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CPI Card Group Inc.

pmts · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Financial - Credit Services
Employees 1500
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FY2019 Annual Report · CPI Card Group Inc.
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www.cpicardgroup.com                                                                                                        1-800-446-50362019 Annual ReportCPI Card Group Inc.        2019 Annual ReportA letter from Scott ScheirmanDear Shareholders,CPI has made tremendous progress over the last couple of years, first in getting the company ready for growth and then growing through targeted initiatives.  During 2019, CPI delivered strong top-line growth, significantly improved bottom-line performance and continued to win new business by offering more robust products and solutions to our customers.  We also believe we gained market share across all of our business units during 2019, through strong execution of our key strategic priorities.CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual ReportEMV® is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries and an unregistered trademark elsewhere. The EMV trademark is owned by EMVCo, LLC Full year 2019 net sales totaled $278 million, up 9% over the prior year.  This is on top of the double-digit year-over-year increase in net sales we delivered in 2018.  Our U.S. Debit and Credit segment net sales growth of 19% year-over-year was driven by a continued shift toward dual interface EMV® cards, including Second WaveTM, the first-to-market payment card featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic.  2019 results also benefited from strong performance in personalization, including Card@Once®.  We also improved our profitability in 2019, delivering income from operations of $25.5 million, a year-over-year increase of $21 million, and generating a year-over-year improvement in net loss from continuing operations of greater than 70%.  2019 was a year of growth through targeted initiatives:•With over 10 years of experience in dual interface card manufacturing, we met and are continuing tomeet our customers’ needs as they transition to dual interface and provide their customers with cardsthat enable a faster and more seamless point-of-sale experience.•We launched Second WaveTM, the first-to-market dual interface capable payment cards featuring a coremade with recovered ocean-bound plastic, in an effort to reduce first use plastic, divert plastic waste from entering the ocean and enable our customers to better serve a growing market of environmentally-conscious consumers. Concurrent with this launch, we built upon our relationship with one of the largest U.S.-based card-issuing financial institutions to provide them with debit and credit cards along with Second WaveTM cards.  We believe Second WaveTM has an outstanding value proposition and a strong use case for financial      institutions and other customer segments, including transit, hospitality, entertainment, retail, consumer brands and their respective cardholders. •We continued to win business with our market-leading Card@Once® Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) instantissuance solution, ending 2019 with nearly 11,000 printers across approximately 1,600 financial institutions.This customer-friendly, web-based solution enables our customers to issue new debit and credit cards in-branchand on-demand and eases their burden as we securely manage IT set-up, support and maintenance.•To support our customers with more choice, convenience and control as they transition to contactlesstechnology, we introduced dual interface metal cards and AdaptivesTM, our embedded contactlesstechnology for payment objects.•Our innovative product capabilities in personalization, including CPI On-DemandTM, enabled our customers toquickly personalize their end-user experiences through high-quality and uniquely customized cards, carriers and collateral.  We continued to leverage this solution and its capabilities to support the expanding needs of our Prepaid customers along with market-leading secure card packaging, innovation and robust designs.•We significantly improved our profitability by increasing Net Sales by 9% and increasing our bottom line byover 70% year-over-year.  In addition to the Net Sales growth operating leverage impact, we also reduced our costs by divesting of our Canadian operations and executing profitability improvement initiatives.  These actions resulted in significant margin improvements year-over-year.CorporateCPI Card Group Inc.10026 W San Juan Way, Suite 200Littleton, Colorado 80127(720) 681-6304AuditorKPMG LLP1225 17th Street, Suite 800Denver, Colorado 80202Common StockTicker Symbol:  PMTS OTCQX® Best Market (OTCQX)Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)Transfer Agent and RegistrarEQ Shareowner Services PO Box 64854 St Paul, MN 55164-0854 1-800-468-9716 www.shareowneronline.comInvestor Relations(877) 369-9016InvestorRelations@cpicardgroup.comCanadian Transfer Agent Acting as Co-AgentTSX Trust 650 West Georgia StreetSuite 2700Vancouver, British Columbia V6B4N9Canadawww.tsxtrust.comAnnual MeetingThe annual meeting of CPI Card Group stockholders will be held at8:00 a.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.For information on how to attend our annual meeting of stockholders, please see our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 AnnualMeeting of Stockholders or visit: https://investor.cpicardgroup.comBoard of DirectorsLeadership TeamShareholder InformationLetter from the President and Chief Executive Officer

These 2019 accomplishments are a testament to the commitment of our CPI employees, and I want 
to thank them for their ongoing dedication to our vision and for continuing to serve our customers 
well.  Their continued efforts have enabled us to exceed customer expectations and drive greater 
performance throughout the organization.

Looking at the business today, I believe we are well-positioned to capture market opportunities 
as they arise.  During 2020, we aim to scale our solutions, diversify our offerings, and expand 
our customer base through continued execution on our key strategies:

• Deep customer focus
• Market-leading quality products and customer service
•
• Market-competitive business model

Continuous innovation

As we move into 2020, we, along with the rest of the world, face unprecedented uncertainty due 
to the challenges presented by COVID-19.  We take seriously our role as a corporate citizen and our 
obligation as a supplier to our nation’s financial services providers and the customers they serve.  
We balance this with our paramount concern for the health and safety of our employees and the 
global community.  Our thoughts remain with those who have been impacted by COVID-19 as we 
look forward to our nation and world emerging from this crisis.

We remain committed to our vision to be our customers’ partner of choice.  

I look forward to sharing our progress with you.  

Scott T. Scheirman 

President and Chief Executive Officer

CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual Report

CPI Strategy

CPI is committed to being our customers’ 
partner of choice and is highly focused on 
our strategic priorities:

 » Deep Customer Focus

We keep our customers at the center of everything we do, strengthening and deepening 
our relationships by delivering value to help them thrive.  With our full and expanding 
suite of catalytic and competitively differentiated products and solutions, we offer our 
customers choice, convenience and control.

 » Market-Leading Quality Products and Customer Service
Consistently raising the bar on delivering innovative quality products, we pursue 
initiatives to ensure exceptional service and make it easier to do business with CPI.  We 
listen to the voice of our customers and focus our energy on helping them deliver unique 
and differentiated solutions that elevate their customers’ experience.

 » Continuous Innovation

Collaborating with our customers to build their brands and achieve top-of-wallet status, 
we offer products and solutions that support their initiatives to differentiate.  We work 
to enhance our offerings and to create and deliver next generation products and solutions 
that meet the demands of the marketplace and exceed customers’ expectations.

 » Market-Competitive Business Model

By creating a dynamic and efficient operating model, we have positioned ourselves to 
better  serve  our  customers.    We  focus  on  generating  top-line  performance  and 
efficiency by driving productivity through process improvements, operational 
automation, technology and equipment advancement.

ICMA’s Élan Awards
CPI Card Group® was named First Finalist at the 2019 ICMA 
Élan Awards for the Best Secure Payment Card category for  
the manufacturing of an elite Encased Tungsten card design.   

CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual Report

Secure Card Solutions

Leading the way in 
payment card solutions

Dual Interface

Second Wave™
Second Wave™

CPI Metals™

Dual interface technology allows 

As the first to market payment 

credit or debit cards to be 

card featuring a core made with 

used for both contact (EMV) 

recovered ocean-bound plastic, 

and contactless transactions. 

Second WaveTM cards are dual 

CPI offers dual interface    

interface capable, EMV compliant 

functionality in traditional 

and certified by major payment 

PVC cards, metal cards and 

brands. CPI developed this 

cards featuring a core made 

product in an effort to reduce 

with recovered ocean-bound 

first-use plastic, divert plastic 

plastic.

waste from entering the world’s 

oceans and enable our customers 

to better serve a growing market 

of environmentally-conscious 

consumers.

CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual Report

CPI offers two distinct metal card 

options: Encased Tungsten and 

Encased Steel. The Encased 

Tungsten card carries a noticeable 

weight of 20+ grams.  The Encased 

Steel card provides a distinct feel at 

twice the weight of a standard PVC 

card, at only a fraction of the cost.  

Both of our metal card offerings 

are available with dual interface 

technology.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 
Form 10-K 

 (Mark One) 
 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019 

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934 
For the Transition Period from          to 

Or 

Commission File Number 001-37584 

CPI Card Group Inc. 

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 

26-0344657 
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) 

10026 West San Juan Way 
Littleton, CO  
(Address of principal executive offices) 

80127 
(Zip Code) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (720) 681-6304 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 

Trading Symbol(s) 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value 

PMTS 

Name of each exchange on which 
registered 
OTC Markets Group Inc. 
NASDAQ Capital Market 

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       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  

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       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the 
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large accelerated filer  

Accelerated filer    

Non-accelerated filer  

Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised 
financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

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

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was $11.0 million on June 30, 2019 computed based on the closing sale price of the 
Registrant’s common stock of $2.50 on NASDAQ on that date. 

As of February 20, 2020, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock was 11,224,191. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information 

PART I 
Business 

Item 1 
Item 1A  Risk Factors 
Item 1B  Unresolved Staff Comments 
Item 2 
Item 3 
Item 4 

Properties 
Legal Proceedings 
Mine Safety Disclosures 

Item 5 

PART II 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities 
Selected Financial Data 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Item 6 
Item 7 
Item 7A  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
Item 8 
Item 9 
Item 9A  Controls and Procedures 
Item 9B  Other Information 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 
Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

PART III 

Item 10  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Item 11 
Item 12 
Item 13  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
Item 14 

Executive Compensation 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

PART IV 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

Item 15 
Index To Exhibits 
Signatures 

1 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information 

Certain statements and information in this Form 10-K (as well as information included in our written or oral 

statements) may contain or constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation 
Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). The words “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” 
“plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “guides,” “provides guidance,” “provides outlook,” or other similar 
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-
looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect 
on us, and other information currently available. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are 
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should 
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, 
believed, estimated, expected or intended. We are making investors aware that such forward-looking statements, because they 
relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ 
materially from those contemplated. 

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our substantial indebtedness, including inability to make 

debt service payments or refinance such indebtedness; the restrictive terms of our credit facilities and covenants of future 
agreements governing indebtedness and the resulting restraints on our ability to pursue our business strategies; our limited 
ability to raise capital in the future; system security risks, data protection breaches and cyber-attacks; failure to comply with 
regulations, customer contractual requirements and evolving industry standards regarding consumer privacy and data use and 
security, including with respect to possible exposure to litigation and/or regulatory penalties under applicable data privacy and 
other laws for failure to so comply; interruptions in our operations, including our IT systems, or in the operations of the third 
parties that operate the data centers or computing infrastructure on which we rely; disruptions in production at one or more of 
our facilities; our inability to adequately protect our trade secrets and intellectual property rights from misappropriation or 
infringement, claims that our technology is infringing on the intellectual property of others, and risks related to open source 
software; defects in our software; problems in production quality, materials and process; a disruption or other failure in our 
supply chain; our failure to retain our existing customers or identify and attract new customers; a loss of market share or a 
decline in profitability resulting from competition; our inability to recruit, retain and develop qualified personnel, including key 
personnel; our inability to sell, exit, reconfigure or consolidate businesses or facilities that no longer meet with our strategy; 
our inability to develop, introduce and commercialize new products; the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings; failure to 
meet the continued listing standards of the Toronto Stock Exchange or the rules of the OTCQX® Best Market; a continued 
decrease in the value of our common stock combined with our common stock no longer being traded on a United States 
national securities exchange, which may prevent investors from investing or achieving a meaningful degree of liquidity; 
developing technologies that make our existing technology solutions and products obsolete or less relevant or a failure to 
introduce new products and services in a timely manner; quarterly variation in our operating results; our inability to realize the 
full value of our long-lived assets; our failure to operate our business in accordance with the PCI Security Standards Council 
security standards or other industry standards; a decline in U.S. and global market and economic conditions and resulting 
decreases in consumer and business spending; costs relating to product defects and any related product liability and/or warranty 
claims; maintenance and further imposition of tariffs and/or trade restrictions on, or slow-downs or interruptions in our ability 
to obtain, goods imported into the United States; costs and impacts to our financial results relating to the obligatory collection 
of sales tax and claims for uncollected sales tax in states that impose sales tax collection requirements on out-of-state retailers, 
and challenges to our income tax positions; our dependence on licensing arrangements; risks associated with international 
operations; non-compliance with, and changes in, laws in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions in which we operate 
and sell our products; our ability to comply with a wide variety of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and 
the exposure to liability for any failure to comply; risks associated with the controlling stockholders’ ownership of our stock; 
potential conflicts of interest that may arise due to our board of directors being comprised of directors who are principals of our 
largest stockholder;  and other risks that are described in Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors and our other reports filed from time to 
time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).   

We caution and advise readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the 
date hereof. These statements are based on assumptions that may not be realized and involve risks and uncertainties that could 
cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and beliefs contained herein. We undertake no obligation to 
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, 
future events or otherwise. 

2 

 
 
  
 
 
 
CPI Card Group Inc. qualifies as a Smaller Reporting Company in accordance with Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, and 
has elected to follow certain of the scaled back disclosure accommodations within this Form 10-K. 

Item 1. 

Business 

PART I 

As used herein, “CPI,” “we,” “our” and similar terms refer to CPI Card Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless 

the context indicates otherwise. 

Overview 

We are a payment technology company and leading provider of comprehensive Financial Payment Card 

solutions in the United States. We define “Financial Payment Cards” as credit, debit and Prepaid Debit Cards issued on 
the networks of the “Payment Card Brands” (Visa, Mastercard®, American Express® and Discover® in the United States) 
and Interac (in Canada). We define “Prepaid Debit Cards” as debit cards issued on the networks of the Payment Card 
Brands, but not linked to a traditional bank account. We have established a leading position in the Financial Payment 
Card market through more than 20 years of experience. Our customers include leading national and regional banks, 
independent community banks, credit unions, managers of prepaid debit programs, “Group Service Providers” 
(organizations that assist small card issuers, such as credit unions, with managing their credit and debit card programs, 
including managing the Financial Payment Card issuance process, core banking operations and other financial services) 
and card processors. We serve a diverse set of over 2,000 direct customers and several thousand indirect customers, 
including some of the largest issuers of debit and credit cards in the United States, and the largest U.S. Prepaid Debit 
Card program managers, as well as thousands of independent community banks, credit unions, Group Service Providers 
and card processors. 

We serve our customers through a network of production and card services facilities, including high-security 
facilities in the United States which are audited for compliance by one or more of the Payment Card Brands. Many of 
our customers require us to comply with the standards of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (the 
“PCI Security Standards Council”). This leading network of high-security production facilities allows us to offer 
solutions that serve the needs of our diverse customer base. 

Driven by a combination of our strong relationships, quality, technology, and innovation, we believe we have 

strong positions in the following markets: 

• 

• 

• 

the U.S. prepaid debit market, serving several of the top U.S. Prepaid Debit Card program managers; 

the U.S. small to mid-sized issuer market, which includes independent community banks and credit unions; 
and 

the U.S. large issuer market, serving some of the largest U.S. debit and credit card issuers. 

Our business consists of the following reportable segments: U.S. Debit and Credit, which primarily produces 

Financial Payment Cards and provides integrated card services to card-issuing banks primarily in the United States, and 
U.S. Prepaid Debit, which primarily provides integrated card services to Prepaid Debit Card program managers 
primarily in the United States.  Businesses not considered part of these segments are considered “Other” and included 
our operations in Canada prior to the sale and disposition of our Canadian operations and corporate expenses. 

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Canadian subsidiary. The sale 
agreement did not include the portions of the business relating to Financial Payment Cards, as that business migrated to 
our operations in the U.S. or to other service providers in 2019. The transaction closed on April 1, 2019, and we received 
cash proceeds of $1.5 million.  After the payment of liabilities and transaction costs, including employee termination 
costs, the majority of which were expensed in 2018, the sale did not have a significant impact on cash, and no significant 
loss on sale.  The Canadian subsidiary was not a significant operating segment and the results of this business through 
the transaction closing date have been presented as part of the Other reportable segment. 

3 

On August 3, 2018, we completed the sale of the U.K. Limited segment. The historical financial position, 

results of operations, and cash flows for the U.K. segment have been restated for all periods to conform with 
discontinued operations presentation. Unless otherwise indicated, financial information within this document relates to 
continuing operations.  The divestitures of the U.K. and Canada businesses allow us to further optimize our footprint and 
to better position ourselves to serve customers by focusing on our core businesses. 

During February 2018, we made the decision to consolidate our three personalization operations in the United 

States into two facilities to better enable us to optimize operations and achieve market-leading quality and service with a 
market-competitive business model.  This consolidation was completed in 2018. 

For information regarding our net sales by geographic location and additional details regarding our segments, see 
Part  II,  Item 8,  Financial  Statements  and  Supplementary  Data,  Note  16  "Segment  Reporting,"  and  Part  II,  Item 7, 
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  in  this  Annual  Report  on 
Form 10-K.   

Our Competitive Strengths 

• 

Strong Market Position with Long-Term Customer Relationships.  Our vision is to be the partner of choice 
for our customers by providing market-leading quality products and customer service with a market-
competitive business model. We have long-standing, trust-based relationships with customers, many of 
whom we have served for decades. We strive to put our customers at the center of everything we do. Our 
customer relationships often involve the handling of sensitive information as well as process and 
technology integration.  As a result, our customers are selective about working with partners they can trust 
and that can deliver the highest quality products and customer service. We maintain important relationships 
with the Payment Card Brands to ensure our facilities and processes meet their standards.  We believe we 
have established a leading market position in the U.S. prepaid debit market, built on high quality services, 
innovation and reliable delivery to our customers. For our instant issuance solutions, our install bases at 
bank and credit union branches across the United States permit customer integration, and our Card@Once® 
instant issuance solution utilizes our secure technology to instantly personalize cards. A significant number 
of our customers have integrated our proprietary software into their systems to improve the quality of the 
overall process and to offer card design and customization to their cardholders. We believe this level of 
integration provides for a longer lasting and closer relationship with our customers. 

•  Comprehensive End-to-End Card Solutions.  The foundation of our leading market position with our small 
to mid-sized issuer customers is our comprehensive end-to-end Financial Payment Card solutions. Our 
solutions provide a full suite of products and card services required to produce, personalize and fulfill 
Financial Payment Cards, while maintaining the security requirements of the Payment Card Brands. We are 
integral to many of our customers’ card programs, pairing card production with an end-to-end offering of 
card data personalization and card services that are integrated within our customers’ operations. We 
provide card data personalization services for financial institutions and managers of Prepaid Debit Card 
programs that require technology integration, such as secure data links to transfer highly sensitive 
cardholder information. We believe that our comprehensive solution allows our customers to choose a 
single trusted partner to address their card program needs in a cost-effective manner instead of managing 
multiple suppliers across a complex value chain. 

•  Compliant Network of High-Security Facilities.  Our high-security facilities are each audited and found 
compliant by one or more of the Payment Card Brands under the PCI Card Security Standards Council, 
forming a leading network of approved production facilities in the United States. The Payment Card Brand 
attestations of compliance allow us to produce cards bearing these brands and provide relevant card 
services for our issuer customers. These audit processes are long, complex and costly, and our facilities 
must comply with strict standards of security in order to obtain and retain these designations, which are 
regularly verified by both the Payment Card Brands and our customers. We believe the long, complex and 
costly compliance process may serve as a barrier to new entrants into our market. 

•  Financial Payment Card Capabilities, Industry Experience, and Proprietary and Patented Solutions.  Over 
the course of our long operating history, we have developed technological, engineering and operational 
expertise that we believe has made us a leader in our industry. Europay, Mastercard and Visa (“EMV”) is a 

4 

global, technical standard, maintained by EMVCo for smart payment cards, and for payment terminals and 
automated teller machines that accept them.  EMV ®  cards are smart cards (also called chip cards) which 
store data on integrated circuits rather than magnetic stripes, although EMV cards may also have magnetic 
stripes. We produce contact EMV cards, which require contact with a surface plate on an EMV-enabled 
payment terminal. We produce dual-interface EMV cards that have both contact and contactless 
functionality.  

We continuously work to enhance our offerings and to create and deliver next generation products and 
solutions that meet the demands of the marketplace and our customers.  For example, in response to 
customer and market demand, we have introduced CPI MetalsTM, a premium metal card, and Second 
WaveTM payment cards featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic (“ROBP”) to address 
customer demands for sustainable card options. We believe that our technological and operational 
capabilities, combined with our specific focus on the Financial Payment Card market, gives us a 
competitive advantage. We have developed and acquired intellectual property over our operating history 
and hold 28 U.S. patents, 19 foreign patents, as well as 26 pending U.S. and foreign patent applications. 

•  Experienced Leadership Team.  We have built an experienced leadership team that has energized the 

organization to focus on customers, accountability, innovation, and delivering results. 

EMV® is a registered trademark or tradename of EMVCo LLC in the United States and other countries 

Our Strategy  

We are a payment technology company that provides end-to-end debit, credit and prepaid payment solutions 

delivered physically, digitally and on-demand. Our vision is to be our customers’ partner of choice by providing market-
leading quality products, customer service and continuous innovation with a market-competitive business model. We 
believe we are well-positioned for success given our diversified business model, history of innovation and ability to 
evolve with the needs and expectations of our customers. By helping our clients elevate their customers’ experience, we 
foster compelling connections between people and technology through traditional and next generation solutions that 
build brands and enhance people’s everyday lives. To achieve our vision, we focus on our four strategic priorities: deep 
customer focus, market-leading quality products and customer service, continuous innovation, and market competitive 
business model. 

Deep Customer Focus 

We are committed to keeping our customers at the center of everything we do.  By partnering with our 

customers and allowing their needs to inform our business, we enhance our ability to deliver value and help their 
businesses thrive.  We aim to inspire and satisfy our customers by redefining experiences that may have traditionally 
seemed rigid and complex. With our full and expanding suite of catalytic and competitively differentiated products and 
solutions, we offer our customers choice, convenience and control.  

Market- Leading Quality Products and Customer Service 

Our strong team of dedicated, passionate employees embrace a culture of collaboration and steadfast focus on 
delivering superior products and exceptional customer service which has helped build us into a leading provider. With a 
focus on market-leading quality products and customer service, we are committed to operational excellence and adapting 
to market dynamics to help our customers achieve top-of-wallet status and build their business. We listen to the voice of 
our customers and focus our energy on helping them deliver unique and differentiated solutions that elevate their 
customers’ experience.  We are accountable for our actions, and work synergistically to deliver results for our customers, 
our employees and our shareholders. 

Continuous Innovation  

With innovation as a core competency, we strategically invest to support continued growth and expand our 

opportunities to partner purposefully with our current and potential customers. We strive to enhance our offerings and to 
create and deliver next generation products and solutions that meet the demands of the marketplace and exceed 

5 

customers’ expectations. Continuous innovation is aimed at winning new business and helping our customers 
differentiate themselves with distinctive products and solutions, build their brands, and achieve top-of-wallet status. 

Market-Competitive Business Model 

By creating a dynamic and efficient operating model, we have positioned ourselves to better serve our 
customers.  We have streamlined our operations enabling us to allocate resources aimed at providing our customers with 
unmatched solutions, innovation and world-class services. We have also developed company-wide standards of 
excellence and target metrics regarding the quality, reliability and on-time delivery of our products.  We have invested in 
equipment advancements and technology in order to create broader capabilities as well as improve the quality and 
efficiencies of, and the customer satisfaction with, our offerings. We continue to focus on driving top-line performance 
and operational efficiency.   

Our Products and Services  

EMV Financial Payment Cards (Contact, Contactless, and Dual-Interface) 

We produce both plastic and metal contact EMV cards, which feature an integrated circuit that interfaces with 
an EMV payment terminal over a contact plate on the surface of the card when inserted into an EMV-enabled payment 
terminal. We also produce contactless EMV cards, including plastic and metal dual-interface EMV cards, which feature 
a radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) antenna that utilizes near field communications (“NFC”) technology to allow 
transactions to process on a contactless basis when the card is brought within the requisite proximity to an NFC-enabled 
payment terminal.  Dual-interface EMV cards also have contact EMV technology.  

Non-EMV Financial Payment Cards and Retail Gift Cards 

We produce non-EMV cards that utilize magnetic stripes, contactless cards which utilize NFC technology, and 
cards that include both magnetic stripes and NFC technology. In addition, we produce non-EMV cards that are issued on 
the networks of the Payment Card Brands, as well as retail gift cards (which are not issued on the networks of the 
Payment Card Brands). 

Second WaveTM cards featuring a core made with Recovered Ocean-Bound Plastic 

In 2019, we launched Second WaveTM cards which feature a core made with ROBP. Aimed at reducing first-use 
plastic and diverting plastic waste from entering the ocean, Second Wave includes all forms of EMV Financial Payment 
Cards (dual-interface, contact, and contactless) and cards for access applications such as travel, ticketing, lodging, and 
entertainment.  Our Second Wave cards have been approved by two of the major payment brands. Second Wave offers a 
seamless cardholder experience that aligns with broader consumer values and helps support sustainability initiatives by 
providing companies across multiple segments of the card industry with a simple, effective, and more environmentally-
friendly solution. 

Card Data Personalization and Fulfillment 

We provide data preparation and card data personalization solutions for debit, credit and Prepaid Debit Cards in 
contact EMV, dual-interface EMV, and non-EMV card formats. Our personalization services are technology-driven and 
provide a wide range of card customization options, using advanced processes to personalize (encode, program and 
emboss with data such as cardholder name and account number) and fulfill cards to individual cardholders. Our services 
provide customers with visibility to manage card stock inventory and fulfillment materials.  In addition, we provide 
EMV data script development services for our customers and in certain cases generate PIN numbers and mailers on their 
behalf. We offer patented card design software, known as MYCA™, which provides our customers and their cardholders 
the ability to design cards on the internet and customize cards with individualized digital images. We also provide 
consultation and card design services to further assist customers in card customization. 

Tamper-Evident Secure Packaging Solutions 

We offer specialized and innovative tamper-evident secure packaging products and services to customers aimed 

at reducing fraud for Prepaid Debit Cards sold through the retail channel. In certain cases, we also manage the 

6 

fulfillment of fully-completed Prepaid Debit Card packages to retail locations on behalf of our customers utilizing this 
solution. 

Instant Card Issuance Systems and Services 

We offer Card@Once, our proprietary and patented instant card issuance system and software-as-a-service, 

which provides our card issuing bank customers the ability to issue a completely personalized, permanent debit or credit 
card within the bank branch to individual cardholders upon demand. Our instant issuance system is enabled by cloud-
based software that securely transfers data from our servers to the card branch to encode a magnetic stripe, an EMV 
card, a contactless RFID, or a dual-interface EMV card, and personalizes the card on a desktop output terminal. These 
processes are audited for PCI Data Security Standard compliance annually.  Our instant issuance system generates both 
system sales and recurring revenue from card personalization and sales of cards and consumables.  

CPI On-DemandTM Solutions 

Through our CPI On-Demand services, we are able to produce images, personalized payment cards and related 
collateral on a one-by-one, on-demand basis for our customers, enabling individualized offerings and reducing waste and 
inventory.  Our service offering includes online ordering of a customized payment card through a program manager, 
with direct fulfillment to a consumer.  We believe the CPI On-Demand solution further differentiates us with our 
financial institution customers and will enable us to access new, business-to-business and business-to-consumer verticals 
such as healthcare, transit, payroll, corporate incentives, benefits and insurance.   

Adaptives 

While not currently significant to our financial results, during 2019 we launched Adaptives, an EMVCo 

certified chip and antenna personalization technology.  This technology is one of the smallest and most flexible 
available, allowing for versatility and use across a wide variety of form factors. Adaptives’ embedded contactless 
technology can be integrated into portable, wearable or non-wearable devices, or other objects allowing consumers to 
transact payments.  Consumers simply tap or wave the object at contactless-enabled point-of-sale terminals to purchase 
products or services, gain access to events, or to pay for and board transit systems.  

Digital Services 

While not currently significant to our financial results, we are investing in digital services and payments 

technologies, including self-service card customization, on demand fulfillment, order lifecycle management, customer 
inventory management, EMV key management, and other innovative solutions, such as digitizing and securely 
delivering payment credentials as a virtual payment method. 

Suppliers 

One of the most important components of our products is the EMV/ dual-interface microchip and antenna. 

While we have developed constructive relationships with our suppliers and, in general, receive a high level of 
cooperation and support from them, the objective of our procurement strategy is not to depend on any single supplier. 
We obtain our components from multiple suppliers located in Germany, Thailand, South Korea, France, and Singapore, 
primarily on a purchase order basis. Our main suppliers of EMV/ dual-interface microchips and antenna include four 
leading international manufacturers. Approximately 91% of our purchased microchips for the year ended December 31, 
2019 came from these four main suppliers. The other key components for our products are substrates (such as PVC), and 
inlays which we also source from multiple suppliers. We monitor supply chain risks and evaluate alternative suppliers 
based on numerous attributes including quality, performance, service, scalability, features, innovation and price.  We 
generally purchase inventory to fulfill customer purchase orders. In addition, we maintain certain levels of inventory in 
anticipation of future customer demand. 

Customers 

In the United States, we categorize our customers as follows: large issuers, small to mid-sized issuers including 
financial technology companies, prepaid debit issuers, program managers, Group Service Providers, and card processors. 
Our diverse customer base includes some of the largest issuers of credit and debit cards in the United States and the 

7 

largest U.S. Prepaid Debit Card program managers. Our top customer represented approximately 18% of our net sales 
for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our top five customers represented approximately 42% of our net sales for the 
year ended December 31, 2019, and we have been serving these customers for an average of greater than 10 years. 

We generally enter into master purchase or service agreements that govern the general terms and conditions of 

our commercial relationships. We then enter into a purchase order or other short-term arrangements that define the 
quantities of products to be delivered or services rendered, and other terms specific to the order as appropriate. Usually, 
our contractual arrangements include neither exclusivity clauses nor commitments from our customers to order any 
given quantities of products on a medium or long-term basis. 

Production and Services 

We have a large network of high-security facilities that we leverage to balance customer orders, expand the 

array of products and services available to our customers, provide consistent supply and execute short lead times. Our 
facilities and operating processes are designed to provide a differentiated level of service to each of our key customer 
sets. For example, we have the processes and capabilities to: 

• 

• 

execute high-volume production runs that allow us to offer cost-effective price points on large orders; 

execute lower-volume, highly customized runs that allow us to meet the high-service and quick-turn needs 
of smaller orders, as well as on-demand solutions; and 

•  meet the specific needs of our Prepaid Debit Card customers, as an industry leader in tamper-evident secure 
card packaging, and through our expertise and capabilities specifically designed for this retail prepaid 
market. 

As of December 31, 2019, we operate facilities comprising approximately 384,000 square feet in the United 

States where we focus on Financial Payment Card production, personalization services, card packaging and fulfillment 
services. See Part I, Item 2, “Properties” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information on the operations of each 
facility. 

We rely on secure ground and secure air freight to deliver finished products to our customers. Due to the high-

security nature of the Financial Payment Card products we provide to our customers, certain products must be shipped to 
these customers via a secure method, such as armored vehicle. With respect to customers for whom we fulfill individual 
and personalized debit and credit cards, we primarily utilize the U.S. postal service to deliver these cards directly to 
individual cardholders. For other customers, we predominately deliver our products via regular ground and air freight. 

In addition, we embrace practices and solutions at our facilities that limit our impact on the environment, 

preserve natural resources, and create innovative and responsible products.  Our key areas of focus include:  
incorporating environmental sustainability practices across the business; sustainability efforts aligned with our business 
model, values and customer needs; engaging employees; and communicating and promoting our commitment and 
contribution to sustainability. 

Sales and Marketing 

We market ourselves as a leader and trusted partner in payments, seeking to meet or exceed the needs of our 

customers through high quality, flexibility, and meaningful, innovative products at competitive prices. We work to 
strategize and collaborate with our customers to bring them valuable and innovative solutions. We have sales 
representatives that give us a wide geographic reach across the United States. Our sales representatives offer a complete 
end-to-end solution that incorporates the full spectrum of our products and services from concept to delivery. Our sales 
and marketing strategy focuses on strengthening our relationships with existing customers through a consultative 
approach that includes cross-selling expanded services. We leverage the strength of our full-service offerings to attract 
new customers. Our marketing efforts focus on the needs of our specific types of customers. By tailoring our marketing 
strategy to different customer segments, we are able to provide relevant targeted solutions to meet their individual needs. 
We utilize an array of different marketing communications and thought leadership across various industry publications, 
editorial white papers, case studies, conferences and trade shows, print and digital advertisements, educational webinars, 

8 

podcasts, and blogs to introduce our existing customers and new customers to innovations in the payments market. 
Through these efforts, we drive customer retention and satisfaction, and have been able to attract new customers. 

Competition 

The market for products and services in the payment card industry is highly competitive. Some of our 

competitors possess substantially greater financial, sales and marketing resources than we do, and therefore have 
substantial flexibility in competing with us, including through the use of integrated product offerings, innovation, and 
competitive pricing. Competitive factors for our business include product quality, durability, security, service reliability, 
product line comprehensiveness and integration, timely introduction of new products and features, and price. 

Our products and services compete with other card manufacturers and card solutions providers. We believe we 

are in competition with IDEMIA (formerly known as Oberthur Technologies S.A.), Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, 
Valid S.A., Thales (formerly known as Gemalto NV), CompoSecure L.L.C., Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc., and 
Arroweye. Certain existing and potential customers also have the ability to produce and/or personalize Financial 
Payment Cards in-house. In addition, we compete with customers that offer transaction processing products and services 
to financial institutions.  

Intellectual Property 

We own, control or license various intellectual property rights, such as patents, trade secrets, confidential 

information, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights and applications. We are party to certain patent cross-
license arrangements with industry participants and may, from time to time, enter into similar commercial agreements 
should we consider it necessary or beneficial for our business. 

We rely on a combination of statutory (copyright, trademark and trade secret) and contractual safeguards for 

intellectual property protection throughout the world. As of December 31, 2019, we had 39 U.S. and foreign trademark 
registrations and applications, 28 existing U.S. patents, 19 foreign patents, as well as 26 pending U.S. and foreign patent 
applications. Our U.S. and foreign patents and applications have an average remaining maturity of approximately 12 
years, and our trademarks will be due for renewal for additional ten year periods on an ongoing basis. 

Environmental Protection 

Our manufacturing operations are subject to environmental protection regulations, including those governing 

the emissions of pollutants into the air, wastewater discharges, the use and handling of hazardous substances, waste 
disposal, and the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. We are also required to obtain 
environmental permits from governmental authorities for certain of our operations.  

Regulation 

Privacy and Data Security 

In the course of our business, we receive personally identifiable information of cardholders from our customers, 

either from a financial institution or through a card processor on behalf of a financial institution. Such information 
includes names, email and physical addresses, card account numbers and expiration dates. As a service provider to 
financial institutions in the United States, we are subject to certain Federal Trade Commission requirements, certain 
privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLBA”) and its implementing regulations, various other 
federal and state privacy statutes and regulations, and certain of the PCI Security Standards Council’s requirements, each 
of which is subject to change at any time. Outside of the United States, we are subject to privacy laws and regulations of 
certain countries and jurisdictions. The interpretation and application of privacy and data protection laws are often 
uncertain and in a state of flux. Furthermore, many of our customers are subject to privacy and data protection laws and 
our customers often impose contractual obligations on us related to their obligations. In order to comply with our 
obligations under applicable privacy laws and regulations and our contractual agreements with our customers, we are 
required to implement adequate policies and safeguards to protect the privacy of personally identifiable information we 
receive.  

9 

We are also subject to requirements from the Payment Card Brands, which require us to meet certain security 
standards in order to achieve compliance that allows us to produce and personalize Financial Payment Cards issued on 
their networks. These standards include extensive requirements with respect to the physical characteristics of our 
facilities, as well as our electronic treatment and storage of cardholder data. We believe that we have developed 
significant expertise in acquiring and maintaining compliance with the requirements from the Payment Card Brands, and 
have invested significant capital to obtain and retain compliance, which is regularly verified by both the Payment Card 
Brands and our customers. We believe the long, complex and costly compliance process may serve as a significant 
barrier to new entrants to our market. 

The interpretation of pending and existing laws and regulations is evolving and, therefore, these laws and 

regulations may be applied inconsistently, and the obligations imposed upon us by our customers can vary. It is possible 
that our current data protection policies and practices may be deemed inconsistent with new legal requirements or 
interpretations thereof, and breaches in the security of our systems and technology could result in a violation of these 
laws and regulations and contractual requirements. Changes to these laws and regulations, as well as any associated 
inquiries or investigations or any other government actions, and additional requirements imposed by our customers may 
be costly to comply with and may delay or impede the development of new products, result in negative publicity, 
increase our operating costs, require significant management time and attention, and subject us to remedies that may 
harm our business, including reputational harm, fines, or demands or orders that we modify or cease existing business 
practices. 

Financial Services 

We are generally not directly subject to federal or state regulations specifically applicable to financial 
institutions such as banks, thrifts, and credit unions. However, as a provider of products and services to these financial 
institutions, our operations may be examined by various state and federal regulatory authorities and representatives of 
the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, which is a formal inter-agency body empowered to prescribe 
uniform principles, standards and report forms for the federal examination of financial institutions and to make 
recommendations to promote uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions. Also, state and federal regulations 
require our financial institution customers to include certain provisions in their contracts with service providers like us 
and to conduct ongoing monitoring and risk management for third party relationships. In addition, we engage 
independent auditors annually to review certain of our operations to provide internal control evaluations for our 
customers’ auditors. 

In conducting certain of our card services, we are directly subject to various federal and state laws and 
regulations and contractual obligations. In order to comply with our obligations under applicable laws, we are required, 
among other things, to comply with reporting requirements, to implement operating policies and procedures to comply 
with Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements, to protect the privacy and security of our customers’ information 
and to undergo periodic audits and examinations. 

In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act introduced substantial reforms to the 
supervision and operation of the financial services industry, including introducing changes that: affect the oversight and 
supervision of financial institutions; provide for a new resolution procedure for large financial companies; introduce 
more stringent regulatory capital requirements; implement changes to corporate governance and executive compensation 
practices; and require significant rule-making. The Dodd-Frank Act has generated numerous new regulations that have 
imposed compliance costs. The Dodd-Frank Act established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) which 
is empowered to conduct rule-making and supervision related to, and enforcement of, federal consumer financial 
protection laws. The CFPB has issued guidance that applies to “supervised service providers” which the CFPB has 
defined to include service providers, like us, as well as CFPB supervised banks and nonbanks. The CFPB has in the past 
and may in the future issue regulations that may require us to make compliance investments. It is difficult to predict with 
certainty the extent to which the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB or the resulting regulations will impact our business or the 
businesses of our current and potential customers. 

Employees and Labor 

As of December 31, 2019, our businesses employed approximately 1,100 employees.  We have never 
experienced any work stoppages or strikes as a result of labor disputes.  We consider our relations with employees to be 
good.  

10 

Available Information 

CPI Card Group Inc. is a Delaware corporation.  We were initially formed as CPI Holdings I, Inc. in June 2007 
and changed our name to CPI Card Group Inc. in August 2015.  Our principal executive offices are located at 10026 W. 
San Juan Way – Suite 200, Littleton, CO 80127, telephone (720) 681-6304. The Company's Annual Report on 
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are 
available free of charge through the "Investor Relations" portion of the Company's website, as soon as reasonably 
practical after they are filed with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site, www.sec.gov, which contains reports and 
information statements, and other information filed electronically with the SEC by the Company. 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors 

The covenants and restrictions contained in our First Lien Term Loan and our new Senior Credit Facility may 
adversely affect our business and results of operations, may restrict our ability to grow and could make it difficult or 
impossible to timely make our debt service payments or refinance our debt when it comes due. 

We maintain a substantial amount of debt, and we may incur additional debt in the future to help fund our 

business.  Our substantial indebtedness and interest expense could have important consequences to us, including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

• 

limiting our ability to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations in other areas of our 
business, including for working capital, research and development, expanding our infrastructure, capital 
expenditures and other general business activities and investment opportunities in our company, because 
we must dedicate a substantial portion of these funds to pay interest and/or service our debt; 
impacting our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition when interest rates rise, because the 
interest rates on our First Lien Term Loan and Senior Credit Facility (both as defined in Item 8 Financial 
Statements and Supplemental Data, Note-10 Long-Term Debt) are floating rates that vary depending on 
market interest rates from time to time;  
limiting our ability to retain or attract customers and our ability to attract or retain qualified employees due 
to our significant amount of debt and the related implications of such debt for the Company’s long-term 
financial condition; 
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, 
debt service requirements, acquisitions and the execution of our strategy, and other expenses or 
investments planned by us; 
limiting our flexibility and our ability to capitalize on business opportunities and to react to competitive 
pressures and adverse changes in government regulation, our business and our industry; 
limiting our ability to timely make our debt service payments or to satisfy our other obligations under our 
indebtedness (which could result in an event of default and acceleration if we fail to comply with the 
requirements of our indebtedness); 
increasing our vulnerability to a downturn in our business and to adverse economic and industry conditions 
generally; 
placing us at a competitive disadvantage as compared to our competitors that are less leveraged; 
limiting our ability, or increasing the costs, to refinance indebtedness, when our First Lien Term Loan 
matures on August 17, 2022 and our Senior Credit Facility matures on May 17, 2022; and 
limiting access to supply chain and vendor terms. 

The terms of our First Lien Term Loan and Senior Credit Facility, restrict our ability to operate our business 
and to pursue our business strategies.  Refer to Item 9B- Other Information, for further information regarding the new 
Senior Credit Facility entered into on March 6, 2020.  Among other things, our First Lien Term Loan and our Senior 
Credit Facility restrict our ability to:  

incur additional debt or contingent liabilities; 
declare or pay dividends, repurchase stock, or make other distributions to stockholders; 

• 
• 
•  make investments in any business that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary; 
• 
•  merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of our assets; 
• 

create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; 

enter into transactions with affiliates; and 

11 

• 

enter into certain asset sale transactions or other dispositions of assets. 

In addition, our new Senior Credit Facility contains a covenant requiring us to achieve at least $25 million of 

adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the previous four consecutive fiscal 
quarters in total for each quarterly period ending on or after March 31, 2020. The adjusted EBITDA computation is 
defined in the Senior Credit Facility.  Our failure to comply with any of these covenants could result in an event of 
default, which could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness under the First Lien Term Loan and Senior 
Credit Facility.  Moreover, these restrictions, as well as the limitations described above, could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.  If we are unable to satisfy our obligations 
under our indebtedness as they become due, or if we are unable to pay our interest obligations we would be rendered 
insolvent. 

Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, which could lead to delays in innovation and abandonment of 
our strategic initiatives. 

Our business and operations may consume resources faster than we anticipate.  In the future, we may need to 

raise additional funds through the issuance of new equity securities, debt or a combination of both. The terms of our 
outstanding indebtedness and our financial condition may adversely affect the availability of additional financing and 
any such financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.  If adequate funds are not available on acceptable 
terms, we may be unable to fund our capital requirements.  Any failure to achieve adequate funding will delay our 
product and services innovation and development and could lead to abandonment of one or more of our strategic 
initiatives.  Any of these events could materially harm our business, financial condition and prospects. 

System security risks, data protection breaches, and cyber-attacks could compromise our proprietary information, 
impair customer and vendor relationships, disrupt our internal operations, harm perception of our products, and 
expose us to litigation and/or regulatory penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and 
our reputation. 

The reliability and security of our information technology (“IT”) infrastructure and our ability to protect 

sensitive and confidential information for our customers, which include many financial institutions, is critical to our 
business.  Our handling of such information makes us a potential target of cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions via the 
Internet, computer viruses, break-ins, malware, phishing attacks, hacking, denial-of-service attacks or other attacks and 
similar disruptions from unauthorized use of or access to computer systems (including from internal and external 
sources).  A breach of our security defenses could result in a loss of our intellectual property, the release of sensitive 
cardholder information, customer or employee personal data, or the loss of production capabilities at one or more of our 
production facilities.  These types of incidents have become more prevalent and pervasive across industries, including in 
our industry. 

In addition, our encryption systems are at risk of being breached or decoded.  Smart cards are equipped with 

keys that encrypt and decode messages in order to secure transactions and maintain the confidentiality of data.  The 
security afforded by this technology depends on the integrity of the encryption keys and the complexity of the algorithms 
used to encrypt and decode information.  Any significant advances in technology that enable the breach of cryptographic 
systems, malicious software infiltration or that allow for the exploitation of weaknesses in such systems could result in a 
decline in the security we are able to provide through this technology.  Any material breach of our secured systems could 
harm our competitive position, result in a loss of customer trust and confidence, and cause us to incur significant costs to 
remedy the damages caused by system or network disruptions, whether caused by cyber-attacks, security breaches or 
otherwise, which could ultimately have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. 

The protective measures we have implemented to protect against data and security breaches and cyber-attacks 
may not prevent system or network disruptions and may be insufficient to prevent or limit the damage from any future 
security breaches. Our activities and investment in protective measures may not be deployed quickly enough or 
successfully protect our system or network against disruptions and may be insufficient to prevent or limit the damage 
from any future security breaches.  In addition, as these threats continue to evolve, we may be required to invest 
significant additional resources to modify and enhance our information security and controls or to investigate and 
remediate any security vulnerabilities. 

12 

 
Current and proposed regulations and customer contractual requirements addressing consumer privacy and data use 
and security could increase our costs of operations, which could adversely affect our operations, results of operations 
and financial condition. 

In operating a Financial Payment Card business, we manage large amounts of personally identifiable 

information of cardholders, including cardholder names, account numbers and similar information and are thus subject to 
laws and requirements relating to data privacy and security, which continue to evolve and may become increasingly 
difficult to comply with. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) generally requires covered 
companies to provide certain disclosures to California consumers and requires companies to delete a consumer’s 
personal information if requested by the consumer. The CCPA has already been amended, and it remains unclear 
whether it will be further amended and how it will be interpreted. Furthermore, to the extent these laws apply to our 
customers, our customers may impose privacy related contractual obligations on us, adherence to which may require 
significant investment in resources and internal processes. As the number of jurisdictions enacting privacy and related 
laws increases and the scope of these laws and enforcement efforts expand, we will increasingly become subject to new 
and varying requirements. We have incurred and we expect to continue to incur significant expenses to meet the 
obligations of current privacy-related laws and requirements (as well as potential new privacy related laws and 
regulations), which have necessitated and will continue to necessitate us making significant changes to our internal 
processes, procedures, and systems. Failure to comply with existing or future data privacy and security laws, regulations, 
and requirements to which we are subject or could become subject, could result in fines, sanctions, penalties, civil 
lawsuits, or other adverse consequences as well as loss of customer and consumer confidence, which could materially 
adversely affect our results of operations, overall business, and reputation. The legal, political and business environments 
in these areas are rapidly changing, and subsequent legislation, regulation, litigation, court rulings or other events could 
expose the Company to increased program costs, liability and reputational damage. 

Interruptions in our operations, particularly in our IT systems, could have a material adverse effect on our business 
and reputation. 

Our business is dependent upon our ability to execute, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary 

business functions, including the operation of complex IT systems.  In addition, a significant portion of the 
communication between our employees, customers, and suppliers depends on our IT systems.  The reliability of our IT 
infrastructure and software, and our ability to expand and continually update technologies in response to our changing 
needs, are critical to our business.   

In order to serve our customers and operate certain aspects of our business, we depend on data centers and 

computing infrastructure that is both our own as well as provided by third party vendors. To the extent applications and 
data used in our business are hosted by third party vendors at their facilities, we do not control the operation of such 
facilities or in some cases the hardware and infrastructure within them.  Any disruption of, interference at, or inability to 
keep up with our needs for capacity by our third-party data centers or hosted infrastructure partners could interrupt our 
business operations.  In addition, any problems faced by our third-party data center operations or hosted infrastructure 
partners with the telecommunications network providers with whom we or they contract, or with the systems by which 
our telecommunications providers allocate capacity among their customers, including us, could adversely affect the 
experience of our customers.  Our ability to service our customers also largely depends on the efficient and uninterrupted 
operation of our own computer information systems residing at our leased facilities. The proper functioning of such 
systems can be adversely affected by the increasing age and usage of such systems. Any interruption in our business 
applications, systems or networks, including, but not limited to, new system implementations, server downtime, facility 
issues or energy blackouts, could have a material adverse impact on our operations, sales and operating results. 
Additionally, we have a limited number of employees with the expertise required to operate such internal applications, 
systems and networks as well as remediate them in the event of a failure, and thus the attrition of such employees could 
result in our inability to quickly and effectively resolve future IT issues that may arise. 

Not only could we suffer damage to our brand and reputation in the event of a system outage or data loss or 
interruption, but we may also be liable to third parties, including our customers.  Some of our contractual agreements 
require the payment of penalties if our systems do not meet certain operating standards, and failure to operate in 
accordance with the standards of one or more of the Payment Card Brands could result in a loss of compliance of our 
facilities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.  In addition, to successfully operate our 
business, we must be able to protect our processing and other systems from interruption, including from events that may 
be beyond our control.  Protective measures we have established for continuation of core business operations in the event 

13 

of a catastrophic event may be insufficient to prevent or limit the damage from any future disruptions, and any such 
disruption could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Disruptions in production at one or more of our facilities may have a material adverse impact on our business, results 
of operations and/or financial condition. 

Any serious disruption at any of our facilities could impair our ability to use our facilities and have a material 

adverse impact on our revenues and increase our costs and expenses.  In the event of a disruption in production at one of 
our facilities, our other facilities may not have sufficient capacity, may not have the specialized equipment necessary, 
may have higher production costs, may take significant time to increase production or may fail to meet our customers’ 
requirements, any of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. 
Long-term production disruptions may cause our customers to seek alternative supply which could further adversely 
affect our profitability. 

A significant amount of certain specialized manufacturing capacity is also concentrated in single-site 
locations.  Due to the specialized nature of the assets, in the event such a location experiences disruption, it may not be 
possible to find replacement capacity quickly or substitute production from our other facilities.  Accordingly, disruption 
at a single-site manufacturing operation could significantly impact our ability to supply our customers and could have a 
severe impact on us. 

Additionally, all of our manufacturing facilities are currently leased, and we are subject to risks associated with 

our current and future real estate leases for such facilities. As each lease expires, we may fail to negotiate renewals, 
either on commercially acceptable terms or any terms at all, and we may be unable to find replacement locations with 
adequate capacity for our unique equipment and operational needs, which could have an adverse effect on our 
operations, customer relationships, and financial performance. 

We may be unable to adequately protect our trade secrets and intellectual property rights against misappropriation or 
infringement, which may have a material adverse effect on our business. 

Our ability to protect our intellectual property is important to our business.  We depend on patents and other 

intellectual property rights to protect our products, proprietary designs, and technological processes against 
misappropriation by others.  There is no assurance that our existing or future patents will not be challenged, invalidated 
or circumvented.  Our patents have and may in the future be challenged as invalid. Furthermore, we may have difficulty 
obtaining additional patents and other intellectual property protections in the future.  The patents and intellectual 
property rights that we receive may be insufficient to provide us with meaningful protection or commercial advantage.  
Moreover, effective patent, trademark, service mark, copyright, and trade secret protection may not be available in every 
country in which we provide services or sell or license products.   

Our efforts to prevent the misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual property or the intellectual 
property of our customers may not succeed.  We actively seek to protect our proprietary rights and trade secrets by 
engaging in litigation and by entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, and strategic 
partners and controlling access to and distribution of our technologies, documentation, and other proprietary information.  
Nevertheless, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or technologies or to obtain and use 
information that we regard as proprietary and may use such information to interfere with our business.  Enforcing our 
intellectual property rights has in the past, and may in the future, cause us to incur significant costs.  These costs and 
other consequences from the unauthorized use of our intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition, and results of operations.   

We may be required to defend against alleged infringement by us of the intellectual property rights of others.  

Our products often contain technology provided to us by other parties such as suppliers or customers and we compete in 
an industry that is highly active in generating intellectual property.  We may have little or no ability to determine in 
advance whether such technology infringes the intellectual property rights of a third party.   

Companies in our industry aggressively protect their intellectual property rights.  From time to time, we receive 

notices or are named in litigation that claim we have infringed upon, misappropriated or misused other parties’ 
proprietary rights or that challenge the validity of our patents.  In addition to the costs and distraction that result from 
intellectual property litigation, an adverse determination in these types of disputes could prevent us from offering some 

14 

of our products and services or from enforcing our intellectual property rights.  Settlements can involve royalty or other 
payments that could reduce our profit margins and may have a material adverse effect on our financial results.  Our 
suppliers, customers and licensors may not be required to fully indemnify us for the costs of defending against 
infringement claims.  In addition, we may be required to indemnify some customers and strategic partners related to 
allegations, regardless of merit, that our products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.   

We also face risks related to open source software.  Our software may be derived from open source software, 
which is generally made available to the public by its authors and/or other third parties.  Open source software is often 
made available under licenses, which impose certain obligations in the event we distribute derivative works of the open 
source software.  These obligations may require us to make source code for the derivative works available to the public 
and/or license such derivative works on terms different from those customarily used to protect our intellectual property.  
With respect to our proprietary software, we generally license such software under terms that prohibit combining it with 
open source software.  Despite these restrictions, parties may combine our proprietary software with open source 
software without our authorization, in which case we might nonetheless be required to release the source code of our 
proprietary software.  Usage of open source software can lead to greater risks than the use of third-party commercial 
software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties, controls on the origin or development of the 
software, or remedies against the licensors.  Many of the risks associated with open source software cannot be eliminated 
and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

We may experience software defects, which could harm our business and reputation and expose us to potential 
liability. 

Our services are based on sophisticated software and computing systems, and the software underlying our 

services may contain undetected errors or defects when first introduced or when new versions are released.  In addition, 
we may experience difficulties in installing or integrating our technology on systems used by our customers.  Defects in 
our software, errors or delays in the processing of electronic transactions or other difficulties could result in the 
interruption of business operations, delays in market acceptance, additional development and remediation costs, 
diversion of technical and other resources, loss of customers, negative publicity or exposure to liability claims. 

Our business could suffer from problems in production quality, materials, and process, which could reduce, delay or 
interrupt production of our products, resulting in adverse impacts to our business and financial results. 

We produce our products using processes that are highly complex, require advanced and costly equipment and 

must continually be modified to improve yields and performance.  Difficulties in the production process can reduce 
product yields, reduce product quality or interrupt production altogether. Additionally, if certain machinery used in our 
production process fails or malfunctions, we may not have adequate replacements for such machinery immediately 
available.  As a result of such problems, we may not be able to deliver products, or may deliver in a less timely or 
cost-effective manner or at a lower than expected quality level, or we may be required to rework or replace products.  As 
the complexity of both our products and our technological processes has become more advanced, production tolerances 
have been reduced and requirements for precision have become more demanding.  If we do not advance our production 
processes at the market rate, we may experience a lower production quality than the market standard.  We may suffer 
disruptions in our production, either due to production difficulties, such as machinery or technology failures, or as a 
result of external factors beyond our control, such as delay of, or quality issues with, materials provided by suppliers, 
interruption of our electrical service or a natural disaster.  We may also risk non-compliance with certain industry 
standards if we experience failure of certain required operations or processes, such as those related to facility security, 
which may impede our ability to deliver products to our customers.  Any such event could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

A disruption or other failure in our supply chain could adversely affect our business and financial results. 

As a company engaged in manufacturing and distribution, we are subject to the risks inherent in such activities, 

including disruptions or delays in supply chain, product quality control, as well other external factors over which we 
have no control. Key components for our products include EMV microchips, substrates (such as PVC), modules, 
antennas, and inlays, which we source from multiple suppliers located in Haiti, France, Germany, Singapore, South 
Korea, Thailand, and the United States, primarily on a purchase order basis.  Additionally, our Second WaveTM cards, 
featuring a core made with ROBP rely on a largely international supply chain to source and provide “recovered ocean 
bound plastic” in accordance with our defined parameters. It is difficult and costly to monitor suppliers of key 

15 

components and their compliance with our parameters, our codes of conduct, and applicable laws. Any failure by our 
suppliers to so comply could adversely affect our ability to produce Second WaveTM payment cards or cards with EMV 
microchips at all or in a manner consistent with standards agreed upon with our customers, which could adversely affect 
our business, reputation and customer relationships. Moreover, in certain cases, such as with ROBP suppliers, we may 
rely on suppliers for which there are not adequate and immediate replacements, which may result in our inability to 
continue to produce products that use components from these suppliers in the event the suppliers terminate their 
relationships with us or otherwise fail to meet their obligations to us. Also, changes in the financial or business condition 
of our suppliers, political instability in a supplier’s country, or failure to comply with our codes of conduct or other 
contractual requirements could render our suppliers unable to provide us with, or render us unable or unwilling to accept, 
the components we need to produce our products and thus subject us to losses or adversely affect our ability to bring 
products to market. Further, the failure of our suppliers to deliver goods and services in sufficient quantities, in 
compliance with applicable standards, contract requirements, or laws and regulations, and in a timely manner could 
adversely affect our customer service levels, our reputation and our overall business. For example, we have in the past 
experienced delays in our supply chain, which made it difficult to produce our products in a timely manner. In addition, 
any increases in the costs of goods and services for our business may adversely affect our profit margins if we are unable 
to pass along any higher costs in the form of price increases or otherwise achieve cost efficiencies in our operations. If a 
company in our supply chain engages in illegal, unethical or other questionable conduct, we may not have visibility to 
these practices and we, and our customers, may face reputational harm in addition to interruptions to our supply chain. 

Failure to retain our existing customers or identify and attract new customers could have a material adverse effect on 
our business. 

A substantial portion of our net sales is derived from several large customers.  Our top five customers 
accounted for approximately 42% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019.  If one or more of these key 
customer relationships ends, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. Our ability to 
provide products and services to these customers and our other customers and meet very high quality standards in a 
timely manner is critical to our business success.  For example, one of the key services that we offer our customers is the 
prompt and timely production and delivery of replacement debit or credit cards.  Orders for replacement debit or credit 
cards often are placed on short notice and may require personalization.  If we are unable to offer these and our other 
products and services in a timely manner, our relationships with our customers may be adversely affected and customers 
may terminate our contracts with them. 

In addition, our continued business relationship with our customers may be impacted by several factors beyond 
our control, including more attractive product offerings from our competitors, pricing pressures, or the financial health of 
these customers, many of whom operate in competitive businesses and depend on favorable macroeconomic conditions.  
Because our contractual arrangements with customers generally do not include exclusivity clauses or commitments to 
order specified quantities of products on a medium or long-term basis, there is no guarantee that we will receive orders 
on a consistent basis or on favorable terms, or be able to renew contracts or purchase orders in a given year. 

If we experience difficulty attracting and retaining customers, our business, financial condition, and results of 

operations may be materially and adversely affected. 

We face competition that may result in a loss of our market share and/or a decline in our profitability. 

Our marketplace is highly competitive, relatively saturated, and increasingly consolidated.  We expect these 

market dynamics to continue as new product markets develop, companies develop lower-cost production processes, our 
competitors consolidate, and other competitors attempt to enter the markets in which we operate.   

Some of our competitors have larger global customer bases and significantly greater financial, sales and 

marketing, manufacturing, distribution, technical, and other capabilities than we do.  These competitors may be able to 
adapt more quickly to new technological requirements and changes in customer and/or regulatory requirements and to 
leverage their scale to lower production costs and prices.  We also face competition from newly established competitors, 
suppliers of products, and customers who choose to develop their own products and services. 

Existing or new competitors may develop products, technologies, or services that more effectively address our 
markets with enhanced features and functionality, greater levels of integration and/or lower cost.  As the technological 
sophistication of our competitors and the size of the market increases, competing low-cost producers could emerge and 

16 

grow stronger.  These dynamics could result in declining average selling prices and reduced gross margins in our 
businesses.   If we cannot sufficiently reduce our production costs or develop new products, technologies, or services, we 
may not be able to compete successfully and we may lose market share, which could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

The failure to effectively recruit, retain and develop qualified personnel and succession processes could adversely 
affect our success and ability to grow and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. 

Our business functions are complex and require wide-ranging expertise and intellectual capital.  If we fail to 

retain, recruit, and develop personnel who can provide the needed expertise across the entire spectrum of our intellectual 
capital needs, then the ability of our business to successfully compete and grow may be adversely affected.  In addition, 
the loss of key personnel without adequate succession plans in place may cause a failure to maintain continuity in key 
business functions.  Additionally, the market for qualified personnel is highly competitive, particularly in the states in 
which our operations are concentrated.  This may result in market increases in compensation.  Our efforts to retain and 
develop personnel may also result in significant additional expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our 
profitability.  Even then, we may not succeed in recruiting additional personnel or may fail to effectively replace current 
personnel who depart with qualified or effective successors.  In addition, our key personnel may not continue to be 
employed or we may be unable to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future.  Any failure to retain or attract 
employees or key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. 

We may not be able to sell, exit or reconfigure businesses or facilities that we determine no longer meet with our 
strategy or that should be consolidated. 

In executing our strategy, we have experienced consolidation of certain of our facilities and/or the divestiture of 
certain of our businesses.  We will continue to evaluate such opportunities.  Any such consolidation or divestiture could 
adversely affect our continuing business and expenses, revenues, results of operations, cash flows and financial position. 

We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to sell non-strategic businesses on terms that are 
acceptable to us, or at all.  In addition, if the sale of any non-strategic business cannot be consummated or is not 
practical, alternative courses of action, including relocation of operations or closure, may not be available to us or may 
be more costly than anticipated. 

Our future success depends upon our ability to develop, introduce and commercialize new products, which can be a 
lengthy and complex process.  We may be unable to commercialize new or improved products we may develop on a 
timely basis, or at all. 

The development of new or enhanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring the accurate 

anticipation of technological, market and industry trends, as well as precise technical execution.  The successful 
development of new products may require us to undertake time-consuming and costly development activities, and we 
may experience difficulties or challenging market conditions that could delay or prevent the successful development, 
commercialization and marketing of these new products, including, for example, limited market acceptance of dual-
interface EMV technology in the United States.  Before we can commercialize any new products, we may need to 
expend significant funds in order to conduct substantial research and development.  Additionally, we have limited 
research and development resources as compared to many of our competitors, which may result in an immature product 
development process and lengthy product roll-outs. If we have difficulty producing innovative products, there could be a 
material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations, reputation and business.  New or enhanced product 
offerings may also expose us to additional risks, such as new sources of supplies or reputational harm. 

As we develop products, we may need to make significant investments in product development, as well as sales 

and marketing resources.  Furthermore, if we are unable to develop and introduce new and innovative products in a 
cost-effective and timely manner, our product and service offerings could be rendered obsolete.  In addition, competitors 
may develop and commercialize competing products faster than we are able to do so.  Any of these factors could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

17 

New and developing technology solutions and products could make our existing technology solutions and products 
obsolete or irrelevant, and if we are unable to introduce new products and services in a timely manner, our business 
could be materially adversely affected. 

The markets for our products and services are subject to technological changes, frequent introductions of new 

products and services and evolving industry standards.  In particular, the rise in the adoption in wireless payment 
systems or mobile payments may make physical cards less attractive as a method of payment.  Mobile payments offer 
consumers an alternative method to make purchases without the need to carry a physical card and could, if widely 
adopted, reduce the number of Financial Payment Cards issued to consumers.  In addition, other new and developing 
technology solutions and products could make our existing technology solutions and products obsolete or irrelevant. 

Our ability to enhance our current products and services and to develop and introduce innovative products and 
services that address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers will significantly affect our future success.  
We may not be successful in developing, marketing or selling new products and services that meet these changing 
demands.  In addition, we may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, 
introduction or marketing of these services, or our new services and enhancements may not adequately meet the 
demands of the marketplace or achieve market acceptance.  If we do not complete or gain market acceptance of new 
products, services and technologies, it would likely have a material adverse effect on our ability to retain existing 
customers or attract new ones.  For example, one of our growth opportunities is the potential adoption of dual-interface 
EMV cards by U.S. card issuing banks.  Banks may be delayed in transitioning to the issuance of dual-interface EMV 
cards due to increased costs and other factors.  If these entities do not deploy dual-interface EMV technology or do so 
less quickly and/or completely than we expect, our ability to grow could be significantly affected which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Our ability to develop and deliver new products and services successfully will depend on various factors, 

including our ability to: 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

effectively identify and capitalize upon opportunities in new and emerging product markets; 
invest resources in innovation and research and development; 
complete and introduce new products and integrated services solutions in a timely manner; 
license any required third-party technology or intellectual property rights; 
qualify for and obtain required industry compliance for our products; 
effectively manage the supply chain and related risks; 
comply with applicable data protection regulations; and 
retain and hire personnel experienced in developing new products and services 

Additionally, opportunities to combine or package products and service offerings and the ability to cross-sell 

products and services are critical to remaining competitive in our industry.  As a result, part of our business strategy is to 
develop new products and services that may be used in conjunction with or in addition to our existing offerings.  If we 
are unable to identify adequate opportunities to cross-sell our products and services, this may have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Our business and financial results may be materially adversely affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings. 

We are subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims in the normal course of business and could 

become subject to additional claims in the future, some of which could be material.  A future adverse ruling, settlement 
or unfavorable development could result in charges that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating 
results or financial condition.  In addition, litigation can be costly, and the expenses and damages arising from any 
liability could harm our business.  Furthermore, our insurance may not be adequate to cover claims against us or any 
liability that may be imposed on us.  See Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
information on our currently pending legal proceedings. 

18 

 
If we fail to meet the continued listing standards of the Toronto Stock Exchange or the rules of the OTCQX® Best 
Market, our common stock may no longer be permitted to trade on these platforms, which may adversely affect the 
market price and liquidity of our common stock. 

Our common stock is currently traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and, the OTCQX® Best Market 

(“OTCQX”). In order to maintain our listing on the TSX, we must maintain certain financial and share distribution 
targets, including maintaining a minimum number of public shareholders, a minimum amount of free trading public 
shares, a minimum amount of market capitalization, and a minimum amount of value held by public shareholders.  In  
addition to objective standards, the TSX may delist the securities of any issuer if, in the TSX’s opinion, the issuer’s 
financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; if it appears that the extent of the public distribution or 
the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the TSX inadvisable; 
if the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or cease to be an operating company; if an issuer fails to 
comply with the listing requirements of the TSX; or if any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes 
continued listing on the TSX, in the opinion of the TSX, inadvisable. In order to continue trading on the OTCQX, we 
must maintain a minimum per share bid price, a minimum amount of market capitalization, minimum net tangible assets, 
a minimum amount of net sales, and a minimum public float, in addition to continuing to comply with the United States 
securities laws and SEC reporting rules.  

If we are unable to maintain the continued listing requirements of the TSX or comply with the OTCQX rules, 

this could result in an inability of our stock to trade on such platforms, resulting in adverse consequences for our 
stockholders, including limited availability of market quotations for our common stock and reduced liquidity for the 
trading of our securities.  Other consequences could include a loss of confidence by investors, customers, suppliers, and 
employees, and an adverse effect on our ability to obtain financing to continue operations. 

Our common stock is not currently traded on a United States national securities exchange, which may continue to 
decrease the value of our common stock and prevent investors from investing or achieving a meaningful degree of 
liquidity.  

In January 2020, our common stock was suspended from the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) and began 

being quoted on the OTCQX. While our stock is still currently listed on the TSX, a Canadian stock exchange, we cannot 
assure investors that our common stock will be listed on a United States national exchange such as NASDAQ or another 
securities exchange in the future.  

Based upon the fact that our common stock is no longer traded on a United States national exchange and that 
the value of our issued and outstanding common stock has decreased in value in recent years, certain stockholders may 
no longer be permitted to invest in our common stock. Bid quotations on the OTCQX can be sporadic and may not 
provide meaningful liquidity to investors. An investor may find it difficult to dispose of shares or obtain accurate 
quotations as to the market value of our common stock. As a result of these limitations, our common stock may have 
fewer market makers, lower trading volumes and larger spreads between bid and asked prices than securities listed on a 
national stock exchange or automated quotation system would typically have.  

Because there may be a limited market and generally low volume of trading in our common stock, the share 

price of our common stock may be more significantly affected by broad market fluctuations, general market conditions, 
fluctuations in our operating results, changes in the market’s perception of our business and announcements made by us, 
our competitors or parties with whom we have business relationships. There may also be fewer institutional investors 
willing to hold or acquire our common stock. The lack of liquidity in our common stock may make it difficult for us to 
issue additional securities for financing or other purposes or to otherwise arrange for financing that we may need in the 
future, which could harm our business.  

Furthermore, our common stock may not continue to trade on the OTCQX in the future, broker-dealers may 

cease to provide public quotes of our common stock on this market, or the trading volume of our common stock may be 
insufficient to provide for an efficient trading market. Any such developments could impair the value of your 
investment. We expect that the price of our common stock could fluctuate substantially. 

Because we are not listed on a United States national exchange, we are not subject to certain standards, such as 

certain corporate governance requirements. Without required compliance with such standards, investor interest in our 
common stock may decrease. 

19 

Our operating results are unpredictable and may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and annually, and may 
differ significantly from our expectations. 

Our operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect revenue 

and profitability or lead to significant variability in our operating results.  These factors include, among others, the 
cyclicality of the financial card and electronic payment industries, capital requirements, inventory management, the 
availability of funding, competition, new product developments, technological changes, production problems, supplier 
management and other factors.   

Furthermore, in periods of industry overcapacity or when our customers encounter difficulties in their 
end-markets, orders are more exposed to cancellations, reductions, price renegotiations or postponements, which in turn 
reduce our management’s ability to forecast the next quarter or full-year production levels, net sales, profits and cash 
flows.  For these reasons, our net sales and operating results and cash flows may differ materially from our expectations 
as visibility is reduced.  This may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. 

Our long-lived assets represent a significant portion of our total assets, and we may never realize their full value. 

Our long-lived assets recorded as of December 31, 2019 were $121.3 million, representing 57% of our total 

assets, of which we have recorded plant, equipment and leasehold improvements of $42.1 million, which includes 
significant investments in machinery and equipment as used in our operations. 

We perform goodwill impairment testing on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year.  Other long-lived 

assets, such as identifiable intangible assets and plant, equipment and leasehold improvements are reviewed for 
impairment whenever events, changes or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may 
not be recoverable.  If we were to conclude that a future write-down of our long-lived assets is necessary, we would have 
to record the appropriate charge, which could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations.  A 
write-down of our long-lived assets may result from, among other things, deterioration in our performance and a decline 
in expected future cash flows and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.   

During the second quarter of 2018, we recorded an impairment charge of $7.6 million on the long lived assets 

in our U.K. Limited segment. During the fourth quarter of 2019, based on the goodwill impairment test performed 
annually as of October 1, there were no impairment charges necessary.  See Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and 
Supplementary Data, Note 7 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and Note 4 “Discontinued Operation” in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. 

Our failure to operate our business in accordance with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council or other 
industry standards applicable to our customers, such as Payment Card Brand compliance standards, could have a 
material adverse effect on our business. 

Many of our customers issue their cards on the networks of the Payment Card Brands that are subject to the 

standards of the PCI Security Standards Council or other standards and criteria relating to service providers’ and 
manufacturers’ facilities, products and physical and logical security which we must satisfy in order to be eligible to 
supply products and services to such customers.  Most of our contractual arrangements with our customers may be 
terminated, or customers may cease doing business with us, if we fail to comply with these standards and criteria. 

We make significant investments to our network of high-security facilities in order to meet these standards and 

criteria, including investments required to satisfy changes adopted from time to time in their respective standards and 
criteria.  Further investments may be costly, and if we are unable to continue to meet these standards and criteria, we 
may become ineligible to provide products and services that have constituted in the past an important part of our revenue 
and profitability.  For the year ended December 31, 2019, the vast majority of the products we produced and services we 
provided were subject to compliance with the standards of one or more of the Payment Card Brands. If we were to lose 
compliance with one or more of the standards of the Payment Card Brands or of the PCI Security Standards Council for 
one or more of our facilities, we may lose the ability to produce cards for or provide services to banks issuing credit or 
debit cards on the networks of the Payment Card Brands.  Additionally, certain of our facilities operate under waivers of 
certain of these standards. If such waivers are not granted in the future or if we are required to move a facility in order to 

20 

maintain compliance, we may incur significant costs and delays, or may lose our ability to offer services in that facility 
which would be disruptive to our business and have an adverse effect on our customer relationships and financial results. 
If, as a result of noncompliance with standards of the PCI Security Standards Council or other standards of the Payment 
Card Brands, we are not able to produce cards for or provide services to any or all of the issuers issuing debit or credit 
cards on such networks, we could lose a substantial number of our customers, which could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  

Risks associated with reduced levels of consumer and business spending could adversely affect our business, 
financial condition and results of operations.  

Our business depends heavily on the overall level of consumer and business spending. Our revenue is exposed 
to general economic conditions that affect consumer confidence, consumer spending, consumer discretionary income, or 
changes in consumer purchasing habits. A sustained deterioration in general economic condition, particularly in the 
United States, or increases in interest rates may adversely affect our financial performance by reducing the demand for 
our Financial Payment Card solutions or reducing the purchase of our higher margin products. If an economic downturn 
occurs, credit card issuers may reduce credit limits, close accounts, and become more selective with respect to whom 
they issue credit cards. These and other changes in economic conditions could therefore adversely impact our future 
revenues and profits and cause a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

Costs relating to product defects, and any related product liability and warranty claims may materially adversely 
affect our business 

We offer highly complex services and products and, accordingly, from time to time, defects have occurred.  

Such defects can give rise to significant costs, including expenses relating to recalling products, replacing defective 
items, writing down defective inventory, the loss of potential sales, and claims by third parties.  In addition, the 
occurrence of such defects may give rise to product liability and warranty claims, including liability for damages caused 
by such defects.  If we sell defective products into the market, our reputation could suffer and we may lose sales 
opportunities and incur liability for damages, including damage claims from customers in excess of the amounts they 
pay us for our products, including consequential damages.  In addition, our customers may recall their products if they 
prove to be defective or make compensatory payments in accordance with industry or business practice or in order to 
maintain good customer relationships.  If such a recall or payment is caused by a defect in one of our products, our 
customers may seek to recover all or a portion of their losses from us.  If any of these risks materialize, our reputation 
would be harmed and there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of 
operations. 

If the U.S. government puts significant tariffs or other restrictions on or there is an economic downturn impeding 
goods imported into the United States, our revenue and results of operations may be materially harmed. 

Most of our chips, as well as certain other raw materials, are imported from companies located outside of the 

United States.  The U.S. government has already imposed tariffs on imports from certain countries and may impose 
further tariffs and/or trade restrictions.  There may also be other slow-downs or interruptions in our ability to obtain 
materials imported into the United States due to global economic downturns and trade disruptions. The current U.S. 
administration has also expressed antipathy towards certain existing international trade agreements.  Any of these factors 
could depress economic activity, restrict our access to suppliers and have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial condition and results of operations. 

Existing tariffs are subject to a number of uncertainties as they are implemented, including future adjustments 

and changes to the products covered by additional tariffs and to the countries included or excluded from such tariffs. The 
ultimate reaction of other countries, and the impact of these tariffs or other actions on the United States and our business, 
financial condition and results of operations, cannot be predicted at this time, nor can we predict the impact of any other 
developments with respect to global trade. 

21 

We may become subject to additional sales tax collection obligations and claims for uncollected amounts, and our 
income tax positions may be challenged by relevant tax authorities, both of which could adversely affect our cash 
flow and financial results. 

In recent years, a number of states have adopted or considered adopting legislation requiring out-of-state sellers 

to collect and remit sales tax on sales transactions into those states where they have no physical presence. The United 
States Supreme Court’s June 2018 decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. significantly increased the ability of states 
to impose sales tax collection responsibilities on out-of-state sellers.  An increased number of states seeking to expand 
applicability of sales tax “nexus” laws can result in costs and administrative requirements to collect and remit sales tax in 
additional jurisdictions and subject companies to retroactive assessment of state or local sales taxes in certain 
jurisdictions. Such assessments may adversely affect our future cash flow and financial results. In addition, we are 
subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. Our tax expense and the tax positions included in our financial statements 
are subject to estimates, and could be impacted by changes in rules or interpretations of existing tax laws, and changes in 
U.S. federal and state tax legislation and tax rates, particularly in response to the comprehensive tax reform legislation 
enacted in December 2017, “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”.  There can be no assurance that our tax positions will not be 
challenged by relevant tax authorities or that we would be successful in any such challenge. Additionally, the results of 
potential audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns may adversely affect our future cash flow and financial 
results. 

We rely on licensing arrangements in production and other fields, and actions taken by any of our licensing partners 
could have a material adverse effect on our business. 

Many of our products integrate third-party technologies that we license or otherwise obtain the right to use, 

including software relating to smart card operating systems used in products such as EMV cards.  As part of our strategy, 
we have entered into licensing agreements with other leading industry participants that provide us with, among other 
benefits, access to technology owned by third parties.  For example, we license Java card technology from Oracle and 
Multos card technology from Multos International, a subsidiary of a competitor, for use in certain of our products, 
including in EMV cards.  This Java and Multos card technology provides a secure environment for applications on smart 
cards and other devices with limited memory and processing capabilities, and we rely on our commercial arrangements 
with Oracle and Multos International for the continued use of these platforms.  Oracle and Multos International may not 
continue to renew their licenses with us on similar terms or at all, which could negatively impact our net sales.  We have 
also entered into cross-licensing agreements with certain of our competitors that provide for an exchange of intellectual 
property, including the sharing of certain patent rights in our respective portfolios.  If we are unable to continue to 
successfully renew these agreements, we may lose our access to certain technologies that we rely upon to develop certain 
of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. 

We are required to comply with complex laws and regulations in the United States and other countries and are 
exposed to business risks associated with our international business. 

We are subject to numerous evolving and complex laws and regulations which apply, among other things, to 
financial reporting standards, corporate governance, data privacy, tax, trade regulations, environmental regulations and 
permit requirements, export controls, competitive practices, and labor and health and safety laws and regulations in each 
jurisdiction in which we operate.  Though we currently have limited international operations, the expansion thereof in 
the future may increasingly expose us to risks associated with international business operations, including political 
instability (e.g., the threat of war, terrorist attacks or civil unrest), inconsistent regulations across jurisdictions, 
unanticipated changes in the regulatory environment, and import and export restrictions.  Any of these events may affect 
our employees, reputation, business, or financial results as well as our ability to meet our objectives. 

We may not be in full compliance at all times with the laws and regulations to which we are subject and we 

may not have obtained the permits, authorizations, or licenses that we need.  Any failure to comply with applicable laws 
or regulations could result in fines or sanctions.  In such a case, or if any of these international business risks were to 
materialize, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

22 

Environmental, health and safety laws and regulations expose us to liability and any such liability may have a 
material adverse effect on our business. 

We are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which we 
operate.  Such regulations govern, among other things, emissions of pollutants into the air, wastewater discharges, waste 
disposal, the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, and the health and safety of our 
employees.  For example, our products and the raw materials we use in our production processes are subject to numerous 
environmental laws and regulations.  We are also required to obtain environmental permits from governmental 
authorities for certain of our operations.  We may not be able to be at all times, in full compliance with such laws, 
regulations and permits.  If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations or permits, we could be fined or 
otherwise sanctioned by regulators. 

As with other companies engaged in similar activities or that own or lease real property, we face inherent risks 

of environmental liability at our current and historical production facilities.  Certain environmental laws impose strict 
and, in certain circumstances, joint and several liabilities on current or previous owners or operators of real property for 
the cost of the investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous substances as well as liability for related damages to 
natural resources.  In addition, we may discover new facts or conditions that may change our expectations or be faced 
with changes in environmental laws or their enforcement that would increase our liabilities.  Furthermore, our costs of 
complying with current and future environmental and health and safety laws, or our liabilities arising from past or future 
releases of, or exposure to, regulated materials, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations. 

The scientific examination of, political attention to, and rules and regulations on issues surrounding the 
existence and extent of climate change may result in an increase in our cost of production due to increases in the price of 
energy and/or the introduction of energy or carbon taxes.  A variety of regulatory developments have been introduced 
that focus on restricting or managing the emission of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gasses.  Companies 
such as ours may need to purchase at higher costs new equipment or raw materials with lower carbon footprints.  These 
developments and further legislation that is likely to be enacted could negatively affect our operations.  Changes in 
environmental regulations could increase our production costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Our majority stockholders have the ability to control significant corporate activities, which may result in the 
Company taking actions that other stockholders did not approve and may reduce the trading price of our stock or 
trigger a change in control under our Senior Credit Facility. 

Tricor Pacific Capital Partners (Fund IV), Limited Partnership and Tricor Pacific Capital Partners (Fund IV) 

US, Limited Partnership (collectively, the “Tricor Funds”), affiliated with Parallel49 Equity (formerly known as Tricor 
Pacific Capital), own approximately 37% and 22% of our common stock, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.  As a 
result of their ownership, the Tricor Funds, so long as they collectively hold a majority of our outstanding shares, will 
have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and, through our board of directors, 
the ability to control decision-making with respect to our business direction and policies.  Matters over which the Tricor 
Funds, directly or indirectly, exercise control include: 

election of directors; 

• 
•  mergers and other business combination transactions, including proposed transactions that would result in 

our stockholders receiving a premium price for their shares; 
other acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or assets; 
incurrence of indebtedness and the issuance of equity securities; 
repurchases of stock and payment of dividends; and 
the issuance of shares to management under our incentive plans. 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tricor Funds may divest all or some of their ownership of our common stock at any time, either through sale on 
the open market or through a distribution to the participants in the funds.  If Tricor Funds or the participants in the funds 
cause a large number of securities to be sold in the public market, the sales could reduce the trading price of our common 
stock.  

23 

 
In addition, if Tricor Funds were to sell or otherwise dispose of more than 25% of our outstanding common 

stock, or otherwise cease to own at least 30% of our outstanding common stock, other than by means of distributing our 
common stock to the participants in Tricor Funds, a “change of control” event of default would occur under the terms of 
our Senior Credit Facility. 

Conflicts of interest may arise because directors who are principals of our largest stockholder constitute a substantial 
portion of our board of directors. 

Messrs. Bradley Seaman and Nicholas Peters, who are officers or affiliates of Parallel49 Equity (and its 

predecessor), serve on our board of directors.  The Tricor Funds, our majority stockholders, are funds controlled by 
Parallel49 Equity and its affiliates.  Parallel49 Equity and entities controlled by it may in the future hold equity interests 
in entities that directly or indirectly compete with us, and companies in which it currently invests may begin directly or 
indirectly competing with us.  As a result of these relationships, when conflicts between the interests of Parallel49 
Equity, on the one hand, and of other stockholders, on the other hand, arise, these directors may not be disinterested.  
Although our directors and officers have a duty of loyalty to us under Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation, 
transactions that we enter into in which a director or officer has a conflict of interest are generally permissible so long as 
(1) the material facts relating to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest as to the transaction are disclosed to our 
board of directors and a majority of our disinterested directors approves the transaction, (2) the material facts relating to 
the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest as to the transaction are disclosed to our stockholders and a majority of 
our disinterested stockholders approve the transaction or (3) the transaction is otherwise fair to us.  Our certificate of 
incorporation also provides that any principal, officer, member, manager and/or employee of Parallel49 Equity or any 
entity that controls, is controlled by or under common control with Parallel49 Equity (other than any company that is 
controlled by us) or any investment funds managed by Parallel49 Equity will not be required to offer any transaction 
opportunity of which they become aware to us and could take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to other 
companies in which they have an investment, unless such opportunity is offered to them solely in their capacities as our 
directors. 

Certain provisions of our organizational documents and other contractual provisions may make it difficult for 
stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors and may discourage hostile takeover attempts that 
some of our stockholders may consider to be beneficial. 

Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of 
delaying or preventing changes in control if our board of directors determines that such changes in control are not in the 
best interests of us and our stockholders.  The provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and 
bylaws include, among other things, the following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other 
terms, including preferences and voting rights, of those shares without stockholder approval; 

following the time that the Tricor Funds and their affiliates cease to beneficially own a majority of our 
common stock, stockholder action may only be taken at a special or regular meeting and not by written 
consent, and special meetings may only be called by a majority of the total number of directors that we 
would have if there were no vacancies on our board of directors 

advance notice procedures for nominating candidates to our board of directors or presenting matters at 
stockholder meetings 

allowing only our board of directors to fill vacancies on our board of directors; and 

following the time that the Tricor Funds and their affiliates cease to beneficially own a majority of our 
common stock, super-majority voting requirements to amend our bylaws and certain provisions of our 
certificate of incorporation 

We have entered into a director nomination agreement (the “Director Nomination Agreement”) with the Tricor 
Funds that provides the Tricor Funds the right to designate nominees for election to our board of directors for so long as 
the Tricor Funds collectively beneficially own 5% or more of the total number of shares of our common stock then 
outstanding.  The number of nominees that the Tricor Funds are entitled to designate under the Director Nomination 

24 

Agreement bears the same proportion to the total number of members of our board of directors as the number of shares 
of common stock beneficially owned by the Tricor Funds bears to the total number of shares of common stock 
outstanding, rounded up to the nearest whole number.  In addition, the Tricor Funds are entitled to designate the 
replacement for any of its board designees whose board service terminates prior to the end of such designee’s term 
regardless of the Tricor Funds’ beneficial ownership at such time.  The Tricor Funds also have the right to have their 
designees participate on committees of our board of directors, subject to compliance with applicable law and stock 
exchange rules.  The Director Nomination Agreement will terminate when the Tricor Funds collectively own less than 
5% of our outstanding common stock. 

We have elected in our certificate of incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General 

Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), an anti-takeover law.  In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware 
corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of 
the corporation’s voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, 
unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested 
stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner.  Accordingly, we will not be subject to any anti-takeover effects of 
Section 203.  However, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that have the same effect as Section 203, 
except that they provide that the Tricor Funds, their affiliates (including any investment funds managed by Tricor) and 
any person that becomes an interested stockholder as a result of a transfer of 5% or more of our voting stock by the 
forgoing persons to such person are excluded from the “interested stockholder” definition in our certificate of 
incorporation and are therefore not subject to the restrictions set forth therein that have the same effect as Section 203. 

While these provisions have the effect of encouraging persons seeking to acquire control of our company to 
negotiate with our board of directors, they could enable the board of directors to hinder or frustrate a transaction that 
some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests and, in that case, may prevent or 
discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.  In addition, the potential issuance of preferred stock 
may delay or prevent a change in control of us or discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over the market 
price. 

In addition, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our 
current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is 
responsible for appointing the members of our management. 

Any issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of our common stock, which could depress the price of 
our common stock. 

Our board of directors has the authority to issue preferred stock and to determine the preferences, limitations 

and relative rights of shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation 
of such series, without any further vote or action by our stockholders.  Our preferred stock could be issued with voting, 
liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock.  The potential issuance or issuance of 
preferred stock may adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common 
stock. 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

25 

 
 
Item 2. 

Properties 

Information regarding each of our facilities, which may include multiple leases at each location, is set forth 

below. 

Location 
Littleton, Colorado (Corporate)     Corporate facility 
Littleton, Colorado (Centennial)    Financial Payment Card production 
Roseville, Minnesota 

Operations 

Financial Payment Card production, card personalization, 
card packaging services, fulfillment 
   Financial Payment Card production 

Financial Payment Card personalization services, instant 
issuance, and fulfillment 

Fort Wayne, Indiana 
Nashville, Tennessee 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings 

Square   
      Footage       

Owned/ 
Leased 

 12,000    Leased 
 65,000    Leased 

200,000    Leased 
 36,000    Leased 

 71,000    Leased 

Heckermann v. Montross et al., Case No. 1:17-CV-01673 (D. Del.) (the “Derivative Suit”) 

On November 20, 2017, a purported Company stockholder filed a stockholder derivative complaint in the 

United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) against certain of the Company’s former officers 
and current and former directors, along with the sponsors of the Company’s October 2015 initial public offering (“IPO”). 
The Company was also named as a nominal defendant. The derivative complaint asserted claims under §§10(b) and 
20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5 and sought, among other things, injunctive relief, 
damages and costs. It alleged false or misleading statements and omissions in the Registration Statement filed by the 
Company in connection with its IPO and subsequent public filings and statements. The derivative complaint also 
asserted claims for purported breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, mismanagement and waste of corporate 
assets.  

On December 18, 2019, the parties filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement to resolve and dismiss the 

Derivative Suit, and on January 2, 2020, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement set forth therein. 
Under the settlement, (i) all claims that were or could have been asserted in the Derivative Suit will be resolved and 
discharged, (ii) the Company will implement certain corporate governance reforms, and (iii) the Company’s insurer will 
pay fees and expenses awarded to the plaintiff’s counsel in the amount of $0.3 million and a service award to the 
plaintiff of a nominal amount. The Court will hold a hearing on April 1, 2020 to, among other things, approve the 
settlement.  

CPI Card Group Inc. v. Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc., et al. 

On October 11, 2016, the Company filed a patent infringement suit against Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc. 

(“MPS”) in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint asserts that MPS ultra-secure gift 
card packages sold to at least one customer infringe a Company patent on ultra-secure gift card packages. MPS answered 
the complaint and counterclaimed for invalidity and non-infringement. The Company’s preliminary injunction request 
was denied without prejudice after MPS represented that it had voluntarily ceased using the accused technology and will 
notify CPI before it re-starts. MPS’s early motion for summary judgment was denied in August 2017 and its motion to 
dismiss on jurisdictional grounds was denied in July 2018. The Company’s subsidiary CPI Card Group-Minnesota, Inc., 
has been added to the case as plaintiff. The Company’s patent will expire in 2028. 

In June 2017, MPS filed an Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) petition with the United States Patent & Trademark 

Office’s Patent Trial & Appeal Board (“PTAB”) to review the patent at issue in the patent infringement suit. The PTAB 
instituted the IPR on January 9, 2018. The PTAB entered its final written decision on January 4, 2019, determining that 
all of the claims in the patent are unpatentable. The Company filed an appeal of this decision to the federal circuit court 
on March 1, 2019, and a hearing regarding the Company’s appeal was held on March 3, 2020. The federal circuit court 
has not yet issued its decision regarding the Company’s appeal. The patent infringement suit is administratively 
dismissed pending the final determination of the patent validity.  

26 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
In addition to the matters described above, the Company is subject to routine legal proceedings in the ordinary 
course of business. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable. 

PART II 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity 

Securities 

Market Information for Common Stock  

Our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ and the TSX during 2019, and is currently traded on OTCQX 

Best Market and the TSX under the symbol “PMTS”.  In January 2020, our common stock was suspended from the 
NASDAQ and began being quoted on the OTCQX.  Any over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, 
without mark-up, mark-down, or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. 

Holders 

There were seven stockholders of record as of February 17, 2020. This figure does not include an estimate of 

the indeterminate number of beneficial holders whose shares may be held of record by brokerage firms and clearing 
agencies. 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

There were no shares repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018. 

Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data 

Not required due to smaller reporting company status 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the 

notes to those statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis contains 
forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially 
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, 
those which are not within our control. See "Risk Factors" and “Forward-Looking Statements.”  

Company Overview  

We are a payment technology company and leading provider of comprehensive Financial Payment Card 

solutions in the United States. We define “Financial Payment Cards” as credit, debit and Prepaid Debit Cards issued on 
the networks of the “Payment Card Brands” (Visa, Mastercard®, American Express® and Discover® in the United States) 
and Interac (in Canada). We define “Prepaid Debit Cards” as debit cards issued on the networks of the Payment Card 
Brands, but not linked to a traditional bank account. We have established a leading position in the Financial Payment 
Card market through more than 20 years of experience. Our customers include leading national and regional banks, 
independent community banks, credit unions, managers of prepaid debit programs, “Group Service Providers” 
(organizations that assist small card issuers, such as credit unions, with managing their credit and debit card programs, 
including managing the Financial Payment Card issuance process, core banking operations and other financial services) 
and card processors. We serve a diverse set of over 2,000 direct customers and several thousand indirect customers, 
including some of the largest issuers of debit and credit cards in the United States, and the largest U.S. Prepaid Debit 

27 

Card program managers, as well as thousands of independent community banks, credit unions, Group Service Providers 
and card processors. 

We serve our customers through a network of production and card services facilities, including high-security 
facilities in the United States which are audited for compliance by one or more of the Payment Card Brands. Many of 
our customers require us to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. This leading network of 
high-security production facilities allows us optimize our solutions offerings and to serve the needs of our diverse 
customer base. 

Driven by a combination of our strong relationships, quality, technology, and innovation, we believe we have 

strong positions in the following markets: 

•

•

•

the U.S. prepaid debit market, serving several of the top U.S. Prepaid Debit Card program managers;

the U.S. small to mid-sized issuer market, which includes independent community banks and credit unions;
and

the U.S. large issuer market, serving some of the largest U.S. debit and credit card issuers.

Our business consists of the following reportable segments: U.S. Debit and Credit, which primarily produces 

Financial Payment Cards and provides integrated card services to card-issuing banks primarily in the United States, and 
U.S. Prepaid Debit, which primarily provides integrated card services to Prepaid Debit Card program managers 
primarily in the United States.  Businesses not considered part of these segments are considered “Other” and included 
our operations in Canada prior to the sale and disposition of our Canadian operations and corporate expenses. 

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Canadian subsidiary. The sale 
agreement did not include the portions of the business relating to Financial Payment Cards, as that business migrated to 
our operations in the U.S. or to other service providers in 2019. The transaction closed on April 1, 2019, and we received 
cash proceeds of $1.5 million.  After the payment of liabilities and transaction costs, including employee termination 
costs, the majority of which were expensed in 2018, the sale did not have a significant impact on cash, and no significant 
loss on sale.  The Canadian subsidiary was not a significant operating segment and the results of this business through 
the transaction closing date have been presented as part of the Other reportable segment. 

On August 3, 2018, we completed the sale of our three facilities in the United Kingdom that produce retail 

cards, such as gift and loyalty cards, for customers in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, and provide 
personalization, packaging and fulfillment services. The facilities sold included Colchester, Liverpool and Derby 
locations. The transaction was structured as a sale of all of the outstanding shares of CPI Card Group – UK Limited, for 
total consideration of approximately $4.5 million. During the third quarter 2018, the Company received net cash 
proceeds of $0.3 million after the repayment of liabilities associated with the United Kingdom facilities, excluding tax 
benefits related to the structure of the sale.  In connection with the substantial liquidation of the Company’s U.K Limited 
segment in the third quarter of 2018, we released the related foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment of 
$4.0 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss into loss from discontinued operations. U.K. Limited incurred a 
pre-tax loss from operations of $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to the softness in our U.K. 
Limited retail sector and a decline in sales relating to certain customers. Additionally, we recorded the following charges 
during the year ended December 31, 2018: impairment charges of $7.6 million associated with goodwill and customer 

28 

relationship intangible assets, and a $7.2 million loss on the sale.  The major line items constituting the net loss of the 
discontinued operation were as follows: 

For the year ended 
December 31,  

Total net sales 
Total cost of sales 
Selling, general and administrative 
Impairments 
Other expense (income), net 

Pretax loss from discontinued operation 

   Pretax loss on sale of discontinued operation 
Total pretax loss on discontinued operation 
Income tax benefit  

Net loss from discontinued operation 

  $ 

  $ 

2019 

 —   $ 
 —  
 142  
 —  
 —  
 (142) 
 —  
 (142) 
 18  

2018 
 10,741 
 10,222 
 4,336 
 7,615 
 4,006 
 (15,438)
 (7,248)
 (22,686)
 23 
 (124)  $   (22,663)

In 2018, the Company made the decision to consolidate three personalization operations in the United States 
into two facilities to better enable the Company to optimize operations and achieve market-leading quality and service 
with a cost-competitive business model. In conjunction with this decision, the Company accelerated the depreciation of 
certain related assets, which totaled $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The Company recorded 
severance charges of $0.6 million, and recorded lease termination charges of $0.5 million in during the year ended 
December 31, 2018. The charges were recorded in the U.S. Debit and Credit segment and were included in “Cost of 
Sales” and “Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses” on the Statement of Operations 

2019 Summary of Financial Performance  

Information below is described on a continuing operations basis.  During the year ended December 31, 2019, 

net sales increased 8.7 % from 2018, to $278.1 million, and we recorded income from operations of $25.5 million 
compared to net sales of $255.8 million and income from operations of $4.6 million during 2018.  The operating income 
margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 9.2%, an increase from operating income margin of 1.8% in 2018.  
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we received $6.0 million cash related to a litigation settlement, which was 
recorded as a reduction to net operating expenses in the Other segment.  For the year ended December 31, 2019, we 
recorded net loss from continuing operations of $4.3 million, compared to net loss of $14.8 million in 2018, an 
improvement of $10.5 million. 

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 

$3.0 million, representing a decrease of $4.1 million compared to $7.1 million during the prior year period. 

Segment Overview 

Our business consists of the following reportable segments: 

•  U.S. Debit and Credit, 

•  U.S. Prepaid Debit, and 

•  Other. 

U.S. Debit and Credit Segment 

Our U.S. Debit and Credit segment primarily produces Financial Payment Cards and provides integrated card 
services to card-issuing banks in the United States. Products manufactured by this segment primarily include EMV and 
non-EMV Financial Payment Cards, including contact, contactless, and dual-interface cards, CPI MetalsTM, a premium 
metal card and Second WaveTM payment cards featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic.  We also sell 
instant card issuance solutions, and Private Label Credit Cards that are not issued on the networks of the Payment Cards 
Brands. We provide CPI On-Demand services, where we produce images, personalized payment cards, and related 

29 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
collateral on a one-by-one, on demand basis for our customers. This segment also provides a variety of integrated card 
services, including card personalization and fulfillment services and instant issuance services. The U.S. Debit and Credit 
segment operations are each audited for compliance by multiple Payment Card Brands. Many of our customers require 
us to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

U.S. Prepaid Debit Segment 

Our U.S. Prepaid Debit segment primarily provides integrated card services to Prepaid Debit Card providers in 

the United States, including tamper-evident security packaging. This segment also produces Financial Payment Cards 
issued on the networks of the Payment Card Brands that are included in the tamper-evident security packages. The U.S. 
Prepaid Debit segment operation is audited for compliance by multiple Payment Card Brands. Many of our customers 
require us to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

Other 

Our Other segment includes corporate expenses and a less significant operation that generated sales from the 

production of Financial Payment Cards and retail gift cards, and card personalization and fulfillment services in Canada, 
prior to its sale. The sale agreement did not include the portions of the business relating to Financial Payment Cards, as 
those business customers of the Canadian subsidiary migrated to the Company’s operations in the U.S. or to other 
service providers in 2019. 

Key Components of Results of Operations 

Set forth below is a brief description of key line items of our consolidated statements of operations and 

comprehensive loss.  All line items below are described on a continuing operations basis. 

Net Sales 

Net sales reflect our revenue generated from the sale of products and services. Product net sales include the 

  and Second Wave ROBP.  We also generate product revenue from the sale of our 

design and production of EMV and non-EMV Financial Payment Cards, including contact, contactless, and dual-
interface cards, CPI Metals 
Card@Once instant issuance equipment and supplies, Private Label Credit Cards and retail gift cards. Services net sales 
include revenue from the personalization and fulfillment of Financial Payment Cards, including CPI On-Demand 
services, tamper-evident security packaging, fulfillment services and software as a service personalization of instant 
issuance Financial Payment cards.  See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Part II, Item 8, 
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Revenue 
Recognition.” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information and timing of revenue recognition for net 
sales.  We include gross shipping and handling revenue in net sales, and shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. 

Cost of Sales 

Cost of sales includes the direct and indirect costs of the products we sell and the services that we provide. 

Product costs include the cost of raw materials, including microchips in the case of EMV cards and, additionally, RFID 
assemblies in the case of contactless and dual-interface EMV cards, labor costs, material costs, equipment and facilities 
costs, operation overhead, depreciation and amortization, leases and rental charges and transport costs. Product costs also 
include desktop card personalization terminals in the case of Card@Once. Services costs include the cost of labor and 
the potential rising costs associated with labor, raw materials in the case of tamper-evident security packaging, and 
equipment and facilities costs, operation overhead, depreciation and amortization, leases and rental charges and transport 
costs. Cost of sales can be impacted by many factors, including volume, operational efficiencies, procurement costs, 
promotional activity and employee relations. 

Gross Profit and Gross Margin 

Gross profit consists of our net sales less our cost of sales. Gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of net 

sales. We include gross shipping and handling revenue in net sales, and shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. 

30 

Operating Expenses 

Operating expenses are primarily comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) which 
generally consist of expenses for executive, finance, sales, marketing, legal, information technology, customer service, 
human resources, research and development, and administrative personnel, including payroll, benefits and stock-based 
compensation expense, bad debt expense and outside legal and other advisory fees, including consulting, accounting, and 
software related fees. Operating expense also includes depreciation and amortization expense, a cash litigation 
settlement gain received during the year ended December 31, 2019, and may include impairment charges on tangible and 
intangible assets, when necessary.  

Income from Operations and Operating Margin 

Income from operations consists of our gross profit less our operating expenses and impairments, if applicable. 

Operating margin is income from operations as a percentage of net sales. 

Other Expense, net 

Other expense, net consists primarily of interest expense and foreign currency losses. 

Income tax (expense) benefit 

Income tax (expense) benefit consists of our U.S. federal and state income taxes at statutory rates, including the 

impact of other items such as valuation allowances, tax credits, permanent items, and foreign taxes. 

Net Loss from Continuing Operations 

Net loss from continuing operations consists of our income from operations, less other expense, net, and income 

taxes. 

31 

Results of Operations 

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared With Year Ended December 31, 2018 

The table below presents our results of operations, on a continuing operations basis, for the years ended 

December 31, 2019 and 2018: 

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

2018 

$ Change    % Change  

(dollars in thousands) 

Net sales: 

Products 
Services 

Total net sales 

Cost of sales 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative 

    $  143,941     $ 125,069     $ 18,872     
   130,745  
   255,814  
   177,224  
 78,590  

   134,132  
   278,073 
   186,754  
 91,319 

 3,387   
   22,259   
 9,530   
   12,729   

 15.1 %
 2.6 %
 8.7 %
 5.4 %
 16.2 %

(including depreciation and amortization)   

Litigation settlement gain 
Income from operations 
Other expense, net: 
Interest, net 
Foreign exchange loss 
Other income (loss) 
Loss before income taxes 
Income tax benefit (expense) 
Net loss from continuing operations 
* Not meaningful 

Net Sales 

Net sales by segment: 

U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit 
Other 
Eliminations 

Total 

* Not meaningful 

 71,775  
 (6,000) 
 25,544 

    74,002  
 —  
 4,588  

   (2,227)  
   (6,000) 
   20,956   

 (3.0)%
*  

 456.8 %

   (24,891) 
 (1,327) 
 (4) 
 (678)
 (3,652) 

   (1,460)  
   (1,016)  
 (20)  
   18,460   
   (7,991)  
  $   (4,330) $  (14,799)  $ 10,469   

    (23,431) 
 (311) 
 16  
   (19,138) 
 4,339  

 6.2 %
*  

 (125.0)%
 96.5 %
*  
 70.7 %

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

2018 

$ Change    % Change  

(dollars in thousands) 

  $  213,141   $ 178,597   $ 34,544   
    (4,869)  
   (8,212)  
 796   
  $  278,073   $ 255,814   $ 22,259   

    64,330  
 1,679  
 (1,077) 

    69,199  
 9,891  
 (1,873) 

 19.3 %
 (7.0)%
 (83.0)%

*  
 8.7 %

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased $22.3 million, or 8.7%, to $278.1 million compared 

to $255.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  

U.S. Debit and Credit: 

Net sales for U.S. Debit and Credit for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased $34.5 million, or 19.3%, 

to $213.1 million compared to $178.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The net sales increase was 
primarily due to higher volumes of dual-interface EMV cards, including our Second Wave cards featuring a core made 
with recovered ocean bound plastics, and higher card personalization and fulfillment sales including increased net sales 
from our Card@Once instant issuance solution. Dual-interface EMV cards have additional technology to process 
contactless transactions and generally have a higher average selling price.   

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
    
     
    
     
    
      
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
U.S. Prepaid Debit: 

Net sales for U.S. Prepaid Debit for the year ended December 31, 2019, decreased $4.9 million, or 7.0%, to 

$64.3 million, compared to $69.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was the result of lower 
sales volumes from our existing customer base, primarily during the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year 
comparable period in 2018.  The full year 2018 benefited from higher sales volumes from our existing customer base 
along with new portfolio wins that did not recur in 2019. 

Other: 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, Other net sales were $1.7 million.  During the year ended December 31, 

2018, sales in the Other segment were $9.9 million.  The Canada subsidiary was disposed on April 1, 2019, and 
accordingly, our Other segment 2019 results include only the first quarter of net sales for Canada.   

Eliminations: 

This includes the elimination of intercompany sales between segments in the consolidation of our financial 

statements. The decrease in eliminations for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2018, is due to less sales between segments.  

Gross Profit and Gross Margin 

Gross profit by segment: 
U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit  
Other 
Total 

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

% of 
net sales  

% of 

2018 

  net sales  
(dollars in thousands) 

$ Change    % Change 

$  66,602 
 24,814 
(97)
$  91,319 

31.2 %  $  50,036 
38.6 %    26,422 
 2,132
32.8 %  $  78,590 

* %    

28.0 %  $ 16,566   
38.2 %     (1,608)  
21.6 %     (2,229)  
30.7 %  $ 12,729 

 33.1 %
 (6.1)%
 (104.5)%
 16.2 %

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased $12.7 million, or 16.2%, to $91.3 million 

compared to $78.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  

U.S. Debit and Credit 

Gross profit for U.S. Debit and Credit segment for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased $16.6 million, 

or 33.1%, to $66.6 million compared to $50.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  Gross profit margin 
increased from 28.0% in 2018 to 31.2% in 2019.  The increase in gross profit and gross profit margin was driven 
primarily by higher card personalization and fulfillment sales, and efficiencies gained from the consolidation of our 
personalization operations from three facilities to two facilities in the prior year.  In addition, increased sales volumes 
from our dual-interface EMV cards improved our gross profit in 2019 compared to the prior year.  Partially offsetting the 
gross profit margin increases were higher card manufacturing material costs driven primarily by a mix of certain 
products when compared to the prior year ended December 31, 2018. 

U.S. Prepaid Debit 

Gross profit for U.S. Prepaid Debit for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $1.6 million, or 6.1%, to 

$24.8 million compared to $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in gross profit was 
attributed to lower sales volumes, primarily in the fourth quarter, and unfavorable cost absorption.  Gross profit margin 
increased from 38.2% in 2018 to 38.6% in 2019, due to favorable product mix, partially offset by unfavorable cost 
absorption from lower sales in 2019. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
Other 

Gross profit in Other decreased $2.2 million in 2019 compared to the prior year.  The decrease was a result of 

the disposition of our Canada subsidiary on April 1, 2019, and thereafter our Other segment did not include any 
operations contributing net sales or gross profit. 

Operating expenses by segment: 

U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit  
Other 
Other-litigation settlement 

Total 

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

2018 

$ Change   % Change  

(dollars in thousands) 

  $ 30,604   $ 27,622   $  2,982   
    4,494  
 (63)  
   (5,146) 
   41,886  
   (6,000)  
 —  
  $ 65,775   $ 74,002   $ (8,227)  

 4,431  
   36,740  
   (6,000) 

 10.8 %
 (1.4)%
 (12.3)%
* %
 (11.1)%

Operating expenses, net, decreased $8.2 million, or 11.1%, to $65.8 million compared to $74.0 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2018. The cash litigation settlement gain received during the year ended December 31, 2019 
contributed $6.0 million to the decrease in operating expenses, along with a decrease in the Other segment of 
$5.1 million compared to the prior year 2018.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in the U.S. Debit and 
Credit segment operating expenses. 

U.S. Debit and Credit 

U.S. Debit and Credit operating expenses increased $3.0 million to $30.6 million for the year ended 

December 31, 2019 compared to $27.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to increased selling and 
compensation costs. This increase was partially offset by the impact of charges relating to the consolidation of our 
personalization operations from three facilities to two facilities in 2018. 

U.S. Prepaid Debit 

U.S. Prepaid Debit operating expenses were essentially flat for the year ended December 31, 2019 when 

compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 given the relatively fixed nature of these costs.   

Other 

Other operating expenses decreased $5.1 million, or 12.3%, to $36.7 million compared to $41.9 million for the 

year ended December 31, 2018.  Other operating expenses declined due to lower corporate costs, including legal and 
consulting fees, and expense savings from the sale of our Canadian subsidiary for the year ended December 31, 2019. 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we received $6.0 million cash related to a litigation settlement as described 
previously, which was recorded as a reduction to net operating expenses in the Other segment. With this reduction, Other 
operating expenses decreased $11.1 million to $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, when compared to 
the year ended December 31, 2018. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
     
    
     
    
     
    
      
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations and Operating Margin 

Income (loss) from operations by 

segment: 
U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit  
Other 
Total 
* Not meaningful

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

% of 
net sales 

% of 

2018 

  net sales 
(dollars in thousands) 

$ Change  % Change  

$   35,982 
 20,383 
 (30,821)  

$   25,544 

16.9 %   $  22,414 
 21,928 
31.7 %  
* %      (39,754)
9.2 %   $  4,588 

 12.6 %  $  13,568 
 31.7 %  
* %   

 (1,545)  
 8,933
 1.8 %  $  20,956 

 60.5 %
 (7.0) %
 (22.5) %
 456.8 %

During the year ended December 31, 2019 we had income from operations of $25.5 million compared to 

income from operations of $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company’s operating profit margin 
for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased to 9.2% compared to an operating profit margin of 1.8% for the year 
ended December 31, 2018.  In 2019, we received $6.0 million cash for a litigation settlement gain which was recorded 
through income from operations within the Other segment.    

U.S. Debit and Credit 

Income from operations for U.S. Debit and Credit for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased 

$13.6 million to $36.0 million compared to $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The increase in 
income from operations was driven by higher card personalization and fulfillment sales including Card@Once, 
efficiencies gained from the consolidation of our personalization operations, and increased sales volumes from dual-
interface EMV card manufacturing. The impact of these improvements to income from operations were partially offset 
by higher card manufacturing material costs driven primarily by a mix of certain products, and higher operating 
expenses. Operating margins for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased to 16.9% compared to 12.6% for the year 
ended December 31, 2018, due to higher card personalization and fulfillment sales and efficiencies, and higher card 
manufacturing net sales and operating leverage.  

U.S. Prepaid Debit 

Income from operations for U.S. Prepaid Debit for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $1.5 million, 

or 7.0%, to $20.4 million compared to $21.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in income 
from operations was attributed to lower sales volumes and unfavorable cost absorption. U.S. Prepaid Debit operating 
income margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 was consistent with 2018, due to favorable product mix offset by 
unfavorable cost absorption.   

Other 

The loss from operations in Other was $30.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to a loss 

from operations of $39.8 million for the same time period in 2018. The 2019 loss benefited from the $6.0 million cash 
litigation settlement gain during the year ended December 31, 2019, in addition to lower corporate expenses and lower 
expenses due to the sale of our Canadian subsidiary.  

Interest, net 

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased $1.5 million to $24.9 million compared to 
$23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The additional interest expense resulted primarily from a higher 
average interest rate on the First Lien Term Loan during the first half of the year ended December 31, 2019.  

35 

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense/ benefit 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded income tax expense of $3.7 million on pre-tax loss of 

$0.7 million, representing an effective income tax rate of negative 538.6%.  Given the amount of pre-tax loss and our 
partial valuation allowance on certain U.S. deferred tax assets, the effective tax rate can be subject to significant variance 
from the federal U.S. statutory rate of 21%. For 2019, the effective tax rate differs from the federal U.S. statutory rate 
primarily due to the impact of tax expense recorded related to a partial valuation allowance of $3.2 million on certain 
U.S. deferred tax assets at an effective income tax rate impact of negative 474.7% for the year ended December 31, 
2019.  The partial valuation allowance is due to the limitation on the deductibility of interest expense which is a 
provision of U.S. government tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017.  In addition, we have $2.3 million of tax 
benefits relating to certain elections in connection with the U.K. segment disposition.  Other items impacting the 
effective tax rate in 2019 include other permanent non-deductible items, and state and foreign income taxes.  During the 
year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded an income tax benefit of $4.3 million on pre-tax loss of $19.1 million, 
representing an effective tax rate of 22.7%. In the prior year, the effective tax rate differs from the federal U.S. statutory 
rate primarily due to tax benefits relating to the U.K., and partially offset by a valuation allowance due to a limitation on 
the deductibility of interest expense.      

Net loss from continuing operations 

Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $4.3 million, compared to net 

loss of $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The change was primarily due to the $6.0 million cash 
litigation settlement gain, higher net sales and gross profit, offset partially by higher interest expense and income tax 
expense in the year ended December 31, 2019. 

Fourth Quarter 

Our net sales increased 6.0% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.  Net sales for 
U.S. Debit and Credit increased 24.2% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to fourth quarter of 2018. The increase in 
net sales was primarily due to higher net sales volumes from dual-interface EMV cards, including Second Wave cards 
featuring a core made with recovered ocean bound plastic, and higher card personalization and fulfillment sales.   

Net sales for our U.S. Prepaid Debit segment decreased $5.9 million, or 34.6%, to $11.2 million in the fourth 

quarter of 2019 compared to $17.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease was due to the timing of customer 
orders which resulted in lower sales volumes from our existing customer base compared to the prior year.   

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) expenses decreased 
$3.3 million to $16.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $19.9 million in the fourth quarter 2018. The 
decrease was driven by lower corporate costs, including lower legal costs, and expense savings as a result of the sale of 
our Canadian subsidiary. 

 During the fourth quarter of 2019 we earned income from operations of $3.9 million compared to a loss from 

operations of $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase in income from operations was primarily due to 
higher card manufacturing net sales volumes and higher card personalization and fulfillment sales in our U.S. Debit and 
Credit segment. This increase was partially offset by lower net sales volumes and unfavorable cost absorption in our 
U.S. Prepaid segment during 2019. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

As of December 31, 2019, we had $18.7 million of cash and cash equivalents. Of this amount, $0.4 million was 

held in accounts outside of the United States.   

Our ability to make investments in and grow our business, service our debt and improve our debt leverage 

ratios, while maintaining strong liquidity, will depend upon our ability to generate excess operating cash flows through 
our operating subsidiaries.  Although we can provide no assurances, we believe that our cash flows from operations, 
combined with our current cash levels, will be adequate to fund debt service requirements and provide cash, as required, 
to support our ongoing operations, capital expenditures, lease obligations and working capital needs. 

36 

 
At December 31, 2019, there was $312.5 million outstanding under the First Lien Term Loan, and we had a 

$40.0 million Revolving Credit Facility, of which $20.0 million was available for borrowing.  As of December 31, 2019, 
there were no borrowings outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility.  The First Lien Term Loan matures on 
August 17, 2022. The Company entered into the Senior Credit Facility on March 6, 2020, and the Revolving Credit 
Facility was terminated concurrently on March 6, 2020.  Refer to Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, 
Note 19- Subsequent Events, and Item 9B: Other Information for further information regarding the $30 million Senior 
Credit Facility.  As of December 31, 2019, our net leverage ratio was 8.0 times adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the First 
Lien Term Loan).  

Interest rates under the First Lien Term Loan, at the Company’s election, are based on either a Eurodollar rate, 

subject to an interest rate floor of 1.0%, plus a margin of 4.5%, or a base rate plus a margin of 3.5%.  As of 
December 31, 2019, the interest rate on our First Lien Term Loan was 6.7%.  Total cash interest paid during 2019 was 
$23.0 million, an increase of $2.3 million compared to the prior year 2018. 

The First Lien Term Loan contains customary covenants, including among other things, certain restrictions or 

limitations on indebtedness, issuance of liens, investments, dividends, redemptions and other distributions to equity 
holders, asset sales, certain mergers or consolidations, sales, transfers, leases or dispositions of substantially all of our 
assets, and affiliate transactions. We may also be required to make repayments on the First Lien Term Loan in advance 
of the maturity date based on a calculation of excess cash flows, as defined in the agreement, with any required 
payments to be made after the issuance of the Company’s annual financial statements.  We did not have a required 
excess cash flow payment related to 2019, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the First Lien Credit 
Facility as of December 31, 2019.  

Operating Activities – Continuing Operations 

Cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, was 
$3.0 million compared to cash provided of $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The year over year 
fluctuation was due primarily to a cash usage of $10.4 million related to our investment in additional inventory to 
support the growth of our business.  We also had a cash usage in accrued expenses related primarily to employee 
performance incentive compensation earned in 2018 and paid in the first quarter of 2019. Offsetting these usages was an 
improvement in net loss from continuing operations of $10.5 million, including the $6.0 million cash received from the 
litigation settlement, and cash inflows from collections of accounts receivable when compared to the prior year.  For the 
year ended December 31, 2019, cash interest paid was $23.0 million, which was higher than the prior year comparable 
period by $2.3 million.  Cash inflows from tax refunds, net, of $0.7 million were received during the year ended 
December 31, 2018, compared to cash payments of $0.8 million in 2019.  

Investing Activities – Continuing Operations 

Cash used in investing activities – continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 
$2.6 million, compared to a usage of $5.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Cash used in investing 
activities – continuing operations, was related to capital expenditures, including investments to support the growth of the 
business, such as machinery and equipment, and information technology equipment, and was $4.2 million and $5.6 
million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  Partially offsetting the capital expenditure 
outflows, we received cash of $1.5 million for the sale of our Canadian subsidiary in the second quarter of 2019.  As 
presented in our supplemental disclosures of non-cash information on the statement of cash flows, finance leases were 
executed for the acquisition of right-of-use machinery and equipment assets totaling $6.4 million, and $1.8 million 
during the year ended December 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively. 

Financing Activities – Continuing Operations 

During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, cash used in financing activities was $1.9 million and 

$0.5 million, respectively, and related to principal payments on finance lease obligations.  For working capital purposes, 
we borrowed and repaid $11.5 million on the Revolving Credit Facility for the year ended December 31, 2019, all 
occurring within the first and second quarter of 2019.  We had no borrowings or payments on the Revolving Credit 
Facility during the final six months of the year ended December 31, 2019, and had no balance outstanding as of 
December 31, 2019. 

37 

Working Capital 

Our working capital as of December 31, 2019 was $52.4 million, compared to $43.2 million as of December 31, 
2018.  During the year ended December 31, 2019, our cash balance decreased by $1.6 million, and our inventory balance 
increased $10.4 million to support the growth of the business, which was the primary driver of the increase in working 
capital.   

Cyclical and Seasonal Nature of Business 

Financial Payment Cards and Private Label Credit Cards are generally influenced by broader cyclical changes 

in the economy, with economic downturns resulting in decreases in the demand for our products and services. In 
particular, prolonged economic downturns typically have resulted in significant reductions in the demand for general 
purpose credit cards due to tightening credit conditions. Net sales are also influenced by Financial Payment Card 
renewal cycles and demand for new products, such as dual-interface cards.  Additionally, we historically have generated 
higher net sales in the third quarter of the year, as our sales of Prepaid Debit Card solutions are more heavily weighted 
toward the second half of the year when consumers tend to purchase more of these products and services in anticipation 
of the holiday season in the United States. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements at December 31, 2019, and 2018. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our 

consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted 
in the United States of America. In preparing our financial statements, we make estimates, assumptions and judgments 
that can have a significant impact on our reported net sales, results of operations and net income, as well as on the value 
of certain assets and liabilities on our balance sheet during and as of the reporting periods. These estimates, assumptions 
and judgments are necessary because future events and their effects on our results and the value of our assets cannot be 
determined with certainty, and are made based on our historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to 
be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates may change as new events occur or additional information is 
obtained, and we may periodically be faced with uncertainties, the outcomes of which are not within our control and may 
not be known for a prolonged period of time. Because the use of estimates is inherent in the financial reporting process, 
actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Impairment Assessments of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets 

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method and allocate the acquisition price of 
acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair 
values at the acquisition date. The difference between the acquisition price and the fair value of the net assets acquired is 
recorded as goodwill. 

In determining the fair values in impairment tests, we use one or more of the following recognized valuation 

methods:  

•

•

•

the income approach (including discounted cash flows);

the market approach; or

the cost approach.

We generally base our measurement of the fair value of a reporting unit on a blended analysis of the present 

value of future discounted cash flows and the market valuation approach. The discounted cash flows model indicates the 
fair value of the reporting unit based on the present value of the cash flows that we expect the reporting unit to generate 
in the future. Our significant estimates in those fair value measurements include identifying business factors such as size, 
sales growth, profitability, risk and return on investment and assessing comparable net sales and earnings multiples. 

38 

Further, when measuring fair value based on discounted cash flows, we make assumptions about rates of increase in net 
sales, cost of sales and operating expenses, weighted average cost of capital, and rates of long term growth. We also 
consider our total invested capital adjusted for a control premium and other factors determined by management.  
Valuations are performed by management or third party valuation specialists under management’s supervision, where 
appropriate. We believe that the estimated fair values used in impairment tests are based on reasonable assumptions that 
marketplace participants would use. However, such assumptions are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ 
from those estimates. Changes to or a failure to achieve our projected business assumptions, including growth and 
profitability, could result in a valuation that would trigger an impairment of goodwill.   

Goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually on October 1 or more frequently 
when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable. For impairment 
evaluations, we first make a qualitative assessment with respect to goodwill. In 2017, we adopted ASU 2017-04, 
Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”) in 
conjunction with our annual impairment testing effective October 1, 2017.  In accordance with ASU 2017-04, an entity 
should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, 
and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair 
value. We completed our annual goodwill impairment testing as of October 1, 2019, which resulted in no impairment 
charge. 

On August 3, 2018, we completed the sale of our United Kingdom facilities that comprised the U.K. Limited 
reporting segment. We did not retain significant continuing involvement with the discontinued operation subsequent to 
the disposal. In connection with the sale, we performed a goodwill impairment test and recorded a charge of $6.4 million 
in the second quarter of 2018.  The impairment was a result of continued market softness in the U.K. Limited segment, 
resulting in lower sales and margins and an expected sales price below the carrying value of the segment.  We recorded 
an impairment charge of $1.2 million to customer relationship intangible assets related to the U.K. Limited segment in 
the second quarter of 2018, which is reported in discontinued operations. 

Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. Once goodwill has 

been allocated to a reporting unit, it no longer retains its identification with a particular acquisition and becomes 
identified with that reporting unit.  If our operating segments are modified or changed based on our Chief Operating 
Decision Maker’s (“CODM”) review of financial information and allocation of resources, we may be required to allocate 
goodwill on a relative fair value to the new reporting units.  As of December 31, 2019, all of our goodwill is included 
within reporting units in our U.S. Debit and Credit segment. 

Refer to Note 7, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and Note 8 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in 

Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain 
additional information on goodwill and intangible asset impairments and for further definition of valuation inputs. 

Long-lived assets, such as plant and equipment, and amortizable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment 

whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be 
recoverable. Plant, equipment, and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Accumulated depreciation is computed 
using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the related assets (generally 3 to 10 years for 
equipment, furniture, and leasehold improvements) or, when applicable, the lease term. Maintenance and repairs that do 
not extend the useful life of the respective assets are charged to expense as incurred. If circumstances require that a long-
lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be 
generated by that long-lived asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or 
asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the 
carrying amount exceeds its fair value.  There were no material long-lived asset impairments recorded for the years 
ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, relating to the continuing operations of the Company.   

Future changes in our assumptions or the interrelationship of those assumptions may negatively impact future 

valuations. In future measurements of fair value, adverse changes in assumptions could result in an impairment of 
goodwill or long-lived assets that would require a non-cash charge to the consolidated statements of operations and may 
have a material effect on our balance sheet and operating results. 

39 

Revenue Recognition 

Products Net Sales: “Products” net sales are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a 

customer are satisfied. In most instances, this occurs over time as cards are manufactured for specific customers and 
have no alternative use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment for work performed. For work performed 
but not completed and billed, we estimate net sales by taking actual costs incurred and applying historical margins for 
similar types of contracts. Items included in “Products” net sales are manufactured Financial Payment Cards, including 
contact-EMV, Dual-Interface EMV, contactless and magnetic stripe cards, private label credit cards and retail gift cards. 
Card@Once printers and consumables are also included in “Products” net sales, and their associated revenues are 
recognized at the time of shipping. 

Services Net Sales:  Net sales are recognized for “Services” as the services are performed. Items included in 
“Services” net sales include the personalization and fulfillment of Financial Payment Cards, providing tamper-evident 
secure packaging and fulfillment services to Prepaid Debit Card program managers, and software-as-a-service 
personalization of instant issuance debit cards. For work performed but not completed and billed, we estimate revenue 
by taking actual costs incurred and applying historical margins for similar types of contracts. 

Customer Contracts:  The Company generally enters into master purchase or service agreements that govern 

the general terms and conditions of our commercial relationships with customers. We then enter into a purchase order or 
other short-term arrangements that define the quantities of products to be delivered or services rendered, and other terms 
specific to the order as appropriate. Generally, enforceable rights and obligations for goods and services occur only when 
a customer places a purchase order or statement of work to obtain goods or services. Usually, our contractual 
arrangements include neither exclusivity clauses nor commitments from our customers to order any given quantities of 
products on a medium or long-term basis. The contract term is the length of time it takes to deliver the goods or services 
promised under the purchase order or statement of work. As such, the Company's contracts are generally short term in 
nature. 

Inventory Valuation 

Raw materials, and finished goods inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost 
determined using a first-in, first-out, specific identification or weighted-average method. Cost is calculated based upon 
the price paid for an item at the time it is received by us. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the 
ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company 
monitors inventory for events or circumstances that may indicate the net realizable value is less than the carrying value 
of inventory, such as negative margins, expiration of material usage, and other forms of obsolescence.  We record 
adjustments to the valuation of inventory, as necessary.  For manufacturing work performed but not completed and 
billed, inventory costs are recognized through cost of sales as the work is completed, consistent with the recognition of 
revenue. 

Income Taxes 

We record income tax expense using the liability method for taxes and are subject to income tax in many 

jurisdictions, including the United States, various states and localities, the United Kingdom, and historically in Canada. 
A current tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated taxes refundable or payable on the tax returns for the 
current year and a deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to 
temporary differences and carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates 
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or 
settled. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment 
date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than 
not that such assets will be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize our deferred tax asset, we considered the 
following sources of future taxable income: 

•

•

•

future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;

taxable income in prior carryback years; and

40 

•

tax-planning strategies.

Our evaluation regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers, among 

other things, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability and the duration of 
statutory carryforward periods. After conducting this assessment, the valuation allowance recorded, net of federal 
benefit, against our deferred tax assets was $5.6 and $6.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 
respectively. If actual results differ from estimated results, or if we adjust these assumptions in the future, we may need 
to adjust our deferred tax assets or liabilities, which could impact our effective tax rate. 

The amount of income taxes we pay could be subject to possible audits in the taxing jurisdictions in which we 

operate. In the event of these possible audits, the taxing authorities might challenge items on our tax returns. Because the 
tax matters challenged by tax authorities are typically complex, the ultimate outcome of these challenges is uncertain. 
We recognize tax benefits for uncertain positions only to the extent that we believe it is more likely than not that the tax 
position will be sustained. Our future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our unrecognized tax 
benefits due to closure of income tax audits, new regulatory or judicial pronouncements, or other relevant events. As a 
result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly and annual basis. 

Leases 

We recorded lease liabilities and right-to-use assets as the present value of future minimum lease payments 

using a discount rate that is either implicit in the lease or our incremental borrowing rate. If not implicit in the lease, we 
estimate our incremental borrowing rate by using market data from companies similar to us, having publically traded 
debt instruments and similar credit ratings. Our estimated incremental borrowing rate utilizes judgements, including 
selection of comparable companies, our credit risk, sensitivity analysis and certain other valuation estimates. We also use 
judgement in determining whether a contract contains a lease. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASC Topic 

842, Leases (“ASC 842”), which provides guidance for accounting for leases. The new guidance requires companies to 
recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leased assets. ASC 842 is effective for annual 
and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (the Company’s fiscal year 2019) with early adoption 
permitted.  The guidance required a modified retrospective approach, with an option to apply the transition provisions of 
the new guidance at the adoption date without adjusting the comparative periods presented. In July 2018, the FASB 
issued additional accounting standard updates clarifying certain provisions, as well as providing for a second transition 
method allowing entities to initially apply the standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment 
to the opening balance of retained earnings.  

The Company adopted the new guidance on the effective date of January 1, 2019 and used the adoption date as 

the date of initial application as allowed under ASC 842. Consequently, historical financial information has not been 
updated and the disclosures required under the new standard have not been provided for dates and periods before 
January 1, 2019. 

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 

‘package of practical expedients’, which permits the Company not to reassess under the new standard its prior 
conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the use-of-
hindsight transition practical expedient. 

The new standard also provides practical expedients for the Company’s ongoing accounting. The Company 

elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, meaning the Company will not recognize 
right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for existing and new lease agreements as applicable. The Company also elected the 
practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of its leases. 

Right-to-use (“ROU’) represents the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities 
represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and 
liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most 

41 

of the leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate based on the information 
available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. If applicable, the Company used 
the implicit rate when readily determinable. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and 
excludes lease incentives. 

A lease is deemed to exist when the Company has the right to control the use of identified property, plant or 
equipment, as conveyed through a contract, for a certain period of time and consideration paid. The right to control is 
deemed to occur when the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of the identified 
assets and the right to direct the use of such assets. 

As a result of the adoption of ASC 842 the Company recorded $8.0 million of operating ROU assets, and 

corresponding operating lease liabilities of $8.8 million on January 1, 2019, relating to existing real estate operating 
leases. 

As of January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606, which requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the 

transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity 
expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 also requires an entity to disclose sufficient 
quantitative and qualitative information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing 
and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We adopted ASC 606 using the 
modified retrospective method and recognized the cumulative effect of adoption as an adjustment to the opening balance 
of “Accumulated loss” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet 2018. Under the new guidance, we recognize certain 
performance obligations over time as the goods are produced, since those products provide value to only a specified 
customer, have no alternative use, and we have the right to payment for work completed on such items. This accelerates 
the timing of revenue recognition for these arrangements, as revenue is recognized as goods are produced rather than 
upon shipment or delivery of goods. In addition, as a result of adopting the new guidance, we have recorded decreases to 
deferred revenue, and inventory work in process, and an increase to accounts receivable.  

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 

2016-13"). This ASU changes the model for the recognition of credit losses from an incurred loss model, which 
recognized credit losses only if it was probable that a loss had been incurred, to an expected loss model, which requires 
the Company to estimate the total credit losses expected on the portfolio of financial instruments. This standard is 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The 
Company does not anticipate the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated 
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Not required due to smaller reporting company status 

42 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

CPI Card Group Inc. 
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Page

F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors 
CPI Card Group Inc.: 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CPI Card Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) 
as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, 
stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the 
related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements 
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the 
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2019, in 
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

Change in Accounting Principle 

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for 
leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases. 

Basis for Opinion 

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 are a public accounting firm 
registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be 
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and 
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material 
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an 
audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of 
internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial 
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures 
included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our 
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

/s/ KPMG LLP 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014. 

Denver, Colorado 
March 6, 2020 

F-2 

 
 
 
 
 
CPI Card Group Inc. and Subsidiaries 

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Amounts) 

December 31, 

2019 

2018 

Assets 
Current assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $395 and $211, respectively 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Income taxes receivable 
Total current assets 

Plant, equipment, leasehold improvements and operating lease right-of-use assets, net 
Intangible assets, net 
Goodwill 
Other assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit 
Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable 
Accrued expenses 
Deferred revenue and customer deposits 

Total current liabilities 

Long-term debt 
Deferred income taxes 
Other long-term liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) 
Series A Preferred Stock; $0.001 par value—100,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued 
and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018 
Stockholders’ deficit: 

Common Stock; $0.001 par value—100,000,000 shares authorized; 11,224,191 shares 
issued and outstanding and 11,160,377 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 
2019 and 2018, respectively
Capital deficiency 
Accumulated loss 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Total stockholders’ deficit 

Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit 

   $ 

 18,682   $ 
 42,832  
 20,192 
 6,345  
 4,164  
 92,215  
 42,088  
 30,802  
 47,150  
 1,232  
$   213,487 

 20,291  
 43,794  
 9,827 
 4,997  
 5,564  
 84,473  
 39,110  
 35,437  
 47,150  
 1,034  
$   207,204 

   $ 

 16,482   $ 
 22,820  
 468  
 39,770  
 307,778  
 6,896  
 11,478  
 365,922  

 16,511  
 23,853  
 912  
 41,276  
 305,818  
 5,749  
 3,937  
 356,780  

 —  

 —  

 11 
 (111,988) 
 (40,458) 
 —  
 (152,435) 

 11 
    (112,223) 
 (36,004) 
 (1,360) 
    (149,576) 
   $   213,487   $   207,204  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
     
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
CPI Card Group Inc. and Subsidiaries 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) 

Net sales: 
Products 
Services 

Total net sales 

Cost of sales: 

Products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below) 
Services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below) 
Depreciation and amortization 

Total cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Operating expenses: 

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization 
shown below) 
Depreciation and amortization 
Litigation settlement gain 

Total operating expenses, net 

Income from operations 
Other expense, net: 

Interest, net 
Foreign currency loss 
Other income (expense), net 
Total other expense, net 

Loss before income taxes 
Income tax (expense) benefit 

Net loss from continuing operations 

Net loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes  

Net loss 

Basic and diluted loss per share: 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operation 

Year Ended December 31, 
2018 
2019 

   $ 

 143,941   $ 
 134,132  
 278,073  

 125,069   
 130,745   
 255,814   

 94,889  
 80,894  
 10,971  
 186,754  
 91,319  

 65,744  
 6,031  
 (6,000) 
 65,775  
 25,544  

 (24,891) 
 (1,327) 
 (4) 
 (26,222) 
 (678) 
 (3,652) 
 (4,330) 
 (124) 
 (4,454)  $ 

 82,110   
 82,697   
 12,417   
 177,224   
 78,590   

 68,014   
 5,988   
 —   
 74,002   
 4,588   

 (23,431)  
 (311)  
 16   
 (23,726)  
 (19,138)  
 4,339   
 (14,799)  
 (22,663)  
 (37,462)  

 (0.39)  $ 
 (0.01) 
 (0.40)  $ 

 (1.33)  
 (2.03)  
 (3.36)  

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 

   11,196,710  

   11,149,554   

Comprehensive loss 

Net loss 
Reclassification adjustment to foreign currency loss 
Other comprehensive loss from discontinued operations 
Currency translation adjustment 
Total comprehensive loss 

 (4,454) 
 1,329  
 —  
 31  
 (3,094)  $ 

 (37,462)  
 —   
 3,983   
 (205)  
 (33,684)  

  $ 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
     
     
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPI Card Group Inc. and Subsidiaries 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Amounts) 

December 31, 2017 

Adoption of ASC 606 
Shares issued under stock-based compensation plans 
Stock-based compensation 
Components of comprehensive (loss) income: 

Net loss 
Other comprehensive loss from discontinued operations 
Currency translation adjustment 

December 31, 2018 

Shares issued under stock-based compensation plans 
Stock-based compensation 
Components of comprehensive (loss) income: 

Net loss 
Reclassification adjustment to foreign currency loss 
Currency translation adjustment 

December 31, 2019 

Common Stock 

  Capital 

     Shares(1) 

    Amount(1)    deficiency    

  Accumulated   
other 
  Accumulated   comprehensive   Stockholders 
loss 

loss 

 11,134,714    $ 

 —     
 25,663     
 —     

 11    $ (113,081)  $ 
 —     
 —     
 —     

 —     
 —     
 858     

 (1,366)  $ 
 2,824     
 —     
 —     

 (5,138)  $ 

 —     
 —     
 —     

Deficit 
 (119,574)
 2,824 
 — 
 858 

 —     
 —     
 —     

 11,160,377    $ 
 63,814     
 —     

 —     
 —     
 —     

 —     
 —     
 —     
 11    $ (112,223)  $ 
 —     
 —     

 —     
 235     

 (37,462)   
 —     
 —     

 (36,004)  $ 

 —     
 —     

 —     
 3,983     
 (205)   
 (1,360)  $ 

 —     
 —     

 (37,462)
 3,983 
 (205)
 (149,576)
 — 
 235 

 —     
 —     
 —     

 11,224,191    $ 

 —     
 —     
 —     
 11    $ (111,988)  $ 

 —     
 —     
 —     

 (4,454)   
 —     
 —     

 (40,458)  $ 

 —     
 1,329     
 31     
 —    $ 

 (4,454)
 1,329 
 31 
 (152,435)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
  
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
     
     
     
   
     
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
CPI Card Group Inc. and Subsidiaries 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

Operating activities 
Net loss 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: 

Loss from discontinued operations 
Depreciation and amortization expense 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount 
Deferred income tax 
Reclassification adjustment to foreign currency loss 
Other, net 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 
Income taxes 
Accounts payable 
Accrued expenses 
Deferred revenue and customer deposits 
Other liabilities 

Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations 
Cash used in operating activities -discontinued operations 
Investing activities 

Acquisitions of plant, equipment and leasehold improvements 
Cash received from sale of Canadian subsidiary
Other 
Cash used in investing activities - continuing operations 
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations 

Financing activities 

Proceeds from revolving credit facility 
Principal payment on revolving credit facility 
Payments on financing leases 
Cash used in financing activities 

Effect of exchange rates on cash 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents: 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information 
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for: 

Interest 
Income tax (refunds) payments, net

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
   Operating leases 
   Financing leases 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses for acquisitions of plant, equipment and leasehold 
improvements 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-6 

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

2018 

   $   (4,454)  $   (37,462)

 124  
 17,002 
 250  
 1,960  
 1,147  
 1,329  
 146  

 (688) 
   (10,410) 
 (1,328) 
 1,369  
 1,127  
 (4,395)
 (446) 
 232  
 2,965  
 (124) 

 (4,175) 
 1,451  
 150  
 (2,574) 
 —  

 22,663 
 18,405 
 961 
 1,949 
 (6,897)
 — 
 302 

 (5,523)
 (1,998)
 (2,108)
 2,644 
 2,411 
 10,436 
 632 
 655 
 7,070 
 (3,550)

 (5,634)
 —
 — 
 (5,634)
 (220)

 11,500  
   (11,500) 
 (1,926)
 (1,926) 
 50  
 (1,609) 
 20,291  

 — 
 — 
 (519)
 (519)
 (61)
 (2,914)
 23,205 
   $   18,682   $   20,291 

   $   23,036   $   20,703 
 (657)
 780   $ 
  $ 

  $ 
  $ 

 8,533   $ 
 6,438   $ 

 — 
 1,812 

  $ 

 308   $ 

 1,339 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
CPI Card Group Inc. and Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts or as Otherwise Indicated) 

1. Business 

CPI Card Group Inc., (which, together with its subsidiary companies, is referred to herein as “CPI” or the 

“Company”) is engaged in the design, production, data personalization, packaging and fulfillment of Financial Payment 
Cards, which the Company defines as credit cards, debit cards and prepaid debit cards issued on the networks of the 
Payment Card Brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover) and Interac (in Canada). The Company also 
offers an instant card issuance system and services, which provides card issuing bank customers the ability to issue a 
personalized debit or credit card within the bank branch to individual cardholders.  

As a producer and provider of services for Financial Payment Cards, each of the Company’s secure facilities 

must be compliant and registered with one or more of the Payment Card Brands and is therefore subject to specific 
requirements and conditions. Noncompliance with these requirements would prohibit the individual facilities of the 
Company from producing Financial Payment Cards for these entities’ payment card issuers. 

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Canadian subsidiary. 

The sale agreement did not include the portions of the business relating to Financial Payment Cards, as that business 
migrated to the Company’s operations in the U.S. or to other service providers in 2019. The transaction closed on 
April 1, 2019, and the Company received cash proceeds of $1,451.  After the payment of liabilities and transaction costs, 
including employee termination costs, the sale did not have a significant impact on cash, and no significant loss on 
sale.  In connection with the disposition of the foreign entity, the Company released the related cumulative translation 
adjustment from “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss” on the Balance Sheet into income from continuing 
operations during the year ended December 31, 2019. This adjustment was $1,329 and is included in “Foreign Currency 
Loss” on the Statement of Operations.  The Canadian subsidiary was not a significant operating segment and was part of 
the Other reportable segment 

On August 3, 2018, the Company completed the sale of the U.K. Limited segment. The historical financial 

position, results of operations, and cash flows for the U.K. segment have been restated for all periods to conform with 
discontinued operations presentation. Unless otherwise indicated, financial information within this document relates to 
continuing operations. 

In 2018, the Company consolidated three personalization operations in the United States into two facilities to 

better enable the Company to optimize operations and achieve market-leading quality and service with a market-
competitive business model. In conjunction with this decision, the Company accelerated the depreciation of certain 
related assets, which totaled $2,398 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company recorded severance charges of 
$552, and recorded lease termination charges of $476 during the year ended December 31, 2018. The charges were 
recorded in the U.S. Debit and Credit segment and were included in “Cost of sales” and “Selling, general and 
administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 

The Company’s business consists of the following reportable segments: U.S. Debit and Credit, U.S. Prepaid 

Debit and Other. 

U.S. Debit and Credit Segment 

The U.S. Debit and Credit segment primarily produces Financial Payment Cards and provides integrated card 
services to card-issuing banks in the United States. Products manufactured by this segment primarily include EMV and 
non-EMV Financial Payment Cards, including contact, contactless, and dual-interface cards, CPI MetalsTM, a premium 
metal card and Second WaveTM payment cards featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic.  The 
Company also sells instant card issuance solutions, and Private Label Credit Cards that are not issued on the networks of 
the Payment Cards Brands. The Company provides CPI On-Demand services, and produces images, personalized 
payment cards, and related collateral on a one-by-one, on demand basis for its customers. This segment also provides a 

F-7 

 
 
variety of integrated card services, including card personalization and fulfillment services and instant issuance solutions. 
The U.S. Debit and Credit segment operations are each audited for compliance by multiple Payment Card Brands. Many 
customers require the Company to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

U.S. Prepaid Debit Segment 

The U.S. Prepaid Debit segment primarily provides integrated card services to Prepaid Debit Card providers in 

the United States, including tamper-evident security packaging. This segment also produces Financial Payment Cards 
issued on the networks of the Payment Card Brands that are included in the tamper-evident security packages. The U.S. 
Prepaid Debit segment operation is audited for compliance by multiple Payment Card Brands. Many customers require 
the Company to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

Other 

The Other segment includes corporate expenses and a less significant operation that generated sales from the 

production of Financial Payment Cards and retail gift cards, and card personalization and fulfillment services in Canada, 
prior to its sale. The sale agreement did not include the portions of the business relating to Financial Payment Cards, as 
those business customers of the Canadian subsidiary migrated to the Company’s operations in the U.S. or to other 
service providers in 2019. 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Basis of Presentation 

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. 

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash 

equivalents and they are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. 

Trade Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk 

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. The 
Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally requires no collateral to secure accounts 
receivable.  

Trade accounts receivable 
Unbilled accounts receivable 

Less allowance for doubtful accounts 

     December 31, 2019        December 31, 2018 
 36,428 
   $ 
 7,577 
 44,005 
 (211)
 43,794 

 39,004    $ 
 4,223   
 43,227   
 (395) 
 42,832   $ 

  $ 

The Company maintains an allowance for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable based upon its 

assessment of the collectability of accounts receivable. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it is 

F-8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
determined collection will not occur. The allowance for bad debt activity for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 
2018 is summarized as follows: 

Balance as of December 31, 2017 

Bad debt expense 
Write-off of uncollectible accounts 

Balance as of December 31, 2018 

Bad debt expense 
Write-off of uncollectible accounts 
Currency translation adjustments 

Balance as of December 31, 2019 

     $ 

$ 

$ 

 48 
 169 
 (6) 
 211 
 228 
 (37) 
 (7) 
 395 

The increase in bad debt expense during 2019 primarily relates to reserves established for outstanding 

receivables from the Company’s Canadian operations that were disposed on April 1, 2019.  

For the year ended December 31, 2019 one customer represented 18% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. 

For the year ended December 31, 2018 one customer represented 19% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. 

Inventories 

Inventories consist of raw materials, and finished goods and are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable 

value (determined on the first-in, first-out, specific identification or weighted-average method basis). Net realizable 
value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, 
disposal, and transportation. Finished goods inventory represents primarily stock cards and Card@Once printers.  The 
stock cards are ready to be personalized as customer orders are received.  

Plant, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements 

Plant, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Accumulated depreciation is computed 

using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the related assets (generally 3 to 10 years for 
machinery and equipment, furniture, computer equipment, and leasehold improvements) or, when applicable, the lease 
term. Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful life of the respective assets are charged to expense as 
incurred.  

Long-lived assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying 
amount of the asset or the carrying amounts of the asset group containing the asset may not be recoverable. In such 
reviews, estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with these assets or asset groups are compared with their 
carrying value to determine if a write-down to fair value is required.  

Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

 Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment at least annually on October 1 or more 
frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable. For 
impairment evaluations, the Company first makes a qualitative assessment with respect to goodwill. During 2017, the 
Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill 
Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”) in conjunction with its annual impairment testing effective October 1, 2017. In accordance 
with ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting 
unit with its carrying amount, and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the 
reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  

During the year-ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s reporting units for goodwill impairment testing 
changed, based on the Company’s chief operating decision maker’s review of financial information and allocation of 
resources. As a result of this change in reporting units for goodwill impairment testing, the Company allocated goodwill, 
on a relative fair value, to the new reporting units.  All of the Company’s goodwill is included in the U.S. Debit and 
Credit segment. 

F-9

 
 
 
The Company generally bases its measurement of the fair value of a reporting unit on a blended analysis of the 

present value of future discounted cash flows and the market valuation approach. The discounted cash flows model 
indicates the fair value of the reporting unit based on the present value of the cash flows that the Company expects the 
reporting unit to generate in the future. The Company's significant estimates in the discounted cash flows model include: 
its weighted average cost of capital; discrete and long-term rate of growth and profitability of the reporting unit's 
business; and working capital effects. The market valuation approach indicates the fair value of the business based on a 
comparison of the reporting unit to publicly traded companies in similar lines of business. Significant estimates in the 
market valuation approach model include identifying similar companies with comparable business factors such as size, 
growth, profitability, risk and return on investment, and assessing comparable revenue and operating income multiples in 
estimating the fair value of the reporting unit. 

Acquired finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of 
the assets, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be 
recoverable. In such reviews, estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with these assets are compared with 
their carrying value to determine if a write-down to fair value is required.   

Income Taxes 

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and 

reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for differences between the 
financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future 
based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable 
income. 

The Company has deferred tax assets and liabilities and maintains valuation allowances where it is more likely 
than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. To the extent the Company determines that it will 
not realize the benefit of some or all of its deferred tax assets, then these deferred tax assets will be adjusted through the 
Company’s income tax expense in the period in which this determination is made. 

The Company recognizes the tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only when it is more likely than not, 
based on the technical merits of the position, that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the 
resolution of any related appeals or litigation. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from 
such a position are measured as the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon 
ultimate resolution.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component 
of income tax expense. 

Stock-Based Compensation 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation pursuant to ASC 718, Share-Based Payments. All stock-

based compensation to employees is required to be measured at fair value and expensed over the requisite service period. 
The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur and reverses previously recognized expense for the unvested portion 
of the forfeited shares.  The Company recognizes compensation expense on awards on a straight-line basis over the 
vesting period for each tranche of an award. Refer to Note 16 “Stock Based Compensation” for additional discussion 
regarding details of the Company's stock-based compensation plans. 

Net Sales 

Products Net Sales 

“Products” net sales are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. 

In most instances, this occurs over time as cards are manufactured for specific customers, have no alternative use, and 
the Company has an enforceable right to payment for work performed. For work performed but not completed and 
unbilled, the Company estimates revenue by taking actual costs incurred and applying historical margins for similar 
types of contracts. Items included in “Products” revenue are the design and production of Financial Payment Cards, 
including contact-EMV, Dual-Interface EMV®, metal, contactless and magnetic stripe cards, private label credit cards 
and retail gift cards. Card@Once® printers and consumables are also included in “Products” net sales, and their 

F-10

associated revenues are recognized at the time of shipping. The Company includes gross shipping and handling revenue 
in net sales, and shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. 

Services Net Sales 

Revenue is recognized for “Services” as the services are performed. Items included in “Services” net sales 

include the personalization and fulfillment of Financial Payment Cards, providing tamper-evident secure packaging and 
fulfillment services to Prepaid Debit Card program managers, and software as a service personalization of instant 
issuance debit cards. The Company also generates “Service” revenue usage-fees from the Company’s patented card 
design software, known as MYCA, which provides customers and cardholders the ability to design cards on the internet 
and customize cards with individualized digital images. “Services” revenue is also generated from personalizing retail 
gift cards historically in Canada prior to disposition. As applicable, for work performed but not completed and unbilled, 
the Company estimates revenue by taking actual costs incurred and applying historical margins for similar types of 
contracts. 

Customer Contracts 

The Company often enters into Master Services Agreements (“MSAs”) with its customers. Generally, 

enforceable rights and obligations for goods and services occur only when a customer places a purchase order or 
statement of work to obtain goods or services under an MSA. The contract term as defined by ASU 2014-09 is the length 
of time it takes to deliver the goods or services promised under the purchase order or statement of work. As such, the 
Company's contracts are generally short term in nature. 

Use of Estimates 

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting 

principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require 
management to make assumptions and estimates relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities in its preparation of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying 
amount of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, leases, valuation allowances for inventories and 
deferred taxes, revenue recognized for work performed but not completed, and uncertain tax positions. Actual results 
could differ from those estimates. 

Foreign Currency Translation 

Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries that use local currencies as their functional currency are translated 

into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted-average 
exchange rate for each reporting period for net sales, expenses, gains and losses. Translation adjustments are recorded as 
a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 
Subsequent to the sale of the UK Ltd. Segment and Canada, the Company has no significant foreign subsidiaries. 

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from the process of re-measurement are recorded in 

“Foreign currency loss” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. For the 
years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 there were ($1,327) and ($311) of such foreign currency losses, respectively. 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, in connection with the sale of the Company’s Canada subsidiary, the 
Company released the related cumulative translation adjustment of $1,329 from “Accumulated Other Comprehensive 
Loss” on the Balance Sheet into net loss from continuing operations.  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASC Topic 

842, Leases (“ASC 842”), which provides guidance for accounting for leases. The new guidance requires companies to 
recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leased assets. ASC 842 is effective for annual 
and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (the Company’s fiscal year 2019) with early adoption 

F-11 

  
  
  
 
permitted.  The guidance required a modified retrospective approach, with an option to apply the transition provisions of 
the new guidance at the adoption date without adjusting the comparative periods presented. In July 2018, the FASB 
issued additional accounting standard updates clarifying certain provisions, as well as providing for a second transition 
method allowing entities to initially apply the standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment 
to the opening balance of retained earnings.  

The Company adopted the new guidance on the effective date of January 1, 2019 and used the adoption date as 

the date of initial application as allowed under ASC 842. Consequently, historical financial information has not been 
updated and the disclosures required under the new standard have not be provided for dates and periods before 
January 1, 2019. 

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 

‘package of practical expedients’, which permits the Company not to reassess under the new standard its prior 
conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the use-of-
hindsight transition practical expedient. 

The new standard also provides practical expedients for the Company’s ongoing accounting. The Company 

elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, meaning the Company will not recognize 
right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for existing and new lease agreements as applicable. The Company also elected the 
practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of its leases. 

Right-of-use (“ROU’) represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities 

represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and 
liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As 
most of the leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate based on the 
information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. If applicable, the 
Company used the implicit rate when readily determinable. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease 
payments made and excludes lease incentives. 

A lease is deemed to exist when the Company has the right to control the use of identified property, plant or 
equipment, as conveyed through a contract, for a certain period of time and consideration paid. The right to control is 
deemed to occur when the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of the identified 
assets and the right to direct the use of such assets. 

As a result of the adoption of ASC 842 the Company recorded $8,025 of operating ROU assets, and 
corresponding operating lease liabilities of $8,813 on January 1, 2019, relating to existing real estate operating leases. 

F-12 

The components of operating and finance lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows: 

Total operating lease costs 

Finance lease cost: 

Amortization of right-of-use assets 
Interest on lease liabilities 
Total financing lease costs 

The following table reflects balances for operating leases and financing leases: 

Operating leases 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net of amortization 

Operating lease liability (current) 
Long-term operating liability

Total operating lease liabilities 

Financing leases 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements 
Accumulated depreciation 

Total financing leases in property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net 

Financing lease liability (current) 
Long-term financing liability

Total financing lease liabilities 

Year Ended 
December 31, 2019 

 2,625 

886 
290 
 1,176 

December 31, 2019 

 6,312 

 2,283 
 5,067 
 7,350 

 8,256 
 (1,094)
 7,162 

 2,211 
3,886
 6,097 

$ 

  $ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Finance and operating lease right-of-use assets are recorded in “Plant, equipment and leasehold improvements, 

net”. Financing and operating lease liabilities are recorded in “Accrued expenses” and “Other long-term liabilities”. 

Components of lease expense were as follows: 

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term 

Operating Leases 
Financing Leases 

Weighted Average Discount Rate 

Operating Leases 
Financing Leases 

December 31, 2019 

3.40 
2.86 

8.94% 
9.28% 

F-13

 
Future cash payments with respect to lease obligations as of December 31, 2019 were as follows: 

Year Ending 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 

Total lease payments 

Less imputed interest 

Total 

Operating 
Lease 

Financing  
Leases 

  $ 

  $ 

 2,854   $ 
 2,646  
 1,371  
 1,097  
 602  
 8,570  
 (1,220) 
 7,350   $ 

 2,659 
 2,043 
 1,565 
 676 
 — 
 6,943 
 (846)
 6,097 

Future cash payments with respect to lease obligations as of December 31, 2018 were as follows: 

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
Thereafter
Total 

      Operating 

Leases 

Capital 
Leases 

   $ 

   $ 

 2,927   $ 
 2,771  
 2,512  
 1,243  
 971  
 652  
 11,076    $ 

 521 
 474 
 243 
 256 
 71 
 — 
 1,565 

Cash paid on operating leases was $1,973 during the year ended December 31, 2019. 

As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update Codification ASC 606, Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods 
or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in 
exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 also requires an entity to disclose sufficient quantitative and qualitative 
information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue 
and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company applied ASC 606 as of January 1, 2018 to all its 
contracts using the modified retrospective method and recognized the cumulative effect of adoption as an adjustment to 
the opening balance of “Accumulated loss” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the new guidance, the Company 
recognizes certain performance obligations over time as the goods are produced, since those products provide value to 
only a specified customer, have no alternative use and the Company has the right to payment for work completed on 
such items. This accelerates the timing of revenue recognition for these arrangements, as revenue is recognized as goods 
are produced rather than upon shipment or delivery of goods. See Note 3 “Net Sales” for revenue recognition timing and 
methodology under ASC 606.  

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 

2016-13"). This ASU changes the model for the recognition of credit losses from an incurred loss model, which 
recognized credit losses only if it was probable that a loss had been incurred, to an expected loss model, which requires 
the Company to estimate the total credit losses expected on the portfolio of financial instruments. This standard is 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The 
Company does not anticipate the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated 
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. 

F-14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Net Sales

The Company disaggregates its net sales by major source as follows: 

U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit
Other 
Intersegment eliminations 

Total 

U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit
Other 
Intersegment eliminations 

Total 

Products Net Sales 

$ 

For the year ended December 31, 2019 
Total 
Services 
$   213,141 
 64,330 
 1,679 
 (1,077)
$   278,073 

 68,600 
 64,330  
 1,283 
(81)
$   134,132 

Products 
$   144,541 
—  
 396 
(996)
$   143,941 

$ 

For the year ended December 31, 2018 
Total 
Services 
$   178,597 
 69,199 
 9,891 
(1,873)
$   255,814 

 56,478 
 69,199  
 5,493 
(425)
$   130,745 

Products 
$   122,119 
—  
 4,398 
 (1,448) 
$   125,069 

“Products” net sales are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. 
In most instances, this occurs over time as cards are manufactured for specific customers and have no alternative use and 
the Company has an enforceable right to payment for work performed. For work performed but not completed and 
unbilled, the Company estimates revenue by taking actual costs incurred and applying historical margins for similar 
types of contracts. Items included in “Products” revenue are manufactured Financial Payment Cards, including in 
contact-EMV, Dual-Interface EMV, contactless and magnetic stripe cards, Second Wave, metal, private label credit 
cards and retail gift cards. Card@Once printers and consumables are also included in “Products” revenue, and their 
associated revenues are recognized at the time of shipping. The Company includes gross shipping and handling revenue 
in net sales, and shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. 

Services Net Sales 

Net sales are recognized for “Services” as the services are performed. Items included in “Services” net sales 

include the personalization and fulfillment of Financial Payment Cards, providing tamper-evident secure packaging and 
fulfillment services to Prepaid Debit Card program managers and software as a service personalization of instant 
issuance debit cards. For work performed but not completed and unbilled, the Company estimates revenue by taking 
actual costs incurred and applying historical margins for similar types of contracts. 

Customer Contracts 

The Company often enters into Master Services Agreements (“MSAs”) with its customers. Generally, 

enforceable rights and obligations for goods and services occur only when a customer places a purchase order or 
statement of work to obtain goods or services under an MSA. The contract term as defined by ASC 606 is the length of 
time it takes to deliver the goods or services promised under the purchase order or statement of work. As such, the 
Company's contracts are generally short term in nature. 

4. Discontinued Operation

On August 3, 2018, the Company completed the sale of its United Kingdom facilities that comprised the U.K. 

Limited reporting segment. The Company did not retain significant continuing involvement with the discontinued 
operation subsequent to the disposal. In connection with the sale, the Company performed a goodwill impairment test 
and recorded a charge of $6,366 in the second quarter of 2018.  The impairment was a result of continued market  

F-15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
softness in the U.K. Limited segment, resulting in lower sales and margins and an expected sales price below the 
carrying value of the segment. The Company also recorded an impairment charge of $1,249 to customer relationship 
intangible assets related to the U.K. Limited segment in the second quarter of 2018.  

The Company recorded a $7,248 loss on sale of U.K Limited for the year ended December 31, 2018.  In 
connection with the substantial liquidation of the foreign entity, the Company released the related cumulative translation 
adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive loss into loss from discontinued operations.  This adjustment was 
$3,983 and is included in other expense (income), net in the schedule below.  

The major line items constituting the loss of the discontinued operation for the year ended December 31, 2019 

and 2018 were as follows: 

For the year ended 
December 31,  

Total net sales 
Total cost of sales 
Selling, general and administrative 
Impairments 
Other expense (income), net 

Pretax loss from discontinued operation 
Pretax loss on sale of discontinued operation 

Total pretax loss on discontinued operation 
Income tax benefit  

Net loss from discontinued operation 

  $ 

  $ 

2019 

 —   $ 
 —  
 142  
 —  
 —  
 (142) 
 —  
 (142) 
 18  

2018 
 10,741 
 10,222 
 4,336 
 7,615 
 4,006 
 (15,438)
 (7,248)
 (22,686)
 23 
 (124)  $   (22,663)

5. Inventories 

Inventories are summarized below: 

Raw materials 
Finished goods 
Inventory reserve 

December 31, 

2019 
 16,492   $ 
 5,047  
 (1,347) 
 20,192   $ 

2018 
 8,235  
 2,991  
 (1,399) 
 9,827  

   $ 

   $ 

6. Plant, Equipment, Leasehold Improvements and Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets 

Plant, equipment, leasehold improvements and operating lease right-of-use assets consist of the following: 

Machinery and equipment 
Machinery and equipment under financing leases 
Furniture, fixtures and computer equipment 
Leasehold improvements 
Construction in progress 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated 
amortization 

  $ 

December 31, 

2019 
 52,212   $ 
 8,256  
 4,749  
 14,905  
 455  
 80,577  
 (44,801) 

2018 
 62,067  
 1,812  
 7,730  
 19,651  
 1,596  
 92,856  
 (53,746) 

 6,312  
 42,088   $ 

 —  
 39,110  

   $ 

Amounts recorded for the depreciation of plant, equipment and leasehold improvements were $12,384 and 

$13,749 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

F-16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There were no impairments of the Company’s plant, equipment, and leasehold improvement assets for the 

continuing operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 

All of the Company’s $47,150 of goodwill is included in the U.S. Debit and Credit segment at December 31, 

2019 and 2018.  

 In connection with the sale of the Company’s U.K. Limited segment, the Company performed a goodwill 

impairment test and recorded a charge of $6,366 in discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2018.  
The impairment was a result of continued market softness in the U.K. operations, resulting in lower sales and margins 
and an expected sale price below the carrying value of the segment. 

The Company completed its goodwill impairment testing as of October 1, 2019, and no impairments were 

recognized as a result of this analysis. 

CPI’s amortizable intangible assets consist of customer relationships, technology and software, and trademarks. 

Total intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 15.7 years. Intangible amortization 
expense totaled $4,635 and $4,656 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  During the year 
ended December 31, 2019 there were no impairments of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets.  The Company 
recorded an impairment charge of $1,249 to customer relationship intangible assets related to the U.K. Limited segment 
in the second quarter of 2018, which is reported in discontinued operations. 

Intangible assets consist of the following: 

    Weighted Average     
Life (Years) 
 17.2 
 8 
 8.7 
 5 

Customer relationships 
Technology and software 
Trademarks 
Noncompete agreements 
Intangible assets subject to 
amortization 

December 31, 2019 
    Accumulated       Net Book      
  Amortization 

December 31, 2018 
    Accumulated       Net Book    
  Amortization 

Cost 
$  55,454  
 7,101  
 3,330  
 491  

Value 

Cost 
 (28,865)  $ 26,589   $  55,454   $   (25,587)  $ 29,867  
 3,077  
 7,101  
 2,453  
 3,330  
 40  
 491  

 (4,952) 
 (1,266) 
 (491) 

 (4,024) 
 (877) 
 (451) 

 2,149  
 2,064  
 —  

Value 

$  66,376   $   (35,574)  $ 30,802   $  66,376   $   (30,939)  $ 35,437  

The estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the identified amortizable intangibles noted above as 

of December 31, 2019 is as follows: 

2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
Thereafter

$ 

   $ 

 4,595 
 4,352 
 3,867 
 3,867 
 3,530 
 10,591 
 30,802 

8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an 
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). In determining fair value, the 
Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into 
three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels: 

•  Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the 

reporting entity at the measurement date. 

F-17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Level 2—Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or 

liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. 

•  Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that 

observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market 
activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be remeasured at fair value in the 

Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows: 

Liabilities: 

2019 

2019 

Carrying 

  Value as of    Fair Value as of 
  December 31,  December 31,   

Fair Value Measurement at 
December 31, 2019 
(Using Fair Value Hierarchy)   
     Level 3  

     Level 1       Level 2 

First Lien Term Loan 

   $   312,500    $ 

 234,375   $  —    $  234,375   $  —  

Liabilities: 

2018 

2018 

Carrying 

  Value as of    Fair Value as of 
  December 31,  December 31,   

Fair Value Measurement at 
December 31, 2018 
(Using Fair Value Hierarchy)   
     Level 3  

     Level 1       Level 2 

First Lien Term Loan 

  $   312,500    $ 

 203,125   $  —    $  203,125   $  —  

The aggregate fair value of the Company’s First Lien Term Loan, as defined in Note 10, “Long-Term Debt and 

Credit Facility,” was based on bank quotes. 

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to their short maturities. 

Nonrecurring fair value measurements include the Company’s goodwill and intangible asset impairments 

recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018, as determined based on unobservable Level 3 inputs.  Refer to 
Note 7, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, and Note 4, “Discontinued Operations”. 

9. Accrued Liabilities 

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following: 

Accrued payroll and related employee expenses 
Accrued employee performance bonus 
Accrued Interest 
Operating and financing lease liability (current portion) 
Other 
Total accrued expenses 

     December 31, 2019      December 31, 2018 

   $ 

 3,954 
$ 
 3,920     
 4,951 
 4,494  
 5,501 

  $ 

 22,820   $ 

 4,040 
 7,137 
 5,058 
 521 
 7,097 
 23,853 

F-18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. Long-Term Debt and Credit Facility

Long-term debt consists of the following: 

First Lien Term Loan (a) 
Unamortized discount 
Unamortized deferred financing costs 
Total long-term debt 
Less current maturities 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities 

(a)

Interest rate on December 31, 2019

First Lien Credit Facility 

Interest    December 31,   December 31,  

Rate 
6.71% 

2019 
$   312,500 
 (1,770)  
 (2,952)  
 307,778 
—
$   307,778 

2018 
$   312,500 
 (2,448) 
 (4,234) 
 305,818 
— 
$   305,818 

On August 17, 2015, the Company entered into the first lien credit facility (the “First Lien Credit Facility”) 
with a syndicate of lenders providing for a $435,000 first lien term loan (the “First Lien Term Loan”) and a $40,000 
revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The First Lien Term Loan matures August 17, 2022 and the 
Revolving Credit Facility was terminated on March 6, 2020.    

On March 6, 2020, the Company entered into a new $30,000 senior credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”), 
which matures on May 17, 2022.  The Revolving Credit Facility was terminated concurrently with the closing of the new 
Senior Credit Facility on March 6, 2020.  Refer to Note 19- Subsequent Event for further information.  

The Revolving Credit Facility was, and the First Lien Credit Facility is, secured by a first-priority security 

interest in substantially all of the Company's assets constituting equipment, inventory, receivables, cash and other 
tangible and intangible property.  

Interest rates under the First Lien Term Loan are based, at the Company's election, on a Eurodollar rate, subject 

to an interest rate floor of 1.0%, plus a margin of 4.50% or a base rate plus a margin of 3.50%. The interest rate as of 
December 31, 2019 was 6.71%. 

The First Lien Term Loan contains customary nonfinancial covenants, including among other things, 

restrictions on indebtedness, issuance of liens, investments, dividends, redemptions and other distributions to equity 
holders, asset sales, certain mergers or consolidations, sales, transfers, leases or dispositions of substantially all of the 
Company's assets and affiliate transactions. The First Lien Credit Facility also contained a requirement that, as of the last 
day of any fiscal quarter, if the amount the Company has drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility was greater than 
50% of the aggregate principal amount of all commitments of the lenders thereunder, then the Company must maintain a 
first lien net leverage not in excess of 7.0 times adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the agreement.  As of December 31, 
2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the First Lien Credit Facility.  

The Revolving Credit Facility required, and the First Lien Term Loan also requires a prepayment in advance of 

the maturity date upon the occurrence of certain customary events, including based on an annual excess cash flow 
calculation, pursuant to the terms of the agreement, with any required payments to be made after the issuance of the 
Company’s annual financial statements. The Company did not have a required excess cash flow payment related to 
2019.  

In accordance with the terms of the First Lien Credit Facility, the Company repaid $112,500 of the First Lien 

Term Loan on October 15, 2015 in conjunction with the completion of its initial public offering, and an additional 
$10,000 during the fourth quarter of 2015.  

As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit 
Facility, and had $19,950 available for borrowing. The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was the Federal 
base rate plus 3.5%. The Company had one outstanding letter of credit for $50 relating to the security deposit on a real 

F-19

 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
property lease agreement under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company paid a fee on outstanding 
letters of credit at the applicable margin, which was 4.5% as of December 31, 2019, in addition to a fronting fee of 
0.125% per annum. In addition, the Company was required to pay an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.375% per 
annum to 0.50% per annum of the average unused portion of the revolving commitments. The Company accrued interest 
of $4,951 and $5,058 recorded within “Accrued expenses” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 
2019, and 2018, respectively.  

Deferred Financing Costs and Discount 

Certain costs and discounts incurred with borrowings or the establishment or modification of credit facilities are 

reflected as a reduction to the long-term debt balance. These costs are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense 
over the life of the borrowing using the effective-interest rate method. 

11. Income Taxes  

Income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations and effective income tax rates consist of the 

following: 

Current taxes: 
Domestic 
Foreign 

Deferred taxes: 
Domestic 
Foreign 

Income tax expense (benefit) 
Loss before income taxes 

Domestic income (loss) 
Foreign 

Total 
Effective income tax rate 

December 31, 

2019 

2018 

   $ 

 2,490   $ 
 15  
 2,505  

 2,558  
 —  
 2,558  

 1,147  
 —  
 1,147  
 3,652   $ 

 (6,897) 
 —  
 (6,897) 
 (4,339) 

 (1,479) 

 801   $   (18,383) 
 (755) 
 (678)  $   (19,138) 

 (538.6)%  

 22.7 % 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

The effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate as follows: 

Tax at federal statutory rate 
State income taxes 
Foreign taxes 
Tax benefit for U.K. sale 
Valuation allowance 
Unrecognized tax benefits 
Tax credits 
Deferred tax impact of enacted tax rate and law changes 
Permanent items 
Other 
Effective income tax rate 

December 31, 

2019 
 21.0 % 

 (114.8)  
 (51.9)  
 345.2  
 (474.7) 
 (34.5) 
 (108.4) 
 —  
 (120.6) 
 0.1   
 (538.6)% 

2018 
 21.0 % 
 4.0   
 (0.1)  
 17.5  
 (13.5) 
 (4.8) 
 2.5  
 (0.7) 
 (1.8) 
 (1.4)  
 22.7 % 

F-20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: 

Deferred tax assets: 
Accrued expense 
Net operating loss carryforward 
Deferred financing costs 
Stock compensation 
Tax credit carryforward 
Interest limitation 
Lease liability 
Other 

Total gross deferred tax assets 
Valuation allowance 
Net deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities: 

Plant, equipment and leasehold improvements 
Intangible assets 
Right-of-use assets 
Prepaid expenses and other 
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 
Net deferred tax liabilities 

  $ 

December 31, 

2019 

2018 

 2,426   $ 
 1,216  
 400  
 892  
 17  
 8,773  
 1,728  
 669  
 16,121  
 (5,638) 
 10,483  

 2,553  
 5,589  
 553  
 861  
 1,118  
 4,412  
 —  
 927  
 16,013  
 (6,823) 
 9,190  

 (5,505) 
 (8,877) 
 (1,486) 
 (1,511) 
 (17,379) 

  $ 

 (6,896)  $ 

 (3,851) 
 (9,311) 
 —  
 (1,777) 
 (14,939) 
 (5,749) 

The net change in the valuation allowance during the year ended December 31, 2019 was a decrease of $1,185. 
The overall decrease is comprised primarily of a decrease related to the sale of certain foreign subsidiaries and changes 
in facts and circumstances related to state research and development credits carried forward, partially offset by an 
increase due to the interest deduction limitation related to section 163(j) that is not expected to be fully realized.     

For 2019, the effective tax rate differs from the federal U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the impact of tax 

expense recorded related to a partial valuation allowance on certain U.S. deferred tax assets.  The partial valuation 
allowance is due to the limitation on the deductibility of interest expense which is a provision of U.S. government tax 
reform legislation enacted in December 2017.  In addition, the Company recorded tax benefits relating to certain 
elections in connection with the U.K. segment disposition. Other items impacting the effective tax rate in 2019 include 
other permanent non-deductible items, and state and foreign income taxes.   

The Company no longer has any substantial potential tax benefits associated with gross foreign operating loss 

carryforwards due to the sale of its Canadian subsidiary. The Company has potential tax benefits associated with $3,668 
of gross domestic operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2019, which do not expire. The Company also has 
various state and local operating loss carryforwards which will expire at various dates from 2033 to 2038. The Company 
does expect to be able to utilize these losses prior to expiration.  The Company’s income tax receivable on the 
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, is primarily comprised of a U.S. federal 
income tax receivable relating to a prior tax year. 

The Company has potential tax benefits associated with state research and development tax credit carryforwards 

as of December 31, 2019 of $108, which will expire in 2032. The Company expects to be able to recognize these credit 
carryforwards, and accordingly has not provided a valuation allowance for the tax benefit. Additionally, the Company 
does not have any potential tax benefits associated with federal research and development tax credit carryforwards as of 
December 31, 2019. 

F-21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
At December 31, 2019, no provision has been made for U.S. federal and state taxes on cumulative foreign 
earnings as there are no current or cumulative earnings of foreign operations. The Company recorded no current tax 
benefit in 2019 related to the sale of the Canadian operations. 

Unrecognized Tax Benefits 

Unrecognized tax benefits represent the aggregate tax effect of differences between the tax return positions and 
the amounts otherwise recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and are reflected in “Other long 
term liabilities” and “Deferred income taxes” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company accounts for 
uncertain tax positions by recognizing the financial statement effects of a tax provision only when based upon the 
technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the tax position will be sustained upon examination.  

Balance as of December 31, 2018 
Increase related to current year tax position 
Decrease related to prior year tax position 
Decrease related to settlements with tax authorities, net of federal benefit 
Balance as of December 31, 2019 

$ 

$ 

 2,044 
 349 
 (97)
 (124)
 2,172 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of 

income tax expense. The amount of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended 
December 31, 2019 was $238, and was $221 for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

The Company is generally subject to potential federal and state examinations for the tax years on and after 

December 31, 2014 for federal purposes and December 31, 2015 for state purposes. The Company is subject to 
examinations for its U.K. subsidiaries for tax years ended on and after December 31, 2018. The Company's Canadian 
subsidiary which was sold April 1, 2019, is subject to examination for tax years ended on and after December 31, 2016.  

12. Stockholders’ Deficit

Common Stock 

Common Stock has a par value of $0.001 per share. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends 

and distributions subject to the participation rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding, as such 
holders have prior rights as to dividends pursuant to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock. Upon any liquidation, 
dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after required payments are made to holders of any series of Preferred Stock, 
any remaining assets of the Company will be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock. Holders of Common 
Stock are entitled to one vote per share.  

13. Loss per Share

Basic or diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net earnings or loss by the weighted-average number of 

ordinary shares outstanding during the period. 

F-22

 
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share: 

Numerator: 

Net loss from continuing operations 
Net loss from a discontinued operation, net of taxes 
Net loss 
Denominator: 

December 31,

2019 

2018 

$ 

$ 

 (4,330)  $ 
 (124) 
 (4,454)  $ 

 (14,799) 
 (22,663) 
 (37,462) 

Basic and diluted EPS—weighted average common shares outstanding 

 11,196,710 

 11,149,554 

Basic and Diluted EPS: 

Loss per share from continuing operations 
Loss per share from discontinued operations, net of taxes 
Loss per share 

$ 

$ 

 (0.39)  $ 
 (0.01) 
 (0.40)  $ 

 (1.33) 
 (2.03) 
 (3.36) 

The potentially dilutive effect of 800,431 and 985,876 stock options and restricted stock units as of 
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, has been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as 
their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.  

14. Commitments and Contingencies; Litigation Settlement

Commitments 

Please see Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Polices for details on our future cash payments with 

respect to financing and operating leases 

The Company has recorded the current portion of financing lease obligations in “Accrued expenses” and the 

long-term financing lease obligations in “Other long-term liabilities”, within the consolidated balance sheet as of 
December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018.  

The Company incurred rent expense under non-cancellable operating leases during the years ended 

December 31, 2019 and 2018, totaling $3,344 and $3,767, respectively. 

During the normal course of business, the Company enters into non-cancellable agreements to purchase goods 
and services, including production equipment and information technology systems. The Company leases real property 
for its facilities under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. Land and facility leases expire at various dates 
between 2021 and 2024 and contain various provisions for rental adjustments and renewals. The leases typically require 
the Company to pay property taxes, insurance and normal maintenance costs. 

Contingencies 

In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability when loss 

contingencies are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts 
accrued. As a matter develops, the Company, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on 
an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. Once the loss 
contingency is deemed to be both probable and estimable, the Company will establish an accrued liability and record a 
corresponding amount of litigation-related expense. The Company expenses professional fees associated with litigation 
claims and assessments as incurred. 

Heckermann v. Montross et al., Case No. 1:17-CV-01673 (D. Del.) (the “Derivative Suit”) 

On November 20, 2017, a purported Company stockholder filed a stockholder derivative complaint in the 

United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) against certain of the Company’s former officers 
and current and former directors, along with the sponsors of the Company’s October 2015 initial public offering (“IPO”). 
The Company was also named as a nominal defendant. The derivative complaint asserted claims under §§10(b) and 
20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5 and sought, among other things, injunctive relief, 
damages and costs. It alleged false or misleading statements and omissions in the Registration Statement filed by the 

F-23

 
 
 
Company in connection with its IPO and subsequent public filings and statements. The derivative complaint also 
asserted claims for purported breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, mismanagement and waste of corporate 
assets.  

On December 18, 2019, the parties filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement to resolve and dismiss the 

Derivative Suit, and on January 2, 2020, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement set forth therein. 
Under the settlement, (i) all claims that were or could have been asserted in the Derivative Suit will be resolved and 
discharged, (ii) the Company will implement certain corporate governance reforms, and (iii) the Company’s insurer will 
pay fees and expenses awarded to the plaintiff’s counsel in the amount of $343 and a service award to the plaintiff of a 
nominal amount. The Court will hold a hearing on April 1, 2020 to, among other things, approve the settlement.  No 
liability has been recorded by the Company as of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018. 

In addition to the matter described above, the Company is subject to routine legal proceedings in the ordinary 
course of business. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. 

Litigation Settlement  

CPI Card Group Inc. v. Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc., et al. Second Case  

During the summer of 2017, the Company and its subsidiary, CPI Card Group – Minnesota, Inc. (together, the 
“Company Plaintiffs”), commenced a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against a 
former employee, Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc. (“MPS”), and two MPS employees as individuals (collectively, the 
Defendants).  On June 12, 2019, the Company Plaintiffs and the Defendants reached a settlement pursuant to which the 
case was resolved and dismissed by mutual agreement on terms that provided for, among other things, a cash payment to 
the Company.  The Company received a $6,000 cash settlement payment during the second quarter of 2019, and 
recorded the gain within income from operations, in the Other segment.  The case was dismissed in its entirety, with 
prejudice, by court order on July 12, 2019. 

15. Employee Benefit Plan

The Company maintains a qualified defined-contribution plan under the provisions of the Internal Revenue 

Code Section 401(k), which covers substantially all employees in the United States who meet certain eligibility 
requirements. Under the plan, participants may defer their salary subject to statutory limitations and may direct the 
contributions among various investment options. The Company matches 100% of the participant’s first 3% of deferrals 
and 50% matching on each of the 4th and 5th percent contributed by the participant. As the Company operates the plan as 
a safe harbor 401(k) plan, the Company’s match is 100% vested at the time of the match. 

The aggregate amounts charged to expense in connection with the plan were $1,359 and $1,235 for the years 

ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

16. Stock Based Compensation

CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan 

During October 2015, the Company adopted the CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus 

Plan”) pursuant to which cash and equity based incentives may be granted to participating employees, advisors and 
directors. The Company had reserved 1,200,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the Omnibus Plan.  As of 
December 31, 2019, there were 278,199 shares available for grant under the Omnibus Plan. 

The Company did not grant any awards of non-qualified stock options for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company granted awards of non-qualified stock options for 159,755 
shares of common stock. All stock option grants have a 10-year term, and will generally vest ratably over a three-year 
period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. 

F-24

The following is a summary of the activity in outstanding stock options under the Omnibus Plan:  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 

Forfeited 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 
Options vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 
2019 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price 

Weighted- 
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term 
(in Years) 

14.99 
15.48 
14.91 
19.01 

14.91 

7.40 
7.15 

7.40 

Options

 910,627 
 (117,543) 
 793,084 
 542,513 

$ 

$ 

 793,084 

The following is a summary of the activity in non-vested stock options under the Omnibus Plan: 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2018 

Forfeited 
Vested 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2019 

Unvested options as of December 31, 2019 vest as follows: 

2020 
2021 
Total unvested options as of December 31, 2019 

Number 

 605,352 
 (78,676)
 (276,105)
 250,571 

$ 

$ 

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value 

 3.14 
 3.39 
 4.20 
 1.90

 200,364 
 50,207
 250,571 

The fair value of stock option awards was determined at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing 

model, with the following weighted-average assumptions: 

Expected term in years 
Volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Dividend yield 

 December 31, 2018 
 6.0 
 48.0 %
 2.7 % 
— % 

Expected term –For option grants valued using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, the Company estimated 

the expected term based on the average of the weighted-average vesting period and the contractual term of the stock 
option awards by utilizing the “simplified method”, as the Company does not have sufficient available historical data to 
estimate the expected term of these stock option awards.   

Volatility – The Company considered the volatility of its own common stock in determining the fair value of 
stock option awards, in addition to a peer group average historical volatility over the expected option term.  This is due 
to the limited amount of trading history of the Company’s common stock.  The peer group was based on financial 
technology companies that completed an initial public offering of common stock within the last 10 years.   

Risk-free interest rate – The risk-free interest rate was determined by using the United States Treasury rate for 

the period that coincided with the expected option term. 

F-25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend yield – The estimated dividend yield is based on the Company’s recent historical dividend practice 

and the market value of its common stock.   

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted is as follows: 

Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value of Options Granted 

$ 

n/a 

$ 

1.21 

Year Ended December 31, 

2019 

2018 

The following table summarizes the changes in the number of outstanding restricted stock units for the year 

ended December 31, 2019 under the Omnibus Plan: 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 

Shares

 68,649 
 (57,563) 
 (3,739) 
 7,347 

$ 

$ 

  Weighted- 
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 6.25 
 3.15 
 22.01 
 22.49 

The Company did not grant awards of restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the 

year ended December 31, 2018, the Company granted awards of restricted stock units for 75,188 shares of common 
stock. The restricted stock unit awards contain conditions associated with continued employment or service, and 
generally vest one year from the date of grant.  On the vesting dates, shares of common stock are issued to the award 
recipients.  Unvested restricted stock units of 7,347 as of December 31, 2019 will vest entirely in 2020. 

The following table summarizes the changes in the number of outstanding cash performance awards for the year 

ended December 31, 2019: 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 

  Cash Performance Awards 
 425,012 
 (212,505)
 (71,435)
 141,072 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company granted awards of 932,837 cash performance units 
with a grant-date fair value of $663. These awards will settle in cash in three annual payments on the first, second and 
third anniversaries of the date of grant.  The cash performance units are based on the performance of the Company’s 
stock, measured based on the Company’s stock price at each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date 
compared to the Company’s stock price on the date of grant.  The cash performance units originally in 2017 were valued 
using a Monte Carlo simulation.  The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis for each 
annual performance period. The cash performance units are accounted for as a liability and remeasured to fair value at 
the end of each reporting period.  As of December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a liability of $65 in “Accrued 
expenses” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for unsettled cash performance units, which are expected to vest in March 
2020. 

Compensation expense for the Omnibus Plan for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $250 and 

$961, respectively.  As of December 31, 2019, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested options, 
restricted stock units, and cash performance unit awards under the Omnibus Plan was $126, which the Company expects 
to recognize over an estimated weighted average period of 0.8 years. 

F-26

 
 
 
 
 
 
CPI Holdings I, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Option Plan 

In 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the CPI Holdings I, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 

Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”). Under the provisions of the Option Plan, stock options may be granted to 
employees, directors, and consultants at an exercise price greater than or equal to (and not less than) the fair market 
value of a share on the date the option is granted.   

As a result of the Company’s adoption of its Omnibus Plan, as further described above, no further awards will 

be made under the Option Plan.   

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the remaining 6,600 outstanding shares in the Option Plan were 

exercised. As such, there were no outstanding shares remaining as of December 31, 2019 

There was no compensation expense related to options previously granted under the Option Plan, for years 

ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

17. Segment Reporting 

The Company has identified reportable segments as those consolidated subsidiaries that represent 10% or more 

of its net sales, EBITDA (as defined below) or total assets, or when the Company believes information about the 
segment would be useful to the readers of the financial statements. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its 
Chief Executive Officer who is charged with management of the Company and is responsible for the evaluation of 
operating performance and decision making about the allocation of resources to operating segments based on measures, 
such as net sales and EBITDA. 

EBITDA is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment 
operating performance. As the Company uses the term, EBITDA is defined as income before interest expense, income 
taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company’s chief operating decision maker believes EBITDA is a meaningful 
measure and is superior to available GAAP measures as it represents a transparent view of the Company’s operating 
performance that is unaffected by fluctuations in property, equipment and leasehold improvement additions. The 
Company’s chief operating decision maker uses EBITDA to perform periodic reviews and comparison of operating 
trends and identify strategies to improve the allocation of resources amongst segments. 

On August 3, 2018, the Company completed the sale of the U.K. Limited segment. See Note 4 “Discontinued 

Operation” for further information. The Company has restated all historical periods presented within these financial 
statements and has not included U.K. Limited as a reportable segment.  

As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s reportable segments were as follows: 

•  U.S. Debit and Credit, 

•  U.S. Prepaid Debit, and 

•  Other. 

U.S. Debit and Credit Segment 

The U.S. Debit and Credit segment primarily produces Financial Payment Cards and provides integrated card 
services to card-issuing banks in the United States. Products manufactured by this segment primarily include EMV and 
non-EMV Financial Payment Cards, including contact, contactless, and dual-interface cards, CPI MetalsTM, a premium 
metal card and Second WaveTM payment cards featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic.  The 
Company also sells instant card issuance solutions, and Private Label Credit Cards that are not issued on the networks of 
the Payment Cards Brands. The Company provides CPI On-Demand services, where images, personalized payment 
cards, and related collateral are produced on a one-by-one, on demand basis for customers. This segment also provides a 
variety of integrated card services, including card personalization and fulfillment services and instant issuance services. 

F-27 

 
The U.S. Debit and Credit segment operations are each audited for compliance by multiple Payment Card Brands. Many 
of the Company’s customers require CPI to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

U.S. Prepaid Debit Segment 

The U.S. Prepaid Debit segment primarily provides integrated card services to Prepaid Debit Card providers in 

the United States, including tamper-evident security packaging. This segment also produces Financial Payment Cards 
issued on the networks of the Payment Card Brands that are included in the tamper-evident security packages. The U.S. 
Prepaid Debit segment operation is audited for compliance by multiple Payment Card Brands.  Many of the Company’s 
customers require CPI to comply with the standards of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

Other 

The Other segment includes corporate expenses and a less significant operation that generated sales from the 

production of Financial Payment Cards and retail gift cards, and card personalization and fulfillment services in Canada, 
prior to its sale. The sale agreement did not include the portions of the business relating to Financial Payment Cards, as 
those business customers of the Canadian subsidiary migrated to the Company’s operations in the U.S. or to other 
service providers in 2019. 

Performance Measures of Reportable Segments 

Net sales and EBITDA from continuing operations of the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended 

December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: 

Net Sales 
December 31, 

EBITDA 
December 31, 

2019 

2018 

2019 

2018 

U.S. Debit and Credit 
U.S. Prepaid Debit 
Other 
Intersegment eliminations(a) 

Total: 

$ 213,141  $ 178,597  $  46,227  $   34,213 
 23,782 
 (35,297)
 — 
$ 278,073  $ 255,814  $  41,215  $   22,698 

 22,456 
 (27,468) 
 —  

 69,199 
 9,891 
 (1,873)  

 64,330 
 1,679 
 (1,077)  

(a) Amounts include the elimination of sales between segments for consolidation.

The following table provides a reconciliation of total segment EBITDA from continuing operations to “Net loss 

from continuing operations” for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: 

Total segment EBITDA from continuing operations 
Interest, net 
Income tax benefit (expense) 
Depreciation and amortization 
Net loss from continuing operations 

December 31, 

2019 

2018 

$  41,215    $   22,698 
   (23,431)
   (24,891) 
 4,339 
 (3,652) 
   (18,405)
   (17,002) 
$  (4,330)   $  (14,799)

F-28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data of Reportable Segments 

Total assets of the Company’s reportable segments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: 

U.S. Debit and Credit
U.S. Prepaid Debit 
Other 

Total assets 

December 31, 

2019 

2018 

$  176,496  $  169,567 
 25,117 
 12,520 
$  213,487  $  207,204 

 25,259 
 11,732 

Net Sales to Geographic Location; Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements and Long-Lived assets by 
Geographic Segments 

Subsequent to the sale of the Company’s U.K. Limited segment and reclassification to discontinued operations, 
and the sale of the Company’s Canada operations on April 1, 2019, the Company’s Net Sales, Property, Equipment and 
Leasehold Improvements, and Long-Lived assets relating to geographic locations outside of the United States is 
insignificant. 

Net Sales by Product and Services 

Net sales from products and services sold by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 

were as follows: 

Product net sales(a) 
Services net sales(b) 
Total net sales: 

December 31, 

2019 

2018 

$  143,941  $  125,069 
 130,745 
$  278,073  $  255,814 

 134,132 

(a)

(b)

“Products” net sales include the design and production of Financial Payment Cards in contact-EMV, Dual-Interface
EMV, metal, contactless and magnetic stripe card formats. The Company also generates “Products” revenue from
the sale of Card@Once printers and consumables, private label credit cards and retail gift cards.

“Services” net sales include revenue from the personalization and fulfillment of Financial Payment Cards, providing
tamper-evident security packaging and fulfillment services to Prepaid Debit Card program managers and software as
a service personalization of instant issuance debit cards. The Company also generates “Services” revenue from
usage fees generated from the Company’s patented card design software, known as MYCA, which provides
customers and cardholders the ability to design cards on the internet and customize cards with individualized digital
images. “Services” revenue is also generated from personalizing retail gift cards, historically generated in Canada
prior to the disposition.

18. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 on a continuing operations 

basis, were as follows: 

2019 by Quarter: 
Net sales 
Gross profit 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 

Q1 

Q2 

Q3 

Q4 

$ 66,866   $ 66,901  $  71,681   $ 72,625   $ 
$ 21,521   $ 22,381  $  25,419   $ 21,998   $ 
 (656)  $  (2,129)  $ 
$  (3,097)  $  1,552  $ 

Year Ended 
 December 31, 
2019 
 278,073 
 91,319 
 (4,330) 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing 
operations 

$  (0.28)  $  0.14  $   (0.06)  $  (0.19)  $ 

 (0.39) 

F-29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 by Quarter: 
Net sales 
Gross profit 
Net loss from continuing operations  

  Year Ended 
  December 31,  

Q2 

Q1 

Q3 
$ 54,857  $  61,454   $ 70,987   $ 68,516   $   255,814 
$ 14,428   $  19,875   $ 23,308   $ 20,979   $ 
 78,590 
 (802)  $  (1,085)  $  (7,235)  $   (14,799) 
$  (5,677) $ 

2018 

Q4 

Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations     $  (0.51)  $   (0.07)  $  (0.10)  $  (0.65)  $ 

 (1.33) 

19. Subsequent Event

On March 6, 2020, the Company entered into a new $30,000 floating rate senior credit facility (the “Senior 

Credit Facility”) with two of its First Lien Term Loan lenders.  The Senior Credit Facility, which is senior in priority to 
the Company’s $312,500 First Lien Term Loan, matures on May 17, 2022, and is collateralized by substantially all of 
the Company’s assets.  The Company plans to use the proceeds towards execution of its strategic plan. Concurrently 
with the closing of the new Senior Credit Facility, the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility was terminated, and CPI 
and CPI Acquisition, Inc. entered into a second amendment to the First Lien Term Loan. The Revolving Credit Facility 
had no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2019, or on its termination date of March 6, 2020. 

F-30

 
 
 
 
 
Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

None. 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange 

Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), that are designed to assure that information required to be disclosed in 
our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's 
rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.  

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated 

the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based on this 
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and 
procedures were effective as of December 31, 2019.  

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our 

disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls 
and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, 
can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Further, the design of a 
control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to 
apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the 
inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues 
and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities 
that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. 
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, 
or by management’s override of the control. 

The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of 

future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential 
future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of 
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective 
control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial 

reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting 
is a process designed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal 
executive officer and principal financial officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States. 

As of December 31, 2019, our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 
Internal Control-Integrated Framework, or 2013 Framework. Based on this assessment, our management concluded that, 
as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria. This Annual 
Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition 
period established by the rules of the SEC for newly public companies. 

43 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 

during the fourth quarter of 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company implemented changes to internal controls due to the 
adoption of Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Accounting Standard Codification Topic 842) effective 
January 1, 2019. These changes include processes to evaluate and account for contracts under the new accounting 
standard.  There were no significant changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting due to the 
adoption of the new standard. 

Item 9B.  Other Information 

On March 6, 2020, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, CPI Acquisition, Inc. (the “Borrower”), 

entered into a super senior credit agreement with Guggenheim Credit Services, LLC (“Guggenheim”), Vector Capital 
Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (“Vector”), Guggenheim, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain 
other lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Senior Credit Agreement” and together with all ancillary documents 
thereto, the “Senior Credit Facility”).  

The Senior Credit Facility provides for the extension of credit to the Borrower in the form of super senior term 

loans in an aggregate principal amount of $30 million, which will rank senior in priority to the Company’s 
$312.5 million First Lien Term Loan. The Senior Credit Facility contains customary representations, covenants and 
events of default, including certain covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability 
to incur indebtedness, grant certain types of security interests, incur certain types of liens, sell or transfer assets or enter 
into a merger or consolidate with another company, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, make certain types of 
investments, declare or make dividends or distributions, engage in certain affiliate transactions, or modify organizational 
documents, among other restrictions and subject to certain exceptions. The Company is also required to maintain 
adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Senior Credit Facility, of $25 million for the previous four consecutive fiscal 
quarters in total for each quarterly period ending on or after March 31, 2020. Interest due under the Senior Credit 
Facility is floating for the term of each borrowing and is payable according to the terms of that borrowing. Interest rates 
are based, at the Company's election, on a Eurodollar rate plus a margin of 8.5% or a base rate plus a margin of 7.5%.  
The maturity date of the Senior Credit Facility is May 17, 2022, and prepayments made prior to February 15, 2022 are 
subject to a make-whole premium. The term loans made under the Senior Credit Facility would be accelerated and 
become immediately due and payable if an event of default (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) were to occur. If 
Tricor Funds were to sell or otherwise dispose of more than 25% of CPI’s outstanding common stock, or otherwise cease 
to own at least 30% of CPI’s outstanding common stock, other than by means of distributing CPI common stock to the 
participants in Tricor Funds, a “change of control” event of default would occur. Additionally, certain proposed changes 
to the Senior Credit Facility require the consent of lenders representing more than 50% of the outstanding term loans, 
and if a lender does not consent to such proposed changes, then, among other options, CPI may be required to pre-pay 
the non-consenting lender’s portion of the loan, including accrued interest, fees and other amounts payable, as well as a 
make-whole premium. The proceeds of the Senior Credit Facility may be used by the Company to provide for the 
working capital and general corporate requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries, including to pay any fees and 
expenses in connection with the Senior Credit Facility and other related loan documents. 

In order to implement the Senior Credit Facility with priority over the First Lien Term Loan, among other 

things, concurrently with the closing of the Senior Credit Facility, (i) CPI, certain subsidiaries of CPI, the Borrower, the 
Required Lenders (as defined in the First Lien Term Loan), GLAS USA LLC, as administrative agent for the lenders, 
and GLAS Americas LLC, as collateral agent for the lenders, entered into a second amendment to the First Lien Term 
Loan and certain ancillary documents thereto; and (ii) CPI, the Borrower, Guggenheim, GLAS Americas LLC, and 
certain other first lien and super senior representatives that may from time to time become party thereto entered into an 
intercreditor agreement. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

PART III 

The information required by this Item will be included in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), which we expect to be filed within 120 days of the end of our fiscal 
year ended December 31, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation 

Information relating to our executive officer and director compensation is incorporated herein by reference to 

the Proxy Statement. 

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

Information relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners of our common stock and information 

relating to the security ownership of the registrant’s management is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy 
Statement. 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

Information relating to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated 

herein by reference to the Proxy Statement. 

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy 

Statement. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV 

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K. 

1. Financial Statements filed as a part of this document under Item 8. 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

2. Financial Statement Schedule 

All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable, or the 

required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto included in this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K. 

3. Exhibits 

Exhibit Description 

2.1 

2.2 

3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

4.1 

Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2014, by and among William S. Dinker, 
Katherine S. Nevill, Bobby Smith and Tom Hedrich, William S. Dinker 2012 Trust for Edward 
McCullough Dinker, William S. Dinker 2012 Trust for John Walsh Dinker and William S. Dinker 
2012 Trust for William S. Dinker III, EFT Source, Inc., CPI Acquisition, Inc. and William S. 
Dinker, as Sellers' Representative (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration 
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)). 

Share Purchase Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between CPI Card Group-Europe 
Limited, SEAFOX BIDCO Limited and CPI Acquisition, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 9, 2018). 

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CPI Card Group Inc. (incorporated by 
reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-207350)).  

Certificate of Amendment of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CPI 
Card Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
December 22, 2017).  

Amended and Restated Bylaws of CPI Card Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to the 
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-207350)). 

Form of Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on 
Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)). 

4.2* 

    Description of Registrant’s Securities. 

10.1** 

10.2** 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated April 22, 2009, between CPI Acquisition, Inc. 
and Steven Montross (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on 
Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)). 

First Amendment of the Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, effective as of April 17, 
2017, between CPI Acquisition, Inc. and Steven Montross (incorporated by reference to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2017). 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
10.3** 

10.4** 

10.5** 

10.6** 

10.7** 

10.8** 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated September 25, 2017, by and between CPI 
Card Group Inc. and Scott Scheirman (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed September 29, 2017). 

Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan, 
dated September 25, 2017, by and between CPI Card Group Inc. and Scott Scheirman (incorporated 
by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 29, 2017). 

Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated October 1, 2008, between Metaca 
Corporation and Anna Rossetti (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement 
on Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)). 

CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective September 25, 
2017 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 29, 
2017).  

Form of Cash Performance Unit Award Agreement under the CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus 
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed 
May 4, 2017). 

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive 
Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed 
November 8, 2017) 

10.9** 

CPI Holdings I, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to 
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)). 

10.10** 

CPI Card Group Inc. U.S. Executive Severance and Change in Control Guidelines (incorporated by 
reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2017). 

10.11** 

Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration 
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)). 

10.12** 

First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2015, by and among CPI Card Group Inc., CPI 
Acquisition Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto and the Bank of Nova Scotia, as 
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-206218)).  

10.13** 

Director Nomination Agreement by and between CPI Card Group Inc. and the Tricor Funds 
(incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 
2015). 

10.14 

10.15 

Registration Rights Agreement by and between CPI Card Group Inc. and the Tricor Funds 
(incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 
2015). 

First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2016, between CPI Card Group Inc. and 
the Bank of Nova Scotia (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q filed November 7, 2018). 

10.16** 

2019 Executive Retention Agreement dated November 7, 2018 between CPI Card Group Inc. and 
Scott Scheirman Officers (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K filed March 6, 2019).  

10.17** 

Form of 2019 Executive Retention Agreement for certain Executive Officers (incorporated by 
reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2019). 

47 

  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
10.18** 

2019 Executive Incentive Plan dated February 27, 2019 (incorporated by reference to the 
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2019). 

10.19** 

10.20** 

2020 Executive Retention Agreement, dated September 11, 2019 between CPI Card Group Inc. and 
Scott Scheirman (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed 
November 6, 2019). 

Form of 2020 Executive Retention Agreement, dated September 11, 2019 for certain Executive 
Officers (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed 
November 6, 2019). 

10.21** 

Form of 2020 Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 6, 2019). 

21.1* 

    List of Subsidiaries of the Company. 

23.1* 

    Consent of Independent Registered Accounting Firm, KPMG LLP. 

31.1* 

31.2* 

32.1* 

Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002. 

Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002. 

Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Required Under Section 906 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

101.INS*      XBRL Instance Document. 

101.SCH*     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. 

101.CAL*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. 

101.DEF*     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 

101.LAB*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. 

101.PRE*     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. 

*  Filed herewith. 
**   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 

48 

 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to 

be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

CPI CARD GROUP INC. 

/s/ John Lowe 
John Lowe  
Chief Financial Officer   

March 6, 2020 

KNOWN BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the individuals whose signatures appear below 

hereby constitute and appoint Scott Scheirman and John Lowe and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful 
attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead in 
any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all 
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting 
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do or perform each and every act and thing requisite 
and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in 
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or of his substitute or 
substitutes, may lawfully do to cause to be done by virtue hereof.  

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1934 Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on 

behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Name 

Title 

Date 

/s/ Scott Scheirman 
Scott Scheirman 

/s/ John Lowe 
John Lowe 

/s/ Kevin O’Brien 
Kevin O’Brien 

/s/ Bradley Seaman 
Bradley Seaman  

/s/ Douglas Pearce 
Douglas Pearce  

/s/ Robert Pearce 
Robert Pearce 

/s/ Nicholas Peters 
Nicholas Peters 

/s/ Marc Sheinbaum 
Marc Sheinbaum 

/s/ Valerie Soranno Keating 
Valerie Soranno Keating 

President, Chief Executive  
Officer and Director 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Financial Officer) 

Chief Accounting Officer  
(Principal Accounting Officer) 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

Chairman of the Board 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

March 6, 2020 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

49 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.1 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

I, Scott Scheirman, certify that: 

1. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of CPI Card Group Inc.; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 

material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements 
were made, not misleading, with respect to the periods covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 

present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as 
of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure 

controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over 
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have: 

(a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures 
to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, 
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly 
during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

(b)  Designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this 
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end 
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that 

occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the 
case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the 
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal 
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, 
process, summarize and report financial information; and 

(b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date:  March 6, 2020 

/s/ Scott Scheirman 
Scott Scheirman 
Chief Executive Officer (Principal 
Executive Officer) 

 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.2 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

I, John Lowe, certify that: 

1. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of CPI Card Group Inc.; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 

material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements 
were made, not misleading, with respect to the periods covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 

present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as 
of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure 

controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over 
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have: 

(a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures 
to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, 
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly 
during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

(b)  Designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this 
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end 
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that 

occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the 
case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the 
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal 
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, 
process, summarize and report financial information; and 

(b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date:  March 6, 2020 

/s/ John Lowe 
John Lowe 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal 
Financial Officer) 

 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO  
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350  
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO  
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES–OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

Exhibit 32.1 

In connection with the Annual Report of CPI Card Group Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period 

ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, 
Scott Scheirman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and John Lowe, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, 
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to 
our knowledge, that: 

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 

of 1934, as amended; and 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and 

results of operations of the Company.  

By:  /s/ Scott Scheirman 
Scott Scheirman 
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) 

By:  /s/ John Lowe 
John Lowe 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) 

Date:   March 6, 2020 

This written statement accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 

shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for 
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will 

be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual Report

Personalization Solutions

From traditional card personalization to 
print-on-demand and digital card delivery, 
CPI provides next-generation personalization 
solutions to fit customer needs.  

CPI On-DemandTM

AdaptivesTM

Our innovative solution enables our 
customers to quickly personalize their 
end-user experience through high-quality 
and uniquely customized cards, carriers 
and collateral.

In support of our customers’ transition to 
contactless, CPI introduced AdaptivesTM, 
embedded contactless technology that 
can be used in payment objects, wearables 
and other form factors.

CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual Report

CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual Report

Instant Issuance

Card@Once®

Card@Once is CPI’s market-leading 
Software-as -a -Se rvice  (S aa s) 
in sta n t issuance solution for printing 
high-quality EMV, dual interface and 
magnetic stripe cards, in-branch and 
on-demand.

Prepaid

We collaborate with the industry’s largest 
prepaid program managers to deliver 
market-leading secure cards, packaging, robust 
designs and innovative prepaid solutions. 

Leadership Team

Shareholder Information

Scott Scheirman
President and Chief Executive Officer

John Lowe
Chief Financial Officer

Guy DiMaggio
SVP and General Manager, Secure Card and Sustainability Solutions

Lane Dubin
SVP and General Manager, Prepaid, Personalization Solutions and Instant Issuance

Lori Frasier
Chief Human Resources Officer

Sarah Kilgore
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer

Kevin O’Brien
Chief Accounting Officer

Beth Williams
Chief Technology Officer

Board of Directors

Bradley Seaman (2)
Non-Executive Chairman

Scott Scheirman
President and Chief Executive Officer

Doug Pearce (1)(3)*

Robert Pearce (1)*(2)

Nicholas Peters (2)*(3)

Marc Sheinbaum (1)

Valerie Soranno Keating (1)(3)

(1) Audit Committee  (2) Compensation Committee  (3) Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee  *Committee Chair

A letter from Scott ScheirmanDear Shareholders,CPI has made tremendous progress over the last couple of years, first in getting the company ready for growth and then growing through targeted initiatives.  During 2019, CPI delivered strong top-line growth, significantly improved bottom-line performance and continued to win new business by offering more robust products and solutions to our customers.  We also believe we gained market share across all of our business units during 2019, through strong execution of our key strategic priorities.CPI Card Group® 2019 Annual ReportEMV® is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries and an unregistered trademark elsewhere. The EMV trademark is owned by EMVCo, LLC Full year 2019 net sales totaled $278 million, up 9% over the prior year.  This is on top of the double-digit year-over-year increase in net sales we delivered in 2018.  Our U.S. Debit and Credit segment net sales growth of 19% year-over-year was driven by a continued shift toward dual interface EMV® cards, including Second WaveTM, the first-to-market payment card featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic.  2019 results also benefited from strong performance in personalization, including Card@Once®.  We also improved our profitability in 2019, delivering income from operations of $25.5 million, a year-over-year increase of $21 million, and generating a year-over-year improvement in net loss from continuing operations of greater than 70%.  2019 was a year of growth through targeted initiatives:•With over 10 years of experience in dual interface card manufacturing, we met and are continuing tomeet our customers’ needs as they transition to dual interface and provide their customers with cardsthat enable a faster and more seamless point-of-sale experience.•We launched Second WaveTM, the first-to-market dual interface capable payment cards featuring a coremade with recovered ocean-bound plastic, in an effort to reduce first use plastic, divert plastic waste from entering the ocean and enable our customers to better serve a growing market of environmentally-conscious consumers. Concurrent with this launch, we built upon our relationship with one of the largest U.S.-based card-issuing financial institutions to provide them with debit and credit cards along with Second WaveTM cards.  We believe Second WaveTM has an outstanding value proposition and a strong use case for financial      institutions and other customer segments, including transit, hospitality, entertainment, retail, consumer brands and their respective cardholders. •We continued to win business with our market-leading Card@Once® Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) instantissuance solution, ending 2019 with nearly 11,000 printers across approximately 1,600 financial institutions.This customer-friendly, web-based solution enables our customers to issue new debit and credit cards in-branchand on-demand and eases their burden as we securely manage IT set-up, support and maintenance.•To support our customers with more choice, convenience and control as they transition to contactlesstechnology, we introduced dual interface metal cards and AdaptivesTM, our embedded contactlesstechnology for payment objects.•Our innovative product capabilities in personalization, including CPI On-DemandTM, enabled our customers toquickly personalize their end-user experiences through high-quality and uniquely customized cards, carriers and collateral.  We continued to leverage this solution and its capabilities to support the expanding needs of our Prepaid customers along with market-leading secure card packaging, innovation and robust designs.•We significantly improved our profitability by increasing Net Sales by 9% and increasing our bottom line byover 70% year-over-year.  In addition to the Net Sales growth operating leverage impact, we also reduced our costs by divesting of our Canadian operations and executing profitability improvement initiatives.  These actions resulted in significant margin improvements year-over-year.CorporateCPI Card Group Inc.10026 W San Juan Way, Suite 200Littleton, Colorado 80127(720) 681-6304AuditorKPMG LLP1225 17th Street, Suite 800Denver, Colorado 80202Common StockTicker Symbol:  PMTS OTCQX® Best Market (OTCQX)Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)Transfer Agent and RegistrarEQ Shareowner Services PO Box 64854 St Paul, MN 55164-0854 1-800-468-9716 www.shareowneronline.comInvestor Relations(877) 369-9016InvestorRelations@cpicardgroup.comCanadian Transfer Agent Acting as Co-AgentTSX Trust 650 West Georgia StreetSuite 2700Vancouver, British Columbia V6B4N9Canadawww.tsxtrust.comAnnual MeetingThe annual meeting of CPI Card Group stockholders will be held at8:00 a.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.For information on how to attend our annual meeting of stockholders, please see our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 AnnualMeeting of Stockholders or visit: https://investor.cpicardgroup.comBoard of DirectorsLeadership TeamShareholder Informationwww.cpicardgroup.com                                                                                                        1-800-446-50362019 Annual ReportCPI Card Group Inc.        2019 Annual Report