Deluxe reports record third quarter earnings

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Data shows an increased number of consumers using online banking to make purchases and pay bills, but Deluxe Corp., one of the leading checking print companies in the U.S. still managed to earn a record third quarter net income for the third quarter. The company also reported diluted earnings per share that exceeded consensus estimates. Deluxe operates three business segments: Financial Services, which sells checks and related products and services through financial institutions; Direct Checks, which sells checks and related products directly to consumers through direct mail and the Internet; and Business Services, which sells checks, forms and related products to small businesses through financial institutions and directly to consumers via direct mail and the Internet. According to Deluxe, Financial Services’ revenue was down 1.1% in the third quarter of 2001 compared to 2000, and operating income increased 20.3%; Direct Checks’ revenue was up 8.4% and operating income was up 2.3%; Business Services’ revenue was up 67.8% and operating income was up 12.9%. Lawrence Mosner, chairman and CEO of Deluxe, said although the company had an excellent third quarter, “We are cautious about being overly optimistic about the fourth quarter and 2002.” He said it was too early to predict how September 11th’s terrorist attacks will impact Deluxe.