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8-K - FORM 8-K - OFFICIAL PAYMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.form8k.htm
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Exhibit 99.1
Tier Technologies, Inc.
11130 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
Reston, VA 20191
 
CONTACT:
Jeff Hodges, Chief Financial Officer
jhodges@tier.com
(770) 325-3102 
 

Tier Reports Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results
 
 
RESTON, VA, December 6, 2011 – Tier Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: TIER), a leading provider of electronic payment solutions for the biller direct market, today released results for the quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.
 
Results of Operations
 
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2011 Results
 
For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, Tier reported revenues from Continuing Operations of $28.5 million, a 4.2% increase over the same quarter last year.  Net loss from Continuing Operations was $3.6 million, or $0.21 per fully diluted share, compared to net loss from Continuing Operations of $4.2 million, or $0.23 per fully diluted share, for the same quarter last year.  Continuing Operations include Electronic Payment Solutions, or EPS, and the VSA wind-down business.  On a standalone basis, our EPS business reported quarterly revenues of $28.2 million, a 5.9% increase over the same quarter last year.
 
Fiscal Year 2011 Results
 
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, Tier reported revenues from Continuing Operations of $130.2 million.  Net loss from Continuing Operations was $7.4 million, or $0.43 per fully diluted share, compared to net loss from Continuing Operations of $5.9 million, or $0.33 per fully diluted share, for the same period last year.  On a standalone basis, our EPS business reported annual revenues of $128.6 million, a 1.1% increase over fiscal year 2010.  However, revenues for fiscal year 2011 for our VSA business showed a 49.2% decrease over fiscal year 2010, which resulted in flat revenues from Continuing Operations year-over-year.
 
Management’s Comments
 
“Fiscal 2011 was a challenging year, marked by major overhauls of our team, our technology direction, and our sales and marketing strategy,” said Alex. P. Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer, “but we now believe that we have the people, processes, and systems in place to produce a significantly better result in fiscal year 2012.”

 
 

 
“We see a long runway ahead of us,” Mr. Hart continued. “The tailwinds of recent legal, regulatory, and technological developments are beginning to counteract the ongoing headwinds of reduced income tax and property tax payments that have accompanied our current economic malaise.  We are finally confident that we can begin providing a better sense for how we think the company is going to perform, and we understand that we cannot achieve our goals for the business without establishing a track record of performance that gives investors, clients, and our associates confidence that we are headed in the right direction.”
 
Liquidity
 
As of September 30, 2011, Tier had $39.8 million in cash and cash equivalents.  Of the $39.8 million of cash, $14.7 million is funds settled to us but not yet distributed to clients and accrued discount fees, offset by $7.6 million of cash which we expect to receive within one to two days after the end of the quarter as settlements from credit card companies or banks.  This makes the cash available to Tier for business purposes as of September 30, 2011 $32.7 million.  The cash available to Tier at June 30, 2011 for business purposes was $33.8 million.  Contributing to the decrease in available cash from June 30, 2011 were primarily hardware and software costs associated with our infrastructure and platform initiatives.  
 
In July 2011, we entered into an $8.3 million contract to upgrade our core infrastructure, which includes the purchase of hardware, software and professional services.  The project began in August 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in October 2012.  As of November 30, 2011, we have purchased approximately $6.6 million in software and hardware related to this project.
 
Conference Call
 
Tier will host a conference call Tuesday, December 6, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results.  To access the conference call, please dial (888) 995-9709 and provide pass code Q4FY2011.  The conference call is also available live via the Internet at www.tier.com.  Participants via the Web will need to provide conference ID # 9529539 and pass code Q4FY2011.  A replay will be available at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at www.tier.com or by calling (800) 234-8715 and entering conference ID # 9529539.  The replay will be available until 11:45 p.m. Eastern Time on December 20, 2011.
 
About Tier Technologies, Inc.
 
Tier Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of electronic payment solutions in the biller direct market.  Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, the company provides enhanced electronic payment services that include multiple payment choices, payment channels, and bill payment products and services to over 4,700 clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Tier serves clients in multiple markets including federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions, utilities and commercial clients through its subsidiary, Official Payments Corporation.  For more information, see www.tier.com and www.OfficialPayments.com.
 
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Forward looking statements
 
Statements made in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial and/or operating performance and generally can be identified as such because the context of the statement includes words such as “may,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “shows,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or “opportunity,” the negative of these words or words of similar import.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.  Each of these statements is made as of the date hereof based only on current information and expectations that are inherently subject to change and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to: general economic conditions, which affect the Company’s financial results in all our markets, which we refer to as “vertical markets,” particularly the federal vertical market, the state and local vertical market and property tax vertical market;  effectiveness and performance of our systems, payment processing platforms and operational infrastructure; our ability to grow EPS revenue while reducing our costs, including processor and interchange related costs; the timing, initiation, completion, renewal, extension or early termination of client or partner contracts or projects; our ability to execute on our sales and product strategy and realize revenues from our business development opportunities; the impact of regulatory requirements; and unanticipated claims as a result of project performance, including due to the failure of software providers, processors, vendors, partners, or subcontractors to satisfactorily perform and complete engagements.    For a discussion of these and other factors which may cause our actual events or results to differ from those projected, please refer to our annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
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TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30,
2011
   
September 30,
2010
 
ASSETS:
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 39,760     $ 45,757  
Investments in marketable securities
          8,249  
Restricted investments
          1,311  
Accounts receivable, net
    4,467       4,883  
Settlements receivable, net
    7,648       8,356  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,368       1,407  
Total current assets
    54,243       69,963  
                 
Property, equipment and software, net
    18,189       12,032  
Goodwill
    17,460       17,381  
Other intangible assets, net
    4,037       7,477  
Restricted investments
          6,000  
Other assets
    238       172  
Total assets
  $ 94,167     $ 113,025  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,057     $ 1,059  
Settlements payable
    9,812       10,716  
Accrued compensation liabilities
    2,721       4,261  
Accrued discount fees
    4,900       4,624  
Other accrued liabilities
    3,881       2,718  
Deferred income
    439       558  
Total current liabilities
    22,810       23,936  
Other liabilities:
               
Deferred rent
    1,556       1,257  
Other liabilities
    28       596  
Total other liabilities
    1,584       1,853  
Total liabilities
    24,394       25,789  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized shares:  4,579;
no shares issued and outstanding
           
Common stock, $0.01 par value, and paid-in capital; shares authorized: 44,260;
shares issued: 20,817 and 20,706; shares outstanding: 16,642 and 18,170
    193,732       193,620  
Treasury stock—at cost, 4,175 and 2,536 shares
    (31,383 )     (21,020 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
          (1 )
Accumulated deficit
    (92,576 )     (85,363 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    69,773       87,236  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 94,167     $ 113,025  
 

 
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TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)

   
Year ended September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Revenues
  $ 130,170     $ 130,224     $ 128,246  
                         
Costs and expenses:
                       
Direct costs
    100,764       98,328       95,594  
General and administrative
    22,766       25,199       25,529  
Selling and marketing
    6,940       6,355       6,708  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,314       6,711       6,569  
Total costs and expenses
    137,784       136,593       134,400  
                         
Loss from continuing operations before other income and income taxes
    (7,614 )     (6,369 )     (6,154 )
                         
Other income:
                       
Interest income, net
    82       414       754  
Gain (loss) on investment
          31       (31 )
Gain on sale of assets
          6        
Total other income
    82       451       723  
                         
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
    (7,532 )     (5,918 )     (5,431 )
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (100 )     30       40  
                         
Loss from continuing operations
    (7,432 )     (5,948 )     (5,471 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
    219       (245 )     (6,035 )
                         
Net loss
  $ (7,213 )   $ (6,193 )   $ (11,506 )
                         
(Loss) earnings per share—Basic and diluted:
                       
From continuing operations
  $ (0.43 )   $ (0.33 )   $ (0.28 )
From discontinued operations
  $ 0.01     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.31 )
Loss per share—Basic and diluted
  $ (0.42 )   $ (0.34 )   $ (0.59 )
                         
Weighted average common shares used in computing:
                       
Basic and diluted loss per share
    17,112       18,153       19,438  


 
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TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)


   
Year ended September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net loss
  $ (7,213 )   $ (6,193 )   $ (11,506 )
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
    219       (245 )     (6,035 )
Loss from continuing operations, net
    (7,432 )     (5,948 )     (5,471 )
Non-cash items included in net loss:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    7,314       6,712       6,642  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    363       1,304       417  
Deferred rent
    204       388        
Share-based compensation
    (217 )     1,012       2,522  
Capitalized software impairment loss
    268              
(Gain) loss on trading investments
          (31 )     31  
Gain on sale of equipment
          (10 )      
Other
          1       (19 )
Net effect of changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts and settlements receivable, net
    761       839       (6,510 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (1,034 )     629       (89 )
Accounts and settlements payable and accrued liabilities
    (1,617 )     (2,681 )     5,399  
Income taxes receivable
    7       84       1  
Deferred income
    (119 )     (303 )     (929 )
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations
    (1,502 )     1,996       1,994  
Cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations
    (149 )     (855 )     (5,187 )
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (1,651 )     1,141       (3,193 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (13,248 )     (23,587 )     (38,455 )
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities
    21,826       19,886       36,371  
Sales of trading securities
          31,200       125  
Restricted investments matured, sold and released from restriction
    6,983             500  
Purchase of equipment and software
    (7,532 )     (1,681 )     (299 )
Investment in internally developed software
    (2,749 )     (3,563 )     (3,590 )
ChoicePay asset purchase net of cash acquired
                (6,927 )
Additions to goodwill—ChoicePay
    (79 )     (52 )      
Collection of note receivable
          527       71  
Proceeds from sale of equipment
          10        
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations
    5,201       22,740       (12,204 )
Cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations
    368       610       818  
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    5,569       23,350       (11,386 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchase of company stock
    (10,363 )     (749 )     (11,587 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    482       82       422  
Capital lease obligations and other financing arrangements
    (34 )     (36 )     (22 )
      Cash used in financing activities
    (9,915 )     (703 )     (11,187 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (5,997 )     23,788       (25,766 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    45,757       21,969       47,735  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 39,760     $ 45,757     $ 21,969  


 
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TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Operations—Continuing Operations
(unaudited)
 
(in thousands)
 
EPS
   
VSA
   
Total
 
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2011:
                 
Revenues
  $ 128,644     $ 1,526     $ 130,170  
Costs and expenses:
                       
Direct costs
    100,508       256       100,764  
General and administrative
    22,761       5       22,766  
Selling and marketing
    6,940             6,940  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,314             7,314  
Total costs and expenses
    137,523       261       137,784  
(Loss) income from continuing operations before
other income and income taxes
    (8,879 )     1,265       (7,614 )
Other income:
                       
Interest income, net
    82             82  
Total other income
    82             82  
(Loss) income from continuing operations before taxes
    (8,797 )     1,265       (7,532 )
Income tax benefit
    (100 )           (100 )
(Loss) income from continuing operations
  $ (8,697 )   $ 1,265     $ (7,432 )
 

 
(in thousands)
 
EPS
   
VSA
   
Total
 
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2010:
                 
Revenues
  $ 127,223     $ 3,001     $ 130,224  
Costs and expenses:
                       
Direct costs
    97,050       1,278       98,328  
General and administrative
    24,821       378       25,199  
Selling and marketing
    6,355             6,355  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,625       1,086       6,711  
Total costs and expenses
    133,851       2,742       136,593  
(Loss) income from continuing operations before
other income and income taxes
    (6,628 )     259       (6,369 )
Other income:
                       
Interest income (expense)
    414             414  
Gain on investment
    31             31  
Gain on sale of asset
    6             6  
Total other income
    451             451  
(Loss) income from continuing operations before taxes
    (6,177 )     259       (5,918 )
Income tax provision
    30             30  
(Loss) income from continuing operations
  $ (6,207 )   $ 259     $ (5,948 )

 
 
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TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Operations—Continuing Operations
(unaudited)
 
(in thousands)
 
EPS
   
VSA
   
Total
 
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2009:
                 
Revenues
  $ 123,233     $ 5,013     $ 128,246  
Costs and expenses:
                       
Direct costs
    93,434       2,160       95,594  
General and administrative
    24,509       1,020       25,529  
Selling and marketing
    6,697       11       6,708  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,885       1,684       6,569  
Total costs and expenses
    129,525       4,875       134,400  
(Loss) income from continuing operations before
other income and income taxes
    (6,292 )     138       (6,154 )
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest income (expense)
    754             754  
Loss on investment
    (31 )           (31 )
Total other income
    723             723  
(Loss) income from continuing operations before taxes
    (5,569 )     138       (5,431 )
Income tax provision
    40             40  
(Loss) income from continuing operations
  $ (5,609 )   $ 138     $ (5,471 )


 
 
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