e10vq
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                                          to                                          
Commission file number: 1-7945
(DELUXE CORP)
DELUXE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Minnesota   41-0216800
     
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
3680 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, Minnesota   55126-2966
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(651) 483-7111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
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.
þ Yes o 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 Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o Yes o 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes þ No
The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, at April 19, 2010 was 51,338,716.
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
PART II-OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-12.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1


Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share par value)
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 16,328     $ 12,789  
Trade accounts receivable (net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $4,649 and $4,991, respectively)
    57,576       65,564  
Inventories and supplies
    21,916       22,122  
Deferred income taxes
    10,448       10,841  
Funds held for customers
    45,994       26,901  
Other current assets
    28,044       21,282  
 
           
Total current assets
    180,306       159,499  
Long-Term Investments (including $2,113 and $2,231 of investments at fair value, respectively)
    35,389       39,200  
Property, Plant, and Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $338,131 and $335,415, respectively)
    118,901       121,797  
Assets Held for Sale
    4,527       4,527  
Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $371,157 and $362,201, respectively)
    143,398       145,910  
Goodwill
    659,613       658,666  
Other Non-Current Assets
    89,836       81,611  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,231,970     $ 1,211,210  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 59,102     $ 60,640  
Accrued liabilities
    171,755       156,408  
Short-term debt
          26,000  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    230,857       243,048  
Long-Term Debt
    745,099       742,753  
Deferred Income Taxes
    29,983       24,800  
Other Non-Current Liabilities
    84,850       83,399  
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 11, 12 and 15)
               
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: 2010 — 51,338; 2009 — 51,189)
    51,338       51,189  
Additional paid-in capital
    59,631       58,071  
Retained earnings
    81,317       60,768  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (51,105 )     (52,818 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    141,181       117,210  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,231,970     $ 1,211,210  
 
           
See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Revenue
  $ 335,120     $ 339,520  
Net restructuring charges
    621       1,507  
Other cost of goods sold
    117,742       127,752  
 
           
Total cost of goods sold
    118,363       129,259  
 
           
Gross Profit
    216,757       210,261  
 
               
Selling, general and administrative expense
    148,045       158,356  
Net restructuring reversals
    (243 )     (177 )
Asset impairment charges
          24,900  
 
           
Operating Income
    68,955       27,182  
 
               
Gain on early debt extinguishment
          9,834  
Interest expense
    (10,535 )     (12,420 )
Other (expense) income
    (356 )     357  
 
           
Income Before Income Taxes
    58,064       24,953  
 
               
Income tax provision
    24,281       12,449  
 
           
Income from Continuing Operations
    33,783       12,504  
 
               
Net Loss from Discontinued Operations
    (399 )      
 
           
Net Income
  $ 33,384     $ 12,504  
 
           
 
               
Basic Earnings per Share:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.66     $ 0.24  
Net loss from discontinued operations
    (0.01 )      
Basic earnings per share
    0.65       0.24  
 
               
Diluted Earnings per Share:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.66     $ 0.24  
Net loss from discontinued operations
    (0.01 )      
Diluted earnings per share
    0.65       0.24  
 
               
Cash Dividends per Share
  $ 0.25     $ 0.25  
 
               
Total Comprehensive Income
  $ 35,097     $ 14,522  
See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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DELUXE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Quarter Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net income
  $ 33,384     $ 12,504  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
               
Net loss from discontinued operations
    399        
Depreciation
    5,053       5,622  
Amortization of intangibles
    10,394       11,231  
Asset impairment charges
          24,900  
Amortization of contract acquisition costs
    5,007       6,333  
Deferred income taxes
    4,699       1,429  
Employee share-based compensation expense
    1,599       1,495  
Gain on early debt extinguishment
          (9,834 )
Other non-cash items, net
    2,174       6,095  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition and discontinued operations:
               
Trade accounts receivable
    7,386       10,728  
Inventories and supplies
    (395 )     61  
Other current assets
    (2,589 )     (972 )
Non-current assets
    1,594       3,859  
Accounts payable
    (573 )     2,842  
Contract acquisition payments
    (583 )     (14,056 )
Other accrued and non-current liabilities
    (14,857 )     734  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations
    52,692       62,971  
 
           
 
               
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchases of capital assets
    (9,799 )     (9,958 )
Payment for acquisition
    (700 )      
Purchases of customer lists
    (70 )     (614 )
Purchases of marketable securities
    (2 )      
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
    1,970        
Other
    (157 )     (232 )
 
           
Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations
    (8,758 )     (10,804 )
 
           
 
               
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Net payments on short-term debt
    (26,000 )     (9,770 )
Payments on long-term debt
          (21,654 )
Payments for debt issue costs, credit facility
    (2,065 )      
Change in book overdrafts
    (1,454 )     (5,348 )
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans
    1,357       1,016  
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards
    277       8  
Payments for common shares repurchased
          (1,319 )
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
    (12,835 )     (12,811 )
 
           
Net cash used by financing activities of continuing operations
    (40,720 )     (49,878 )
 
           
 
               
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash
    325       (359 )
Cash Used by Operating Activities of Discontinued Operations
          (470 )
Cash Used by Investing Activities of Discontinued Operations
          (6 )
 
           
 
               
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    3,539       1,454  
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Beginning of Period
    12,789       15,590  
 
           
End of Period
  $ 16,328     $ 17,044  
 
           
See Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Consolidated financial statements
     The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, the consolidated statements of income for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated financial statements are included. Adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, except for any discussed in the notes below. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q, and do not contain certain information included in our consolidated annual financial statements and notes. The consolidated financial statements and notes appearing in this report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”).
Note 2: New accounting pronouncements
     In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This guidance requires new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The disclosures required under this guidance are included in Note 5, with the exception of disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.
     In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. This guidance removes the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements for companies that file financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This new guidance was effective immediately. We evaluate subsequent events through the date our financial statements are filed with the SEC. See Note 16 for discussion of subsequent events.
Note 3: Supplemental balance sheet information
     Inventories and supplies — Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Raw materials
  $ 3,858     $ 4,048  
Semi-finished goods
    9,076       8,750  
Finished goods
    5,404       5,602  
 
           
Total inventories
    18,338       18,400  
Supplies, primarily production
    3,578       3,722  
 
           
Inventories and supplies
  $ 21,916     $ 22,122  
 
           

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     Marketable securities — Available-for-sale marketable securities included within funds held for customers and other current assets were comprised of the following:
                                 
    March 31, 2010  
            Gross     Gross        
            unrealized     unrealized        
(in thousands)   Cost     gains     losses     Fair value  
 
Corporate investments:
                               
Money market securities
  $ 1,983     $     $     $ 1,983  
Funds held for customers:(1)
                               
Money market securities
    4,959                   4,959  
Canadian and provincial government securities
    4,954       1       (71 )     4,884  
 
                       
Marketable securities — funds held for customers
    9,913       1       (71 )     9,843  
 
                       
Total marketable securities
  $ 11,896     $ 1     $ (71 )   $ 11,826  
 
                       
 
(1)   Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, also included cash and cash equivalents of $36,151.
                                 
    December 31, 2009  
            Gross     Gross        
            unrealized     unrealized        
(in thousands)   Cost     gains     losses     Fair value  
 
Corporate investments:
                               
Money market securities
  $ 3,667     $     $     $ 3,667  
Funds held for customers:(1)
                               
Money market securities
    9,522                   9,522  
 
                       
Total marketable securities
  $ 13,189     $     $     $ 13,189  
 
                       
 
(1)   Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, also included cash and cash equivalents of $17,379.
     Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2010 were as follows:
         
(in thousands)   Fair value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 7,179  
Due in one to three years
    1,634  
Due in three to five years
    880  
Due after five years
    2,133  
 
     
Total marketable securities
  $ 11,826  
 
     
     Further information regarding the fair value of marketable securities can be found in Note 5: Fair value measurements.

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     Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
                                                 
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Gross carrying     Accumulated             Gross carrying     Accumulated        
(in thousands)   amount     amortization     Net carrying amount     amount     amortization     Net carrying amount  
 
Indefinite-lived:
                                               
Trade name
  $ 19,100     $     $ 19,100     $ 19,100     $     $ 19,100  
Amortizable intangibles:
                                               
Internal-use software
    348,446       (291,932 )     56,514       341,822       (285,181 )     56,641  
Customer lists/relationships
    57,073       (28,392 )     28,681       55,745       (25,777 )     29,968  
Distributor contracts
    30,900       (25,044 )     5,856       30,900       (24,594 )     6,306  
Trade names
    50,461       (19,417 )     31,044       51,861       (20,375 )     31,486  
Other
    8,575       (6,372 )     2,203       8,683       (6,274 )     2,409  
 
                                   
Amortizable intangibles
    495,455       (371,157 )     124,298       489,011       (362,201 )     126,810  
 
                                   
Intangibles
  $ 514,555     $ (371,157 )   $ 143,398     $ 508,111     $ (362,201 )   $ 145,910  
 
                                   
     Total amortization of intangibles was $10.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $11.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Based on the intangibles in service as of March 31, 2010, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
         
(in thousands)        
 
Remainder of 2010
  $ 29,649  
2011
    29,273  
2012
    16,109  
2013
    8,023  
2014
    4,850  
     Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were as follows:
                                 
    Small                      
    Business             Direct        
(in thousands)   Services     Financial Services     Checks     Total  
 
Balance, December 31, 2009:
                               
Goodwill
  $ 596,429     $     $ 82,237     $ 678,666  
Accumulated impairment charges
    (20,000 )                 (20,000 )
 
                       
 
    576,429             82,237       658,666  
 
                               
Acquisition of Cornerstone Customer Solutions, LLC (see Note 7)
          876             876  
Currency translation adjustment
    71                   71  
 
                       
Balance, March 31, 2010:
                               
Goodwill
    596,500       876       82,237       679,613  
Accumulated impairment charges
    (20,000 )                 (20,000 )
 
                       
 
  $ 576,500     $ 876     $ 82,237     $ 659,613  
 
                       

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     Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Contract acquisition costs (net of accumulated amortization of $89,008 and $107,971, respectively)
  $ 54,777     $ 45,701  
Deferred advertising costs
    13,007       14,455  
Other
    22,052       21,455  
 
           
Other non-current assets
  $ 89,836     $ 81,611  
 
           
     See Note 15 for a discussion of market risks related to contract acquisition costs. Changes in contract acquisition costs during the first quarters of 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 45,701     $ 37,706  
Additions(1)
    14,083       29,265  
Amortization
    (5,007 )     (6,333 )
 
           
Balance, end of period
  $ 54,777     $ 60,638  
 
           
 
(1)   Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $583 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $14,056 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
     Accrued liabilities – Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following:
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Funds held for customers
  $ 45,950     $ 26,901  
Customer rebates
    18,091       21,861  
Deferred revenue
    16,118       23,720  
Interest
    15,794       5,227  
Income tax
    14,659        
Contract acquisition costs due within one year
    13,370       2,795  
Employee profit sharing and pension
    10,115       36,594  
Wages, including vacation
    9,314       5,272  
Restructuring due within one year (see Note 8)
    7,173       11,151  
Other
    21,171       22,887  
 
           
Accrued liabilities
  $ 171,755     $ 156,408  
 
           
     Deferred revenue consists primarily of advance billings related to Abacus America, Inc. and a contract termination settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009. The revenue from the contract termination settlement is being recognized over the contract’s remaining service period, which we expect to be through June 2010.
Note 4: Derivative financial instruments
     In September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our ten-year bonds due in 2012. We entered into these swaps, which we designated as fair value hedges, to achieve a targeted mix of fixed and variable rate debt, where we receive a fixed rate and pay a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the related long-term debt are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of income. When the change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the hedged debt are not equal (i.e., hedge ineffectiveness), the difference in the changes in fair value affects the reported amount of interest expense in our consolidated statements of income. Hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The fair value of the interest rate swaps was an asset of $2.3 million as of March 31, 2010, which

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is included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was a liability of $0.2 million, which is included in other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 5 for further information regarding the fair value of these instruments.
Note 5: Fair value measurements
     2009 asset impairment analyses – We evaluate the carrying value of our indefinite-lived trade name and goodwill as of July 31st of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would indicate a possible impairment. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we experienced continued declines in our stock price, as well as a continuing negative impact of the economic downturn on our expected operating results. Based on these indicators of potential impairment, we completed impairment analyses of our indefinite-lived trade name and goodwill as of March 31, 2009.
     The estimate of fair value of our indefinite-lived trade name is based on a relief from royalty method, which calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the trade name. An assumed royalty rate is applied to forecasted revenue and the resulting cash flows are discounted. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge in our Small Business Services segment of $4.9 million related to our indefinite-lived trade name.
     A two-step approach is used in evaluating goodwill for impairment. First, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the carrying amount of its net assets. In calculating fair value, we use the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique under which we estimate future cash flows using the reporting unit’s financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Future estimated cash flows are discounted to their present value to calculate fair value. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the carrying value of the net assets of one of our reporting units exceeded the estimated fair value. As such, the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis required that we compare the implied fair value of the goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of the goodwill, we measured the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amount assigned to its assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, is the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Significant intangible assets of the reporting unit identified for purposes of this impairment analysis included the indefinite-lived trade name discussed above and a distributor contract intangible asset. The fair value of the distributor contract was measured using the income approach, including adjustments for an estimated distributor retention rate based on historical experience. As a result of our analysis, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 in our Small Business Services segment of $20.0 million related to goodwill.
     Information regarding the nonrecurring fair value measurements completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was as follows:
                                         
            Fair value measurements using        
    Fair value     Quoted prices in active     Significant other     Significant        
    as of measurement     markets for identical     observable inputs     unobservable inputs        
(in thousands)   date     assets (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Impairment charge  
 
Goodwill(1)
  $ 20,245     $     $     $ 20,245     $ 20,000  
Indefinite-lived trade name(2)
    19,100                   19,100       4,900  
 
                                     
Total impairment charges
                                  $ 24,900  
 
                                     
 
(1)   Represents the implied fair value of the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit for which we were required to calculate this amount.
 
(2)   Represents the event-driven impairment analysis completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. This asset was reassessed during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 as part of our annual impairment analysis, at which time the fair value of the asset was estimated to be $23,500.
     Recurring fair value measurements – As corporate investments, we held available-for-sale marketable securities of $2.0 million as of March 31, 2010 and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2009. These investments are included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these assets is determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of these securities approximates their fair value. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. No gains or losses on sales of marketable securities were realized during the quarters ended March 31, 2010 or March 31, 2009.

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     Funds held for customers included available-for-sale marketable securities of $9.8 million as of March 31, 2010 and $9.5 million as of December 31, 2009. The fair value of these assets is determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are included in other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. Realized gains and losses are included in revenue on the consolidated statements of income and were not significant for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. No gains or losses on sales of these marketable securities were realized during the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Funds held for customers during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 did not include marketable securities.
     We have elected to account for a long-term investment in domestic mutual funds under the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, as well as dividends earned by the investment, are included in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in our consolidated statements of income. This investment corresponds to a liability under an officers’ deferred compensation plan which is not available to new participants and is fully funded by the investment in mutual funds. The liability under the plan equals the fair value of the investment in mutual funds. Thus, as the value of the investment changes, the liability changes accordingly. As changes in the liability are reflected within SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of income, the fair value option of accounting for the investment in mutual funds allows us to net changes in the investment and the related liability in the statements of income. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. We recognized a net unrealized gain on the investment in mutual funds of $42,000 during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and a net unrealized loss of $0.3 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. No realized gains or losses were recognized during the quarters ended March 31, 2010 or March 31, 2009.
     The fair value of interest rate swaps (see Note 4) is determined at each reporting date by means of a pricing model utilizing readily observable market interest rates. The change in fair value is determined as the change in the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted using the LIBOR rate applicable to the interest rate swaps. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, we recognized a gain on these derivative instruments of $2.5 million, which was offset by a loss of $2.3 million related to an increase in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt. These changes in fair value are both included in interest expense in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
     Information regarding recurring fair value measurements completed during each period was as follows:
                                 
            Fair value measurements using  
            Quoted prices in              
    Fair value     active markets for     Significant other     Significant  
    as of     identical assets     observable inputs     unobservable inputs  
(in thousands)   March 31, 2010     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
 
Marketable securities – funds held for customers
  $ 9,843     $ 9,843     $     $  
Marketable securities – corporate investments
    1,983       1,983              
Long-term investment in mutual funds
    2,113       2,113              
Derivative assets
    2,311             2,311        
                                 
            Fair value measurements using  
            Quoted prices in              
    Fair value     active markets for     Significant other     Significant  
    as of     identical assets     observable inputs     unobservable inputs  
(in thousands)   December 31, 2009     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
 
Marketable securities – funds held for customers
  $ 9,522     $ 9,522     $     $  
Marketable securities – corporate investments
    3,667       3,667              
Long-term investment in mutual funds
    2,231       2,231              
Derivative liabilities
    152             152        

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     Fair value measurements of other financial instruments - The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.
     Cash and cash equivalents, cash and cash equivalents included within funds held for customers, and short-term debt — The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.
     Long-term debt — The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets in an active market (Level 1 fair value measurement). The fair value of long-term debt included in the table below does not reflect the impact of hedging activity. The carrying amount of long-term debt includes the change in fair value of hedged long-term debt.
     The estimated fair values of these financial instruments were as follows:
                                 
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
(in thousands)   Carrying amount     Fair value     Carrying amount     Fair value  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 16,328     $ 16,328     $ 12,789     $ 12,789  
Cash and cash equivalents — funds held for customers
    36,151       36,151       17,379       17,379  
Short-term debt
                26,000       26,000  
Long-term debt
    745,099       722,880       742,753       719,283  
Note 6: Earnings per share
     The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. During each period, certain options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2010     2009  
 
Earnings per share — basic:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 33,783     $ 12,504  
Income allocated to participating securities
    (187 )     (100 )
 
           
Income available to common shareholders
  $ 33,596     $ 12,404  
 
               
Weighted-average shares outstanding
    51,041       50,714  
Earnings per share — basic
  $ 0.66     $ 0.24  
 
               
Earnings per share — diluted:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 33,783     $ 12,504  
Income allocated to participating securities
    (187 )     (100 )
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities
    55       (160 )
 
           
Income available to common shareholders
  $ 33,651     $ 12,244  
 
               
Weighted-average shares outstanding
    51,041       50,714  
Dilutive impact of options and employee stock purchase plan
    178       12  
 
           
Weighted-average shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding
    51,219       50,726  
 
               
Earnings per share — diluted
  $ 0.66     $ 0.24  
 
               
Antidilutive options excluded from calculation
    2,391       3,169  

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Note 7: Acquisition and discontinued operations
     During March 2010, we purchased the assets of Cornerstone Customer Solutions, LLC (CCS) in a cash transaction for $0.7 million. CCS is a full-service, marketing solutions provider specializing in the development and execution of analytics-driven direct marketing programs. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Financial Services segment. The allocation of the purchase price based upon the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in tax deductible goodwill of $0.9 million. We believe this acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill as we are offering these strategic and tactical marketing solutions to our financial institution clients. Transaction costs related to this acquisition were expensed as incurred and were not significant to our consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
     Net loss from discontinued operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 represents an additional loss on the disposal of a previously divested business.
Note 8: Restructuring charges
     Net restructuring charges for each period consisted of the following components:
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Severance accruals
  $ 681     $ 153  
Severance reversals
    (820 )     (610 )
Operating lease obligations
    415       865  
Operating lease reversals
          (19 )
 
           
Net restructuring accruals
    276       389  
Other costs
    102       941  
 
           
Net restructuring charges
  $ 378     $ 1,330  
 
           
     2010 restructuring charges — During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions in various functional areas as we continue our cost reduction initiatives, primarily within the fulfillment function, as well as an additional charge for an operating lease related to a facility closed in 2008. The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for 30 employees. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals recorded in 2008 and 2009 as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities. The net restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $0.6 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring reversals of $0.2 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
     2009 restructuring charges - During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the net restructuring accruals primarily included operating lease obligations on two manufacturing facilities which were closed during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, less the reversal of $0.6 million of previously recorded restructuring accruals as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities. The net restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $1.5 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring reversals of $0.2 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
     Restructuring accruals of $7.6 million as of March 31, 2010 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $7.2 million and other non-current liabilities of $0.4 million. Restructuring accruals of $11.5 million as of December 31, 2009 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $11.2 million and other non-current liabilities of $0.3 million. The majority of the employee reductions are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2010. We expect most of the related severance payments to be fully paid by early 2011, utilizing cash from operations. The remaining payments due under operating lease obligations will be paid through May 2013. As of March 31, 2010, 289 employees had not yet started to receive severance benefits. Further information regarding our restructuring accruals can be found under the caption “Note 8: Restructuring charges” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K.

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     As of March 31, 2010, our restructuring accruals, by company initiative, were as follows:
                                         
(in thousands)   2007 initiatives     2008 initiatives     2009 initiatives     2010 initiatives     Total  
 
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $ 64     $ 2,175     $ 9,253     $     $ 11,492  
Restructuring charges
          499       51       546       1,096  
Restructuring reversals
          (226 )     (594 )           (820 )
Payments, primarily severance
          (759 )     (3,339 )     (33 )     (4,131 )
 
                             
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 64     $ 1,689     $ 5,371     $ 513     $ 7,637  
 
                             
 
                                       
Cumulative amounts:
                                       
Restructuring accruals
  $ 7,181     $ 27,519     $ 10,967     $ 546     $ 46,213  
Restructuring reversals
    (1,439 )     (5,111 )     (742 )           (7,292 )
Payments, primarily severance
    (5,678 )     (20,719 )     (4,854 )     (33 )     (31,284 )
 
                             
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 64     $ 1,689     $ 5,371     $ 513     $ 7,637  
 
                             
     As of March 31, 2010, the components of our restructuring accruals, by segment, were as follows:
                                                 
    Employee severance benefits     Operating lease obligations        
    Small Business     Financial     Direct             Small Business        
(in thousands)   Services     Services     Checks     Corporate     Services     Total  
 
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $ 4,745     $ 1,053     $ 116     $ 4,781     $ 797     $ 11,492  
Restructuring charges
    195       20             466       415       1,096  
Restructuring reversals
    (369 )     (39 )     (116 )     (296 )           (820 )
Payments
    (1,949 )     (574 )           (1,431 )     (177 )     (4,131 )
 
                                   
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 2,622     $ 460     $     $ 3,520     $ 1,035     $ 7,637  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Cumulative amounts for current initiatives(1) :
                                               
Restructuring charges
  $ 15,059     $ 5,711     $ 475     $ 23,167     $ 1,801     $ 46,213  
Restructuring reversals
    (1,744 )     (1,152 )     (125 )     (4,258 )     (13 )     (7,292 )
Inter-segment transfer
    1,552       739       61       (2,352 )            
Payments
    (12,245 )     (4,838 )     (411 )     (13,037 )     (753 )     (31,284 )
 
                                   
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 2,622     $ 460     $     $ 3,520     $ 1,035     $ 7,637  
 
                                   
 
(1)   Includes accruals related to our cost reduction initiatives for 2007 through 2010.
Note 9: Pension and other postretirement benefits
     We have historically provided certain health care benefits for a large number of retired employees. In addition to our retiree health care plan, we also have a supplemental executive retirement plan in the United States. We previously had a pension plan that covered certain Canadian employees which was settled during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Further information regarding our postretirement benefit plans can be found under the caption “Note 12: Pension and other postretirement benefits” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K. See Note 15 for discussion of the risks associated with the plan assets of our postretirement benefit plan.

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     Pension and postretirement benefit expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following components:
                                 
    Postretirement benefit        
    plan     Pension plans  
(in thousands)   2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Interest cost
  $ 1,820     $ 2,044     $ 45     $ 263  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,806 )     (1,460 )           (57 )
Amortization of prior service credit
    (936 )     (990 )            
Amortization of net actuarial losses
    1,352       3,510             9  
 
                       
Total periodic benefit expense
    430       3,104       45       215  
Settlement loss
                      402  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit expense
  $ 430     $ 3,104     $ 45     $ 617  
 
                       
Note 10: Income tax provision
     Our effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 was 41.8%, compared to our 2009 annual effective tax rate of 35.9%. Our 2010 effective tax rate included discrete items which increased our tax rate by 6.3 points. The discrete items in 2010 consisted primarily of a $3.4 million charge resulting from a reconciliation bill, formerly known as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which was signed into law in March 2010 and which requires that certain tax deductions after 2012 be reduced by the amount of the Medicare Part D subsidy payments. Prior to this law change, the subsidy was to be disregarded in all future years when computing tax deductions. This resulted in a reduction in the deferred tax asset associated with our postretirement benefit plan.
     Our 2009 effective tax rate included the non-deductible portion of the goodwill impairment charge recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (see Note 5), which increased our effective tax rate 2.9 percentage points. Our 2009 effective tax rate also included favorable adjustments related to receivables for prior year tax returns, which lowered our effective tax rate 2.2 percentage points.
Note 11: Debt
     Total debt outstanding was comprised of the following:
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
5.0% senior, unsecured notes due December 15, 2012, net of discount, including cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt: 2010 - $2,034 increase; 2009 - $254 decrease
  $ 281,865     $ 279,533  
5.125% senior, unsecured notes due October 1, 2014, net of discount
    263,234       263,220  
7.375% senior, unsecured notes due June 1, 2015
    200,000       200,000  
 
           
Long-term portion of debt
    745,099       742,753  
Amounts drawn on line of credit
          26,000  
 
           
Total debt
  $ 745,099     $ 768,753  
 
           
     Our senior, unsecured notes include covenants that place restrictions on the issuance of additional debt, the execution of certain sale-leaseback agreements and limitations on certain liens. Discounts from par value are being amortized ratably as increases to interest expense over the term of the related debt.
     In May 2007, we issued $200.0 million of 7.375% senior, unsecured notes maturing on June 1, 2015. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the SEC via a registration statement which became effective on June 29, 2007. Interest payments are due each June and December. The notes place a limitation on restricted payments, including increases in dividend levels and share repurchases. This limitation does not apply if the notes are upgraded to an investment-grade credit rating. Principal redemptions may be made at our election at any time on or after June 1, 2011 at redemption prices ranging from 100% to 103.688% of the principal amount. We may also redeem up to 35% of the notes at a price equal to 107.375% of the principal amount plus

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accrued and unpaid interest using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before June 1, 2010. In addition, at any time prior to June 1, 2011, we may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. If we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes in control, we must offer to purchase the notes at 101% of the principal amount. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $196.3 million. These proceeds were used to repay amounts drawn on our credit facility and to invest in marketable securities. On October 1, 2007, we liquidated all of these marketable securities and used the proceeds as part of our repayment of $325.0 million of unsecured notes plus accrued interest. The fair value of the notes issued in May 2007 was $200.5 million as of March 31, 2010, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets.
     In October 2004, we issued $275.0 million of 5.125% senior, unsecured notes maturing on October 1, 2014. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the SEC via a registration statement which became effective on November 23, 2004. Interest payments are due each April and October. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $272.3 million. These proceeds were used to repay commercial paper borrowings used for the acquisition of New England Business Service, Inc. in 2004. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we retired $11.5 million of these notes, realizing a pre-tax gain of $4.1 million. As of March 31, 2010, the fair value of the $263.5 million remaining notes outstanding was $242.4 million, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets.
     In December 2002, we issued $300.0 million of 5.0% senior, unsecured notes maturing on December 15, 2012. These notes were issued under our shelf registration statement covering up to $300.0 million in medium-term notes, thereby exhausting that registration statement. Interest payments are due each June and December. Principal redemptions may be made at our election prior to the stated maturity. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $295.7 million. These proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including funding share repurchases, capital asset purchases and working capital. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we retired $19.7 million of these notes, realizing a pre-tax gain of $5.7 million. As of March 31, 2010, the fair value of the $280.3 million remaining notes outstanding was $280.0 million, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets. As discussed in Note 4, during September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge a portion of these notes. The fair value of long-term debt disclosed here does not reflect the impact of these fair value hedges. The carrying amount of long-term debt has increased $2.0 million since the inception of the interest rate swaps due to changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt.
     As of December 31, 2009, we had a $275.0 million committed line of credit which was scheduled to expire in July 2010. During March 2010, we cancelled this line of credit and executed a new $200.0 million credit facility, which expires in March 2013. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all personal property. Our commitment fee ranges from 0.40% to 0.50% based on our leverage ratio. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains customary covenants regarding limits on levels of subsidiary indebtedness and capital expenditures, liens, investments, acquisitions, certain mergers, certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and change in control as defined in the agreement. The agreement also contains financial covenants regarding our leverage ratio, interest coverage and liquidity.
     The daily average amount outstanding under our credit facilities during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 was $17.5 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 1.20%. As of March 31, 2010, no amounts were outstanding under our credit facility. During April 2010, we drew $98 million on our credit facility to fund an acquisition (see Note 16). During 2009, the daily average amount outstanding under our line of credit was $69.3 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 0.76%. As of December 31, 2009, $26.0 million was outstanding at a weighted-average interest rate of 0.67%. As of March 31, 2010, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:
         
    Total  
(in thousands)   available  
 
Credit facility commitment
  $ 200,000  
Outstanding letters of credit
    (10,236 )
 
     
Net available for borrowing as of March 31, 2010
  $ 189,764  
 
     
     Absent certain defined events of default under our debt instruments, and as long as our ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense is in excess of two to one, our debt covenants do not restrict our ability to pay cash dividends at our current rate.

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Note 12: Other commitments and contingencies
     Information regarding indemnifications, environmental matters, self-insurance and litigation can be found under the caption “Note 14: Other commitments and contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K. No significant changes in these items occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Note 13: Shareholders’ equity
     We have an outstanding authorization from our board of directors to purchase up to 10 million shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date, and 6.4 million shares remain available for purchase under this authorization as of March 31, 2010. We did not repurchase any shares during the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The terms of our $200.0 million notes maturing in 2015 place a limitation on restricted payments, including increases in dividend levels and share repurchases.
     Changes in shareholders’ equity during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were as follows:
                                                 
    Common shares     Additional                      
    Number     Par     paid-in             Accumulated other     Total shareholders’  
(in thousands)   of shares     value     capital     Retained earnings     comprehensive loss     equity  
 
Balance, December 31, 2009
    51,189     $ 51,189     $ 58,071     $ 60,768     $ (52,818 )   $ 117,210  
Net income
                      33,384             33,384  
Cash dividends
                      (12,835 )           (12,835 )
Common shares issued
    198       198       1,886                   2,084  
Tax impact of share-based awards
                (1,048 )                 (1,048 )
Common shares retired
    (50 )     (50 )     (787 )                 (837 )
Fair value of share-based compensation
    1       1       1,509                   1,510  
Amortization of postretirement prior service credit, net of tax
                            (580 )     (580 )
Amortization of postretirement net actuarial losses, net of tax
                            838       838  
Amortization of loss on derivatives, net of tax(1)
                            330       330  
Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax
                            (50 )     (50 )
Currency translation adjustment
                            1,175       1,175  
     
Balance, March 31, 2010
    51,338     $ 51,338     $ 59,631     $ 81,317     $ (51,105 )   $ 141,181  
     
 
    (1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004 and 2002. See the caption “Note 6: Derivative financial instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2009 Form 10-K.

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     Accumulated other comprehensive loss was comprised of the following:
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Postretirement and defined benefit pension plan:
               
Unrealized prior service credit
  $ 17,398     $ 17,978  
Unrealized net actuarial losses
    (69,490 )     (70,328 )
 
           
Postretirement and defined benefit pension plans, net of tax
    (52,092 )     (52,350 )
Loss on derivatives, net of tax
    (5,511 )     (5,841 )
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax
    (50 )      
Currency translation adjustment
    6,548       5,373  
 
           
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (51,105 )   $ (52,818 )
 
           
Note 14: Business segment information
     We operate three reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Small Business Services sells personalized printed products, which include business checks, printed forms, promotional products, marketing materials and related services, as well as retail packaging supplies and a suite of business services, including web design and hosting, fraud protection, payroll, logo design, search engine marketing and business networking, to small businesses. These products and services are sold through direct response marketing, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications companies, independent distributors and dealers, the internet and sales representatives. Financial Services sells personal and business checks, check-related products and services, including rewards checking programs, customer loyalty and retention programs, fraud monitoring and protection services, stored value gift cards, and direct marketing services to financial institutions primarily through a direct sales force. Direct Checks sells personal and business checks and related products and services directly to consumers through direct response marketing and the internet. All three segments operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and Europe.
     The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2009 Form 10-K. We allocate corporate costs for our shared services functions to our business segments, including costs of our executive management, human resources, supply chain, finance, information technology and legal functions. Generally, where costs incurred are directly attributable to a business segment, primarily within the areas of information technology, supply chain and finance, those costs are reported in that segment’s results. Because we use a shared services approach for many of our functions, certain costs are not directly attributable to a business segment. These costs are allocated to our business segments based on segment revenue, as revenue is a measure of the relative size and magnitude of each segment and indicates the level of corporate shared services consumed by each segment. Corporate assets are not allocated to the segments and consist of property, plant and equipment, internal-use software, inventories and supplies related to our corporate shared services functions of manufacturing, information technology and real estate, as well as long-term investments and deferred income taxes.
     We are an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and the sharing of assets. Therefore, we do not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating income and other financial information shown.

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     The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
                                                 
            Reportable Business Segments              
            Small Business                          
(in thousands)           Services     Financial Services     Direct Checks     Corporate     Consolidated  
 
Revenue from external customers:
    2010     $ 192,326     $ 101,445     $ 41,349     $     $ 335,120  
 
    2009       193,283       102,003       44,234             339,520  
 
Operating income (loss):
    2010       29,070       23,988       15,897               68,955  
 
    2009       (6,628 )     19,561       14,249             27,182  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    2010       11,438       2,901       1,108               15,447  
expense:
    2009       13,346       2,511       996             16,853  
 
Asset impairment charges:
    2010                                
 
    2009       24,900                         24,900  
 
Total assets:
    2010       783,556       66,248       94,538       287,628       1,231,970  
 
    2009       739,800       68,768       98,448       284,230       1,191,246  
 
Capital asset purchases:
    2010                         9,799       9,799  
 
    2009                         9,958       9,958  
Note 15: Market risks
     Due to failures and consolidations of companies within the financial services industry since 2008, as well as the downturn in the broader U.S. economy, including the liquidity crisis in the credit markets, we have identified certain market risks which may affect our future operating performance.
     Economic conditions – As discussed in Note 5, during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we completed impairment analyses of goodwill and our indefinite-lived trade name due to indicators of potential impairment. We recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $20.0 million in our Small Business Services segment related to one of our reporting units, as well as an impairment charge of $4.9 million in our Small Business Services segment related to an indefinite-lived trade name. The annual impairment analyses completed during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 indicated that the calculated fair values of our reporting units’ net assets exceeded their carrying values by amounts between $18 million and $308 million, or by amounts between 46% and 70% above the carrying values of their net assets. The calculated fair value of our indefinite-lived trade name exceeded its carrying value of $19.1 million by $4.4 million based on the analysis completed during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Due to the ongoing uncertainty in market conditions, which may continue to negatively impact our expected operating results or share price, we will continue to monitor whether additional impairment analyses are required with respect to the carrying value of goodwill and the indefinite-lived trade name.
     Postretirement benefit plan – The fair value of the plan assets of our postretirement benefit plan is subject to various risks, including credit, interest and overall market volatility risks. During 2008, the equity markets experienced a significant decline in value. As such, the fair value of our plan assets decreased significantly during the year, resulting in a $29.9 million increase in the unfunded status of our plan as compared to the end of the previous year. This affected the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and also contributed to an increase in postretirement benefit expense of $2.4 million in 2009, as compared to 2008. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of our plan assets had partially recovered, contributing to an $11.8 million improvement in the unfunded status of our plan as compared to December 31, 2008. If the equity and bond markets decline in future periods, the funded status of our plan could again be materially affected. This could result in higher postretirement benefit expense in the future, as well as the need to contribute increased amounts of cash to fund the benefits payable under the plan, although our obligation is limited to funding benefits as they become payable. We did not use plan assets to make benefit payments during the first quarter of 2010 or during 2009. Rather, we used cash provided by operating activities to make these payments.
     Financial institution clients – Continued turmoil in the financial services industry, including further bank failures and consolidations, could have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations if we were to lose a significant contract and/or we were unable to recover the value of an unamortized contract acquisition cost or accounts receivable. As of March 31, 2010, unamortized contract acquisition costs totalled $54.8 million, while liabilities for contract acquisition costs

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not paid as of March 31, 2010 were $22.3 million. The inability to recover amounts paid to one or more of our larger financial institution clients could have a significant negative impact on our consolidated results of operations. Additionally, if two of our financial institution clients were to consolidate, the increase in general negotiating leverage possessed by the consolidated entities could result in a new contract which is not as favorable to us as those historically negotiated with the clients individually. We may also lose significant business if one of our financial institution clients were taken over by a financial institution which is not one of our clients. However, in this situation, we may be able to collect a contract termination payment. Conversely, further bank consolidations could positively impact our results of operations if we were to obtain business from a non-client financial institution that merges with one of our clients. We may also generate non-recurring conversion revenue when obsolete checks have to be replaced after one financial institution merges with or acquires another. We presently do not have specific information that indicates that we should expect to generate significant income from conversions.
Note 16: Subsequent event
     During April 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Custom Direct, Inc. (Custom Direct), a leading provider of direct-to-consumer checks, in a cash transaction for $98 million. Approximately $86 million of this amount was used to extinguish Custom Direct’s outstanding debt. We funded the acquisition with our credit facility. We expect the acquisition of Custom Direct to contribute to our strategy of optimizing cash flows in our Direct Checks segment, including cash tax savings of approximately $10 million from certain acquired tax attributes. Related transaction costs expensed during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were not significant.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
     Our business is organized into three segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our Small Business Services segment generated 57.4% of our consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2010. This segment has sold personalized printed products, which include business checks, printed forms, promotional products, marketing materials and related services, as well as retail packaging supplies and a suite of business services, including web design and hosting, fraud protection, payroll, logo design, search engine marketing and business networking, to over four million small businesses in the last 24 months. These products and services are sold through direct response marketing, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications companies, independent distributors and dealers, the internet and sales representatives. Our Financial Services segment generated 30.3% of our consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2010. This segment sells personal and business checks, check-related products and services, including rewards checking programs, customer loyalty and retention programs, fraud monitoring and protection services, stored value gift cards, and direct marketing services to approximately 6,400 financial institution clients nationwide, including banks, credit unions and financial services companies, primarily through a direct sales force. Our Direct Checks segment generated 12.3% of our consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2010. This segment is the nation’s leading direct-to-consumer check supplier, selling under the Checks Unlimited®, Designer® Checks and Checks.com brand names. Through these brands, we sell personal and business checks and related products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing and the internet. We operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and Europe.
     Throughout 2009, our business was negatively impacted by the severe downturn in the economy and by turmoil in the financial services industry. Demand fell for many of our Small Business Services products as we believe small business owners reduced their discretionary spending. Additionally, we believe interruptions and consumer uncertainty related to financial institution consolidations and failures led to reduced check orders from several of our financial institution clients. We continued to see the negative impact of the economic environment in our results for the first quarter of 2010. At the same time, we accelerated many of our cost reduction actions, and we have identified additional opportunities to improve our cost structure. We believe we have taken appropriate steps to position ourselves for sustainable growth as the economy recovers, including enhancing our internet capabilities, improving customer segmentation and adding new small business customers. We have invested in acquisitions that offer higher growth business services, extend our direct-to-consumer offerings, enhance our cash flow generating capabilities, and bring analytics-driven deposit acquisition marketing programs to our financial institution clients. We are focused on capitalizing on transformational opportunities available to us in this difficult environment and believe that we will be positioned to consistently deliver strong margins once the economy recovers.

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Our earnings for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, benefited from the following:
    Asset impairment charges of $24.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 within Small Business Services related to goodwill and an indefinite-lived trade name;
 
    Continuing initiatives to reduce our cost structure, primarily within sales and marketing, manufacturing and information technology;
 
    Recognition of deferred revenue from a Financial Services contract termination settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009;
 
    Price increases in Small Business Services and Financial Services; and
 
    A decrease of $2.0 million in restructuring and related costs in 2010, as compared to 2009.
These benefits were partially offset by the following:
    Pre-tax gains of $9.8 million in the first quarter of 2009 from the retirement of long-term notes;
 
    Lower volume in Small Business Services due primarily to changes in our customers’ buying patterns, we believe, as a result of the continued economic downturn;
 
    Reduced volume for our personal check businesses due to the continuing decline in check usage, turmoil in the financial services industry, including bank failures, and continued economic softness; and
 
    Increases in delivery rates.
Our Strategies
     Details concerning our strategies were provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). There were no significant changes in our strategies during the first quarter of 2010.
     During March 2010, we purchased the assets of Cornerstone Customer Solutions, LLC (CCS) in a cash transaction for $0.7 million. CCS is a full-service, marketing solutions provider specializing in the development and execution of analytics-driven direct marketing programs. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Financial Services segment as we are offering these strategic and tactical marketing solutions to our financial institution clients.
     During April 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Custom Direct, Inc. (Custom Direct), a leading provider of direct-to-consumer checks, in a cash transaction for $98 million. Approximately $86 million of this amount was used to extinguish Custom Direct’s outstanding debt. We funded the acquisition with our credit facility. We expect the acquisition of Custom Direct to contribute to our strategy of optimizing cash flows in our Direct Checks segment. During the remainder of 2010, the acquisition is expected to generate approximately $60 million in revenue and over $15 million of additional operating cash flow, including cash tax savings of approximately $10 million from certain acquired tax attributes. The acquisition is expected to be neutral to earnings per share in 2010, including approximately $2 million of transaction-related costs and approximately $11 million of acquisition-related amortization.
Update on Cost Reduction Initiatives
     As discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2009 Form 10-K, we are pursuing aggressive cost reduction and business simplification initiatives which we expect to collectively reduce our annual cost structure by at least $325 million, net of required investments, by the end of 2010. The baseline for these anticipated savings is the estimated cost structure for 2006, which was reflected in the earnings guidance reported in our press release on July 27, 2006 regarding second quarter 2006 results. We estimate that we realized approximately $260 million of the $325 million target through the end of 2009, and we are currently on track to realize the remaining $65 million in 2010. To date, most of our savings are from sales and marketing, information technology and fulfillment, including manufacturing and supply chain.
Outlook for 2010
     We anticipate that consolidated revenue from continuing operations will be between $1.36 billion and $1.40 billion for 2010, as compared to $1.34 billion for 2009, including approximately $60 million of revenue from the Custom Direct acquisition. In Small Business Services, we expect the revenue decline percentage to be in the low single digits to flat range as declines in core business products are expected to be offset by the benefits of our e-commerce investments and growth in

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business services offerings, including 2009 acquisitions. In Financial Services, we expect check order declines of approximately eight percent compared to 2009, given the continued weak economy and increases in forms of electronic payments. We expect these declines to be partially offset by higher revenue per order, a new contract acquisition which will begin to contribute volume in the second half of the year, and continued contributions from non-check revenue streams. Direct Checks revenue is expected to increase in the upper twenties percent range, driven by the Custom Direct acquisition and improved reorder volumes stemming from past quantity reductions, partially offset by check usage declines and the continued weak economy.
     We expect that 2010 diluted earnings per share will be between $2.45 and $2.65, which includes an estimated $0.10 per share impact of a first quarter charge to income tax expense due to recent health care reform legislation and transaction-related costs associated with recent acquisitions. Earnings per share for 2009 was $1.94, which included a $0.50 per share impact of impairment charges, restructuring and transaction-related costs, and gains on debt repurchases. We expect that continued execution of our cost reduction initiatives will be offset by the revenue decline, excluding the Custom Direct acquisition, continued investments in revenue growth opportunities and increases in delivery rates. Our outlook reflects a merit wage freeze in 2010, leaving base salary levels consistent with 2009. We estimate that our annual effective tax rate for 2010 will be approximately 35%, excluding a first quarter charge of $3.4 million related to recent health care reform legislation, compared to 35.9% in 2009.
     We anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations will be between $195 million and $215 million in 2010, compared to $206 million in 2009. We anticipate that higher performance-based compensation payments for all employee levels in 2010 will be offset by cash generated by the Custom Direct acquisition, higher earnings, continued progress on working capital initiatives and lower contract acquisition payments. We estimate that capital spending will be approximately $40 million in 2010 as we continue to expand our use of digital printing technology, complete automation of our flat check packaging process and make other investments in order fulfillment, delivery productivity and information technology infrastructure.
     We believe our credit facility, which was executed in March 2010, along with cash generated by operating activities, will be sufficient to support our operations, including capital expenditures, small-to-medium-sized acquisitions, required debt service and dividend payments, for the next 12 months. With no long-term debt maturities until 2012, we are focused on a disciplined approach to capital deployment that focuses on our need to continue investing in initiatives to drive revenue growth, including small-to-medium-sized acquisitions. We also anticipate that our board of directors will maintain our current dividend level. However, dividends are approved by the board of directors on a quarterly basis and thus, are subject to change. To the extent we have cash flow in excess of these priorities, our focus during the remainder of 2010 will be on further reducing our debt. During the first quarter of 2010, we re-paid $26.0 million borrowed under our credit facilities and had no remaining amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2010.
BUSINESS CHALLENGES/MARKET RISKS
     Details concerning business challenges/market risks were provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our 2009 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in these items during the first quarter of 2010.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Revenue
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands, except per order amounts)   2010     2009     Change  
   
Revenue
  $ 335,120     $ 339,520       (1.3 %)
 
                       
Orders
    14,073       15,298       (8.0 %)
Revenue per order
  $ 23.81     $ 22.19       7.3 %
     The decrease in revenue for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due to lower order volume in each of our segments. Partially offsetting the volume declines was higher revenue per order in Financial Services, sales of products and services by businesses acquired in 2009 and 2010, a favorable currency exchange rate impact of $2.4 million, and price increases in Small Business Services and Financial Services.

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     The number of orders decreased for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, due primarily to general economic conditions which we believe affected our customers’ buying patterns, as well as the continuing decline in check and forms usage. Revenue per order increased for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to the recognition of deferred revenue from a Financial Services contract termination settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the benefit of price increases, partially offset by continued pricing pressure within Financial Services.
Consolidated Gross Margin
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Gross profit
  $ 216,757     $ 210,261       3.1 %
Gross margin
    64.7 %     61.9 %   2.8 pts.
     We evaluate gross margin when analyzing our consolidated results of operations as we believe it provides important insight into significant profit drivers. As more than 90% of our revenue at this time is generated from the sale of manufactured and purchased products, the measure of gross margin best demonstrates our manufacturing and distribution performance, as well as the impact of pricing on our profitability. Gross margin is not a complete measure of profitability, as it omits selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense. However, it is a financial measure which is useful in evaluating our results of operations.
     Gross margin increased for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, due primarily to manufacturing efficiencies and other benefits resulting from our cost reduction initiatives, as well as higher revenue per order. Also contributing to the higher gross margin was a decrease of $1.9 million in restructuring charges and other costs related to our cost reduction initiatives. Further information regarding our restructuring costs can be found under Restructuring Costs. The lower charges for restructuring and related costs contributed 0.6 percentage points of the increase in gross margin for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to 2009.
Consolidated Selling, General & Administrative Expense
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
SG&A expense
  $ 148,045     $ 158,356       (6.5 %)
SG&A as a percentage of revenue
    44.2 %     46.6 %   (2.4) pts.
     The decrease in SG&A expense for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due primarily to various cost reduction initiatives within our shared services organizations, primarily within sales and marketing and information technology. Partially offsetting these decreases were expenses from the businesses we acquired in 2009 and 2010.
Net Restructuring Reversals
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Net restructuring reversals
  $ 243     $ 177     $ 66  
     We recorded restructuring charges and reversals related to the cost reduction initiatives discussed under Executive Overview. The charges and reversals for each period primarily relate to accruals for severance benefits. Additional restructuring charges of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 and $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 were included within cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of income. Further information can be found under Restructuring Costs.

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Asset Impairment Charges
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Asset impairment charges
  $  —     $ 24,900     $ (24,900 )
     As of March 31, 2009, we completed impairment analyses of goodwill and an indefinite-lived trade name due to declines in our stock price during the first quarter of 2009 coupled with the continuing negative impact of the economic downturn on our expected operating results. We recorded non-cash asset impairment charges in our Small Business Services segment of $20.0 million related to goodwill and $4.9 million related to the indefinite-lived trade name. Further information regarding our impairment analyses can be found under the caption “Note 5: Fair value measurements” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
Gain on Early Debt Extinguishment
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Gain on early debt extinguishment
  $  —     $ 9,834     $ (9,834 )
     During the first quarter of 2009, we retired $31.2 million of long-term notes at an average 32% discount from par value, realizing a pre-tax gain of $9.8 million. We may retire additional debt, depending on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other potential uses of cash, including acquisitions or share repurchases.
Interest Expense
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Interest expense
  $ 10,535     $ 12,420       (15.2 %)
Weighted-average debt outstanding
    761,338       835,892       (8.9 %)
Weighted-average interest rate
    5.12 %     5.26 %   (0.14) pt.
     The decrease in interest expense for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due primarily to our lower average debt level in 2010, as well as our lower weighted-average interest rate. During the third quarter of 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our long-term debt. These fair value hedges reduced interest expense by $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2010. Additionally, due to the early retirement of long-term notes during the first quarter of 2009, we were required to accelerate the recognition of a portion of a derivative loss. This resulted in additional interest expense of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2009.
Income Tax Provision
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Income tax provision
  $ 24,281     $ 12,449       95.0 %
Effective tax rate
    41.8 %     49.9 %   (8.1) pts.
     The decrease in our effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was primarily due to the impact of discrete income tax expense in the first quarter of 2009 which increased our effective tax rate by 13.8 points for the first quarter of 2009. The discrete items in 2009 consisted of the non-deductible portion of the goodwill impairment charge, among other items. Discrete income tax expense in 2010 increased our effective tax rate by 6.3 points. The discrete items in 2010 consisted primarily of a $3.4 million charge resulting from a reconciliation bill, formerly known as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which was signed into law in March 2010 and which requires that certain tax deductions after 2012 be reduced by the amount of the Medicare Part D subsidy payments. Prior to this law change, the subsidy was to be disregarded in all future years when computing tax deductions. This resulted in a reduction in the deferred tax asset associated with our postretirement benefit plan. In addition, our qualified production activity deduction increased in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the first quarter of 2009.

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RESTRUCTURING COSTS
     During the first quarter of 2010, we recorded net restructuring charges of $0.4 million. This amount included expenses related to our restructuring activities, including equipment moves, training and travel which were expensed as incurred, as well as net restructuring accruals of $0.3 million. The net restructuring accruals included charges of $1.1 million related to severance for employee reductions in various functional areas, primarily within the fulfillment function, as well as an additional charge for an operating lease related to a facility closed in 2008. These actions were the result of our cost reduction initiatives. The net restructuring accruals included severance benefits for 30 employees. Further information regarding our cost reduction initiatives can be found under Executive Overview. These charges were reduced by the reversal of $0.8 million of restructuring accruals recorded in 2008 and 2009 as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. The restructuring charges were reflected as net restructuring charges of $0.6 million within cost of goods sold and net restructuring reversals of $0.2 million within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
     During 2009, we recorded net restructuring charges of $12.0 million. This amount included expenses related to our restructuring activities, including items such as equipment moves, training and travel which were expensed as incurred, as well as net restructuring accruals of $8.2 million. The net restructuring accruals included charges of $11.8 million related to severance for employee reductions in various functional areas, including the closing of one customer call center, which was completed in the first quarter of 2010, and further consolidation in the sales, marketing and fulfillment organizations, as well as operating lease obligations on three manufacturing facilities closed during 2009. These actions were the result of our cost reduction initiatives. The net restructuring accruals included severance benefits for 643 employees.
     During 2009, we closed seven manufacturing operations and two customer call centers which were located in five leased facilities and three owned facilities. The operations and related assets were relocated to other locations. We have remaining rent obligations for three of the five leased facilities and we are actively marketing the three owned facilities. The remaining payments due under the operating lease obligations will be paid through May 2013. Although we closed the manufacturing operations within our Colorado Springs, Colorado facility during 2009, this owned location also houses administrative functions and two customer call centers, one of which we closed during the first quarter of 2010. Once this facility is sold, we plan to relocate the remaining employees to another location in the same area. The majority of the employee reductions included in our restructuring accruals are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010. We expect most of the related severance payments to be fully paid by early 2011, utilizing cash from operations.
     As a result of our employee reductions and facility closings, we expect to realize cost savings of approximately $12 million in cost of goods sold and $20 million in SG&A expense in 2010 relative to 2009. Expense reductions consist primarily of labor and facility costs.
     Further information regarding our restructuring charges can be found under the caption “Note 8: Restructuring charges” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
SEGMENT RESULTS
     Additional financial information regarding our business segments appears under the caption “Note 14: Business segment information” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
Small Business Services
     This segment sells personalized printed products, which include business checks, printed forms, promotional products, marketing materials and related services, as well as retail packaging supplies and a suite of business services including web design and hosting, fraud protection, payroll, logo design, search engine marketing and business networking, to small businesses. These products and services are sold through direct response marketing, referrals from Financial Services financial institution clients and Small Business Services telecommunications clients, independent distributors and dealers, the internet and sales representatives.
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Revenue
  $ 192,326     $ 193,283       (0.5 %)
Operating income (loss)
    29,070       (6,628 )     538.6 %
Operating margin
    15.1 %     (3.4 %)     18.5 %

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     The decrease in revenue for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due primarily to general economic conditions which we believe affected our customers’ buying patterns, as well as the continuing decline in check and forms usage. Partially offsetting these decreases were sales of products and services by businesses acquired in 2009, as well as price increases and a favorable currency exchange rate impact related to our Canadian operations of $2.4 million.
     The increase in operating income and operating margin for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due to the asset impairment charges of $24.9 million in 2009 discussed earlier under Consolidated Results of Operations, as well as continued progress on our cost reduction initiatives, price increases and a $2.0 million reduction in restructuring and related costs in 2010. Further information regarding the restructuring costs can be found under Restructuring Costs. These increases in operating income were partially offset by order volume declines and increases in delivery rates.
Financial Services
     Financial Services sells personal and business checks, check-related products and services, including rewards checking programs, customer loyalty and retention programs, fraud monitoring and protection services, stored value gift cards, and direct marketing services to banks and other financial institutions primarily through a direct sales force. As part of our check programs, we also offer enhanced services such as customized reporting, file management and expedited account conversion support.
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Revenue
  $ 101,445     $ 102,003       (0.5 %)
Operating income
    23,988       19,561       22.6 %
Operating margin
    23.6 %     19.2 %   4.4 pt.
     The decrease in revenue for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due primarily to a decrease in order volume resulting from the continuing decline in check usage and the weak economy. The volume decline and continuing competitive pricing pressure were partially offset by higher revenue per order from the recognition of deferred revenue from a contract termination settlement executed in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a price increase implemented in the third quarter of 2009.
     Operating income and operating margin increased for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to the benefit of our various cost reduction initiatives and higher revenue per order. These increases in operating income and operating margin were partially offset by the volume decline and increases in delivery rates.
Direct Checks
     Direct Checks sells personal and business checks and related products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing and the internet. We use a variety of direct marketing techniques to acquire new customers in the direct-to-consumer channel, including newspaper inserts, in-package advertising, statement stuffers and co-op advertising. We also use e-commerce strategies to direct traffic to our websites. Direct Checks sells under the Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks and Checks.com brand names.
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Revenue
  $ 41,349     $ 44,234       (6.5 %)
Operating income
    15,897       14,249       11.6 %
Operating margin
    38.4 %     32.2 %   6.2 pt.
     The decrease in revenue for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due to a reduction in orders stemming from the decline in check usage, as well as the weak economy.

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     The increase in operating income and operating margin for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due primarily to the benefit of our cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by the lower order volume and increases in delivery rates.
CASH FLOWS
     As of March 31, 2010, we held cash and cash equivalents of $16.3 million. The following table shows our cash flow activity for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements of cash flows appearing in Item 1 of this report.
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009     Change  
 
Continuing operations:
                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 52,692     $ 62,971     $ (10,279 )
Net cash used by investing activities
    (8,758 )     (10,804 )     2,046  
Net cash used by financing activities
    (40,720 )     (49,878 )     9,158  
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
    325       (359 )     684  
 
                 
Net cash provided by continuing operations
    3,539       1,930       1,609  
Net cash used by operating activities of discontinued operations
          (470 )     470  
Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations
          (6 )     6  
 
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,539     $ 1,454     $ 2,085  
 
                 
     The $10.3 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the first quarter of 2009, was due primarily to an $18.4 million increase in 2010 in employee profit sharing and pension contributions related to our 2009 performance, as well as changes in working capital. These decreases in cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by a decrease of $13.5 million in contract acquisition payments in 2010 as compared to 2009, as well as the higher earnings discussed earlier under Consolidated Results of Operations.
     Included in net cash provided by operating activities were the following operating cash outflows:
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,
(in thousands)   2010   2009   Change
 
Employee profit sharing and pension contributions
  $ 29,790     $ 11,430     $ 18,360  
Voluntary employee beneficiary association (VEBA) trust contributions to fund medical benefits
    12,700       11,100       1,600  
Severance payments
    3,954       4,483       (529 )
Income tax payments
    3,875       4,189       (314 )
Contract acquisition payments
    583       14,056       (13,473 )
Interest payments
    151       640       (489 )
     Net cash used by investing activities in the first quarter of 2010 was $2.0 million lower than the first quarter of 2009 due primarily to proceeds from sales of marketable securities in 2010. Net cash used by financing activities in the first quarter of 2010 was $9.2 million lower than the first quarter of 2009 due primarily to payments of $21.2 million to retire long-term notes and the repayment of $9.8 million borrowed on our line of credit in the first quarter of 2009. Partially offsetting these decreases in the use of cash were repayments of $26.0 million on our credit facilities in the first quarter of 2010.

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     Significant cash inflows, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009     Change  
 
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
  $ 1,970     $     $ 1,970  
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans
    1,357       1,016       341  
     Significant cash outflows, excluding those related to operating activities, for each period were as follows:
                         
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009     Change  
 
Net payments on short-term debt
  $ 26,000     $ 9,770     $ 16,230  
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
    12,835       12,811       24  
Purchases of capital assets
    9,799       9,958       (159 )
Payments on long-term debt
          21,654       (21,654 )
Payments for common shares repurchased
          1,319       (1,319 )
     We anticipate that net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations will be between $195 million and $215 million in 2010, compared to $206 million in 2009. We anticipate that higher performance-based compensation payments in 2010 will be offset by cash generated by the Custom Direct acquisition, higher earnings, continued progress on working capital initiatives and lower contract acquisition payments. We anticipate that cash generated by operating activities in 2010 will be utilized for dividend payments of approximately $50 million, capital expenditures of approximately $40 million, debt reduction, and possibly additional small-to-medium-sized acquisitions. We intend to focus our capital spending on expanding our use of digital printing technology, completing the automation of our flat check packaging process and investing in order fulfillment, delivery productivity and information technology infrastructure. We have no maturities of long-term debt until 2012. We executed a $200.0 million credit facility during the first quarter of 2010 and we had $189.8 million available for borrowing under this credit facility as of March 31, 2010. During April 2010, we drew $98 million on our credit facility to fund the Custom Direct acquisition discussed under Executive Overview. We believe our credit facility, along with cash generated by operating activities, will be sufficient to support our operations, including capital expenditures, possible small-to-medium-sized acquisitions, required debt service and dividend payments, for the next 12 months.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
     Our total debt was $745.1 million as of March 31, 2010, a decrease of $23.7 million from December 31, 2009. Our capital structure for each period was a follows:
                                         
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009        
            Weighted-             Weighted-        
            average interest             average interest        
(in thousands)   Amount     rate     Amount     rate     Change  
 
Fixed interest rate
  $ 533,424       6.0 %   $ 533,399       6.0 %   $ 25  
Floating interest rate
    211,675       3.3 %     235,354       3.0 %     (23,679 )
 
                                 
Total debt
    745,099       5.2 %     768,753       5.1 %     (23,654 )
Shareholders’ equity
    141,181               117,210               23,971  
 
                                 
Total capital
  $ 886,280             $ 885,963             $ 317  
 
                                 
     During September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge a portion of our notes due in 2012. The carrying amount of long-term debt increased $2.0 million since the inception of the interest rate swaps due to changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt. Further information concerning the interest

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rate swaps and our outstanding debt can be found under the captions “Note 4: Derivative financial instruments” and “Note 11: Debt” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
     We have an outstanding authorization from our board of directors to purchase up to 10 million shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date, and 6.4 million shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of March 31, 2010. We did not repurchase any shares during the first quarter of 2010. Information regarding changes in shareholders’ equity appears under the caption “Note 13: Shareholders equity” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
     We may, from time to time, consider retiring outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges would depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other potential uses of cash, including acquisitions or share repurchases.
     As of December 31, 2009, we had a $275.0 million committed line of credit which was scheduled to expire in July 2010. During March 2010, we cancelled this line of credit and executed a new $200.0 million credit facility, which expires in March 2013. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all personal property. Our commitment fee ranges from 0.40% to 0.50% based on our leverage ratio. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains customary covenants regarding limits on levels of subsidiary indebtedness and capital expenditures, liens, investments, acquisitions, certain mergers, certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and change in control as defined in the agreement. The agreement also contains financial covenants regarding our leverage ratio, interest coverage and liquidity.
     The daily average amount outstanding under our credit facilities during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 was $17.5 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 1.20%. As of March 31, 2010, no amounts were outstanding under our credit facility. During April 2010, we drew $98 million on our credit facility to fund the Custom Direct acquisition discussed under Executive Overview. During 2009, the daily average amount outstanding under our line of credit was $69.3 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 0.76%. As of December 31, 2009, $26.0 million was outstanding at a weighted-average interest rate of 0.67%. As of March 31, 2010, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:
         
(in thousands)   Total available  
 
Credit facility commitment
  $ 200,000  
Outstanding letters of credit
    (10,236 )
 
     
Net available for borrowing as of March 31, 2010
  $ 189,764  
 
     
FINANCIAL POSITION
     Contract acquisition costs — Other non-current assets include contract acquisition costs of our Financial Services segment. These costs, which are essentially pre-paid product discounts, are recorded as non-current assets upon contract execution and are amortized, generally on the straight-line basis, as reductions of revenue over the related contract term. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $14.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. We anticipate cash payments of approximately $15 million in 2010. Changes in contract acquisition costs during the first quarters of 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
                 
    Quarter Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 45,701     $ 37,706  
Additions(1)
    14,083       29,265  
Amortization
    (5,007 )     (6,333 )
 
           
Balance, end of period
  $ 54,777     $ 60,638  
 
           
 
(1)     Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $583 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $14,056 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
     The number of checks being written has been in decline since the mid-1990s, which has contributed to increased competitive pressure when attempting to retain or acquire clients. Both the number of financial institution clients requesting

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contract acquisition payments and the amount of the payments increased in the mid-2000s, and has fluctuated significantly from year to year. Although we anticipate that we will selectively continue to make contract acquisition payments, we cannot quantify future amounts with certainty. The amount paid depends on numerous factors such as the number and timing of contract executions and renewals, competitors’ actions, overall product discount levels and the structure of up-front product discount payments versus providing higher discount levels throughout the term of the contract. When the overall discount level provided for in a contract is unchanged, contract acquisition costs do not result in lower net revenue. These payments impact the timing of cash flows. An up-front cash payment is made rather than providing higher product discount levels throughout the term of the contract. Information regarding the recoverability of contract acquisition costs appears under the caption “Note 15: Market risks” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
     Liabilities for contract acquisition payments are recorded upon contract execution. These obligations are monitored for each contract and are adjusted as payments are made. Contract acquisition payments due within the next year are included in accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. These accruals were $13.4 million as of March 31, 2010 and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2009. Accruals for contract acquisition payments included in other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets were $8.9 million as of March 31, 2010 and $6.0 million as of December 31, 2009.
     Funds held for customers — Funds held for customers of $46.0 million as of March 31, 2010 increased $19.1 million from December 31, 2009 due primarily to the timing of the Easter holiday in early April. Funds were received from customers one day earlier than usual so that the payrolls could be processed prior to Good Friday. There was also a corresponding increase in accrued liabilities.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
     It is not our general business practice to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements or to guarantee the performance of third parties. In the normal course of business we periodically enter into agreements that incorporate general indemnification language. These indemnifications encompass such items as product or service defects, including breach of security, intellectual property rights, governmental regulations and/or employment-related matters. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by our breach of terms of the contract. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks, including, for example, unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not have the ability to estimate the potential liability from such indemnities because they relate to unknown conditions. However, we have no reason to believe that any likely liability under these indemnities would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, annual results of operations or annual cash flows. We have recorded liabilities for known indemnifications related to environmental matters. Further information can be found under the caption “Note 14: Other commitments and contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of the 2009 Form 10-K.
     We are not engaged in any transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other third parties that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our liquidity or on our access to, or requirements for, capital resources. In addition, we have not established any special purpose entities.
     A table of our contractual obligations was provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2009 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in these obligations during the first quarter of 2010.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
     We have not entered into any material related party transactions during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 or during 2009.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
     A description of our critical accounting policies was provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the 2009 Form 10-K. There were no changes in these policies during the first quarter of 2010.

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NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
     Information regarding the accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of 2010 can be found under the caption “Note 2: New accounting pronouncements” of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 1 of this report.
     In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This guidance requires new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The disclosures required under this guidance regarding purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements is effective for our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are filing this cautionary statement in connection with the Reform Act. When we use the words or phrases “should result,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “are expected to,” “targeted,” “will continue,” “will approximate,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in oral statements made by our representatives, they indicate forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act.
     We want to caution you that any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause them to be incorrect. The material uncertainties and other factors known to us are discussed in Item 1A of the 2009 Form 10-K and are incorporated into this Item 2 of this report on Form 10-Q as if fully stated herein. Although we have attempted to compile a comprehensive list of these important factors, we want to caution you that other factors may prove to be important in affecting future operating results. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors, nor can we assess the impact each factor or combination of factors may have on our business.
     You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements because they speak only of our views as of the date the statements were made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
     We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of the borrowing activities used to support our capital structure, maintain liquidity and fund business operations. We do not enter into financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. During the first quarter of 2010, we used our credit facilities to fund working capital, an acquisition and debt service requirements. The nature and amount of debt outstanding can be expected to vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors. As of March 31, 2010, our total debt was comprised of the following:
                         
            Fair     Weighted-average  
(in thousands)   Carrying amount     value(1)     interest rate  
 
Long-term notes maturing December 2012, including increase of $2,034 related to the cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt
  $ 281,865     $ 279,960       3.74 %
Long-term notes maturing October 2014
    263,234       242,420       5.13 %
Long-term notes maturing June 2015
    200,000       200,500       7.38 %
 
                   
Total debt
  $ 745,099     $ 722,880       5.20 %
 
                   
 
(1)     Based on quoted market prices as of March 31, 2010 for identical liabilities when traded as assets.

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     We may, from time to time, retire outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges would depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other potential uses of cash, including acquisitions or share repurchases.
     In September 2009, we entered into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $210.0 million to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our ten-year bonds due in 2012. We entered into these swaps, which we designated as fair value hedges, to achieve a targeted mix of fixed and variable rate debt, where we receive a fixed rate and pay a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the related long-term debt are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of income. When the changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps and the hedged debt are not equal (i.e., hedge ineffectiveness), the difference in the changes in fair value affects the reported amount of interest expense in our consolidated statements of income. Hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The fair value of the interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2010 was $2.3 million and is included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Based on the outstanding variable rate debt in our portfolio, a one percentage point change in interest rates would have resulted in a $0.6 million change in interest expense for the first quarter of 2010, excluding the impact of the interest rate swaps.
     We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Investments in, loans and advances to foreign subsidiaries and branches, as well as the operations of these businesses, are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the Canadian dollar. The effect of exchange rate changes is expected to have a minimal impact on our results of operations and cash flows, as our foreign operations represent a relatively small portion of our business.
     See Business Challenges/Market Risks in Item 2 of this report for further discussion of market risks.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
     (a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures — As of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
     (b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting —There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with our evaluation during the quarter ended March 31, 2010, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
     We record provisions with respect to identified claims or lawsuits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Claims and lawsuits are reviewed quarterly and provisions are taken or adjusted to reflect the status of a particular matter. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable outcomes. Recorded liabilities were not material to our financial position, results of operations and liquidity, and we do not believe that any of the currently identified claims or litigation will materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
     Our risk factors are outlined in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). There have been no significant changes to these risk factors since we filed the 2009 Form 10-K.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
     While not considered repurchases of shares, we do at times withhold shares that would otherwise be issued under equity-based awards to cover the withholding taxes due as a result of the exercising or vesting of such awards. During the first quarter of 2010, we withheld 50,223 shares in conjunction with the vesting and exercise of equity-based awards.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
     None.
Item 5. Other Information.
     We held our annual shareholders meeting on April 28, 2010.
     43,446,554 shares were represented (84.7% of the 51,320,869 shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting). Two items were considered at the meeting, and the results of the voting were as follows:
(1) Election of Directors:
     Shareholders were asked to elect ten directors to hold office until the 2011 annual meeting. The nominees for director were: Ronald C. Baldwin, Charles A. Haggerty, Isaiah Harris, Jr., Don J. McGrath, Cheryl E. Mayberry McKissack, Neil J. Metviner, Stephen P. Nachtsheim, Mary Ann O’Dwyer, Martyn R. Redgrave and Lee J. Schram. The results were as follows:
             
    For   Withhold   Broker non-vote
Ronald C. Baldwin
  36,314,323   1,169,942   5,962,289
Charles A. Haggerty
  34,796,871   2,687,394   5,962,289
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
  36,298,499   1,185,766   5,962,289
Don J. McGrath
  36,312,124   1,172,141   5,962,289
Cheryl E. Mayberry McKissack
  36,316,338   1,167,927   5,962,289
Neil J. Metviner
  36,311,076   1,173,189   5,962,289
Stephen P. Nachtsheim
  36,143,576   1,340,689   5,962,289
Mary Ann O’Dwyer
  35,217,288   2,266,977   5,962,289
Martyn R. Redgrave
  36,314,090   1,170,175   5,962,289
Lee J. Schram
  36,305,284   1,178,981   5,962,289
(2) Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010:
       
For:
  42,524,704  
Against:
  433,731  
Abstain:
  488,119  
Item 6. Exhibits.
             
Exhibit       Method of
Number   Description   Filing
  1.1    
Purchase Agreement, dated September 28, 2004, by and among us and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule 1 of the Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 4, 2004)
  *

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Exhibit       Method of
Number   Description   Filing
  2.1    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 2004, by and among us, Hudson Acquisition Corporation and New England Business Service, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) to the Deluxe Corporation Schedule TO-T filed with the Commission on May 25, 2004)
  *
       
 
   
  2.2    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 18, 2008, by and among us, Deluxe Business Operations, Inc., Helix Merger Corp. and Hostopia.com Inc. (excluding schedules which we agree to furnish to the Commission upon request) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 23, 2008)
  *
       
 
   
  3.1    
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990)
  *
       
 
   
  3.2    
Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 23, 2008)
  *
       
 
   
  4.1    
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2006, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit A thereto, the Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 21, 2006)
  *
       
 
   
  4.2    
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 4, 2002, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association), as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 5, 2002)
  *
       
 
   
  4.3    
Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2003, by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association), as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-104858) filed with the Commission on April 30, 2003)
  *
       
 
   
  4.4    
Form of Officer’s Certificate and Company Order authorizing the 2014 Notes, series B (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-120381) filed with the Commission on November 12, 2004)
  *
       
 
   
  4.5    
Specimen of 5 1/8% notes due 2014, series B (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-120381) filed with the Commission on November 12, 2004)
  *
       
 
   
  4.6    
Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2007, by and between us and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (including form of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 15, 2007)
  *

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Exhibit       Method of
Number   Description   Filing
  4.7    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 14, 2007, by and between us and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement related to the 7.375% Senior Notes due 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 15, 2007)
  *
       
 
   
  4.8    
Specimen of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2015 (included in Exhibit 4.6)
  *
       
 
   
  4.9    
Revolving credit agreement dated as of March 12, 2010, among us, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Fifth Third Bank as Syndication Agent, U.S. Bank National Association and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. as co-documentation agents, and the other financial institutions party thereto, related to a $200,000,000 three-year revolving credit agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2010)
  *
       
 
   
  12.1    
Statement re: Computation of Ratios
  Filed
herewith
       
 
   
  31.1    
CEO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  Filed
herewith
       
 
   
  31.2    
CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  Filed
herewith
       
 
   
  32.1    
CEO and CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  Furnished
herewith
 
*   Incorporated by reference

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  DELUXE CORPORATION
          (Registrant)
 
 
Date: May 3, 2010  /s/ Lee Schram    
  Lee Schram   
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
     
Date: May 3, 2010  /s/ Terry D. Peterson    
  Terry D. Peterson   
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)   

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Table of Contents

         
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit No.   Description
12.1
  Statement re: Computation of Ratios
 
   
31.1
  CEO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
31.2
  CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
32.1
  CEO and CFO Certification of Periodic Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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