months, net income was $8.8 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, in 2020 compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or a $0.24 loss per diluted share, in 2019.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 43% and 39% year-over-year to $17.5 million and $40.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively.
Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2020 Segment Information
Debit and Credit:
Net sales increased 22% and 19% year-over-year to $62.7 million and $180.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. Growth for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 was driven primarily by higher volumes of dual-interface EMV® card sales, including Second WaveTM cards featuring a core made with recovered ocean bound plastic. In addition, net sales increased from CPI On-Demand card personalization due to new customer wins and higher volumes from our existing customers, and from COVID-19 related government disbursement work. This growth was partially offset by COVID-19 impacts, including reduced volumes in card personalization stemming from fewer new accounts and requests for replacement cards. Card@Once® product sales were also impacted by COVID-19 due to reduced hours of operation, lack of access or closure of certain bank branches.
Prepaid Debit:
Net sales were up 1% and down 8% year-over-year to $20.6 million and $48.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. Growth for the third quarter was primarily due to timing of certain customer sales, partially offset by reduced sales volumes primarily associated with COVID-19 impacts, including lower retail store traffic, which also impacted the decline in net sales for the first nine months of 2020.
Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Cash Flow
As of September 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents was $50.3 million. Cash used in operating activities was $1.8 million and capital expenditures were $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, yielding Adjusted Free Cash Flow use of $3.5 million. For the first nine months of 2020, cash provided by operating activities was $10.2 million and capital expenditures were $3.3 million, yielding Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $6.9 million. This compares with the first nine months of 2019 when cash used in operating activities was $3.0 million, or a $9.0 million cash usage when excluding the $6.0 million cash received from a litigation settlement, and capital expenditures were $3.3 million, resulting in Adjusted Free Cash Flow use of $12.3 million. For the first nine months of 2020, cash provided by operating activities and Adjusted Free Cash Flow increased $13.2 million and $19.2 million year-over-year, respectively.
Total long-term debt principal outstanding, comprised of the Company’s $30 million Senior Credit Facility and its $312.5 million First Lien Term Loan, was $342.5 million at September 30, 2020. Net of debt issuance costs and discount, total long-term debt was $335.8 million as of September 30, 2020. The Company’s Senior Credit Facility matures in May 2022 and the First Lien Term Loan matures in August 2022.
John Lowe, Chief Financial Officer, stated, “Top-line net sales growth and our commitment to operating efficiently resulted in strong year-over-year growth in Net Sales, Net Income, and Adjusted EBITDA. We are sharply focused on continuing to execute on our strategy and capitalizing on market opportunities.”