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, 20192020
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  __________ to ___________

Commission file number: 1-7945
dlx-20200930_g1.jpg

deluxeenterpriselogoa10.jpg

DELUXE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MN41-0216800
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3680 Victoria St. N.ShoreviewMN55126-2966
(Address of principal executive offices)(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. 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). 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,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated Filer
Non-accelerated FilerSmaller Reporting Company
Emerging 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   No

The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock as of October 16, 201928, 2020 was 42,101,861.41,893,988.
1


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DELUXE CORPORATION
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share par value)
(in thousands, except share par value)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents, including securities carried at fair value of $35,009 and $9,713, respectively$310,430 $73,620 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $6,488 and $4,985, respectively138,349 163,421 
Inventories and supplies50,512 39,921 
Funds held for customers, including securities carried at fair value of $23,613 and $34,450, respectively106,199 117,641 
Revenue in excess of billings29,307 32,790 
Other current assets43,139 44,818 
Total current assets677,936 472,211 
Deferred income taxes5,834 3,907 
Long-term investments45,522 44,995 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $365,250 and $377,180, respectively80,694 96,467 
Operating lease assets40,475 44,372 
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $596,778 and $557,023, respectively234,764 276,122 
Goodwill736,779 804,487 
Other non-current assets185,175 200,750 
Total assets$2,007,179 $1,943,311 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$113,120 $112,198 
Funds held for customers104,197 116,411 
Accrued liabilities161,542 179,338 
Total current liabilities378,859 407,947 
Long-term debt1,040,000 883,500 
Operating lease liabilities30,909 33,585 
Deferred income taxes4,794 14,898 
Other non-current liabilities41,173 32,520 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 15)
Shareholders' equity:  
Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: September 30, 2020 – 41,893; December 31, 2019 – 42,126)41,893 42,126 
Additional paid-in capital11,554 4,086 
Retained earnings510,805 572,596 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(52,904)(47,947)
Non-controlling interest96 
Total shareholders’ equity511,444 570,861 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,007,179 $1,943,311 
(Unaudited)
  September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $73,472
 $59,740
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts 142,845
 173,862
Inventories and supplies 42,194
 46,441
Funds held for customers 94,848
 100,982
Revenue in excess of billings 25,745
 30,458
Other current assets 46,612
 38,563
Total current assets 425,716
 450,046
Deferred income taxes 5,494
 2,886
Long-term investments 44,616
 43,773
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $376,165 and $367,205, respectively) 92,661
 90,342
Operating lease assets 41,739
 
Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $591,450 and $535,627, respectively) 287,498
 359,965
Goodwill 800,286
 1,160,626
Assets held for sale 1,350
 1,350
Other non-current assets 189,603
 196,108
Total assets $1,888,963
 $2,305,096
     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
  
Current liabilities:  
  
Accounts payable $97,588
 $106,978
Accrued liabilities 264,259
 284,281
Long-term debt due within one year 
 791
Total current liabilities 361,847
 392,050
Long-term debt 924,000
 911,073
Operating lease liabilities 32,434
 
Deferred income taxes 10,257
 46,680
Other non-current liabilities 34,898
 39,880
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 15) 


 


Shareholders' equity:  
  
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 540,612
 927,345
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (57,184) (56,579)
Total shareholders’ equity 525,527
 915,413
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $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)

2
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Product revenue $346,315
 $352,767
 $1,043,896
 $1,076,110
Service revenue 147,278
 140,423
 442,749
 397,239
Total revenue 493,593
 493,190
 1,486,645
 1,473,349
Cost of products (133,807) (132,996) (398,869) (400,700)
Cost of services (69,916) (64,638) (207,006) (175,894)
Total cost of revenue (203,723) (197,634) (605,875) (576,594)
Gross profit 289,870
 295,556
 880,770
 896,755
Selling, general and administrative expense (213,318) (208,533) (665,787) (629,272)
Restructuring and integration expense (26,255) (5,135) (49,089) (12,915)
Asset impairment charges (390,980) (99,170) (390,980) (101,319)
Operating (loss) income (340,683)
(17,282) (225,086) 153,249
Interest expense (8,710) (7,244) (27,251) (18,953)
Other income 2,183
 2,356
 6,118
 6,081
(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


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)2020201920202019
Product revenue$298,751 $346,315 $908,146 $1,043,896 
Service revenue140,710 147,278 428,142 442,749 
Total revenue439,461 493,593 1,336,288 1,486,645 
Cost of products(108,369)(133,807)(332,818)(398,869)
Cost of services(66,092)(69,916)(205,974)(207,006)
Total cost of revenue(174,461)(203,723)(538,792)(605,875)
Gross profit265,000 289,870 797,496 880,770 
Selling, general and administrative expense(198,871)(213,318)(634,645)(665,787)
Restructuring and integration expense(18,949)(26,255)(56,957)(49,089)
Asset impairment charges(2,760)(390,980)(97,973)(390,980)
Operating income (loss)44,420 (340,683)7,921 (225,086)
Interest expense(5,083)(8,710)(18,254)(27,251)
Other income2,201 2,183 8,482 6,118 
Income (loss) before income taxes41,538 (347,210)(1,851)(246,219)
Income tax (provision) benefit(12,094)28,717 (13,958)1,498 
Net income (loss)29,444 (318,493)(15,809)(244,721)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest(27)(46)
Net income (loss) attributable to Deluxe$29,417 $(318,493)$(15,855)$(244,721)
Total comprehensive income (loss)$32,319 $(322,150)$(20,766)$(245,326)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Deluxe32,292 (322,150)(20,812)(245,326)
Basic earnings (loss) per share0.70 (7.49)(0.38)(5.65)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share0.70 (7.49)(0.40)(5.65)


See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


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

3
  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, 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
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(unaudited)
(in thousands)Common sharesCommon shares
par value
Additional paid-in capitalRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive lossNon-controlling interestTotal
Balance, June 30, 202041,855 $41,855 $4,950 $494,243 $(55,779)$69 $485,338 
Net income— — — 29,417 — 27 29,444 
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)— — — (12,855)— — (12,855)
Common shares issued44 44 593 — — — 637 
Common shares retired(6)(6)(128)— — — (134)
Employee share-based compensation— — 6,139 — — — 6,139 
Other comprehensive income— — — — 2,875 — 2,875 
Balance, September 30, 202041,893 $41,893 $11,554 $510,805 $(52,904)$96 $511,444 
(in thousands)Common sharesCommon shares
par value
Additional paid-in capitalRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive lossNon-controlling interestTotal
Balance, December 31, 201942,126 $42,126 $4,086 $572,596 $(47,947)$$570,861 
Net loss— — — (15,855)— 46 (15,809)
Cash dividends ($0.90 per share)— — — (38,562)— — (38,562)
Common shares issued334 334 2,860 — — — 3,194 
Common shares repurchased(499)(499)(9,767)(3,734)— — (14,000)
Other common shares retired(68)(68)(1,994)— — — (2,062)
Employee share-based compensation— — 16,369 — — — 16,369 
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (Note 2)— — — (3,640)— — (3,640)
Other comprehensive loss— — — — (4,957)— (4,957)
Non-controlling interest, net— — — — — 50 50 
Balance, September 30, 202041,893 $41,893 $11,554 $510,805 $(52,904)$96 $511,444 


See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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

4


  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
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)
(unaudited)

(in thousands)Common sharesCommon shares
par value
Additional paid-in capitalRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive lossTotal
Balance, June 30, 201942,928 $42,928 $$904,748 $(53,527)$894,149 
Net loss— — — (318,493)— (318,493)
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)— — — (12,977)— (12,977)
Common shares issued51 51 1,472 — — 1,523 
Common shares repurchased(876)(876)(6,109)(32,666)— (39,651)
Other common shares retired(4)(4)(200)— — (204)
Employee share-based compensation— — 4,837 — — 4,837 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — (3,657)(3,657)
Balance, September 30, 201942,099 $42,099 $$540,612 $(57,184)$525,527 
(in thousands)Common sharesCommon shares
par value
Additional paid-in capitalRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive lossTotal
Balance, December 31, 201844,647 $44,647 $$927,345 $(56,579)$915,413 
Net loss— — — (244,721)— (244,721)
Cash dividends ($0.90 per share)— — — (39,445)— (39,445)
Common shares issued150 150 3,411 — — 3,561 
Common shares repurchased(2,632)(2,632)(13,615)(102,300)— (118,547)
Other common shares retired(66)(66)(3,010)— — (3,076)
Employee share-based compensation— — 13,214 — — 13,214 
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02— — — (267)— (267)
Other comprehensive loss— — — — (605)(605)
Balance, September 30, 201942,099 $42,099 $$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 
 
 
 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)
5
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net (loss) income $(244,721) $92,461
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
Depreciation 12,206
 12,724
Amortization of intangibles 83,224
 84,199
Operating lease expense 15,145
 
Asset impairment charges 390,980
 101,319
Amortization of prepaid product discounts 17,861
 16,976
Deferred income taxes (38,549) (12,157)
Employee share-based compensation expense 14,580
 9,481
Loss (gain) on sales of businesses and customer lists 224
 (12,855)
Other non-cash items, net 9,858
 5,482
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:  
  
Trade accounts receivable 27,505
 1,466
Inventories and supplies 2,728
 (2,009)
Other current assets (3,213) (13,030)
Non-current assets (3,346) (5,116)
Accounts payable (10,779) (5,453)
Prepaid product discount payments (20,370) (19,125)
Other accrued and non-current liabilities (45,309) (35,261)
Net cash provided by operating activities 208,024
 219,102
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
Purchases of capital assets (49,679) (42,566)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1,598) (190,396)
Purchases of customer funds marketable securities (3,817) (3,981)
Proceeds from customer funds marketable securities 3,817
 3,981
Other 1,398
 1,038
Net cash used by investing activities (49,879) (231,924)
Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
Proceeds from issuing long-term debt 203,500
 1,189,500
Payments on long-term debt (189,500) (1,009,139)
Net change in customer funds obligations (8,711) (58)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans 3,159
 7,300
Employee taxes paid for shares withheld (3,076) (7,969)
Payments for common shares repurchased (118,547) (120,000)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders (39,068) (42,943)
Other (1,654) (4,128)
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 equivalents 2,604
 (2,446)
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 year 145,259
 128,819
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period (Note 3) $152,111
 $126,114


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019
Cash flows from operating activities:  
Net loss$(15,809)$(244,721)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation15,510 12,206 
Amortization of intangibles67,555 83,224 
Operating lease expense15,044 15,145 
Asset impairment charges97,973 390,980 
Amortization of prepaid product discounts21,725 17,861 
Deferred income taxes(9,395)(38,549)
Employee share-based compensation expense15,335 14,580 
Other non-cash items, net15,231 10,082 
Changes in assets and liabilities:  
Trade accounts receivable21,376 27,505 
Inventories and supplies(11,938)2,728 
Other current assets2,158 (3,213)
Non-current assets(13,335)(3,346)
Accounts payable(9,830)(10,779)
Prepaid product discount payments(24,947)(20,370)
Other accrued and non-current liabilities(19,842)(45,309)
Net cash provided by operating activities166,811 208,024 
Cash flows from investing activities:  
Purchases of capital assets(42,707)(49,679)
Proceeds from sale of facilities9,713 
Purchases of customer funds marketable securities(3,742)(3,817)
Proceeds from customer funds marketable securities3,742 3,817 
Other1,326 3,147 
Net cash used by investing activities(31,668)(46,532)
Cash flows from financing activities:  
Proceeds from issuing long-term debt309,000 203,500 
Payments on long-term debt(152,500)(189,500)
Net change in customer funds obligations(9,375)(8,711)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans3,048 3,159 
Employee taxes paid for shares withheld(2,023)(3,076)
Payments for common shares repurchased(14,000)(118,547)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(38,057)(39,068)
Other(2,734)(5,001)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities93,359 (157,244)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents(3,297)2,604 
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents225,205 6,852 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of year174,811 145,259 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period (Note 3)$400,016 $152,111 


See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
DELUXE CORPORATION6
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 1: Consolidated financial statements

NOTE 1: CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019,2020, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) income for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019 are unaudited. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 20182019 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. 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, 20182019 (the “20182019 Form 10-K”)10-K).


The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including the estimated impact of extraordinary events such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of our assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ significantly from our estimates and assumptions, including our estimates of the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further information can be found in Note 15.
In November 2016, the Financial
Non-controlling interestEffective April 1, 2020, we executed an agreement to form MedPay Exchange LLC (MPX), which delivers payments to healthcare providers from insurance companies and other payers. This entity is a variable interest entity (VIE), as defined in Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-18,Codification Topic 810, Restricted CashConsolidation. This standard requiresAs we are the statementprimary beneficiary of the VIE, we are required to consolidate MPX in our consolidated financial statements. Our partner’s interest in MPX is reported as non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, separate from our equity. Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) are attributed to us and the non-controlling interest on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The amounts attributable to the non-controlling interest were not significant for the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2020.
ComparabilityAmounts on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and amounts within cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cashfrom operating activities 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 inon 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 were 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. 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 nine months ended September 30, 20182019 have been modified to conform to the current year presentation. On the consolidated balance sheet, assets held for sale are included within other non-current assets. In the previous year, this amount was presented separately. Within cash flows from operating activities, loss on sales of businesses and customer lists is included within other non-cash items, net. In the previous year, this amount was presented separately. Within cash flows from investing activities, payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, is included within the other caption. In the previous year, this amount was presented separately.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, we identified the incorrect presentation of certain amounts reported in the 2019 consolidated statements of cash flows. We determined that holdback payments for acquisitions and asset purchases were incorrectly included in net cash used by investing activities and should be included in net cash used by financing activities. We determined that the amounts impacting payments for acquisitions were not material to the consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and the presentation of these amounts has been corrected in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 appearing herein. This revision had no impact on the amount reported for cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as of September 30, 2019.

7

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
The impact of the revision on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was as follows:
(in thousands)As previously reportedAdjustmentAs revised
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired$(1,598)$1,598 $
Other1,398 1,749 3,147 
Net cash used by investing activities(49,879)3,347 (46,532)
Other(1,654)(3,347)(5,001)
Net cash used by financing activities(153,897)(3,347)(157,244)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$6,852 $$6,852 
(in thousands) Previously reported Adjustment Revised
Purchases of customer funds marketable securities $
 $(3,981) $(3,981)
Proceeds from customer funds marketable securities 
 3,981
 3,981
Net cash used by investing activities (231,924) 
 (231,924)
Net change in customer funds obligations 
 (58) (58)
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 (1,188) (1,258) (2,446)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (1,389) (1,316) (2,705)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of year 59,240
 69,579
 128,819
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period $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

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 this standard: ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which amended narrow aspects of the guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, which provided 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 addressed 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 reassess previously recorded initial direct costs. Additionally, we made the following policy elections:

we excluded leases with original terms of 12 months or less from lease assets and lease liabilities;
we 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
we 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 statements of comprehensive 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 on our consolidated balance sheet. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
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 statements of comprehensive (loss) income, and interest on finance leases is included in interest expense on the consolidated statements 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 14.

ASU No. 2016-13 – In June 2016, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASUAccounting Standards Update (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,These standards replace the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvementsincurred loss methodology previously utilized for valuing financial instruments with an expected loss methodology that is referred to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not withinas the scopecurrent expected credit loss (CECL) methodology. The measurement of ASU No. 2016-13. In April 2019,expected losses under the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification ImprovementsCECL methodology is applicable to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivativesfinancial instruments measured at amortized cost, including accounts and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. This standard provides additional guidance onnotes receivable. The standards also made targeted changes to the measurement and presentation of credit losses. In May 2019,accounting for available-for-sale debt securities. We adopted 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 athe modified retrospective approach.method for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this method, prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. We dorecorded a net decrease in retained earnings of $3,640 as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative effect of adopting the standards, which consisted primarily of an increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans and notes receivable, net of the related deferred income tax impact. We recorded no allowance for credit losses related to our available-for-sale debt securities. Further information regarding these investments can be found in Note 3.

An allowance for uncollectible accounts is a valuation account that is deducted from an asset's amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected. Amounts are charged off against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of an account is confirmed. In calculating the allowances related to trade accounts receivable and revenue in excess of billings, we utilize a combination of aging schedules with reserve rates applied to both current and aged receivables and roll-rate reserves using historical loss rates and changes in current or projected conditions. In determining the allowance for uncollectible accounts related to loans and notes receivable from distributors, we utilize a loss-rate analysis based on historical loss information, current delinquency rates, the credit quality of the loan recipients and the portfolio mix to determine an appropriate credit risk measurement, adjusted to reflect current loan-specific risk characteristics and changes in environmental conditions affecting our small business distributors. Changes in conditions that may affect our distributors include, but are not expectlimited to, general economic conditions, changes in the applicationmarkets for their products and services and changes in governmental regulations. In completing our analysis, we utilize a reversion methodology for periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, as many of these standards toour loans and notes receivable have a significant impactlonger terms. Further information regarding current risks and uncertainties affecting our loans and notes receivable can be found in Note 15. Further information regarding our allowances for uncollectible accounts can be found in Note 3.

Our trade accounts receivable and unbilled receivables are not interest-bearing. Interest rates on our results of operations or financial position.loans and notes receivable generally range from 6% to 8% and reflect market interest rates at the time the transactions were executed. Accrued interest included in loans and notes receivable is not significant.

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 arewere effective for us on January 1, 2020 and are required to be applied prospectively to fair value measurements completed on or after the effectivethat date. Disclosures regarding our fair value measurements can be found in Note 7.

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
8

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
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 usWe adopted this standard on January 1, 2020, and may be adopted retrospectively orapplying it prospectively to eligible costs incurred on or after the date the guidance is first applied. This new guidance willthis date. Adoption of this standard did impact our results of operations and financial position, as we currently expensepreviously expensed these implementation costs as incurred. We planAs of September 30, 2020, $19,617 of cloud computing implementation costs were included within other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. These costs primarily relate to adoptour planned implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

ASU No. 2019-12 – In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This standard prospectively. As such, the impactaddresses several specific areas of accounting for income taxes. The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2021. Portions of the standard are required to be adopted prospectively and certain aspects will be adopted using the modified retrospective approach. We do not expect the application of this standard to have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial statements will depend on the transactions that occur subsequent to adoption.position.


Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information

NOTE 3: SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Allowance for uncollectible
Trade accounts receivable Changes in the allowance for uncollectible accounts included within trade accounts receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019 were as follows:
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)20202019
Balance, beginning of year$4,985 $3,639 
Bad debt expense4,174 3,718 
Write-offs and other(2,671)(2,537)
Balance, end of period$6,488 $4,820 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018
Balance, beginning of year $3,639
 $2,884
Bad debt expense 3,718
 2,275
Write-offs, net of recoveries (2,537) (2,036)
Balance, end of period $4,820
 $3,123


Inventories and supplies – Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:
(in thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Raw materials$7,025 $6,977 
Semi-finished goods7,151 7,368 
Finished goods33,144 21,982 
Supplies3,192 3,594 
Inventories and supplies$50,512 $39,921 
(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Raw materials $7,537
 $7,543
Semi-finished goods 7,396
 7,273
Finished goods 23,719
 27,608
Supplies 3,542
 4,017
Inventories and supplies $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:
  September 30, 2019
(in thousands) Cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
Funds held for customers:(1)
        
Domestic money market fund $14,000
 $
 $
 $14,000
Canadian and provincial government securities 8,856
 
 (199) 8,657
Canadian guaranteed investment certificates 7,552
 
 
 7,552
Available-for-sale debt securities $30,408
 $
 $(199) $30,209

 September 30, 2020
(in thousands)CostGross unrealized gainsGross unrealized lossesFair value
Funds held for customers:(1)
Domestic money market fund$7,000 $$$7,000 
Canadian and provincial government securities8,968 137 9,105 
Canadian guaranteed investment certificates7,508 7,508 
Available-for-sale debt securities$23,476 $137 $$23,613 

(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019,2020, also included cash of $64,639.$82,586.

9

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
 December 31, 2019
(in thousands)CostGross unrealized gainsGross unrealized lossesFair value
Funds held for customers:(1)
Domestic money market fund$18,000 $$$18,000 
Canadian and provincial government securities9,056 (304)8,752 
Canadian guaranteed investment certificates7,698 7,698 
Available-for-sale debt securities$34,754 $$(304)$34,450 
 
(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018,2019, also included cash of $69,519.$83,191.
Expected maturities of available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 20192020 were as follows:
(in thousands)Fair value
Due in one year or less$13,057 
Due in two to five years6,595 
Due in six to ten years3,961 
Available-for-sale debt securities$23,613 
(in thousands) Fair value
Due in one year or less $24,019
Due in two to five years 3,550
Due in six to ten years 2,640
Available-for-sale debt securities $30,209


Further information regarding the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities can be found in Note 8.7.

Revenue in excess of billings Upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 and related amendments on January 1, 2020 (Note 2), we recorded an allowance for uncollectible accounts related to revenue in excess of billings. This allowance was not significant upon adoption, or as of September 30, 2020. Revenue in excess of billings, net of the allowance for uncollectible accounts, was comprised of the following:
(in thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Conditional right to receive consideration$19,611 $24,499 
Unconditional right to receive consideration9,696 8,291 
Revenue in excess of billings$29,307 $32,790 
(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Conditional right to receive consideration $16,032
 $19,705
Unconditional right to receive consideration 9,713
 10,753
Revenue in excess of billings $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 September 30, 2018, we sold the assets of a provider of printed and promotional products, as well as certain small business 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 assets would be better positioned for long-term growth if they were managed by independent distributors. Subsequent to the sales, the assets 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 $1,765 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $12,855 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(in thousands)Gross carrying amountAccumulated amortizationNet carrying amountGross carrying amountAccumulated amortizationNet carrying amount
Amortizable intangibles:      
Internal-use software$400,964 $(325,746)$75,218 $380,905 $(299,698)$81,207 
Customer lists/relationships328,967 (191,964)137,003 348,055 (187,462)160,593 
Software to be sold36,900 (22,827)14,073 36,900 (19,657)17,243 
Technology-based intangibles34,613 (26,863)7,750 34,780 (22,122)12,658 
Trade names30,098 (29,378)720 32,505 (28,084)4,421 
Intangibles$831,542 $(596,778)$234,764 $833,145 $(557,023)$276,122 
  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
10

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


During the quarternine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, we recorded asset impairment charges related to customer lists/relationships, trade names and technology-based intangibles.certain intangible assets. Further information regarding these asset impairment charges can be found in Note 8.

7.

Amortization of intangibles was $26,736 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, $28,505$22,515 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018,2020, $26,736 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, $67,555 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $83,224 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and $84,199 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.2019. Based on the intangibles in service as of September 30, 2019,2020, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
(in thousands)Estimated
amortization
expense
Remainder of 2020$23,996 
202175,519 
202251,087 
202333,349 
202418,185 
(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, 2019:2020:
(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

(in thousands)AmountWeighted-average amortization period
(in years)
Internal-use software$28,268 3
Customer lists/relationships21,627 7
Acquired intangibles$49,895 5
(1)
These asset purchases did not qualify as business combinations.

Goodwill – Changes in goodwill duringby reportable segment and in total for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 were as follows: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
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksTotal
Balance, December 31, 2019:    
Goodwill, gross$168,165 $432,984 $252,834 $434,812 $1,288,795 
Accumulated impairment charges(357,741)(126,567)(484,308)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges168,165 75,243 126,267 434,812 804,487 
Impairment charges (Note 7)— (4,317)(63,356)— (67,673)
Currency translation adjustment— — (35)— (35)
Balance, September 30, 2020$168,165 $70,926 $62,876 $434,812 $736,779 
Balance, September 30, 2020:    
Goodwill, gross$168,165 $432,984 $252,799 $434,812 $1,288,760 
Accumulated impairment charges(362,058)(189,923)(551,981)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges$168,165 $70,926 $62,876 $434,812 $736,779 

11

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)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Postretirement benefit plan asset$61,366 $56,743 
Prepaid product discounts41,249 51,145 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors, net of allowance for doubtful accounts(1)
38,648 66,872 
Cloud computing arrangements19,617 
Deferred sales commissions(2)
10,106 9,682 
Other14,189 16,308 
Other non-current assets$185,175 $200,750 
(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) Amount Includes the non-current portion of loans and note receivables. The current portion of these receivables is included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets and was $2,935 as of September 30, 2020 and $3,511 as of December 31, 2019.
(1)
(2) Amortization of deferred sales commissions was $2,756 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $2,246 for the nine months ended September 30, 20192019.

Upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 and $2,033related amendments on January 1, 2020 (Note 2), we recorded an additional allowance for uncollectible accounts related to loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors. Changes in this allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)20202019
Balance, beginning of year$284 $284 
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 (Note 2)4,749 — 
Bad debt expense5,647 
Exchange for customer lists(6,402)
Balance, end of period$4,278 $284 

DELUXE CORPORATIONBad debt expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, included loan-specific allowances primarily related to a distributor that was underperforming. In calculating this reserve, we utilized various valuation techniques to determine the value of the underlying collateral. During the third quarter of 2020, this note receivable was exchanged for the underlying collateral, which consisted of a customer list intangible asset. As such, the note receivable and the related allowance were reversed. Past due receivables and those on non-accrual status were not significant as of September 30, 2020.
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)We categorize loans and notes receivable into risk categories based on information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, including current financial information, historical payment experience, current economic trends and other factors. The highest quality receivables are assigned a 1-2 internal grade. Those that have a potential weakness requiring management's attention are assigned a 3-4 internal grade.
12



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

The following table presents loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributors, including the current portion, by credit quality indicator and by year of origination, as of September 30, 2020. There were 0 write-offs and 0 recoveries recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Loans and notes receivable from distributors amortized cost basis by origination year
(in thousands)20202019201820172016PriorTotal
Risk rating:
1-2 internal grade$1,361 $2,003 $23,843 $11,731 $216 $4,135 $43,289 
3-4 internal grade2,572 2,572 
Loans and notes receivable$1,361 $4,575 $23,843 $11,731 $216 $4,135 $45,861 

Changes in prepaid product discounts during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019 were as follows:
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)20202019
Balance, beginning of year$51,145 $54,642 
Additions(1)
13,259 15,275 
Amortization(21,725)(17,861)
Other(1,430)(308)
Balance, end of period$41,249 $51,748 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018
Balance, beginning of year $54,642
 $63,895
Additions(1)
 15,275
 11,695
Amortization (17,861) (16,976)
Other (308) (75)
Balance, end of period $51,748
 $58,539
(1) Prepaid product discounts are generally accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments for prepaid product discounts were $24,947 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $20,370 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and $19,125 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.2019.

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

(in thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Deferred revenue(1)
$37,933 $46,098 
Employee cash bonuses24,980 36,918 
Wages14,261 6,937 
Operating lease liabilities12,769 12,898 
Prepaid product discounts due within one year6,028 14,709 
Other65,571 61,778 
Accrued liabilities$161,542 $179,338 
 
(1) $45,03237,411 of the December 31, 20182019 amount was recognized as revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.2020.

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


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)September 30,
2020
September 30,
2019
Cash and cash equivalents$310,430 $73,472 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for customers89,586 78,639 
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$400,016 $152,111 
(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Cash and cash equivalents $73,472
 $57,851
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for customers 78,639
 68,263
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents $152,111
 $126,114


DELUXE CORPORATION
13
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


Note 4: (Loss) earnings
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE 4: EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) earnings per share. During each period, certain stock options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. 
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)2020201920202019
Earnings (loss) per share – basic:  
Net income (loss)$29,444 $(318,493)$(15,809)$(244,721)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest(27)(46)
Net income (loss) attributable to Deluxe29,417 (318,493)(15,855)(244,721)
Income allocated to participating securities(24)(24)(42)(79)
Income (loss) attributable to Deluxe available to common shareholders$29,393 $(318,517)$(15,897)$(244,800)
Weighted-average shares outstanding41,872 42,533 41,927 43,312 
Earnings (loss) per share – basic$0.70 $(7.49)$(0.38)$(5.65)
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted:
Net income (loss)$29,444 $(318,493)$(15,809)$(244,721)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest(27)(46)
Net income (loss) attributable to Deluxe29,417 (318,493)(15,855)(244,721)
Income allocated to participating securities(24)(42)(79)
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities(794)
Income (loss) attributable to Deluxe available to common shareholders$29,417 $(318,517)$(16,691)$(244,800)
Weighted-average shares outstanding41,872 42,533 41,927 43,312 
Dilutive impact of potential common shares119 40 
Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding41,991 42,533 41,967 43,312 
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted$0.70 $(7.49)$(0.40)$(5.65)
Antidilutive options excluded from calculation2,086 1,422 2,160 1,422 
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018
(Loss) earnings per share – basic:        
Net (loss) income $(318,493) $(31,083) $(244,721) $92,461
Income allocated to participating securities (24) (53) (79) (396)
(Loss) income available to common shareholders $(318,517) $(31,136)
$(244,800) $92,065
Weighted-average shares outstanding 42,533
 46,781
 43,312
 47,340
(Loss) earnings per share – basic $(7.49) $(0.67) $(5.65) $1.94
         
(Loss) earnings per share – diluted:  
  
    
Net (loss) income $(318,493) $(31,083) $(244,721) $92,461
Income allocated to participating securities (24) (53) (79) (394)
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities 
 (98) 
 (274)
(Loss) income available to common shareholders $(318,517) $(31,234)
$(244,800) $91,793
Weighted-average shares outstanding 42,533
 46,781
 43,312
 47,340
Dilutive impact of potential common shares 
 22
 
 178
Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding 42,533
 46,803

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



DELUXE CORPORATION
14
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


Note 5: Other comprehensive income
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE 5: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Reclassification adjustments Information regarding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income (loss) income was as follows:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss componentsAmounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive lossAffected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss)
Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Realized (loss) gain on interest rate swap$(326)$81 $(514)$81 Interest expense
Tax benefit (provision)85 (21)134 (21)Income tax (provision) benefit
Realized (loss) gain on interest rate swap, net of tax(241)60 (380)60 Net income (loss)
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items:
Prior service credit355 355 1,066 1,066 Other income
Net actuarial loss(575)(806)(1,725)(2,417)Other income
Total amortization(220)(451)(659)(1,351)Other income
Tax benefit12 70 35 209 Income tax (provision) benefit
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items, net of tax(208)(381)(624)(1,142)Net income (loss)
Total reclassifications, net of tax$(449)$(321)$(1,004)$(1,082)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss components Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss Affected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
(in thousands) 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
 1,066
 1,066
 Other income
Net actuarial loss (806) (721) (2,417) (2,163) Other income
Total amortization (451) (366) (1,351) (1,097) Other income
Tax benefit 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 $(321) $(319) $(1,082) $(650)  


Accumulated other comprehensive loss Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 were as follows:
(in thousands)Postretirement benefit plans
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities(1)
Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedge(2)
Currency translation adjustmentAccumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance, December 31, 2019$(28,406)$(275)$(1,097)$(18,169)$(47,947)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications314 (5,240)(1,035)(5,961)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss624 380 1,004 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)624 314 (4,860)(1,035)(4,957)
Balance, September 30, 2020$(27,782)$39 $(5,957)$(19,204)$(52,904)
(in thousands) 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)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 
 122
 (1,790) (19) (1,687)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 1,142
 
 (60) 
 1,082
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 $43.$110.

(2) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications is net of an income tax benefit of $635.$1,840.


DELUXE CORPORATION
15
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


Note 6: Acquisitions
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.
We did not complete any acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $1,598 and related to holdback payments for prior year acquisitions. During the nine 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 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 acquired the operations of 3 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 nine months ended September 30, 2018, included payments of $170,011 for these acquisitions and $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.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded measurement-period adjustments for 2018 acquisitions that decreased goodwill $1,767, with the offset to various assets and liabilities, including a $1,000 increase in customer list intangible assets.


Note 7: Derivative financial instruments
NOTE 6: 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)11). 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 sheetsheets and are subsequently reclassified intoto interest expense as interest payments are made on the variable-rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap was $2,506$8,046 as of September 30, 2020 and $1,480 as of December 31, 2019 and was included in other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.sheets. 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, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and its impact on consolidated net income (loss) and our 2019consolidated statements of comprehensive loss and statement of cash flows was not significant. We also do not expect the amount to be reclassified intoto interest expense over the next 12 months to be significant.


Note 8: Fair value measurements

NOTE 7: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Annual asset
Goodwill impairment analysesWe 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 goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill, which is included under the caption "Note 1: Significant accounting policies"Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 20182019 Form 10-K and explains our methodology for assessing impairment of these assets.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollarsFirst quarter 2020 goodwill impairment analysesEffective January 1, 2020, we reorganized our reportable business segments to align with structural and management reporting changes 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.

support of our growth strategy (Note 14). As a result, we reassessed our previously determined reporting units and concluded that a realignment of our reporting units was required. We analyzed goodwill for impairment immediately prior to this realignment by performing a qualitative analysis for all of our reporting units, with the exception of our Direct-to-Consumer reporting unit, which is part of our new Checks reportable business segment. 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 last quantitative analyses we completed. In completing these assessments, we noted no changes in events or circumstances 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 analysis of our Direct-to-Consumer reporting unit indicated that its fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately $35,000, or 26%.

In completing the realignment of our reporting units, we reallocated the carrying value of goodwill to our new reporting units based on their relative fair values. Immediately subsequent to the realignment, we completed a quantitative analysis for the reporting units that changed as a result of the realignment. This quantitative analysis, as of July 31, 2017, whichJanuary 1, 2020, indicated that the estimated fair values of the 4our reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximate amounts between $64,000$37,000 and $1,405,000,$954,000, or by amounts between 50%121% and 314%189% above the carrying values of their net assets.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global health emergency due to an outbreak of COVID-19 originating in Wuhan, China and the risks to the international community as the virus spread globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. Following the pandemic designation, we observed a decline in the market valuation of our common shares and we determined that the global response to the pandemic negatively impacted our estimates of expected future cash flows. After our consideration of economic, market and industry conditions, cost factors, the overall financial performance of our reporting units and the last quantitative analyses we completed, we concluded that a triggering event had occurred for 2 of our reporting units. As such, we completed quantitative goodwill impairment analyses for our Promotional Solutions and Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting units as of March 31, 2020. Our analyses indicated that the goodwill of our Promotional Solutions reporting unit was partially impaired and the goodwill of our Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting unit was fully impaired. As such, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of $63,356 and $4,317, respectively. 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, $62,785 of goodwill remained in the Promotional Solutions reporting unit as of the measurement date.

2020 annual impairment analysisIn completing the 2020 annual impairment analysis of goodwill, we elected to perform qualitative analyses for 2 of our reporting units: Payments and Checks. These 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 most recent quantitative analyses we completed, which indicated that the estimated
16

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
fair values of these reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximately $490,000 and $955,000, or by 189% and 180% 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 anyeither reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

TheWe elected to perform quantitative analyses as of July 31, 2019for our other 2 reporting units: Cloud Data Analytics and Promotional Solutions. These quantitative analyses indicated that the goodwillestimated fair values of our Financial Services Data-Driven Marketingthese reporting unit was partially impairedunits exceeded their carrying values by approximately $100,000 and $210,000, or by 63% and 132% above the goodwillcarrying values of our Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit was fully impaired.their net assets. As such, we recorded pretax0 goodwill impairment charges were recorded as a result of $115,474 and $242,267, respectively. Bothour annual 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.analysis.

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-recurringnonrecurring asset impairment analysesDue 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 inimpacts of the goodwillCOVID-19 pandemic, we assessed for impairment charge,certain long-lived assets of our Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting unit as of March 31, 2020. As a result of these assessments, we recorded pretax asset impairment charges of $31,316$17,678 related to certain customer list, software and trade name customer list and technology-based intangible assets inassets. With the Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit. We concluded that the long-livedexception of certain internal-use software 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 wasthe assets were fully impaired as of July 31, 2019.impaired. We utilized the discounted value of estimated future cash flows to estimate the fair valuesvalue of thesethe asset groups (level 3group. In our analysis, we assumed a revenue decline of 31% and a gross margin decline of 5.2 points in 2020, as well as a discount rate of 9%.

During the first quarter of 2020, we assessed for impairment the carrying value of an asset group related to a small business distributor that we previously purchased. Our assessment was the result of customer attrition during the quarter that impacted our projections of future cash flows. Based on our estimate of discounted future cash flows, we determined that the asset group was partially impaired as of February 29, 2020, and we recorded an asset impairment charge of $2,752, reducing the carrying value of the related customer list intangible asset. During the third quarter of 2020, as customer attrition continued, we again assessed this asset group for impairment and recorded an additional asset impairment charge of $2,356, bringing the total impairment charge to $5,108 in 2020. In calculating the estimated fair value measurements)of the asset group as of September 30, 2020, we assumed 0 revenue growth, a 1.0 point improvement in gross margin and a discount rate of 11%.


DuringAlso during the first nine months of 2020, we recorded asset impairment charges of $7,514 related primarily to the rationalization of our real estate footprint, as well as internal-use software held for sale as of December 31, 2019. These assets were written down to their estimated fair values less costs to sell and the sale of the related real estate assets was completed 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 pretax asset impairment charge of $2,149 related to a Small Business Services customer list intangible asset. Based on changes in the customer base of one of our small business distributors, we determined that the customer list asset was fully impaired 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).2020.

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

Information regarding theAsset 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, 20192020 were as follows:
 Fair value measurements using
Fair value as of measurement dateQuoted prices in active markets for identical assetsSignificant other observable inputsSignificant unobservable inputsImpairment charge
(in thousands)(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
Cloud Solutions Web Hosting assets:
Customer lists$$— $— $$8,397 
Internal-use software2,172 — — 2,172 6,932 
Other— — 2,349 
Cloud Solutions Web Hosting assets17,678 
Small business distributor4,479 — — 4,479 5,108 
Other assets11,210 — — 11,210 7,514 
Goodwill67,673 
Total$97,973 
(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 includedRecurring fair value measurements Cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale debt securities (Note 3). The cash equivalents consistedas of aSeptember 30, 2020 included investments in money market fund investmentfunds that is traded in an active market.have been designated as trading securities. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of this investmentthese funds approximates itstheir fair value. Available-for-salevalues.

Funds held for customers included available-for-sale debt securities consisted of(Note 3). These securities included a money market fund that is traded in an active market, a mutual fund investment that invests in Canadian and provincial government
17

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
securities, and investments in Canadian guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) with maturities of 1 year or less.to 2 years. The cost of the money market fund approximates its fair value because of the short-term nature of the investment. The mutual fund investment 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 on the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. Realized gains and losses are included in revenue on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) income and were not significant for the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.

Information regarding the fair values of our financial instruments was as follows:
 Fair value measurements using
September 30, 2020Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
(in thousands)Balance sheet locationCarrying valueFair value
Measured at fair value through comprehensive income (loss):
Cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$35,009 $35,009 $35,009 $$
Cash equivalentsFunds held for customers$7,000 $7,000 $7,000 $$
Available-for-sale debt securitiesFunds held for customers16,613 16,613 16,613 
Derivative liability (Note 6)Other non-current liabilities(8,046)(8,046)(8,046)
Amortized cost:
CashCash and cash equivalents275,421 275,421 275,421 
CashFunds held for customers82,586 82,586 82,586 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributorsOther current and non-current assets41,583 41,261 41,261 
Long-term debtLong-term debt1,040,000 1,040,000 1,040,000 
    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
 


18

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 Fair value measurements using
December 31, 2019Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
(in thousands)Balance sheet locationCarrying valueFair value
Measured at fair value through comprehensive income (loss):
Cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$9,713 $9,713 $9,713 $$
Cash equivalentsFunds held for customers18,000 18,000 18,000 
Available-for-sale debt securitiesFunds held for customers16,450 16,450 16,450 
Derivative liability (Note 6)Other non-current liabilities(1,480)(1,480)(1,480)
Amortized cost:
CashCash and cash equivalents63,907 63,907 63,907 
CashFunds held for customers83,191 83,191 83,191 
Loans and notes receivable from Safeguard distributorsOther current and non-current assets70,383 68,887 68,887 
Long-term debtLong-term debt883,500 883,500 883,500 
(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.


Note 9: Restructuring and integration expense
NOTE 8: 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 financial, sales and human resources management systemsystems. It also includes costs related to the integration of acquired businesses into our systems and certainprocesses and the rationalization of our sales and financial systems.real estate footprint. These costs consist primarily consist of information technology consulting, and project management services and internal labor, as well as other miscellaneous costs associated with our initiatives, such as training, travel and travel.relocation. 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 weWe are currently pursuing several initiatives designed to focus our business behind our growth strategies and to increase our efficiency. Restructuring and integration expense is not allocated to our reportable business segments.

Restructuring and integration expense is reflected on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as follows:
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Total cost of revenue$(26)$1,419 $831 $2,365 
Operating expenses18,949 26,255 56,957 49,089 
Restructuring and integration expense$18,923 $27,674 $57,788 $51,454 

19

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Restructuring and integration expense for each period consistedwas comprised of the following components:following:
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
External consulting fees$14,898 $15,820 $37,136 $28,066 
Employee severance benefits752 5,033 10,870 9,794 
Internal labor2,218 3,078 5,200 8,927 
Other1,055 3,743 4,582 4,667 
Restructuring and integration expense$18,923 $27,674 $57,788 $51,454 
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except number of employees) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Severance accruals $5,124
 $2,118
 $10,270
 $6,766
Severance reversals (91) (1,157) (476) (1,387)
Operating lease obligations 
 291
 
 291
Net accruals 5,033
 1,252

9,794

5,670
Other costs 22,641
 3,852
 41,660
 8,127
Restructuring and integration expense $27,674
 $5,104

$51,454

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


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

RestructuringOur restructuring and integration expense is reflectedaccruals represent expected cash payments required to satisfy the remaining severance obligations to those employees already terminated and those expected to be terminated under our various initiatives. These accruals are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income as 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 accruals of $6,138 as of September 30, 2019 are reflected inaccrued liabilities on 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.sheets. The majority of the related employee reductions are expected to be completed by the endfirst quarter of 2019,2021, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by mid-2020. Asin the first half of 2021, utilizing cash from operations.
September 30, 2019, approximately 130 employees had not yet started to receive severance benefits.

RestructuringChanges in our restructuring and integration accruals summarized by year, were as follows:
(in thousands)Employee severance benefits
Balance, December 31, 2019$3,459 
Charges11,587 
Reversals(717)
Payments(11,985)
Balance, September 30, 2020$2,344 
(in thousands) 
2019
 initiatives
 
2018
 initiatives
 
2017
initiatives
 Total
Balance, December 31, 2018 $
 $3,448
 $13
 $3,461
Charges 9,919
 351
 
 10,270
Reversals (155) (308) (13) (476)
Payments (3,886) (2,949) 
 (6,835)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(1)
 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, September 30, 2019 $5,878
 $260
 $
 $6,138
Cumulative amounts:  
      
Charges $9,919
 $8,487
 $7,355
 $25,761
Reversals (155) (1,720) (726) (2,601)
Payments (3,886) (6,225) (6,629) (16,740)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(1)
 
 (282) 
 (282)
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 reversedThe charges and reversals presented in 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 componentsrollforward of our restructuring and integration accruals by segment, weredo not include items charged directly to expense as follows:
  Employee severance benefits Operating lease obligations  
(in thousands) 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
Charges 3,309
 2,449
 168
 4,344
 
 
 10,270
Reversals (140) (108) (1) (227) 
 
 (476)
Payments (1,944) (2,570) (107) (2,214) 
 
 (6,835)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(2)
 
 
 
 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, September 30, 2019 $2,551
 $1,168

$60

$2,359

$
 $
 $6,138
Cumulative amounts:(3)
  
  
  
  
  
    
Charges $7,848
 $8,615
 $311
 $8,367
 $329
 $291
 $25,761
Reversals (744) (1,315) (6) (465) 
 (71) (2,601)
Payments (4,553) (6,132) (245) (5,543) (47) (220) (16,740)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02(2)
 
 
 
 
 (282) 
 (282)
Balance, September 30, 2019 $2,551
 $1,168

$60

$2,359

$
 $
 $6,138

(1) As discussed in Note 17, corporate costsincurred, as those items are allocated to our business segments. As such, the net corporate charges arenot reflected in the business segment operating (loss) income presented in Note 17 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 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 these expenses, we incurred certain other costs related to the CEO transition process, including executive search, legal, travel and board of directors fees in 2018. During 2019, we incurred consulting fees related to the evaluation of our strategic plan and we expensed the majority of the current CEO's signing bonus in 2019. CEO transition costs are included in SG&A expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and were $1,145 for the quarter ended 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 were $3,925 as of 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.sheets.


DELUXE CORPORATION
20
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 11: Income tax benefit (provision)
NOTE 9: INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)

The effective tax rate on pre-tax (loss) incomeloss reconciles to the United StatesU.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020Year Ended December 31, 2019
Income tax at federal statutory rate21.0 %21.0 %
Goodwill impairment charges(654.9 %)(29.3 %)
Net tax impact of share-based compensation(105.2 %)(1.1 %)
Research and development tax credit(3.3 %)0.6 %
Change in valuation allowances(4.5 %)
Foreign tax rate differences4.5 %1.3 %
State income tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit0.2 %4.9 %
Other(16.4 %)(0.6 %)
Effective tax rate(754.1 %)(7.7 %)
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018
Income tax at federal statutory rate 21.0% 21.0%
Goodwill impairment charges (Note 8) (22.0%) 7.1%
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit 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 (0.7%) (0.8%)
Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 
 (0.8%)
Other (0.4%) (0.3%)
Effective tax rate 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 12: Postretirement benefits
NOTE 10: POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

We have historically provided certain health care benefits for a large number of retired United StatesU.S. employees. In addition to our retiree health care plan, we also have a U.S. supplemental executive retirement plan in the United States.plan. Further information regarding our postretirement benefit plans can be found under the caption “Note 14: Postretirement benefits”Benefits” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 20182019 Form 10-K.

Postretirement benefit income is included in other income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) income and consisted of the following components:
Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Interest cost$478 $682 $1,434 $2,046 
Expected return on plan assets(1,905)(1,740)(5,714)(5,218)
Amortization of prior service credit(355)(355)(1,066)(1,066)
Amortization of net actuarial losses575 806 1,725 2,417 
Net periodic benefit income$(1,207)$(607)$(3,621)$(1,821)
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018
Interest cost $682
 $656
 $2,046
 $1,969
Expected return on plan assets (1,740) (1,934) (5,218) (5,802)
Amortization of prior service credit (355) (355) (1,066) (1,066)
Amortization of net actuarial losses 806
 721
 2,417
 2,163
Net periodic benefit income $(607) $(912) $(1,821) $(2,736)


21

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

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 13: Debt
NOTE 11: DEBT

Debt outstanding was comprisedconsisted of amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility of $1,040,000 as of September 30, 2020 and $883,500 as of December 31, 2019. In March 2020, in conjunction with our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we drew an additional $238,000 on our credit facility, due to uncertainty in how the commercial capital and credit markets would operate during the pandemic. During July 2020, we repaid $100,000 of the following:
(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility $924,000
 $910,000
Capital lease obligations(1)
 
 1,864
Long-term debt, principal amount 924,000
 911,864
Less current portion of long-term debt 
 (791)
Long-term debt 924,000
 911,073
Current portion of capital lease obligations(1)
 
 791
Long-term debt due within one year 
 791
Total debt $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.

There are currently no limitations on the amount of dividends and share repurchasesdrawn under the termscredit facility, and in October 2020, we repaid an additional $140,000. As of our credit agreement. However, if our leverage ratio, defined as total debt less unrestrictedSeptember 30, 2020, we held cash to EBITDA, should exceed 2.75 to 1, there would be an annual limitation on the amountand cash equivalents of dividends and share repurchases.$310,430.

As of December 31, 2018, we had aSeptember 30, 2020, the total availability under our revolving credit facility in the amount of $950,000. In January 2019, we increasedwas $1,150,000. The facility includes an accordion feature allowing us, subject to lender consent, to increase the credit facility by $200,000, bringing the total availability to $1,150,000, subject to increase under the credit agreementcommitment 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 3.29%1.93% as of September 30, 20192020 and 3.79%3.03% as of December 31, 2018.2019. 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 7.6.

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. Additionally, the agreement contains customary representations and warranties including, as a condition to borrowing, that all such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects on the date of the borrowing, including representations as to no material adverse change in our business, assets, operations or financial condition.

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.

Daily average amounts outstanding under our credit facility were as follows:
(in thousands)Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020Year Ended
December 31, 2019
Daily average amount outstanding$1,042,350 $925,715 
Weighted-average interest rate
2.17 %3.54 %
(in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
Revolving credit facility:    
Daily average amount outstanding $933,934
 $731,110
Weighted-average interest rate
 3.69% 3.24%
Term loan facility:(1)
    
Daily average amount outstanding $
 $63,638
Weighted-average interest rate 
 2.97%

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

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

As of September 30, 2019, amounts were available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility as follows:of September 30, 2020. In October 2020, we repaid $140,000 of the amount drawn on the facility. This amount remains available to us for borrowing.
(in thousands)Total
available
Revolving credit facility commitment$1,150,000 
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility(1,040,000)
Outstanding letters of credit(1)
(7,428)
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2020$102,572 
(in thousands) 
Total
available
Revolving credit facility commitment $1,150,000
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility (924,000)
Outstanding letters of credit(1)
 (5,733)
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 14:  Leases

We have entered into operating leases for the majority of our facilities. These real estate leases have remaining terms of up to 10.0 years, with a weighted-average remaining term of 5.5 years as of 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 $1,164 as of September 30, 2019 and the related lease liabilities were $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)


Maturities of operating lease liabilities were as follows:
(in thousands) Operating leases
Remainder of 2019 $3,332
2020 14,626
2021 10,954
2022 7,593
2023 3,731
Thereafter 11,334
Total lease payments 51,570
Less imputed interest (6,296)
Present value of lease payments $45,274



NOTE 12: OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Note 15:  Other commitments
Leases– During the third quarter of 2020, we executed leases on 2 new facilities, located in Georgia and contingenciesMinnesota, with terms of 6 and 16 years, respectively. As a result, our total lease obligations increased approximately $65,000, with approximately $5,000 due in 2021 - 2022, approximately $13,000 due in 2023 - 2024, and the remainder due through 2037. As these leases have not yet commenced, they are not reflected on our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020.

22

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
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 These liabilities were not have otherwise incurred are considered direct costs of the sale of the asset. As such, they are included in our measurement of the carrying value of the asset sold.

Accruals for environmental matters were $2,272significant as of September 30, 2019 and $2,755 as of 2020 or December 31, 2018. These accruals are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on 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 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. NaN 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 $7,596$9,079 as of September 30, 20192020 and $6,627$7,576 as of December 31, 2018.2019. These accruals are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on 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 September 30, 20192020 or December 31, 2018.2019.

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 September 30, 2019 and 2018,periods presented, 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 16: Shareholders’ equity
Note 13: SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

In October 2018, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500,000 of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date. NaN shares were repurchased during the third quarter of 2020. During the first nine months ended September 30, 2019,of 2020, we repurchased 2.6 million499 thousand shares for $118,547.$14,000. As of September 30, 2019, $301,4522020, $287,452 remained available for repurchase under the authorization.


Note 17: Business segment information

NOTE 14: BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
As of September 30, 2019,
For many years, we operated 3 reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our businessThese segments arewere generally organized by customer type of customer served and reflectreflected the way we currently managemanaged the company. Small Business Services promotesEffective January 1, 2020, we reorganized our reportable business segments to align with structural and sells products and services to small businesses via direct response mail and internet advertising; referrals from financial institutions, telecommunications clients and others; networksmanagement reporting changes in support 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 executesour growth strategy. We now operate 4 reportable segments, generally organized by product and service supply contracts with our financial institution clients, including banks, credit unions and financial 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.type, as follows:


Our product and service offerings are comprised of the following:

Marketing solutions and other services (MOS)PaymentsWe offer products and services designed to meetThis segment includes 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.

Treasurytreasury management solutions, – These Financial Services solutions includeincluding remittance and lockbox processing, remote deposit capture, receivables management, payment processing and paperless treasury management, as well as software, hardwarein addition to payroll and digital imaging solutions.disbursement services, including Deluxe Payment Exchange and fraud and security services.

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

Web servicesCloud SolutionsThese service offerings includeThis segment includes web hosting and domain namedesign services, data-driven marketing solutions and hosted solutions, including digital engagement, logo and web design, search engine marketing and optimization, email marketing, payroll servicesfinancial institution profitability reporting, account switching tools and business incorporation services.

Promotional Solutions – This segment includes business forms, accessories, advertising specialties, promotional apparel, retail packaging and organizationstrategic sourcing 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.

ChecksWe remain one of the largest providers ofThis segment includes printed personal and business checks in the United States.checks.

23
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)

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 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
Quarter Ended September 30, 2019:        
United States $286,025
 $149,575
 $28,783
 $464,383
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia 24,186
 5,024
 
 29,210
Total revenue $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

(in thousands) Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Total
Quarter Ended September 30, 2018:        
United States $290,752
 $141,979
 $30,820
 $463,551
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia 24,847
 4,792
 
 29,639
Total revenue $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 20182019 Form 10-K. We allocate corporate costs for our shared services functions to our business segments includingwhen the costs of our executive management,are directly attributable to a segment. This includes certain sales and marketing, human resources, supply chain, real estate, finance, information technology and legal functions. Where costs incurredcosts. Costs that 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.reported as Corporate assets are not allocated to the segmentsoperations and consistedconsist primarily of long-term investments and assets related to our corporate shared services functions of manufacturing,marketing, accounting, information technology, facilities, executive management and real estate, including property, plantlegal, tax and equipment; internal-use software;treasury costs that support the corporate function. Corporate operations also includes other income. All of our segments operate primarily in the U.S., with some operations in Canada. In addition, Cloud Solutions has operations in Australia and portions of Europe, as well as partners in Central and South America.

Under the new segment structure, our chief operating lease assets;decision maker (i.e., our Chief Executive Officer) reviews earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and inventoriesamortization (EBITDA) on an adjusted basis for each segment when deciding how to allocate resources and supplies.

We are an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocationsto assess segment operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment excludes depreciation and sharing of assets. Therefore, we do not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating (loss)amortization expense, interest expense, income tax expense and certain other amounts, which may include, from time to time: asset impairment charges; restructuring, integration and other financialcosts; CEO transition costs; share-based compensation expense; acquisition transaction costs; certain legal-related expense; and gains or losses on sales of businesses and customer lists. Our Chief Executive Officer does not review segment asset information shown.

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

when making investment or operating decisions regarding our reportable business segments.

The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019. The segment information for 2019 has been revised to reflect our current segment structure.
Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Payments:
Revenue$74,675 $64,634 $223,886 $193,888 
Adjusted EBITDA16,746 17,199 50,352 52,037 
Cloud Solutions:
Revenue63,758 79,976 193,600 237,178 
Adjusted EBITDA16,425 20,216 45,494 56,362 
Promotional Solutions:
Revenue124,929 156,835 385,667 468,209 
Adjusted EBITDA21,478 22,909 46,529 68,787 
Checks:
Revenue176,099 192,148 533,135 587,370 
Adjusted EBITDA84,954 98,782 258,392 300,887 
Total segment:
Revenue$439,461 $493,593 $1,336,288 $1,486,645 
Adjusted EBITDA139,603 159,106 400,767 478,073 
    Reportable Business Segments    
(in thousands)   Small Business Services Financial Services Direct Checks Corporate Consolidated
Total revenue from external customers: 2019 $310,211
 $154,599
 $28,783
 $
 $493,593
  2018 315,599
 146,771
 30,820
 
 493,190
Operating (loss) income: 2019 (243,193) (105,691) 8,201
 
 (340,683)
  2018 (45,254) 17,612
 10,360
 
 (17,282)
Depreciation and amortization expense: 2019 14,497
 15,220
 777
 
 30,494
  2018 17,173
 15,424
 809
 
 33,406
Asset impairment charges: 2019 273,583
 117,397
��
 
 390,980
  2018 97,288
 1,882
 
 
 99,170
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 
 
 
 17,335
 17,335
  2018 
 
 
 14,526
 14,526
24

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 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


The following table presents a reconciliation of total segment adjusted EBITDA to consolidated income (loss) before income taxes:

Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Total segment adjusted EBITDA$139,603 $159,106 $400,767 $478,073 
Corporate operations(37,090)(39,770)(131,101)(127,543)
Depreciation and amortization(27,972)(30,494)(83,065)(95,430)
Interest expense(5,083)(8,710)(18,254)(27,251)
Pre-tax income attributable to non-controlling interest21 46 
Asset impairment charges(2,760)(390,980)(97,973)(390,980)
Restructuring, integration and other costs(18,941)(29,723)(59,064)(53,699)
CEO transition costs(1)
(1,145)(10)(8,539)
Share-based compensation expense(6,240)(5,356)(15,335)(14,016)
Acquisition transaction costs(13)(9)(193)
Certain legal-related expenses2,165 (6,417)
Loss on sales of customer lists(125)(18)(224)
Income (loss) before income taxes$41,538 $(347,210)$(1,851)$(246,219)

(1) In 2019, includes adjustments to share-based compensation expense related to the modification of certain awards in conjunction with our CEO transition.

The following tables present revenue disaggregated by our product and service offerings. In conjunction with the realignment of our reportable segments on January 1, 2020, we refined the disaggregation of our revenue by product and service offering. As such, certain amounts reported in the prior year have been revised from previously reported amounts.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2020
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
Checks$$$$176,099 $176,099 
Forms and other products77,492 77,492 
Treasury management solutions55,418 55,418 
Marketing and promotional solutions47,437 47,437 
Web and hosted solutions33,250 33,250 
Data-driven marketing solutions30,508 30,508 
Other payments solutions19,257 19,257 
Total revenue$74,675 $63,758 $124,929 $176,099 $439,461 
25

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
Checks$$$$192,148 $192,148 
Forms and other products86,184 86,184 
Treasury management solutions45,836 45,836 
Marketing and promotional solutions70,651 70,651 
Web and hosted solutions38,892 38,892 
Data-driven marketing solutions41,084 41,084 
Other payments solutions18,798 18,798 
Total revenue$64,634 $79,976 $156,835 $192,148 $493,593 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
Checks$$$$533,135 $533,135 
Forms and other products234,735 234,735 
Treasury management solutions167,078 167,078 
Marketing and promotional solutions150,932 150,932 
Web and hosted solutions104,673 104,673 
Data-driven marketing solutions88,927 88,927 
Other payments solutions56,808 56,808 
Total revenue$223,886 $193,600 $385,667 $533,135 $1,336,288 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
Checks$$$$587,370 $587,370 
Forms and other products257,553 257,553 
Treasury management solutions136,782 136,782 
Marketing and promotional solutions210,656 210,656 
Web and hosted solutions120,514 120,514 
Data-driven marketing solutions116,664 116,664 
Other payments solutions57,106 57,106 
Total revenue$193,888 $237,178 $468,209 $587,370 $1,486,645 


26

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following tables present revenue disaggregated by geography, based on where items are shipped from or where services are performed:

Quarter Ended September 30, 2020
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
United States$66,377 $55,755 $118,454 $170,865 $411,451 
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia8,298 8,003 6,475 5,234 28,010 
Total revenue$74,675 $63,758 $124,929 $176,099 $439,461 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
United States$56,088 $71,300 $150,336 $186,659 $464,383 
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia8,546 8,676 6,499 5,489 29,210 
Total revenue$64,634 $79,976 $156,835 $192,148 $493,593 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
United States$198,965 $169,917 $369,023 $516,961 $1,254,866 
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia24,921 23,683 16,644 16,174 81,422 
Total revenue$223,886 $193,600 $385,667 $533,135 $1,336,288 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)PaymentsCloud SolutionsPromotional SolutionsChecksConsolidated
United States$169,130 $210,929 $448,049 $570,565 $1,398,673 
Foreign, primarily Canada and Australia24,758 26,249 20,160 16,805 87,972 
Total revenue$193,888 $237,178 $468,209 $587,370 $1,486,645 


NOTE 15: RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. As such, we are uncertain of the impact on our future financial condition, liquidity and/or results of operations. This uncertainty affected several of the assumptions made and estimates used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements. As discussed in Note 7, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a goodwill impairment triggering event during the first quarter of 2020, as the adverse economic effects of the pandemic materially decreased demand for the products and services we provide to our customers, particularly through our Promotional Solutions and Cloud Solutions segments. The extent to which the pandemic will continue to impact our business depends on future developments, including the severity and duration of the pandemic, business and workforce disruptions and the ultimate number of businesses that fail. Our evaluation of asset impairment required us to make assumptions about these future events over the life of the assets being evaluated. This required significant judgment and actual results may differ significantly from our estimates. As a result of the continuing effects of COVID-19, we may be required to record additional goodwill or other asset impairment charges in the future.

We held loans and notes receivable from our Safeguard distributors of $41,583 as of September 30, 2020. These distributors sell their products and services primarily to small businesses, which have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 30, 2020, our allowance for expected credit losses on these receivables was $4,278, although the majority of this amount was not driven by impacts of the pandemic. We utilized all information known to us in determining this allowance, as well as allowances related to our trade accounts receivable and unbilled receivables. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, we may be required to record additional bad debt expense in the future. Additionally,
27

DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
uncertainty surrounding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak could affect estimates we made regarding inventory obsolescence and workers' compensation liabilities and thus, could result in additional expense in the future.


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following Management’sOur 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 upcoming year;

Consolidated Results of Operations; Restructuring, Integration and Other Costs; CEO Transition Costs and Segment Results that includeincludes 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 most 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. Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019 (the "20182019 Form 10-K")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 20182019 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")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 AmericaU.S. (GAAP). In addition, we discuss free cash flow, net debt, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) and consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), all of which is aare non-GAAP financial measure.measures. We believe that thisthese non-GAAP financial measure,measures, 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,these financial measures, 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 EPSnon-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and therefore, may not result in useful comparisons. The detailed reconciliation of diluted EPSour non-GAAP financial measures to adjusted diluted EPSthe most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in Consolidated Results of Operations.Operations.

Our unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended 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

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

As of September 30, 2019,Realignment – For many years, we operated 3 reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. OurThese segments were generally organized by customer type and reflected the way we managed the company. Effective January 1, 2020, we reorganized our reportable business segments to align with structural and management reporting changes in support of our growth strategy. We now operate 4 reportable segments: Payments, Cloud Solutions, Promotional Solutions and Checks. These segments are generally organized by product 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 17:14: Business segment information"Segment Information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

NetCOVID-19 impacton 2020 results – The COVID-19 pandemic began to impact our operations late in the first quarter of 2020. Total revenue for the second quarter of 2020 declined 16.9%, as compared to the second quarter of 2019, and total revenue for the third quarter of 2020 declined 11.0%, as compared to the third quarter of 2019. While revenue in both periods benefited from sales-driven growth, it was not sufficient to overcome the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic primarily impacted revenue volumes in our Promotional Solutions, Checks and Cloud Solutions segments. Within Promotional Solutions, many of
28


our business customers have been significantly impacted by their customers' and governmental responses to the pandemic. Demand for promotional products declined, as our customers reduced or stopped virtually all promotional activities when they were forced to close, and many of their operations are still limited. The decline in travel and event cancellations also reduced promotional spending. In Checks, we have seen a decline in business checks resulting from the slowdown in the economy stemming from government-mandated shutdowns and limitations. Personal check volumes also slowed at a somewhat lesser rate. The impact in Cloud Solutions has been primarily driven by a decline in data-driven marketing solutions, as clients suspended their marketing campaigns during this period of uncertainty. Partially offsetting the volume declines was new revenue of $29.5 million during the first nine months of 2020 from sales of personal protective equipment (PPE) in our Promotional Solutions segment.

The impact of COVID-19 on our revenue was most severe in April. It began to improve throughout the remainder of the second quarter and through third quarter, as well. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.3% for the third quarter of 2020, an increase of 290 basis points over the second quarter of 2020, and better than our annual expectations prior to the pandemic. To bolster our liquidity, we drew an additional $238.0 million on our $1.15 billion revolving credit facility in March 2020 and we suspended share repurchases in both the second and third quarters. We also took steps to reduce discretionary spending and other expenditures in line with our revenue declines. These steps included temporary salary reductions for all salaried employees, including our leadership team and board of directors, project delays, furloughs and other actions. We also delayed U.S. federal payroll tax payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As a result of these actions and our stronger than expected performance, free cash flow for the first nine months of 2020 was $124.1 million, compared to $158.3 million for the first nine months of 2019, and net debt as of September 30, 2020 was the lowest since June 30, 2018. As a result of our strong cash flow, we were able to end the temporary salary reductions, effective July 1, 2020. We also repaid $100.0 million of the amount drawn on our revolving credit facility during July 2020, and we repaid an additional $140.0 million in October 2020. Our priority is to maintain our financial strength, while simultaneously continuing our business transformation. While we reduced some expenditures during the first half of 2020, we have decided to selectively resume certain capital projects and to continue important systems implementation work, including our enterprise resource planning and sales technology implementations. Also, we paid our regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share in both June and September 2020.

We continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of our business, including our operations, suppliers, customers, industry and workforce. We are keeping 2 primary goals in mind: (1) protecting employees, customers and their respective families and (2) continuing to serve the customers who rely on us. The situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid, and the potential for additional negative impacts on our results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity increases the longer the virus impacts activity levels in the U.S. and the other countries in which we operate. During the first quarter of 2020, we successfully activated our business continuity plan to ensure uninterrupted operations and services. We have not experienced any significant interruptions in our supply chain to-date, and we currently do not expect significant future interruptions. Many of our facilities remain open, employees who have the ability to work from home continue to do so and the success of our work-from-home model allowed us to accelerate certain site closures.

2020 results vs. 2019 – Numerous factors drove the decrease in net loss for the first nine months of 20192020, as compared to the first nine months of $244.72019. Factors that decreased net loss included:

a decrease in pre-tax asset impairment charges of $293.0 million, as compared to 2019;

actions taken to reduce costs in line with reduced revenues and the continuing evaluation of our cost structure, including savings of approximately $25.0 million from the temporary salary reductions, suspension of the 401(k) plan employer matching contribution, discretionary spending reductions and furloughs;

revenue growth, including increased treasury management revenue, increases in certain data-driven marketing campaigns in the first quarter of 2020 prior to the commencement of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and new revenue from sales of PPE in 2020;

a decrease in acquisition amortization of $12.2 million, driven in part by previous asset impairment charges;

a decrease in certain legal-related expenses of $8.6 million; and

the absence of non-recurring CEO transition costs in 2020, as compared to $8.5 million in 2019.

Partially offsetting these decreases in net loss were the following factors:

the loss of revenue resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

various investments of approximately $35.0 million to advance our One Deluxe strategy, including costs related to treasury management deals signed in the fourth quarter of 2019 and various information technology, sales, finance and human capital investments;
29



the continuing secular decline in checks and forms, the loss of web hosting revenue in the third quarter of 2019 and the decision to exit certain product lines within Cloud Solutions;

incremental costs of approximately $7.0 million resulting from our response to COVID-19, including a Hero Pay premium provided to employees working on-site during the second quarter of 2020, costs related to enabling employees to work from home and additional facility cleaning costs;

a $5.6 million increase in bad debt expense in 2020 related to notes receivable from our Safeguard distributors;

a $5.4 million increase in restructuring, integration and other costs in support of our strategy and to increase our efficiency; and

the change in our effective income tax rate, as compared to the prior year.

Diluted loss per share of $92.5 million$0.40 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 and2020, as compared 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 usage. Additionally, medical costs increased approximately $11.0 million, interest expense increased $8.3 million, organic web services and treasury 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, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) transition costs increased $4.4 million, and check pricing allowances within Financial Services continued. We also recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists within Small Business Services of $12.9 million in the first nine months of 2018. These increases in net loss were partially offset by a benefit of approximately $35.0 million from continuing initiatives to reduce our cost structure, primarily within our sales, marketing and fulfillment organizations, the benefit of Small Business Services price increases and incremental earnings from businesses acquired in 2018.


Diluteddiluted loss per share of $5.65 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 inlower net incomeloss as described in the preceding paragraph, partially offset byparagraphs, as well as lower average shares outstanding in 2019.

2020. Adjusted diluted EPS for the first nine months of 20192020 was $4.88,$3.70, compared to $5.01$4.88 for the first nine months of 2018,2019, and excludes the impact of non-cash items or items that we believe are not indicative of ongoing operations. A reconciliation of diluted earnings (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 pretax2020 included pre-tax asset impairment charges of $98.0 million, or $1.45 per share. The impairment charges related primarily to the goodwill of our Promotional Solutions and Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting units, as well as certain intangibles in our Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting unit. Net loss for the third quarterfirst nine months of 2019 included pre-tax asset impairment charges of $391.0 million, or $7.92 per share. The impairment charges related to the goodwill of our former Small Business Services Web Services and Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing reporting units, as well as amortizable intangible assets,certain intangibles, primarily in our former 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 extended the range of products and services we offer to our customers. Information about our acquisitions can be found under the caption "Note 6: Acquisitions"7: Fair Value Measurements" of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report and under the caption "Note 8: Fair Value Measurements" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 20182019 Form 10-K.

We have moved beyond diversification as part
"One Deluxe" Strategy

A detailed discussion of our transformation into a Trusted, Tech-Enabled Solutions CompanyTM. Our growth strategy focuses on organic growth, supplemented by acquisitions, rather than being dependent on acquisitions for growth. The shiftcan be found 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 allPart I, Item 1 of the 2019 Form 10-K. In support of our products and services to any customer. We plan to invest between $40.0 million and $45.0 million in 2019 and between $30.0 million and $60.0 million in 2020strategy, we are investing significant resources to build out our technology platforms, includingplatforms. We completed the implementation of a human capital management system in January 2020. We also are investing in sales technology that will enableenables a single view of our customer,customers, thereby providing for deeper cross-sell opportunities. WeIn addition, we are also investing in our human capital managementfinancial tools, including an enterprise resource planning system and a financial managementplanning and planning systems to enable integration and replacement of duplicative and aging collaboration tools and platforms.analysis system. Strategically, we believe these enhancements will allow us to better assess and manage our business at the total company level and 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 self-fund through efficiency savings alone.

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. We will first focus on accelerating revenue growth organically and then supplement growth with selective, strategic acquisitions. While we willreduced certain expenditures at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have since decided to continue important systems implementation work and we are continuing to sell to enterprise, smallinvest in these initiatives.

Effective January 1, 2020, we began managing the company based on our product and service offerings, focusing on our 4 new business 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:segments: Payments, Cloud Solutions, Promotional ProductsSolutions and Checks. We expect to reinvest free cash flow into the 2 areassegments we view as our primary platforms for growth: Payments and Cloud. Our intent isCloud Solutions. Realignments such as this take time, considerable senior management effort, material "buy-in" from employees and significant investment. We continue to realignmake progress on our business segmentstransformation and have the capabilitymany of our investments are beginning to report our operating results under the new structure, both internally and externally, in early 2020.deliver positive results. During the transition period,first 2 months of 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we planwere on track to implementdeliver consolidated sales-driven revenue growth. Even during the pandemic, treasury management revenue grew over 22% for the first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019. Despite the pandemic, we continue to execute new sales contracts, renew existing sales contracts and drive successful tele-sales efforts. We were able to quickly enter the PPE market and generated revenue of approximately $29.5 million in our Promotional Solutions segment during the first nine months of 2020. We continue to drive new market share wins across our segments, cross-sell our solutions to existing customers, and enhance our distribution channels. While still in the midst of our transformation, we are finding that our new strategy while delivering onOne Deluxe structure is able to quickly respond to our annual plancustomers' needs and consistently paying a dividend to shareholders.drive profitable revenue growth.

Outlook for 2019

2020

Due to the continuing uncertainties surrounding the current business environment and a second wave of COVID-19 during the fourth quarter of 2020, we are not providing detailed financial guidance at this time. We expect revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 to be softer than the third quarter of 2020 on a year-over-year percentage basis, due to expected customer implemention delays in treasury management and data-driven marketing, which may be attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be
30


most evident in Payments, where we expect a temporary slowing of double-digit revenue growth to low- to mid-single digit growth. We also decided to divest several product lines in Cloud Solutions and that, combined with a second wave of COVID-19, will impact fourth quarter revenue. In Checks, we believe the secular decline in volume sequentially improved during the third quarter of 2020, likely benefiting from some delayed second quarter volume. We expect the revenue recovery to be slightly lower in the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to the third quarter, and we expect check volumes to return to traditional secular trends with the overall recovery in the economy. Despite these challenges, we anticipate that our consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin for the fourth quarter of 2020 will remain at our long-term target of 20% or better.

In response to the pandemic, we took actions to manage expenses in line with revenue declines, including temporary salary reductions for all salaried employees, including our leadership team and board of directors, project delays, furloughs and other actions. Based on our second quarter results, we ended the temporary salary reductions, effective July 1, 2020. Furloughs continue in certain facilities that lack product demand to remain open. In late June, we exited approximately 250 employees, as we continue to develop our post-COVID-19 operating model to match our expected future volumes and to gain efficiencies. Also during the second and third quarters of 2020, we announced plans to lower future operating expenses through further site consolidation, including relocating existing sites in Minnesota and Georgia. We made the decision to close over 30 facilities, some of which have already been closed, with the remainder expected to be closed through 2021. These facilities contain primarily sales and administrative functions, and most of the impacted employees will convert to a work-from-home model. We anticipate annual operating expense savings of more than $10.0 million from these facility closures, once they are complete.

We held cash and cash equivalents of $310.4 million as of September 30, 2020. In July 2020, we repaid $100.0 million of the amount drawn on our revolving credit facility, and in October 2020, we repaid an additional $140.0 million. These amounts remain available to us for borrowing, with $900.0 million drawn on the facility after these repayments. Our credit facility includes an accordion feature allowing us, subject to lender consent, to expand the facility to $1.425 billion. We anticipate that consolidated revenuewe will be at the low endcontinue to pay our regular quarterly dividend. However, dividends are approved by our board of our previous outlook range of $2.005 billiondirectors each quarter and thus, are subject to $2.045 billion for 2019, compared to $1.998 billion for 2018.change. We expect that 2019 adjusted diluted EPS will be at the low end of our previous outlook range of $6.65 to $6.95, compared to $6.88 for 2018.

We continue to anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities will be between $270.0 million and $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 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, 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,operations, along with the cash and cash equivalents on hand and availability under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to support our operations and to meet our financial commitments for the next 12 months, including capital expenditures of approximately $75.0 million, dividend payments, required interest payments, and periodic share repurchases,months. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as well as possible acquisitions. As of September 30, 2019, $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 organically2020, and through acquisitions. Wewe anticipate that we will remain in compliance with our board of directors will maintain our current dividend level. However, dividends are approved bydebt covenants throughout 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.next 12 months.


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Revenue
  Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per order amounts) 2019 2018 Change2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $493,593
 $493,190
 0.1%$1,486,645
 $1,473,349
 0.9%
Orders(1)
 11,925
 11,595
 2.8%35,295
 35,555
 (0.7%)
Revenue per order $41.39
 $42.53
 (2.7%)$42.12
 $41.44
 1.6%

 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Total revenue$439,461 $493,593 (11.0%)$1,336,288 $1,486,645 (10.1%)
(1) Orders is our company-wide measure of volume and includes both products and services.

The slight increasedecreases in total revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the third quarter of 2018, was2019, were driven primarily by incrementalvolume declines resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in our Promotional Solutions, Checks and Cloud Solutions segments. In addition, 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 relatedcontinued 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 offsetimpacted by the continuingsecular decline in order volume for both personalchecks and business checks, as well as forms and accessories sold by Small Business Services. In addition, Small Business Servicesforms. Cloud Solutions web services volume, excluding incrementalhosting revenue from a business acquiredalso declined, due to our decision 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 forto exit certain customer contracts, the first nine monthsloss of 2019, as compared to the first nine months of 2018, was driven primarily by incremental revenue of approximately $62.2 million from businesses 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. In addition, Small Business Services web services and Financial Services treasury management volume, excluding incremental revenue from businesses acquired in 2018, declined approximately $6.0 million and $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 increasedcertain large customers in the third quarter of 2019 as comparedthey elected 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 impactin-source some of the continuing secular declineservices we provide, previous under-investment in checkthis business and forms usage. The numberthe decision to exit certain product lines. These decreases in revenue were partially offset by new revenue from sales of orders decreasedPPE in our Promotional Solutions segment of $29.5 million for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to2020, primarily in the first nine monthssecond quarter of 2018, due primarily to the continuing secular decline in check and forms usage, partially offset by growth in MOS, including the impact ofyear. Also, treasury management revenue within our 2018 acquisitions. The decrease in revenue per orderPayments segment increased 20.9% for the third quarter of 20192020 and the increase in revenue per order22.1% for the first nine months of 2019, as compared2020, driven primarily by lockbox processing outsourcing deals signed in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, for the first nine months of 2020, revenue benefited from new data-driven marketing campaigns and growth in pay-for-performance marketing campaigns in our Cloud Solutions segment, prior to the same periods in 2018, were primarily driven bycommencement of 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.the COVID-19 pandemic.
31



Service revenue represented 29.8%32.0% of total revenue for the first nine months of 20192020 and 27.0%29.8% for the first nine months of 2018. As such, the majority of our revenue is generated by product sales.2019. We do not manage our business based on product versus service revenue. Instead, we analyze our revenuesrevenue based on the following categories:product and service offerings shown under the caption: "Note 14: Business Segment Information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report. Our revenue mix by business segment was as follows:
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2020201920202019
Payments17.0 %13.1 %16.7 %13.0 %
Cloud Solutions14.5 %16.2 %14.5 %16.0 %
Promotional Solutions28.4 %31.8 %28.9 %31.5 %
Checks40.1 %38.9 %39.9 %39.5 %
Total revenue100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
  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 September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Total cost of revenue$174,461 $203,723 (14.4%)$538,792 $605,875 (11.1%)
Total cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue39.7 %41.3 %(1.6) pts.40.3 %40.8 %(0.5) pts.
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total cost of revenue $203,723
 $197,634
 3.1% $605,875
 $576,594
 5.1%
Total cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue 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 increasesdecreases in total cost of revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the same periods in 2018,2019, were primarily attributable to incremental coststhe decrease in revenue volume resulting from the COVID-19 impact. In addition, cost of businesses acquiredrevenue decreased as a result of the continued secular decline in 2018checks and forms, as well as changes in client mix in the Cloud Solutions segment. Benefits from cost reductions and efficiencies in our fulfillment area, unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced cost of $5.9revenue approximately $2.0 million for the third quarter of 20192020 and $31.4$6.0 million for the first nine months of 2019, as well as increased shipping and material rates and higher medical2020, while actions taken to reduce 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 totalresponse to COVID-19 reduced 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 $3.0$2.0 million for the third quarter of 20192020 and $8.0$5.0 million for the first nine months of 2019.2020. Partially offsetting these decreases in cost of revenue were costs related to the new revenue from PPE sales in both periods, costs related to treasury management deals signed in the fourth quarter of 2019 and incremental costs driven by COVID-19 of approximately $5.0 million for the first nine months of 2020. Total cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue increaseddecreased in both periods, as compared to 2018,due in large part, due to the increasechange in service revenues, includingrevenue mix driven by the loss of lower margin revenue resulting from the COVID-19 impact. The positive impact of our 2018 acquisitions, as well as the increased shipping, materials, medical, restructuring and integration costs,change in mix was partially offset by Small Business Services price increases.costs related to the new treasury management clients.

Consolidated Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) Expense
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
SG&A expense$198,871 $213,318 (6.8%)$634,645 $665,787 (4.7%)
SG&A expense as a percentage of total revenue45.3 %43.2 %2.1 pts.47.5 %44.8 %2.7 pts.
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
SG&A expense $213,318
 $208,533
 2.3% $665,787
 $629,272
 5.8%
SG&A expense as a percentage of total revenue 43.2% 42.3% 0.9 pts. 44.8% 42.7% 2.1 pts.

The increasedecreases in SG&A expense for the third quarter of 2019, as compared to the third quarter of 2018, was driven by incremental costs of $4.9 million from businesses acquired in 2018, including acquisition amortization. In addition, information technology costs related to infrastructure investments increased, we incurred business transformation costs of $2.0 million in 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 continued to increase. Also, during the third quarter of 2018, we recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists within Small Business Services of $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. 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 September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Restructuring and integration expense $26,255
 $5,135
 $21,120
 $49,089
 $12,915
 $36,174

Restructuring and integration expense increased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to 2019, were driven by lower commissions in both periods on the samelower order volume resulting from COVID-19, as well as the benefit of organizational actions taken in response to COVID-19, including the temporary salary reductions and the suspension of the 401(k) plan employer matching contribution. These actions lowered SG&A expense approximately $8.0 million for the third quarter of 2020 and $20.0 million for the first nine months of 2020. Also lowering SG&A expense were various cost reduction actions that were unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These decreases in SG&A expense were partially offset by investments of approximately $10.0 million for the third quarter of 2020 and $35.0 million for the first nine months of 2020, in support of our One Deluxe strategy. These costs related to treasury management outsourcing deals signed in the fourth quarter of 2019 and various
32


other expenses related to initiatives such as transforming our brand and our website and expanding our sales capabilities, as well as ongoing new costs related to software-as-a-service solutions we are employing throughout the company. In addition, we incurred commission expense related to new revenue from the sales of PPE during both periods. During the first nine months of 2020, we also recorded bad debt expense of $5.6 million in our Promotional Solutions segment related to notes receivable from our Safeguard distributors, primarily one distributor that was underperforming prior to the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the above factors, SG&A expense was also impacted by changes in the following items:
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Acquisition amortization (SG&A portion)$10,649 $13,469 $(2,820)$31,988 $45,520 $(13,532)
Certain legal-related expense— — — (2,165)6,417 (8,582)
CEO transition costs— 1,145 (1,145)10 8,539 (8,529)

Total SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue increased in both periods, as revenue declines and investments in 2018, as weour transformation more than offset the benefit of cost reductions during these periods.

Restructuring and Integration Expense
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Restructuring and integration expense$18,949 $26,255 $(7,306)$56,957 $49,089 $7,868 

We are currently pursuing several initiatives designed to focus our business behind our growth strategiesstrategy and to increase our efficiency. Further information can be found under Restructuring, Integration and Other Costs.

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

 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Asset impairment charges$2,760 $390,980 $(388,220)$97,973 $390,980 $(293,007)

During the third quarter of 2020, we recorded pre-tax asset impairment charges of $2.8 million, primarily related to an underperforming small business distributor that we previously purchased.

During the first nine months of 2020, we recorded pre-tax asset impairment charges of $98.0 million, related primarily to the goodwill of our Promotional Solutions and Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting units and amortizable intangibles of our Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting unit. Further information regarding these charges can be found under the caption "Note 7: Fair Value Measurements" of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, we recorded pretaxpre-tax 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.

Duringunder 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. Further information regarding these charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policiescaption "Note 8: Fair Value Measurements" in the MD&A section ofNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 20182019 Form 10-K.

Interest Expense
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Interest expense$5,083 $8,710 (41.6%)$18,254 $27,251 (33.0%)
Weighted-average debt outstanding1,058,478 931,092 13.7%1,042,350 933,934 11.6%
Weighted-average interest rate1.9 %3.5 %(1.6) pts.2.2 %3.7 %(1.5) pts.

33

  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Interest expense $8,710
 $7,244
 20.2% $27,251
 $18,953
 43.8%
Weighted-average debt outstanding 931,092
 841,151
 10.7% 933,934
 767,045
 21.8%
Weighted-average interest rate 3.5% 3.2% 0.3 pts. 3.7% 3.1% 0.6 pts.



The increasesdecreases in interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the same periods in 2018,2019, were primarily driven by our higherlower weighted-average interest rate 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 throughout 2018.2020.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit) Provision
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Income tax provision (benefit)$12,094 $(28,717)(142.1%)$13,958 $(1,498)(1,031.8%)
Effective income tax rate29.1 %8.3 %20.8 pts.(754.1 %)0.6 %(754.7) pts.
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Income tax (benefit) provision $(28,717) $8,913
 (422.2%) $(1,498) $47,916
 (103.1%)
Effective income tax rate 8.3% (40.2%) 48.5 pts. 0.6% 34.1% (33.5) pts.


The changesincrease in our effective income tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were2019, was driven primarily by the impact of the nondeductible portion of the goodwill impairment charges in each period, combined with the impactthird quarter of asset impairment charges on pretax (loss) income in each period. The nondeductible portion of the goodwill impairment charges2019, which resulted in tax expense of $54.2 million in the third quarter ofand lowered our 2019 compared to $15.9 million in the third quarter of 2018. In addition,effective income tax rate by 15.6 points. Also 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. This charge lowered our effective income tax rate by 2.4 points in 2019. In addition, our state income tax rate increased as compared to 2019.

Our effective income tax rates for the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were significantly impacted by the asset impairment charges in both periods, coupled with their impact on the amount of pre-tax loss and the nondeductible portion of the impairment charges. The non-deductible portion of goodwill impairment charges drove a 632.9 point decrease in our tax rate and the tax impact of share-based compensation resulted in a 104.5 point decrease, as compared to the first nine months of 2019. Further information regarding our effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 20192020, as compared to our 20182019 annual effective income tax rate, can be found under the caption: "Note 11:9: Income tax benefit (provision)"Tax Provision" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Net Income (Loss) / Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20202019Change20202019Change
Net income (loss)$29,444 $(318,493)(109.2%)$(15,809)$(244,721)(93.5%)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share0.70 (7.49)(109.3%)(0.40)(5.65)(92.9%)
Adjusted diluted EPS(1)
1.47 1.71 (14.0%)3.70 4.88 (24.2%)
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%)
(1) See the following Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section, which illustrates how we calculate adjusted diluted EPS.

The increase in net income and diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2020, as compared to 2019, was driven primarily by the asset impairment charges of $391.0 million in the third quarter of 2019, various cost reduction actions taken in 2020 in response to COVID-19, as well as cost reduction actions in 2020 unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in our sales, marketing and fulfillment organizations. Also, interest expense decreased $3.6 million due to lower interest rates and acquisition amortization decreased $2.8 million, driven in part, by previous asset impairment charges. In addition, diluted EPS benefited from lower average shares outstanding in the third quarter of 2020. These factors were partially offset by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenue, various investments in our One Deluxe strategy and the continuing secular decline in checks and forms.

The change in net loss and diluted loss per share for the third quarterfirst nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the third quarter of 2018,2019, was driven primarily by the $291.8 million increasefactors outlined in asset impairment charges in the third quarter ofExecutive Overview – 2020 results vs. 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. In addition, diluted loss per share were partially offset bybenefited from lower average 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 our 2018 acquisitions.

The decrease in diluted EPS for the first nine months of 2019, as compared to2020.

Adjusted EBITDA
Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$102,513 $119,336 (14.1%)$269,666 $350,530 (23.1%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin23.3 %24.2 %(0.9) pts.20.2 %23.6 %(3.4) pts.

(1) See the first nine monthsfollowing Reconciliation 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 $12.9 million in 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 increased $4.4 million, and check pricing allowances withinNon-GAAP Financial Services continued. These decreases in diluted EPS were partially offset by lower shares outstanding in 2019, benefits from our cost reduction initiatives of approximately $35.0 million, the benefit of Small Business Services price increases and incremental earnings from businesses acquired in 2018.Measures section, which illustrates how we calculate adjusted EBITDA.


The decreases in adjusted diluted EPSAdjusted EBITDA decreased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were2019, driven primarily by the continuing decline inimpacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by mix changes resulting from the contraction of legacy products and services, primarily checks and forms, and accessories, increased medical coststhe loss of web hosting revenue in the third
34


quarter of 2019. During both periods, we also continued to advance our transformation in line with our One Deluxe strategy by investing in various activities such as transforming our brand and interest expense, lower organic web servicesour website and treasury management revenue, increased information technologyexpanding our sales capabilities, as well as ongoing new costs related to infrastructuresoftware-as-a-service solutions we are employing throughout the company. We also incurred expenses related to treasury management deals signed in the fourth quarter of 2019, as well as investments a higher average Small Business Services commission rate, continued check pricing allowances within Financial Servicesin our client operations area that included human capital investments and increased materialother costs related to on-boarding new clients. Additionally, during the first nine months of 2020, we incurred incremental costs resulting from COVID-19 of approximately $7.0 million, and shipping rates.we recorded bad debt expense of $5.6 million related to notes receivable from our Safeguard distributors. These decreases in adjusted diluted EPSEBITDA were partially offset by lower shares outstandingactions taken to reduce costs in 2019, benefitsline with the reduced revenue, including savings of approximately $10.0 million for the third quarter of 2020 and $25.0 million for the first nine months of 2020 from the temporary salary reductions, suspension of the 401(k) plan employer matching contribution, furloughs and other actions. In addition, we realized the benefit of various cost reductions unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in our sales, marketing and fulfillment organizations, as we continue to develop our post-COVID-19 operating model.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Free cash flow – We believe that free cash flow is an important indicator of cash available for debt service and for shareholders, after making capital investments to maintain or expand our asset base. Free cash flow is limited and not all of our free cash flow is available for discretionary spending, as we may have mandatory debt payments and other cash requirements that must be deducted from our costcash available for future use. We believe that the measure of free cash flow provides an additional metric to compare cash generated by operations on a consistent basis and to provide insight into the cash flow available to fund items such as share repurchases, dividends, mandatory and discretionary debt reduction initiatives, Small Business Services price increases and incremental earningsacquisitions or other strategic investments.

Net cash provided by operating activities reconciles to free cash flow as follows:
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands)20202019
Net cash provided by operating activities$166,811 $208,024 
Purchases of capital assets(42,707)(49,679)
Free cash flow$124,104 $158,345 

Net debt – Management believes that net debt is an important measure to monitor leverage and to evaluate the balance sheet. In calculating net debt, cash and cash equivalents are subtracted from businesses acquired in 2018.total debt because they could be used to reduce our debt obligations. A limitation associated with using net debt is that it subtracts cash and cash equivalents, and therefore, may imply that management intends to use cash and cash equivalents to reduce outstanding debt and that there is less debt than the most comparable GAAP measure indicates.

(in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Total debt$1,040,000 $883,500 
Cash and cash equivalents(310,430)(73,620)
Net debt$729,570 $809,880 
Non-GAAP Financial Measure

WeAdjusted diluted EPS – By excluding the impact of non-cash items or items that we believe are not indicative of ongoing operations, we believe that adjusted diluted EPS provides useful comparable information for investors by excludingto assist in analyzing our current period operating performance and in assessing our future operating performance. As such, adjusted diluted EPS is one of the impactkey financial performance metrics we use to assess the operating results and performance of items that we believe are not indicative of ongoing operations.the business and to identify strategies to improve performance. It is reasonable to expect that one or more of thesethe excluded items will occur in future periods, but the amounts recognized willmay vary significantly.
35



Diluted EPSearnings (loss) per share reconciles to adjusted diluted EPS as follows:
 Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Net income (loss)$29,444 $(318,493)$(15,809)$(244,721)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest(27)— (46)— 
Net income (loss) attributable to Deluxe29,417 (318,493)(15,855)(244,721)
Asset impairment charges2,760 390,980 97,973 390,980 
Acquisition amortization13,618 16,372 42,031 54,229 
Restructuring, integration and other costs18,941 29,723 59,064 53,699 
CEO transition costs(1)
— 1,145 10 8,539 
Share-based compensation6,240 5,356 15,335 14,016 
Acquisition transaction costs— 13 193 
Certain legal-related expense— — (2,165)6,417 
Loss on sales of customer lists— 125 18 224 
Adjustments, pre-tax41,559 443,714 212,275 528,297 
Income tax provision impact of pre-tax adjustments(2)
(9,396)(52,437)(39,739)(71,280)
Adjustments, net of tax32,163 391,277 172,536 457,017 
Adjusted net income attributable to Deluxe61,580 72,784 156,681 212,296 
Income allocated to participating securities— (136)(77)(266)
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities60 132 (803)88 
Adjusted income attributable to Deluxe available to common shareholders$61,640 $72,780 $155,801 $212,118 
Weighted average shares and potential common shares outstanding41,991 42,533 41,967 43,312 
Adjustment(3)
42 120 127 125 
Adjusted weighted average shares and potential common shares outstanding42,033 42,653 42,094 43,437 
GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share$0.70 $(7.49)$(0.40)$(5.65)
Adjustments, net of tax0.77 9.20 4.10 10.53 
Adjusted diluted EPS$1.47 $1.71 $3.70 $4.88 

(1) In 2019, includes adjustments to share-based compensation expense related to the modification of certain awards in conjunction with our CEO transition.

(2) The tax effect of the pre-tax adjustments considers the tax treatment and related tax rate(s) that apply to each adjustment in the applicable tax jurisdiction(s). Generally, this results in a tax impact that approximates the U.S. effective tax rate for each adjustment. However, the tax impact of certain adjustments, such as asset impairment charges, share-based compensation expense and CEO transition costs, depends on whether the amounts are deductible in the respective tax jurisdictions and the applicable effective tax rate(s) in those jurisdictions.
(3) The total of weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding used in the calculations of adjusted diluted EPS is higher than that used in the GAAP calculations, as certain stock-based compensation awards were excluded from the GAAP calculations because their effect was antidilutive.

Adjusted EBITDA – We believe that adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance, as the calculation eliminates the effect of interest expense, income taxes, the accounting effects of capital investments (i.e., depreciation and amortization) and certain items, as presented below, that may vary for companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. In addition, management utilizes adjusted EBITDA to assess the operating results and performance of the business, to perform analytical comparisons and to identify strategies to improve performance. We also believe that an increasing adjusted EBITDA depicts an increase in the value of the company. We do not consider adjusted EBITDA to be a measure of cash flow, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest, income taxes, debt service payments or capital investments.

36


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

Quarter Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Net income (loss)$29,444 $(318,493)$(15,809)$(244,721)
Pre-tax income attributable to non-controlling interest(21)— (46)— 
Depreciation and amortization expense27,972 30,494 83,065 95,430 
Interest expense5,083 8,710 18,254 27,251 
Income tax provision (benefit)12,094 (28,717)13,958 (1,498)
Asset impairment charges2,760 390,980 97,973 390,980 
Restructuring, integration and other costs18,941 29,723 59,064 53,699 
CEO transition costs(1)
— 1,145 10 8,539 
Share-based compensation expense6,240 5,356 15,335 14,016 
Acquisition transaction costs— 13 193 
Certain legal-related expense— — (2,165)6,417 
Loss on sales of customer lists— 125 18 224 
Adjusted EBITDA$102,513 $119,336 $269,666 $350,530 
Note that
(1) In 2019, includes adjustments to share-based compensation expense related to the modification of certain awards in conjunction with our CEO transition.

Although we provided a high-level outlook for adjusted EBITDA margin for the fourth quarter of 2020 under Executive Overview, we have not reconciled adjusted diluted EPS outlook guidance for full year 2019this information to diluted EPSthe directly comparable GAAP financial measure because we do not provide outlook guidance on diluted EPSfor net income or the reconciling items between diluted EPSnet income and this non-GAAP financial measure.adjusted EBITDA. 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.


Liquidity – Management considers liquidity to be an important metric for demonstrating the amount of cash that is available or that could be readily available on short notice. This financial measure is not a substitute for GAAP liquidity measures. Instead, management believes that this measurement enhances investors’ understanding of the funds that are currently available to us.
(in thousands)September 30, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents$310,430 
Amounts available for borrowing under revolving credit facility102,572 
Liquidity$413,002 
RESTRUCTURING, INTEGRATION AND OTHER COSTS

RESTRUCTURING, INTEGRATION AND OTHER COSTS

Restructuring and integration expense consistedconsists 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 financial, sales and human resources management systemsystems. It also includes costs related to the integration of acquired businesses into our systems and certainprocesses and the rationalization of our sales and financial systems.real estate footprint. These costs primarily consistedconsist of information technology consulting, and project management services and internal labor, as well as other miscellaneous costs associated with our initiatives, such as training, travel and travel.relocation. 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.across functional areas. Our restructuring and integration activities have increased inbegan to increase during the second half of 2019, as we are currentlybegan pursuing several initiatives designed to focus our business behind our growth strategiesstrategy and to increase our efficiency. Further information regarding restructuring and integration expense can be found under the caption "Note 9:8: Restructuring and integration expense"Integration Expense" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report. In addition to restructuring and integration expense, we also recognized certain business transformation

expenses costs 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 forWhile we reduced certain expenditures during the first nine monthshalf of 2019.2020 in
37


response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in July 2020, we made the decision to selectively resume certain capital projects and to continue important systems implementation work.

The majority of the employee reductions included in our restructuring and integration accruals are expected to be completed in 2019,by the first quarter of 2021, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by mid-2020.in the first half of 2021. As a result of our employee reductions, we expect to realize cost savings of approximately $2.5$17.0 million in SG&A expense and $3.0 million in total cost of revenue and $15.0 million in SG&A expense in 2019, in comparison2020, compared to our 20182019 results of operations, whichoperations. This represents a portion of the total net cost reductions we expect to realize in 2019.2020.


CEO TRANSITION COSTS
SEGMENT RESULTS

In April 2018,For many years, we announcedoperated 3 reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. These segments were generally organized by customer type and reflected the retirement of Lee Schram,way we managed the company. Effective January 1, 2020, we reorganized 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 benefitsreportable business segments to Mr. Schram, including a transition bonusalign with structural and management reporting changes 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 memberssupport of our management team under which each employee is 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 duringgrowth strategy. We now operate 4 reportable segments: Payments, Cloud Solutions, Promotional Solutions and Checks. These segments are generally organized by product type and reflect the retention period, generally from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, and complies with certain covenants. In addition to these expenses,way we incurred certain other costs related tocurrently manage the CEO transition process, including executive search, legal, travel and board of directors fees in 2018. During the first nine months of 2019, we incurred consulting fees related to the evaluation of our strategic 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 $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2019, $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2018, $8.5 million for the first nine months of 2019 and $4.2 million for the first nine months of 2018. We estimate that these costs will total approximately $9.0 million for 2019, compared to $7.2 million for 2018. We anticipate that the remaining management retention bonuses will be paid in the first quarter of 2020. Accruals for CEO transition costs were included within accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and were $3.9 million as of September 30, 2019.


SEGMENT RESULTS

Additionalcompany. The financial information regardingpresented below for our reportable business segments appearsis consistent with that presented under the caption “Note 17:"Note 14: Business segment information”Segment Information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.report, where information regarding our product and service offerings can also be found.

Small Business ServicesPayments

Results for our Small Business ServicesPayments segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Total revenue$74,675 $64,634 15.5%$223,886 $193,888 15.5%
Adjusted EBITDA16,746 17,199 (2.6%)50,352 52,037 (3.2%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin22.4 %26.6 %(4.2) pts.22.5 %26.8 %(4.3) pts.
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $310,211
 $315,599
 (1.7%) $931,771
 $949,655
 (1.9%)
Operating (loss) income (243,193) (45,254) 437.4% (163,805) 72,288
 (326.6%)
Operating margin (78.4%) (14.3%) (64.1) pts. (17.6%) 7.6% (25.2) pts.

The decrease in total revenue for the third quarter of 2019, as compared to the third 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. In addition, web services volume decreased approximately $2.0 million, excluding the effect of a 2018 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 one additional business day in 2019, 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 accessories, as secular check and forms usage continues to decline. Web services volume also decreased approximately $6.0 million, excluding the effect of 2018 acquisitions, due

primarily to a reduction in search and email marketing and web hosting volume. In addition, revenue was negatively impacted $4.0 million by foreign currency exchange rate changes. These decreases in revenue were partially offset by incremental revenue of approximately $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 increase in operating loss for the third quarter of 2019, as compared to the third quarter of 2018, was 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. Further information regarding the asset impairment charges can be found in Critical Accounting Policies. In addition, medical costs and material and shipping rates increased in 2019. Also, during the third quarter of 2018, we recognized gains from sales of businesses and customer lists of $1.8 million. Partially offsetting these increases in operating loss were price increases and benefits of our 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 driven primarily by an increase in asset impairment charges of $174.1 million and a $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 loss were price increases and benefits of our cost reduction initiatives.

Financial Services

Results for our Financial Services segment were as follows:
  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $154,599
 $146,771
 5.3% $465,086
 $426,727
 9.0%
Operating (loss) income (105,691) 17,612
 (700.1%) (86,134) 49,565
 (273.8%)
Operating margin (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 nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the same periods2019, were driven primarily by an increase in 2018, was driven by incremental treasury management revenue from the acquisition of REMITCO LLC in August 2018 of approximately $9.5 million20.9% for the third quarter of 20192020 and $47.5 million22.1% for the first nine months of 2019.2020, related to lockbox processing outsourcing deals signed in the fourth quarter of 2019 and other client wins. Partially offsetting this increase in revenue,these increases was a decrease in treasury management volumepayroll services revenue, driven by the negative impact of approximately $4.0 millionthe COVID-19 pandemic on our small business customers. We expect revenue In the fourth quarter of 2020 to grow sequentially from the third quarter of 2020, but to temporarily slow to low- to mid-single-digit growth on a year-over-year percentage basis, due primarily to expected customer implementation delays, which may be attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decreases in adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, excluding the incremental revenue from the acquisition, due to a customer electing to bring its services in-house, as well as a reductionwere driven by increased costs in software maintenance revenue. In addition, revenue was negatively affected by lower check order volume, due primarilysupport of our One Deluxe strategy, including costs related to the continued secular declinelockbox processing outsourcing deals signed in check usage, as well as continued check pricing allowances.

The increase in operating loss for the thirdfourth quarter of 2019, as compared to the third quarter of 2018, was primarily due to a $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 technologyinvestments in our client operations area that included human capital investments and other 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, medical costs and material and shipping rates increased in 2019.on-boarding new clients. Partially offsetting these increasesdecreases in operating lossadjusted EBITDA was the revenue generated by the lockbox processing outsourcing deals. The impact of COVID-19 on this segment was minimal, as our Hero Pay premium and the lost revenue were benefits of our continuing cost reduction initiatives.

The increasesubstantially offset by actions taken to reduce costs in operating loss for the first nine months of 2019, as comparedresponse to the first nine monthspandemic. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased for both periods as a result of 2018, was primarilythe investments in this business, and we expect some compression of EBITDA margin in the fourth quarter of 2020, 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 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 expected customer implementation delays.
Critical Accounting Policies. In addition, 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 increased in 2019. Also, CEO transition costs allocated to this segment increased $1.9 million in 2019. Partially offsetting these increases in operating loss were benefits of our

Cloud Solutions
continuing cost reduction initiatives and a contribution of approximately $4.4 million from the REMITCO LLC acquisition, including acquisition amortization.

Direct Checks

Results for our Direct ChecksCloud Solutions segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Total revenue$63,758 $79,976 (20.3%)$193,600 $237,178 (18.4%)
Adjusted EBITDA16,425 20,216 (18.8%)45,494 56,362 (19.3%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin25.8 %25.3 %0.5 pts.23.5 %23.8 %(0.3) pts.

38

  Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change
Total revenue $28,783
 $30,820
 (6.6%) $89,788
 $96,967
 (7.4%)
Operating income 8,201
 10,360
 (20.8%) 24,853
 31,396
 (20.8%)
Operating margin 28.5% 33.6% (5.1) pts. 27.7% 32.4% (4.7) pts.


The decreasedecreases in total revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, were driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in data-driven marketing solutions as clients suspended their marketing campaigns, with some impact on web hosting revenue as well. Data-driven marketing revenue for the third quarter of 2020 increased 57.1% over the second quarter of 2020, as financial institutions slowly reactivated data-driven marketing analytics and campaigns. Web hosting revenue declined for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to 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, previous under-investment in this business and more recent decisions to exit certain product lines. Impacting the nine-month period, data-driven marketing revenue increased approximately $7.0 million in the first quarter of 2020, prior to the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by new campaigns and growth in pay-for-performance marketing campaigns. We anticipate that Cloud Solutions revenue will decline in the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2018, was primarilythird quarter of 2020, 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 mixour recent decisions to exit certain product lines and lower fraud services revenue.a second COVID-19 wave.

The decreases in operating income and operating marginAdjusted EBITDA for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019,2020, as compared to the same periods in 2018,2019, were primarily due primarily to the impact of COVID-19, increased information technology costs in support of our One Deluxe strategy and the loss of web hosting and data-driven marketing revenue decline, increased medicalrelated to the events that occurred in the third quarter of 2019. Partially offsetting these declines in adjusted EBITDA were various cost reductions unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily sales and marketing costs, and increased material and shipping ratesthe benefit of actions taken in 2019. In addition, restructuring and integration expenseresponse to COVID-19. For the nine-month period, adjusted EBITDA also benefited from the increase in data-driven marketing revenue in the first quarter, prior to the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2020, as compared to 2019, as the cost reductions outpaced the revenue decline, and $2.5 millionrevenue mix was more favorable in 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, declined slightly due to the mix of data-driven marketing campaigns in the first quarter of 2020. We expect adjusted EBITDA margin to remain in the low-to-mid 20% range.

Promotional Solutions

Results for our Promotional Solutions segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Total revenue$124,929 $156,835 (20.3%)$385,667 $468,209 (17.6%)
Adjusted EBITDA21,478 22,909 (6.2%)46,529 68,787 (32.4%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin17.2 %14.6 %2.6 pts.12.1 %14.7 %(2.6) pts.

The decreases in total revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, were driven primarily by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as our small business and enterprise customers struggle in the current economic environment and demand for promotional products declined sharply, as our customers stopped virtually all promotional activities in response to the pandemic. The continuing secular decline in business forms and some accessories also negatively impacted revenue in each period. Partially offsetting these volume declines was new revenue of $29.5 million from sales of PPE during the first nine months of 2020, primarily in the second quarter. Revenue for the third quarter of 2020 increased 5.9% over the second quarter of 2020. While we did not repeat the $26.0 million of PPE revenue that we realized in the second quarter, volume in our business essentials area did increase sequentially, including forms, deposit slips, envelopes and other supplies. Looking to the fourth quarter of 2020, we have taken steps to size our operations in line with current volumes, but we are prepared to ramp up our operations as the economy recovers.

The decreases in Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, were primarily driven by the loss of revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in support of our growth strategiesOne Deluxe strategy, primarily information technology and sales force expenses, and the continuing secular decline in forms and some accessories. In addition, we recorded bad debt expense of $5.6 million during the first nine months of 2020, related to increasenotes receivable from our efficiency.Safeguard distributors, primarily one that was underperforming prior to the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic. These decreases in operating income and operating marginadjusted EBITDA were partially offset by benefitsthe benefit of actions taken in response to COVID-19, various cost reductions unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily sales, marketing and fulfillment costs, and the sales of PPE in 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the third quarter of 2020 improved 260 basis points as compared to 2019, as the mix of business continued to evolve and we benefited from cost saving initiatives. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2020 decreased 260 basis points as compared to 2019, as the revenue decline, bad debt expense and investments in our transformation more than offset the benefit of actions taken in response to COVID-19 and the other cost reduction initiatives, includingsavings realized during the period.
39



Checks

Results for our Checks segment were as follows:
 Quarter Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change20202019Change
Total revenue$176,099 $192,148 (8.4%)$533,135 $587,370 (9.2%)
Adjusted EBITDA84,954 98,782 (14.0%)258,392 300,887 (14.1%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin48.2 %51.4 %(3.2) pts.48.5 %51.2 %(2.7) pts.

The decreases in total revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, were driven primarily by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a decline in business check usage stemming from the slow-down in the economy. Personal check volumes also slowed at a somewhat lesser rate. The continuing secular decline in checks also contributed to the decrease. We believe the secular decline in volume sequentially improved during the third quarter of 2020, likely benefiting from some delayed second quarter volume. We expect the revenue recovery to be slightly lower advertising expensein the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to the third quarter, and we expect check volumes to return to traditional secular trends with the overall recovery in the economy.

The decreases in Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, were driven by advertising print reduction initiatives.


CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY

the loss of revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the secular decline in checks, as well as a higher commission rate on key customer referrals and investments in support of our One Deluxe strategy, primarily information technology expenses. Partially offsetting these decreases in adjusted EBITDA were various cost reductions unrelated to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily sales, marketing and fulfillment costs, and the benefit of actions taken in response to COVID-19. We continue to focus on scaling our plant operating expenses to match current check volumes.


CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY

As of September 30, 2019,2020, we held cash and cash equivalents of $73.5$310.4 million,, as well as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for customers of $78.6$89.6 million. The following table shows our cash flow activity for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements of cash flows appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change
Net cash provided by operating activities$166,811 $208,024 $(41,213)
Net cash used by investing activities(31,668)(46,532)14,864 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities93,359 (157,244)250,603 
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents(3,297)2,604 (5,901)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$225,205 $6,852 $218,353 
Free cash flow(1)
$124,104 $158,345 $(34,241)

(1) See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures within the Consolidated Results of Operations section, which illustrates how we calculate free cash flow.
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities $208,024
 $219,102
 $(11,078)
Net cash used by investing activities (49,879) (231,924) 182,045
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (153,897) 12,563
 (166,460)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 2,604
 (2,446) 5,050
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents $6,852
 $(2,705)
$9,557


The $11.1 million decreaseTo maintain liquidity as we were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we took steps to reduce discretionary spending and other expenditures in netline with revenue declines. These steps included temporary salary reductions for all salaried employees, including our leadership team and board of directors, project delays, furloughs and other actions. We also delayed U.S. federal payroll tax payments under the CARES Act. As a result of these actions and our stronger than expected performance, free cash provided by operating activitiesflow for the first nine months of 2019,2020 was $124.1 million, as compared to $158.3 million for the first nine months of 2018, was due2019. This allowed us to end the temporary salary reductions, effective July 1, 2020. In addition, we repaid $100.0 million of the amount drawn on our revolving credit facility during July 2020, and in October 2020, we repaid an additional $140.0 million. We ended the third quarter of 2020 with liquidity of $413.0 million, comprised of cash on hand and availability on our credit facility.
40



Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $41.2 million for the first nine months of 2020, as compared to 2019, driven primarily toby the loss of revenue resulting from COVID-19 pandemic, increased investments in support of our One Deluxe strategy and the continuing secular decline in checkchecks 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, an $8.2 million increase in interest payments, and the timing of accounts payable payments.forms. These decreases in operating cash flow were partially offset by a $32.7$29.2 million reduction in income tax payments resulting from lower taxable income, actions taken in response to COVID-19, such as the temporary salary reductions and other actions, a legal-related settlement of $12.5 million in 2019 as well as benefitsthat was accrued in the previous year and delays in U.S. federal payroll tax payments of our cost reduction initiatives,$9.2 million allowed under the timing of accounts receivable collections and annual billings in certain of our businesses, and Small Business Services price increases.CARES Act.


Included in net cash provided by operating activities were the following operating cash outflows:
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 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)
 23,454
 21,778
 1,676
Prepaid product discount payments 20,370
 19,125
 1,245
Severance payments 6,835
 5,327
 1,508

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change
Prepaid product discount payments$24,947 $20,370 $4,577 
Performance-based compensation payments(1)
20,799 23,454 (2,655)
Income tax payments18,175 47,378 (29,203)
Interest payments17,929 26,110 (8,181)
Severance payments11,985 6,835 5,150 

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

Net cash used by investing activities for the first nine months of 20192020 was $182.0$14.9 million lower than the first nine months of 2018,2019, driven primarily by a decreaseproceeds from the sale of $188.8facilities of $9.7 million in payments for acquisitions. We did not complete any acquisitions during the first nine months2020 and a reduction in capital purchases of 2019. Information about our 2018 acquisitions can be found under the caption “Note 6: Acquisitions”$7.0 million in 2020, partly due to project delays earlier in the Notesyear in response to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2018 Form 10-K.

COVID-19 pandemic.

Net cash usedprovided by financing activities for the first nine months of 20192020 was $166.5$250.6 million higher than the first nine months of 2018,2019, due primarily to a net decreaseincrease in borrowings on long-term debt of $166.4$142.5 million and a net changedecrease in customer funds obligationscommon share repurchases of $8.7$104.5 million. These increasesIn March 2020, in cash used by financing activities were partially offset by a decreaseresponse to the COVID-19 pandemic, we drew an additional $238.0 million on our $1.15 billion revolving credit facility. We repaid $100.0 million of $4.9this amount in July 2020, and we repaid an additional $140.0 million in employee taxes paid forOctober 2020. Also in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we did not repurchase any of our shares withheld, as fewer stock options were exercised and fewer restricted stock unit awards vested in 2019.during the second or third quarters of 2020.

Significant cash transactions, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2019 2018 Change
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired(1)
 $(1,598) $(190,396) $188,798
Payments for common shares repurchased (118,547) (120,000) 1,453
Purchases of capital assets (49,679) (42,566) (7,113)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders (39,068) (42,943) 3,875
Net change in customer funds obligations (8,711) (58) (8,653)
Employee taxes paid for shares withheld (3,076) (7,969) 4,893
Net change in debt 14,000
 180,361
 (166,361)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans 3,159
 7,300
 (4,141)

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)20202019Change
Net change in debt$156,500 $14,000 $142,500 
Proceeds from sale of facilities9,713 — 9,713 
Purchases of capital assets(42,707)(49,679)6,972 
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(38,057)(39,068)1,011 
Payments for common shares repurchased(14,000)(118,547)104,547 
Net change in customer funds obligations(9,375)(8,711)(664)
(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 $270.0 million and $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 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, 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. We intend to focus our capital spending on key revenue growth initiatives, investments in sales and financial technology and information technology infrastructure. As of September 30, 2019, $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 September 30, 2019,2020, our foreign subsidiaries held cash and cash equivalents of $64.9$89.1 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 StatesU.S. at one time, we estimate we would incur a foreign withholding tax liability of approximately $3.0$4.0 million.


As of September 30, 2020, $102.6 million was available for borrowing under our $1.15 billion revolving credit facility. Our credit facility includes an accordion feature allowing us, subject to lender consent, to expand the facility to $1.425 billion. We believeanticipate that net cash generated by operating activities,operations, along with the cash and cash equivalents on hand and availability underon our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to support our operations and to meet our financial commitments for the next 12 months, including capital expendituresmonths. We anticipate that we will continue to pay our regular quarterly dividend. However, dividends are approved by our board of approximately $75.0 million, dividend payments, required interest payments,directors each quarter and periodic share repurchases, as well as possible acquisitions.


CAPITAL RESOURCES

thus, are subject to change.


41


CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our total debt was $924.0$1,040.0 million as of September 30, 2019,2020, an increase of $12.1$156.5 million from December 31, 2018.2019, as we drew an additional amount on our line of credit in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further information concerning our outstanding debt can be found under the caption “Note 13:11: Debt” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

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

 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019 
(in thousands)AmountWeighted-
average interest rate
AmountWeighted-
average interest rate
Change
Fixed interest rate(1)
$200,000 3.3 %$200,000 3.2 %$— 
Floating interest rate840,000 1.6 %683,500 3.0 %156,500 
Total debt1,040,000 1.9 %883,500 3.0 %156,500 
Shareholders’ equity511,444  570,861  (59,417)
Total capital$1,551,444  $1,454,361  $97,083 

(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 October 2018, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date. No shares were repurchased during the second or third quarters of 2020. During the first nine monthsquarter of 2019,2020, we repurchased 2.60.5 million shares for $118.5$14.0 million. As of September 30, 2019, $301.52020, $287.5 million remained available for repurchase under the authorization. Information regarding changes in shareholders' equity can be found in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

As of December 31, 2018, we had aSeptember 30, 2020, the total availability under our revolving credit facility in the amount of $950.0 million. In January 2019, we increasedwas $1.15 billion. The facility includes an accordion feature allowing us, subject to lender consent, to increase the credit facility by $200.0 million, bringing the total availability to $1.15 billion, subject to increase under the credit agreementcommitment 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. Additionally, the agreement contains customary representations and warranties including, as a condition to borrowing, that all such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects on the date of the borrowing, including representations as to no material adverse change in our business, assets, operations or financial condition. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of September 30, 2019,2020, and we expect toanticipate that we will remain in compliance with allour debt covenants throughout the next 12 months.



As of September 30, 2019,The following table shows amounts were available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility as follows:of September 30, 2020. In July 2020, we repaid $100.0 million of the amount drawn on our revolving credit facility and in October 2020, we repaid an additional $140.0 million. These amounts remain available to us for borrowing.
(in thousands)Total
available
Revolving credit facility commitment$1,150,000 
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility(1,040,000)
Outstanding letters of credit(1)
(7,428)
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2020$102,572 

(in thousands)
Total
available
Revolving credit facility commitment$1,150,000
Amount drawn on revolving credit facility(924,000)
Outstanding letters of credit(1)
(5,733)
Net available for borrowing as of September 30, 2019$220,267

(1) (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.

42



OTHER FINANCIAL POSITION INFORMATION

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 sheetBalance Sheet and cash flow information"Cash Flow Information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, 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 statements of comprehensive loss 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 coststhat 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 nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019 can be found under the caption "Note 3: Supplemental balance sheetBalance Sheet and cash flow information"Cash Flow Information" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report. Cash payments for prepaid product discounts were $20.4 million for the first nine months of 2019 and $19.1$24.9 million for the first nine months of 2018.2020 and $20.4 million for the first nine months of 2019.

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 on ourthe consolidated balance sheets. These accruals were $11.2 million as of September 30, 2019 and $10.9$6.0 million as of September 30, 2020 and $14.7 million as of December 31, 2018.2019. Accruals for prepaid product discount payments included in other non-current liabilities on ourthe consolidated balance sheets were $6.9$0.2 million as of September 30, 20192020 and $12.5$3.7 million as of December 31, 20182019.
.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
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 generallyindemnifications 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 mattersfees 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. These liabilities were not significant as of September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019. Further information regarding our environmental liabilities, as well as liabilities related to self-insurance and litigation can be found under the caption “Note 15:12: Other commitmentsCommitments and contingencies”Contingencies” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in thePart I, 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, weWe have not established any special purpose entities norother than our agreement to form MedPay Exchange LLC (MPX), which delivers payments to healthcare providers from insurance companies and other payers. This entity is a variable interest entity (VIE), as defined in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, Consolidation. Further information regarding our accounting for this entity can be found under the caption "Note 1: Consolidated Financial Statements" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report. In addition, we did wenot enter into any material related party transactions during the first nine months of 20192020 or during 2018.2019.

A table of our contractual obligations was provided in the MD&A section of the 20182019 Form 10-K. During the first nine months of 2019,2020, amounts drawn under our revolving credit facility increased $156.5 million, as discussed in Capital Resources. We repaid $140.0 million of the amount outstanding on our credit facility in October 2020. In addition, during the third quarter of 2020, we entered into certain software-as-a-serviceexecuted leases on 2 new facilities, located in Georgia and professional services contracts. These contracts require minimum paymentsMinnesota, with terms of $49.86 and 16 years, respectively. As a
43


result, our total lease obligations increased approximately $65.0 million, with $5.6approximately $5.0 million payabledue in 20192021 - 2022, approximately $13.0 million due in 2023 - 2024, and a totalthe remainder due through 2037. As these leases have not yet commenced, they are not reflected on our consolidated balance sheet as of $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 2026.30, 2020.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A description of our critical accounting policies was provided in the MD&A section of the 20182019 Form 10-K. There were no changes in these policies during the first nine months of 2019.

2020.
Annual
First quarter 2020 goodwill impairment analysis of goodwill analysesOur policy onEffective January 1, 2020, we reorganized our reportable business segments to align with structural and management reporting changes in support of our growth strategy. As a result, we reassessed our previously determined reporting units and concluded that a realignment of our reporting units was required. We analyzed goodwill for impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill, which is included under the caption "Note 1: Significant accounting policies" in the Notesimmediately prior 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, we completed the annual impairment analysis of goodwill. We elected to performthis realignment by performing a qualitative analysis for 4all of our reporting units, and a quantitative assessment for 2with the exception of our Direct-to-Consumer reporting units: Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing and Small Business Services Web Services. Financial Services Data-Driven Marketing includesunit, which is part of 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 andnew Checks reportable business incorporation and organization services.

segment. 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 last quantitative analyses we completed. In completing these assessments, we noted no changes in events or circumstances 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 analysis of our Direct-to-Consumer reporting unit indicated that its fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately $35.0 million, or 26%.

In completing the realignment of our reporting units, we reallocated the carrying value of goodwill to our new reporting units based on their relative fair values. Immediately subsequent to the realignment, we completed a quantitative analysis for the reporting units that changed as a result of the realignment. This quantitative analysis, as of July 31, 2017, whichJanuary 1, 2020, indicated that the estimated fair values of the 4our reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximate amounts between $64.0$37.0 million and $1.4 billion,$954.0 million, or by amounts between 50%121% and 314%189% above the carrying values of their net assets.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global health emergency due to an outbreak of COVID-19 originating in Wuhan, China and the risks to the international community as the virus spread globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. Following the pandemic designation, we observed a decline in the market valuation of our common shares and we determined that the global response to the pandemic negatively impacted our estimates of expected future cash flows. After our consideration of economic, market and industry conditions, cost factors, the overall financial performance of our reporting units and the last quantitative analyses we completed, we concluded that a triggering event had occurred for 2 of our reporting units. As such, we completed quantitative goodwill impairment analyses for our Promotional Solutions and Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting units as of March 31, 2020. Our analyses indicated that the goodwill of our Promotional Solutions reporting unit was partially impaired and the goodwill of our Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting unit was fully impaired. As such, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of $63.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively. 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, $62.8 million of goodwill remained in the Promotional Solutions reporting unit as of the measurement date.

Our impairment analyses were based on assumptions made using the best information available at the time, including the performance of our reporting units subsequent to the WHO declaration of a pandemic and available economic forecasts. These assumptions anticipated a sharp decline in gross domestic product and a material decline in the number of small businesses. We may have not yet experienced the full impact of the pandemic or its resulting impact on our small business customers and thus, actual events may differ from our assumptions. The sweeping nature of the pandemic makes it extremely difficult to predict how our business and operations will be affected in the longer term. To the extent our assumptions differ from actual events, we may be required to record additional asset impairment charges.

Our impairment assessments are sensitive to changes in forecasted revenues and expenses, as well as our selected discount rate. For the Promotional Solutions reporting unit, holding all other assumptions constant, if we assumed revenue in each year was 10% higher than we estimated, our goodwill impairment charge would have been approximately $18.0 million less, and if we assumed revenue in each year was 10% lower than we estimated, our goodwill impairment charge would have been approximately $18.0 million more. If we assumed our expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 100 basis points lower in each year, our goodwill impairment charge would have been approximately $39.0 million less, and if we assumed our expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 100 basis points higher in each year, our goodwill impairment charge would have been approximately $39.0 million more. If we assumed our selected discount rate of 12% was 100 basis points lower, our goodwill impairment charge would have been approximately $21.0 million less, and if we assumed the discount rate was 100 basis points higher, our goodwill impairment charge would have been approximately $17.0 million more.

44


In the case of the Cloud Solutions Web Hosting reporting unit, holding all other assumptions constant, if we assumed revenue in each year was 10% higher than we estimated, our impairment charges, including the impairment of amortizable intangibles, would have been approximately $1.0 million less. If we assumed our expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 100 basis points lower in each year, our impairment charges, including the impairment of amortizable intangibles, would have been approximately $9.0 million less, and if we assumed our selected discount rate of 9% was 100 basis points lower, our impairment charges, including the impairment of amortizable intangibles, would have been approximately $1.0 million less.

2020 annual impairment analysisIn completing the 2020 annual impairment analysis of goodwill, we elected to perform qualitative analyses for 2 of our reporting units: Payments and Checks. These 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 most recent quantitative analyses we completed, which indicated that the estimated fair values of these reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximately $490.0 million and $955.0 million, or by 189% and 180% 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 anyeither reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

TheWe elected to perform quantitative analyses as of July 31, 2019for our other 2 reporting units: Cloud Data Analytics and Promotional Solutions. These quantitative analyses indicated that the goodwillestimated fair values of our Financial Services Data-Driven Marketingthese reporting unit was partially impairedunits exceeded their carrying values by approximately $100.0 million and $210.0 million, or by 63% and 132% above the goodwillcarrying values of our Small Business Services Web Services reporting unit was fully impaired.their net assets. As such, we recorded pretaxno goodwill impairment charges were recorded as a result of $115.5 million and $242.3 million, respectively. Bothour annual 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. Theanalysis. This 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 areassessment is sensitive to changes in forecasted revenues and expenses,cash flows, 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,11%. Changes in the reporting units' forecast assumptions and if we assumedestimates could materially affect the discount rate was 200 basis points higher, our impairment charge would have been approximately $28.0 million more.

In the caseestimation 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 these reporting units.

Risks and uncertainties – The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. As such, we are uncertain of the full impact the pandemic will have on our financial condition, liquidity and/or moreresults of operations. This uncertainty affected several of the assumptions made and estimates used in the preparation of our reporting units. This may require us2020 consolidated financial statements. Further information can be found under the caption “Note 15: Risks and Uncertainties” in the Condensed Notes to record additional impairment charges for a portionUnaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of goodwill or other assets.this report, as well as in Part II, Item 1A of this report.

New accounting pronouncements – Information regarding the accounting pronouncementpronouncements adopted during the first quarternine months of 20192020 and those not yet adopted can be found under the caption “Note 2: New accounting pronouncements”Accounting Pronouncements” in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

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 September 30, 2019,2020, our total debt was comprised of $924.0 million$1.04 billion drawn under our revolving credit facility at a weighted-average interest rate of 3.3%1.9%. The carryinginterest rate on the majority of the amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets for amounts drawn under our revolving credit facility approximates fair value because our interest rates areis variable and reflectreflects current market rates. As such, the related carrying amount reported on the consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value. 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 sheetsheets and are subsequently reclassified intoto interest expense as interest payments are made on the variable-rate debt.

The fair value of the interest rate swap was $8.0 million as of September 30, 2020 and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and was included in other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

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 $5.4$6.3 million change in interest expense for the first nine months of 2019.2020.

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.

45




Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)  Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of the end of the period covered by this report, September 30, 20192020 (the "Evaluation Date")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")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 September 30, 20192020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



PART II – OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
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.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our risk factors are outlined in Item 1A of the 20182019 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to these risk factors since we filed the 20182019 Form 10-K. Due10-K, except for the item discussed here.

The impact of COVID-19 has adversely affected, and is expected to continue to adversely affect, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic began to impact our operations late in the first quarter of 2020. Thus far, the impact of lost revenue has primarily affected our Promotional Solutions, Checks and Cloud Solutions segments. Our Payments segment could be impacted if new clients delay the implementation of our services because of the impacts of the pandemic. The sweeping nature of the pandemic makes it extremely difficult to predict how our business and operations will be affected in the longer term. Consistent with various state and federal orders, we were able to designate portions of our business as "essential." As such, many of our facilities remained open during government-mandated shut-downs. We successfully activated our business continuity plan to ensure uninterrupted operations and services, while keeping our facilities safe for our employees, customers and communities. Under this plan, employees who have the ability to work from home continue to do so, which poses additional cybersecurity and data security risk. Certain of our facilities remain closed and we may close additional facilities, as necessary, to protect the health of our employees, as a result of disruptions in the operation of our supply chain or in response to a prolonged decrease in demand for our products and services.

Because the current economic environment is significantly impacting small businesses, we are closely monitoring the breadth and depth of small business closures and bankruptcies, changes in the level of small business optimism, lending to small and mid-sized businesses and the general functioning of the credit markets, adoption of government stimulus and other economic programs, consumer unemployment levels and changes in consumer spending patterns. We cannot predict the pace
46


at which these factors will improve or the impact a prolonged downturn in the economy will have on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

We also incurred, and may continue to incur, additional costs as we respond to the announcementpandemic, including, but not limited to, costs incurred to implement operational changes allowing social distancing, costs related to employees who are not working during the pandemic, a Hero Pay premium provided to employees working on-site, overtime pay as required and costs associated with additional cleaning and disinfecting of our "New Deluxe" strategy, as discussedfacilities.

All of these circumstance negatively impact our liquidity. In response, in March 2020, we drew an additional $238.0 million on our $1.15 billion revolving credit facility. We repaid $100.0 million of the amount drawn in July 2020, and we repaid an additional $140.0 million in October 2020. The amounts repaid remain available to us for borrowing. In addition, we suspended our share repurchase program for the second and third quarters of 2020 and we took additional steps to reduce discretionary spending and other expenditures in line with revenue declines. These steps included temporary salary reductions for all salaried employees, including our leadership team and board of directors, project delays, furloughs and other actions. We also delayed U.S. federal income and payroll tax payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. We continue to monitor the situation closely, including impacts on our operations, suppliers, customers, industry and workforce. If conditions deteriorate, we may implement further measures to provide additional financial flexibility and to improve our cash position and liquidity, including additional borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

If demand for our products and services further deteriorates or does not return to normal levels in the Executive Overview sectionlonger term, we may be required to pursue additional sources of Management's Discussionfinancing to meet our financial obligations. Our credit facility includes an accordion feature allowing us, subject to lender consent, to expand the facility to $1.425 billion, and Analysis of Financial Conditionwe believe we could also currently access the capital markets. However, such financing is not guaranteed and Results of Operations appearing in Part I, Item 2 of this report, we have identified additional riskis largely dependent on market conditions and other factors that shouldexist at the time we seek to access such financing. Further actions may be considered when investing inrequired to improve our common stock.cash position, including but not limited to, implementing further employee furloughs and/or workforce reductions, or foregoing additional capital expenditures and other discretionary expenses. In addition, dividends are approved by our board of directors each quarter and thus, are subject to change.


Our recently announced strategic plan to implementThe situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and the potential for 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,material impact on our results of operations, financial condition cash flows and/orand liquidity could be adversely affected.


We plan to realign our existing businesses into four new primary focus areas: Payments, Cloud, Promotional Productsincreases the longer the virus impacts activity levels in the U.S. and Checks. Ifthe other countries in which we are unable to achieveoperate. For this realignment in a timely and cost-effective manner,reason, we cannot reasonably estimate with any degree of certainty the future impact the pandemic may have on our results of operations, could be adversely affected.

As wefinancial position and/or liquidity. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business depends on future developments, many of which are beyond our control, such as: the severity and duration of the pandemic, business and workforce disruptions, and the effectiveness of actions taken to contain and treat the disease. We may not have previously announced, we believe that we can achieve greater operational synergiesyet experienced the full impact of the pandemic or its resulting impact on our customers. Our revenue may not immediately recover with an improvement in macro-economic conditions and reduce overall costs if we realignmay require new business formations and/or the expansion of sales to our existing operationscustomers.

In completing asset impairment analyses during the first quarter of 2020, we were required to focusmake assumptions using the best information available at the time, including the performance of our effortsreporting units subsequent to the declaration of a pandemic and available economic forecasts. These assumptions anticipated a sharp decline in four primary areasgross domestic product and a material decline in the number of small businesses. To the extent our assumptions differ materially and negatively from actual events, we may be required to record additional asset impairment charges.

Other cascading effects of the COVID-19 pandemic 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 timelycurrently foreseeable could materially increase our costs, negatively impact our revenue and cost-effective manner,adversely impact our results of operations and liquidity, possibly to a significant degree. We cannot predict the severity or duration of any such impacts. The COVID-19 pandemic could be adversely affected.have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in Item 1A of the 2019 10-K, including, without limitation, those related to the success of our strategy, our ability to attract and retain customers, competition, the rate of decline for checks and business forms, our ability to reduce costs, risks of cybersecurity breaches, interruptions to our website operations or information technology systems, the ability of third-party providers to perform and potential litigation. Risks related to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are addressed under the caption: "Note 15: Risks and Uncertainties" in the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report.


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
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 third 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
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 October 2018, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date. No shares were repurchased during the third quarter of 2020 and $287.5 million remained available for repurchase as of September 30, 2020.

47


While not considered repurchases of shares, we do at times withhold shares that would otherwise be issued under equity-based awards to cover the withholding taxes due as a result of the exercising or vesting of such awards. During the third quarter of 2019,2020, we withheld 4,6505,534 shares in conjunction with the vesting and exercise of equity-based awards.

 
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.


Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.


Item 5.  Other Information.

None.




Item 6.  Exhibits.
Exhibit NumberITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


Description
3.1ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.



None.


Exhibit NumberDescription
31.1
31.2
32.1
101.INSXBRL 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.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL 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
48




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: October 25, 2019November 6, 2020/s/ Barry C. McCarthy
Barry C. McCarthy

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: October 25, 2019November 6, 2020/s/ Keith A. Bush
Keith A. Bush

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Officer)
Date: November 6, 2020/s/ Ronald Van Houwelingen
Ronald Van Houwelingen
Vice President, Corporate Controller
(
Principal Accounting Officer)

5049