SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (MARK ONE) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1998 or [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-12365 EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER: BA Merchant Services, Inc. STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION: Delaware I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 94-3252840 ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES: One South Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, California 94103 REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 415-241-3390 FORMER NAME, FORMER ADDRESS AND FORMER FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT: None Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value -- 16,263,882 outstanding on March 31, 1998 Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value -- 32,400,000 outstanding on March 31, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This document serves both as an analytical review for analysts, shareholders, and other interested persons, and as the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of BA Merchant Services, Inc. to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has taken no action to approve or disapprove the report or to pass upon its accuracy or adequacy. Additionally, this document is to be read in conjunction with BA Merchant Services, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, including the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. INDEX BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. PAGE ---- PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements: Balance Sheet.................................................... 1 Statement of Operations.......................................... 2 Statement of Cash Flows.......................................... 3 Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity..................... 4 Notes to Financial Statements.................................... 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: Results of Operations............................................ 8 Balance Sheet Review............................................. 8 Liquidity and Capital Resources.................................. 8 NationsBank Corporation Merger................................... 9 Year 2000........................................................ 9 Forward-Looking Statements....................................... 9 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form-8-K................................. 10 Signatures....................................................... 11 Exhibit Index.................................................... 12 i PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. BALANCE SHEET UNAUDITED ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 --------- ------------ (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents........................... $ 68,874 $ 29,426 Short-term investments.............................. 53,785 64,018 Drafts in transit................................... 107,604 110,445 Accounts receivable................................. 58,061 63,461 Other current assets................................ 7,754 11,533 -------- -------- Total current assets.............................. 296,078 278,883 Property and equipment, net........................... 28,250 27,762 Other assets.......................................... 19,556 25,422 -------- -------- Total assets........................................ $343,884 $332,067 ======== ======== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable.................................... $ 277 $ 32 Merchants payable................................... 8,757 8,058 Accrued liabilities................................. 6,969 6,050 Accrued credit card association and interchange fees............................................... 8,823 9,192 Income taxes payable................................ 7,434 3,459 Other current liabilities........................... 10,786 13,207 -------- -------- Total current liabilities......................... 43,046 39,998 Other liabilities..................................... 858 816 -------- -------- Total liabilities................................... 43,904 40,814 -------- -------- Stockholders' equity: Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 16,263,882 shares at March 31, 1998 and 16,253,126 at December 31, 1997............................................. 162 162 Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 32,400,000 shares............................................... 324 324 Additional paid-in capital............................ 252,576 252,479 Retained earnings..................................... 46,979 38,280 Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes.................................. ( 61) 8 -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity.......................... 299,980 291,253 -------- -------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.......... $343,884 $332,067 ======== ======== See Notes to Financial Statements. 1 BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, --------------- 1998 1997 ------- ------- (UNAUDITED) (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Net revenue.................................................... $41,834 $35,969 ------- ------- Operating expense: Salaries and employee benefits............................... 9,451 8,059 Data processing and communications........................... 9,249 7,668 General and administrative................................... 5,667 5,492 Depreciation................................................. 3,549 2,281 Occupancy.................................................... 750 747 Amortization of intangibles.................................. 444 113 ------- ------- Total operating expense.................................... 29,110 24,360 ------- ------- Income from operations......................................... 12,724 11,609 Net interest income............................................ 2,020 1,524 ------- ------- Income before income taxes................................. 14,744 13,133 Provision for income taxes..................................... 6,045 5,428 ------- ------- Net income................................................. $ 8,699 $ 7,705 ======= ======= Earnings per common share...................................... $ 0.18 $ 0.16 Diluted earnings per common share.............................. $ 0.18 $ 0.16 See Notes to Financial Statements. 2 BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------- 1998 1997 ------- -------- (UNAUDITED) (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income.................................................. $ 8,699 $ 7,705 Adjustments to net income to arrive at cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation.............................................. 3,549 2,281 Amortization of intangibles............................... 444 113 Benefit from deferred income taxes........................ (832) (342) Amortization of restricted stock.......................... 94 102 Amortization of loan fees................................. -- 85 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Decrease in drafts in transit........................... 2,841 50,588 Decrease in accounts receivable......................... 5,400 1,341 Decrease (increase) in other current assets............. 3,778 (315) Increase in accounts payable............................ 245 3,119 Increase in current income taxes payable................ 3,975 4,326 Increase in merchants payable........................... 700 242 Increase in accrued liabilities......................... 919 194 (Decrease) increase in accrued credit card association and interchange fees................................... (369) 1,104 Other, net.............................................. 3,875 (567) ------- -------- Net cash provided by operating activities.............. 33,318 69,976 ------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property and equipment.......................... (4,037) (4,278) Purchase of short-term investments.......................... (1,669) -- Maturities of short-term investments........................ 11,902 -- ------- -------- Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities... 6,196 (4,278) ------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Increase in underwriting expense............................ -- ( 96) Issuance of common stock.................................... 3 -- BAC's change in funding..................................... -- 7,396 ------- -------- Net cash used for financing activities................. 3 7,300 ------- -------- EXCHANGE RATE EFFECT ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS........... (69) -- ------- -------- Increase in cash and cash equivalents....................... 39,448 72,998 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 29,426 138,413 ------- -------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. $68,874 $211,411 ======= ======== See Notes to Financial Statements. 3 BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------ 1998 1997 -------- -------- (UNAUDITED) (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) CLASS A COMMON STOCK: Balance at beginning of period.............................. $ 162 $ 162 Issuance of additional stock................................ -- -- -------- -------- Balance at end of period.................................. 162 162 CLASS B COMMON STOCK: Balance at beginning of period.............................. 324 302 Issuance of additional common stock......................... -- -- -------- -------- Balance at end of period.................................. 324 302 ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL: Balance at beginning of period.............................. 252,479 249,622 Amortization of unvested portion of restricted stock........ 94 102 Additional underwriting expenses............................ -- (96) Issuance of additional common stock......................... 3 -- -------- -------- Balance at end of period.................................. 252,576 249,628 CUMULATIVE FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT: Balance at beginning of period.............................. 8 -- Translation adjustments..................................... (69) -- -------- -------- Balance at end of period.................................. (61) -- RETAINED EARNINGS: Balance at beginning of period.............................. 38,280 2,039 Net income.................................................. 8,699 7,220 -------- -------- Balance at end of period.................................. 46,979 9,259 BAC'S EQUITY INTEREST: Balance at beginning of period.............................. -- 27,883 Net income.................................................. -- 485 BAC's change in funding..................................... -- 7,396 -------- -------- Balance at end of period.................................. -- 35,764 -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity end of period................ $299,980 $295,115 ======== ======== See Notes to Financial Statements. 4 BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1--DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Description of Business--BA Merchant Services, Inc. ("BAMS" or the "Company") provides an array of payment processing and related information products and services to merchants throughout the United States and certain Asian countries who accept credit, charge and debit cards as payment for goods and services. BAMS is one of the largest processors of merchant debit and credit card transactions in the United States. Organization and Domestic Operations--BAMS was incorporated on October 11, 1996 and commenced operations December 4, 1996, upon the transfer by Bank of America National Trust & Savings Association (the "Bank") and Bank of America NW, National Association ("BANW", formerly Seattle-First National Bank) of their respective United States merchant processing businesses to BAMS in consideration for 30.2 million shares of Class B Common Stock. Effective January 1, 1997, BANW was merged into the Bank. The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of BankAmerica Corporation ("BAC"). References to "BAC" in these financial statements and notes thereto shall be deemed to be references to BankAmerica Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including the Bank and, prior to January 1, 1997, BANW. During December 1996, BAMS issued 16.1 million shares of Class A Common Stock in underwritten initial public offerings which generated net cash proceeds of $232.9 million. Asian Operations--On June 2, 1997, BAMS acquired BAC's merchant processing business in Thailand (net assets of approximately $91,000) in consideration for 150,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. On July 1, 1997, BAMS acquired BAC's merchant processing business in the Philippines (net assets of approximately $153,000) in consideration for 550,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. On September 30, 1997, BAMS acquired BAC's merchant processing business in Taiwan and merchant processing administrative office in Hong Kong (net assets of approximately $2.2 million) in consideration for 1,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. The acquisition of these entities will be collectively referred to as the "Asia Acquisitions". With the issuance by BAMS of additional shares of Class B Common Stock to BAC in connection with the Asia Acquisitions, BAC's financial interest in BAMS increased from 65.0% to 66.6%. NationsBank Corporation Merger--On April 13, 1998, BAC and NationsBank Corporation ("NBC") announced a definitive agreement to merge in a stock-for- stock transaction. The merger, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 1998, is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of other conditions set forth in the merger agreement. For further disclosure, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--"NationsBank Corporation Merger" on page 9. Basis of Presentation--The unaudited financial statements of BAMS are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in BAMS' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Results for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year. BAC's transfer to BAMS of certain assets and liabilities of its United States and certain Asian merchant processing businesses (net assets) was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control and, accordingly, the transfer of these net assets was accounted for at historical cost in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. Included in the transfer of net assets was Seafirst Merchant Services, Inc. ("SMSI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of BANW. SMSI was subsequently dissolved on December 29, 1997. The accompanying 5 BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED) financial statements have been prepared as if the Company had operated as a separate entity for all periods presented. The financial statements include the combined historical results of operations, assets and liabilities of BAC's merchant processing businesses in Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan and the merchant processing administrative office in Hong Kong for all periods prior to the Asia Acquisitions. Prior to the respective dates of the Asia Acquisitions, changes in BAC's equity interest represented net income of the Company adjusted for net cash transfers to and from BAC. Additionally, prior to these dates, the financial statements include allocations of certain assets (primarily property and equipment) and expenses relating to the merchant processing businesses transferred from BAC. Management believes these allocations are reasonable. Certain of the pre-Asia Acquisition expenses in the financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if the Company had performed these functions as a stand-alone entity. Therefore, prior to the respective dates of the Asia Acquisitions, the financial statements may not necessarily reflect the Company's results of operations, changes in equity and cash flows as they would have been had the Company owned and operated the Asian operations. Subsequent to these dates, the Company performed these functions using its own resources and purchased services (from BAC and other companies) and was responsible for the cost and expenses associated with the management of the Asian operations. NOTE 2--INCOME TAXES The following is a summary of the components of income tax expense: THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------- 1998 1997 ------ ------ Provision for income taxes: Federal..................................................... $4,541 $4,139 State ...................................................... 1,330 1,147 Foreign..................................................... 174 142 ------ ------ Total..................................................... $6,045 $5,428 ====== ====== The Company's estimated annual effective income tax rate for the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 was 41.0% and 41.3%, respectively. These rates are higher than the federal statutory tax rate of 35% due principally to state income taxes. NOTE 3--EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Effective December 15, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share" (SFAS No. 128). Under the new requirements, the Company's computation of earnings per common and common equivalent share is replaced by earnings per common share, which excludes any dilutive effect of stock options and warrants outstanding during the period. Earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Also, under SFAS No. 128, the Company's computation of earnings per common and common equivalent share, assuming full dilution, is replaced with diluted earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the average number of common shares 6 BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED) outstanding during the period including the dilutive effect of stock options and warrants outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of stock options and warrants outstanding during the period is computed using the average market price of the Company's common stock for the period. Earnings per share for the three month period ended March 31, 1997 has been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming the stock issued in the Asia Acquisitions had been outstanding since January 1, 1994. The earnings per common share amount for each period presented is the same as the diluted earnings per common share amount presented for the respective period. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------- 1998 1997 ------ ------ (amounts in thousands, except earnings per share data) Net income.................................................... $8,699 $7,705 Average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents.................................................. 48,802 N/A Pro forma average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding...................................... N/A 48,700 Diluted earnings per common share............................. $ 0.18 $ 0.16 NOTE 4--RELATED PARTIES The Company and BAC engage in various intercompany transactions and arrangements including the provision by BAC of various services to the Company. Such services are currently provided pursuant to various intercompany agreements which, among other things, grant to the Company a license to use the Bank of America name and certain trademarks and service marks in connection with the Company's business. Additional services provided under the intercompany agreements include product distribution, processing, system support, telecommunications, marketing, regulatory compliance, legal, tax and treasury, accounting and audit and other miscellaneous support and administrative services. The Company believes that the cost of services provided under the intercompany arrangements have not been materially different from the costs that would have been incurred if the Company was unaffiliated with BAC. NOTE 5--COMPREHENSIVE INCOME As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS No. 130), which requires companies to report and display comprehensive income and its components. The adoption of SFAS No. 130 in the first quarter of 1998 did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The following is a summary of the components of total comprehensive income, net of related income taxes: THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, -------------- 1998 1997 ------ ------ Net income................................................... $8,699 $7,705 Foreign currency translation adjustments..................... ( 69) -- ------ ------ Total comprehensive income................................. $8,630 $7,705 ====== ====== 7 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Net Revenue--For the three month period ended March 31, 1998, net revenue was $41.8 million, up $5.9 million, or 16 percent over the three month period ended March 31, 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to a $1.9 billion or 27 percent increase in sales volume processed over the comparable prior year quarter. Increased sales volume resulted primarily from growth in the Company's merchant base through continued emphasis on marketing and sales growth, including expansion into new sales territories. The growth rate in net revenue was lower than that for sales volume processed primarily as a result of greater sales volume growth in lower spread business (debit card and high volume merchants) and to a lesser degree, declining spreads in existing business consistent with historical competitive trends in the merchant processing industry. Operating Expense--Total operating expense was $29.1 million for the first quarter of 1998, an increase of $4.8 million, or 19 percent over the same period a year ago. On the same comparative basis, data processing and communications expense increased $1.6 million or 21 percent due to increased authorization expense and data processing contract services related to growth in transaction volume. Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.4 million or 17 percent, reflecting growth in direct sales staff and related support personnel. Depreciation expense increased $1.3 million or 56 percent due to the acquisition of merchant processing terminals required for the Company's expanded merchant base and the impact of the HostLINKTM transaction processing system installed during the second quarter of 1997. Amortization of intangibles increased $331,000 related to amortization of the acquisition of the portfolio of merchant processing contracts in September 1997. Net Income--The Company earned net income of $8.7 million for the first quarter of 1998 compared to net income of $7.7 million for the first quarter of 1997. Net income from domestic operations for the first quarter of 1998 increased approximately $1.3 million or 18% over the comparable quarter in 1997. This improvement was a result of an increase in domestic net revenue of $7.0 million or 21 percent over the first quarter of 1997 on an increase in sales volume processed of $1.9 billion or 28%. First quarter 1998 net income from the Company's Asian operations decreased 66 percent from first quarter 1997, reflecting both increased competition and the area's economic turmoil. BALANCE SHEET REVIEW The Company's assets totaled $343.9 million as of March 31, 1998, up $11.8 million from December 31, 1997. The decreases in accounts receivable ($5.4 million), other current assets ($3.8 million) and other current liabilities ($2.4 million) since December 31, 1997 are a result of lower net revenue and sales volume processed in the first quarter of 1998 versus the fourth quarter of 1997 consistent with historical seasonality. Other assets decreased $5.9 million since December 31, 1997 primarily related to a $3.2 million reduction in the foreign currency translation reserves due to expiration of foreign exchange contracts and an $815,000 reduction in miscellaneous assets. Income taxes payable increased $4.0 million since December 31, 1997 relating to the due dates of payments to be made to taxing authorities. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company generated net cash from operating activities of $33.3 million and $70.0 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The net cash provided by operating activities for the 1998 period was primarily related to net income adjusted for non-cash depreciation and amortization of $12.2 million, plus an aggregate of $12.0 million related to decreases in drafts in transit, accounts receivable and other current assets and a $4.0 million increase in income taxes payable. Prior to the time BankAmerica Corporation ("BAC") transferred its merchant processing businesses to the Company, funds generated by the Company's operations and not used for investments were remitted to BAC. Working capital increased by $14.1 million to $253.0 million at March 31, 1998. The Company anticipates that its cash and cash equivalent and short-term investment balances will be adequate for funding the daily cash 8 needs of the business as well as for acquisitions, strategic technology investments and the funding of research and product development. The Company has a commitment for a $100 million revolving line of credit with Bank of America expiring December 31, 1998. Borrowings outstanding under the commitment amounted to $0.3 million as of March 31, 1998. NATIONSBANK CORPORATION MERGER On April 13, 1998, BAC and NationsBank Corporation (NBC) announced a definitive agreement to merge in a stock-for-stock transaction. The merger, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 1998, is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of other conditions set forth in the merger agreement. Under various contractual arrangements with BAC (described on page 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K under "Relationship with BankAmerica and the Bank"), the Company has access to BAC's client base, the Bank of America name and trademarks, the implementation of On-Us transaction processing and marketing, the Bank's distribution channels, and credit and debit card association and network sponsorships. The Company is BAC's exclusive provider of merchant processing services. There have been no decisions concerning the merchant processing services of the combined business. At this time, the Company can not estimate the impact that the BAC/NBC merger would have on its financial position or results of operations. YEAR 2000 The Company has developed plans to deal with the impact of the year 2000 on its systems and operations. The Company continues to refine and assess its plans to deal with the year 2000 issue. Year 2000 related expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1998 were immaterial and the Company believes that the expenses to bring its computer systems and software year 2000 compliant will not be material to its results of operations in any one future reporting period. For more information regarding the year 2000 issue and year 2000 expenses, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, p.15, "Year 2000 Expenses." FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This report contains forward-looking statements, usually containing the words "estimate", "project", "expect" or similar expressions. These statements are subject to uncertainties, including those discussed in this report and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--"Forward-Looking Statements" in BAMS' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, that could cause actual results to differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. 9 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K: The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998. After the first quarter of 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K dated April 17, 1998. The April 17 report filed, pursuant to Item 5 of the report, the definitive agreement between BankAmerica Corporation (the parent of Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, which owns 100% of the Company's Class B Common Stock, or approximately 66.6% of the Company's outstanding common stock) and NationsBank Corporation to merge in a stock-for-stock transaction. 10 SIGNATURES - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. (Registrant) By Principal Executive Officer and Duly Authorized Signatory: /s/ Sharif M. Bayyari ---------------------------------- SHARIF M. BAYYARI President and Chief Executive Officer May 13, 1998 By Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Signatory: /s/ James H. Williams ---------------------------------- JAMES H. WILLIAMS Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer May 13, 1998 11 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT REFERENCE DESCRIPTION --------- ----------------------- 27 Financial Data Schedule 12