UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


þ(Mark One)
RQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011

OR

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

 
For the transition period fromto

Commission File Number: 001-15749


ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS

CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Delaware31-1429215
Delaware31-1429215

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7500 Dallas Parkway, Suite 700

Plano, Texas 75024

(Address of Principal Executive Office, Including Zip Code)

(214) 494-3000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required 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 þR     No  ¨£


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


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.   See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer þR

 
Accelerated filer  ¨£

Non-accelerated filer ¨£ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 
Smaller reporting company ¨£

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


As of November 3, 2010, 51,995,538April 29, 2011, 51,022,398 shares of common stock were outstanding.




ALLIANCEALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

INDEX

Page
Number
Page
Number
Part I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Item 1.

3 

3
 3

4
 4

5
 5

6
Item 2.

30
24
Item 3.

50
33
Item 4.

34
  
50Part II:  OTHER INFORMATION 
Part II: OTHER INFORMATION 
Item 1.

52
35
Item 1A.

52
35
Item 2.

52
35
Item 3.

52
35
Item 4.

52
35
Item 5.

52
35
Item 6.

5336
5538


2

PART I
Item 1.  Financial Statements.

Item 1.
Financial Statements.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
   (In thousands) 
ASSETS   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $391,226   $213,378  

Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($5,256 and $6,736 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)

   234,570    225,212  

Seller’s interest

   —      297,108  

Credit card receivables:

   

Credit card receivables—restricted for securitization investors

   4,406,664    —    

Other credit card receivables

   539,227    671,182  
         

Total credit card receivables

   4,945,891    671,182  

Allowance for loan loss

   (514,296  (54,884
         

Credit card receivables, net

   4,431,595    616,298  

Deferred tax asset, net

   340,208    197,455  

Other current assets

   112,437    201,427  

Redemption settlement assets, restricted

   495,499    574,004  

Assets of discontinued operations

   18,028    34,623  
         

Total current assets

   6,023,563    2,359,505  

Property and equipment, net

   162,758    165,012  

Due from securitizations

   —      775,570  

Cash collateral, restricted

   205,359    216,953  

Intangible assets, net

   332,033    316,597  

Goodwill

   1,214,569    1,166,275  

Other non-current assets

   192,214    225,755  
         

Total assets

  $8,130,496   $5,225,667  
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Accounts payable

  $124,040   $103,891  

Accrued expenses

   132,105    128,012  

Certificates of deposit

   452,400    772,500  

Asset-backed securities debt—owed to securitization investors

   885,509    —    

Current debt

   262,751    51,963  

Other current liabilities

   92,345    88,716  

Deferred revenue

   1,013,116    984,930  
         

Total current liabilities

   2,962,266    2,130,012  

Deferred revenue

   167,733    161,216  

Deferred tax liability, net

   106,804    140,712  

Certificates of deposit

   514,400    692,500  

Asset-backed securities debt—owed to securitization investors

   2,476,315    —    

Long-term and other debt

   1,666,881    1,730,389  

Other liabilities

   190,330    98,062  
         

Total liabilities

   8,084,729    4,952,891  

Stockholders’ equity:

   

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 200,000 shares; issued 92,746 shares and 91,121 shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

   927    911  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,302,604    1,235,669  

Treasury stock, at cost (40,277 and 38,922 shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)

   (2,007,844  (1,931,102

Retained earnings

   769,014    1,033,039  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (18,934  (65,741
         

Total stockholders’ equity

   45,767    272,776  
         

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $8,130,496   $5,225,667  
         

  
March 31,
2011
  
December 31,
2010
 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS 
Cash and cash equivalents $300,362  $139,114 
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($3,731 and $4,350 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)  228,270   260,945 
Credit card receivables:        
Credit card receivables – restricted for securitization investors  4,287,821   4,795,753 
Other credit card receivables  576,739   560,670 
Total credit card receivables  4,864,560   5,356,423 
Allowance for loan loss  (489,620)  (518,069)
Credit card receivables, net  4,374,940   4,838,354 
Deferred tax asset, net  272,225   279,752 
Other current assets  111,522   127,022 
Redemption settlement assets, restricted  483,924   472,428 
Assets of discontinued operations  8,721   11,920 
Total current assets  5,779,964   6,129,535 
Property and equipment, net  170,375   170,627 
Deferred tax asset, net  47,725   46,218 
Cash collateral, restricted  318,333   185,754 
Intangible assets, net  302,048   314,391 
Goodwill  1,228,982   1,221,823 
Other non-current assets  182,023   203,804 
Total assets $8,029,450  $8,272,152 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Accounts payable $113,349  $121,856 
Accrued expenses  119,965   168,578 
Certificates of deposit  380,500   442,600 
Asset-backed securities debt – owed to securitization investors  1,383,103   1,743,827 
Current debt  1,074,372   255,679 
Other current liabilities  102,409   85,179 
Deferred revenue  1,053,931   1,044,469 
Total current liabilities  4,227,629   3,862,188 
Deferred revenue  184,405   176,773 
Deferred tax liability, net  80,037   82,637 
Certificates of deposit  450,200   416,500 
Asset-backed securities debt – owed to securitization investors  1,916,315   1,916,315 
Long-term and other debt  934,782   1,614,093 
Other liabilities  185,089   180,552 
Total liabilities  7,978,457   8,249,058 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)        
Stockholders’ equity:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized, 200,000 shares; issued, 93,708 shares and 92,797 shares at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively  937   928 
Additional paid-in capital  1,331,287   1,320,767 
Treasury stock, at cost, 42,282 shares and 41,426 shares at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively  (2,141,254)  (2,079,819)
Retained earnings  902,094   815,718 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (42,071)  (34,500)
Total stockholders’ equity  50,993   23,094 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $8,029,450  $8,272,152 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2010  2009  2010  2009 
  (In thousands, except per share amounts) 

Revenues

    

Transaction

 $68,150   $90,505   $214,092   $279,638  

Redemption

  120,424    120,779    386,810    346,935  

Securitization income

  —      98,723    —      315,345  

Finance charges, net

  327,677    16,268    953,303    45,278  

Database marketing fees and direct marketing services

  167,083    129,317    427,246    364,605  

Other revenue

  19,109    25,839    54,247    66,620  
                

Total revenue

  702,443    481,431    2,035,698    1,418,421  

Operating expenses

    

Cost of operations

  384,301    326,578    1,102,128    974,438  

General and administrative

  19,767    30,143    63,440    77,176  

Provision for loan loss

  90,459    —      275,044    —    

Depreciation and other amortization

  17,196    15,364    50,101    45,715  

Amortization of purchased intangibles

  20,711    15,770    56,398    45,833  

Merger costs (reimbursements)

  —      30    —      (486
                

Total operating expenses

  532,434    387,885    1,547,111    1,142,676  
                

Operating income

  170,009    93,546    488,587    275,745  

Interest expense:

    

Securitization funding costs

  43,026    —      128,251    —    

Interest expense on certificates of deposit

  7,317    6,616    23,519    19,800  

Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net

  33,776    31,947    98,903    84,157  
                

Total interest expense, net

  84,119    38,563    250,673    103,957  
                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

  85,890    54,983    237,914    171,788  

Provision for income taxes

  32,831    9,666    90,881    55,035  
                

Income from continuing operations

  53,059    45,317    147,033    116,753  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

  —      479    —      (13,666
                

Net income

 $53,059   $45,796   $147,033   $103,087  
                

Basic income (loss) per share:

    

Income from continuing operations

 $1.01   $0.86   $2.79   $2.05  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  —      0.01    —      (0.24
                

Net income per share

 $1.01   $0.87   $2.79   $1.81  
                

Diluted income (loss) per share:

    

Income from continuing operations

 $0.96   $0.82   $2.63   $2.01  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  —      0.01    —      (0.23
                

Net income per share

 $0.96   $0.83   $2.63   $1.78  
                

Weighted average shares:

    

Basic

  52,584    52,841    52,743    56,946  
                

Diluted

  55,218    55,136    55,820    57,959  
                

  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands, except per share amounts) 
Revenues 
Transaction $76,771  $76,601 
Redemption  149,760   138,677 
Finance charges, net  342,142   306,357 
Database marketing fees and direct marketing services  152,710   125,191 
Other revenue  19,053   16,711 
Total revenue  740,436   663,537 
Operating expenses 
Cost of operations  404,525   361,003 
Provision for loan loss  67,666   88,001 
General and administrative  20,939   22,164 
Depreciation and other amortization  16,754   16,325 
Amortization of purchased intangibles  18,644   17,846 
Total operating expenses  528,528   505,339 
Operating income  211,908   158,198 
Interest expense 
Securitization funding costs  30,986   41,619 
Interest expense on certificates of deposit  5,693   7,527 
Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net  34,780   33,560 
Total interest expense, net  71,459   82,706 
Income before income tax $140,449  $75,492 
Provision for income taxes  54,073   28,838 
Net income $86,376  $46,654 
  
Basic income per share $1.69  $0.89 
Diluted income per share $1.56  $0.84 
  
Weighted average shares: 
Basic  51,122   52,441 
Diluted  55,412   55,419 
  
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

Net income

 $147,033   $103,087  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

  

Depreciation and amortization

  106,499    91,649  

Deferred income taxes

  24,044    48,168  

Provision for loan loss

  275,044    44,252  

Non-cash stock compensation

  33,996    43,353  

Fair value loss on interest-only strip

  —      2,207  

Fair value loss on interest rate derivatives

  5,443    —    

Amortization of discount on convertible senior notes

  48,914    37,243  

Loss on the sale of assets

  —      18,018  

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

  

Change in trade accounts receivable

  (20,927  13,231  

Change in merchant settlement activity

  —      (18,907

Change in other assets

  36,975    (22,683

Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses

  33,220    (68,583

Change in deferred revenue

  9,079    (2,731

Change in other liabilities

  13,551    (20,526

Proceeds from the sale of credit card receivable portfolios to the securitization trusts

  —      53,240  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

  (12,713  (7,425

Other

  (6,654  (7,471
        

Net cash provided by operating activities

  693,504    306,122  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

Change in redemption settlement assets

  21,964    29,744  

Change in seller’s interest

  —      (21,337

Change in credit card receivables

  273,925    (221,473

Change in cash collateral, restricted

  12,530    85,068  

Change in restricted cash

  24,064    (64,810

Change in due from securitizations

  —      (158,823

Capital expenditures

  (48,296  (39,706

Payments for acquired businesses, net of cash

  (117,000  —    

Proceeds from the sale of assets

  —      8,013  

Other

  (3,032  4,399  
        

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  164,155    (378,925

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Borrowings under debt agreements

  1,205,000    2,396,000  

Repayment of borrowings

  (1,089,549  (2,327,926

Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes due 2014

  —      345,000  

Issuances of certificates of deposit

  94,000    1,100,400  

Repayments of certificates of deposit

  (592,200  (609,400

Proceeds from asset-backed securities

  833,126    —    

Maturities of asset-backed securities

  (1,157,235  —    

Payment of capital lease obligations

  (17,272  (15,718

Payment of deferred financing costs

  (3,025  (21,407

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

  12,713    7,425  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

  31,848    23,780  

Proceeds from issuance of warrants

  —      30,050  

Payments for convertible note hedges

  —      (80,765

Payments for prepaid forward contracts

  —      (74,872

Purchase of treasury shares

  (76,742  (417,774
        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (759,336  354,793  
        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  (2,028  10,720  
        

Change in cash and cash equivalents

  96,295    292,710  

Cash effect on adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810

  81,553    —    

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  213,378    156,911  
        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $391,226   $449,621  
        

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

  

Interest paid

 $176,335   $58,579  
        

Income taxes paid, net

 $26,497   $53,890  
        

  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands) 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 
Net income $86,376  $46,654 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization  35,398   34,171 
Deferred income taxes  7,782   18,272 
Provision for loan loss  67,666   88,001 
Non-cash stock compensation  9,084   10,606 
Fair value (gain) loss on interest-rate derivatives  (9,892)  2,181 
Amortization of discount on convertible senior notes  17,695   15,861 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
Change in trade accounts receivable  14,434   26,819 
Change in other assets  24,539   15,200 
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses  (46,160)  (15,849)
Change in deferred revenue  (16,375)  (15,665)
Change in other liabilities  30,521   (7,847)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation  (9,473)  (3,763)
Other  (1,207)  (8,088)
Net cash provided by operating activities  210,388   206,553 
  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
Change in redemption settlement assets  4,410   7,097 
Change in restricted cash  20,180   28,245 
Change in credit card receivables  432,997   397,525 
Purchase of credit card receivables  (42,696)   
Change in cash collateral, restricted  (132,575)  26,211 
Capital expenditures  (18,631)  (15,428)
Investments in the stock of an investee  (5,019)   
Other  (7)  (528)
Net cash provided by investing activities  258,659   443,122 
  
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
Borrowings under debt agreements  202,000   346,000 
Repayments of borrowings  (77,318)  (288,155)
Issuances of certificates of deposit  75,000   31,400 
Repayments of certificates of deposit  (103,400)  (346,000)
Borrowings from asset-backed securities  174,500   100,965 
Repayments/maturities of asset-backed securities  (535,224)  (557,400)
Payment of capital lease obligations  (3,013)  (5,753)
Payment of deferred financing costs  (730)  (121)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation  9,473   3,763 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock  12,509   6,639 
Purchase of treasury shares  (61,435)  (14,520)
Net cash used in financing activities  (307,638)  (723,182)
  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (161)  (860)
Change in cash and cash equivalents  161,248   (74,367)
  
Cash effect on adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810     81,553 
Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of period  139,114   213,378 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $300,362  $220,564 
  
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: 
Interest paid $54,594  $47,655 
Income taxes paid (refund), net $31,692  $(2,915)
  
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Alliance Data Systems Corporation (“ADSC” or, including its wholly owned subsidiaries and its consolidated variable interest entities, the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,2010, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010.

February 28, 2011.  With respect to information concerning principal geographic areas, revenues are attributed to respective countries based on the location of the subsidiary, which generally correlates with the location of the customer. 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the fiscal year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (1) the reported amounts of assets; (2) liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and (3) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For purposes of comparability, certainfraud losses of $0.9 million have been reclassified from provision for loan loss to cost of operations in the prior period amounts have been reclassifiedfinancial statements to conform to the current year presentation. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principle,” for informationSuch reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net income.
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In October 2009, the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and ASC 810, “Consolidation.”

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company reorganized its segments with Private Label Services and Private Label Credit reflected as one segment. All prior year segment information has been restated to conform to the current presentation. In addition, the Company renamed its other two segments from Epsilon Marketing Services and Loyalty Services to “Epsilon” and “LoyaltyOne,” respectively.

In February 2009, the Company sold the remainder of its utility services division, which was reflected as a discontinued operation. In November 2009, the Company terminated operations of its credit program for web and catalog retailer VENUE. Prior period information has been restated to reflect the termination of VENUE as a discontinued operation.

2. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 860 related to accounting for transfers of financial assets and ASC 810 related to the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). ASC 860 removed the concept of qualifying special purpose entity (“QSPE”) and eliminated the consolidation exemption that was then available for QSPEs. ASC 810 requires an initial evaluation as well as an ongoing assessment of the Company’s involvement in the activities of World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust (“Master Trust”), World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust (“Master Trust I”), World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust II (“Master Trust II”) and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III (“Master Trust III”) (collectively, the “WFN Trusts”), and World Financial Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust (the “WFC Trust”) and the Company’s rights or obligations to receive benefits or absorb losses of the trusts that could be potentially significant in order to determine whether those VIEs are required to be consolidated on the balance

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

sheets of World Financial Network National Bank (“WFNNB”), World Financial Capital Bank (“WFCB”) or their affiliates, including ADSC.

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASC 860 and ASC 810 on a prospective basis, resulting in the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust. Based on the carrying amounts of the WFN Trusts’ and the WFC Trust’s assets and liabilities as prescribed by ASC 810, the Company recorded an increase in assets of approximately $3.4 billion, including $0.5 billion to loan loss reserves, an increase in liabilities of approximately $3.7 billion and a $0.4 billion decrease in stockholders’ equity.

After adoption, the Company’s consolidated statements of income no longer reflect securitization income, but instead reflect finance charges and certain other income associated with the securitized credit card receivables. Net charge-offs associated with credit card receivables impact the Company’s provision for loan loss reflected in the Company’s total operating expenses. Interest expense associated with debt issued from the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust to third-party investors is reported in securitization funding costs. Additionally, the Company no longer records initial gains on new securitization activity since securitized credit card loans no longer receive sale accounting treatment, nor are there any gains or losses on the revaluation of the interest-only strip receivable, as that asset is not recognized in a transaction accounted for as a secured borrowing. Since the Company’s securitization transactions are accounted for under the new accounting rules as secured borrowings rather than asset sales, the cash flows from these transactions are presented as cash flows from financing activities rather than cash flows from operating or investing activities.

The assets of the consolidated VIEs include certain credit card receivables, which are restricted to settle the obligations of those entities and are not expected to be available to the Company or its creditors. The liabilities of the consolidated VIEs include asset-backed secured borrowings and other liabilities for which creditors or beneficial interest holders do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company.

3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” which supersedes certain guidance in ASCAccounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-25, “Revenue Recognition — Multiple-Element Arrangements,” and requires an entity to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of an arrangement to all of its deliverables based on their relative selling prices (the relative-selling-price method). ASU 2009-13 eliminates the use of the residual method of allocation in which the undelivered element is measured at its estimated selling price and the delivered element is measured as the residual of the arrangement consideration, and requires the relative-selling-price method in all circumstances in which an entity recognizes revenue for an arrangement with multiple deliverables subject to ASU 2009-13. ASU 2009-13 will beis effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. If theJanuary 1, 2011. The Company elects early adoption and the adoption is during an interim period, the Company will be requiredelected to applyadopt this ASU retrospectively fromprospectively. Revenue associated with the beginningservice element of the Company’s fiscal year. The Company can also electAIR MILES® Reward Program has historically been determined using the residual method. Based on the sponsor contracts expected to apply this ASU retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact thatbe signed, renewed or materially modified in 2011, the adoption of ASU 2009-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurementsdid not and Disclosures,” which amends ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,”is not expected to add separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements related to Level 3 measurements. The requirement to provide the Level 3 disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 for the separate Level 3 disclosures will only impact disclosures and will not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATIONstatements for 2011. Should one of the AIR MILES Reward Program’s top five sponsors materially modify its agreement with the Company in 2011, it could significantly shift the allocation of deferred revenue between the service element and redemption element. This change in allocation between the deferred revenue elements could impact the timing of revenue recognition, as the redemption element is recognized as AIR MILES reward miles are redeemed while the service element is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile, or 42 months.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses,” which amends ASC 310, “Receivables,” to require further disaggregated disclosures that improve financial statement users’ understanding of (1) the nature of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables and (2) the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses as well as changes in the allowance and the reasons for those changes. The new and amended disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-20 will only impactimpacted disclosures and willdid not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2010-20 also requires enhanced disclosures for troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”), but the effective date of these disclosures was deferred.

6

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” The ASU provides additional guidance to creditors for evaluating on whether a modification or restructuring of a receivable is a TDR by clarifying the existing guidance whether (1) the creditor has granted a concession and (2) whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments in the ASU will be effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and are to be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. For purposes of measuring impairment of receivables that are newly considered impaired as a result of this ASU, the amendments are to be applied prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. In addition, the ASU will also require additional disclosures about TDR activities along with the disclosures required by ASU 2010-20 but were previously deferred in the period of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
3. SHARES USED IN COMPUTING NET INCOME PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share for the periods indicated:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 
   (In thousands, except per share amounts) 

Numerator

        

Income from continuing operations

  $53,059    $45,317    $147,033    $116,753  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

   —       479     —       (13,666
                    

Net income

  $53,059    $45,796    $147,033    $103,087  
                    

Denominator

        

Weighted average shares, basic

   52,584     52,841     52,743     56,946  

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:

        

Shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes

   1,454     788     1,785     —    

Net effect of dilutive stock options and unvested restricted stock

   1,180     1,507     1,292     1,013  
                    

Denominator for diluted calculation

   55,218     55,136     55,820     57,959  
                    

Basic

        

Income from continuing operations per share

  $1.01    $0.86    $2.79    $2.05  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share

   —       0.01     —       (0.24
                    

Net income per share

  $1.01    $0.87    $2.79    $1.81  
                    

Diluted

        

Income from continuing operations per share

  $0.96    $0.82    $2.63    $2.01  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share

   —       0.01     —       (0.23
                    

Net income per share

  $0.96    $0.83    $2.63    $1.78  
                    

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  
(In thousands, except
per share amounts)
 
Numerator:
      
Net Income $86,376  $46,654 
Denominator:
      
Weighted average shares, basic  51,122   52,441 
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:   
Shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes  2,789   1,605 
Shares from assumed conversion of convertible note warrants  633    
Net effect of dilutive stock options and unvested restricted stock  868   1,373 
Denominator for diluted calculations  55,412   55,419 
         
Basic net income per share $1.69  $0.89 
Diluted net income per share $1.56  $0.84 
The Company calculates the effect of its convertible senior notes, consisting of $805.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2013 (the “Convertible Senior Notes 2013”) and $345.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2014 (the “Convertible Senior Notes 2014”), which can be settled in cash or shares of common stock, on diluted net income per share as if they will be settled in cash as the Company has the intent to settle the convertible senior notes in cash. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the
The Company excluded, in each case, 17.5 million warrants from the calculation of net income per share as the effect was anti-dilutive.

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company entered intois also party to prepaid forward contracts to purchase 1,857,400 shares of its common stock for $74.9 million that are to be delivered over a settlement period in 2014. The number of shares to be delivered under the prepaid forward contracts is used to reduce weighted averageweighted-average basic and diluted shares outstanding.

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company excluded 16.9 million warrants and 17.5 million warrants, respectively, from the calculation of net income per share as the effect was anti-dilutive.
7

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

5. ACQUISITION

On July 1, 2010, the acquisition date, the Company completed the acquisition of the Direct Marketing Services and Database Marketing divisions of Equifax, Inc., (collectively, “DMS”). The total purchase price was $117.0 million. DMS provides proprietary data-driven, integrated marketing solutions through two complementary offers: database marketing and hosting, and data services, including U.S. consumer demographic information.

The results of operations for DMS have been included since the date of acquisition and are reflected in the Company’s Epsilon segment. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DMS acquisition as of the date of purchase:

   As of July 1,
2010
 
   (In thousands) 

Other current assets

  $893  

Property and equipment

   2,290  

Capitalized software

   4,800  

Identifiable intangible assets

   67,600  

Goodwill

   43,874  

Non-current assets

   165  
     

Total assets acquired

   119,622  
     

Current liabilities

   2,622  
     

Total liabilities assumed

   2,622  
     

Net assets acquired

  $117,000  
     

6.

4. CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLES

Beginning January 1, 2010, the

The Company’s credit card securitization trusts, the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust, were consolidated on the balance sheets of WFNNB, WFCB or their affiliates, including ADSC, under ASC 860 and ASC 810. The WFN Trusts’ and the WFC Trust’s credit card receivables are reported in credit card receivables — restricted for securitization investors.

The tables below present quantitativethe only portfolio segment or class of financing receivables. Quantitative information about the components of total credit card receivables and delinquencies:

   September 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
 
   (In millions) 

Principal receivables

  $4,705.4    $5,332.8  

Billed and accrued finance charges

   203.0     155.7  

Other receivables

   37.5     21.0  
          

Total credit card receivables

   4,945.9     5,509.5  

Less credit card receivables—restricted for securitization investors

   4,406.7     4,838.3  
          

Other credit card receivables

  $539.2    $671.2  
          

Principal amount of credit card receivables 90 days or more past due

  $130.5    $157.4  
          

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

delinquencies is presented in the table below:

  
March 31,
2011
  
December 31,
2010
 
  (In thousands) 
Principal receivables $4,642,290  $5,116,111 
Billed and accrued finance charges  191,423   214,643 
Other receivables  30,847   25,669 
Total credit card receivables  4,864,560   5,356,423 
Less credit card receivables – restricted for securitization investors  4,287,821   4,795,753 
Other credit card receivables $576,739  $560,670 
Principal amount of credit card receivables 90 days or more past due $109,953  $130,538 
Allowance for Loan Loss

The Company maintains an allowance for loan lossesloss at a level that is adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in credit card receivables. The allowance for loan loss covers forecasted uncollectable principal as well as unpaid interest and fees. In estimating the inherentallowance covering principal loan losses, for the credit card portfolio, management utilizes a migration analysis of delinquent and current credit card receivables. Migration analysis is a technique used to estimate the likelihood that a credit card receivable will progress through the various stages of delinquency and to charge-off. The migration analysis considers uncollectible principal,In estimating the allowance covering uncollectable interest and fees, reflected in credit card receivables. In determining the proper level of the allowance for loan loss, management utilizes historical charge-off trends. Management also considers factors that may impact loan loss experience, including seasoning, loan volume and amounts, payment rates and forecasting uncertainties.


The allowance for loan loss is evaluated monthly for adequacy and is maintained through an adjustment to the provision for loan loss. Additions to the allowance are made through charges to the provision for loan loss or when reserves are acquired as partloss. Principal charge-offs, net of a business or portfolio acquisition. When credit card receivables are charged off, principal amounts of credit card receivables outstandingrecoveries, are deducted from the allowance, and subsequent recoveries of such amounts increase the allowance. The Company considers uncollectible interest and fees in assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan loss; however,while unpaid interest and fees are reversed against finance charges, net.

Changesnet upon charge-off.

  
March 31,
2011
  
March 31,
2010
 
  (In thousands) 
Balance at beginning of period $518,069  $54,884 
Adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810     523,950 
Provision for loan loss  67,666   88,001 
Recoveries  25,866   21,738 
Principal charge-offs  (123,896)  (144,004)
Other  1,915    
Balance at end of period $489,620  $544,569 
Net Charge-Offs
Net charge-offs include the principal amount of losses from credit cardholders unwilling or unable to pay their account balances, as well as bankrupt and deceased credit cardholders, less recoveries and exclude charged-off interest, fees and fraud losses. Charged-off interest and fees are recorded in finance charges, net while fraud losses are recorded as an expense. Credit card receivables, including unpaid interest and fees, are charged-off at the end of the month during which an account becomes 180 days contractually past due, except in the case of customer bankruptcies or death. Credit card receivables, including unpaid interest and fees, associated with customer bankruptcies or death are charged-off at the end of each month subsequent to 60 days after the receipt of notification of the bankruptcy or death, but in any case, not later than the 180-day contractual time frame.
8

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The net charge-off rate is calculated by dividing net charge-offs of principal receivables for the period by the average credit card receivables for the period. Average credit card receivables represent the average balance of the cardholder receivables at the beginning of each month in the years indicated. The following table presents the Company’s net charge-offs for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Average credit card receivables
 $4,968,459  $5,185,147 
Net charge-offs of principal receivables
  98,030   122,266 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average credit card receivables
  7.9%  9.4%
Delinquencies
A credit card account is contractually delinquent if the Company does not receive the minimum payment by the specified due date on the cardholder’s statement. When an account becomes delinquent, a message is printed on the credit cardholder’s billing statement requesting payment. After an account becomes 30 days past due, a proprietary collection scoring algorithm automatically scores the risk of the account becoming further delinquent. The collection system then recommends a collection strategy for the past due account based on the collection score and account balance and dictates the contact schedule and collections priority for the account. If the Company is unable to make a collection after exhausting all in-house collection efforts, the Company will engage collection agencies and outside attorneys to continue those efforts.
The following table presents the delinquency trends of the Company’s credit card portfolio:
  
March 31,
2011
  
% of
Total
  
December 31,
2010
  
% of
Total
 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Receivables outstanding – principal $4,642,290   100% $5,116,111   100%
Principal receivables balances contractually delinquent:                
31 to 60 days  68,180   1.5%  87,252   1.7%
61 to 90 days  50,477   1.1   59,564   1.2 
91 or more days  109,953   2.3   130,538   2.5 
Total $228,610   4.9% $277,354   5.4%
Modified Credit Card Receivables
The Company does hold certain credit card receivables for which the terms have been modified. The Company’s modified credit card loans include loans for which temporary hardship concessions have been granted and loans in permanent workout programs. These modified loans include concessions consisting primarily of a reduced minimum payment and an interest rate reduction. The temporary programs’ concessions remain in place for a period no longer than twelve months, while the permanent programs remain in place through the payoff of the loan if the credit cardholder complies with the terms of the program. These concessions do not include the forgiveness of unpaid principal, but may involve the reversal of certain unpaid interest or fee assessments. In the case of the temporary programs, at the end of the concession period, loan terms revert to standard rates. These arrangements are automatically terminated if the customer fails to make payments in accordance with the terms of the program, at which time their account reverts back to its original terms. In assessing the appropriate allowance for loan loss, these loans are included in the general pool of credit cards with the allowance determined under the contingent loss model of ASC 450-20, “Loss Contingencies.” If the Company applied accounting under ASC 310-40, “Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors,” to loans in these programs, there would not be a significant difference in the allowance for loan loss onloss. Credit card receivables for which temporary hardship and permanent concessions were granted comprised less than 3% of the Company’s total credit card receivables at each of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
9

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Age of Credit Card Receivables
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2011, the number of active credit card accounts with balances and the related principal balances outstanding, based upon the age of the active credit card accounts from origination:
Age Since Origination Number of Active Accounts with Balances  Percentage of Active Accounts with Balances  
Principal
Receivables Outstanding
  Percentage of Receivables Outstanding 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
0-12 Months  2,703   23.4% $876,492   18.9%
13-24 Months  1,578   13.7   654,138   14.1 
25-36 Months  1,174   10.2   522,678   11.3 
37-48 Months  965   8.3   419,685   9.0 
49-60 Months  830   7.2   364,228   7.8 
Over 60 Months  4,297   37.2   1,805,069   38.9 
Total  11,547   100.0% $4,642,290   100.0%
Credit Quality
The Company uses proprietary scoring models developed specifically for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2009 were as follows:

   September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
   (In thousands) 

Balance at beginning of period

  $54,884   $38,124  

Adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810

   523,950    —    

Provision for loan loss

   272,259    52,259  

Principal charge-offs, net of recoveries

   (336,797  (35,499
         

Balance at end of period

  $514,296   $54,884  
         

The provision for loan loss expense was $90.5 million and $275.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, which includes $0.9 million and $2.8 millionpurpose of credit card fraud losses, respectively. The provision for loan loss expense was $16.4 million and $35.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, formonitoring the Company’s on-balance sheetobligor credit card receivables. These amounts were netted against securitization incomequality. The proprietary scoring model is used as a tool in 2009.

Net charge-offsthe underwriting process and for making credit decisions. The proprietary scoring model is based on historical data and requires various assumptions about future performance. Information regarding customer performance is factored into these proprietary scoring models to determine the probability of principal receivables were $102.1 million and $99.6 million foran account becoming 90 or more days past due at any time within the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $336.8 million and $297.2 million fornext 12 months. Obligor credit quality is monitored at least monthly during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

life of an account. The following table reflects composition by obligor credit quality as of March 31, 2011:

Probability of an Account Becoming 90 or More Days Past Due or Becoming Charged off (within the next 12 months) Total Principal Receivables Outstanding  Percentage of Principal Receivables Outstanding 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
No Score $88,576   1.9%
27.1% and higher  274,777   5.9 
17.1% - 27.0%  453,154   9.8 
12.6% - 17.0%  557,762   12.0 
3.7% - 12.6%   1,916,149   41.3 
1.9% - 3.7%   895,608   19.3 
Lower than 1.9%  456,264   9.8 
Total $4,642,290   100.0%
Securitized Credit Card Receivables

The Company regularly securitizes its credit card receivables tothrough its credit card securitization trusts, consisting of World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust II and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III (collectively, the WFN Trusts“WFN Trusts”), and the WFC Trust.World Financial Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust (the “WFC Trust”). The Company continues to own and service the accounts that generate credit card receivables held by the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust. In its capacity as a servicer, each of the respective banks earns a fee from the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust to service and administer the credit card receivables, collect payments, and charge-off uncollectibleuncollectable receivables.

These fees are eliminated and therefore are not reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

The WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and the assets of these consolidated VIEs include certain credit card receivables that are restricted to settle the obligations of those entities and are not expected to be available to the Company or its creditors. The liabilities of the consolidated VIEs include asset-backed secured borrowings and other liabilities for which creditors or beneficial interest holders do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company.
10

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The tables below present quantitative information about the components of total securitized credit card receivables, delinquencies and net charge-offs:

   September 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
 
   (In millions) 

Total credit card receivables—restricted for securitization investors

  $4,406.7    $4,838.3  
          

Principal amount of credit card receivables—restricted for securitization investors, 90 days or more past due

  $117.6    $148.2  
          

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 
   (In millions) 

Net charge-offs of securitized principal

  $91.5    $89.9    $297.5    $270.8  

During

  
March 31,
2011
  
December 31,
2010
 
  (In thousands) 
Total credit card receivables – restricted for securitization investors $4,287,821  $4,795,753 
Principal amount of credit card receivables – restricted for securitization investors, 90 days or more past due $99,293  $117,594 

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands) 
Net charge-offs of securitized principal
 $87,303  $108,109 
Portfolio Acquisition
In February 2011, World Financial Capital Bank, one of the initial phase of a securitization reinvestment period, the Company generally retains principal collections in exchange for the transfer of additionalCompany’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired an existing private label credit card receivablesportfolio of J.Jill and entered into the securitized poola multi-year agreement to provide private label credit card services. The total purchase price was approximately $42.7 million, which was comprised of assets. During the amortization or accumulation period of a securitization, the investors’ share of principal collections (in certain cases, up to a maximum specified amount each month) is either distributed to the investors or held in an account until it accumulates to the total amount due, at which time it is paid to the investors in a lump sum.

The table below summarizes certain cash flows received from and paid to the securitization trusts when transfers$37.9 million of credit card receivables toand $4.8 million of intangible assets and are included in the securitization trusts were treatedunaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as sales prior to the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810:

   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
   (In millions) 

Proceeds from collections reinvested in previous credit card securitizations

  $849.2    $3,133.4  

Proceeds from new securitizations

   1,081.4     2,150.0  

Proceeds from collections reinvested in revolving period transfers

   1,491.6     4,672.2  

Servicing fees received(1)

   17.3     53.6  

(1)

Upon adoption of ASC 860, these fees were eliminated with the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust, and therefore not reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income as of September 30, 2010.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

7.March 31, 2011.

5. REDEMPTION SETTLEMENT ASSETS

Redemption settlement assets consist of cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale and are designated for settling redemptions by collectors of the AIR MILES® Reward Program in Canada under certain contractual relationships with sponsors of the AIR MILES Reward Program. These assets are primarily denominated in Canadian dollars. Realized gains and losses from the sale of investment securities were not material. The principal components of redemption settlement assets, which are carried at fair value, are as follows:

   September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009 
   Cost   Unrealized
Gains
   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value   Cost   Unrealized
Gains
   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value 
   (In thousands) 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $34,502    $—      $—     $34,502    $71,641    $—      $—     $71,641  

Government bonds

   35,084     1,016     (7  36,093     41,026     1,205     —      42,231  

Corporate bonds(1)

   417,740     7,545     (381  424,904     453,447     8,473     (1,788  460,132  
                                      

Total

  $487,326    $8,561    $(388 $495,499    $566,114    $9,678    $(1,788 $574,004  
                                      

  March 31, 2011  December 31, 2010 
  Cost  
Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized Losses  
Fair
Value
  Cost  
Unrealized
Gains
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
 
  (In thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents $60,578  $  $  $60,578  $74,612  $  $  $74,612 
Government bonds  15,755   168      15,923   15,235   161   (34)  15,362 
Corporate bonds (1)
  407,053   2,487   (2,117)  407,423   380,605   3,212   (1,363)  382,454 
Total $483,386  $2,655  $(2,117) $483,924  $470,452  $3,373  $(1,397) $472,428 
                                 
(1)

Included in corporate bonds atAt each of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009 is an investment2010, LoyaltyOne® had investments in retained interests in the WFN Trusts with a fair value of $73.9$64.9 million. Upon adoption of ASC 860, theseThese amounts wereare eliminated with the consolidation of the WFN Trusts, and therefore not reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheetfinancial statements and notes thereof as of September 30,March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

11

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009,2010, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position:

   Less than 12 months  September 30, 2010
12 Months or Greater
   Total 
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair Value   Unrealized
Losses
 
   (In thousands) 

Government bonds

  $9,780    $(7 $—      $—      $9,780    $(7

Corporate bonds

   53,792     (381  —       —       53,792     (381
                             

Total

  $63,572    $(388 $—      $—      $63,572    $(388
                             

   Less than 12 months  December 31, 2009
12 Months or Greater
  Total 
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value   Unrealized
Losses
 
   (In thousands) 

Corporate bonds

  $98,448    $(1,646 $7,705    $(142 $106,153    $(1,788
                            

Total

  $98,448    $(1,646 $7,705    $(142 $106,153    $(1,788
                            

  Less than 12 months  
March 31, 2011
12 Months or Greater
  Total 
  Fair Value  
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  
Unrealized
Losses
 
  (In thousands) 
Government bonds $  $  $  $  $  $ 
Corporate bonds  181,770   (2,112)  10,612   (5)  192,382   (2,117)
Total $181,770  $(2,112) $10,612  $(5) $192,382  $(2,117)

  Less than 12 months  
December 31, 2010
12 Months or Greater
  Total 
  Fair Value  
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  
Unrealized
Losses
 
  (In thousands) 
Government bonds $10,119  $(34) $  $  $10,119  $(34)
Corporate bonds  128,349   (1,363)        128,349   (1,363)
Total $138,468  $(1,397) $  $  $138,468  $(1,397)
Market values were determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio. When evaluating the investments for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the security’s issuer, and the Company’s intent to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. The Company typically invests in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default and has the ability to hold the investments until maturity. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company does not consider the investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

The net carrying value and estimated fair value of the securities at September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 by contractual maturity are as follows:

   Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair Value
 
   (In thousands) 

Due in one year or less

  $160,888    $161,738  

Due after one year through five years

   326,438     333,761  
          

Total

  $487,326    $495,499  
          

  
Amortized
Cost
  
Estimated
Fair Value
 
  (In thousands) 
Due in one year or less $102,402  $102,336 
Due after one year through five years  380,984   381,588 
Total $483,386  $483,924 
12

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILLIndex

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

   September 30, 2010   Amortization Life and Method 
   Gross
Assets
   Accumulated
Amortization
  Net   
   (In thousands)     

Finite Lived Assets

       

Customer contracts and lists

  $236,228    $(142,022 $94,206     5-10 years—straight line  

Premium on purchased credit card portfolios

   151,431     (58,162  93,269     3-10 years—straight line, accelerated  

Collector database

   68,024     (58,809  9,215     30 years—15% declining balance  

Customer database

   175,430     (70,930  104,500     4-10 years—straight line  

Noncompete agreements

   2,839     (2,351  488     2-5 years—straight line  

Tradenames

   14,156     (4,711  9,445     4-10 years—straight line  

Purchased data lists

   19,824     (11,264  8,560     1-5 years—straight line, accelerated  
                
  $667,932    $(348,249 $319,683    

Indefinite Lived Assets

       

Tradenames

   12,350     —      12,350     Indefinite life  
                

Total intangible assets

  $680,282    $(348,249 $332,033    
                

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

   December 31, 2009   Amortization Life and Method 
   Gross
Assets
   Accumulated
Amortization
  Net   
   (In thousands)     

Finite Lived Assets

       

Customer contracts and lists

  $186,428    $(121,540 $64,888     5-10 years—straight line  

Premium on purchased credit card portfolios

   155,227     (46,936  108,291     3-10 years—straight line, accelerated  

Collector database

   66,541     (56,316  10,225     30 years—15% declining balance  

Customer database

   160,564     (57,043  103,521     4-10 years—straight line  

Noncompete agreements

   2,522     (1,986  536     3-5 years—straight line  

Tradenames

   11,658     (3,674  7,984     4-10 years—straight line  

Purchased data lists

   17,178     (8,376  8,802     1-5 years—straight line, accelerated  
                
  $600,118    $(295,871 $304,247    

Indefinite Lived Assets

       

Tradenames

   12,350     —      12,350     Indefinite life  
                

Total intangible assets

  $612,468    $(295,871 $316,597    
                

6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following:
  March 31, 2011  
  
Gross
Assets
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Amortization Life and Method
  (In thousands)  
Finite Lived Assets          
Customer contracts and lists $200,245  $(119,127) $81,118 5-10 years—straight line
Premium on purchased credit card portfolios  156,203   (68,035)  88,168 3-10 years—straight line, accelerated
Collector database  72,150   (63,146)  9,004 30 years—15% declining balance
Customer database  175,526   (81,194)  94,332 4-10 years—straight line
Noncompete agreements  1,083   (787)  296 2-3 years—straight line
Tradenames  14,197   (5,438)  8,759 5-10 years—straight line
Purchased data lists  21,380   (13,359)  8,021 1-5 years—straight line, accelerated
  $640,784  $(351,086) $289,698  
Indefinite Lived Assets             
Tradenames  12,350      12,350 Indefinite life
Total intangible assets $653,134  $(351,086) $302,048  

  December 31, 2010  
  
Gross
Assets
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Amortization Life and Method
  (In thousands)  
Finite Lived Assets          
Customer contracts and lists $211,413  $(123,932) $87,481 5-10 years—straight line
Premium on purchased credit card portfolios�� 151,430   (63,115)  88,315 3-10 years—straight line, accelerated
Collector database  70,211   (61,075)  9,136 30 years—15% declining balance
Customer database  175,397   (76,002)  99,395 4-10 years—straight line
Noncompete agreements  1,062   (668)  394 2-3 years—straight line
Tradenames  14,169   (5,070)  9,099 5-10 years—straight line
Purchased data lists  20,506   (12,285)  8,221 1-5 years—straight line, accelerated
  $644,188  $(342,147) $302,041  
Indefinite Lived Assets             
Tradenames  12,350      12,350 Indefinite life
Total intangible assets $656,538  $(342,147) $314,391  
With the J.Jill portfolio acquisition, of DMS, the Company acquired $67.6$4.8 million of intangible assets. These assets included $49.8consisting of a customer relationship of $2.6 million and a marketing relationship of customer relationships, $15.0$2.2 million, of customer databases, $2.5 million of trade names and $0.3 million for noncompete agreements. These assetswhich are being amortized, in each case, over a weighted average life of 7.7 years, 4.0 years, 10.0 years and 2.0 years, respectively. See Note 5, “Acquisition,” for more information on DMS.

7.0 years.

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 are as follows:

   LoyaltyOne   Epsilon  Private Label
Services and
Credit
   Corporate/
Other
   Total 
   (In thousands) 

December 31, 2009

  $234,613    $669,930   $261,732    $—      $1,166,275  

Effects of foreign currency translation

   4,979     (559  —       —       4,420  

Goodwill acquired during the year

   —       43,874    —       —       43,874  
                        

September 30, 2010

  $239,592    $713,245   $261,732    $—      $1,214,569  
                        

  LoyaltyOne  
Epsilon®
  Private Label Services and Credit  
Corporate/
Other
  Total 
  (In thousands) 
December 31, 2010 $246,930  $713,161  $261,732  $  $1,221,823 
Effects of foreign currency translation  6,507   652         7,159 
March 31, 2011 $253,437  $713,813  $261,732  $  $1,228,982 
13

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

9.

7. DEBT

Debt consists of the following:

Description

 September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
  Maturity       Interest Rate      
  (In thousands)

Long-term and other debt:

    

Credit facility

 $370,000   $487,000   March 2012 (1)

Senior notes

  250,000    250,000   May 2011 6.14%

2009 Term loan

  161,000    161,000   March 2012 (2)

2010 Term loan

  236,000    —     March 2012 (3)

Convertible senior notes due 2013

  647,111    612,058   August 2013 1.75%

Convertible senior notes due 2014

  252,730    238,869   May 2014 4.75%

Capital lease obligations and other debt

  12,791    33,425   Various – Oct 2010 –Jul 2013(4) 5.20% to 8.10%(4)
          
  1,929,632    1,782,352    

Less: current portion

  (262,751  (51,963  
          

Long-term portion

 $1,666,881   $1,730,389    
          

Certificates of deposit:

    

Certificates of deposit

 $966,800   $1,465,000   One year to five years 0.50% to 5.25%

Less: current portion

  (452,400  (772,500  
          

Long-term portion

 $514,400   $692,500    
          

Asset-backed securities debt—owed to securitization investors:(5)

    

Fixed rate asset-backed term note securities

 $1,772,815   $—     Various –Nov 2011 – Jun 2015 3.79% to 7.00%

Floating rate asset-backed term note securities

  1,153,500    —     Various – Sept 2011 – Apr 2013 0.39% to 2.76%(6)

Conduit asset-backed securities

  435,509    —     Various – Jun 2011 – Sept 2011 1.85% to 2.66%
          

Total asset-backed securities—owed to securitization investors

  3,361,824    —      

Less: current portion

  (885,509  —      
          

Long-term portion

 $2,476,315   $—      
          

Description 
March 31,
2011
  
December 31,
2010
 Maturity Interest Rate
  (Dollars in thousands)    
          
Certificates of deposit:           
Certificates of deposit $830,700  $859,100 Six months to five years 0.30% to 5.25%
Less: current portion  (380,500)  (442,600)   
Long-term portion $450,200  $416,500    
          
Asset-backed securities debt – owed to securitization investors:           
Fixed rate asset-backed term note securities $1,772,815  $1,772,815 Various - Nov 2011 – Jun 2015 3.79% to 7.00%
Floating rate asset-backed term note securities  1,153,500   1,153,500 Various - Sept 2011 – Apr 2013 (1)
Conduit asset-backed securities  373,103   733,827 Various - Jun 2011 – Sept 2011 1.51% to 2.60%
Total asset-backed securities – owed to securitization investors  3,299,418   3,660,142    
Less: current portion  (1,383,103)  (1,743,827)   
Long-term portion $1,916,315  $1,916,315    
          
Long-term and other debt:         
Credit facility $426,000  $300,000 March 2012 (2)
Series B senior notes  250,000   250,000 May 2011 6.14%
2009 term loan  161,000   161,000 March 2012 (3)
2010 term loan  236,000   236,000 March 2012 (4)
Convertible senior notes due 2013  671,931   659,371 August 2013 1.75%
Convertible senior notes due 2014  262,822   257,687 May 2014 4.75%
Capital lease obligations and other debt  1,401   5,714 
Various - Apr 2011 – Jul 2013(5)
 
5.20% to 8.10%(5)
Total long-term and other debt  2,009,154   1,869,772    
Less: current portion  (1,074,372)  (255,679)   
Long-term portion $934,782  $1,614,093    
            
(1)

Interest rates include those for certain of the Company’s asset-backed securities – owed to securitization investors where floating rate debt is fixed through interest rate swap agreements. The interest rate for the floating rate debt is equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as defined in the respective agreements plus a margin of 0.1% to 2.5% as defined in the respective agreements. The weighted average interest rate of the fixed rate achieved through interest rate swap agreements is 4.16% at March 31, 2011.

(2)The Company maintains a $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility,”) where advances are in the form of either base rate loans or Eurodollar loans and may be denominated in Canadian dollars, subject to a sublimit, or U.S. dollars. The interest rate for base loans is the higher of (a) the Bank of Montreal’s prime rate, (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and (c) the quoted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”)LIBOR as defined in the credit agreement plus 1.0%. The interest rate for Eurodollar loans denominated in U.S. or Canadian dollars fluctuates based on the rate at which deposits of U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars, respectively, in the London interbank market are quoted plus a margin of 0.4% to 0.8% based upon the Company’s senior leverage ratio as defined in the Credit Facility. Total availability under the Credit Facility at September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 was $380.0$324.0 million. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate was 0.76%1.02%.

(2)(3)

Advances under the term loan agreement, dated May 15, 2009 (the “2009 Term Loan”), are in the form of either base rate loans or Eurodollar loans. The interest rate for base rate loans fluctuates and is equal to the highest of (a) Bank of Montreal’s prime rate; (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.5%; and (c) the quoted

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

LIBOR as defined in the 2009 Term Loan agreement plus 1.0%, in each case plus a margin of 2.0% to 3.0% based upon the Company’s senior leverage ratio as defined in the 2009 Term Loan agreement. The interest rate offor Eurodollar loans fluctuates based on the rate at which deposits of U.S. dollars in the London interbank market are quoted plus a margin of 3.0% to 4.0% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio as defined in the 2009 Term Loan. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate was 3.26%3.25%.

(3)(4)

Advances under the term loan agreement, dated August 6, 2010 (the “2010 Term Loan”), are in the form of either base rate loans or Eurodollar loans. The interest rate for base rate loans fluctuates and is equal to the highest of (a) Bank of Montreal’s prime rate; (b) the Federal funds rate plus 0.5%; and (c) the quoted LIBOR as defined in the 2010 Term Loan agreement plus 1.0%, in each case plus a margin of 1.5% to 2.5% based upon the Company’s senior leverage ratio as defined in the 2010 Term Loan agreement. The interest rate offor Eurodollar loans fluctuates based on the rate at which deposits of U.S. dollars in the London interbank market are quoted plus a margin of 2.5% to 3.5% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio as defined in the 2010 Term Loan. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate was 2.76%.

(4)(5)

The Company has other minor borrowings, primarily capital leases, with varying interest rates and maturities.

(5)

Upon adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810, the Company consolidated the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust and the related asset-backed securities debt. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principle,” for more information on the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810.

(6)

Interest rates include those for certain of the Company’s asset-backed securities—owed to securitization investors where floating rate debt is fixed through interest rate swap agreements. The weighted average interest rate of the fixed rate achieved through interest rate swap agreements is 4.45% at September 30, 2010.

As of September 30, 2010,

At March 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants.

14

Credit FacilityIndex

In June 2010, the Company amended its Credit Facility to clarify the application of ASC 860 and ASC 810 with respect to the calculation of covenant compliance.

2009 Term Loan

In June 2010, the Company amended its 2009 Term Loan to clarify the application of ASC 860 and ASC 810 with respect to the calculation of covenant compliance. In addition, the amendment removed the prepayments that were required beginning June 30, 2010 and now provides that principal payments be paid at maturity, March 30, 2012.

2010 Term Loan

On August 6, 2010, the Company, as borrower, and ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc., ADS Foreign Holdings, Inc., Alliance Data Foreign Holdings, Inc., Epsilon Marketing Services, LLC and Epsilon Data Management, LLC, as guarantors, entered into a term loan agreement with Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and various other agents and banks. The 2010 Term Loan is unsecured. Amounts borrowed under the 2010 Term Loan are scheduled to mature on March 30, 2012.

The 2010 Term Loan contains usual and customary negative covenants, which are subject to certain specified exceptions. The 2010 Term Loan also requires the Company to satisfy certain financial covenants, including maximum ratios of total leverage and senior leverage and a minimum ratio of consolidated operating EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, each as determined in accordance with the 2010 Term Loan.

As of September 30, 2010, total borrowings under the 2010 Term Loan were $236.0 million.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Convertible Senior Notes

In the third quarter of 2008, the Company issued $805.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes 2013. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company issued $345.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes 2014. The table below summarizes the carrying value of the components of the convertible senior notes:

   September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
   (In thousands) 

Carrying amount of equity component

  $368,678   $368,678  
         

Principal amount of liability component

  $1,150,000   $1,150,000  

Unamortized discount

   (250,159  (299,073
         

Net carrying value of liability component

  $899,841   $850,927  
         

If-converted value of common stock

  $1,142,583   $1,130,852  
         

  
March 31,
2011
  
December 31,
2010
 
  (In thousands) 
Carrying amount of equity component $368,678  $368,678 
         
Principal amount of liability component $1,150,000  $1,150,000 
Unamortized discount  (215,247)  (232,942)
Net carrying value of liability component $934,753  $917,058 
         
If-converted value of common stock $1,503,776  $1,243,605 
The discount on the liability component will be amortized as interest expense over the remaining life of the convertible senior notes which, at March 31, 2011, is a weighted average period of 3.12.6 years.

Interest expense on the convertible senior notes recognized in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010  2009  2010  2009 
   (In thousands) 

Interest expense calculated on contractual interest rate

  $7,619   $7,619   $22,856   $15,937  

Amortization of discount on liability component

   16,752    15,019    48,914    37,243  
                 

Total interest expense on convertible senior notes

  $24,371   $22,638   $71,770   $53,180  
                 

Effective interest rate (annualized)

   11.0%  11.0%  11.0%  11.0%

Asset-backed Securities—Owed to Securitization Investors

An asset-backed security is a security whose value and income payments are derived from and collateralized (or “backed”) by a specified pool of underlying assets. The sale of the pool of underlying assets to general investors is accomplished through a securitization process.

The Company regularly sells its credit card receivables to its securitization trusts, the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust. Beginning January 1, 2010, the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust were consolidated on the balance sheets of the Company, under ASC 860 and ASC 810. See Note 2, “Change in Accounting Principle,” for more information on the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810. The liabilities of the consolidated VIEs include asset-backed securities for which creditors or beneficial interest holders do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company.

Asset-backed Term Notes

In March 2010, Master Trust II issued $100.8 million of term asset-backed securities to investors. The offering consisted of $65.0 million of Class A Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 4.2% per year, $9.8 million of Class M Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

5.3% per year, $6.6 million of Class B Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 6.3% per year, $11.6 million of Class C Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 7.0% per year and $7.8 million of Class D Series 2010-1 zero-coupon notes which were retained by the Company. The Class A notes will mature in November 2012, the Class M notes will mature in December 2012, the Class B notes will mature in January 2013, the Class C notes will mature in February 2013 and the Class D notes will mature in March 2013. With the consolidation of the WFN Trusts, the Class D Series 2010-1 notes are eliminated from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

On July 8, 2010, Master Trust I issued $450.0 million of term asset-backed securities to investors in a public offering. The offering consisted of $355.5 million of Class A Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 3.96% per year, $16.9 million of Class M Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 5.2% per year, $21.4 million of Class B Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 6.75% per year and $56.2 million of Class C Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per year. The Class A, Class M, Class B and Class C notes will all mature in June 2015. The Class C Series 2010-A notes were retained by the Company. With the consolidation of the WFN Trusts, the Class C Series 2010-A notes are eliminated from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Conduit Facilities

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company renewed its $550.0 million 2009-VFC1 conduit facility under Master Trust III, extending the maturity to September 30, 2011.

During the second quarter of 2010, the Company renewed its $1.2 billion 2009-VFN conduit facility under Master Trust I, extending the maturity to June 23, 2011, and its $275.0 million 2009-VFN conduit facility under the WFC Trust, extending the maturity to June 3, 2011.

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest expense calculated on contractual interest rate $7,619  $7,619 
Amortization of discount on liability component  17,695   15,861 
Total interest expense on convertible senior notes $25,314  $23,480 
Effective interest rate (annualized)  11.0%  11.0%
Derivative Financial Instruments

As part of its interest rate risk management program, the Company may enter into derivative financial instruments with institutions that are established dealers and manage its exposure to changes in fair value of certain obligations attributable to changes in LIBOR.

The credit card securitization trusts have enteredenter into derivative financial instruments, which include both interest rate swaps and an interest rate cap, to mitigate their interest rate risk on a related financial instrument or to lock the interest rate on a portion of their variable asset-backed securities debt.

Effective January 1, 2010, the derivative financial instruments of the credit card securitization trusts were consolidated on the Company’s balance sheets under ASC 860 and ASC 810.

These interest rate contracts involve the receipt of fixedvariable rate amounts from counterparties in exchange for the Company making variablefixed rate payments over the life of the agreement without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. These interest rate contracts are not designated as hedges. Such contracts are not speculative and are used to manage interest rate risk, but do not meet the specific hedge accounting requirements of ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

15

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following tables identify the notional amount, fair value and classification of the Company’s outstanding interest rate contracts at September 30,March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

   Notional Amount
(in thousands)
   Weighted
Average Years
to Maturity
 

Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments

  $1,153,500     1.98  

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

   Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value
(in thousands)
 

Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments

  Other current liabilities  $6,624  

Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments

  Other liabilities  $77,375  

  March 31, 2011  December 31, 2010 
  Notional Amount  Weighted Average Years to Maturity  Notional Amount  Weighted Average Years to Maturity 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
             
Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments $1,153,500   1.48  $1,153,500   1.72 
 March 31, 2011 December 31, 2010 
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 Fair Value 
Balance Sheet
 Location
 Fair Value 
 (In thousands) 
Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instrumentsOther current liabilities $2,595 Other current liabilities $4,574 
Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instrumentsOther liabilities $57,344 Other liabilities $65,257 
The following tables identifytable summarizes activity related to and identifies the classificationlocation of the Company’s outstanding interest rate contracts for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income:

For the three months ended September 30, 2010

  Income Statement Location   Loss  on
Derivative
Contracts

(in thousands)
 

Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments

   Securitization funding costs    $59  

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

  Income Statement Location   Loss on
Derivative
Contracts

(in thousands)
 

Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments

   Securitization funding costs    $5,443  

 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2010 
 Income Statement Location Gain on Derivative Contracts Income Statement Location Loss on Derivative Contracts 
 (In thousands) 
Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instrumentsSecuritization funding costs $9,892 Securitization funding costs $2,181 
The Company limits its exposure on derivatives by entering into contracts with institutions that are established dealers andwho maintain certain minimum credit criteria established by the Company. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company does not maintain any derivative contracts subject to master agreements that would require the Company to post collateral or that contain any credit-risk related contingent features. The Company has provisions in certain of the master agreements that require counterparties to post collateral to the Company when their credit ratings fall below certain thresholds. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, these thresholds were not breached and no amounts were held as collateral by the Company.

10.

8. DEFERRED REVENUE

Because management has determined that the earnings process is not complete at the time an AIR MILES reward mile is issued, the recognition of revenue on all fees received at issuance is deferred. The Company allocates the proceedsproceeds from the issuance of AIR MILES reward miles into two components as follows:

 ·

Redemption element. The redemption element is the larger of the two components. Revenue related to the redemption element is based on the estimated fair value. For this component, revenue is recognized at the time an AIR MILES reward mile is redeemed, or for those AIR MILES reward miles that are estimated to go unredeemed by the collector base, known as “breakage,” over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile. The Company’s estimate of breakage is 28%.

 ·

Service element. The service element consists of marketing and administrative services provided to sponsors. Revenue related to the service element ishas been determined using the residual method in accordance with ASC 605-25.ASU 2009-13. It is initially deferred and then amortized pro rata over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile. With the adoption of ASU 2009-13, the residual method will no longer be utilized for new sponsor agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2011 or existing sponsor agreements that are materially modified subsequent to that date; for these agreements, the Company will measure the service element at its estimated selling price.

16

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Under certain of the Company’s contracts, a portion of the proceeds is paid to the Company upon the issuance of an AIR MILES reward mile and a portion is paid at the time of redemption and therefore, the Company does not have a redemption obligation related to these contracts. Revenue is recognized at the time of redemption and is not reflected in the reconciliation of the redemption obligation detailed below. Under such contracts, the proceeds received at issuance are initially deferred as service revenue and revenue is recognized pro rata over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile. Amounts for revenue related to the redemption element and service element are recorded in redemption revenue and transaction revenue, respectively, in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

A reconciliation of deferred revenue for the AIR MILES Reward Program is as follows:

   Deferred Revenue 
   Service  Redemption  Total 
   (In thousands) 

December 31, 2009

  $306,336   $839,810   $1,146,146  

Cash proceeds

   136,088    359,749    495,837  

Revenue recognized

   (126,637  (364,684  (491,321

Other

   —      4,564    4,564  

Effects of foreign currency translation

   6,898    18,725    25,623  
             

September 30, 2010

  $322,685   $858,164   $1,180,849  
             

Amounts recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

    

Current liabilities

  $154,952   $858,164   $1,013,116  
             

Non-current liabilities

  $167,733   $—     $167,733  
             

11.

  Deferred Revenue 
  Service  Redemption  Total 
  (In thousands) 
December 31, 2010 $339,514  $881,728  $1,221,242 
Cash proceeds  51,787   119,169   170,956 
Revenue recognized  (47,125)  (140,650)  (187,775)
Other     451   451 
Effects of foreign currency translation  9,453   24,009   33,462 
March 31, 2011 $353,629  $884,707  $1,238,336 
Amounts recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:            
Current liabilities $169,224  $884,707  $1,053,931 
Non-current liabilities $184,405  $  $184,405 
9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Programs

Program

On January 27,September 13, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“Prior Repurchase Program”) to acquire up to $275.1 million of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2010. On September 13, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program, replacing the Prior Repurchase Program, to acquire up to $400.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock from September 13, 2010 through December 31, 2011, subject to any restrictions pursuant to the terms of the Company’s credit agreements or otherwise.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company acquired a total of 897,986856,363 shares and 1,354,486 shares, respectively, of its common stock for $50.9$61.4 million. As of March 31, 2011, the Company has $266.6 million and $76.7 million, respectively. All shares were acquired prior to September 13, 2010 andavailable under the Prior Repurchase Program.

Stock Compensation Plans

On March 31, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2005 long-term incentive plan, which was subsequently approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 7, 2005 and became effective July 1, 2005. This plan reserved 4,750,000 shares of common stock for grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other performance-based awards to selected officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants performing services for the Company or its affiliates. On September 24, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the 2005 long term incentive plan to provide that, in addition to settlement in shares of the Company’s common stock or other securities, equity awards may be settled in cash. No more grants may be made from the 2005 long-term incentive plan, which expired on June 30, 2010.

On March 25, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which was subsequently approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 8, 2010, became effective July 1, 2010 and expires on June 30, 2015. This plan reserves 3,000,000 shares of common stock for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share awards, cash incentive awards, deferred stock units, and other stock-based and cash-based awards to

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATIONrepurchase program.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

selected officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants performing services for the Company or its affiliates, with only employees being eligible to receive incentive stock options.

Stock Compensation Expense

Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 
   (In thousands) 

Cost of operations

  $6,598    $7,315    $18,801    $23,466  

General and administrative

   4,377     7,293     15,195     19,799  
                    

Total

  $10,975    $14,608    $33,996    $43,265  
                    

There was no stock-based compensation expense related to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and for

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands) 
Cost of operations $5,903  $5,895 
General and administrative  3,181   4,711 
Total $9,084  $10,606 
During the three months ended September 30, 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, stock-based compensation expense for the Company’s discontinued operations was approximately $0.1 million. This amount is included in the loss from discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company awarded 477,329405,746 performance-based restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $57.15$83.30 as determined on the date of grant. The performance restriction on the awards will lapse upon determination by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors that the Company’s core earnings per share growthbefore taxes for the period from January 1, 20102011 to December 31, 20102011 met certain pre-defined vesting criteria that permit a range from 50% to 150% of such performance-based restricted stock units to vest. Upon such determination, the restrictions will lapse with respect to 33% of the award on February 22, 2011,21, 2012, an additional 33% of the award on February 22, 201221, 2013 and the final 34% of the award on February 22, 2013,21, 2014, provided that the participant is employed by the Company on each such vesting date.

17

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company awarded 201,639105,927 service-based restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $60.37$83.07 as determined on the date of grant. Service-based restricted stock units typically vest ratably over three years provided that the participant meetsis employed by the service conditionCompany on each such vesting date.

In March 2009, the Company determined that it was no longer probable that the specified performance measures associated with certain performance-based restricted stock units would be achieved. As a result, 1,242,098 performance-based restricted stock units granted during 2008 and in January 2009, having a weighted-average grant date fair value of $56.43 per share, are not expected to vest. The Company has not recognized stock-based compensation expense related to those awards no longer expected to vest.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

12.

10. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of comprehensive income, net of tax effect, are as follows:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010  2009  2010  2009 
   (In thousands) 

Net income

  $53,059   $45,796   $147,033   $103,087  

Adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810(1)

   —      —      55,881    —    

Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale

   (1,535  (5,678  (3,283  (35,126

Foreign currency translation adjustments(2)

   (3,909  (2,908  (5,791  6,217  
                 

Total comprehensive income, net of tax

  $47,615   $37,210   $193,840   $74,178  
                 

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands) 
Net income $86,376  $46,654 
Adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810 (1)
     55,881 
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale  (4,428)  (5,701)
Foreign currency translation adjustments (2)
  (3,144)  (7,638)
Total comprehensive income, net of tax $78,804  $89,196 

(1)

These amounts related to unrealized losses associated with retained interests in the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust which were classified as available-for-sale. These amounts were previously reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. Effective January 1, 2010, uponUpon the adoption of ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and ASC 810, “Consolidation,” which was effective January 1, 2010, these interests and related accumulated other comprehensive income have been reclassified, derecognized or eliminated upon consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust.

consolidation.
(2)

Primarily related to the impact of changes in the Canadian currency exchange rate.

13.

11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In accordance with ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” the Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate fair value. To obtain fair values, observable market prices are used if available. In some instances, observable market prices are not readily available and fair value is determined using present value or other techniques appropriate for a particular financial instrument. These techniques involve judgment and as a result are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions or estimation techniques may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Fair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

   September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009 
   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value 
   (In thousands) 

Financial assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $391,226    $391,226    $213,378    $213,378  

Trade receivables, net

   234,570     234,570     225,212     225,212  

Seller’s interest

   —       —       297,108     297,108  

Credit card receivables, net

   4,431,595     4,431,595     616,298     616,298  

Redemption settlement assets, restricted

   495,499     495,499     574,004     574,004  

Due from securitizations

   —       —       775,570     775,570  

Cash collateral, restricted

   205,359     205,359     216,953     216,953  

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable

   124,040     124,040     103,891     103,891  

Asset-backed securities debt—owed to securitization investors

   3,361,824     3,427,074     —       —    

Debt, including certificates of deposit

   2,896,432     3,073,214     3,247,352     3,408,039  

Derivative financial instruments

   83,999     83,999     —       —    

  March 31, 2011  December 31, 2010 
  
Carrying
Amount
  
Fair
Value
  
Carrying
Amount
  
Fair
Value
 
  (In thousands) 
Financial assets            
Cash and cash equivalents $300,362  $300,362  $139,114  $139,114 
Trade receivables, net  228,270   228,270   260,945   260,945 
Credit card receivables, net  4,374,940   4,374,940   4,838,354   4,838,354 
Redemption settlement assets, restricted  483,924   483,924   472,428   472,428 
Cash collateral, restricted  318,333   318,333   185,754   185,754 
Other investment securities  85,122   85,122   104,916   104,916 
Financial liabilities                
Accounts payable  113,349   113,349   121,856   121,856 
Certificates of deposit  830,700   855,365   859,100   883,405 
Asset-backed securities debt – owed to securitization investors  3,299,418   3,353,227   3,660,142   3,711,263 
Long-term and other debt  2,009,154   2,713,578   1,869,772   2,393,124 
Derivative financial instruments  59,939   59,939   69,831   69,831 
18

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Held at September30,March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

The following techniques and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair values of financial instruments as disclosed herein:

herein:

Cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, net and accounts payable—payable — The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity.

Credit card receivables, net—The carrying amount of credit card receivables, net approximates fair value due to the short maturity, and the average interest rates approximate current market origination rates.

Redemption settlement assets, restrictedFair The fair value for securities is based on quoted market prices for the same or similar securities.

Cash collateral, restricted—The spread deposits are recorded at their fair value based on discounted cash flow models. The carrying amount of excess funding deposits approximates its fair value due to the relatively short maturity period and average interest rates, which approximate current market rates.

Other investment securities — Other investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury and government securities. The fair value is based on quoted market prices for the same or similar securities.
Certificates of deposit — The fair value is estimated based on the current rates available to the Company for similar certificates of deposit with similar remaining maturities.
Asset-backed securities debt—debt – owed to securitization investors—The fair value is estimated based on the current rates available to the Company for similar debt instruments with similar remaining maturities.

Debt, including certificates of depositLong-term and other debt —The fair value is estimated based on the current rates available to the Company for similar debt instruments with similar remaining maturities.

Derivative financial instruments—The valuation of these instruments is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and option volatility.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Held at December 31, 2009

The following techniques and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair values of financial instruments which were subsequently reclassified, derecognized or eliminated upon consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust as a result of the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810 as disclosed herein:

Seller’s interest—Seller’s interest was carried at an allocated carrying amount based on their fair value. The Company determined the fair value of its seller’s interest through discounted cash flow models. The estimated cash flows used included assumptions related to rates of payments and defaults, which reflected economic and other relevant conditions. The discount rate used was based on an interest rate curve that was observable in the market place plus an unobservable credit spread. With the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust on January 1, 2010, seller’s interest has been eliminated.

Due from securitizations—The retained interest and interest-only strips were recorded at their fair value. The Company used a valuation model that calculated the present value of estimated future cash flows for each asset which incorporated the Company’s own estimates of assumptions market participants used in determining fair value, including estimates of payment rates, defaults, net charge-offs, discount rates and contractual interest and fees. With the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust on January 1, 2010, due from securitizations has been derecognized or eliminated.

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

ASC 825 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include:

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

·Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

·Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
·Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs where little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
Financial instruments are considered Level 3 when their values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques and at least one significant model assumption or input is unobservable. Level 3 financial instruments also include those for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. The use of different techniques to determine fair value of these financial instruments could result in different estimates of fair value at the reporting date.

19

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following tables provide the assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009:

   Balance at
September 30, 2010
   Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2010 Using
 
     Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 

Government bonds(1)

  $36,093    $—      $36,093    $—    

Corporate bonds(1)

   424,904     210,367     214,537     —    

Other available-for-sale securities(2)

   83,758     64,746     19,012     —    

Cash collateral, restricted

   205,359     —       37,530     167,829  
                    

Total assets measured at fair value

  $750,114    $275,113    $307,172    $167,829  
                    

Derivative financial instruments(3)

  $83,999    $—      $83,999    $—    
                    

Total liabilities measured at fair value

  $83,999    $—      $83,999    $—    
                    
   Balance at
December 31, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2009 Using
 
     Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
   (In thousands) 

Government bonds(1)

  $42,231    $16,676    $25,555    $—    

Corporate bonds(1)

   460,132     308,668     77,598     73,866  

Other available-for-sale securities(2)

   105,064     95,300     9,764     —    

Seller’s interest

   297,108     —       —       297,108  

Due from securitizations

   775,570     —       —       775,570  

Cash collateral, restricted

   216,953     —       10,275     206,678  
                    

Total assets measured at fair value

  $1,897,058    $420,644    $123,192    $1,353,222  
                    

2010:
     
Fair Value Measurements at
March 31, 2011 Using
 
  
Balance at
March 31,
2011
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
  (In thousands) 
Government bonds (1)
 $15,923  $  $15,923  $ 
Corporate bonds (1)
  407,423   99,345   308,078    
Cash collateral, restricted  318,333      139,000   179,333 
Other investment securities (2)
  85,122   67,508   17,614    
Total assets measured at fair value $826,801  $166,853  $480,615  $179,333 
                 
Derivative financial instruments (3)
 $59,939  $  $59,939  $ 
Total liabilities measured at fair value $59,939  $  $59,939  $ 

     
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2010 Using
 
  
Balance at
December 31,
2010
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
  (In thousands) 
Government bonds (1)
 $15,362  $  $15,362  $ 
Corporate bonds (1)
  382,454   164,706   217,748    
Cash collateral, restricted  185,754         185,754 
Other investment securities (2)
  104,916   86,881   18,035    
Total assets measured at fair value $688,486  $251,587  $251,145  $185,754 
                 
Derivative financial instruments (3)
 $69,831  $  $69,831  $ 
Total liabilities measured at fair value $69,831  $  $69,831  $ 

(1)

Amounts are included in redemption settlement assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(2)

Amounts are included in other current assets and other non-current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(3)

Amounts are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following tables summarize the changes in fair value of the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in ASC 825 as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2009:

   Corporate
Bonds
  Seller’s
Interest
  Due from
Securitizations
  Cash
Collateral,
Restricted
 
   (In thousands) 

June 30, 2010

  $—     $—     $—     $171,790  

Total gains (realized or unrealized)

     

Included in earnings

   —      —      —      473  

Included in other comprehensive income

   —      —      —      —    

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   —      —      —      (4,434

Transfers in or out of Level 3

   —      —      —      —    
                 

September 30, 2010

  $—     $—     $—     $167,829  
                 

Gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2010

  $—     $—     $—     $473  
                 
   Corporate
Bonds
  Seller’s
Interest
  Due from
Securitizations
  Cash
Collateral,
Restricted
 
   (In thousands) 

December 31, 2009

  $73,866   $297,108   $775,570   $206,678  

Adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810

   (73,866  (297,108  (775,570  —    

Total gains (realized or unrealized)

     

Included in earnings

   —      —      —      143  

Included in other comprehensive income

   —      —      —      —    

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   —      —      —      (38,992

Transfers in or out of Level 3

   —      —      —      —    
                 

September 30, 2010

  $—     $—     $—     $167,829  
                 

Gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2010

  $—     $—     $—     $143  
                 
   Corporate
Bonds
  Seller’s
Interest
  Due from
Securitizations
  Cash
Collateral,
Restricted
 
   (In thousands) 

June 30, 2009

  $83,559   $183,673   $531,386   $189,668  

Total (losses) gains (realized or unrealized)

     

Included in earnings

   —      (816  1,427    85  

Included in other comprehensive income

   14,129    —      (23,838  —    

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   —      28,635    23,553    (4,222

Transfers in or out of Level 3

   —      —      —      —    
                 

September 30, 2009

  $97,688   $211,492   $532,528   $185,531  
                 

Losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2009

  $—     $—     $(3,578 $—    
                 

2010:

  Cash Collateral, Restricted 
  (In thousands) 
December 31, 2010 $185,754 
Total gains (realized or unrealized):    
Included in earnings  332 
Purchases  2,291 
Settlements  (9,044)
Transfers in or out of Level 3   
March 31, 2011 $179,333 
     
Gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at March 31, 2011 $332 
20

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—STATEMENTS — (Continued)

   Corporate
Bonds
   Seller’s
Interest
   Due from
Securitizations
  Cash
Collateral,
Restricted
 
   (In thousands) 

December 31, 2008

  $28,625    $182,428    $428,853   $175,384  

Total (losses) gains (realized or unrealized)

       

Included in earnings

   —       7,727     (9,149  556  

Included in other comprehensive income

   4,506     —       (54,125  —    

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   64,557     21,337     166,949    9,591  

Transfers in or out of Level 3

   —       —       —      —    
                   

September 30, 2009

  $97,688    $211,492    $532,528   $185,531  
                   

Losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at September 30, 2009

  $—      $—      $(8,868 $—    
                   


  
Corporate
Bonds
  
Seller’s
Interest
  Due from Securitizations  Cash Collateral, Restricted 
  (In thousands) 
December 31, 2009 $73,866  $297,108  $775,570  $206,678 
Adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810  (73,866)  (297,108)  (775,570)   
Total gains (realized or unrealized):                
Included in earnings           33 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements           (23,011)
Transfers in or out of Level 3            
March 31, 2010 $  $  $  $183,700 
                 
Gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at March 31, 2010 $  $  $  $33 
For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, gains included in earnings attributable to cash collateral, restricted wereare included in revenue under finance charges, net in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, gains and losses included in earnings for seller’s interest and due from securitizations were included in securitization income in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company also has assets that under certain conditions are subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets include those associated with acquired businesses, including goodwill and other intangible assets. For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is applicable if one or more is determined to be impaired. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company had no impairments related to these assets.

14.

12. INCOME TAXES

For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company utilized an effective tax rate of 38.5% and 38.2%, respectively, to calculate its provision for income taxes. In accordance with ASC 740-270, “Income taxes—taxes — Interim Reporting,” the Company’s expected annual effective tax rate for calendar year 20102011 based on all known variables is 38.2%38.5%.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s effective tax rate was 17.6% and 32.0%, respectively. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company recognized an $11.7 million tax benefit related to previously established tax reserves to cover various uncertain tax positions, which were no longer necessary due to a United States Tax Court decision, statute of limitations expirations and other factors. The Company’s 2009 effective tax rate without regard to the $11.7 million tax benefit remained 38.8%.

On January 1, 2010, the Company’s deferred tax asset increased by approximately $197.2 million as a result of the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

15.

13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company reorganized its segments with Private Label Services and Private Label Credit reflected as one segment. All prior year segment information has been restated to conform to the current presentation. In addition, the Company renamed its other two segments from Epsilon Marketing Services and Loyalty Services to “Epsilon” and “LoyaltyOne,” respectively.

The Company operates in three reportable segments: LoyaltyOne, Epsilon and Private Label Services and Credit.

LoyaltyOne includes the Company’s Canadian AIR MILES Reward Program;

Epsilon provides integrated direct marketing solutions that combine database marketing technology and analytics with a broad range of direct marketing services; and

·LoyaltyOne includes the Company’s Canadian AIR MILES Reward Program;

Private Label Services and Credit provides risk management solutions, account origination, funding, transaction processing, customer care and collections services for the Company’s private label retail credit card programs.

·
Epsilon provides integrated direct marketing solutions that combine database marketing technology and analytics with a broad range of direct marketing services; and
·Private Label Services and Credit provides risk management solutions, account origination, funding, transaction processing, customer care and collections services for the Company’s private label retail credit card programs.
21

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Additionally, corporate and all other immaterial businesses are reported collectively as an “all other” category labeled “Corporate/Other.” Total interest expense, net and income taxes are not allocated to the segments in the computation of segment operating profit for internal evaluation purposes and have also beenare included in “Corporate/Other.” Total assets are not allocated to the segments. The Company’s utility services business and a terminated credit program have been classified as discontinued operations. See Note 16, “Discontinued Operations,” for additional information.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

  LoyaltyOne   Epsilon   Private Label
Services and
Credit
   Corporate/
Other
  Eliminations  Total 
   (In thousands) 

Revenues

  $184,411    $170,468    $349,642    $357   $(2,435 $702,443  

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   46,478     44,091     143,894     (13,988  (1,584  218,891  

Depreciation and amortization

   5,827     21,473     8,892     1,715    —      37,907  

Stock compensation expense

   2,514     2,305     1,779     4,377    —      10,975  

Operating income (loss)

   38,137     20,313     133,223     (20,080  (1,584  170,009  

Interest expense, net

   —       —       —       84,119    —      84,119  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   38,137     20,313     133,223     (104,199  (1,584  85,890  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

  LoyaltyOne   Epsilon   Private Label
Services and
Credit
   Corporate/
Other
  Eliminations   Total 
   (In thousands) 

Revenues

  $177,008    $131,926    $166,982    $5,515   $—      $481,431  

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   53,186     35,196     67,845     (16,061  —       140,166  

Depreciation and amortization

   5,966     18,003     5,809     1,356    —       31,134  

Stock compensation expense

   3,847     1,705     1,763     7,293    —       14,608  

Merger and other costs(2)

   —       —       —       878    —       878  

Operating income (loss)

   43,373     15,488     60,273     (25,588  —       93,546  

Interest expense, net

   —       —       —       38,563    —       38,563  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   43,373     15,488     60,273     (64,151  —       54,983  

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

 LoyaltyOne  Epsilon  Private Label
Services and
Credit
  Corporate/
Other
  Eliminations  Total 
  (In thousands) 

Revenues

 $575,612   $433,799   $1,032,106   $1,510   $(7,329 $2,035,698  

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

  158,731    102,654    416,878    (44,171  (5,010  629,082  

Depreciation and amortization

  18,111    57,565    25,913    4,910    —      106,499  

Stock compensation expense

  7,042    6,441    5,318    15,195    —      33,996  

Operating income (loss)

  133,578    38,648    385,647    (64,276  (5,010  488,587  

Interest expense, net

  —      —      —      250,673    —      250,673  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

  133,578    38,648    385,647    (314,949  (5,010  237,914  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

 LoyaltyOne  Epsilon  Private Label
Services and
Credit
  Corporate/
Other
  Eliminations  Total 
  (In thousands) 

Revenues

 $504,985   $372,495   $512,960   $27,981   $—     $1,418,421  

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

  146,419    87,717    216,314    (36,002  —      414,448  

Depreciation and amortization

  15,877    51,835    17,740    6,096    —      91,548  

Stock compensation expense

  10,128    6,930    6,394    19,813    —      43,265  

Merger and other costs(2)

  —      —      —      3,890    —      3,890  

Operating income (loss)

  120,414    28,952    192,180    (65,801  —      275,745  

Interest expense, net

  —      —      —      103,957    —      103,957  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

  120,414    28,952    192,180    (169,758  —      171,788  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 LoyaltyOne  Epsilon  Private Label Services and Credit  Corporate/ Other  Eliminations  Total 
  (In thousands) 
Revenues $217,674  $155,684  $368,910  $357  $(2,189) $740,436 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  58,251   33,666   183,330   (17,403)  (1,454)  256,390 
Depreciation and amortization  5,183   19,899   9,010   1,306      35,398 
Stock compensation expense  1,967   2,293   1,644   3,180      9,084 
Operating income (loss)  51,101   11,474   172,676   (21,889)  (1,454)  211,908 
Interest expense, net           71,459      71,459 
Income (loss) before income taxes  51,101   11,474   172,676   (93,348)  (1,454)  140,449 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 LoyaltyOne  Epsilon  Private Label Services and Credit  Corporate/ Other  Eliminations  Total 
  (In thousands) 
Revenues $199,670  $126,307  $339,204  $765  $(2,409) $663,537 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  53,587   27,286   139,755   (15,940)  (1,713)  202,975 
Depreciation and amortization  6,137   18,016   8,489   1,529      34,171 
Stock compensation expense  2,163   1,970   1,762   4,711      10,606 
Operating income (loss)  45,287   7,300   129,504   (22,180)  (1,713)  158,198 
Interest expense, net           82,706      82,706 
Income (loss) before income taxes  45,287   7,300   129,504   (104,886)  (1,713)  75,492 
    
(1)

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to net income, from continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, plus stock compensation expense, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, depreciation and other amortization merger and other costs.amortization of purchased intangibles. Adjusted EBITDA is presented in accordance with ASC 280, “Segment Reporting,” as it is the primary performance metric by which senior management is evaluated.

(2)

Merger and other costs are not allocated to the segments in the computation of segment operating profit for internal evaluation purposes. Merger costs represent investment banking, legal and accounting costs directly associated with the proposed merger with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group. Other costs represent compensation charges related to the departure of certain employees resulting from cost saving initiatives and other non-routine costs associated with the disposition of certain businesses.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

16.

14. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In February 2009, the Company completed the sale of the remainder of its utility services business, including the termination of a services agreement and the resolution of certain contractual disputes, to a former utility client.

In November 2009, the Company terminated operations of its credit program for web and catalog retailer VENUE. These haveThis has been treated as a discontinued operationsoperation under ASC 205-20, “Presentation of Financial Statements — Discontinued Operations.” The underlying assets of the discontinued operationsoperation for the periods presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

   September 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
 
   (In thousands) 

Assets:

    

Credit card receivables, net

  $18,028    $34,623  
          

Assets of discontinued operations

  $18,028    $34,623  
          

The following table summarizes the operating results of the discontinued operations:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009  2010   2009 
   (In thousands) 

Revenue

  $    —      $1,755   $    —      $10,089  
                   

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   —       744    —       (20,898

(Provision) benefit from income taxes

   —       (265  —       7,232  
                   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  $—      $479   $—      $(13,666
                   

  
March 31,
2011
  
December 31,
2010
 
  (In thousands) 
Assets:
      
Credit card receivables, net $8,721  $11,920 
Assets of discontinued operations $8,721  $11,920 
22

17. REGULATORY MATTERSIndex

On July 15, 2010, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) approved an application filed by the Company’s credit card services bank subsidiary, WFNNB, to change the location of the bank to Wilmington, Delaware through the merger of the bank with an interim banking association organized under the laws of the United States and located in Wilmington, Delaware. WFNNB is a national banking association and a limited purpose credit card bank and is regulated, supervised, and examined by the OCC, its primary regulator. WFNNB is also subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Neither the name of the bank nor any of its assets, liabilities or contemplated business purposes will change as a result of the merger. The merger was completed in August 2010.

18.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
15. NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASC 860 and ASC 810 resulting in the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust. BasedHowever, based on the carrying amounts of the WFN Trusts’ and the WFC Trust’s assets and liabilities as prescribed by ASC 810, the consolidation of the trusts had the following non-cash impact to the financing and investing activities of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2010 as follows:

·elimination of $74 million in redemption settlement assets for those interests retained in the WFN Trusts,
·elimination of $775 million in retained interests classified in due from securitizations,
·consolidation of $4.1 billion in credit card receivables, and
·consolidation of $3.7 billion in asset-backed securities.
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On March 30, 2011, an incident was detected where a subset of Epsilon clients’ customer data was exposed by an unauthorized entry into Epsilon’s email system. The information obtained was limited to email addresses and/or customer names only. A rigorous assessment determined that no personal identifiable information associated with those names was at risk. Client marketing campaigns were restarted and Epsilon’s email volumes are not expected to be significantly impacted. At this time, the Company does not believe it will incur any significant costs arising from the incident, and does not believe that the incident will have a material impact to the Company's liquidity, capital resources or results of operations.
17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On April 25, 2011, the Company announced it had reached an agreement to acquire Aspen Marketing Services (“Aspen”), subject to obtaining certain customary regulatory approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions. Aspen specializes in a full range of digital and direct marketing services, and advanced analytics to perform data-driven customer acquisition and retention campaigns. The purchase price is approximately $345 million plus a working capital adjustment. The Company anticipates that this acquisition will close in the WFN Trusts,

eliminationsecond quarter of $775 million in retained interests classified in due from securitizations,

2011.

consolidation of $4.1 billion in credit card receivables, and


consolidation of $3.7 billion in asset-backed securities.

23

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto presented in this quarterly report and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on February 28, 2011. With respect to information concerning principal geographic areas, revenues are attributed to respective countries based on the location of the subsidiary, which generally correlates with the location of the customer.
Quarter in Review Highlights
For the three months ended March 1, 2010.

In31, 2011, revenue increased 11.6% to $740.4 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 26.3% to $256.4 million as compared to the prior year period as each of the three segments had solid operating results.

LoyaltyOne®
Revenue increased 9.0% to $217.7 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 8.7% to $58.3 million for the first quarter of 2010, we reorganized our segments with Private Label Services and Private Label Credit reflected2011 as one segment. Allcompared to the first quarter of 2010. A stronger Canadian dollar benefitted the quarter as the average foreign currency exchange rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $1.01 as compared to $0.96 in the prior year segment information has been restatedperiod, which added approximately $11 million and $3 million to conformrevenue and adjusted EBITDA, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, LoyaltyOne announced a long-term contract renewal with Sobey’s, a leading Canadian grocer and retailer, and a new agreement with The Children’s Place, a children’s specialty apparel retailer, to participate as a national sponsor in the AIR MILES® Reward Program. Additionally, LoyaltyOne increased their investment in the dotz coalition loyalty program in Brazil to 33% as of March 31, 2011. A national roll out of the dotz coalition program is planned for later in 2011. We expect to invest $15 million to $20 million in international coalition programs for 2011, and expect net operating losses associated therewith to approximate $14 million in 2011.
The number of AIR MILES reward miles issued impacts the number of future AIR MILES reward miles available to be redeemed. This can also impact our future revenue recognized with respect to the current presentation. In addition, we renamednumber of AIR MILES reward miles redeemed and the amount of breakage for those AIR MILES reward miles expected to go unredeemed. AIR MILES reward miles issued during the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased 7.0% compared to the prior year quarter due to positive growth in consumer credit card spending, an indication that discretionary spend is accelerating in Canada, as well as increased promotional activity in the grocer sector and higher gas prices. Additionally, with the positive growth in issuance from credit cards and high frequency retailers, our other two segments from Epsilon Marketing Services and Loyalty Servicessponsor mix is returning to “Epsilon” and “LoyaltyOne,” respectively.

Yeartraditional levels. We expect issuance growth to be in Review Highlights

Our resultsthe mid-single digits for the first nine monthsremainder of 2010 included the following new and renewed agreements:

2011.

In January 2010, we announced the signing of a multi-year expansion agreement with New York & Company, a specialty retail apparel chain, to provide a comprehensive database marketing solution that includes customer data management, campaign management, reporting and strategic consulting and analytics services.

In February 2010, we announced the signing of multi-year agreements with Kraft Foods Inc. to provide a comprehensive direct-to-consumer marketing solution, including database and data management, consumer data integration, permission-based email marketing services, multi-channel campaign management and interactive web services.

In February 2010, we announced that Budgetcar, Inc., a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. and an AIR MILES® Reward Program sponsor and rewards supplier since 2007, had signed a multi-year renewal agreement.

In February 2010, we announced the signing of a new multi-year agreement with Dallas-based La Quinta to provide permission-based email marketing services. In addition, La Quinta also renewed its existing agreement for Epsilon’s ongoing support and management of La Quinta’s frequent guest program.

In March 2010, we announced that Vision Electronics, an AIR MILES Reward Program sponsor since 2007, had signedreward miles redeemed during the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased 10.7% compared to the prior year quarter due to increased travel rewards, as collectors took advantage of the ability to book flights on-line, a multi-year renewal agreement.

In March 2010, our private label credit card banking subsidiary, World Financial Network National Bank, or WFNNB, issued $100.8 millioncapability launched in the fourth quarter of asset-backed securities2010. Recent modifications to investors.

In March 2010, WFNNB completed the renewal of its $550.0 million conduit facility.

In April 2010, we announced the signing of a new 5-year contract with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, a top-10 AIR MILES Reward Program sponsor and a sponsor since 1998.

In May 2010, we announced that Pharmasave Atlantic, an Atlantic Canadian pharmacy retailer and an AIR MILES Reward Program sponsor since 1995, signed a multi-year renewal agreement.

In May 2010, we announced the signing of a multi-year agreement with Whirlpool Canada LP, one of Canada’s leading marketers and supplier of home appliances, as a sponsor in our AIR MILES Reward Program.

In June 2010, we announced that Washington, D.C.-based AARP has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to provide data and database marketing services in support of AARP’s member acquisition program.

In June 2010, we announced a new sponsor agreement coinciding with an innovative energy conversation campaign with the Ontario Power Authority, representing an expansion of the AIR MILES Reward Program, which were completed in the energy sector.

In June 2010, WFNNB completedordinary course to manage the program and the ultimate redemption rate, also contributed to the increase in redemptions during the first quarter of 2011. We expect redemption growth to moderate and trend to low single-digit year-over-year increases for the remainder of 2011.

Epsilon®
Both revenue and adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 23% to $155.7 million and $33.7 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period in the prior year.
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, Epsilon announced signings with Norwegian Cruise Line to manage and host their consumer database, provide analytics and marketing strategy support, and a multi-year renewal of its $1.2 billion conduit facility, and our industrial bank subsidiary, World Financial Capital Bank, or WFCB, completedexpansion agreement with Helzberg Diamonds to optimize and continue to support multi-channel direct marketing efforts.
Overall, the renewal of its $275.0 million conduit facility, resulting in an increase of $175.0 million in overall conduit capacity.

In July 2010, we completedoutlook for Epsilon’s business remains strong as the segment continues to benefit from client wins and the acquisition of the Direct Marketing Services and Database Marketing divisions of Equifax, Inc., collectively, DMS. DMS, provides proprietary data-driven, integratedmade in July 2010. DMS continues to meet expectations as it is contributing not only to data product offerings but also to developing our on-line capabilities.

On March 30, 2011, an incident was detected where a subset of Epsilon clients' customer data was exposed by an unauthorized entry into Epsilon's email system. The information obtained was limited to email addresses and/or customer names only. A rigorous assessment determined that no personal identifiable information associated with those names was at risk. Client marketing solutionscampaigns were restarted as clients continue to receive further assurance regarding security. Epsilon's email volumes are not expected to be significantly impacted. At this time, we do not have expectations of any significant costs or liabilities arising from the incident, and has been integrated inas such, do not believe that the incident will have a material impact to our Epsilon segment.

In July 2010, we announced the signingliquidity, capital resources or results of a multi-year renewal agreement with New York, N.Y.-based JPMorgan Chase, providing digital marketing services in support of JPMorgan Chase’s Credit Card Services group.

operations.

In July 2010, WFNNB issued $450.0 million of asset-backed securities to investors.


In July 2010,

24

On April 25, 2011, we announced that Dell Inc. signedwe had reached an agreement to acquire Aspen Marketing Services, or Aspen, subject to obtaining certain customary regulatory approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions. Aspen specializes in a multi-year expansion agreement, supporting its strategic emailfull range of digital and direct marketing program.

In August 2010, we announcedservices, and advanced analytics to perform data-driven customer acquisition and retention campaigns. The purchase price is approximately $345 million plus a working capital adjustment. We expect it to be slightly accretive to earnings per share in 2011 and anticipate that the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, an AIR MILES Reward Program sponsor since 1998, signed a multi-year renewal agreement.

In August 2010, we entered into a new term loan agreement with Bank of Montreal and various other agents. At closing, we borrowed $221.0 million. In September 2010, we exercised the option to increase and borrowed an additional $15.0 million.

In August 2010, WFNNB completed its charter relocation from Columbus, Ohio to Wilmington, Delaware, providing additional flexibilitythis acquisition will close in the managementsecond quarter of our credit card programs going forward.

2011.

In August 2010, we announced

Private Label Services and Credit
Revenue increased 8.8% to $368.9 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 31.2% to $183.3 million for the signingfirst quarter of a multi-year expansion agreement with Unilever, a large consumer products company,2011 as compared to provide database management and multichannel marketing services.

In August 2010, we announced the signing of a multi-year agreement with David’s Bridal, Inc., parent company of Priscilla of Boston and a leading retailer of bridal and special occasion attire, to provide private label credit card services.

same period in the prior year.

In September 2010,

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, we announced the signing of a new, long-term agreement with AAA Northern California Nevada and Utah, the second-largest club in the national AAA federation, to provide marketing services.

In September 2010, we announced the signing of a new multi-year agreement with MyPoints.com, an online loyalty marketing service, to provide co-brandprivate label credit card services.

services to J.Jill, a leading multichannel fashion retailer of women’s apparel, accessories and footwear, and purchased their existing private label credit card accounts, a moderate size portfolio of approximately $40 million.

In September

Credit sales increased approximately 5.4% for the first quarter of 2011 as consumer spending accelerated. Specialty retailers and catalogers were particularly strong this quarter, while some of the larger ticket merchants continued to be impacted by the macroeconomic environment. Average credit card receivables, conversely, declined 4.2% from the first quarter of 2010 our Boarddue primarily to increases in customer payment rates. The increase in payment rates primarily reflects cardholder payment behavior returning to pre-recessionary patterns.
While higher payments do pressure credit card receivables growth, they are beneficial to delinquency levels.  Delinquency rates improved to 4.9% of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to acquire up to $400.0 million of our outstanding common stock through Decemberprincipal receivables at March 31, 2011, subjectdown from 5.6% at March 31, 2010. The principal charge off rate was 7.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2011, representing a 150 basis point improvement over the prior year period. An improving economy had a positive effect on these metrics. We expect these metrics to any restrictions pursuantcontinue to improve throughout the terms of our credit agreements or otherwise.

In September 2010, we announcedyear as the signing of an expansion agreement with leading specialty retailer Chico’seconomy continues to provide data overlay services.

improve.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no material changes other than those noted below with the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and ASC 810, “Consolidation,” to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Effective January 1, 2010, our seller’s interest, interest-only strips and retained interest, which were recorded at estimated fair value, have been reclassified, derecognized or eliminated upon adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810. Additionally, with the consolidation of World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, or Master Trust, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust, or Master Trust I, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust II, or Master Trust II, and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III, or Master Trust III, or collectively, the WFN Trusts, and the World Financial Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust, or the WFC Trust, the estimate for the allowance for loan loss has become a critical accounting estimate.

Management evaluates its allowance for loan loss monthly for adequacy. The allowance is maintained through an adjustment to the provision for loan loss. In estimating the inherent loan losses in the credit card portfolio, we utilize a migration analysis of delinquent and current credit card receivables. Migration analysis is a technique used to estimate the likelihood that a credit card receivable will progress through the various stages of delinquency and to charge-off. The migration analysis considers uncollectible principal, interest and fees reflected in credit card receivables. In determining the proper level of the allowance for loan loss, management also considers factors that may impact loan loss experience, including seasoning, loan volume and amounts, payment rates and forecasting uncertainties.

2010.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” which supersedes certain guidance in Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 605-25, “Revenue Recognition — Multiple-Element Arrangements,” and requires an entity to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of an arrangement to all of its deliverables based on their relative selling prices (the relative-selling-price method). ASU 2009-13 eliminates the use of the residual method of allocation in which the undelivered element is measured at its estimated selling price and the delivered element is measured as the residual of the arrangement consideration, and requires the relative-selling-price method in all circumstances in which an entity recognizes revenue for an arrangement with multiple deliverables subject to ASU 2009-13. ASU 2009-13 will beis effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. If we elect early adoption and the adoption is during an interim period, we will be requiredJanuary 1, 2011. We elected to applyadopt this ASU retrospectively fromprospectively. Revenue associated with the beginningservice element of our fiscal year. We can also electAIR MILES Reward Program has historically been determined using the residual method. Based on the sponsor contracts expected to apply this ASU retrospectively for all periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact thatbe signed, renewed or materially modified in 2011, the adoption of ASU 2009-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurementsdid not and Disclosures,” which amends ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,”is not expected to add separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements related to Level 3 measurements. The requirement to provide the Level 3 disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 for the separate Level 3 disclosures will only impact disclosures and will not have a material impact on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

statements for 2011. Should one of the AIR MILES Reward Program’s top five sponsors materially modify its agreement with us in 2011, it could significantly shift the allocation of deferred revenue between the service element and redemption element. This change in allocation between the deferred revenue elements could impact the timing of revenue recognition, as the redemption element is recognized as AIR MILES reward miles are redeemed while the service element is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile, or 42 months.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses,” which amends ASC 310, “Receivables,” to require further disaggregated disclosures that improve financial statement users’ understanding of (1) the nature of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables and (2) the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses as well as changes in the allowance and the reasons for those changes. The new and amended disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-20 will only impactimpacted disclosures and willdid not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Treatment for Securitizations

We have consolidated the credit card securitization trusts used in our securitization transactions, as the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust were no longer exempt from consolidation effective January 1, 2010, upon our adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810.

At adoption, we added approximately $3.4 billion of assets, including a $0.5 billion addition to loan loss reserves, and approximately $3.7 billion of liabilities to our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.financial statements. ASU 2010-20 also requires enhanced disclosures for troubled debt restructurings, or TDR, but the effective date of these disclosures was deferred.


25

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” The impactASU provides additional guidance to creditors for evaluating whether a modification or restructuring of a receivable is a TDR by clarifying the existing guidance on whether (1) the creditor has granted a concession and (2) whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments in the ASU will be effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the new accountingannual period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. For purposes of measuring impairment of receivables that are newly considered impaired as a result of this ASU, the amendments should be applied prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. In addition, the ASU will also require additional disclosures about TDR activities along with the disclosures required by ASU 2010-20 but were previously deferred in the period of adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is a reductionnon-GAAP financial measure equal to stockholders’ equity of $0.4 billion. The adoption required a full consolidation ofnet income, the securitization trusts in accordance withmost directly comparable financial measure based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP.

Subsequent to January 1, 2010, our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income no longer reflect securitization income, but instead reflect finance charges and certain other income associated with the securitized credit card receivables. Net charge-offs associated with credit card receivables impact our provision for loan loss reflected in our total operating expenses. Interest expense associated with debt issued from the trusts to third-party investors is reported in securitization funding costs. Additionally, we no longer record initial gains on new securitization activity since securitized credit card loans no longer receive sale accounting treatment, nor are there any gains or losses on the revaluation of the interest-only strip receivable, as that asset is not recognized in a transaction accounted for as a secured borrowing. Since our securitization transactions are accounted for under the new accounting rules as secured borrowings rather than asset sales, the cash flows from these transactions are presented as cash flows from financing activities rather than cash flows from operating or investing activities.

Regulatory Matters

The new Federal Reserve Board guidelines on late fees that can be charged by financial institutions became effective on August 22, 2010. In anticipation of the late fee guidelines, we modified cardholder terms to offset the impact of any decline in average late fees charged. The final guidelines had less impact than initially expected as they provide for: (1) a $25 maximum late fee compared to our original expectation of $20, and (2) late fees to be charged in excess of the $25 maximum for repeat offenses within a six month period. In response to the final guidelines, we have changed minimum payments and modified late fee structures effective for billing cycles beginning in November 2010.

On July 15, 2010, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or OCC, approved an application filed by our credit card services bank subsidiary, WFNNB, to change the location of the bank to Wilmington, Delaware through the merger of the bank with an interim banking association organized under the laws of the United States and located in Wilmington, Delaware. WFNNB is a national banking association and a limited purpose credit card bank and is regulated, supervised and examined by the OCC, its primary regulator. WFNNB is also subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Neither the name of the bank nor any of its assets, liabilities or contemplated business purposes will change as a result of the merger. The merger was completed in August 2010.

On September 27, 2010, the Board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation adopted new safe harbors relating to the treatment of securitizations in receivership or conservatorship. The new safe harbor rules include a grandfathering provision that we believe will allow the credit card securitization trusts used in our securitization program to continue to benefit from the protections under the safe harbor to the same extent as prior securitizations issued by those trusts. Therefore we do not expect the adoption of the new rule to adversely affect our ability to securitize our receivables. However, because the new safe harbors were recently adopted, participants in the securitization market, including investors in asset-backed securities and the rating agencies that rate our asset-backed securities, are continuing to evaluate the effect of the new safe harbors.

Outlook

We expect double-digit growth in both consolidated revenue and consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter. Private Label Services and Credit and Epsilon are expected to provide positive revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA growth, while LoyaltyOne is expected to provide positive revenue growth but a decline in adjusted EBITDA.

LoyaltyOne

LoyaltyOne is expected to report a decline in adjusted EBITDA primarily due to the run-off of deferred revenue related to the conversion of a certain split fee to non-split fee program that began in May 2008. In conjunction with this conversion, we changed our estimate of breakage from one-third to 28%. The change in estimate had no impact on the total redemption liability, but reduced the amount of deferred breakage within the redemption liability that is expected to be recognized over the expected life of the mile.

The deferred revenue associated with the conversion of a split fee sponsor to a non-split fee sponsor was recognized as AIR MILES reward miles were redeemed and was fully amortized in the third quarter of 2010. Comparatively, revenue associated with breakage is recognized ratably over the estimated life of a mile. Although our deferred breakage element continues to build, the growth rate has been impacted by weak AIR MILES reward miles issuance in the later part of 2009 and 2010. We believe this will negatively impact our redemption revenue. Based on AIR MILES reward miles issuance forecasts, the negative impact of this timing issue should moderate by mid-2011.

While we believe that the AIR MILES Reward Program tends to be resilient during economic swings, macroeconomic factors, such as the overall health of the Canadian economy, may impact collector behavior. Therefore, we could experience an impact to our sponsor mix resulting in lower-priced miles being issued, which could impact our operating margins. In the latter part of 2008 and 2009, we started to see a shift in the sponsor mix, and given the deferred nature of our revenue recognition, this impact is expected to be reflected in our results of operations for the second half of 2010. In 2010, we have seen a slight positive shift in sponsor mix.

AIR MILES reward miles issued during the third quarter of 2010 decreased 3.9% compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to reduced promotional activity in the grocer sector and generally flat consumer credit card spending compared to the prior corresponding quarter. Growth in credit card spending was sluggish as a result of less buoyant consumer spending brought on by the slowing the economic recovery in Canada.

LoyaltyOne also has a partnership interest in an entity operating a Brazilian coalition loyalty program. The initial phase is currently in progress and a further planned investment of up to $15.0 million in the initiative is dependent on the success of the initial phase and the timing of the phased program rollout. The program is in the process of securing long-term agreements with select major sponsors, while preparing for a national rollout with them in early 2011.

Epsilon

We believe that the outlook for Epsilon’s business remains strong as the major offerings continue to demonstrate positive momentum, with expected growth of 20% in revenue and adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Specifically, the database/digital businesses continue to benefit from strong new client wins, producing a solid implementation stream throughout 2010. We also believe that Abacus’ continued growth demonstrates a return to stability in retail and catalog marketing budgets. This trend suggests a positive economic outlook from these key verticals, which we expect will reinforce the value of data-driven ROI-based marketing strategies in the overall marketing mix.

Finally, the DMS acquisition has been integrated into our Epsilon segment. DMS provides proprietary data-driven, integrated marketing solutions through two complementary offerings: database marketing and hosting,

and data services, including U.S. consumer demographic information. The DMS acquisition is not expected to materially benefit earnings in 2010, but is expected to be accretive to earnings in 2011.

Private Label Services and Credit

For the third quarter of 2010, credit trends were positive with principal charge-offs at 8.3% of average total receivables, improving from 9.4% for the third quarter of 2009. Charge-off rates continue to trend lower as, due to the length of severity of the economic downturn, there is no longer a direct correlation between loan loss rates and unemployment levels. Delinquency rates, a good predictor of future losses, improved slightly to 6.1% of principal receivables at September 30, 2010 from 6.2% at September 30, 2009. Delinquency rates continue to trend downward on a seasonally adjusted basis. However, the September 2010 delinquency rate was 10 to 20 basis points higher than predicted by normal seasonality. We believe that the changes incorporated in cardholder terms during 2010, including raising annual percentage rates in March and increasing minimum payments from $10 to $20 in June, have resulted in two small increases that are working their way through the delinquency rate. Finally, cardholder spending has slowed from the first half of 2010. For the third quarter of 2010, credit sales increased 7.2%, driven primarily by new credit card portfolios.

For the fourth quarter of 2010, average receivable balances are expected to be flat year-over-year as new programs anniversary. The provision for loan loss will increase during the fourth quarter from the third quarter of 2010 due to the seasonal buildup in credit card receivables and will exceed actual loan loss charge-offs.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to income from continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP, financial measure, plus stock compensation expense, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, merger and other costs, depreciation and other amortization and amortization of purchased intangibles.

We use adjusted EBITDA as an integral part of our internal reporting to measure the performance of our reportable segments and to evaluate the performance of our senior management. Adjusted EBITDA is considered an important indicator of the operational strength of our businesses. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates the uneven effect across all business segments of considerable amounts of non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of certain intangible assets that were recognized in business combinations. A limitation of this measure, however, is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our businesses. Management evaluates the costs of such tangible and intangible assets, the impact of related impairments, as well as asset sales through other financial measures, such as capital expenditures, investment spending and return on capital and therefore the effects are excluded from adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA also eliminates the non-cash effect of stock compensation expense. Stock compensation expense is not included in the measurement of segment adjusted EBITDA provided to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing segment performance and decision making with respect to resource allocations. Therefore, we believe that adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to our investors regarding our performance and overall results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a performance measure that should be regarded as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, either operating income or net income as an indicator of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent funds available for dividends, reinvestment or other discretionary uses, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The adjusted EBITDA measuresmeasure presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and may not be identical to corresponding measures used in our various agreements.

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 
   (In thousands) 

Income from continuing operations

  $53,059    $45,317    $147,033    $116,753  

Stock compensation expense

   10,975     14,608     33,996     43,265  

Provision for income taxes

   32,831     9,666     90,881     55,035  

Interest expense, net

   84,119     38,563     250,673     103,957  

Merger and other costs(1)

   —       878     —       3,890  

Depreciation and other amortization

   17,196     15,364     50,101     45,715  

Amortization of purchased intangibles

   20,711     15,770     56,398     45,833  
                    

Adjusted EBITDA

  $218,891    $140,166    $629,082    $414,448  
                    

(1)

Represents investment banking, legal and accounting costs directly associated with the proposed merger with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group. Other costs represent compensation charges related to the departure of certain employees resulting from cost saving initiatives and other non-routine costs associated with the disposition of certain businesses.

  For the Three Months Ended March 31,
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands)
Net income $86,376  $46,654 
Stock compensation expense  9,084   10,606 
Provision for income taxes  54,073   28,838 
Interest expense, net  71,459   82,706 
Depreciation and other amortization  16,754   16,325 
Amortization of purchased intangibles  18,644   17,846 
Adjusted EBITDA $256,390  $202,975 
26


Results of Continuing Operations

Three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2010  2009  $  % 
   (In thousands, except percentages) 

Revenue:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $184,411   $177,008   $7,403    4.2

Epsilon

   170,468    131,926    38,542    29.2  

Private Label Services and Credit

   349,642    166,982    182,660    109.4  

Corporate/Other

   357    5,515    (5,158  (93.5

Eliminations

   (2,435  —      (2,435  NM
                 

Total

  $702,443   $481,431   $221,012    45.9
                 

Adjusted EBITDA(1):

     

LoyaltyOne

  $46,478   $53,186   $(6,708  (12.6)% 

Epsilon

   44,091    35,196    8,895    25.3  

Private Label Services and Credit

   143,894    67,845    76,049    112.1  

Corporate/Other

   (13,988  (16,061  2,073    (12.9

Eliminations

   (1,584  —      (1,584  NM
                 

Total

  $218,891   $140,166   $78,725    56.2
                 

Stock compensation expense:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $2,514   $3,847   $(1,333  (34.7)% 

Epsilon

   2,305    1,705    600    35.2  

Private Label Services and Credit

   1,779    1,763    16    0.9  

Corporate/Other

   4,377    7,293    (2,916  (40.0
                 

Total

  $10,975   $14,608   $(3,633  (24.9)% 
                 

Depreciation and amortization:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $5,827   $5,966   $(139  (2.3)% 

Epsilon

   21,473    18,003    3,470    19.3  

Private Label Services and Credit

   8,892    5,809    3,083    53.1  

Corporate/Other

   1,715    1,356    359    26.5  
                 

Total

  $37,907   $31,134   $6,773    21.8
                 

Operating income from continuing operations:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $38,137   $43,373   $(5,236  (12.1)% 

Epsilon

   20,313    15,488    4,825    31.2  

Private Label Services and Credit

   133,223    60,273    72,950    121.0  

Corporate/Other

   (20,080  (25,588  5,508    (21.5

Eliminations

   (1,584  —      (1,584  NM
                 

Total

  $170,009   $93,546   $76,463    81.7
                 

Adjusted EBITDA margin(2):

     

LoyaltyOne

   25.2  30.0  (4.8)%  

Epsilon

   25.9    26.7    (0.8 

Private Label Services and Credit

   41.2    40.6    0.6   
              

Total

   31.2  29.1  2.1 
              

Segment operating data:

     

Private Label statements generated

   34,827    31,064    3,763    12.1

Credit sales

  $2,046,490   $1,909,165   $137,325    7.2

Average credit card receivables

  $4,909,977   $4,217,159   $692,818    16.4

AIR MILES reward miles issued

   1,124,363    1,169,492    (45,129  (3.9)% 

AIR MILES reward miles redeemed

   844,509    777,422    67,087    8.6

March 31, 2010
  Three Months Ended March 31,  Change 
  2011  2010  $   % 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Revenue:             
LoyaltyOne $217,674  $199,670  $18,004   9.0%
Epsilon  155,684   126,307   29,377   23.3 
Private Label Services and Credit  368,910   339,204   29,706   8.8 
Corporate/Other  357   765   (408)  (53.3)
Eliminations  (2,189)  (2,409  220  nm * 
Total $740,436  $663,537  $76,899   11.6%
Adjusted EBITDA (1):
                
LoyaltyOne $58,251  $53,587  $4,664   8.7%
Epsilon  33,666   27,286   6,380   23.4 
Private Label Services and Credit  183,330   139,755   43,575   31.2 
Corporate/Other  (17,403)  (15,940)  (1,463)  9.2 
Eliminations  (1,454)  (1,713  259  nm * 
Total $256,390  $202,975  $53,415   26.3%
Stock compensation expense:                
LoyaltyOne $1,967  $2,163  $(196)  (9.1)%
Epsilon  2,293   1,970   323   16.4 
Private Label Services and Credit  1,644   1,762   (118)  (6.7)
Corporate/Other  3,180   4,711   (1,531)  (32.5)
Total $9,084  $10,606  $(1,522)  (14.4)%
Depreciation and amortization:                
LoyaltyOne $5,183  $6,137  $(954)  (15.5)%
Epsilon  19,899   18,016   1,883   10.5 
Private Label Services and Credit  9,010   8,489   521   6.1 
Corporate/Other  1,306   1,529   (223)  (14.6)
Total $35,398  $34,171  $1,227   3.6%
Operating income:                
LoyaltyOne $51,101  $45,287  $5,814   12.8%
Epsilon  11,474   7,300   4,174   57.2 
Private Label Services and Credit  172,676   129,504   43,172   33.3 
Corporate/Other  (21,889)  (22,180)  291   (1.3)
Eliminations  (1,454)  (1,713  259  nm * 
Total $211,908  $158,198  $53,710   34.0%
Adjusted EBITDA margin (2):
                
LoyaltyOne  26.8%  26.8%  %    
Epsilon  21.6   21.6        
Private Label Services and Credit  49.7   41.2   8.5     
Total  34.6%  30.6%  4.0%    
Segment operating data:                
Private label statements generated  34,746   36,241   (1,495)  (4.1)%
Credit sales $1,953,699  $1,852,730  $100,969   5.4%
Average credit card receivables $4,968,459  $5,185,147  $(216,688)  (4.2)%
AIR MILES reward miles issued  1,110,538   1,037,679   72,859   7.0%
AIR MILES reward miles redeemed  988,645   893,153   95,492   10.7%

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA is equal to net income, from continuing operations, plus stock compensation expense, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, mergerdepreciation and other costs, depreciationamortization, and amortization.amortization of purchased intangibles. For a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income, from continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included in this report.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. Management uses adjusted EBITDA margin to analyze the operating performance of the segments and the impact revenue growth has on operating expenses.

*Not Meaningfulmeaningful

27

Consolidated Operating Results:Results

:

Revenue.  Total revenue increased $221.0$76.9 million, or 45.9%11.6%, to $702.4$740.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from $481.4$663.5 million for the comparable period in 2009.three months ended March 31, 2010. The net increase was due to the following:

Transaction. Revenue decreased $22.4 million, or 24.7%, to $68.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to several factors:

elimination of servicing fees of $17.3

Transaction.  Revenue increased $0.2 million, fromor 0.2%, to $76.8 million for the credit card securitization trusts, as a result of the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810. In its capacity as a servicer, each of our respective banks earns a fee from the credit card securitization trusts to service and administer its receivables, collect payments, and charge-off uncollectible receivables. Upon consolidation of the credit card securitization trusts, this fee was eliminated; and

a decline in merchant fees, which are transaction fees chargedthree months ended March 31, 2011 due primarily to the retailer, of $15.5 million attributable to increases in royalty payments to our retail clients, as well as a decline in fees earned from our deferred programs.

following factors:

These declines were offset in part by increased

AIR MILES reward milesmile issuance fees, of $5.4or service element revenue, increased $5.8 million due in part to a favorable foreign currency exchange rate. The average foreign currency exchange rate for the current year period increased to $0.96 as compared to $0.91 in the prior year period. Issuance fees in local currency (Canadian dollars) increased CAD $3.5 million dueand to growth in the number of AIR MILES reward miles issued in the prior periods. Our issuance fees, which consist of fees for marketing and administrative services provided to sponsors, are recognized pro rata over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile. Additionally, debt cancellation premiums paid by our credit card holders increased $5.4 million due to higher volumes.

Redemption. Revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 0.3%, to $120.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. Redemption revenue in local currency (Canadian dollars) decreased approximately CAD $7.4 million. Redemption revenue was negatively impacted by a decline in the run-off of deferred revenue related to the conversion of a certain split-fee to non-split fee program of CAD $18.4 million. This decrease was offset by an increase in redemption revenue of CAD $11.0 million, consistent with the increase in AIR MILES reward miles redeemed of 8.6%.

Securitization income. Securitization income decreased $98.7 million. Upon adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810 and the consolidation of the credit card securitization trusts, securitization income is no longer reflected. Amounts that were previously included in this financial statement line item are now reflected in finance charges, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

Finance charges, net. Revenue increased $311.4 million to $327.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a conformed presentation, adjusting 2009 securitization income for securitization funding costs and credit losses, revenue increased $78.2 million. The increase was a result of continued positive trends in average receivable balances of 16.4% and an increase in our gross yield of approximately 200 basis points from the comparable period.

Database marketing fees and direct marketing. Revenue increased $37.8 million, or 29.2%, to $167.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The database/digital businesses continue to build from recent client signings and expansion of services to existing clients, increasing 23.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The positive trends in our catalog business are continuing as our large catalog coalition database, Abacus, achieved solid revenue growth of 10.7% during the third quarter of 2010 as the data sector continued to show positive momentum. Additionally, the recent DMS acquisition added $12.6 million in revenue.

Other revenue. Revenue decreased $6.7 million, or 26.0%, to $19.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. Included in the third quarter of 2009 was revenue from the sale of certain licenses in conjunction with an outsourcing agreement. Additionally, investment revenue of $1.6 million from

investments held by LoyaltyOne in the credit card securitization trusts was eliminated due to their consolidation in 2010 upon adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810. These decreases were offset in part by additional consulting revenue at LoyaltyOne.

Cost of operations. Cost of operations increased $57.7 million, or 17.7%, to $384.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The increase was driven by the following:

higher payroll and benefit costs at Epsilon of $16.2 million and Private Label Services and Credit of $6.7 million, respectively, due to the DMS acquisition, the addition of a customer call center with the Charming Shoppes acquisition, and to support overall growth;

increased data processing costs at Epsilon of $5.8 million from new database builds coming online and the assumption of expenses related to the DMS acquisition;

increases in the cost of redemptions for the AIR MILES Reward Program of $6.4 million, driven by the increase in average foreign currency exchange rates. The cost of redemptions for the AIR MILES Reward Program in local currency increased CAD $1.6 million, in part from increased redemptions; and

credit card related expenses such as marketing, stationary and supplies and postage rose $8.2 million in the current period as compared to the prior year period due to higher volumes and changes in cardholder terms.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased $10.4 million, or 34.4%, to $19.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The decrease was driven by costs associated with the sale of certain licenses incurred in the third quarter of 2009 along with a decrease in medical and benefit costs.

Provision for loan loss. Provision for loan loss was $90.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. In 2009, net losses were netted against securitization income. On a conformed presentation, provision for loan loss decreased $9.1 million as compared to the prior year period net losses of $99.6 million. The decrease was a result of continued declines in the loss rate.

Depreciation and other amortization. Depreciation and other amortization increased $1.8 million, or 11.9%, to $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to additional capital expenditures placed in service.

Amortization of purchased intangibles. Amortization of purchased intangibles increased $4.9 million, or 31.3%, to $20.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The increase was primarily related to the amortization of $2.1 million associated with the intangible assets acquired in the Charming Shoppes acquisition in October 2009 and $2.7 million associated with the intangible assets acquired in the DMS acquisition in July 2010.

Interest expense. Total interest expense, net increased $45.5 million, or 118.1%, to $84.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $38.6 million for the comparable period in 2009. The increase was due to the following:

Securitization funding costs. Securitization funding costs were $43.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. In 2009, these costs were netted against securitization income and totaled $34.9 million. In 2010, with the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust, amounts are now reflected as an expense. The increase in these costs from 2009 relates to increased borrowings due to the growth in the portfolio and the amortization of securitization fees.

Interest expense on certificates of deposit. Interest expense on certificates of deposit increased $0.7 million to $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $6.6 million for the comparable period in 2009 due to an increase in the average balance offset by a decline in the interest rate.

Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net. Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net increased $1.9 million, to $33.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $31.9 million for the comparable period in 2009. The increase in interest expense is related to an increase in the amortization of the discount associated with our convertible senior notes.

Merger costs (reimbursements). In 2010, there were no merger costs or reimbursements. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we incurred minimal legal costs associated with our proposed merger with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group. We do not expect any future costs associated with the proposed merger.

Taxes. Income tax expense increased $23.1 million to $32.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $9.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. In 2009, we recognized an $11.7 million tax benefit related to previously established tax reserves to cover various uncertain tax positions, which were no longer necessary during the period ended September 30, 2009. The remaining increase was due in part to an increase in taxable income, offset by a decline in our effective tax rate to 38.2% as compared to 38.8%, exclusive of the tax benefit recognized.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations. In 2010, there were no gains or losses associated with discontinued operations. Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, of $0.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 related to the terminated operations of our credit program for web and catalog retailer VENUE.

Segment Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA:

Revenue. Total revenue increased $221.0 million, or 45.9%, to $702.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $481.4 million for the comparable period in 2009. The increase was due to the following:

LoyaltyOne. Revenue increased $7.4 million, or 4.2%, to $184.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to a favorable foreign currency exchange rate. In local currency (Canadian), revenue declined CAD $4.6 million, as increases in issuance revenue of CAD $3.5 million were offset by declines in redemption revenue of CAD $7.4 million. Although redemptions increased 8.6%, increasing redemption revenue by CAD $11.0 million in total redemption revenue decreased as a result of a decline in the run-off of deferred revenue of CAD $18.4 million related to the conversion of a certain split-fee to non-split fee program.

Epsilon. Revenue increased $38.5 million, or 29.2%, to $170.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The database/digital businesses continued their trend of double-digit revenue growth increasing 23.3%. These businesses have benefited from the number of signings in 2009 which has continued into 2010. The remaining portion of Epsilon consists primarily of its data business, which includes the large catalog coalition database, Abacus. Abacus achieved solid revenue growth of 10.7% during the third quarter of 2010 continuing the positive trend from the first half of 2010. Additionally, the data business was enhanced by the DMS acquisition, as it added $12.6 million in revenue.

Private Label Services and Credit. Revenue increased $182.7 million, or 109.4%, to $349.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a conformed presentation, adjusting 2009 revenue for securitization funding costs and credit losses, revenue increased $48.1 million, or 16.0% due to growth in our average receivable balances which increased 16.4%, and an increase in gross yield of approximately 200 basis points. This was offset in part by a reduction in transaction revenue, attributable to increases in royalty payments to our retail clients, as well as a decline in fees earned from our deferred programs.

Corporate/Other. Revenue decreased $5.2 million to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 resulting primarily from the third quarter 2009 sale of certain licenses in conjunction with an outsourcing agreement.

Adjusted EBITDA. For purposes of the discussion below, adjusted EBITDA is equal to income from continuing operations plus stock compensation expense, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, merger and other costs, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA increased $78.7 million, or 56.2%, to $218.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $140.2 million for the comparable period in 2009. The increase was due to the following:

LoyaltyOne. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $6.7 million, or 12.6%, to $46.5 million and adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 25.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 30.0% in the same period in 2009. The decrease in 2010 was primarily due to the run-off of deferred revenue associated with the conversion of a split-fee sponsor to a non-split fee sponsor which was offset in part by increased margins on cost of AIR MILES reward miles redeemed.

Epsilon. Adjusted EBITDA increased $8.9 million, or 25.3%, to $44.1 million, but adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 25.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 26.7% in the same period in 2009. This was driven by double digit revenue growth offset by increases in payroll costs to support this growth, as well as expenses assumed with the DMS acquisition.

Private Label Services and Credit. Adjusted EBITDA increased $76.0 million, or 112.1%, to $143.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 while adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 41.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 40.6% in the same period in 2009. On a conformed presentation, adjusting 2009 for securitization funding costs, adjusted EBITDA increased $41.1 million, or 40.0%, and adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 41.2% from 34.1%. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin were positively impacted due to growth in our average receivable balances which increased 16.4% from 2009, improvement in our gross yield, and an improvement in credit losses as compared to the prior year.

Corporate/Other. Adjusted EBITDA increased $2.1 million to a loss of $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, primarily related to a decline in payroll and benefits and a general reduction of overall expenses.

Results of Continuing Operations

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009

   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Change 
   2010  2009  $  % 
   (In thousands, except percentages) 

Revenue:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $575,612   $504,985   $70,627    14.0

Epsilon

   433,799    372,495    61,304    16.5  

Private Label Services and Credit

   1,032,106    512,960    519,146    101.2  

Corporate/Other

   1,510    27,981    (26,471  (94.6

Eliminations

   (7,329  —      (7,329  NM
                 

Total

  $2,035,698   $1,418,421   $617,277    43.5
                 

Adjusted EBITDA(1):

     

LoyaltyOne

  $158,731   $146,419   $12,312    8.4

Epsilon

   102,654    87,717    14,937    17.0  

Private Label Services and Credit

   416,878    216,314    200,564    92.7  

Corporate/Other

   (44,171  (36,002  (8,169  22.7  

Eliminations

   (5,010  —      (5,010  NM
                 

Total

  $629,082   $414,448   $214,634    51.8
                 

Stock compensation expense:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $7,042   $10,128   $(3,086  (30.5)% 

Epsilon

   6,441    6,930    (489  (7.1

Private Label Services and Credit

   5,318    6,394    (1,076  (16.8

Corporate/Other

   15,195    19,813    (4,618  (23.3
                 

Total

  $33,996   $43,265   $(9,269  (21.4)% 
                 

Depreciation and amortization:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $18,111   $15,877   $2,234    14.1

Epsilon

   57,565    51,835    5,730    11.1  

Private Label Services and Credit

   25,913    17,740    8,173    46.1  

Corporate/Other

   4,910    6,096    (1,186  (19.5
                 

Total

  $106,499   $91,548   $14,951    16.3
                 

Operating income from continuing operations:

     

LoyaltyOne

  $133,578   $120,414   $13,164    10.9

Epsilon

   38,648    28,952    9,696    33.5  

Private Label Services and Credit

   385,647    192,180    193,467    100.7  

Corporate/Other

   (64,276  (65,801  1,525    (2.3

Eliminations

   (5,010  —      (5,010  NM
                 

Total

  $488,587   $275,745   $212,842    77.2
                 

Adjusted EBITDA margin(2):

     

LoyaltyOne

   27.6  29.0  (1.4)%  

Epsilon

   23.7    23.5    0.2   

Private Label Services and Credit

   40.4    42.2    (1.8 
              

Total

   30.9  29.2  1.7 
              

Segment operating data:

     

Private Label statements generated

   106,627    94,086    12,541    13.3

Credit sales

  $6,119,733   $5,401,527   $718,206    13.3

Average credit card receivables

  $5,029,052   $4,197,426   $831,626    19.8

AIR MILES reward miles issued

   3,327,131    3,278,290    48,841    1.5

AIR MILES reward miles redeemed

   2,538,773    2,321,387    217,386    9.4

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA is equal to income from continuing operations, plus stock compensation expense, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, merger and other costs, depreciation and amortization. For a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to income from continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included in this report.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. Management uses adjusted EBITDA margin to analyze the operating performance of the segments and the impact revenue growth has on operating expenses.

*Not Meaningful

Consolidated Operating Results:

Revenue. Total revenue increased $617.3 million, or 43.5%, to $2.04 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.42 billion for the comparable period in 2009. The increase was due to the following:

Transaction. Revenue decreased $65.5 million, or 23.4%, to $214.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to the following factors:

elimination of servicing fees of $53.6 million from the credit card securitization trusts, as a result of the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810. In its capacity as a servicer, each of our respective banks earns a fee from the credit card securitization trusts, to service and administer its receivables, collect payments, and charge-off uncollectible receivables. Upon consolidation of the credit card securitization trusts, this fee was eliminated;

a decrease in merchant fees, which are transaction fees charged to the retailer, of $29.9 million attributable to increases in royalty payments to our retail clients, as well as a decline in fees earned from our deferred programs; and

a decline in transition services revenue of $19.1 million from agreements associated with the acquirers of our merchant services and utility services businesses, which were no longer in place in 2010.

These decreases were offset in part by increased AIR MILES reward miles issuance fees of $22.5 million due to a favorable foreign currency exchange rate and growth in our AIR MILES reward miles issued. Our issuance fees, which consist of marketing and administrative services provided to sponsors, are recognized pro rata over the estimated life of an AIR MILES reward mile. The averagemile, or 42 months;

Debt cancellation premiums increased $3.7 million as a result of higher volumes; and
Merchant fees, or transaction fees with the retailer, decreased $8.4 million attributable to the loss of fees from cancelled programs and increases in royalty payments and profit sharing amounts to certain retailers.
Redemption.  Revenue increased $11.1 million, or 8.0%, to $149.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. A favorable foreign currency exchange rate forcontributed $7.8 million to the current year periodincrease in revenue. In local currency (Canadian dollars, or CAD), revenue increased to $0.96 as compared to $0.86 in the prior year period. Debt cancellation premiums received from our credit card holders increased $13.2approximately CAD $3.3 million, or 2.3%. Revenue growth of CAD $11.7 million due to higher volumes.

Redemption. Revenue increased $40.0 million, or 11.5%, to $386.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which was impacted by a favorable foreign currency rate. Redemption revenue in local currency (Canadian dollars) decreased approximately CAD $4.0 million. Redemption revenue was negatively impacted by a decline in the run-off deferred revenue related to the conversion of a certain split-fee to non-split fee program of CAD $32.8 million. This decrease was offset by an increase in redemption revenue of CAD $28.8 million, consistent with the increase in AIR MILES reward miles redeemed of 9.4%.

Securitization income. Securitization income decreased $315.3 million. Upon adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810 and the consolidation of the credit card securitization trusts, securitization income is no longer reflected. Amounts that were previously included in this financial statement line item are now reflected in finance charges, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

Finance charges, net. Revenue increased $908.0 million to $953.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a conformed presentation, adjusting 2009 securitization income for securitization funding costs and credit losses, revenue increased $192.2 million. The increase was a result of average receivable balances of 19.8%, credit sales growth of 13.3% and an increase in our gross yield from the prior year period.

Database marketing fees and direct marketing. Revenue increased $62.6 million, or 17.2%, to $427.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The database/digital businesses continue to build from recent client signings and expansion of services to existing clients, increasing 16.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Our catalog business has shown positive trends for the current year as compared to the prior year with our large catalog coalition database, Abacus, achieving solid revenue growth of 12.6%. The data sector continued to show positive momentum. Additionally, the recent DMS acquisition added $12.6 million in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Other revenue. Revenue decreased $12.4 million, or 18.6%, to $54.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to (1) the inclusion in 2009 of revenue from the sale of our MasterCard Incorporated class B stock, (2) the elimination of investment revenue of $5.0 million from investments held by LoyaltyOne in the credit card securitization trusts due to their consolidation in 2010 upon adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810, and (3) the inclusion in 2009 of revenue from the sale of certain licenses. These decreases were offset in part by additional consulting revenue at LoyaltyOne.

increases in the number of AIR Miles reward miles redeemed were offset in part by a net decrease of approximately CAD $13.4 million in amortized revenue related to the conversion of a certain split-fee to non-split fee program.

Finance charges, net.  Revenue increased $35.8 million, or 11.7%, to $342.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase was driven by improvement in our gross yield of 390 basis points, offset in part by a 4.2% decline in average credit card receivables. The expansion in our gross yield was in part due to changes in cardholder terms made throughout 2010. These changes positively impacted our gross yield in the first quarter of 2011, while the implementation of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, or CARD Act, in February 2010 negatively impacted our gross yield for the first quarter of 2010.
Database marketing fees and direct marketing.  Revenue increased $27.5 million, or 22.0%, to $152.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Strategic database continues to build from recent client signings and expansion of services to existing clients with revenue increasing $15.5 million, or 25.7%. Within our targeting sector, Abacus had solid mid-single digit level growth and the acquisition of DMS added $11.1 million in revenue.
Other revenue.  Revenue increased $2.3 million, or 14.0%, to $19.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily as a result of additional consulting services provided by Epsilon.
Cost of operations.  Cost of operations increased $127.7$43.5 million, or 13.1%12.1%, to $1.10 billion$404.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase was driven byresulted primarily from growth across each of our segments, including the following:

Within the Epsilon segment, increases were primarily due to growth, including the acquisition of DMS. Epsilon experienced higher total payroll and benefit costs at Epsilon of $29.3$14.6 million and Private Label Services and Credit of $22.6 million, respectively, due to the DMS acquisition, the addition of a customer call center with the Charming Shoppes acquisition, and to support overall growth;

increasedhigher data processing costs at Epsilon of $7.5 million from new database builds coming online and$3.9 million;

Within the assumption of expenses related to the DMS acquisition;

increases inLoyaltyOne segment, the cost of redemptionsfulfillment for the AIR MILES Reward Program increased $12.0 million as a result of $43.6 million, driven by thea 10.7% increase in average foreign currency exchange ratesthe number of AIR MILES reward miles redeemed; and an increase in redemptions. The cost

We also experienced a variety of redemptionshigher costs due to growth, including marketing costs, travel costs and other expenses.
Provision for loan loss.  Provision for loan loss decreased $20.3 million, or 23.1%, to $67.7 million for the AIR MILES Reward Program in local currency increased CAD $14.0 million, or 4.9%, due to an increase in miles redeemed; and

credit card related expenses such as marketing, stationary and supplies, credit bureau and postage rose $22.8 million in the current periodthree months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in the prior yearyear. The provision was impacted by both a decline in rate and volume of credit card receivables. The net charge-off rate improved 150 basis points to 7.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 as compared to 9.4% for the same period duein 2010, with net losses decreasing $24.2 million. The decline in the net charge-off rate reflected the continued improvement in credit quality of the credit card receivables. Net charge-off rates continue to trend lower and delinquency rates, historically a good predictor of future losses, improved to 4.9% of principal credit card receivables at March 31, 2011 from 5.6% at March 31, 2010. Additionally, credit card receivables declined 4.2% primarily as a result of higher volumes and changes in cardholder terms.

payment rates.

28

General and administrative.administrative.  General and administrative expenses decreased $13.7$1.2 million, or 17.8%5.5%, to $63.4$20.9 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. The decrease was driven primarily by a decline in stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by an increase in medical and benefit costs, for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 as compared to the prior year comparable period, and costs associated with the sale of certain licenses incurred in the third quarter of 2009.period.

Provision for loan loss. Provision for loan loss was $275.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In 2009, net losses were netted against securitization income. On a conformed presentation, provision for loan loss decreased $22.2 million, or 7.5%, as compared to the prior year comparable period provision for loan loss of $297.2 million. The decrease was a result of continued declines in the loss rate.

Depreciation and other amortization.amortization.  Depreciation and other amortization increased $4.4 million, or 9.6%,slightly to $50.1$16.8 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 as compared to $16.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 due to additional capital expenditures including internally developed software projects placed in service during the second half of 2009 and the first nine months of 2010.

Amortization of purchased intangibles.  Amortization of purchased intangibles increased $10.6$0.8 million, or 23.1%4.5%, to $56.4$18.6 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily related to the amortization of $6.4 million associated with the intangible assets acquired in the Charming Shoppes acquisition in October 2009 and $2.7 million associated with the intangible assets acquired in the DMS acquisition offset in July 2010.part by certain fully amortized intangible assets at Epsilon.

Interest expense.  Total interest expense, net increased $146.7decreased $11.2 million, or 141.1%13.6%, to $250.7$71.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from $104.0$82.7 million for three months ended March 31, 2010. The decrease was due to the following:
Securitization funding costs.  Securitization funding costs decreased $10.6 million to $31.0 million primarily as a result of changes in the valuation in our interest rate swaps, which resulted in a gain of $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Interest expense on certificates of deposit.  Interest on certificates of deposit decreased $1.8 million to $5.7 million primarily due to lower average borrowings, which declined approximately $450 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net.  Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net increased $1.2 million to $34.8 million primarily due to the increase in the amortization of imputed interest associated with the convertible notes, which increased $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in the prior year.
Taxes.  Income tax expense increased $25.3 million to $54.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $28.8 million for the comparable period in 2009.2010 due primarily to an increase in taxable income. The effective tax rate remained relatively consistent at 38.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to 38.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Segment Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA:
Revenue.  Total revenue increased $76.9 million, or 11.6%, to $740.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $663.5 million for three months ended March 31, 2010. The net increase was due to the following:

Securitization funding costs. Securitization funding costs were $128.3

LoyaltyOne.  Revenue increased $18.0 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In 2009, these costs were netted against securitization income and totaled $103.3 million. In 2010, with the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust, amounts are now reflected as an expense. The increase in these costs from 2009 relates to increased borrowings due to growth in the portfolio and the amortization of securitized fees.

Interest expense on certificates of deposit. Interest expense on certificates of deposit increased $3.7 million to $23.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $19.8 million for the comparable period in 2009 due to an increase in the average balance offset in part by a decline in interest rates.

Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net. Interest expense on long-term and other debt, net increased $14.7 million, or 17.5%, to $98.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $84.2 million for the comparable period in 2009. The increase in interest expense resulted from an $11.7 million increase in the amortization of the discount associated with our convertible senior notes, an increase of $1.3 million for our credit facilities due to higher average balances and the amortization of debt issuance costs of $1.3 million.

Merger costs (reimbursements). In 2010, there were no merger costs or reimbursements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we received a reimbursement of $0.5 million from costs associated with our proposed merger with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group. We do not anticipate any future costs associated with the proposed merger.

Taxes. Income tax expense increased $35.9 million9.0%, to $90.9$217.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011. Revenue benefited from $55.0a favorable foreign currency exchange rate, which represented $11.4 million of the increase. Revenue for the AIR MILES Reward Program increased CAD $6.2 million, or 3.0%. Redemption revenue increased a net CAD $3.3 million, or 2.3%, due to a 10.7% increase in AIR MILES reward miles redeemed, which increased redemption revenue by CAD $11.7 million. This increase was offset in part by a CAD $13.4 million net decrease in amortized revenue related to the conversion of a certain split-fee to non split-fee program. Revenue from issuance fees increased CAD $3.4 million due to previous increases in the total number of AIR MILES reward miles issued.

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Epsilon.  Revenue increased $29.4 million, or 23.3%, to $155.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. In 2009, we recognized an $11.7three months ended March 31, 2011. Strategic database grew by $15.5 million, tax benefit relatedor 25.7%, benefitting from recent client database launches. Within our targeting business, Abacus had solid mid-single digit level growth, with the acquisition of DMS contributing $11.1 million to previously established tax reservesrevenue.
Private Label Services and Credit.  Revenue increased $29.7 million, or 8.8%, to cover various uncertain tax positions, which were no longer necessary during$368.9 million for the periodthree months ended September 30, 2009. The remaining increase was due in part toMarch 31, 2011. Finance charges and late fees increased by $35.8 million driven primarily by an increase in taxable income,our gross yield of 390 basis points, offset in part by a 4.2% decline in average credit card receivables. The expansion in our gross yield was in part due to changes in cardholder terms made throughout 2010 which positively impacted our gross yield in the first quarter of 2011, offset in part by the implementation of the of the CARD Act in February 2010 which negatively impacted our gross yield for the first quarter of 2010. This increase was partially offset by a decline$6.0 million reduction in our effective tax rate to 38.2%transaction revenue as compared to 38.8%, exclusivea result of lower merchant fees.
Corporate/Other.  Revenue decreased $0.4 million for the tax benefit recognized.

Income (Loss) from discontinued operations. In 2010, there were no gains or losses associated with discontinued operations. Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, of $13.7 million in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2009March 31, 2011 primarily due to a reduction in transition services being provided. We are currently earning only a minimal amount of revenue related to the sale of the remaining portion of our utility services business, offset by income from the terminated operations of our credit program for web and catalog retailer VENUE.sublease agreements with Fujitsu.

Segment Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA:

Revenue. Total revenue increased $617.3 million, or 43.5%, to $2.04 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.42 billion for the comparable period in 2009. The increase was due to the following:

LoyaltyOne. Revenue increased $70.6 million, or 14.0%, to $575.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to a favorable foreign currency exchange rate. The average foreign currency exchange rate for the current year period increased to $0.96 as compared to $0.86 in the prior period. In local currency (Canadian), revenue increased by CAD $2.5 million, as increases in issuance revenue of CAD $9.9 million driven by AIR MILES reward miles issuance growth of 1.5% were offset by declines in redemption revenue of CAD $4.0 million. Although redemptions increased 9.4%, increasing redemption revenue by CAD $28.8 million in total, redemption revenue declined as a result of a CAD $32.8 million decline in the run-off of deferred revenue related to the conversion of a certain split-fee to non-split fee program. Revenue was also negatively impacted by approximately CAD $3.0 million due to a decrease in investment revenue resulting from a decline in our rate of return and lower average balance of redemption settlement assets.

Epsilon. Revenue increased $61.3 million, or 16.5%, to $433.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The database/digital businesses continued their trend of double-digit revenue growth increasing 16.0%. Momentum in this group continues to build as, increasingly, large multi-national companies are directing a portion of their marketing spend to Epsilon. These businesses have benefited from the number of client signings in 2009 which has continued into 2010. Our large catalog coalition database, Abacus, achieved solid revenue growth of 12.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, continuing the positive trend from the first half of 2010. The data sector continues to show positive momentum, signifying the demand that marketers have for rich insight to drive

targeted marketing initiatives. Additionally, the data business was enhanced by the DMS acquisition, as it added $12.6 million in revenue.

Private Label Services and Credit. Revenue increased $519.1 million, or 101.2%, to $1.03 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. On a conformed presentation, adjusting 2009 revenue for securitization funding costs and credit losses, revenue increased $118.7 million, or 13.0%. The increase was a result of continued positive trends in average receivable growth of 19.8%, credit sales growth of 13.3%, and an increase in gross yield of approximately 150 basis points. The increase was offset in part by a reduction in transaction revenue, attributable to increases in royalty payments to our retail clients, as well as a decline in fees earned from our deferred programs.

Corporate/Other. Revenue decreased $26.5 million to $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to a decline of $19.1 million in transition services revenue from agreements associated with the acquirers of our merchant services and utility services businesses, which were no longer in place in 2010, and the third quarter of 2009 sale of certain licenses in conjunction with an outsourcing agreement.

Adjusted EBITDA.  For purposes of the discussion below, adjusted EBITDA is equal to net income from continuing operations plus stock compensation expense, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, mergerdepreciation and other costs, depreciationamortization, and amortization.amortization of purchased intangibles. Adjusted EBITDA increased $214.6$53.4 million, or 51.8%26.3%, to $629.1$256.4 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from $414.4$203.0 million for the comparable period in 2009.three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase was due to the following:

LoyaltyOne. Adjusted EBITDA increased $12.3 million, or 8.4%, to $158.7 million and adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 27.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 29.0% in the same period in 2009. Adjusted EBITDA was impacted by a favorable exchange rate as well as a decline in realized foreign currency exchange losses. In the second quarter of 2009, LoyaltyOne recognized an exchange loss of $15.9 million related to certain U.S investments held. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted EBITDA decreased CAD $21.1 million. The decline in adjusted EBITDA margin is largely due to the run-off of deferred revenue associated with the conversion of a split-fee sponsor to a non-split fee sponsor, offset in part by increased margins on cost of AIR MILES reward miles redeemed.

Epsilon. Adjusted EBITDA increased $14.9 million, or 17.0%, to $102.7 million and adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 23.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 23.5% in the same period in 2009. This was driven by double digit revenue growth offset by increases in payroll costs to support this growth, as well as expenses assumed with the DMS acquisition.

Private Label Services and Credit. Adjusted EBITDA increased $200.6 million, or 92.7%, to $416.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 while adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 40.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 42.2% in the same period in 2009. On a conformed presentation, adjusting 2009 for securitization funding costs, adjusted EBITDA increased $97.2 million, or 30.4%, and adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 40.4% from 35.0%. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin were positively impacted by the growth in our average receivable balances, which increased 19.8% from 2009, increases in our credit sales, which increased 13.3% from 2009, improvement in our gross yield and an improvement in credit losses as compared to the prior year.

Corporate/Other. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $8.2 million to a loss of $44.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to an increase in severance costs and an increase in incentive compensation as compared to the prior year period. Additionally, 2009 was impacted by a $2.6 million non-income based tax benefit which did not recur in 2010.

LoyaltyOne.  Adjusted EBITDA increased $4.7 million, or 8.7%, to $58.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Adjusted EBITDA for the AIR MILES Reward Program increased CAD $2.3 million, or 3.9%, with adjusted EBITDA margin increasing to 28.1% from 27.8%. Adjusted EBITDA benefited from the growth in AIR MILES reward miles issued and increased margins on redemptions, which was partially offset by the runoff of amortized revenue.
Epsilon.  Adjusted EBITDA increased $6.4 million, or 23.4%, to $33.7 million. Adjusted EDITDA was driven by strong growth in strategic database, resulting from continued client wins. With revenue growth and the acquisition of DMS, operating expenses also increased proportionally, with adjusted EBITDA remaining flat at 21.6% for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Private Label Services and Credit.  Adjusted EBITDA increased $43.6 million, or 31.2%, to $183.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 49.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to 41.2% for the same prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the increase in our gross yield as described above and a decline in the provision for loan loss. The net charge-off rate for March 31, 2011 was 7.9% as compared to 9.4% in the same period in 2010. The decline in the net charge-off rate reflected the continued improvement in credit quality of the credit card receivables. Net charge-off rates continue to trend lower and delinquency rates, historically a good predictor of future losses, improved to 4.9% of principal credit card receivables at March 31, 2011 from 5.6% at March 31, 2010.
Corporate/Other.  Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.5 million from a loss of $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 to a loss of $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily related to an increase in benefit costs and incentive compensation in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the prior year period.
Asset Quality

Our delinquency and net charge-off rates reflect, among other factors, the credit risk of our private label credit card receivables, the average age of our various private label credit card account portfolios, the success of our collection and recovery efforts, and general economic conditions.


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Delinquencies. A credit card account is contractually delinquent if we do not receive the minimum payment by the specified due date on the cardholder’s statement. When an account becomes delinquent, we print a message on the cardholder’s billing statement requesting payment. After an account becomes 30 days past due, a proprietary collection scoring algorithm automatically scores the risk of the account rolling to a more delinquent status.becoming further delinquent. The collection system then recommends a collection strategy for the past due account based on the collection score and account balance and dictates the contact schedule and collections priority for the account. If we are unable to make a collection after exhausting all in-house collection efforts, we engage collection agencies and outside attorneys to continue those efforts.

The following table presents the delinquency trends of our credit card portfolio:

   September 30,
2010
   % of
total
  December 31,
2009
   % of
total
 
   (In thousands, except percentages) 

Receivables outstanding—principal

  $4,705,361     100 $5,332,777     100

Principal receivables balances contractually delinquent:

       

31 to 60 days

   93,027     2.0    97,024     1.8  

61 to 90 days

   64,641     1.3    70,423     1.3  

91 or more days

   130,547     2.8    157,449     3.0  
                   

Total

  $288,215     6.1 $324,896     6.1
                   

  
March 31,
2011
  
% of
Total
  
December 31,
2010
  
% of
Total
 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Receivables outstanding – principal $4,642,290   100% $5,116,111   100%
Principal receivables balances contractually delinquent:                
31 to 60 days  68,180   1.5%  87,252   1.7%
61 to 90 days  50,477   1.1   59,564   1.2 
91 or more days  109,953   2.3   130,538   2.5 
Total $228,610   4.9% $277,354   5.4%
Net Charge-Offs. Our net charge-offs include the principal amount of losses from cardholders unwilling or unable to pay their account balances, as well as bankrupt and deceased cardholders, less recoveries and exclude charged-off interest and fees and fraud losses. Charged-off interest and fees are recorded in finance charges, net while fraud losses are recorded as an expense. Credit card receivables, including unpaid interest and fees, are charged offcharged-off at the end of the month during which an account becomes 180 days contractually past due, except in the case of customer bankruptcies. Customer bankruptcies or death. Credit card receivables, including unpaid interest and fees, associated with customer bankruptcies or death are charged offcharged-off at the end of theeach month, subsequent to 60 days followingafter the receipt of notification of the bankruptcy or death, but in any case, not later than the 180-day contractual time frame.

The net charge-off rate is calculated by dividing net charge-offs of principal receivables for the period by the average credit card receivables for the period. Average credit card receivables represent the average balance of the cardholder receivables at the beginning of each month in the periods indicated. The following table presents our net charge-offs for the periods indicated.

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010  2009  2010  2009 
   (In thousands) 

Average credit card receivables

  $4,909,977   $4,217,159   $5,029,052   $4,197,426  

Net charge-offs of principal receivables

   102,108    99,614    336,797    297,161  

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average credit card receivables (annualized)

   8.3  9.4  8.9  9.4

  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2011  2010 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Average credit card receivables $4,968,459  $5,185,147 
Net charge-offs of principal receivables  98,030   122,266 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average credit card receivables  7.9%  9.4%
Age of Portfolio. The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2011, the number of active credit card accounts with balances and the related principal balances outstanding, based upon the age of the active credit card accounts from origination:
Age Since Origination Number of Active Accounts with Balances  Percentage of Active Accounts with Balances  
Principal
Receivables Outstanding
  Percentage of Receivables Outstanding 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
0-12 Months  2,703   23.4% $876,492   18.9%
13-24 Months  1,578   13.7   654,138   14.1 
25-36 Months  1,174   10.2   522,678   11.3 
37-48 Months  965   8.3   419,685��  9.0 
49-60 Months  830   7.2   364,228   7.8 
Over 60 Months  4,297   37.2   1,805,069   38.9 
Total  11,547   100.0% $4,642,290   100.0%

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See Note 4, “Credit Card Receivables,” of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the securitization of our credit card receivables.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities. We have historically generated cash flows from operations, although that amount may vary based on fluctuations in working capital. Our operating cash flow is seasonal, with cash utilization peaking at the end of December due to increased activity in our Private Label Services and Credit segment related to holiday retail sales.

We generated cash flow from operating activities of $693.5$210.4 million and $306.1$206.6 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively. The increase in operating cash flows was primarily due to increased profitability, includingnet of the effect of non-cash charges to income such asitems, and an increase of $275.0 million in the provision for loan loss as a result of the consolidation of the credit card securitization trusts. We also generated positive operating cash flow of $71.9 million from increases in working capital of $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to 2010, including the timing of payments for other assets. Also impacting cash flow from operations was amounts due from the credit card securitization trusts. In 2009, the amounts due from the credit card securitization trusts were included in other assets and resulted in a use of cash as amounts increased during the period. In 2010, with the consolidation of the credit card securitization trusts upon the adoption of ASC 860 and ASC 810, amounts due from the credit card securitization trusts were eliminated. We utilize our cash flow from operations for ongoing business operations, acquisitions and capital expenditures.

Investing Activities.Activities. Cash provided by investing activities was $164.2$258.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010. Cash used by investing activities was $378.9March 31, 2011 as compared to $443.1 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. Significant components of investing activities are as follows:

Credit Card Receivables Funding.  Cash flow from credit card receivables increased to $433.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to $397.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Cash from credit card receivables increased in both periods due to a decline in receivables from the seasonal pay down of our credit card receivables.
Cash Collateral, Restricted.  Cash decreased $132.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to a cash increase of $26.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 due primarily to an increase in excess funding deposits in 2011.
Purchase of Credit Card Receivables.  Cash decreased $42.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 due to the acquisition of an existing private label credit card portfolio from J.Jill. There were no comparable purchases of credit card receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Capital Expenditures.   Our capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $18.6 million compared to $15.4 million for the comparable period in 2010. We do not expect capital expenditures to exceed approximately 3% of annual revenue for the foreseeable future.
Credit Card Receivables Funding. Cash increased $273.9 million due to a decline in receivables from the seasonal pay down of our credit card receivables.

Acquisition. Cash decreased $117.0 million as a result of the DMS acquisition completed on July 1, 2010.

Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $48.3 million compared to $39.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. We anticipate capital expenditures to be approximately 3% of annual revenue for the foreseeable future.

Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities was $759.3$307.6 million and $723.2 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $354.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.respectively. Our financing activities during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 relate primarily to borrowings and repayments of debt includingand certificates of deposit, and asset-backed securities debt, and repurchases of common stock.

Adoption of ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and ASC 810.810, “Consolidation.” The consolidation of World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust II, and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III, or collectively, the WFN Trusts, and World Financial Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust, or the WFC Trust, resulted in $81.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of January 1, 2010, which is shown separately from operating, financing and investing activities.

Liquidity Sources.In addition to cash generated from operating activities, our primary sources of liquidity include our credit card securitization program, certificates of deposit issued by World Financial Network National Bank, or WFNNB, and World Financial Capital Bank, or WFCB, our credit facility and issuances of equity securities.

In addition As of March 31, 2011, we had $324.0 million of available borrowing capacity under our credit facility. The key loan covenant ratio, core debt to our effortsoperating cash flow, was 2.3 to renew1 at March 31, 2011, as compared to the covenant ratio of 3.75 to 1. Additionally, available liquidity at the bank subsidiary level totaled $3.6 billion, including $225 million of cash. The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, leverage ratio and expand our current facilities, we continue to seek new sources of liquidity. We have also expanded our brokered certificates of deposit to supplement liquiditytotal risk-based capital ratio for our credit card receivables.

main bank subsidiary, WFNNB, were 15%, 14% and 16%, respectively, at March 31, 2011.

We believe that internally generated funds and other sources of liquidity discussed above will be sufficient to meet working capital needs, capital expenditures, and other business requirements for at least the next 12 months.

months, including the repayment of the $250.0 million of our Series B senior notes due May 16, 2011.

Additionally, our credit facility, the term loan agreement dated May 15, 2009 and the term loan agreement dated August 6, 2010, mature in March 2012. We currently expect to refinance this debt during the second quarter of 2011.

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Securitization Program. Since January 1996, we have sold a majority of the We regularly securitize our credit card receivables originated by WFNNB to WFN Credit Company, LLC and WFN Funding Company II, LLC, which in turn sold them tothrough the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust as part of our securitization program. In September 2008, we initiated a securitization program for the credit card receivables originated by WFCB, selling them to World Financial Capital Credit Company, LLC which in turn sold them to the WFC Trust.securitization program. These securitization programs are the primary vehicle through which we finance WFNNB’s and WFCB’s credit card receivables.

Historically, we have used both public and private asset-backed securities term transactions as well as private conduit facilities as sources of funding for our credit card receivables. Private conduit facilities have been used to accommodate seasonality needs and to bridge to completion of asset-backed securitization transactions.

We have secured and continue to secure the necessary commitments to fund our portfolio of securitized credit card receivables originated by WFNNB and WFCB. However, certain of these commitments are short-term in nature and subject to renewal. There is not a guarantee that these funding sources, when they mature, will be renewed on similar terms or at all based on recent unsuitable volumes and pricing levels in the asset-backed securitization markets.

markets at the time.

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust had approximately $4.4$4.3 billion of securitized credit card receivables. Securitizations require credit enhancements in the form of cash, spread deposits and additional receivables. The credit enhancement is principally based on the outstanding balances of the series issued by the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust and by the performance of the private label credit cards in these securitization trusts.

In

At March 2010, Master Trust II issued $100.8 million of term asset-backed securities to investors. The offering consisted of $65.0 million of Class A Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 4.2% per year, $9.8 million of Class M Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 5.3% per year, $6.6 million of Class B Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 6.3% per year, $11.6 million of Class C Series 2010-1 asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 7.0% per year and $7.8 million of Class D Series 2010-1 zero-coupon notes which were retained by us. The Class A notes will mature in November 2012, the Class M notes will mature in December 2012, the Class B notes will mature in January 2013, the Class C notes will mature in February 2013 and the Class D notes will mature in March 2013. With the consolidation of the WFN Trusts, the Class D Series 2010-1 notes are eliminated from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, Master Trust I issued $450.0 million of term asset-backed securities to investors in a public offering. The offering consisted of $355.5 million of Class A Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 3.96% per year, $16.9 million of Class M Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 5.2% per year, $21.4 million of Class B Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 6.75% per year and $56.2 million of Class C Series 2010-A asset-backed notes that have a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per year. The Class A, Class M, Class B and Class C notes will all mature in June 2015. The Class C Series 2010-A notes were retained by us. With the consolidation of the WFN Trusts, the Class C Series 2010-A notes are eliminated from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

At September 30, 2010,31, 2011, we had $3.4$3.3 billion of asset-backed securities debt – owed to securitization investors, of which $885.5 million$1.4 billion is due within the next 12 months.

During the first quarter of 2010, we renewed our $550.0 million 2009-VFC1 conduit facility under Master Trust III, extending the maturity to September 30, 2011.

During the second quarter of 2010, we renewed our $1.2 billion 2009-VFN conduit facility under Master Trust I, extending the maturity to June 23, 2011, and our $275.0 million 2009-VFN conduit facility under the WFC Trust, extending the maturity to June 3, 2011.

The following table shows the maturities of borrowing commitments as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 for the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust by year:

   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014 &
Thereafter
   Total 
   (In millions) 

Term notes

  $—      $1,158.9    $805.2    $925.7    $450.0    $3,339.8  

Conduit facilities(1)

   —       2,447.8     —       —       —       2,447.8  
                              

Total(2)

  $—      $3,606.7    $805.2    $925.7    $450.0    $5,787.6  
                              

  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015 & Thereafter  Total 
  (In millions) 
Term notes $1,010.0  $700.2  $822.3  $  $393.8  $2,926.3 
Conduit facilities (1)
  2,025.0               2,025.0 
Total (2)
 $3,035.0  $700.2  $822.3  $  $393.8  $4,951.3 

(1)

Amount represents borrowing capacity, not outstanding borrowings.

(2)

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, with the consolidation of the WFN Trusts and the WFC Trust $531.7effective January 1, 2010, $573.8 million of debt issued by the credit card securitization trusts and retained by us has been eliminated in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Debt

On June 18, 2010, we amended our $750.0 million unsecured revolving

Early amortization events are generally driven by asset performance. We do not believe it is reasonably likely for an early amortization event to occur due to asset performance. However, if an early amortization event were declared, the trustee of the particular credit facility to clarifycard securitization trust would retain the application of ASC 860 and ASC 810 andinterest in the calculation of covenant compliance.

On June 18, 2010, we amended our 2009 Term Loan agreement to clarifyreceivables along with the application of ASC 860 and ASC 810 and the calculation of covenant compliance. In addition, the amendment removed the prepaymentsexcess interest income that were required beginning June 30, 2010 and now provides that principal paymentswould otherwise be paid at maturity, March 30, 2012.

On August 6, 2010, we, as borrower, and ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc., ADS Foreign Holdings, Inc., Alliance Data Foreign Holdings, Inc., Epsilon Marketing Services, LLC and Epsilon Data Management, LLC, as guarantors, entered into a term loan agreement,to our bank subsidiary until the credit card securitization investors were fully repaid. The occurrence of an early amortization event would significantly limit or 2010 Term Loan, with the Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and various other agents and banks. The 2010 Term Loan is unsecured. Amounts borrowed under the 2010 Term Loan are schedulednegate our ability to mature on March 30, 2012. securitize additional credit card receivables.

Debt
As of September 30, 2010, total borrowings under the 2010 Term Loan were $236.0 million.

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with our financial covenants. See Note 9,7, “Debt,” of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for moreadditional information related toregarding our debt.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates.  Our primary market risks include interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk and redemption reward risk.


33


There has been no material change from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20092010 related to our exposure to market risk from interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk and redemption reward risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Item 4. 
Controls and Procedures.
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

concluded that as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 (the end of our thirdfirst fiscal quarter), our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In July 2010, we acquired DMS for $117.0 million. Because of the timing of the acquisition, it will bewas excluded from our evaluation of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of DecemberMarch 31, 2010. In 2011, we2011. We will expand our evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting to include DMS.

DMS beginning in July 2011.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements may use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “predict,” “project” and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20092010 and Item 1A. of Part II of this Quarterly Report.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise, except as required by law.


34


PART II

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.

From time to time we are involved in various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our business that we believe will not have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition, including claims and lawsuits alleging breaches of our contractual obligations.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 or our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 or June 30, 2010.

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

On January 27,September 13, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program or Prior Repurchase Program, to acquire up to $275.1 million of our outstanding common stock, from February 5, 2010 through December 31, 2010. On September 13, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program, replacing the Prior Repurchase Program, to acquire up to $400.0 million of our outstanding common stock from September 13, 2010 through December 31, 2011, subject to any restrictions pursuant to the terms of our credit agreements or otherwise.

The following table presents information with respect to those purchases of our common stock made during the three months ended September 30, 2010:

Period

  Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly  Announced
Plans or Programs
   Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be  Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(2)
 
               (In millions) 

During 2010:

        

July 1-31

   658,496    $56.53     652,000    $212.5  

August 1-31

   232,733     56.98     230,986     199.3  

September 1-12

   15,697     59.21     15,000     198.4  

September 13-30

   1,554     62.89     —       400.0  
                    

Total

   908,480    $56.70     897,986    $400.0  
                    

March 31, 2011:
Period 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
  Average Price Paid per Share  Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs  
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
 
           (In millions) 
During 2011:            
January 1-31  830,567  $71.57   829,246  $268.7 
February 1-28  2,435   75.59      268.7 
March 1-31  30,463   77.32   27,117   266.6 
Total  863,465  $71.78   856,363  $266.6 

(1)

During the period represented by the table, 10,4947,102 shares of our common stock were purchased by the administrator of our 401(k) and Retirement Saving Plan for the benefit of the employees who participated in that portion of the plan.

(2)

On January 27, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the Prior Repurchase Program which allowed us to acquire up to $275.1 million of our outstanding common stock, from February 5, 2010 through December 31, 2010. On September 13, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program replacing the Prior Repurchase Program, to acquire up to $400.0 million of our outstanding common stock from September 13, 2010 through December 31, 2011, subject to any restrictions underpursuant to the terms of our credit agreements or otherwise.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None

Item 4.
(Removed (Removed and Reserved).

Item 5.
Other Information.

(a) None

(b) None



35


Item 6.
6.  Exhibits.


(a) Exhibits:


EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
No.

 

Description

3.1 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on March 3, 2000, File No. 333-94623).
3.2 Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on March 3, 2000, File No. 333-94623).
3.3 First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on May 4, 2001, File No. 333-94623).
3.4 Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2002, File No. 001-15749).
3.5 Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2009, File No. 001-15749).
3.6 Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 11, 2009, File No. 001-15749).
4 Specimen Certificate for shares of Common Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 8, 2003, File No. 001-15749).
     10.1 Supplemental Agreement to Second Amended and Restated Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2010, among World Financial Network National Bank, WFN Credit Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by WFN Credit Company, LLC and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust on August 12, 2010, File Nos. 333-60418 and 333-113669).
     10.2 SupplementalForm of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2010, among World Financial Network National Bank and WFN Credit Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.2 tounder the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by WFN Credit Company, LLC and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust on August 12, 2010, File Nos. 333-60418 and 333-113669).
     10.3Supplemental Agreement to Transfer and Servicing Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2010, among World Financial Network National Bank, WFN Credit Company, LLC and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by WFN Credit Company, LLC and World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust on August 12, 2010, File Nos. 333-60418 and 333-113669).

Exhibit No.

Description

     10.4Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2010, by and among Alliance Data Systems Corporation as borrower, and certain subsidiaries parties thereto, as guarantors, Bank2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Form of Montreal, as Administrative Agent, Co-Lead Arranger and Book Runner, and various other agents and banks (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed withPerformance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the SEC on August 9,Alliance Data Systems Corporation 2010 File No. 001-15749)Omnibus Incentive Plan (2011 grant).
Form of Canadian Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Alliance Data Systems Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
 *31.1
Form of Canadian Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Alliance Data Systems Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2011 grant).
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Data Systems Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   *31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Alliance Data Systems Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   *32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Data Systems Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
   *32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Alliance Data Systems Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
   *101.INS*101.INS XBRL Instance Document
 *101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 *101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 *101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   *101.LAB*101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

36

Exhibit
No.
Description
   *101.PRE*101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

____________
*Filed herewith
+Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement


37


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: 

/s/    EDWARD J. HEFFERNAN        

 
By:/s/ Edward J. Heffernan
 Edward J. Heffernan
President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: NovemberMay 9, 2010

2011
By:

/s/ CHARLES L. HORN        

Charles L. Horn
 Charles L. Horn
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: NovemberMay 9, 2010

55

2011
38