatwe are expensed when incurred, including information technology costs, labor costs, employeecurrently pursuing several initiatives designed to focus our business behind our growth strategies and equipment moves, training and travel. Our restructuring activities are driven byto increase our cost reduction initiatives, including employee reductions in various functional areas, as well the closing of facilities, integration of acquired businesses and the consolidation of information technology systems.efficiency. Further information regarding restructuring and integration expense can be found under the caption "Note 8:9: Restructuring and integration expense" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report. In addition to restructuring and integration expense, we also recognized certain business transformation

expenses related to optimizing our business processes in line with our growth strategies. These costs totaled $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $2.2 million for the first nine months of 2019.

The majority of the employee reductions included in our restructuring and integration accruals are expected to be completed by mid-2019,in 2019, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by the end of 2019, utilizing cash from operations.

mid-2020. As a result of our employee reductions, we expect to realize cost savings of approximately $2.0$2.5 million in total cost of revenue and $11.0$15.0 million in SG&A expense in 2019, in comparison to our 2018 results of operations, which represents a portion of the total net cost reductions we expect to realize in 2019.


CEO TRANSITION COSTS

In April 2018, we announced the retirement of Lee Schram, our former CEO. Mr. Schram remained employed under the terms of a transition agreement through March 1, 2019. Under the terms of this agreement, we provided certain benefits to Mr. Schram, including a transition bonus in the amount of $2.0 million that was paid in March 2019. In addition, modifications were made to certain of his share-based payment awards. In conjunction with the CEO transition, we offered retention agreements to certain members of our management team under which each employee will beis entitled to receive a cash bonus equal to his or her annual base salary or up to 1.5 times his or her annual base salary if he or she remains employed during the retention period, generally from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, and complies with certain covenants. In addition to the retention expense,these expenses, we incurred certain other costs related to the CEO transition process, duringincluding executive search, legal, travel and board of directors fees in 2018. During the quarter ended March 31,first nine months of 2019, includingwe incurred consulting fees related to the evaluation of our strategic plan.plan and we expensed the majority of the current CEO's signing bonus. CEO transition costs are included in SG&A expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and were $5.5$1.1 million for the third quarter of 2019, $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2018, $8.5 million for the first quarternine months of 2019.2019 and $4.2 million for the first nine months of 2018. We estimate that these costs will total approximately $9.0 million in 2019.for 2019, compared to $7.2 million for 2018. We anticipate that the majority of theremaining management retention bonuses will be paid in the first quarter of 2020, utilizing cash from operations.2020. Accruals for CEO transition costs were included within accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and were $3.9 million as of March 31,September 30, 2019.



SEGMENT RESULTS

Additional financial information regarding our business segments appears under the caption “Note 16:17: Business segment information” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Small Business Services

Results for our Small Business Services segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $313,058
 $316,313
 (1.0%) $310,211
 $315,599
 (1.7%) $931,771
 $949,655
 (1.9%)
Operating income 44,682
 58,900
 (24.1%)
Operating (loss) income (243,193) (45,254) 437.4% (163,805) 72,288
 (326.6%)
Operating margin 14.3% 18.6% (4.3) pts. (78.4%) (14.3%) (64.1) pts. (17.6%) 7.6% (25.2) pts.

The decrease in total revenue for the firstthird quarter of 2019, as compared to the firstthird quarter of 2018, was driven by lower order volume, primarily related to checks, forms and accessories, as secular check and forms usage continues to decline, along withdecline. In addition, web services volume decreased approximately $2.0 million, excluding the effect of a decrease2018 acquisition, due primarily to a reduction in search and email marketing volume. These decreases in revenue were partially offset by the benefit of price increases and revenue of approximately $4.0 million due to 1 fewerone additional business day in 2019. Search2019, as well as incremental revenue of approximately $1.8 million from the acquisition of My Corporation Business Services, Inc. in December 2018. Information about this acquisition can be found under the caption "Note 6: Acquisitions" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.

The decrease in total revenue for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, was driven by lower order volume, primarily related to checks, forms and email marketingaccessories, as secular check and forms usage continues to decline. Web services volume also decreased approximately $2.0$6.0 million, excluding the effect of 2018 acquisitions, due

primarily to a reduction in part, to the loss of 1 customer,search and email marketing and web hosting volume. In addition, revenue was negatively impacted $1.8$4.0 million by foreign currency exchange rate changes. These decreases in revenue were partially offset by incremental revenue from acquired businesses of approximately $9.3$14.7 million from businesses acquired in 2018, as well as the benefit of price increases. Information about our acquisitions can be found under the caption "Note 6: Acquisitions" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.

The decreasesincrease in operating income and operating marginloss for the firstthird quarter of 2019, as compared to the firstthird quarter of 2018, werewas driven primarily by an increase in asset impairment charges of $176.3 million and a $16.6 million increase in restructuring and integration expense in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, as well as the lower order volume for checks, forms and accessories, as well as a higher average commission rate, CEO transitionaccessories. Further information regarding the asset impairment charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies. In addition, medical costs of $3.0 million allocated to this segment in 2019, increased medical and material costs,and shipping rates increased delivery rates in 2019, and a $1.2 million increase in restructuring and integration expense, driven by our integration activities.2019. Also, during the firstthird quarter of 2018, we recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists of $7.2$1.8 million. Partially offsetting these decreasesincreases in operating income and operating marginloss were price increases and benefits of our cost reduction initiatives and an asset impairment charge of $2.1 millioninitiatives.

The increase in 2018 related to a customer list intangible asset. The results of acquired businesses contributed operating income of $0.5 millionloss for the first quarternine months of 2019, including acquisition amortization, but resultedas compared to the first nine months of 2018, was driven primarily by an increase in asset impairment charges of $174.1 million and a 0.3 point decrease$27.7 million increase in restructuring and integration expense in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, as well as the lower order volume for checks, forms and accessories and an increase in the average commission rate. Further information regarding the asset impairment charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies. In addition, CEO transition costs allocated to this segment increased $2.4 million, share-based compensation expense increased, driven by an increase in the level of equity awards in 2019, and medical costs and material and shipping rates all increased in 2019. Also, during the first nine months of 2018, we recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists of $12.9 million. Partially offsetting these increases in operating margin.loss were price increases and benefits of our cost reduction initiatives.

Financial Services

Results for our Financial Services segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $154,360
 $140,641
 9.8% $154,599
 $146,771
 5.3% $465,086
 $426,727
 9.0%
Operating income 10,251
 17,973
 (43.0%)
Operating (loss) income (105,691) 17,612
 (700.1%) (86,134) 49,565
 (273.8%)
Operating margin 6.6% 12.8% (6.2) pts. (68.4%) 12.0% (80.4) pts. (18.5%) 11.6% (30.1) pts.

The increase in total revenue for the third quarter and first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarter ofsame periods in 2018, was driven by incremental treasury management revenue of $19.3 million from the acquisition of REMITCO LLC in August 2018.2018 of approximately $9.5 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $47.5 million for the first nine months of 2019. Partially offsetting this increase in revenue, was a decrease in treasury management volume of approximately $4.0 million for the first nine months of 2019, excluding the incremental revenue from the acquisition, due to a customer electing to bring its services in-house, as well as a reduction in software maintenance revenue. In addition, revenue was negatively affected by lower check order volume, due primarily to the continued secular decline in check usage. In addition, revenue was negatively impacted byusage, as well as continued check pricing allowances and treasury management revenue, excluding the incremental revenue from the acquisition, declined approximately $3.0 million.allowances.

The decreasesincrease in operating income and operating marginloss for the firstthird quarter of 2019, as compared to the firstthird quarter of 2018, werewas primarily due to thea $115.5 million increase in asset impairment charges in 2019 and a $4.6 million increase in restructuring and integration expense in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, as well as increased information technology costs related to infrastructure investments, lower check order volume and continued check pricing allowances,allowances. Further information regarding the impact of the declineasset impairment charges can be found in treasury management revenue, increasedCritical Accounting Policies. In addition, medical costs and material costs, and shipping rates increased delivery rates in 2019. In addition,Partially offsetting these increases in operating loss were benefits of our continuing cost reduction initiatives.

The increase in operating loss for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, was primarily due to a $115.5 million increase in asset impairment charges in 2019, a $7.4 million increase in restructuring and integration expense in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, a $5.0 million increase in legal-related expenses in 2019, increased $2.6 million,information technology costs related to infrastructure investments, lower check order volume and continued check pricing allowances. Further information regarding the asset impairment charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies. In addition, share-based compensation expense increased, driven by our integration initiatives,an increase in the level of equity awards in 2019, and medical costs and material and shipping rates increased in 2019. Also, CEO transition costs allocated to this segment were $2.3increased $1.9 million in 2019. Partially offsetting these decreasesincreases in operating income and operating

marginloss were benefits of our

continuing cost reduction initiatives and a contribution of $1.9approximately $4.4 million from the REMITCO LLC acquisition, in August 2018, including acquisition amortization.

Direct Checks

Results for theour Direct Checks segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $31,647
 $34,960
 (9.5%) $28,783
 $30,820
 (6.6%) $89,788
 $96,967
 (7.4%)
Operating income 8,840
 10,835
 (18.4%) 8,201
 10,360
 (20.8%) 24,853
 31,396
 (20.8%)
Operating margin 27.9% 31.0% (3.1) pts. 28.5% 33.6% (5.1) pts. 27.7% 32.4% (4.7) pts.

The decrease in revenue for the third quarter and first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarter ofsame periods in 2018, was primarily due to the reduction in orders stemming from the continued secular decline in check usage. In addition, revenue per order was slightly lower in each period driven by unfavorable order channel mix and lower fraud services revenue.

The decreases in operating income and operating margin for the third quarter and first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarter ofsame periods in 2018, were due primarily to the lower order volume,revenue decline, increased medical and material costs, and increased deliverymaterial and shipping rates in 2019. In addition, restructuring and integration expense increased $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $2.5 million for the first nine months of 2019 in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency. These decreases in operating income and operating margin were partially offset by benefits from our cost reduction initiatives, including lower advertising expense driven by advertising print reduction initiatives.


CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY

As of March 31,September 30, 2019, we held cash and cash equivalents of $61.573.5 million, as well as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for customers of $77.0$78.6 million. The following table shows our cash flow activity for the quartersnine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements of cash flows appearing in Item 1 of this report.
 Quarter Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities $45,399
 $80,788
 $(35,389) $208,024
 $219,102
 $(11,078)
Net cash used by investing activities (14,827) (66,853) 52,026
 (49,879) (231,924) 182,045
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (39,407) 5,736
 (45,143) (153,897) 12,563
 (166,460)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 2,076
 (2,011) 4,087
 2,604
 (2,446) 5,050
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents $(6,759) $17,660

$(24,419) $6,852
 $(2,705)
$9,557

The $35.4$11.1 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarternine months of 2019, as compared to the first quarternine months of 2018, was due primarily to the payment of $12.5 million of certain legal-related expenses accrued in the prior year, the timing of accounts payable payments, the continuing secular decline in check and forms usage, the payment of certain legal-related expenses, including $12.5 million accrued in the prior year and paid in the first quarter of 2019, increased restructuring and integration activities in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, increased medical costs, a $3.8 million increase in prepaid product discount payments, a $3.7an $8.2 million increase in interest payments, increased spending on integration initiatives and paymentthe timing of a $2.0 million transition bonus to our former CEO.accounts payable payments. These decreases in operating cash flow were partially offset by a $7.4$32.7 million reduction in income tax payments in 2019, as well as benefits of our cost reduction initiatives, the timing of accounts receivable collections and annual billings in certain of our businesses, and Small Business Services price increases.



Included in net cash provided by operating activities were the following operating cash outflows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Income tax payments $47,378
 $80,063
 $(32,685)
Interest payments 26,110
 17,919
 8,191
Performance-based compensation payments(1)
 $23,308
 $21,606
 $1,702
 23,454
 21,778
 1,676
Income tax payments 11,168
 18,549
 (7,381)
Prepaid product discount payments 9,189
 5,364
 3,825
 20,370
 19,125
 1,245
Interest payments 8,979
 5,314
 3,665
Severance payments 1,556
 2,759
 (1,203) 6,835
 5,327
 1,508

(1) Amounts reflect compensation based on total company performance.

Net cash used by investing activities for the first quarternine months of 2019 was $52.0$182.0 million lower than the first quarternine months of 2018, driven primarily by a decrease of $51.9$188.8 million in payments for acquisitions. We did not complete any acquisitions during the first quarternine months of 2019. Information about our 2018 acquisitions can be found under the caption “Note 6: Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.

Net cash used by financing activities for the first quarternine months of 2019 was $45.1166.5 million higher than the first quarternine months of 2018, due primarily to an increasea net decrease in payments for common shares repurchasedborrowings on long-term debt of $30.0$166.4 million theand a net change in customer funds obligations of $20.2 million and a decrease in proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans of $3.6$8.7 million. These increases in cash used by financing activities were partially offset by a net increase in borrowings on long-term debt of $3.6 million and a decrease of $2.4$4.9 million in paymentsemployee taxes paid for debt issue costs.shares withheld, as fewer stock options were exercised and fewer restricted stock unit awards vested in 2019.

Significant cash transactions, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:
 Quarter Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired(1) $(444) $(52,369) $51,925
 $(1,598) $(190,396) $188,798
Payments for common shares repurchased (50,000) (19,996) (30,004) (118,547) (120,000) 1,453
Purchases of capital assets (14,619) (14,034) (585) (49,679) (42,566) (7,113)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders (13,118) (14,393) 1,275
 (39,068) (42,943) 3,875
Net change in customer funds obligations (9,908) 10,293
 (20,201) (8,711) (58) (8,653)
Employee taxes paid for shares withheld (2,672) (4,557) 1,885
 (3,076) (7,969) 4,893
Net change in debt 36,000
 32,425
 3,575
 14,000
 180,361
 (166,361)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans 1,548
 5,169
 (3,621) 3,159
 7,300
 (4,141)

(1) No acquisitions were completed during the first nine months of 2019. The amount paid in 2019 represents holdback payments for prior year acquisitions.

We continue to anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities will be between $325.0$270.0 million and $340.0$285.0 million in 2019, compared to $339.3 million in 2018, driven primarily by increased restructuring and integration activities in support of our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency, the first quartercontinuing secular decline in check and forms usage, the payment of $12.5 million of certain legal-related expenses, including $12.5 million accrued in the prior year and paid in the continuing decline in checks and formsfirst quarter of 2019, and higher interest payments, partially offset by benefits from our cost savings initiatives and lower income tax payments. We expect that net cash provided by operating activities in 2019, along with availability under our revolving credit facility, will be utilized for capital expenditures of approximately $75.0 million, dividend payments, required interest payments and periodic share repurchases, as well as possible acquisitions in the second half of 2019.acquisitions. We intend to focus our capital spending on key revenue growth initiatives, and investments in sales and financial technology and information technology infrastructure. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, $198.1$220.3 million was available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility. To the extent we generate excess cash, we expect to opportunistically repurchase common shares and/or reduce the amount outstanding under our credit facility agreement.

As of March 31,September 30, 2019, our foreign subsidiaries held cash and cash equivalents of $56.9$64.9 million. Deferred income taxes have not been recognized on unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, as these amounts are intended to be reinvested indefinitely in the operations of those subsidiaries. If we were to repatriate all of our foreign cash and cash equivalents into the United States at one time, we estimate we would incur a withholding tax liability of approximately $2.5$3.0 million.


We believe that cash generated by operating activities, along with availability under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to support our operations for the next 12 months, including capital expenditures of approximately $75.0 million, dividend payments, required interest payments, and periodic share repurchases, as well as possible acquisitions in the second half of 2019.acquisitions.



CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our total debt was $946.0$924.0 million as of March 31,September 30, 2019, an increase of $34.112.1 million from December 31, 2018. Further information concerning our outstanding debt can be found under the caption “Note 12:13: Debt” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Our capital structure for each period was as follows:
 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018   September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018  
(in thousands) Amount 
Weighted-
average interest rate
 Amount 
Weighted-
average interest rate
 Change Amount 
Weighted-
average interest rate
 Amount 
Weighted-
average interest rate
 Change
Fixed interest rate(1)
 $
 
 $1,864
 2.0% $(1,864) $200,000
 3.2% $1,864
 2.0% $198,136
Floating interest rate 946,000
 3.8% 910,000
 3.8% 36,000
 724,000
 3.3% 910,000
 3.8% (186,000)
Total debt 946,000
 3.8% 911,864
 3.8% 34,136
 924,000
 3.3% 911,864
 3.8% 12,136
Shareholders’ equity 897,563
  
 915,413
  
 (17,850) 525,527
  
 915,413
  
 (389,886)
Total capital $1,843,563
  
 $1,827,277
  
 $16,286
 $1,449,527
  
 $1,827,277
  
 $(377,750)

(1) The fixed interest rate amount as of September 30, 2019 represents the amount drawn under our revolving credit facility that is subject to an interest rate swap agreement. The related interest rate includes the fixed rate under the swap of 1.798% plus the credit facility spread due on all amounts outstanding under the credit facility agreement. The fixed interest rate amount as of December 31, 2018 represents amounts outstanding under capital lease obligations. Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leasing, on January 1, 2019, we reclassified our capital lease obligations, now known as finance lease obligations, to accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2016,October 2018, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300.0$500.0 million of our common stock, and in October 2018, the board increased our share repurchase authorization to $500.0 million, inclusive of the remaining amount outstanding under the prior authorization.stock. This authorization has no expiration date. During the first quarternine months of 2019, we repurchased 1.02.6 million shares for $50.0$118.5 million. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, $370.0$301.5 million remained available for repurchase under the current authorization. Information regarding changes in shareholders' equity can be found in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity appearing in Item 1 of this report.

As of December 31, 2018, we had a revolving credit facility in the amount of $950.0 million. In January 2019, we increased the credit facility by $200.0 million, bringing the total availability to $1.15 billion, subject to increase under the credit agreement to an aggregate amount not exceeding $1.425 billion. The credit facility matures in March 2023. Our quarterly commitment fee ranges from 0.175% to 0.35%, based on our leverage ratio.

Borrowings under our credit agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our personal and intangible property. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains customary covenants regarding limits on levels of subsidiary indebtedness and capital expenditures, liens, investments, acquisitions, certain mergers, certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and change in control as defined in the agreement. The agreement also requires us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.5 and a minimum ratio of consolidated earnings before interest and taxes to consolidated interest expense, as defined in the credit agreement, of 3.0. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of March 31,September 30, 2019, and we expect to remain in compliance with all debt covenants throughout the next 12 months.


As of March 31,September 30, 2019, amounts were available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility as follows:
(in thousands)
Total
available
Total
available
Revolving credit facility commitment$1,150,000
$1,150,000
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility(946,000)(924,000)
Outstanding letters of credit(1)
(5,868)(5,733)
Net available for borrowing as of March 31, 2019$198,132
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2019$220,267

(1) We use standby letters of credit to collateralize certain obligations related primarily to our self-insured workers’ compensation claims, as well as claims for environmental matters, as required by certain states. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility.



OTHER FINANCIAL POSITION INFORMATION

Information concerning items comprising selected captions on our consolidated balance sheets can be found under the caption "Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Operating lease assets and liabilities – On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leasing, and related amendments. Adoption of these standards had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet, but did not have a significant impact on our consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive incomeloss or our consolidated statement of cash flows. The most significant impact was the recognition of operating lease assets of $50.8 million, current operating lease liabilities of $13.6 million and non-current operating lease liabilities of $37.4 million as of January 1, 2019. Prior periods were not restated upon adoption of these standards. Further information can be found under the caption "Note 2: New accounting pronouncements" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.

Prepaid product discounts – Other non-current assets include prepaid product discounts of our Financial Services segment. These costs are recorded as non-current assets upon contract execution and are generally amortized on the straight-line basis as reductions of revenue over the related contract term. Changes in prepaid product discounts during the quartersnine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 can be found under the caption "Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report. Cash payments for prepaid product discounts were $9.220.4 million for the first quarternine months of 2019 and $5.4$19.1 million for the first quarternine months of 2018.

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

Liabilities for prepaid product discounts are recorded upon contract execution. These obligations are monitored for each contract and are adjusted as payments are made. Prepaid product discount payments due within the next year are included in accrued liabilities inon our consolidated balance sheets. These accruals were $12.211.2 million as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and $10.9 million as of December 31, 2018. Accruals for prepaid product discount payments included in other non-current liabilities inon our consolidated balance sheets were $11.4$6.9 million as of March 31,September 30, 2019 and $12.5 million as of December 31, 2018.


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 indemnification provisions generally encompass third-party claims arising from our products and services, including, without limitation, service failures, breach of security, intellectual property rights, governmental regulations and/or employment-related matters. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by our breach of terms of the contract. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various

risks, including, for example, unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal matters 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 do not believe that any 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 regarding our environmental liabilities, as well as liabilities related to self-insurance and litigation, can be found under the caption “Note 14:15: Other commitments and contingencies” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the Item 1 of this report.

We are not engaged in any transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other third parties that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our liquidity or on our access to, or requirements for, capital resources. In addition, we have not established any special purpose entities nor did we enter into any material related party transactions during the first quarternine months of 2019 or during 2018.


A table of our contractual obligations was provided in the MD&A section of the 2018 Form 10-K. In AprilDuring the first nine months of 2019, we entered into certain software-as-a-service and professional services contracts. These contracts require minimum payments of $29.2$49.8 million, with $1.7$5.6 million payable in 2019 and a total of $25.1$33.6 million payable in 2020 and 2021. The remainder is payable through 2024. In addition, in September 2019, we executed an additional professional services contract that requires total minimum payments of approximately $30.0 million. The specific payment terms for this agreement are currently being negotiated, but we expect that this amount will likely be paid through 2026.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A description of our critical accounting policies was provided in the MD&A section of the 2018 Form 10-K. There were no changes in these policies during the first nine months of 2019.

Annual impairment analysis of goodwill – Our policy on impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill, which is included under the caption "Note 1: Significant accounting policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K, explains our methodology for assessing impairment of these assets.

During the third quarter of 2019.2019, we completed the annual impairment analysis of goodwill. We elected to perform a qualitative analysis for 4 of our reporting units and a quantitative assessment for 2 of our reporting units: Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing and Small Business Services Web Services. Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing includes our businesses that provide outsourced marketing campaign targeting and execution and marketing analytics solutions. Small Business Services Web Services includes our businesses that provide hosting and domain name services, logo and web design, search engine marketing and optimization, payroll services and business incorporation and organization services.

The qualitative analyses evaluated factors, including, but not limited to, economic, market and industry conditions, cost factors and the overall financial performance of the reporting units. We also considered the quantitative analyses completed as of July 31, 2017, which indicated that the estimated fair values of the 4 reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximate amounts between $64.0 million and $1.4 billion, or by amounts between 50% and 314% above the carrying values of their net assets. In completing these assessments, we noted no changes in events or circumstance that indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

The quantitative analyses as of July 31, 2019 indicated that the goodwill of our Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting unit was partially impaired and the goodwill of our Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit was fully impaired. As such, we recorded pretax goodwill impairment charges of $115.5 million and $242.3 million, respectively. Both impairment charges resulted from a combination of triggering events and circumstances, including underperformance against 2019 expectations and the original acquisition business case assumptions, our decision in the third quarter of 2019 to exit certain customer contracts, the loss of certain large customers in the third quarter of 2019 as they elected to in-source some of the services we provide, and the sustained decline in our stock price. The impairment charges were measured as the amount by which the reporting units' carrying values exceeded their estimated fair values, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill. After the impairment charges, $70.9 million of goodwill remained in the Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting unit.

Our impairment assessments are sensitive to changes in forecasted revenues and expenses, as well as our selected discount rate. For the Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting unit, holding all other assumptions constant, if we

assumed revenue in each year was 10% higher than we estimated, our impairment charge would have been approximately $16.0 million less, and if we assumed revenue in each year was 10% lower than we estimated, our impairment charge would have been approximately $17.0 million more. If we assumed our expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 200 basis points lower in each year, our impairment charge would have been approximately $28.0 million less, and if we assumed our expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 200 basis points higher in each year, our impairment charge would have been approximately $30.0 million more. If we assumed our selected discount rate of 12% was 200 basis points lower, our impairment charge would have been approximately $43.0 million less, and if we assumed the discount rate was 200 basis points higher, our impairment charge would have been approximately $28.0 million more.

In the case of the Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit, holding all other assumptions constant, if we assumed revenue in each year was 10% higher than we estimated, our impairment charge would have been approximately $6.0 million less. If we assumed our expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 200 basis points lower in each year, our impairment charge would have been approximately $35.0 million less, and if we assumed our selected discount rate of 12% was 200 basis points lower, our impairment charge would have been approximately $12.0 million less.

Evaluations of asset impairment require us to make assumptions about future events, market conditions and financial performance over the life of the asset being evaluated. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may vary from our assumptions. For example, if our stock price were to further decline over a sustained period, if a downturn in economic conditions were to negatively affect our actual and forecasted operating results, if we were to change our business strategies and/or the allocation of resources, if we were to lose significant customers, if competition were to increase, or if order volume declines for checks and forms were to materially accelerate, these situations could indicate a decline in the fair value of one or more of our reporting units. This may require us to record additional impairment charges for a portion of goodwill or other assets.

New accounting pronouncements – Information regarding the accounting pronouncement adopted during the first quarter of 2019 and those not yet adopted can be found under the caption “Note 2: New accounting pronouncements” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of the borrowing activities used to support our capital structure, maintain liquidity and fund business operations. We do not enter into financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The nature and amount of debt outstanding can be expected to vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, our total debt was comprised of $946.0$924.0 million drawn under our revolving credit facility at a weighted-average interest rate of 3.8%3.3%. The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets for amounts drawn under our revolving credit facility approximates fair value because our interest rates are variable and reflect current market rates. Amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility mature in March 2023.

As part of our interest rate risk management strategy, in July 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap, which we designated as a cash flow hedge, to mitigate variability in interest payments on a portion of the amount drawn under our revolving credit facility. The interest rate swap, which terminates in March 2023 when our revolving credit facility matures, effectively converts $200.0 million of variable rate debt to a fixed rate of 1.798%. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet and are subsequently reclassified into interest expense as interest payments are made on the variable-rate debt.

Based on the daily average amount of outstanding debt, a one percentage point change in our weighted-average interest rates would have resulted in a $2.35.4 million change in interest expense for the first quarternine months of 2019.

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 Canadian and Australian dollars. The effect of exchange rate changes is not expected to have a significant impact on our earnings and cash flows, as our foreign operations represent a relatively small portion of our business. We have not entered into hedges against changes in foreign currency exchange rates.



Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

(a)  Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of the end of the period covered by this report, March 31,September 30, 2019 (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 "Exchange 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 March 31,September 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We implemented internal controls to ensure that we adequately evaluated our contracts and properly assessed the impact of the new leases accounting standard on our financial statements to facilitate its adoption on January 1, 2019. There were no significant changes to our internal control over financial reporting resulting from the adoption of the new standard.




PART II – OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We record accruals 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 upon resolution. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, it may cause a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity in the period in which the ruling occurs or in future periods.


Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

Our risk factors are outlined in Item 1A of the 2018 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to these risk factors since we filed the 2018 Form 10-K. Due to the announcement of our "New Deluxe" strategy, as discussed in the Executive Overview section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in Part I, Item 2 of this report, we have identified additional risk factors that should be considered when investing in our common stock.

Our recently announced strategic plan to implement a new go-to-market strategy and more integrated operations, transforming us into a Trusted, Tech-Enabled Solutions CompanyTM, is dependent upon our ability to successfully implement our strategic and tactical initiatives. If we are unsuccessful in achieving this transformation in a timely manner, our financial results could be adversely affected.

Our recently announced strategic plan contemplates that our strategic and tactical initiatives will result in, among other things, sustained organic revenue growth and strong adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margins. We plan to achieve these results through a variety of initiatives, including greater integration of operations, a more streamlined sales process, more targeted cross-selling into our existing customer base, growing that customer base and reducing our cost structure. Our ability to achieve this strategic plan depends upon a variety of factors, including a number of factors that are beyond our control. If we are unable to successfully implement and execute the strategic and tactical initiatives underlying our strategic plan in a timely manner, our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and/or liquidity could be adversely affected.


We plan to realign our existing businesses into four new primary focus areas: Payments, Cloud, Promotional Products and Checks. If we are unable to achieve this realignment in a timely and cost-effective manner, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

As we have previously announced, we believe that we can achieve greater operational synergies and reduce overall costs if we realign our existing operations to focus our efforts in four primary areas that we believe are critical to meeting our customers’ needs going forward: Payments, Cloud, Promotional Products and Checks. This realignment will take time, considerable senior management effort, material “buy-in” from our employees, and significant investment. If we are not able to achieve this realignment in a timely and cost-effective manner, our results of operations could be adversely affected.


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

The following table shows purchases of our own common stock, based on trade date, that were completed during the firstthird quarter of 2019:
Period Total number of shares purchased Average price paid per share Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs Maximum approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
January 1, 2019 –
January 31, 2019
 324,201
 $47.38
 324,201
 $404,640,957
February 1, 2019 –
February 28, 2019
 714,143
 48.51
 714,143
 370,000,004
March 1, 2019 –
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 370,000,004
Total 1,038,344
 48.15
 1,038,344
 370,000,004
Period Total number of shares purchased Average price paid per share Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs Maximum approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
July 1, 2019 –
July 31, 2019
 
 $
 
 $341,103,728
August 1, 2019 –
August 31, 2019
 681,897
 44.67
 681,897
 310,642,888
September 1, 2019 –
September 30, 2019
 193,790
 47.43
 193,790
 301,452,391
Total 875,687
 45.28
 875,687
 301,452,391

In May 2016,October 2018, our board of directors approved an authorization forauthorized the repurchase of up to $300.0$500.0 million of our common stock. In October 2018, the board increased our share repurchase authorization to $500.0 million, inclusive of the remaining amount outstanding under the prior authorization. This authorization has no expiration date.

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 firstthird quarter of 2019, we withheld 56,8454,650 shares in conjunction with the vesting and exercise of equity-based awards.

 
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.


Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.



Item 5.  Other Information.

We held our annual shareholders' meeting on May 1, 2019.

38,528,820 shares were represented (88.3% of the 43,637,914 shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting). Three items were considered at the meeting, and the results of the voting were as follows:

(1) Election of Directors:

Shareholders were asked to elect 10 directors to hold office until the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. The nominees for director and the results of the voting were as follows:
  For Withheld Broker non-vote
Ronald C. Baldwin 33,562,439
 1,021,217
 3,945,164
Cheryl E. Mayberry McKissack 33,448,384
 1,135,272
 3,945,164
Barry C. McCarthy 33,838,348
 745,308
 3,945,164
Don J. McGrath 33,508,665
 1,074,991
 3,945,164
Neil J. Metviner 33,322,363
 1,261,293
 3,945,164
Stephen P. Nachtscheim 33,065,159
 1,518,497
 3,945,164
Thomas J. Reddin 33,861,127
 722,529
 3,945,164
Martyn R. Redgrave 33,202,576
 1,381,080
 3,945,164
John L. Stauch 34,309,251
 274,405
 3,945,164
Victoria A. Treyger 33,797,143
 786,513
 3,945,164

(2) A non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the proxy statement filed in connection with the annual meeting:
For:30,962,334
Against:3,488,243
Abstain:133,079
Broker non-vote:3,945,164

(3) Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019:
For:37,663,355
Against:776,136
Abstain:89,329
None.




Item 6.  Exhibits.
Exhibit Number Description
3.1 
3.2
4.1

Exhibit NumberDescription
10.1
10.2
10.310.1 
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 
101.INS XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover page interactive data file (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
___________________
* Denotes compensatory plan or management contract


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: May 3,October 25, 2019/s/ Barry C. McCarthy
 
Barry C. McCarthy
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
Date: May 3,October 25, 2019/s/ Keith A. Bush
 
Keith A. Bush
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

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