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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

OR

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 0-27512

 

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

9555 Maroon Circle

Englewood, Colorado 80112

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(303) 200-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by a check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

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.

 

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sales price of such stock, as of the close of trading on June 30, 2014, was $859,503,967.

Shares of common stock outstanding at February 23, 2015: 34,177,137

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed on or prior to April 30, 2015, are incorporated by reference into Part III of the Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

2014 FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

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PART I

 

Overview

CSG Systems International, Inc. (the “Company”, “CSG”, or forms of the pronoun “we”) is one of the world’s largest and most established business support solutions providers primarily serving the communications industry. Our proven approach and solutions are based on our broad and deep experience in serving clients in the communications industry as their businesses have evolved from a single product offering to a highly complex, highly competitive, multi-product service offering. Our approach has centered on using the best technology for the various functions required to provide world-class solutions.

Our solutions help service providers streamline and scale operations, introduce and adapt products and services to meet changing consumer demands, and address the challenges and opportunities of a dynamically evolving global business environment. Our broad suite of solutions helps our clients improve their business operations by creating more compelling product offerings and an enhanced customer experience through more relevant and targeted interactions, while at the same time, more efficiently managing the service provider’s cost structure. Over the years, we have focused our research and development (“R&D”) and acquisition investments on expanding our solution set to address the ever expanding needs of communications service providers to provide a differentiated, real-time, and personal experience for their consumers. This extensive suite of solutions includes revenue management, content management and monetization, and customer interaction management platforms.

Our principal executive offices are located at 9555 Maroon Circle, Englewood, Colorado 80112, and the telephone number at that address is (303) 200-2000. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CSGS”. We are a S&P Small Cap 600 company.

Industry Overview

Background. We provide business support solutions to the world’s leading communications service providers, as well as clients in several complex and highly competitive industries. Our solutions coordinate and manage many aspects of a service provider’s customer interactions, from the initial activation of customer accounts, to the support and fulfilment of various products and services, and through the presentment, collection, and accounts receivables management of monthly customer statements. While our heritage is in serving the North American video and satellite market, through acquisition and organic growth, we have broadened and enhanced our solutions to extend our business both globally and to a number of other industries including content distribution, media and entertainment, and telecommunications.

Market Conditions of the Communications Industry. As the majority of our clients operate within the global communications industry sector, the economic state of this industry directly impacts our business.  The global communications industry has undergone significant fluctuations in growth rates and capital investment cycles over the past several years due to multiple competitive and economic factors.  Current economic indices suggest a slow stabilization of the industry, but it is impossible to predict whether this stabilization will persist or be subject to future instability.  In addition, industry consolidation continues as service providers look for ways to expand their markets, increase their revenues, and gain greater scale efficiencies in their operations.

The impact of these market factors has resulted in spending cautiousness with large transformational projects being displaced in favor of more incremental changes to business operations. Globally, mature operators are looking for ways to control costs, streamline operations, roll out new products and services quickly, and expand their scale, while operators in emerging markets are focusing on capitalizing on the growth of new services and the explosion of connected devices. Regardless of the specific situation, companies continue to have an increased focus on investing in those solutions and services that have a demonstrable short-term return on investments, generate new revenues, and help businesses remain competitive and meet rapidly changing consumer demands.

Market Trends of Communications Industry. The communications industry is experiencing heightened competition and a dramatic shift in purchasing power to the consumer as the consumer now has more choices for content, devices, and providers than ever before. There are three key trends that are emerging as communication service providers (“CSPs”) try to evolve and compete in this highly complex ecosystem.

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Overall, these market trends drive the demand for scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient revenue management and customer interaction management solutions, which we believe will provide us with revenue opportunities. As a result, we have historically invested a significant amount of our revenues in R&D and have acquired companies that enable us to expand our offerings in a more timely and efficient manner. We believe that our scalable, modular, and flexible solutions combined with our rich domain expertise provide the industry with proven solutions to improve their profitability and consumers’ experiences.  We have specifically architected our solutions to provide operators with a more incremental approach to transforming their businesses, thereby reducing the risk associated with this evolution.

Business Strategy

Our goal is to be the most trusted provider of world-class software and services to service providers around the world who depend upon the timely and accurate processing of complex, high-volume transactions to operate their business and deliver a superior customer experience. We believe that by successfully executing on this goal we can grow our revenues and earnings, and therefore, create long-term value, not only for our clients and our employees, but for our stockholders as well. Our strategic focus to accomplish this goal is as follows:

Create Long-Term, Recurring Relationships Within The Communications Industry. Our relentless, relationship-driven, customer-focused business approach is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and collaboration. As a result, we enjoy long-term relationships with many of the world’s leading service providers based on a true partnership aimed at helping providers enable sustainable growth, create efficiencies, and deliver differentiated services to their customers.

Expand Our Product and Services Portfolio Through Continuous Innovation. We believe that our product technology and pre-integrated suite of software solutions gives service providers a competitive advantage. We continually add new, relevant capabilities to what we do as a company, both in terms of our people and our solutions. By doing this, we build very strong recurring relationships which are difficult for our competitors to displace.

Increase Our Value Proposition Through Continuous Improvement. As discussed earlier, the demands of consumers are significantly increasing as devices and networks continue to feed an insatiable appetite for content, information, and entertainment. In order to continue to help providers better compete in an environment in which network consumption is outpacing revenue generation, we continue to focus on being cost efficient in delivering our solutions, while helping our clients efficiently and effectively manage their business.

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Deliver On Our Commitments. Our products and services are business critical. We help our clients manage the entire customer lifecycle, from acquisition to servicing to billing for their end customers. As a result, it is imperative that we deliver on our commitments. For over 30 years, we have been helping blue-chip companies manage periods of explosive and sustained market growth and change – helping them drive revenues, improve their profitability, and deliver positive customer experiences. Our track record of doing what we say we are going to do has enabled us to become embedded in our clients’ operations and be a trusted advisor and integral member of their teams.

Bring New Skills and Talents to Market. In order to help our clients manage the pace of change, we invest in our people so that they are prepared to bring the highest quality technical skills, interpersonal skills, and managerial skills to our business and our clients.

In summary, we are focused on helping our clients compete more effectively and successfully in an ever-changing market.

Description of Business

Key Clients. We work with the leading communication providers located around the world. A partial list of those service providers as of December 31, 2014 is included below:  

 

The North American communications industry has experienced significant consolidation over the past decade, resulting in a large percentage of the market being served by a limited number of service providers with greater size and scale, and there are possibilities of further consolidation, illustrated by the current proposed acquisition of Time Warner by Comcast. Consistent with this market concentration and our heritage in serving the North American cable and satellite markets, a large percentage of our historical revenues have been generated from our three largest clients, as shown in the table below. Clients that represented 10% or more of our revenues for 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions, except percentages):

 

See the Significant Client Relationships section of our MD&A for additional information regarding our business relationships with these key clients, including the potential impact to our business from the proposed Comcast acquisition of Time Warner, and related transactions with Charter Communication Inc. and its affiliates (“Charter”).

Research and Development. Our clients around the world are facing competition from new entrants and at the same time, are deploying new services at a rapid pace and dramatically increasing the complexity of their business operations. Therefore, we continue to make meaningful investments in R&D to ensure that we stay ahead of our clients’ needs and advance our clients’ businesses as well as our own. We recognize these challenges and believe our value proposition is to provide solutions that help our clients ensure that each customer interaction is an opportunity to create value and deepen the business relationship. As a result of our R&D efforts, we have not only broadened our footprint within our client base with many new innovative product offerings, but have also found success in penetrating new markets with portions of our suite of customer interaction management solutions.

Our total R&D expenses for 2014 and 2013 were $104.7 million and $110.0 million, respectively, or approximately 14% and 15% of total revenues. In the near term, we expect that our R&D investment activities will be relatively consistent with that of 2014, with the level of our total R&D spend highly dependent upon the opportunities that we see in our markets.

There are certain inherent risks associated with significant technological innovations. Some of these risks are described in this report in our Risk Factors section below.

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Products and Services. Our products and services help companies with complex transaction-centric business models manage the opportunities and challenges associated with accurately capturing, managing, generating, and optimizing the revenue associated with the immense volumes of customer interactions and then manage the intricate nature of those customer relationships. Our primary product solutions include the following:

In summary, we offer a fully integrated, cloud-based revenue and customer management solution, complemented with world-class applications software and customized software solutions, allowing us to provide one of the most comprehensive, flexible, pre-integrated products and services solutions to the communications market. We believe this pre-integrated approach and multiple delivery models allows our clients to bring new product offerings to market quickly and provide high-quality customer service in a cost effective manner. In addition, we also license certain software products (e.g., Singleview, TSM, and WBMS) and provide expert professional services to implement, configure, and maintain these software products.

Historically, a substantial percentage of our total revenues have been generated from ACP and Customer Interaction Management solutions. These products and services are expected to provide a large percentage of our total revenues in the foreseeable future as well.

Business Acquisitions. As noted above, our strategy includes acquiring assets and businesses which provide the technology and technical personnel to expedite our product development efforts, provide complementary products and services, increase market share, and/or provide access to new markets and clients. Consistent with this strategy, we have acquired six different businesses over the last seven years, with the most recent acquisitions highlighted as follows:

Volubill. In December of 2013, we acquired certain key assets of Volubill, a leading supplier of integrated, real-time policy and charging solutions to mobile, satellite and fixed broadband operators. With this acquisition, we expanded our current billing and revenue management portfolio with enhanced charging and policy capabilities that enable communications service providers to monetize their network and provide an improved customer experience.

Ascade. In July of 2012, we acquired one of the leading providers of trading and routing solutions to the telecom industry, Ascade Holdings AB (“Ascade”). With this acquisition, we expanded our solution offering to include trading and routing

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solution capabilities and added approximately 75 wholesale billing customers to our client list. The acquisition expanded and strengthened our geographic presence by bringing product specialists and support resources to our combined 300+ wholesale customers worldwide.

Intec. In November of 2010, we acquired Intec Telecom Systems PLC (“Intec”) to expand our business support solutions footprint and capabilities. With this acquisition, we added the leading mediation (TSM) and wholesale billing solution (WBMS) to our product suite, as well as a pre-paid/post-paid convergent customer care and billing solution (Singleview). In addition, the acquisition increased our presence, as well as our domain expertise, in the wireless and wireline industries worldwide. The addition of Intec enabled us to support flexible delivery models, from on-site software delivery to outsourced processing models, supported by complementary services offerings, and provided us an infrastructure to expand our business globally.

Professional Services. We employ professional services experts globally who bring a wide-ranging expertise – including solution architecture, project management, systems implementation, and business consultancy – to every project. We apply a methodology to each of our engagements, leveraging consistent world-class processes, best-practice programs, and systemized templates for all engagements.

Managed Services. We expanded our managed services capabilities and expertise developed in our North American operations to international operators in early 2013. For our managed services clients, we assume long-term responsibility for delivering our software solutions and related operations under a defined scope and specified service levels, generally using our clients’ infrastructure and premises.

Client and Product Support. Our clients typically rely on us for ongoing support and training needs related to our products. We have a multi-level support environment for our clients, which include account management teams to support the business, operational, and functional requirements of each client. These account teams help clients resolve strategic and business issues and are supported by our International Service Desk (“ISD”) and Global Operations Service Management (“GOSM”), which we operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Clients call a telephone number, and through an automated voice response unit, have their calls directed to the appropriate ISD or GOSM personnel to answer their questions. We have a full-time training staff and conduct ongoing training sessions both in the field and at our training facilities.

Sales and Marketing. We organize our sales efforts to clients primarily within our geographically dispersed, dedicated account teams, with senior level account managers who are responsible for new revenues and renewal of existing contracts within a client account. The account teams are supported by sales support personnel who are experienced in the various products and services that we provide.

Competition. The market for business support solutions products and services in the communications industry, as well as in other industries we serve, is highly competitive. We compete with both independent providers and in-house developers of customer management systems. We believe that our most significant competitors in our primary markets are Amdocs Limited, Comverse Inc., NEC Corporation, and Oracle Corporation; network equipment providers such as Ericsson, Huawei, and Alcatel-Lucent; and internally-developed solutions. Some of our actual and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing, and technological resources than us and in some instances we may actually partner and collaborate with our competitors on large opportunities and projects.

We believe service providers in our industry use the following criteria when selecting a vendor to provide customer care and billing products and services: (i) functionality, scalability, flexibility, interoperability, and architecture of the software assets; (ii) the breadth and depth of pre-integrated product solutions; (iii) product quality, client service, and support; (iv) quality of R&D efforts; and (v) price. We believe that our products and services allow us to compete effectively in these areas.

Proprietary Rights and Licenses

We rely on a combination of trade secret, copyright, trademark, and patent laws in the United States and similar laws in other countries, and non-disclosure, confidentiality, and other types of contractual arrangements to establish, maintain, and enforce our intellectual property rights in our solutions. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, or misappropriated. Although we hold a limited number of patents and patent applications on some of our newer solutions, we do not rely upon patents as a primary means of protecting our rights in our intellectual property. In any event, there can be no assurance that our patent applications will be approved, that any issued patents will adequately protect our intellectual property, or that such patents will not be challenged by third parties. Also, much of our business and many of our solutions rely on key technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties at all or on reasonable terms. Our failure to adequately establish, maintain, and protect our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. For a description of the risks associated with our intellectual property rights, see “Item 1A - Risk Factors - Failure to Protect Our Intellectual Property

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Rights or Claims by Others That We Infringe Their Intellectual Property Rights Could Substantially Harm Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we had a total of 3,448 employees, an increase of 50 employees when compared to the number of employees we had as of December 31, 2013. Our success is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified employees. None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, but are subject to various foreign employment laws and regulations based on the country in which they are employed. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Available Information

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy materials, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act are available free of charge on our website at www.csgi.com. Additionally, these reports are available at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE., Washington, D.C. 20549 or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) is maintained on our website. Any future amendments to the Code of Conduct, or any future waiver of a provision of our Code of Conduct, will be timely posted to our website upon their occurrence. Historically, we have had minimal changes to our Code of Conduct, and have had no waivers of a provision of our Code of Conduct.

 

 

We or our representatives from time-to-time may make or may have made certain forward-looking statements, whether orally or in writing, including without limitation, any such statements made or to be made in MD&A contained in our various SEC filings or orally in conferences or teleconferences. We wish to ensure that such statements are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements, so as to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, the protections of the safe harbor established in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Accordingly, the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to and are accompanied by the following meaningful cautionary statements identifying certain important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. This list of risk factors is likely not exhaustive. We operate in rapidly changing and evolving markets throughout the world addressing the complex needs of communication service providers, financial institutions, and many others, and new risk factors will likely emerge. Further, as we enter new market sectors such as financial services, as well as new geographic markets, we are subject to new regulatory requirements that increase the risk of non-compliance and the potential for economic harm to us and our clients. Management cannot predict all of the important risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any risk factor, or combination of risk factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will be accurate indicators of future actual results, and it is likely that actual results will differ from results projected in forward-looking statements and that such differences may be material.

We Derive a Significant Portion of Our Revenues From a Limited Number of Clients, and the Loss of the Business of a Significant Client Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Financial Position and Results of Operations.

Over the past decade, the worldwide communications industry has experienced significant consolidation, resulting in a large percentage of the market being served by a limited number of service providers with greater size and scale, and there are possibilities of further consolidation, illustrated by the current proposed acquisition of Time Warner by Comcast. Consistent with this market concentration, we generate over 40% of our revenues from our three largest clients, which are (in order of size) Comcast, DISH, and Time Warner, which each individually accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. In addition, if the acquisition of Time Warner by Comcast is consummated without material deviation from its proposed form, we will experience greater concentration of our revenues with two clients, rather than three. See the Significant Client Relationships section of MD&A for key renewal dates and a brief summary of our business relationship with these clients, including the potential impact to our business from the proposed Comcast acquisition of Time Warner, and related transactions with Charter.

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There are inherent risks whenever a large percentage of total revenues are concentrated with a limited number of clients. One such risk is that a significant client could: (i) undergo a formalized process to evaluate alternative providers for services we provide; (ii) terminate or fail to renew their contracts with us, in whole or in part for any reason; (iii) significantly reduce the number of customer accounts processed on our solutions, the price paid for our services, or the scope of services that we provide; or (iv) experience significant financial or operating difficulties. Any such development could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations and/or trading price of our common stock.

Our industry is highly competitive, and as a result, it is possible that a competitor could increase its footprint and share of customers processed at our expense or a provider could develop their own internal solutions. While our clients may incur some costs in switching to our competitors or their own internally-developed solutions, they may do so for a variety of reasons, including: (i) price; (ii) if we do not provide satisfactory solutions; or (iii) if we do not maintain favorable relationships.

We May Not Realize Our Anticipated Growth With Comcast Related to New Customer Account Migration Opportunities.

In July 2014, we entered into an expanded and extended contract with our largest client, Comcast.  The expanded contract provides the framework for Comcast to consolidate its residential business onto our billing solution.  Under the new agreement, Comcast added approximately two million residential customers onto our billing solution in late 2014.  We believe we have the opportunity to migrate up to an additional eight million Comcast customer accounts that are currently on one of our competitor’s platforms onto our solution over the next few years as part of any future standardization by Comcast of their residential business.  In addition, if the proposed acquisition of Time Warner by Comcast is consummated, we believe we have the opportunity to migrate additional customer accounts if Comcast seeks to consolidate the acquired Time Warner business onto a single platform. Under this scenario, up to five million additional customer accounts could be migrated onto our platform over the next few years.

Although Comcast has expressed to us their intention to consolidate their residential customer accounts to our platform, they have no financial or legal requirement to do so.  The timing of and the number of customer accounts to be migrated to CSG, if any, is at the discretion of Comcast.  There can be no assurances, therefore, as to: (i) the timing or the number of any new customer accounts migrated to us by Comcast; or (ii) whether the Comcast and Time Warner merger will be consummated, and whether Comcast would choose to migrate any of the acquired Time Warner customer accounts onto our platform.

We May Not Be Able to Efficiently and Effectively Implement New Solutions or Convert Clients onto Our Solutions.

Our continued growth plans include the implementation of new solutions, as well as migrating both new and existing clients to our solutions. Such implementations or migrations (collectively referred to hereafter in this section as “implementations”), regardless of whether they involve new solutions or new customers, have become increasingly more difficult because of the sophistication, complexity, and interdependencies of the various software  and network environments impacted, combined with the increasing complexity of the clients’ underlying business processes. In addition, the complexity of the implementations increases when the arrangement includes other vendors participating in the project, including but not limited to, prime and subcontractor relationships with our company. For these reasons, implementations subject our clients’ to potential business disruption, which could cause them to delay or even cancel future implementations.  

As a result, there is a risk that we may experience cancellations of previously scheduled implementations, delays in an implementation, or unexpected costs associated with particular implementations. In addition, our inability to complete implementations in an efficient and effective manner could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, and could damage our reputation in the market place, reducing our opportunity to grow our business with both new and existing clients.

The Delivery of Our Solutions is Dependent on a Variety of Computing Environments and Communications Networks Which May Not Be Available or May Be Subject to Security Attacks.

Our processing solutions are generally delivered through a variety of computing environments operated by us (collectively referred to hereafter in this section as “Systems”). We provide such computing environments through both outsourced arrangements, such as our current data processing arrangement with Infocrossing LLC (“Infocrossing”), a Wipro Limited company, as well as internally operating numerous distributed servers in geographically dispersed environments. The end users are connected to our Systems through a variety of public and private communications networks, which we will collectively refer to herein as “Networks.” Our solutions are generally considered to be mission critical customer management systems by our clients. As a result, our clients are highly dependent upon the high availability and uncompromised security of our Networks and Systems to conduct their business operations.

Our Networks and Systems are subject to the risk of an extended interruption, outage, or security breach due to many factors such as: (i) planned changes to our Systems and Networks for such things as scheduled maintenance and technology upgrades, or migrations to other technologies, service providers, or physical location of hardware; (ii) human and machine error; (iii) acts of nature; and (iv)

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intentional, unauthorized attacks from computer “hackers”, or cyber-attacks. Most recently, the marketplace is experiencing an ever-increasing exposure to both the number and severity of cyber-attacks.  In addition, we continue to expand our use of the Internet with our product offerings thereby permitting, for example, our clients’ customers to use the Internet to review account balances, order services or execute similar account management functions. Allowing access to our Networks and Systems via the Internet has the potential to increase their vulnerability to unauthorized access and corruption, as well as increasing the dependency of our Systems’ reliability on the availability and performance of the Internet and end users’ infrastructure they obtain through other third party providers.

The method, manner, cause and timing of an extended interruption, outage, or security breach in our Networks or Systems are impossible to predict. As a result, there can be no assurances that our Networks and Systems will not fail, not suffer a security breach or that our business continuity or remediation plans will adequately mitigate the negative effects of a disruption or security breach to our Networks or Systems. Further, our property and business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for losses that we incur as a result of such interruptions or security breaches. Should our Networks or Systems: (i) experience an extended interruption or outage; (ii) have their security breached; or (iii) have their data lost, corrupted or otherwise compromised, it would impede our ability to meet product and service delivery obligations, and likely have an immediate impact to the business operations of our clients. This would most likely result in an immediate loss to us of revenue or increase in expense, as well as damaging our reputation. An information breach in our Systems or Networks and loss of confidential information such as credit card numbers and related information could have a longer and more significant impact on our business operations than a hardware-related failure. The loss of confidential information could result in losing the customers’ confidence, as well as imposition of fines and damages. Any of these events could have an immediate, negative impact upon our financial position and our short-term revenue and profit expectations, as well as our long-term ability to attract and retain new clients.

The Occurrence or Perception of a Security Breach or Disclosure of Confidential Personally Identifiable Information Could Harm Our Business.

In providing solutions to our clients, we process, transmit, and store confidential and personally identifiable information, including social security numbers and financial information. Our treatment of such information is subject to contractual restrictions and federal, state, and foreign data privacy laws and regulations. We use various data encryption strategies and have implemented measures to protect against unauthorized access to such information, and comply with these laws and regulations. These measures include standard industry practices such as periodic security reviews of our systems by independent parties, network firewalls, procedural controls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus applications. Because of the inherent risks and complexities involved in protecting this information, these measures may fail to adequately protect this information. Any failure on our part to protect the privacy of personally identifiable information or comply with data privacy laws and regulations may subject us to contractual liability and damages, loss of business, damages from individual claimants, fines, penalties, criminal prosecution, and unfavorable publicity. Even the mere perception of a security breach or inadvertent disclosure of personally identifiable information could damage our reputation and inhibit market acceptance of our solutions. In addition, third party vendors that we engage to perform services for us may unintentionally release personally identifiable information or otherwise fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations.

Our Business is Dependent Upon the Economic and Market Condition of the Global Communications Industry.

Since the majority of our clients operate within the global communications industry sector, the economic state of this industry directly impacts our business. The global communications industry has undergone significant fluctuations in growth rates and capital investment cycles in the past decade. Current economic indices suggest a slow stabilization of the industry, but it is impossible to predict whether this stabilization will persist or be subject to future instability. In addition, industry consolidation continues as service providers look for ways to expand their markets and increase their revenues.  A byproduct of this consolidation is that there could be fewer providers in the market, each with potentially greater bargaining power and economic leverage due to their larger size, which may result in our having to lower our prices to remain competitive, retain our market share, or comply with the surviving client’s current more favorable contract terms.

Continued consolidation, a significant retrenchment in investment by communications providers, or even a material slowing in growth (whether caused by economic, geo-political, competitive, or consolidation factors) could cause delays, cancellations or downward pricing pressure on our sales and services. This could cause us to either fall short of revenue expectations or have a cost model that is misaligned with revenues, either or both of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.  

We expect to continue to generate a significant portion of our future revenues from our North American cable and satellite operators. These clients operate in a highly competitive environment. Competitors range from traditional wireline and wireless providers to new entrants like new digital lifestyle service providers such as Hulu, YouTube, Google, Netflix, Apple, and Amazon. Should these

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competitors be successful in their strategies, it could threaten our clients’ market share, and thus our source of revenues, as generally speaking these companies do not use our core solutions and there can be no assurance that new entrants will become our clients. In addition, demand for spectrum, network bandwidth and content continues to increase and any changes in the regulatory environment could have a significant impact to not only our clients’ businesses, but in our ability to help our clients be successful.

We May Not Be Able to Respond to Rapid Technological Changes.

The market for business support solutions, such as customer care and billing solutions, is characterized by rapid changes in technology and is highly competitive with respect to the need for timely product innovations and new product introductions. As a result, we believe that our future success in sustaining and growing our revenues depends upon: (i) our ability to continuously expand, adapt, modify, maintain, and operate our solutions to address the increasingly complex and evolving needs of our clients without sacrificing the reliability or quality of the solutions; (ii) the integration of acquired technologies and their widely distributed, complex worldwide operations, assets and their widely distributed, complex worldwide operations; and (iii) creating and maintaining an integrated suite of customer care and billing solutions, which are portable to new verticals such as utilities, financial services, and content distribution.  In addition, the market is demanding that our solutions have greater architectural flexibility and interoperability, and that we are able to meet the demands for technological advancements to our solutions at a greater pace. Our attempts to meet these demands subjects our R&D efforts to greater risks.

As a result, substantial and effective R&D and product investment will be required to maintain the competitiveness of our solutions in the market. Technical problems may arise in developing, maintaining, integrating, and operating our solutions as the complexities are increased. Development projects can be lengthy and costly, and may be subject to changing requirements, programming difficulties, a shortage of qualified personnel, and/or unforeseen factors which can result in delays. In addition, we may be responsible for the implementation of new solutions and/or the migration of clients to new solutions, and depending upon the specific solution, we may also be responsible for operations of the solution.

There is an inherent risk in the successful development, implementation, migration, integration, and operation of our solutions as the technological complexities, and the pace at which we must deliver these solutions to market, continue to increase. The risk of making an error that causes significant operational disruption to a client, or results in incorrect customer or vendor data processing that we perform on behalf of our clients, increases proportionately with the frequency and complexity of changes to our solutions and new delivery models. There can be no assurance: (i) of continued market acceptance of our solutions; (ii) that we will be successful in the development of enhancements or new solutions that respond to technological advances or changing client needs at the pace the market demands; or (iii) that we will be successful in supporting the implementation, migration, integration, and/or operations of enhancements or new solutions.

A Reduction in Demand for Our Key Business Support Solutions Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Financial Position and Results of Operations.

Historically, a substantial percentage of our total revenues have been generated from our core outsourced processing product, ACP, and related solutions. These solutions are expected to continue to provide a large percentage of our total revenues in the foreseeable future. Any significant reduction in demand for ACP and related solutions could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. Likewise, a large percentage of revenues derived from our software license and services business have been derived from wholesale billing, retail billing and mediation products which are typically associated with large implementation projects. A sudden downward shift in demand for these products or for our professional services associated with these products could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Variability of Our Quarterly Revenues and Our Failure to Meet Revenue and Earnings Expectations Would Negatively Affect the Market Price for Our Common Stock.

Variability in quarterly revenues and operating results are inherent characteristics of the software and professional services industries. Common causes of a failure to meet revenue and operating expectations in these industries include, among others:

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Software license, professional services, and maintenance revenues are a significant percentage of our total revenues. As our total revenues grow, so too does the risk associated with meeting financial expectations for revenues derived from our software licenses, professional services, and maintenance offerings. As a result, there is a proportionately increased likelihood that we may fail to meet revenue and earnings expectations of the investment community. Should we fail to meet analyst expectations, by even a relatively small amount, it would most likely have a disproportionately negative impact upon the market price of our common stock.

Our International Operations Subject Us to Additional Risks.

We currently conduct a portion of our business outside the U.S. We are subject to certain risks associated with operating internationally including the following items:

One or more of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our international operations, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial position.

We May Not Be Successful in the Integration of Our Acquisitions.

As part of our growth strategy, we seek to acquire assets, technology, and businesses which will provide the technology and technical personnel to expedite our product development efforts, provide complementary solutions, or provide access to new markets and clients.

Acquisitions involve a number of risks and difficulties, including: (i) expansion into new markets and business ventures; (ii) the requirement to understand local business practices; (iii) the diversion of management’s attention to the assimilation of acquired operations and personnel; (iv) being bound by acquired client or vendor contracts with unfavorable terms; and (v) potential adverse effects on a company’s operating results for various reasons, including, but not limited to, the following items: (a) the inability to achieve financial targets; (b) the inability to achieve certain operating goals and synergies; (c) costs incurred to exit current or acquired contracts or activities; (d) costs incurred to service any acquisition debt; and (e) the amortization or impairment of acquired intangible assets.

Due to the multiple risks and difficulties associated with any acquisition, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving our expected strategic, operating, and financial goals for any such acquisition.

Our International Operations Require Us To Comply With Applicable U.S. and International Laws and Regulations.

Doing business on a worldwide basis requires our company and our subsidiaries to comply with the laws and the regulations of the U.S. government and various international jurisdictions.  In addition, the number of countries enacting anti-corruption laws and related

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enforcement activities is increasing. These regulations place restrictions on our operations, trade practices and trade partners. In particular, our international operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Anti-Bribery Act and economic sanction programs administered by OFAC.  

The FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of influencing official decisions or obtaining or retaining business. In addition, the FCPA imposes accounting standards and requirements on publicly traded U.S. corporations and their foreign affiliates, which are intended to prevent the diversion of corporate funds to the payment of bribes and other improper payments, and to prevent the establishment of “off books” slush funds from which such improper payment can be made. As part of our business, we regularly deal with state-owned business enterprises, the employees of which are considered foreign officials for purposes of the FCPA. In addition, some of the international locations in which we operate lack a developed legal system and have higher than normal levels of corruption. We inform our personnel and third-party sales representatives of the requirements of the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws, including, but not limited to their reporting requirements. We have also developed and will continue to develop and implement systems for formalizing contracting processes, performing due diligence on agents and improving our recordkeeping and auditing practices regarding these regulations. However, there is no guarantee that our employees, third-party sales representatives or other agents have not or will not engage in conduct undetected by our processes and for which we might be held responsible under the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws.

Economic sanctions programs restrict our business dealings with certain countries and individuals. From time to time, certain of our foreign subsidiaries have had limited business dealings with entities in jurisdictions subject to OFAC-administered sanctions. As a result of our worldwide business, we are exposed to a heightened risk of violating anti-corruption laws and OFAC regulations. Violations of these laws and regulations are punishable by civil penalties, including fines, injunctions, asset seizures, debarment from government contracts and revocations or restrictions of licenses, as well as criminal fines and imprisonment.

Our Use of Open Source Software May Subject Us to Certain Intellectual Property-Related Claims or Require Us to Re-Engineer Our Software, Which Could Harm Our Business.

We use open source software in connection with our solutions, processes, and technology. Companies that use or incorporate open source software into their products have, from time to time, faced claims challenging their use, ownership and/or licensing rights associated with that open source software. As a result, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming certain rights to what we believe to be open source software. Some open source software licenses require users who distribute open source software as part of their software to publicly disclose all or part of the source code in their software and make any derivative works of the open source code available on unfavorable terms or at no cost. In addition to risks related to license requirements, use of open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties, support, or controls with respect to origin of the software. Use of open source software also complicates compliance with export-related laws. While we take measures to protect our use of open source software in our solutions, open source license terms may be ambiguous, and many of the risks associated with usage of open source software cannot be eliminated. If we were found to have inappropriately used open source software, we may be required to release our proprietary source code, re-engineer our software, discontinue the sale of certain solutions in the event re-engineering cannot be accomplished on a timely basis, or take other remedial action that may divert resources away from our development efforts, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial position, and results of operations.

We Face Significant Competition in Our Industry.

The market for our solutions is highly competitive. We directly compete with both independent providers and in-house solutions developed by existing and potential clients. In addition, some independent providers are entering into strategic alliances with other independent providers, resulting in either new competitors, or competitors with greater resources. Many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing, technical, and other competitive resources than our company, many with significant and well-established domestic and international operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully with our existing competitors or with new competitors.

Failure to Protect Our Intellectual Property Rights or Claims by Others That We Infringe Their Intellectual Property Rights Could Substantially Harm Our Business, Financial Position and Results of Operations.

We rely on a combination of trade secret, copyright, trademark, and patent laws in the U.S. and similar laws in other countries, and non-disclosure, confidentiality, and other types of contractual arrangements to establish, maintain, and enforce our intellectual property rights in our solutions. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, or misappropriated. Further, our contractual arrangements may not effectively prevent disclosure of our confidential information or provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of our confidential information. Others may independently discover trade secrets and proprietary information, which may complicate our assertion of trade secret rights against such parties. Costly and time consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and

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failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position. In addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. Therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology adequately against unauthorized third party copying or use, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

Although we hold a limited number of patents and patent applications on some of our solutions, we do not rely upon patents as a primary means of protecting our rights in our intellectual property. In any event, there can be no assurance that our patent applications will be approved, that any issued patents will adequately protect our intellectual property, or that such patents will not be challenged by third parties. Also, much of our business and many of our solutions rely on key technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties at all or on reasonable terms.

Finally, third parties may claim that we, our clients, licensees or other parties indemnified by us are infringing upon their intellectual property rights. Even if we believe that such claims are without merit, they can be time consuming and costly to defend and distract management’s and technical staff’s attention and resources. Claims of intellectual property infringement also might require us to redesign affected solutions, enter into costly settlement or license agreements or pay costly damage awards, or face a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from marketing or selling certain of our solutions. Even if we have an agreement to indemnify us against such costs, the indemnifying party may be unable to uphold its contractual obligations. If we cannot or do not license the infringed technology on reasonable pricing terms or at all, or substitute similar technology from another source, our business, financial position, and results of operations could be adversely impacted. Our failure to adequately establish, maintain, and protect our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, and results of operations.

Client Bankruptcies Could Adversely Affect Our Business.

In the past, certain of our clients have filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result of the current economic conditions and the additional financial stress this may place on companies, the risk of client bankruptcies is heightened. Companies involved in bankruptcy proceedings pose greater financial risks to us, consisting principally of the following: (i) a financial loss related to possible claims of preferential payments for certain amounts paid to us prior to the bankruptcy filing date, as well as increased risk of collection for accounts receivable, particularly those accounts receivable that relate to periods prior to the bankruptcy filing date; and/or (ii) the possibility of a contract being unilaterally rejected as part of the bankruptcy proceedings, or a client in bankruptcy may attempt to renegotiate more favorable terms as a result of their deteriorated financial condition, thus, negatively impacting our rights to future revenues subsequent to the bankruptcy filing. We consider these risks in assessing our revenue recognition and our ability to collect accounts receivable related to our clients that have filed for bankruptcy protection, and for those clients that are seriously threatened with a possible bankruptcy filing. We establish accounting reserves for our estimated exposure on these items which can materially impact the results of our operations in the period such reserves are established. There can be no assurance that our accounting reserves related to this exposure will be adequate. Should any of the factors considered in determining the adequacy of the overall reserves change adversely, an adjustment to the accounting reserves may be necessary. Because of the potential significance of this exposure, such an adjustment could be material.

We May Incur Material Restructuring Charges in the Future.

In the past, we have recorded restructuring charges related to involuntary employee terminations, various facility abandonments, and various other restructuring and reorganization activities. We continually evaluate ways to reduce our operating expenses through new restructuring opportunities, including more effective utilization of our assets, workforce, and operating facilities. As a result, there is a risk, which is increased during economic downturns and with expanded global operations, that we may incur material restructuring or reorganization charges in the future.

Substantial Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-lived Assets in the Future May Be Possible.

As a result of various acquisitions and the growth of our company over the last several years, we have approximately $225 million of goodwill, and $130 million of long-lived assets other than goodwill (principally, property and equipment, software, and client contracts) as of December 31, 2014. These long-lived assets are subject to ongoing assessment of possible impairment summarized as follows:

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We utilize our market capitalization and/or cash flow models as the primary basis to estimate the fair value amounts used in our goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment valuations. If an impairment was to be recorded in the future, it could materially impact our results of operations in the period such impairment is recognized, but such an impairment charge would be a non-cash expense, and therefore would have no impact on our cash flows.

Failure to Attract and Retain Our Key Management and Other Highly Skilled Personnel Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business.

Our future success depends in large part on the continued service of our key management, sales, product development, professional services, and operational personnel. We believe that our future success also depends on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, operational, and sales and marketing personnel, including, in particular, personnel in the areas of R&D, professional services, and technical support. Competition for qualified personnel at times can be intense, particularly in the areas of R&D, conversions, software implementations, and technical support. This risk is heightened with a widely dispersed customer base and employee populations. For these reasons, we may not be successful in attracting and retaining the personnel we require, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments and new product delivery objectives.

 

None.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we were operating in over 35 leased sites around the world, representing approximately 630,000 square feet.

Our corporate headquarters is located in Englewood, Colorado. In addition, we lease office space in the United States in Alexandria, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Bloomfield, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; Columbia, Maryland; Coppell, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska; Oxnard, California; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The leases for these office facilities expire in the years 2015 through 2025. We also maintain leased facilities internationally in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, India, Ireland, Lebanon, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, and the U.K. The leases for these international office facilities expire in the years 2015 through 2022. We utilize these office facilities primarily for the following: (i) client services, training, and support; (ii) product and operations support; (iii) systems and programming activities; (iv) professional services staff; (v) R&D activities; (vi) sales and marketing activities; and (vii) general and administrative functions.

Additionally, we lease two statement production and mailing facilities totaling approximately 176,000 square feet. These facilities are located in: (i) Omaha, Nebraska; and (ii) Wakulla County, Florida. The leases for these facilities expire in the 2018 and 2019, respectively.

We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current needs and that additional suitable space will be available as required. We also believe that we will be able to either: (i) extend our current leases as they terminate; or (ii) find alternative space without experiencing a significant increase in cost. See Note 9 to our Financial Statements for information regarding our obligations under our facility leases.

 

From time-to-time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business.

In April 2014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued a Cautionary Letter (the “Letter”) to the Company, instead of pursuing a civil monetary penalty, after completing its review of the following prior period matters: 

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The Letter represents OFAC’s final enforcement response to the Company’s apparent violations, but does not constitute a final agency determination as to whether violations have occurred.  The Letter does not preclude OFAC from taking future enforcement action should new or additional information warrant renewed attention.

We are not presently a party to any material pending or threatened legal proceedings.

 

Not applicable.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

As of December 31, 2014, our executive officers were Peter E. Kalan (Chief Executive Officer and President), Randy R. Wiese (Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), Joseph T. Ruble (Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer), and Bret C. Griess (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

We have employment agreements with each of the executive officers.

Peter E. Kalan

President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Kalan, 55, currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for CSG. He joined the Company in January 1997, was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in August 2000, and named an Executive Vice President in 2004. In April 2005, he became Executive Vice President of Business and Corporate Development. In December 2007, Mr. Kalan was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the Board of Directors. Prior to joining the Company, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Bank One, Chicago. He also held various other financial management positions with Bank One in Texas and Illinois from 1985 through 1996. Mr. Kalan holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Randy R. Wiese

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Wiese, 55, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CSG. Mr. Wiese joined CSG in 1995 as Controller and later served as Chief Accounting Officer. He was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in April 2006. Prior to joining CSG, he was manager of audit and business advisory services and held other accounting-related positions at Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Wiese is a member of the AICPA and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, and serves as Chairman of the Board for Habitat for Humanity-Omaha Chapter. He holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Joseph T. Ruble

Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer

Mr. Ruble, 54, serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer for CSG, responsible for global oversight of the legal, strategy, corporate development, human resources, compliance, corporate communications, and real estate functions. Mr. Ruble joined CSG in 1997 as Vice President and General Counsel. In November 2000, he was appointed Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In February 2007, he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Prior to joining CSG, Mr. Ruble served from 1991 to 1997 as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Intersolv, Inc., and as counsel to Pansophic Systems, Inc. for its international operations from 1988 to 1991. Prior to that, he represented the software industry in Washington, D.C. on legislative matters. Mr. Ruble holds a J.D. from Catholic University of America and a B.S. degree from Ohio University.

Bret C. Griess

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Griess, 46, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for CSG, responsible for the Company’s product development, global operations, and professional services functions. Mr. Griess joined CSG in 1996 as a project manager and held a

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variety of positions in Operations and Information Technology, until being appointed Executive Vice President of Operations in February 2009 and Chief Operating Officer in March 2011. Prior to joining CSG, Mr. Griess was Genesis Product Manager with Chief Automotive Systems from 1995 to 1996, and an information systems analyst with the Air Force from 1990 to 1995. Mr. Griess holds an M.A. degree in Management and a B.S. degree in Management from Bellevue University in Nebraska, an A.A.S. degree from the Community College of the Air Force, and an A.S. degree in Business Administration from Eastern Florida State College, formerly Brevard Community College.

Board of Directors of the Registrant

Information related to our Board of Directors (the “Board”) as of December 31, 2014, is provided below.

Donald B. Reed

Mr. Reed, 70, was elected to the Board in May 2005 and has served as the Company’s non-executive Chairman of the Board since January 2010. Mr. Reed is retired, having served as Chief Executive Officer of Cable & Wireless Global from May 2000 to January 2003. Cable & Wireless Global, a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless plc, is a provider of internet protocol (IP) and data services to business customers in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. From June 1998 until May 2000, Mr. Reed served Cable & Wireless in various other executive positions. Mr. Reed’s career includes 30 years at NYNEX Corporation (now part of Verizon), a regional telephone operating company. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Reed served NYNEX Corporation as President and Group Executive with responsibility for directing the company’s regional, national and international government affairs, public policy initiatives, legislative and regulatory matters, and public relations. Mr. Reed holds a B.S. degree in History from Virginia Military Institute.

Peter E. Kalan

Mr. Kalan’s biographical information is included in the “Executive Officers of the Registrant” section shown directly above.

David G. Barnes

Mr. Barnes, 53, was appointed to the Board in February 2014. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and a Director for MWH Global, a private, employee-owned global provider of environmental engineering, construction and strategic consulting services.  From 2006 to 2008, he was Executive Vice President of Western Union Financial Services. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Barnes served as Chief Financial Officer of Radio Shack Corporation. From 1999 to 2004, he was Vice President, Treasurer and U.S. Chief Financial Officer for Coors Brewing Company. Mr. Barnes holds an M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago and a B.A. degree from Yale University.

Ronald H. Cooper

Mr. Cooper, 58, was elected to the Board in November 2006. He most recently served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Americas, Inc. from 2009 through 2012. Prior to this position, Mr. Cooper was a Principal at Tufts Consulting LLC from 2006 through 2009. He previously spent nearly 25 years in the cable and telecommunications industry, most recently at Adelphia Communications where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2003 to 2006. Prior to Adelphia, Mr. Cooper held a series of executive positions at AT&T Broadband, RELERA Data Centers & Solutions, MediaOne and its predecessor Continental Cablevision, Inc. He has held various board and committee seats with the National Cable Television Association, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, Cable Television Association for Marketing, New England Cable Television Association and Outdoor Advertising Association of America. Mr. Cooper holds a B.A. degree from Wesleyan University.

John L. M. Hughes

Mr. Hughes, 63, was appointed to the Board in March 2011. Mr. Hughes previously served as Chairman of the Board for Intec Telecom Systems plc for nearly six years until the company was acquired by us in 2010. Mr. Hughes currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Just-Eat Group plc, Sepura plc, Spectris plc, and Telecity Group plc, and for privately-held Zenoss Core. He also is a Director on the board for privately-held Scorpion Ventures Limited.  During the past five years, Mr. Hughes was formerly a Director on the boards of the public companies of Parity Group plc, NICE-Systems Ltd., Chloride Group plc, and Vitec Group plc. Mr. Hughes has been an advisor to Oakley Corporate Finance since 2012 and previously served as an advisor to Advent International, a private equity fund, from 2008 to 2011.  Prior to his board positions, from 2000 to 2004, Mr. Hughes served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Thales Group, a leading European provider of complex systems for the defense, aerospace and commercial markets. Prior to 2000, he served as President of GSM/UMTS Wireless Networks of Lucent Technologies, and as the Director of Convex Global Field Operations and Vice President and Managing Director of Convex Europe, a division of Hewlett‑

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Packard Company. Mr. Hughes holds a B.S. degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Hatfield Polytechnic (now the University of Hertfordshire).

Janice I. Obuchowski

Ms. Obuchowski, 63, was elected to the Board in November 1997. Ms. Obuchowski is the founder and President of Freedom Technologies, Inc., a research and consulting firm providing public policy and strategic advice to companies in the communications sector, government agencies and international clients, since 1992. She was previously Chairman and Founder of Frontline Wireless, Inc., a public safety network start-up from 2007 through 2008. In 2003, Ms. Obuchowski was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Ambassador and Head of the U.S. Delegation to the World Radiocommunication Conference. She has served as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce and as Administrator for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and as the head of international government relations at NYNEX. Ms. Obuchowski currently serves as a Director on the boards for Orbital ATK and Inmarsat. She also has served on several non-profit and other publicly traded company boards. She holds a J.D. degree from Georgetown University and a B.A. degree from Wellesley College, and also attended the University of Paris.

Frank V. Sica

Mr. Sica, 64, has served as a director of the Company since its formation in 1994. Mr. Sica is currently a Managing Partner of Tailwind Capital. From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Sica was a Senior Advisor to Soros Private Funds Management. From 2000 until 2003, he was President of Soros Private Funds Management, where he oversaw the direct real estate and private equity investment activities of Soros. In 1998, he joined Soros Fund Management where he was a Managing Director responsible for Soros’ private equity investments. Mr. Sica was previously Managing Director for Morgan Stanley Merchant Banking Division. He currently serves as a Director on the boards of JetBlue Airways, Kohl’s Corporation and Safe Bulkers, Inc., and formerly served as Director on the board for NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation during the past five years. Mr. Sica holds an M.B.A. degree from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a B.A. degree from Wesleyan University.

Donald V. Smith

Mr. Smith, 72, was elected to the Board in January 2002. Mr. Smith is presently retired. Previously, he served as Senior Managing Director of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin, Inc., an international investment banking firm with whom he has been associated from 1988 through 2009, and where he served on the board of directors. From 1978 to 1988, he served as Principal with Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., where he headed their valuation and reorganization services. He is also on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations. Mr. Smith holds an M.B.A. degree from the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. degree from the United States Naval Academy.

James A. Unruh

Mr. Unruh, 74, was elected to the Board in June 2005. Mr. Unruh became a founding Principal of Alerion Capital Group, LLC, a private equity investment company, in 1998 and currently holds such position. Mr. Unruh was an executive with Unisys Corporation from 1987 to 1997, including serving as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1990 to 1997. From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Unruh held various executive positions, including Senior Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer with Burroughs Corporation, a predecessor of Unisys Corporation. Prior to 1982, Mr. Unruh was Chief Financial Officer with Memorex Corporation and also held various executive positions with Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, including Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Unruh currently serves as Director on the boards for Prudential Financial, Inc. and Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and formerly served as Director on the boards for Qwest Communications International, Inc. and CenturyLink, Inc. during the past five years. He holds an M.B.A. degree from the University of Denver and a B.S. degree from the University of Jamestown.

 

 

 

 

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PART II

 

Our common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol ‘‘CSGS’’. The following table sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ.

 

 

On February 24, 2015, the last sale price of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ was $30.60 per share. On January 31, 2015, the number of holders of record of common stock was 163.

Dividends

In June 2013, our Board approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend to be paid to our stockholders for the first time in our history. Quarterly cash dividends were paid to stockholders in March, June, September, and December of 2014, as detailed in the table above.  Going forward, we expect to continue to pay dividends each year in March, June, September, and December, with the amount and timing subject to the Board’s approval. In January 2015, our Board declared a dividend of $0.175 per share of common stock to be paid on March 26, 2015 for shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 2015.

The payment of dividends is subject to the covenants of our Credit Agreement, and has certain impacts to our senior subordinated convertible contingent debt (the 2010 Convertible Notes). See Note 5 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our long-term debt.

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Stock Price Performance

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock, the Russell 2000 Index, and our Standard Industrial Classification (“SIC”) Code Index: Data Preparation and Processing Services during the indicated five-year period. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2009, in our common stock and in each of the two indexes, and that all dividends, if any, were reinvested.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes certain information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014:

 

Of the total number of securities remaining available for future issuance, 5,532,252 shares can be used for various types of stock-based awards, as specified in the equity compensation plan, with the remaining 499,549 shares to be used for our employee stock purchase plan. See Note 11 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our equity compensation plans.

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Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information with respect to purchases of our common stock made during the fourth quarter of 2014 by CSG Systems International, Inc. or any “affiliated purchaser” of CSG Systems International, Inc., as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data have been derived from our audited financial statements. The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, our MD&A and our Financial Statements. The information below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations.

 

In March 2010, we completed an offering of $150 million of 3.0% senior subordinated convertible notes due March 1, 2017 to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We used a portion of the proceeds to repurchase $119.9 million (par value) of our 2004 Convertible Debt Securities for $125.0 million.

In 2010 we repurchased $145.2 million (par value) of our 2004 Convertible Debt Securities for $151.0 million and recognized a loss on the repurchases of $12.7 million. In June 2011, holders of $24.1 million par value of our 2004 Convertible Debt Securities exercised their put option and we paid the par value and accrued interest to extinguish the securities. In June 2011, we exercised our option to call the remaining $1.0 million par value of our 2004 Convertible Debt Securities, and extinguished the debt in July 2011.

See Note 5 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our debt.

 

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains a number of forward-looking statements relative to our future plans and our expectations concerning our business and the industries we serve. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about a number of important factors, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates contained in the forward-looking statements. Some of the risks that are foreseen by management are outlined above within Item 1A., “Risk Factors”. Item 1A. constitutes an integral part of this report, and readers are strongly encouraged to review this section closely in conjunction with MD&A.

MD&A Basis of Discussion - Impact of Divestitures and Acquisitions

Our Consolidated Statements of Income (“Income Statements” or “Income Statement”) for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 reflect the results of operations for the following acquisitions and divestitures:

As a result of these acquisitions and divestitures, amounts may not be comparable between years due to the timing of the transactions. The comparable differences have been described below where relevant or significant.

As a result of the divestitures of the two businesses mentioned above, 2014 revenue levels were approximately $13 million lower as compared to our 2013 revenues generated from these businesses.  This, however, was partially offset by the $6 million of revenues generated from the Volubill acquisition.   Overall, the 2013 acquisition and divestiture activity had a minimal impact to earnings in 2014.

Management Overview

Results of Operations. A summary of our results of operations for 2014 and 2013, and other key performance metrics are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):

 

Revenues. Our revenues for 2014 were $751.3 million, an increase of 1% when compared to $747.5 million for 2013. The increase in total revenues is mainly attributed to the strong growth in processing revenues of approximately $25 million that we experienced during 2014, which more than offset the lower software and services revenues for the year of approximately $16 million and the approximately $13 million year-over-year impact of the two business divestitures completed in the second half of 2013, discussed above.  

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The growth in our processing revenues for 2014 reflects the strength of our North American cable and satellite business, and the early successes around our international managed services offering.  The lower software and services revenues reflect the elongated sales cycles we are currently experiencing in this area of our business, and the business challenges our clients are facing in growing their businesses, which reduces the demand for our software and services offerings.

Operating Results. Operating income for 2014 was $75.7 million, or a 10.1% operating income margin percentage, relatively consistent when compared to $76.7 million, or a 10.3% operating income margin percentage, for 2013.

Diluted EPS. Diluted EPS for 2014 was $1.10 compared to $1.56 for 2013, with the decrease almost entirely attributed to the unusually low effective income tax rate (“ETR”) for 2013 of 17%, compared to an ETR of 40% for 2014.  The 2013 ETR benefited primarily from the recognition of incremental R&D income tax credits claimed for development activities from previous years and by the reduction of certain tax allowances related to foreign operations. The lower tax rate provided a benefit of approximately $13 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, to 2013.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2014, we had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $201.8 million, as compared to $210.8 million as of December 31, 2013. Cash flows from operating activities for 2014 were $83.7 million, compared to $126.6 million for 2013, with the decrease largely due to several income tax benefits realized in 2013 and the negative impact of unfavorable fluctuations in our working capital that we experienced in 2014, as discussed in further detail in the Liquidity section.

Capital Planning Activities

In February 2015, we announced a planned increase in our capital allocation to shareholders, and an improvement in our capital structure, which includes the following key items:

Significant Client Relationships

Comcast. Comcast continues to be our largest client. For 2014 and 2013, revenues from Comcast were $162 million and $144 million, respectively, representing approximately 22% and 19% of our total revenues.

Master Subscriber Management System Agreement.  On March 26, 2013, we entered into a new Master Subscriber Management System Agreement with Comcast to extend our relationship for an additional four years. The new agreement was effective March 1, 2013, and included a pricing discount over their previous contract rates. In exchange for these pricing discounts, the new agreement provides us with minimum commitments for the number of Comcast customer accounts to be processed on ACP and the exclusive right to provide print and mail services for those customer accounts processed on our systems.

Amended Agreement.  On July 25, 2014, we entered into an amendment to our Master Subscriber Management System Agreement with Comcast (the “Amended Agreement”). The Amended Agreement provides the framework for Comcast to consolidate its residential customer accounts onto our ACP customer care and billing solution.  Key changes included in the Amended Agreement are as follows:

Term Extension

Migration of Comcast Residential Customer Accounts

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Issuance of Warrants

 

 

A copy of the new Comcast agreement and related amendments, with confidential information redacted, is included in the exhibits to our periodic filings with the SEC.

DISH. DISH is our second largest client. For 2014 and 2013, revenues from DISH were $112 million and $113 million, respectively, representing approximately 15% of our total revenues for both periods. Our agreement with DISH runs through December 31, 2017.

The DISH agreement and related amendments, with confidential information redacted, is included in the exhibits to our periodic filings with the SEC.

Time Warner. Time Warner is our third largest client. For 2014 and 2013, revenues from Time Warner were $83 million and $78 million, respectively, representing approximately 11% of our total revenues for both periods.

On December 28, 2012, we entered into a contract renewal with Time Warner to extend our relationship for an additional four years through March 31, 2017, with an option to extend the term for one additional year by exercising the renewal option on or before September 30, 2016. The new agreement was effective April 1, 2013, and included a pricing discount over their previous contract rates. The new agreement provides us with commitments from Time Warner to purchase a minimum level of certain products and services over the contract term.

The Time Warner processing agreement and related amendments, with confidential information redacted, is included in the exhibits to our periodic filings with the SEC.

Comcast/Time Warner/Charter Transactions. In early 2014, Comcast announced its intent to acquire Time Warner.  In conjunction with this transaction, Comcast, Time Warner, and Charter announced their intention to exchange certain customer accounts amongst them.  Charter currently is our fourth largest client.  Comcast’s acquisition of Time Warner, and the related exchange of customer

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accounts amongst these entities, is pending review and approval by federal regulators.  A decision is currently anticipated in 2015. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether, and if so in what form or timeframe, any of these transactions will be consummated.

Should any of the Time Warner or Charter customer accounts currently being processed by us be acquired by Comcast, then Comcast would be entitled to more favorable volume pricing terms.  The annual effect of this more favorable pricing is estimated to be between $15 and $20 million. The net effect upon our results of operations for 2015 is therefore dependent upon the closing date and number of Time Warner and Charter customer accounts currently on our system that are acquired by Comcast.  Although there are no assurances, we have the opportunity to offset some or all of this reduction in annual revenues with future, additional business from Comcast.  

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense is included in the following captions in our Income Statement (in thousands):

 

See Notes 2 and 11 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our stock-based compensation expense.

Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets

Amortization of acquired intangible assets is included in the following captions in our Income Statement (in thousands):

     

See Note 4 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our amortization of acquired intangible assets.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires us to select appropriate accounting policies, and to make judgments and estimates affecting the application of those accounting policies. In applying our accounting policies, different business conditions or the use of different assumptions may result in materially different amounts reported in our Financial Statements.

We have identified the most critical accounting policies that affect our financial position and the results of our operations. These critical accounting policies were determined by considering our accounting policies that involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments. The most critical accounting policies identified relate to: (i) revenue recognition; (ii) allowance for doubtful accounts receivable; (iii) impairment assessments of goodwill and other long-lived assets; (iv) income taxes; (v) business combinations and asset purchases, and (vi) loss contingencies. These critical accounting policies, as well as our other significant accounting policies, are disclosed in the notes to our Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition. The revenue recognition policy that involves the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments that may have a material impact on our business’ operations relates to the accounting for software license arrangements.

Our software and services revenue relates primarily to: (i) software license sales; and (ii) professional services to implement the software. Our maintenance revenue relates primarily to support of our software once it has been implemented.

The accounting for software license arrangements, especially when software is sold in a multiple-element arrangement, can be complex and may require considerable judgment. Key factors considered in accounting for software license and related services include the following criteria: (i) the identification of the separate elements of the arrangement; (ii) the determination of whether any undelivered elements are essential to the functionality of the delivered elements; (iii) the assessment of whether the software, if

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hosted, should be accounted for as a services arrangement and thus outside the scope of the software revenue recognition literature; (iv) the determination of vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value for the undelivered element(s) of the arrangement; (v) the assessment of whether the software license fees are fixed or determinable; (vi) the determination as to whether the fees are considered collectible; and (vii) the assessment of whether services included in the arrangement represent significant production, customization or modification of the software. The evaluation of these factors, and the ultimate revenue recognition decision, requires significant judgments to be made by us. The judgments made in this area could have a significant effect on revenues recognized in any period by changing the amount and/or the timing of the revenue recognized. In addition, because software licenses typically have little or no direct, incremental costs related to the recognition of the revenue, these judgments could also have a significant effect on our results of operations.

The initial sale of our software products generally requires significant production, modification or customization and thus falls under the guidelines of contract accounting. In these software license arrangements, the elements of the arrangements are typically a software license, professional services, and maintenance. When we have VSOE of fair value for the maintenance, which we generally do, we allocate a portion of the total arrangement fee to the maintenance element based on its VSOE of fair value, and the balance of the arrangement fee is subject to contract accounting using the percentage-of-completion (“POC”) method of accounting. Under the POC method of accounting, software license and professional services revenues are typically recognized as the professional services related to the software implementation project are performed. We are using hours performed on the project as the measure to determine the percentage of the work completed.

In certain instances, we sell software license volume upgrades, which provide our clients the right to use our software to process higher transaction volume levels. In these instances, if: (i)  maintenance is the only undelivered element of the software arrangement; (ii) we have VSOE of fair value for the maintenance related to the volume upgrade; and (iii) we meet the other revenue recognition criteria, we recognize the software license revenue on the effective date of the volume upgrade.

A portion of our professional services revenues does not include an element of software delivery (e.g., business consulting services, etc.), and thus, do not fall within the scope of specific authoritative accounting literature for software arrangements. In these cases, revenues from fixed-price, professional service contracts are recognized using a method consistent with the proportional performance method, which is relatively consistent with our POC methodology. Under a proportional performance model, revenue is recognized by allocating revenue between reporting periods based on relative service provided in each reporting period, and costs are generally recognized as incurred. We utilize an input-based approach (i.e., hours worked) for purposes of measuring performance on these types of contracts. Our input measure is considered a reasonable surrogate for an output measure. In instances when the work performed on fixed price agreements is of relatively short duration, or if we are unable to make reasonably dependable estimates at the outset of the arrangement, we use the completed contract method of accounting whereby revenue is recognized when the work is completed.

Our use of the POC and proportional performance methods of accounting on professional services engagements requires estimates of the total project revenues, total project costs and the expected hours necessary to complete a project. Changes in estimates as a result of additional information or experience on a project as work progresses are inherent characteristics of the POC and proportional performance methods of accounting as we are exposed to various business risks in completing these engagements. The estimation process to support these methods of accounting is more difficult for projects of greater length and/or complexity. The judgments and estimates made in this area could: (i) have a significant effect on revenues recognized in any period by changing the amount and/or the timing of the revenue recognized; and/or (ii) impact the expected profitability of a project, including whether an overall loss on an arrangement has occurred. To mitigate the inherent risks in using the POC and proportional performance methods of accounting, we track our performance on projects and reevaluate the appropriateness of our estimates as part of our monthly accounting cycle.

Revenues from professional services contracts billed on a time-and-materials basis are recognized as the services are performed and as amounts due from clients are deemed collectible and contractually non-refundable.

Maintenance revenues are recognized ratably over the software maintenance service period. Our maintenance consists primarily of client and product support, technical updates (e.g., bug fixes, etc.), and unspecified upgrades or enhancements to our software products. If specified upgrades or enhancements are offered in an arrangement, which is rare, they are accounted for as a separate element of the software arrangement.

Revenues are recognized only if we determine that the collection of the fees included in an arrangement is considered probable (i.e., we expect the client to pay all amounts in full when invoiced). In making our determination of collectibility for revenue recognition purposes, we consider a number of factors depending upon the specific aspects of an arrangement, which may include, but is not limited to, the following items: (i) an assessment of the client’s specific credit worthiness, evidenced by its current financial position and/or recent operating results, credit ratings, and/or a bankruptcy filing status (as applicable); (ii) the client’s current accounts receivable status and/or its historical payment patterns with us (as applicable); (iii) the economic condition of the industry in which the client conducts the majority of its business; and/or (iv) the economic conditions and/or political stability of the country or region in which the client is domiciled and/or conducts the majority of its business. The evaluation of these factors, and the ultimate

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determination of collectibility, requires significant judgments to be made by us. The judgments made in this area could have a significant effect on revenues recognized in any period by changing the amount and/or the timing of the revenue recognized.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on client-specific allowances, as well as a general allowance. Specific allowances are maintained for clients which are determined to have a high degree of collectibility risk based on such factors, among others, as follows: (i) the aging of the accounts receivable balance; (ii) the client’s past payment experience; (iii) the economic condition of the industry in which the client conducts the majority of its business; (iv) the economic condition and/or political stability of the country or region in which the client is domiciled and/or conducts the majority of its business; and (v) a deterioration in a client’s financial condition, evidenced by weak financial position and/or continued poor operating results, reduced credit ratings, and/or a bankruptcy filing. In addition to the specific allowance, we maintain a general allowance for all our accounts receivable which are not covered by a specific allowance. The general allowance is established based on such factors, among others, as: (i) the total balance of the outstanding accounts receivable, including considerations of the aging categories of those accounts receivable; (ii) past history of uncollectible accounts receivable write-offs; and (iii) the overall creditworthiness of the client base. Our credit risk is heightened due to our concentration of clients within the global communications industry, and the fact that a large percentage of our outstanding accounts receivable are further concentrated with our largest clients. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the realizability of accounts receivable. Should any of the factors considered in determining the adequacy of the overall allowance change significantly, an adjustment to the provision for doubtful account receivables may be necessary. Because of the overall significance of our gross billed account receivables balance ($184.4 million as of December 31, 2014); such an adjustment could be material.

Impairment Assessments of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets.

Goodwill. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment on an annual basis. We have elected to do our annual test for possible impairment as of July 31 of each year. In addition to this annual requirement, goodwill is required to be evaluated for possible impairment on a periodic basis (e.g., quarterly) if events occur or circumstances change that could indicate a possible impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value of the reporting unit, which includes the goodwill, is greater than the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If it is determined that an impairment has occurred, an impairment loss (equal to the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over its estimated fair value) is recorded.

As of July 31, 2014, we had goodwill of approximately $236 million, which was assigned to a single reporting unit. Since we had only a single reporting unit, we used our public market capitalization as our primary means to estimate the fair value for that single reporting unit. Since our market capitalization exceeded the carrying value of our single reporting unit by a significant margin, we concluded there was no impairment of goodwill.

We believe that our approach for testing our goodwill for impairment was appropriate. However, if we experience a significant drop in our market capitalization due to company performance, and/or broader market conditions, it may result in an impairment loss. If a goodwill impairment was to be recorded in the future, it would likely materially impact our results of operations in the period such impairment is recognized, but such an impairment charge would be a non-cash expense, and therefore would have no impact on our cash flows, or on the financial position of our company.

Other Long-lived Assets. Long-lived assets other than goodwill, which for us relates primarily to property and equipment, software, and client contracts, are required to be evaluated for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. A long-lived asset (or group of long-lived assets) is impaired if estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with that asset, without consideration of interest, are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Once deemed impaired, even if by $1, the long-lived asset is written down to its fair value which could be considerably less than the carrying amount or future undiscounted cash flows. The determination of estimated future cash flows and, if required, the determination of the fair value of a long-lived asset, are by their nature, highly subjective judgments. Changes to one or more of the assumptions utilized in such an analysis could materially affect our impairment conclusions for long-lived assets.

Income Taxes. We are required to estimate our income tax liability in each jurisdiction in which we operate, which includes the U.S. (including both Federal and state income taxes) and numerous foreign countries.

Various judgments are required in evaluating our income tax positions and determining our provisions for income taxes. During the ordinary course of our business, there are certain transactions and calculations for which the ultimate income tax determination may be uncertain. In addition, we may be subject to examination of our income tax returns by various tax authorities which could result in adverse outcomes. For these reasons, we establish a liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest may be due. We adjust this liability based upon changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, the closing of a tax year upon the expiration of a statute of limitations, or the refinement of an estimate. Should any of the

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factors considered in determining the adequacy of this liability change significantly, an adjustment to the liability may be necessary. Because of the potential significance of these issues, such an adjustment could be material.

Business Combinations and Asset Purchases. Accounting for business combinations and asset purchases, including the allocation of the purchase price to acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on their estimated fair values, requires us in certain circumstances to estimate fair values for items that have no ready market or for which no independent market exists. Under such circumstances, we use our best judgment to determine a fair value based upon inference to other transactions and other data. As a result, the amounts determined by us for such items as accounts receivable, identifiable intangible assets, goodwill, and deferred revenue are not individually the result of an arm’s length transaction, but are the result of management estimates of the fair value and the allocation of the purchase price. Accordingly, revenue recognized by us related to fulfillment of assumed contractual obligations under revenue arrangements is based on fair value estimates made by us.

For larger and/or more complex acquisitions, we utilize the services of an appraiser or valuation expert to assist us in the assignment of value to individual assets and liabilities. The assumptions we use in the appraisal or valuation process are forward-looking, and thus are subject to significant judgments and interpretations by us. Because individual assets and liabilities may be: (i) amortized over their estimated useful life (e.g., acquired software); (ii) not amortized at all (e.g., goodwill); and (iii) re-measured to fair value at a future reporting date until the acquisition accounting is finalized and/or a contingency is resolved (e.g., contingent consideration, preliminary measurements of assets or liabilities, etc.), the assigned values could have a material impact on our results of operations in current and future periods.

Loss Contingencies. In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to claims (and potential claims) related to various items including but not limited to the following: (i) legal and regulatory matters; (ii) client and vendor contracts; (iii) product and service delivery matters; and (iv) labor matters. Accounting and disclosure requirements for loss contingencies requires us to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments in or outcomes to these matters, as well as the potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves for such contingencies, if any, for these contingencies is based on an analysis of the issues, often with the assistance of legal counsel. The evaluation of such issues, and our ultimate accounting and disclosure decisions, are by their nature, subject to various estimates and highly subjective judgments. Should any of the factors considered in determining the adequacy of any required reserves change significantly, an adjustment to the reserves may be necessary. Because of the potential significance of these issues, such an adjustment could be material.

Detailed Discussion of Results of Operations

Total Revenues. Total revenues for: (i) 2014 increased 1% to $751.3 million, from $747.5 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 decreased 1% to $747.5 million, from $756.9 million for 2012.

The growth in our processing revenues for 2014 reflects the strength of our North American cable and satellite business, and the early successes around our international managed services offering.  The lower software and services revenues reflect the elongated sales cycles we are currently experiencing in this area of our business, and the business challenges our clients are facing in growing their businesses, which reduces the demand for our software and services offerings.

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The components of total revenues, discussed in more detail below, are as follows:  

Processing and Related Services Revenues. Processing and related services revenues for: (i) 2014 increased 5% to $562.1 million, from $537.5 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 decreased 1% to $537.5 million, from $544.6 million for 2012.

Additional information related to processing revenues is as follows:

Software and Services Revenues. Software and services revenues for: (i) 2014 decreased 14% to $102.6 million, from $119.0 million; and (ii) 2013 decreased 4% to $119.0 million, from $124.2 million for 2012.

Maintenance Revenues. Maintenance revenues for: (i) 2014 decreased 5% to $86.6 million, from $91.0 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 increased 3% to $91.0 million, from $88.0 million for 2012.

Total Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses for: (i) 2014 increased 1% to $675.6 million, from $670.8 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 increased 2% to $670.8 million, from $660.3 million for 2012.

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Additionally, during 2014, we incurred expenses related to the following items.  These items largely offset each other within our total expenses, but were classified in different line items within our Income Statement for 2014:

The components of total expenses are discussed in more detail below.

Cost of Processing and Related Services (Exclusive of Depreciation). The cost of processing and related services revenues consists principally of the following: (i) data processing and network communications costs; (ii) statement production costs (e.g., labor, paper, envelopes, equipment, equipment maintenance, etc.); (iii) client support organizations (e.g., our client support call center, account management, etc.); (iv) various product support organizations (e.g., product management and delivery, product maintenance, etc.); (v) facilities and infrastructure costs related to the statement production and support organizations; and (vi) amortization of acquired intangibles. The costs related to new product development (including significant enhancements to existing products and services) are included in R&D expenses.

The cost of processing and related services for: (i) 2014 increased 9% to $277.1 million, from $253.8 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 decreased 2% to $253.8 million, from $258.4 million for 2012. Total processing and related services cost of revenues as a percentage of our processing and related services revenues for 2014, 2013, and 2012, were 49.3%, 47.2%, and 47.4%, respectively.

Cost of Software and Services (Exclusive of Depreciation). The cost of software and services revenues consists principally of the following: (i)  various product support organizations (e.g., product management and delivery, etc.); (ii) professional services organization; (iii) facilities and infrastructure costs related to these organizations; and (iv) third-party software costs and/or royalties related to certain software products. The costs related to new product development (including significant enhancements to existing products and services) are included in R&D expenses.

The cost of software and services for: (i) 2014 decreased 5% to $79.6 million, from $84.2 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 decreased slightly to $84.2 million, from $85.6 million for 2012.  Total cost of software and services as a percentage of our software and services revenues for 2014, 2013, and 2012, were 77.6%, 70.8%, and 68.9%, respectively.

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Variability in quarterly revenues and operating results are inherent characteristics of companies that sell software licenses and perform professional services.  Our quarterly revenues for software licenses and professional services may fluctuate, depending on various factors, including the timing of executed contracts and revenue recognition, and the delivery of contracted solutions.  However, the costs associated with software and professional services revenues are not subject to the same degree of variability (e.g., these costs are generally fixed in nature within a relatively short period of time), and thus, fluctuations in our cost of software and services as a percentage of our software and services revenues will likely occur between periods.  

Cost of Maintenance (Exclusive of Depreciation). The cost of maintenance consists principally of the following:  (i) client support organizations (e.g., our client support call center, account management, etc.); (ii) various product support organizations (e.g., product maintenance, etc.); (iii) facilities and infrastructure costs related to these organizations; and (iv) amortization of acquired intangibles.

The cost of maintenance for: (i) 2014 decreased 17% to $32.6 million, from $39.2 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 was $39.2 million, relatively consistent when compared to $39.9 million for 2012. The decrease between 2014 and 2013 is mainly attributed to lower amortization expense for certain technology assets that became fully amortized in previous periods and the reassignment of personnel and the related costs previously assigned internally to maintenance projects to other projects. Total cost of maintenance as a percentage of our maintenance revenues for 2014, 2013, and 2012, were 37.7%, 43.0%, and 45.3%, respectively.

R&D Expense (Exclusive of Depreciation). R&D expense for: (i) 2014 decreased 5% to $104.7 million, from $110.0 million for 2013; and (i) 2013 decreased 3% to $110.0 million, from $112.9 million for 2012. These decreases in R&D expense are primarily the result of a reassignment of resources previously allocated to development projects to other areas of the business, primarily client directed and funded work on our ACP platform.

Our R&D efforts are focused on the continued evolution of our solutions that enable service providers worldwide to provide a more personalized customer experience while turning transactions into revenues. This includes the continued investment in our BSS solutions aimed at improving a providers’ time-to-market for new offerings, flexibility, scalability, and total cost of ownership.

As a percentage of total revenues, R&D expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012, was 13.9%, 14.7%, and 14.9%, respectively. We expect that our R&D investment activities in the near-term will be relatively consistent with those of the past few years, with the level of R&D spend highly dependent upon the opportunities that we see in our markets.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense (Exclusive of Depreciation) (“SG&A”). SG&A expense for: (i) 2014 increased 1% to $153.5 million, from $152.6 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 increased 10% to $152.6 million, from $138.8 million for 2012.

As a percentage of total revenues, SG&A expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was 20.4%, 20.4%, and 18.3%, respectively. As anticipated, our SG&A costs as a percentage of our revenues increased from 2012 as a result of the investments that we are making towards new initiatives, as noted above, and the acquisitions of the Ascade and Volubill businesses.

Depreciation Expense. Depreciation expense for all property and equipment is reflected separately in the aggregate and is not included in the cost of revenues or the other components of operating expenses. Depreciation expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012, was $14.1 million, $18.6 million, and $22.3 million, respectively. These decreases in depreciation expense are primarily the result of certain assets becoming fully depreciated, and to a lesser degree, the assets sold as part of our 2013 divestitures.

Restructuring and Reorganization Charges. In 2014, 2013, and 2012, we implemented various cost reduction and efficiency initiatives that resulted in restructuring and reorganization charges of $14.0 million, $12.4 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. These initiatives included: (i) the reorganization of our Content Direct solution to facilitate its alignment across our offerings, including management programs and incentives; (ii) reducing our workforce to further align it around our long-term growth initiatives; (iii) the

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divestitures of our Quaero marketing analytics business and a small print operation; (iv) the termination of our previously frozen defined benefit pension plan; and (v) the abandonment of certain space at some of our facility locations. We completed these initiatives in order to better align and allocate our resources around our long-term growth initiatives. See Note 6 to our Financial Statements for additional information regarding these initiatives.

Operating Income. Operating income and operating income margin for: (i) 2014 was $75.7 million, or 10.1% of total revenues, compared to $76.7 million, or 10.3% of total revenues for 2013; and (ii) 2013 was $76.7 million, or 10.3% of total revenues, compared to $96.6 million, or 12.8% of total revenues for 2012.

Interest Expense and Amortization of Original Issue Discount (“OID”). Our interest expense relates primarily to our 2010 Convertible Notes and our Credit Agreement. See Note 5 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our long-term debt, to include the non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of the convertible debt OID.

Interest expense for: (i) 2014 decreased to $10.5 million, from $11.6 million for 2013; and (ii) 2013 decreased to $11.6 million, from $16.0 million for 2012.

Income Tax Provision. Our effective income tax rates for 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

 

Liquidity

Cash and Liquidity. As of December 31, 2014, our principal sources of liquidity included cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $201.8 million, compared to $210.8 million as of December 31, 2013. We generally invest our excess cash balances in low-risk, short-term investments to limit our exposure to market and credit risks.

At December 31, 2014, as part of our Credit Agreement, we have a senior secured revolving loan facility (“Revolver”) with a syndicate of financial institutions.  As of December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding on the Revolver. The Credit

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Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants and financial covenants. As of December 31, 2014, and the date of this filing, we believe that we are in compliance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement.

In February 2015, as a result of the refinancing of our Credit Agreement, we increased the amount of the Revolver from $100 million to $200 million, increased the balance on our term debt by $30 million, and extended the term of the agreement such that it now expires in February 2020 (see Note 5 to our Financial Statements).

Our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investment balances as of the end of the indicated periods were located in the following geographical regions (in thousands):

 

We generally have ready access to substantially all of our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investment balances, but may face limitations on moving cash out of certain foreign jurisdictions due to currency controls. As of December 31, 2014, we had $4.7 million of cash restricted as to use to collateralize outstanding letters of credit.

Cash Flows From Operating Activities. We calculate our cash flows from operating activities beginning with net income, adding back the impact of non-cash items or non-operating activity (e.g., depreciation, amortization, amortization of OID, impairments, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, etc.), and then factoring in the impact of changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Our primary source of cash is from our operating activities. Our current business model consists of a significant amount of recurring revenue sources related to our long-term managed services arrangements (mostly billed monthly), and software maintenance agreements (billed monthly, quarterly, or annually). This recurring revenue base provides us with a reliable and predictable source of cash. In addition, software license fees and professional services revenues are sources of cash, but the payment streams for these items are less predictable.

The primary use of our cash is to fund our operating activities. Over half of our total operating costs relate to labor costs (both employees and contracted labor) for the following: (i) compensation; (ii) related fringe benefits; and (iii) reimbursements for travel and entertainment expenses. The other primary cash requirements for our operating expenses consist of: (i) data processing and related services and communication lines for our outsourced processing business; (ii) postage, paper, envelopes, and related supplies for our statement processing solutions; (iii) hardware and software; and (iv) rent and related facility costs. These items are purchased under a variety of both short-term and long-term contractual commitments. A summary of our material contractual obligations is provided below.

See “Cash Flows From Investing Activities” and “Cash Flows From Financing Activities” below for the other primary sources and uses of our cash.

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Our 2013 and 2014 net cash flows from operating activities, broken out between operations and changes in operating assets and liabilities, for the indicated quarterly periods are as follows (in thousands):

 

We believe the above table illustrates our ability to generate recurring quarterly cash flows from our operations, and the importance of managing our working capital items.  The variations in our net cash provided by operating activities are related mostly to the changes in our operating assets and liabilities (related mostly to fluctuations in timing for such things as client payments and changes in accrued expenses), and generally over longer periods of time, do not significantly impact our cash flows from operations.

Significant fluctuations in key operating assets and liabilities between 2014 and 2013 that impacted our cash flows from operating activities are as follows:

Billed Trade Accounts Receivable

Management of our billed accounts receivable is one of the primary factors in maintaining strong quarterly cash flows from operating activities. Our billed trade accounts receivable balance includes significant billings for several non-revenue items (primarily postage, sales tax, and deferred revenue items). As a result, we evaluate our performance in collecting our accounts receivable through our calculation of days billings outstanding (“DBO”) rather than a typical days sales outstanding (“DSO”) calculation. DBO is calculated based on the billings for the period (including non-revenue items) divided by the average monthly net trade accounts receivable balance for the period.

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Our gross and net billed trade accounts receivable and related allowance for doubtful accounts receivable (“Allowance”) as of the end of the indicated quarterly periods, and the related DBOs for the quarters then ended, are as follows (in thousands, except DBOs):

 

During the second and third quarters of 2014, we experienced a deterioration of our DBO, which has historically been a relatively consistent metric for us, as evidenced by the table above.  This increase in our DBO can be mainly attributed to our international software and services business, which saw a decrease in billings during 2014, without a corresponding decrease in accounts receivable due to project milestone timing, delayed payments, and monetary restrictions in certain jurisdictions.  Additionally, we experienced an increase in gross and net billed accounts receivable in the first three quarters of 2014 related primarily to the timing around certain recurring client payments (all from different clients) that were delayed at each quarter end, which also negatively impacted our DBO.  As these monthly payments were received subsequent to each quarter-end, they did not raise any collectability concerns and our fourth quarter DBO has returned to historical levels.  

As a global provider of software and professional services, a portion of our accounts receivable balance relates to clients outside the U.S.  As a result, this diversity in the geographic composition of our client base may adversely impact our DBOs as longer billing cycles (i.e., billing terms and cash collection cycles) are an inherent characteristic of international software and professional services transactions.  For example, our ability to bill (i.e., send an invoice) and collect arrangement fees may be dependent upon, among other things: (i) the completion of various client administrative matters, local country billing protocols and processes (including local cultural differences), and/or non-client administrative matters; (ii) us meeting certain contractual invoicing milestones; or (iii) the overall project status in certain situations in which we act as a subcontractor to another vendor on a project.

Unbilled Trade Accounts Receivable

Revenue earned and recognized prior to the scheduled billing date of an item is reflected as unbilled accounts receivable. Our unbilled accounts receivable as of the end of the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands):

 

The unbilled accounts receivable balances above are primarily the result of several transactions with various milestone and contractual billing dates which have not yet been reached.  Unbilled accounts receivable are an inherent characteristic of certain software and professional services transactions and may fluctuate between quarters, as these type of transactions typically have scheduled invoicing terms over several quarters, as well as certain milestone billing events.

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Income Taxes Payable/Receivable

For 2014, our cash flows used in operating activities related to income taxes payable/receivable was $3.5 million, compared to cash flows provided by operating activities related to income taxes payable/receivable of $4.6 million for 2013.  This net $8.1 million change is primarily due to the timing of our estimated Federal and state income tax payments, but is also reflective of the net $19.0 million increase between years of cash paid for income taxes, which can be attributed to the income tax benefits realized in 2013, discussed above.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities. Our typical investing activities consist of purchases/sales of short-term investments, purchases of property and equipment, and investments in client contracts, which are discussed below. However, during 2013, we:  (i) sold our marketing analytics business and a small print operation which resulted in net proceeds from the disposition during 2014 and 2013 of $1.1 million and $4.5 million, respectively; and (ii) acquired certain key assets of Volubill for $2.9 million, net of cash acquired. Additionally, in 2012, we acquired the Ascade business for $19.1 million, net of cash acquired. These activities are included in our cash flows from investing activities.

Purchases/Sales of Short-term Investments.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012 we purchased $190.4 million, $183.6 million, and $65.4 million, respectively, and sold or had mature $197.5 million, $89.7 million, and $42.1 million, respectively, of short-term investments. We continually evaluate the possible uses of our excess cash balances and will likely purchase and sell additional short-term investments in the future.

Property and Equipment/Client Contracts.

Our annual capital expenditures for property and equipment, and investments in client contracts were as follows (in thousands):

 

Our capital expenditures for these periods consisted principally of investments in: (i) computer hardware, software, and related equipment; (ii) facilities and internal infrastructure items; and (iii) statement production equipment.

Our investments in client contracts for 2014, 2013, and 2012 relate primarily to: (i) cash incentives provided to clients to convert their customer accounts to, or retain their customer’s accounts on, our managed services solutions; and (ii) direct and incremental costs incurred for conversion/set-up services related to long-term managed services arrangements where we are required to defer conversion/set-up services fees and recognize those fees as the related services are performed. For 2014, 2013, and 2012 our: (i) investments in client contracts related to cash incentives were $3.0 million, $6.5 million, and $0.5 million, respectively; and (ii) the deferral of costs related to conversion/set-up services provided under long-term managed services contracts were $2.6 million, $0.6 million, and $4.1 million, respectively.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities. Our financing activities typically consist of various debt-related transactions and activities with our common stock, which are discussed below.

Issuance of Common Stock.

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock for 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $1.4 million, $1.6 million, and $1.9 million, respectively, and relates primarily to employee stock purchase plan purchases.

Repurchase of Common Stock.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, we repurchased approximately 733,000, 500,000, and 823,000 shares of our common stock under the guidelines of our Stock Repurchase Program for $19.1 million, $10.1 million, and $13.3 million, respectively. In addition, outside of our Stock Repurchase Program, during 2014, 2013, and 2012, we repurchased from our employees and then cancelled approximately 252,000 shares, 264,000 shares, and 197,000 shares, of our common stock for $6.9 million, $5.4 million, and $3.2 million, respectively, in connection with minimum tax withholding requirements resulting from the vesting of restricted stock under our stock incentive plans.

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Cash Dividends Paid on Common Stock.

During 2014 and 2013, the Board approved dividend payments totaling $21.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively, of which $20.5 million and $14.5 million had been paid through December 31, 2014 and 2013 (with the remaining amount attributed to unvested incentive shares to be paid upon vesting).

Long-term debt.

During 2014, we made a total of $15 million of principal repayments on our long-term debt balance to bring the total Term Loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 2014 to $120 million.

During 2013, we made a total of $15 million of principal repayments on our long-term debt balance to bring the total Term Loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 2014 to $135 million.

During 2012, we repaid a total of $40 million of our long-term debt balance to bring the total Term Loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 2012 to $150 million. Additionally, in connection with the refinancing of the Credit Agreement in 2012, we paid deferred financing costs of $2.5 million.

See Note 5 to our Financial Statements for additional discussion of our long-term debt.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments and Contingencies

We have various contractual obligations that are recorded as liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executory contracts are not recognized as liabilities in our Balance Sheet, but are required to be disclosed.

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2014, and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash (in thousands).

 

The contractual obligation amounts reflected for our long-term debt are as of December 31, 2014, based upon the following assumptions:

In February 2015, we refinanced our existing Credit Agreement with several financial institutions. Our long-term debt obligations and subsequent refinancing are discussed in more detail in Note 5 to our Financial Statements.

The operating leases are discussed in Note 9 to our Financial Statements. Our purchase obligations consist primarily of our expected minimum base fees under the Infocrossing service agreement (discussed in Note 9 to our Financial Statements), and data communication and business continuity planning services.

The other obligations reflect the requirement for us to pay cash of approximately $23 million ratably over five years related to the deferred income tax liabilities associated with our repurchase of the 2004 Convertible Debt Securities as discussed in Note 7 to our Financial Statements.

Of the total contractual obligations and commercial commitments above, approximately $315 million is reflected on our Balance Sheet.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None

Capital Resources

The following are the key items to consider in assessing our sources and uses of capital resources:

Current Sources of Capital Resources.

In February 2015, we refinanced our existing Credit Agreement, which extended the term of the agreement into February 2020, and increased the revolving credit facility from $100 million dollars to $200 million dollars.  As of the date of this filing, we had no borrowings outstanding on our revolving credit facility, and had full access to the available $200 million.  This amended Credit Agreement provides us with additional capital capacity, and greater flexibility to manage our capital structure over the next five years, including options to settle our convertible debt that matures in early 2017.  Our long-term debt obligations, and subsequent amendment to our Credit Agreement, are discussed in more detail in Note 5 to our Financial Statements

Uses/Potential Uses of Capital Resources. Below are the key items to consider in assessing our uses/potential uses of capital resources:

In February 2015, we announced an increase in our planned share repurchases of up to $150 million under our Stock Repurchase Program over the next three years, with key facets of this plan outlined as follows:

Our common stock repurchases are discussed in more detail in Note 10 to our Financial Statements.

In January 2015, our Board approved an increase in our quarterly cash dividend by 11% going from $0.1575 per share of common stock to $0.175 per common share of common stock, effective with the first quarterly dividend declared by our Board in January 2015 for payment on March 26, 2015.

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As noted above, we entered into an Amended Agreement with Comcast. As an additional incentive for Comcast to migrate new customer accounts to ACP, the Amended Agreement includes the issuance of Stock Warrants for the right to purchase up to approximately 2.9 million shares of our common stock, with vesting tied primarily to the number of customer accounts Comcast migrates onto ACP. Once vested, Comcast may exercise the Stock Warrants and elect either physical delivery of common shares or net share settlement (cashless exercise).  Alternatively, the exercise of the Stock Warrants may be settled with cash based solely on our approval, or if Comcast were to beneficially own or control in excess of 19.99% of the common stock or voting of the Company.  As of the date of this filing, approximately 1 million Stock Warrants had vested based on the terms of the Warrant Agreement, and none of these Stock Warrants have been exercised to date.  The Stock Warrants are discussed in more detail in Note 10 to our Financial Statements.  

As discussed above in February 2015, we refinanced our existing Credit Agreement. Our long-term debt obligations and subsequent refinancing are discussed in more detail in Note 5 to our Financial Statements.  

In summary, we expect to continue to have material needs for capital resources going forward, as noted above. We believe that our current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balances and our Revolver, together with cash expected to be generated in the future from our current operating activities, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital resource requirements for at least the next 12 months. We also believe we could obtain additional capital through other debt sources which may be available to us if deemed appropriate.

 

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. As of December 31, 2014, we are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, fluctuations and changes in the market value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments, and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We have not historically entered into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk.

Market Risk Related to Long-Term Debt. The interest rate on our 2010 Convertible Notes is fixed, and thus, as it relates to our convertible debt borrowings, we are not exposed to changes in interest rates.

The interest rates under our Credit Agreement are based upon an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. Refer to Note 5 to our Financial Statements for further details of our long-term debt.

A hypothetical adverse change of 10% in the December 31, 2014 adjusted LIBOR rate would not have had a material impact upon our results of operations.

Market Risk Related to Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments.

Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $81.7 million and $82.7 million, respectively. Certain of our cash balances are “swept” into overnight money market accounts on a daily basis, and at times, any excess funds are invested in low-risk, somewhat longer term, cash equivalent instruments and short-term investments. Our cash equivalents are invested primarily in

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institutional money market funds, commercial paper, and time deposits held at major banks. We have minimal market risk for our cash and cash equivalents due to the relatively short maturities of the instruments.

Our short-term investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $120.1 million and $128.2 million, respectively. Currently, we utilize short-term investments as a means to invest our excess cash only in the U.S. The day-to-day management of our short-term investments is performed by a large financial institution in the U.S., using strict and formal investment guidelines approved by our Board. Under these guidelines, short-term investments are limited to certain acceptable investments with: (i) a maximum maturity; (ii) a maximum concentration and diversification; and (iii) a minimum acceptable credit quality. At this time, we believe we have minimal liquidity risk associated with the short-term investments included in our portfolio.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.

Due to foreign operations around the world, our balance sheet and income statement are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk due to the fluctuations in the value of currencies in which we conduct business. While we attempt to maximize natural hedges by incurring expenses in the same currency in which we contract revenue, the related expenses for that revenue could be in one or more differing currencies than the revenue stream.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we generated approximately 88% of our revenues in U.S. dollars. We expect that, in the foreseeable future, we will continue to generate a very large percentage of our revenues in U.S. dollars.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying amounts of our monetary assets and monetary liabilities on the books of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in currencies denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of those non-U.S. subsidiaries are as follows (in thousands, in U.S. dollar equivalents):

 

A hypothetical adverse change of 10% in the December 31, 2014 exchange rates would not have had a material impact upon our results of operations.

 

 

 

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of CSG Systems International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).

Based on our assessment, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. That report appears immediately following.

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

CSG Systems International, Inc.:

We have audited CSG Systems International, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). CSG Systems International Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, CSG Systems International, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of CSG Systems International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

February 27, 2015

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

CSG Systems International, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CSG Systems International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CSG Systems International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), CSG Systems International, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

February 27, 2015

 

 

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except per warrant amount)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CSG Systems International, Inc. (the “Company”, “CSG”, or forms of the pronoun “we”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in October 1994 and is based in Englewood, Colorado. We are a business support solutions provider primarily serving the communications industry. Our broad suite of solutions helps our clients improve their business operations by creating more compelling product offerings and an enhanced customer experience through more relevant and targeted interactions, while at the same time, more efficiently managing the service provider’s cost structure. Over the years, we have focused our research and development (“R&D”) and acquisition investments on expanding our solution set to address the expanding needs of communications service providers to provide a differentiated, real-time, and personal experience for their consumers. Our suite of solutions includes revenue management, content management and monetization, and customer interaction management. We are a S&P SmallCap 600 company.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (“GAAP”) in the United States (“U.S.”).

 

Principles of Consolidation. Our Financial Statements include all of our accounts and our subsidiaries’ accounts. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Translation of Foreign Currency. Our foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of the countries in which they operate as their functional currency. Their assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues, expenses, and cash flows are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Our Financial Statements. The preparation of our Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The more critical estimates and related assumptions that affect our financial position and results of operations are in the areas of: (i) revenue recognition; (ii) allowance for doubtful accounts receivable; (iii) impairment assessments of goodwill and other long-lived assets; (iv) income taxes; (v) business combinations and asset purchases; and (vi) loss contingencies.

Revenue Recognition. We use various judgments and estimates in connection with the determination of the amount of revenues to be recognized in each accounting period. Our primary revenue recognition criteria include: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (ii) delivery; (iii) fixed or determinable fees; and (iv) collectibility of fees.

Processing and Related Services.

Our processing and related services revenue relates to: (i) the outsourced, customer care and billing processing and related services provided to our North American cable and satellite clients; and (ii) the managed services provided to clients which utilize our software.

We contract for our processing and related services using long-term agreements whose terms have typically ranged from three to ten years. The long-term processing agreements include multiple services delivered each month, to include such things as: (i) billing and data processing services; (ii) credit management and collection services; and (iii) customer statement invoice printing and mailing services. The fees for these deliverables typically are billed to our clients monthly based upon actual monthly volumes and/or usage of services (e.g., the number of client customers processed on our systems, the number of transactions processed on our systems, and/or the quantity and content of the monthly statements and mailings processed through our systems) or on a fixed monthly fee. We recognize processing and related services revenue on a monthly basis as we provide the services.

We contract for our managed services using long-term arrangements whose terms have ranged from three to eight years.  Under managed services agreements, we may operate certain of our software products on behalf of our clients: (i) out of a client’s data center; (ii) out of a data center we own and operate; or (iii) out of a third-party data center we contract with for such services. Managed services can also include us providing other services, such as transitional services, fulfillment, remittance processing, operational consulting, back office, and end user billing services.

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Software, Services, and Maintenance.

Our software and services revenue relates primarily to: (i) software license sales; and (ii) professional services to implement the software. Our maintenance revenue relates primarily to support of our software once it has been implemented.

The accounting for software license arrangements, especially when software is sold in a multiple-element arrangement, can be complex and requires considerable judgment. Key factors considered in accounting for software license and related services include the following criteria: (i) the identification of the separate elements of the arrangement; (ii) the determination of whether any undelivered elements are essential to the functionality of the delivered elements; (iii) the assessment of whether the software, if hosted, should be accounted for as a services arrangement and thus outside the scope of the software revenue recognition literature; (iv) the determination of vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value for the undelivered element(s) of the arrangement; (v) the assessment of whether the software license fees are fixed or determinable; (vi) the determination as to whether the fees are considered collectible; and (vii) the assessment of whether services included in the arrangement represent significant production, customization or modification of the software. The evaluation of these factors, and the ultimate revenue recognition decision, requires significant judgments to be made by us. The judgments made in this area could have a significant effect on revenues recognized in any period by changing the amount and/or the timing of the revenue recognized. In addition, because software licenses typically have little or no direct, incremental costs related to the recognition of the revenue, these judgments could also have a significant effect on our results of operations.

The initial sale of software products generally requires significant production, modification or customization and thus falls under the guidelines of contract accounting. In these software license arrangements, the elements of the arrangements are typically a software license, professional services, and maintenance. When we have VSOE of fair value for the maintenance, which we generally do, we allocate a portion of the total arrangement fee to the maintenance element based on its VSOE of fair value, and the balance of the arrangement fee is subject to contract accounting using the percentage-of-completion (“POC”) method of accounting. Under the POC method of accounting, software license and professional services revenues are typically recognized as the professional services related to the software implementation project are performed. We are using hours performed on the project as the measure to determine the percentage of the work completed.

In certain instances, we sell software license volume upgrades, which provide our clients the right to use our software to process higher transaction volume levels. In these instances, if: (i)  maintenance is the only undelivered element of the software arrangement; (ii) we have VSOE of fair value for the maintenance related to the volume upgrade; and (iii) we meet the other revenue recognition criteria, we recognize the software license revenue on the effective date of the volume upgrade.

A portion of our professional services revenues does not include an element of software delivery (e.g., business consulting services, etc.), and thus, do not fall within the scope of specific authoritative accounting literature for software arrangements. In these cases, revenues from fixed-price, professional service contracts are recognized using a method consistent with the proportional performance method, which is relatively consistent with our POC methodology. Under a proportional performance model, revenue is recognized by allocating revenue between reporting periods based on relative service provided in each reporting period, and costs are generally recognized as incurred. We utilize an input-based approach (i.e., hours worked) for purposes of measuring performance on these types of contracts. Our input measure is considered a reasonable surrogate for an output measure. In instances when the work performed on fixed price agreements is of relatively short duration, or if we are unable to make reasonably dependable estimates at the outset of the arrangement, we use the completed contract method of accounting whereby revenue is recognized when the work is completed.

Our use of the POC and proportional performance methods of accounting on professional services engagements requires estimates of the total project revenues, total project costs and the expected hours necessary to complete a project. Changes in estimates as a result of additional information or experience on a project as work progresses are inherent characteristics of the POC and proportional performance methods of accounting as we are exposed to various business risks in completing these engagements. The estimation process to support these methods of accounting is more difficult for projects of greater length and/or complexity. The judgments and estimates made in this area could: (i) have a significant effect on revenues recognized in any period by changing the amount and/or the timing of the revenue recognized; and/or (ii) impact the expected profitability of a project, including whether an overall loss on an arrangement has occurred. To mitigate the inherent risks in using the POC and proportional performance methods of accounting, we track our performance on projects and reevaluate the appropriateness of our estimates as part of our monthly accounting cycle.

Revenues from professional services contracts billed on a time-and-materials basis are recognized as the services are performed and as amounts due from clients are deemed collectible and contractually non-refundable.

Maintenance revenues are recognized ratably over the software maintenance period. Our maintenance consists primarily of client and product support, technical updates (e.g., bug fixes, etc.), and unspecified upgrades or enhancements to our software products.. If specified upgrades or enhancements are offered in an arrangement, which is rare, they are accounted for as a separate element of the software arrangement.

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Deferred Revenue and Unbilled Accounts Receivable. Client payments and billed amounts due from clients in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue amounts expected to be recognized within the next twelve months are classified as current liabilities. Revenue recognized prior to the scheduled billing date is recorded as unbilled accounts receivable.

Postage. We pass through to our clients the cost of postage that is incurred on behalf of those clients, and typically require an advance payment on expected postage costs. These advance payments are included in client deposits in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (“Balance Sheets” or “Balance Sheet”) and are classified as current liabilities regardless of the contract period. We net the cost of postage against the postage reimbursements for those clients where we require advance deposits, and include the net amount (which is not material) in processing and related services revenues.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our cash equivalents consist primarily of institutional money market funds, commercial paper, and time deposits held at major banks.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $4.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of restricted cash that serves to collateralize outstanding letters of credit. This restricted cash is included in cash and cash equivalents in our Balance Sheet.

Short-term Investments and Other Financial Instruments. Our financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, an interest rate swap contract, and debt. Because of their short maturities, the carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair value.

Our short-term investments and certain of our cash equivalents are considered “available-for-sale” and are reported at fair value in our Balance Sheets, with unrealized gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized and unrealized gains and losses were not material in any period presented.

Primarily all short-term investments held by us as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 have contractual maturities of less than two years from the time of acquisition. Our short-term investments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted almost entirely of fixed income securities. Proceeds from the sale/maturity of short-term investments in 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $197.5 million, $89.7 million, and $42.1 million, respectively.

The following table represents the fair value hierarchy based upon three levels of inputs, of which Levels 1 and 2 are considered observable and Level 3 is unobservable, for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value (in thousands):

 

Valuation inputs used to measure the fair values of our money market funds were derived from quoted market prices. The fair values of all other financial instruments are based upon pricing provided by third-party pricing services. These prices were derived from observable market inputs.

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We have chosen not to measure our debt at fair value, with changes recognized in earnings each reporting period. The following table indicates the carrying value and estimated fair value of our debt as of the indicated periods (in thousands):

 

The fair value for our Credit Agreement was estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology, while the fair value for our convertible debt was estimated based upon quoted market prices or recent sales activity, both of which are considered Level 2 inputs.

Concentrations of Credit Risk. In the normal course of business, we are exposed to credit risk. The principal concentrations of credit risk relate to cash deposits, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and accounts receivable. We regularly monitor credit risk exposures and take steps to mitigate the likelihood of these exposures resulting in a loss. We hold our cash deposits, cash equivalents, and short-term investments with financial institutions we believe to be of sound financial condition.

We generally do not require collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. We evaluate the credit worthiness of our clients in conjunction with our revenue recognition processes, as well as through our ongoing collectibility assessment processes for accounts receivable. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific clients, historical trends, and other information. We use various judgments and estimates in determining the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable. See Note 3 for additional details of our concentration of accounts receivable.

The activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is as follows (in thousands):

 

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost (or at estimated fair value if acquired in a business combination) and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their economic life or the lease term. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. Depreciation expense for all property and equipment is reflected in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (“Income Statements”) separately in the aggregate and is not included in the cost of revenues or the other components of operating expenses. Depreciation for income tax purposes is computed using accelerated methods.

Software. We expend substantial amounts on R&D, particularly for new products and services, or for enhancements of existing products and services. For development of software products that are to be licensed by us, we expense all costs related to the development of the software until technological feasibility is established. For development of software to be used internally (e.g., processing systems software), we expense all costs prior to the application development stage.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, we expended $104.7 million, $110.0 million, and $112.9 million, respectively, on R&D projects. We did not capitalize any R&D costs in 2014, 2013, or 2012, as the costs subject to capitalization during these periods were not material. We did not have any capitalized R&D costs included in our December 31, 2014 or 2013 Balance Sheets.

Realizability of Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets, other than goodwill, for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. A long-lived asset is impaired if estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with that asset are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. If deemed impaired, the long-lived asset is written down to its fair value.

Goodwill. We evaluate our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. In addition, we evaluate our goodwill on a more periodic basis (e.g., quarterly) if events occur or circumstances change that could indicate a potential impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value of the reporting unit which includes the goodwill is greater than the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.

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Contingencies. We accrue for a loss contingency when: (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability has been incurred; and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of accounting for loss contingencies is subject to various judgments and estimates. We do not record the benefit from a gain contingency until the benefit is realized.

Earnings Per Common Share (“EPS”). Basic and diluted EPS amounts are presented on the face of our Income Statements.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Unvested restricted stock awards under our stock incentive plans, granted prior to August 2008, contain nonforfeitable rights to cash dividends. As a result, basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders and participating securities (the numerators) by the respective weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period (the denominators) using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated among each class of common stock and participating security prior to the calculation of EPS. Diluted EPS is calculated similarly, except that the calculation includes the effect of potentially dilutive stock options and non-participating restricted stock awards.

The amounts attributed to both common stock and participating restricted stock used as the numerators in both the basic and diluted EPS calculations are as follows (in thousands):

 

The weighted-average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted EPS denominators related to common stock and participating restricted stock are as follows (in thousands):

 

The reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS denominators related to the common shares is included in the following table (in thousands):

 

The 2010 Convertible Notes have a dilutive effect in those quarterly periods in which our average stock price exceeds the current effective conversion price (see Note 5).

The Stock Warrants have a dilutive effect in those quarterly periods in which our average stock price exceeds the exercise price of $26.68 per warrant (under the treasury stock method), and are not subject to performance vesting conditions (see Note 10).  

Potentially dilutive common shares related to stock options, non-participating unvested restricted stock, and Stock Warrants excluded from the computation of diluted EPS, as the effect was antidilutive, were not material in any period presented.

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Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees and non-employee directors. We measure stock-based compensation cost at the grant date of the award, based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognize the cost (net of estimated forfeitures) over the requisite service period. Benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense, if any, are reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as an operating cash inflow.

Income Taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

Accounting Pronouncement Issued But Not Yet Effective. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  This ASU is a single comprehensive model which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP.  Under the new guidance, revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services.  The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The updated accounting guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is not permitted.  An entity may choose to adopt this ASU either retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment as of the start of the first period for which it applies the standard.  We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and our method of adoption.

 

Segment Information. We have evaluated how our chief operating decision maker has organized our company for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance, and have concluded that as of December 31, 2014, we have one reportable segment.

Products and Services. Our products and services help companies with complex transaction-centric business models manage the opportunities and challenges associated with accurately capturing, managing, generating, and optimizing the revenue associated with the immense volumes of customer interactions and then manage the intricate nature of those customer relationships. Our core billing and customer care platform, Advanced Convergent Platform (“ACP”), is a pre-integrated platform, delivered in a private hosted cloud environment. We generate a substantial percentage of our revenues by providing our ACP processing and customer interaction management solutions, and related software products (e.g., Advanced Customer Service Representative, Workforce Express, etc.) to the North American cable and satellite markets. Additionally, we license certain software products (e.g., WBMS, TSM, and Singleview) and provide our professional services to implement, configure and maintain these software products, and allow clients to effectively roll out new products as well as attract and retain customers.

Geographic Regions. For 2014 and 2013, 85% of our revenues were attributable to our operations in the Americas. We use the location of the client as the basis of attributing revenues to individual regions.

Financial information relating to our operations by geographic region is as follows (in thousands):

Total Revenues:

 

 

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Significant Clients and Industry Concentration. A large percentage of our historical revenues have been generated from our largest clients, which are Comcast Corporation (“Comcast”), DISH Network Corporation (“DISH”), and Time Warner Cable Inc. (“Time Warner”).

Revenues from these clients represented the following percentages of our total revenues for the following years:

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the percentage of net billed accounts receivable balances attributable to these clients were as follows:

 

We expect to continue to generate a significant percentage of our future revenues from a limited number of clients, including Comcast, DISH, and Time Warner. There are inherent risks whenever a large percentage of total revenues are concentrated with a limited number of clients. Should a significant client: (i) terminate or fail to renew their contracts with us, in whole or in part for any reason; (ii) significantly reduce the number of customer accounts processed on our solutions, the price paid for our services, or the scope of services that we provide; or (iii) experience significant financial or operating difficulties, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

 

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment at December 31 consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

 

 

Goodwill. We do not have any intangible assets with indefinite lives other than goodwill. A rollforward of goodwill in 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

 

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During 2013, we sold a small print operation and our marketing analytics business, which resulted in an adjustment to our goodwill balance of $2.0 million.  The net proceeds from these dispositions were $4.5 million and the net loss from the sales was approximately $3 million.

Other Intangible Assets. Our intangible assets subject to ongoing amortization consist of client contracts and software.

Client Contracts

Client contracts consist of the following: (i) investments in client contracts; (ii) direct and incremental costs that we have capitalized related to contractual arrangements where we have deferred revenues to convert or set-up client customers onto our outsourced solutions; and (iii) client contracts acquired in business combinations.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying values of these assets were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

The aggregate amortization related to client contracts included in our operations for 2014, 2013, and 2012, was as follows (in thousands):

 

The weighted-average remaining amortization period of client contracts as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 63 months. Based on the December 31, 2014 net carrying value of these intangible assets, the estimated amortization for each of the five succeeding fiscal years ending December 31 will be: 2015 – $14.8 million; 2016 – $10.5 million; 2017 – $8.3 million; 2018 – $6.2 million; and 2019 – $4.2 million.

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Software

Software consists of: (i) software and similar intellectual property rights from various business combinations; and (ii) internal use software.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying values of these assets were as follows (in thousands):

The aggregate amortization related to software included in our operations for 2014, 2013, and 2012, was as follows (in thousands):

 

The weighted-average remaining amortization period of the software intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 78 months. Based on the December 31, 2014 net carrying value of these intangible assets, the estimated amortization for each of the five succeeding fiscal years ending December 31 will be: 2015 – $10.5 million; 2016 – $8.0 million; 2017 – $6.6 million; 2018 – $5.3 million; and 2019 – $3.6 million.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our long-term debt was as follows (in thousands):

 

2012 Credit Agreement. In 2012, we entered into an amended and restated $250 million credit agreement with several financial institutions (the “2012 Credit Agreement”). The 2012 Credit Agreement provides borrowings by us in the form of: (i) a $150 million aggregate principal five-year term loan (the “2012 Term Loan”); and (ii) a $100 million aggregate principal five-year revolving loan facility (the “2012 Revolver”).   

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The interest rates under the 2012 Credit Agreement are based upon an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the 2012 Term Loan and 2012 Revolver based upon an adjusted LIBOR rate ranges from 2.00% - 2.75%, depending on our then-current leverage ratio. We have the option of selecting the length of time (ranging from one to six months) that we lock in the LIBOR contract rate. The applicable margin for the 2012 Term Loan and 2012 Revolver based upon an alternate base rate ranges from 1.00% - 1.75%, depending on our then-current leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2014, our combined interest rate (LIBOR plus applicable margin) for the Term Loan is 2.25% per annum.  We pay a commitment fee of 0.375% on the average daily unused amount of the 2012 Revolver. At December 31, 2014, we had no borrowing outstanding on our 2012 Revolver and had the entire $100 million available to us.

 

The 2012 Credit Agreement includes mandatory principal repayments (payable quarterly) in each year of the agreement, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. During 2014, we made $15 million mandatory principal repayments on the 2012 Term Loan.  The 2012 Credit Agreement has no prepayment penalties and requires mandatory repayments under certain circumstances, including: (i) asset sales or casualty proceeds; and (ii) proceeds of debt or preferred stock issuances. The 2012 Credit Agreement also provides for an early termination date of December 1, 2016, if our 2010 Convertible Notes are still outstanding and we do not have combined unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and unused availability under the 2012 Revolver of at least $200 million in the aggregate as of that date.

The 2012 Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants such as: (i) filing of quarterly and annual reports and (ii) maintenance of credit ratings. In addition, the Credit Agreement has customary negative covenants that places limits on our ability to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) create liens on our property; (iii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iv) make investments; (v) enter into mergers and consolidations; (vi) sell assets; (vii) declare dividends or repurchase shares; (viii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; (ix) prepay certain indebtedness, including our 2010 Convertible Notes; and (x) issue capital stock of subsidiaries. We must also meet certain financial covenants to include: (i) a maximum total leverage ratio; (ii) a maximum secured leverage ratio; (iii) a minimum interest coverage ratio; and (iv) a limitation on capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2014 we were in compliance with the financial ratios and other covenants related to the 2012 Credit Agreement.

In conjunction with the 2012 Credit Agreement, we also entered into a security agreement in favor of a financial institution as collateral agent (the “Security Agreement”). Under the Security Agreement and 2012 Credit Agreement, all of CSG’s domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations, and CSG and such subsidiaries have pledged substantially all of our assets to secure the obligations under the 2012 Credit Agreement and such guarantees.

2010 Convertible Notes. In 2010, we completed an offering of $150 million of 3.0% senior subordinated convertible notes due March 1, 2017 (the “2010 Convertible Notes”) to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 2010 Convertible Notes are unsecured obligations, subordinated to any future senior indebtedness and senior to any future junior subordinated debt. The 2010 Convertible Notes were issued at a price of 100% of their par value and bear interest at a rate of 3.0% per annum, which is payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year.

 

The 2010 Convertible Notes are convertible into our common stock, under the specified conditions and settlement terms outlined below.  As a result of us declaring a quarterly cash dividend beginning in June 2013, the conversion rate has also been adjusted quarterly.  As of December 31, 2014, the conversion rate was 42.6404 shares of our common stock per $1,000 par value of the 2010 Convertible Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $23.45 per share of our common stock). The Indenture related to the 2010 Convertible Notes (“Notes Indenture”) includes anti-dilution provisions for the holders such that the conversion rate (and thus the initial conversion price) can be adjusted in the future for certain events, to include stock dividends, the issuance of rights, options or warrants to purchase our common stock at a price below the then-current market price, and certain distributions of common stock, property or rights, options or warrants to acquire our common stock to all or substantially all holders of our common stock. Additionally, the conversion rate may be adjusted prior to the maturity date in connection with the occurrence of specified corporate transactions for a “make-whole” premium as set forth in the Notes Indenture.

Prior to September 1, 2016, holders of the 2010 Convertible Notes can convert their securities: (i) at any time the price of our common stock trades over $30.49 per share (130% of the $23.45 conversion price) for a specified period of time; (ii) at any time the trading price of the 2010 Convertible Notes falls below 98% of the average conversion value for the 2010 Convertible Notes for a specified period of time; and (iii) at any time upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions, to include a change of control (as defined in the Notes Indenture). On or after September 1, 2016, the holders of the 2010 Convertible Notes can elect to convert their securities at any time, with the settlement occurring on March 1, 2017. As of December 31, 2014, none of the contingent conversion features have been achieved, and thus, the 2010 Convertible Notes are not convertible by the holders.   

Upon conversion of the 2010 Convertible Notes, we will settle our conversion obligation as follows: (i) we will pay cash for 100% of the par value of the 2010 Convertible Notes that are converted; and (ii) to the extent the value of our conversion obligation exceeds the par value, we will satisfy the remaining conversion obligation in our common stock, cash or any combination of our common stock

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and cash.  Although not convertible as of December 31, 2014, our conversion obligation exceeded the par value of the 2010 Convertible Notes by approximately $10 million.

The OID related to the 2010 Convertible Notes of $38.4 million, as a result of an effective interest rate of the liability component of 7.75% compared to the cash interest rate of 3.0%, is being amortized to interest expense through March 1, 2017, the maturity date of the 2010 Convertible Notes.

Estimated Maturities on Long-Term Debt.

As of December 31, 2014, the estimated maturities of our long-term debt, based upon: (1) the mandatory repayment schedule for the 2012 Term Loan; and (2) the expected remaining life of the 2010 Convertible Notes, was as follows (in thousands):

 

Deferred Financing Costs. As of December 31, 2014, net deferred financing costs related to the 2012 Credit Agreement were $4.2 million, and are being amortized to interest expense over the related term of the 2012 Credit Agreement (through November 2017). As of December 31, 2014, net deferred financing costs related to the 2010 Convertible Notes were $1.3 million, and are being amortized to interest expense through maturity (March 2017). The net deferred financing costs are reflected in Other Assets in our Balance Sheets. Interest expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 includes amortization of deferred financing costs of $2.5 million, $2.6 million, and $2.7 million, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on our debt borrowings, including amortization of OID, amortization of deferred financing costs, and commitment fees on a revolving loan facility, for 2014, 2013, and 2012, was approximately 6%, 5%, and 6%, respectively.

2015 Credit Agreement. In February 2015, we entered into an amended and restated $350 million credit agreement with several financial institutions (the “2015 Credit Agreement”) to replace the 2012 Credit Agreement.  The key benefits of this refinancing include:  (i) an increase in the tenor of the loan from November 2017 to February 2020; (ii) an increase in the amount of the revolving loan facility from $100 million to $200 million; (iii) a reduction in the interest rate and other fees; and (iv) financial and other restrictive covenants that are better or equal to that of the 2012 Credit Agreement.

 

The 2015 Credit Agreement provides borrowings in the form of:  (i) a $150 million aggregate principal five-year term loan (the “2015 Term Loan”); and (ii) a $200 million aggregate principal five-year revolving loan facility (the “2015 Revolver”).  With the $150 million proceeds from the 2015 Term Loan, we repaid the outstanding $120 million balance from term loan under the 2012 Credit Agreement, resulting in a net increase of available cash by $30 million, a portion of which was used to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the refinancing.

 

The interest rates under the 2015 Credit Agreement are based upon our choice of an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 1.75% - 2.75%, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.75% -1.75%, with the applicable margin, depending on our then-net secured total leverage ratio.  We will pay a commitment fee of 0.250% - 0.375% of the average daily unused amount of the 2015 Revolver, with the commitment fee rate also dependent upon our then-net secured total leverage ratio.  At the inception of the 2015 Credit Agreement, our interest rate on the 2015 Term Loan is 1.97% (adjusted LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum), effective through March 31, 2015, and our commitment fee on the unused 2015 Revolver is 0.25%.  As of the date of this filing, we had no borrowing outstanding on our 2015 Revolver.

 

The 2015 Credit Agreement includes mandatory repayments of the aggregate principal amount of the 2015 Term Loan (payable quarterly) for the first (5% of total), second (5% of total), third (10% of total), fourth (15% of total), and fifth years (15% of total), with the remaining principal balance due at maturity (50% of total).  The 2015 Credit Agreement has no prepayment penalties and requires mandatory repayments under certain circumstances, including:  (i) asset sales or casualty proceeds; and (ii) proceeds of debt or preferred stock issuances.  

 

The 2015 Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants.  In addition, the 2015 Credit Agreement has customary negative covenants that places limits on our ability to:  (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) create liens on its property; (iii) make investments; (iv) enter into mergers and consolidations; (v) sell assets; (vi) declare dividends or repurchase shares; (vii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and (viii) prepay certain indebtedness; and (ix) issue capital stock of subsidiaries.  We must also meet certain financial covenants to include:  (i) a maximum total leverage ratio; (ii) a maximum secured leverage ratio; (iii) a minimum interest coverage ratio; and (iv) a limitation on capital expenditures.  

 

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In conjunction with the 2015 Credit Agreement, we have pledged assets under a security agreement in favor of a financial institution as collateral agent (the “Security Agreement”).  Under the Security Agreement and 2015 Credit Agreement, all of CSG’s domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed its obligations, and CSG and such subsidiaries have pledged substantially all of its assets to secure the obligations under the 2015 Credit Agreement and such guarantees.

 

In conjunction with the closing of the 2015 Credit Agreement, we incurred financing costs of $2.4 million, which along with the remaining deferred financing costs for the 2012 Credit Agreement, will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the related term of the 2015 Credit Agreement.

 

 

Restructuring and reorganization charges are expenses that generally result from cost reduction initiatives and/or significant changes to our business, to include such things as involuntary employee terminations, changes in management structure, divestitures of businesses, facility consolidations and abandonments, and fundamental reorganizations impacting operational focus and direction.  The following are the key restructuring and reorganizational activities we incurred over the last three years that have impacted our results from operations:

The activities discussed above resulted in total charges for 2014, 2013, and 2012 of $14.0 million, $12.4 million, and $2.5 million, respectively, which have been reflected as a separate line item in our Income Statements.

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The activity in the business restructuring and reorganization reserves during 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

 

As of December 31, 2014, $3.1 million of the business restructuring and reorganization reserves were included in current liabilities.

 

Income Tax Provision/(Benefit). The components of net income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

The income tax provision related to continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):

 

Included in the deferred state income tax provision amount for 2012 in the table above is $(3.1) million related to the impact of an enacted state income tax law change.

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The difference between our income tax provision computed at the statutory Federal income tax rate and our financial statement income tax related to continuing operations is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Our effective income tax rate for 2013 was unusually low driven mainly by incremental R&D income tax credits claimed for the development activities from previous years and partially by the reduction of certain tax allowances related to foreign operations.   

We have undistributed earnings of approximately $33 million from certain foreign subsidiaries. We intend to indefinitely reinvest these foreign earnings, therefore, a provision has not been made for income taxes that might be payable upon remittance of such earnings. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability on unremitted foreign earnings is not practicable because of the complexities of the hypothetical calculation.

Our research and experimentation (R&D) credits increased from 2012 to 2013 primarily due to the recording of approximately $6 million of R&D credits generated in 2012 but recorded in 2013, due to the timing of the execution of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, and the recognition of approximately $5 million of incremental R&D credits due to revised calculations for development activities in 2009 and 2010.  The 2012 R&D credit amount above is the result of a revised calculation for 2011.  The 2013 provision for valuation allowance for deferred tax assets includes an approximately $6 million reduction of certain tax allowances related to our ability to realize certain foreign net operating losses.

Deferred Income Taxes. Net deferred income tax liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

 

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The components of our net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

 

We regularly assess the likelihood of the future realization of our deferred income tax assets. To the extent we believe that it is more likely than not that a deferred income tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. As of December 31, 2014, we believe that between: (i) carryback opportunities to past periods with taxable income; and (ii) sufficient taxable income to be generated in the future, we will realize 100% of the benefit of our U.S. Federal deferred income tax assets, thus no valuation allowance has been established. As of December 31, 2014, we have deferred income tax assets related to state and foreign income tax jurisdictions of $2.7 million and $35.6 million, respectively, and have established valuation allowances against those deferred income tax assets of $2.5 million and $18.0 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we have an acquired U.S. Federal NOL carryforward of approximately $51 million which will begin to expire in 2019 and can be utilized through 2030. The acquired U.S. Federal NOL carryforward is attributable to the pre-acquisition periods of acquired subsidiaries. The annual utilization of this U.S. Federal NOL carryforward is limited pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we have: (i) state NOL carryforwards of approximately $63 million and $50 million, respectively, which will expire beginning in 2015 and end in 2035; and (ii) foreign subsidiary NOL carryforwards of approximately $96 million and $90 million, respectively, which will expire beginning in 2017, with a portion of the losses available over an indefinite period of time.

Our 2004 Convertible Debt Securities, which we fully extinguished in 2011, were subject to special U.S. Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. These regulations allowed us to take a tax deduction for interest expense on our U.S. Federal income tax return at a constant rate of 9.09% (subject to certain adjustments), compounded semi-annually, which represented the estimated yield on comparable non-contingent, non-convertible, fixed-rate debt instruments with terms and conditions otherwise similar to the 2004 Convertible Debt Securities. This interest expense tax deduction was greater than the interest expense reflected in the accompanying Income Statements, thus creating a deferred income tax liability. The extinguishment of the 2004 Convertible Debt

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Securities resulted in: (i) the holders of the 2004 Convertible Debt Securities not having the ability to achieve the 9.09% target yield, and (ii) a requirement for us to pay an amount equal to the cumulative deferred income tax liability to the U.S. tax authorities (without interest or penalties). During the third and fourth quarters of 2011, we paid cash of approximately $6 million related to the deferred income tax liabilities associated with the 2004 Convertible Debt Securities repurchased in June and July of 2011. In 2014, we paid cash of $5.6 million related to the deferred income tax liabilities associated with the 2004 Convertible Debt Securities repurchased in 2009 and 2010. The remaining balance owed of approximately $23 million will be paid ratably over the next four years.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. We are required to estimate our income tax liability in each jurisdiction in which we operate, including U.S. Federal, state and foreign income tax jurisdictions. Various judgments and estimates are required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provisions for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are certain transactions and calculations for which the ultimate income tax determination may be uncertain. In addition, we may be subject to examination of our income tax returns by various tax authorities, which could result in adverse outcomes. For these reasons, we establish a liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest may be due. This liability is adjusted based upon changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, the expiration of a statute of limitations or the refinement of an estimate.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

 

We recognize interest and penalty expense associated with our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense in our Income Statements. In addition to the $9.6 million, $9.5 million, and $4.0 million of liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, we had $0.5 million, $0.3 million, and $0.2 million, respectively, of income tax-related accrued interest. If recognized, the $9.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014, would favorably impact our effective tax rate in future periods.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction, various U.S. state and local jurisdictions, and many foreign jurisdictions. The U.S., U.K., and Australia are the main taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. The years open for audit vary depending on the taxing jurisdiction. As of December 31, 2014, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service had commenced an audit of our 2010 through 2012 tax years. In addition, the U.S. Federal statute of limitations has expired for periods prior to 2010, and the statute of limitations has expired in our major state jurisdictions of Nebraska, Colorado and Florida for years prior to 2002, 2010, and 2011, respectively. In 2012, we completed our audit in the U.K. for the accounting periods beginning October 1, 2005 and ended September 30, 2010. We have been audited in Australia for years prior to 2007. In addition, the statute of limitations has expired in Australia for years prior to 2010.

 

Defined Contribution-Type Plans. We sponsor defined contribution plans covering substantially all our U.S.-based employees. Participants may contribute up to 100% of their annual wages, subject to certain limitations, as pretax, salary deferral contributions. We make certain matching, and at our discretion, service-based contributions to the plan. The expense related to matching and service-related contributions for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $9.0 million, $9.7 million, and $9.0 million, respectively. We also have defined contribution-type plans for certain of our non-U.S.-based employees. The total contributions made to these plans in 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $5.0 million, $4.8 million, and $4.6 million, respectively.

 

 

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Operating Leases. We lease certain office and production facilities under noncancellable operating leases, with the longest lease that runs through June 2025. The leases generally are renewable and provide for the payment of real estate taxes and certain other occupancy expenses. Future aggregate minimum lease payments under these facilities are as follows: 2015 - $13.9 million; 2016 - $12.8 million; 2017 - $12.1 million; 2018 - $11.4 million; 2019 - $9.7 million; and thereafter - $34.2 million. Total rent expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $19.9 million, $20.0 million, and $18.3 million, respectively.

Service Agreements. We have an agreement with Infocrossing LLC (“Infocrossing”), a Wipro Limited company, to provide us outsourced data center services. The term of the Infocrossing agreement runs through June 30, 2017. We outsource the data processing and related computer services required for the operation of our outsourced ACP processing services. Our ACP proprietary software and other software applications are run in an outsourced data center environment in order to obtain the necessary computer processing capacity and other computer support services without us having to make the substantial capital and infrastructure investments that would be necessary for us to provide these services internally. Our clients are connected to the outsourced data center environment through a combination of private and commercially-provided networks. Our ACP processing services are generally considered to be mission critical customer management systems by our clients. As a result, we are highly dependent upon Infocrossing for system availability, security, and response time.

Warranties. We generally warrant that our solutions and related offerings will conform to published specifications, or to specifications provided in an individual client arrangement, as applicable. The typical warranty period is 90 days from delivery of the solution or offering. For certain service offerings we provide a limited warranty for the duration of the services provided. We generally warrant that services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner. The typical remedy for breach of warranty is to correct or replace any defective deliverable, and if not possible or practical, we will accept the return of the defective deliverable and refund the amount paid under the client arrangement that is allocable to the defective deliverable. Our contracts also generally contain limitation of damages provisions in an effort to reduce our exposure to monetary damages arising from breach of warranty claims. Historically, we have incurred minimal warranty costs, and as a result, do not maintain a warranty reserve.

Product and Services Indemnifications. Our arrangements with our clients generally include an indemnification provision that will indemnify and defend a client in actions brought against the client that claim our products and/or services infringe upon a copyright, trade secret, or valid patent. Historically, we have not incurred any significant costs related to such indemnification claims, and as a result, do not maintain a reserve for such exposure.

Claims for Company Non-performance. Our arrangements with our clients typically cap our liability for breach to a specified amount of the direct damages incurred by the client resulting from the breach. From time-to-time, these arrangements may also include provisions for possible liquidated damages or other financial remedies for our non-performance, or in the case of certain of our outsourced customer care and billing solutions, provisions for damages related to service level performance requirements. The service level performance requirements typically relate to system availability and timeliness of service delivery. As of December 31, 2014, we believe we have adequate reserves, based on our historical experience, to cover any reasonably anticipated exposure as a result of our nonperformance for any past or current arrangements with our clients.

Indemnifications Related to Officers and the Board of Directors. We have agreed to indemnify members of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and certain of our officers if they are named or threatened to be named as a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that they acted in such capacity. We maintain directors’ and officers’ (“D&O”) insurance coverage to protect against such losses. We have not historically incurred any losses related to these types of indemnifications, and are not aware of any pending or threatened actions or claims against any officer or member of our Board. As a result, we have not recorded any liabilities related to such indemnifications as of December 31, 2014. In addition, as a result of the insurance policy coverage, we believe these indemnification agreements are not significant to our results of operations.

Favorable Settlement of Claims.  In March 2014, we executed a settlement agreement ending litigation we asserted against a third party for patent infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets.  In exchange for the release from the lawsuit initiated, we will receive a total of $6 million, with a portion paid in 2014 and the remainder over the next three years.  We have recorded a total $3.9 million (net of a time value discount and legal costs incurred) as a reduction of selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in 2014.

Legal Proceedings. From time-to-time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business.

In April 2014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued a Cautionary Letter (the “Letter”) to the Company, instead of pursuing a civil monetary penalty, after completing its review of the following prior period matters:  

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The Letter represents OFAC’s final enforcement response to the Company’s apparent violations, but does not constitute a final agency determination as to whether violations have occurred.  The Letter does not preclude OFAC from taking future enforcement action should new or additional information warrant renewed attention.  We are not presently a party to any material pending or threatened legal proceedings.

 

Stock Repurchase Program. We currently have a stock repurchase program, approved by our Board, authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time-to-time as market and business conditions warrant (the “Stock Repurchase Program”).

As of December 31, 2014, a summary of the shares repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Program is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

As of December 31, 2014, the total remaining number of shares available for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program totaled approximately 1.4 million shares. In February 2015, our Board approved a 7.5 million share increase in the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program, bringing the total number of shares authorized to 42.5 million and the total remaining shares available for repurchase to approximately 9 million.  

In addition to the above mentioned stock repurchases, during 2014, 2013, and 2012, we repurchased and then cancelled approximately 252,000 shares, 264,000 shares, and 197,000 shares for $6.9 million, $5.4 million, and $3.2 million, respectively, of common stock from our employees in connection with minimum tax withholding requirements resulting from the vesting of restricted stock under our stock incentive plans.

Cash Dividend.  In June 2013, our Board approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend to be paid to our stockholders.  During 2014 and 2013, the Board approved total cash dividends of $0.6225 per share and $0.45 per share of common stock, totaling $21.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively.

In January 2015, our Board approved an increase in our quarterly cash dividend from $0.1575 per share of common stock to $0.175 per share of common stock, effective with the first quarterly dividend in 2015.

Warrants.  On July 25, 2014, we entered into an amendment to our current agreement with Comcast (the “Amended Agreement”).  The Amended Agreement provides the framework for Comcast to consolidate its residential customer accounts onto our ACP customer care and billing solution.  As an additional incentive for Comcast to migrate new customer accounts to ACP, the Amended Agreement includes the issuance of stock warrants (the “Warrant Agreement”) for the right to purchase up to approximately 2.9 million shares of our common stock (the “Stock Warrants”), 1.9 million warrants relate to Comcast’s existing residential business and the remaining 1.0 million warrants relate to additional residential customer accounts that Comcast may acquire and migrate onto ACP in the future.  The Stock Warrants have a 10-year term and an exercise price of $26.68 per warrant.  

The 1.9 million of the Stock Warrants relate to Comcast’s existing residential business and vest(ed) as follows:

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The remaining 1.0 million Stock Warrants that relate to additional residential accounts that Comcast may acquire and migrate onto ACP in the future only vest proportionately with acquired customer accounts migrated onto ACP from other providers’ billing platforms, with full vesting based on a target of 5 million newly migrated customer accounts.

Fifty percent of the unvested Stock Warrants become fully vested upon a fundamental change (including a change in control) of the Company, as defined, proportionally reducing the number of Stock Warrants eligible for vesting based on future performance conditions.

Once vested, Comcast may exercise the Stock Warrants and elect either physical delivery of common shares or net share settlement (cashless exercise).  Alternatively, the exercise of the Stock Warrants may be settled with cash based solely on our approval, or if Comcast were to beneficially own or control in excess of 19.99% of the common stock or voting of the Company.

The fair value of the 0.5 million Stock Warrants that vested in the fourth quarter of 2014 was $3.6 million, as determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  Upon vesting, this amount was recorded as a client incentive asset with the corresponding offset to stockholders’ equity.  

The fair value of the 0.5 million Stock Warrants that vest in January 2015 was $3.7 million at the grant date, as determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  This amount is being recorded ratably over the vesting period as a client incentive asset with the corresponding offset to stockholders’ equity.  

The client incentive asset related to the Stock Warrants is being amortized as a reduction in processing and related services revenues over the remaining term of the Comcast amended agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we recorded a client incentive asset related to these Stock Warrants of $6.7 million and have amortized $0.4 million as a reduction in processing and related services revenues.  

The remaining unvested Stock Warrants will be accounted for as client incentive assets in the period the performance conditions necessary for vesting have been met.  As of December 31, 2014, none of the Stock Warrants had been exercised.

Convertible Debt Securities. Under GAAP, convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) must be separated into their liability and equity components at initial recognition by: (i) recording the liability component at the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component; and (ii) attributing the remaining proceeds from the issuance to the equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component related to our convertible debt securities outstanding, included within additional paid-in capital, net of tax, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $22.9 million.

 

Stock Incentive Plans

Stock Incentive Plan. In 2014, our stockholders approved an increase of 2.9 million shares authorized for issuance under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”), from 15.8 million shares to 18.7 million shares.  Shares reserved under the 2005 Plan can be granted to officers and other key employees of our company and its subsidiaries and to non-employee directors of our company in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance unit awards, restricted stock awards, or stock bonus awards.  Shares granted under the 2005 Plan in the form of a performance unit award, restricted stock award or stock bonus award are counted toward the aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Plan as two shares for every one share granted or issued in payment of such award.  As of December 31, 2014, 4.8 million shares were available for issuance.     

Restricted Stock. We generally issue new shares (versus treasury shares) to fulfill restricted stock award grants. Restricted stock awards are granted at no cost to the recipient. Historically, our restricted stock awards have vested annually primarily over three or four years with no restrictions other than the passage of time (i.e., the shares are released upon calendar vesting with no further restrictions) (“Time-Based Awards”). Unvested Time-Based Awards are typically forfeited and cancelled upon termination of employment with our company. Certain Time-Based Awards become fully vested (vesting accelerates) upon a change in control, as defined, and the subsequent involuntary termination of employment. The fair value of the Time-Based Awards (determined by using the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date) is charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

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We also issue restricted stock shares to key members of management that vest in equal installments over three years upon meeting either pre-established financial performance objectives or pre-established stock price objectives (“Performance-Based Awards”). The structure of the performance goals for the Performance-Based Awards has been approved by our stockholders. The Performance-Based Awards become fully vested (vesting accelerates) upon a change in control, as defined, and the subsequent involuntary termination of employment. The fair value of the Performance-Based Awards (determined by using the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date) is charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, taking into consideration the probability of vesting, for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in-substance, multiple awards.

A summary of our unvested restricted stock activity during 2014 is as follows (shares in thousands):

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock shares granted during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $26.45, $19.75, and $16.58, respectively. The total market value of restricted stock shares vesting during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $20.7 million, $16.2 million, and $10.6 million, respectively.

1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

As of December 31, 2014, we have an employee stock purchase plan whereby 1.7 million shares of our common stock have been reserved for sale to our U.S. employees through payroll deductions. The price for shares purchased under the plan is 85% of market value on the last day of the purchase period. Purchases are made at the end of each month. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, 61,592 shares, 68,845 shares, and 93,352 shares, respectively, were purchased under the plan for $1.4 million ($21.31 to $25.47 per share), $1.4 million ($16.01 to $24.99 per share), and $1.4 million ($12.24 to $19.12 per share), respectively. As of December 31, 2014, 499,549 shares remain eligible for purchase under the plan.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

We recorded stock-based compensation expense of $16.7 million, $14.8 million, and $13.4 million, respectively, for 2014, 2013, and 2012. As of December 31, 2014 there was $37.9 million of total compensation cost related to unvested awards not yet recognized. That cost, excluding the impact of forfeitures, is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.

We recorded a deferred income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense during 2014, 2013, and 2012, of $5.0 million, $4.6 million, and $4.6 million, respectively. The actual income tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock for 2014, 2013, and 2012, totaled $6.5 million, $5.4 million, and $4.0 million, respectively.

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None.

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b), our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As required by Rule 13a-15(d), our management, including the CEO and CFO, also conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting, as defined by Rule 13a-15(f). Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is located at the front of Part II, Item 8 of this report.

(c) Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Our independent registered public accounting firm issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. KPMG LLP’s report is located immediately following Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting at the front of Part II, Item 8 of this report.

(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

None.

 

 

 

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PART III

 

See the Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, from which information regarding directors is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our executive officers will be omitted from such proxy statement and is furnished in a separate item captioned ‘‘Executive Officers of the Registrant’’ included at the end of Part I of this Form 10-K.

 

See the Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, from which information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference.

 

See the Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, from which information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference, with the exception of the equity compensation plan information which is presented in Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities”, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

See the Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, from which information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference.

 

See the Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, from which information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

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PART IV

 

(a) Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules, and Exhibits:

(1) Financial Statements

The financial statements filed as part of this report are listed on the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 42.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules:

None. Any information required in the Financial Statement Schedules is provided in sufficient detail in our Financial Statements and notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits

Exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index on page 76.

The Exhibits include management contracts, compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to the Form 10-K by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

(b) Exhibits

The Exhibits filed or incorporated by reference herewith are as specified in the Exhibit Index.

 

 

 

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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

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77

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78

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79

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80

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81

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82

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83

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84