10-Q 1 b72646wce10vq.htm WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION e10vq
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended                            September 30, 2008
 
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                                                  to
 
Commission file number                                               001-32426
 
(WRIGHT EXPRESS LOGO)
WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   01-0526993
     
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
97 Darling Avenue    
South Portland, Maine   04106
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(207) 773-8171
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ     No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer þAccelerated filer o  Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o     No þ
There were 38,758,592 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2008.
 
 

 


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 Ex-31.1 Certification of CEO
 Ex-31.2 Certification of CFO
 Ex-32.1 Certification of CEO
 Ex-32.2 Certification of CFO
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for statements that are forward-looking and are not statements of historical facts. This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. These statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and are not historical facts and accordingly involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or the performance by us to be materially different from future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report, in press releases and in oral statements made by our authorized officers:  fuel price volatility; counterparty credit risk; financial loss if we determine it necessary to unwind our derivative instrument positions prior to the expiration of the contracts; our failure to maintain or renew key agreements; failure to expand our technological capabilities and service offerings as rapidly as our competitors; the actions of regulatory bodies, including bank regulators; risks related to the undertaking of or consummation of corporate transactions; as well as other risks and uncertainties as identified in Part II, Item  1A of this Quarterly Report and in Item 1A of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2008. Our forward-looking statements and these factors do not reflect the potential future impact of any merger, acquisition or disposition. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the initial filing of this Quarterly Report and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.

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PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements.
WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (unaudited)          
 
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 58,409     $ 43,019  
Accounts receivable (less reserve for credit losses of $16,413 in 2008 and $9,466 in 2007)
    1,372,668       1,070,273  
Income taxes receivable
    912       3,320  
Available-for-sale securities
    12,760       9,494  
Property, equipment and capitalized software (net of accumulated depreciation of $54,098 in 2008 and $43,384 in 2007)
    46,643       45,537  
Deferred income taxes, net
    277,312       283,092  
Goodwill
    315,154       294,365  
Other intangible assets, net
    41,421       20,932  
Other assets
    19,831       15,044  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 2,145,110     $ 1,785,076  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Accounts payable
  $ 599,123     $ 363,189  
Accrued expenses
    33,309       35,310  
Deposits
    665,739       599,089  
Borrowed federal funds
    31,480       8,175  
Revolving line-of-credit facility
    212,200       199,400  
Fuel price derivatives, at fair value
    36,946       41,598  
Other liabilities
    3,202       4,544  
Amounts due to Avis under tax receivable agreement
    315,010       319,512  
Preferred stock; 10,000 shares authorized:
               
Series A non-voting convertible, redeemable preferred stock; 0.1 shares issued and outstanding
    10,000       10,000  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    1,907,009       1,580,817  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
               
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Common stock $0.01 par value; 175,000 shares authorized, 40,948 in 2008 and 40,798 in 2007 shares issued; 38,741 in 2008 and 39,625 in 2007 shares outstanding
    409       408  
Additional paid-in capital
    100,615       98,174  
Retained earnings
    207,328       144,839  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
               
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities
    (91 )     (49 )
Net unrealized loss on interest rate swaps
    (1,050 )     (1,417 )
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
    (8 )     15  
 
           
 
               
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,149 )     (1,451 )
 
               
Less treasury stock at cost, 2,207 shares in 2008 and 1,173 shares in 2007
    (69,102 )     (37,711 )
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    238,101       204,259  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 2,145,110     $ 1,785,076  
 
           
 
               
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
                                 
    Three months ended     Nine months ended
    September 30,     September 30,
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Revenues
                               
Payment processing revenue
  $ 83,685     $ 66,987     $ 241,205     $ 188,154  
Transaction processing revenue
    5,326       3,684       14,561       10,811  
Account servicing revenue
    7,645       6,915       22,656       19,423  
Finance fees
    8,109       7,230       23,179       19,362  
Other
    3,766       2,836       11,114       7,697  
 
                       
 
                               
Total revenues
    108,531       87,652       312,715       245,447  
 
                               
Expenses
                               
Salary and other personnel
    14,604       16,222       50,038       48,050  
Service fees
    4,923       3,677       15,629       10,788  
Provision for credit losses
    9,325       3,300       30,544       12,606  
Technology leasing and support
    2,100       2,015       6,478       6,617  
Occupancy and equipment
    1,933       1,483       5,783       4,579  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,216       3,922       14,642       10,562  
Operating interest expense
    9,581       9,158       27,667       25,025  
Other
    6,447       4,873       19,516       14,668  
 
                       
 
                               
Total operating expenses
    54,129       44,650       170,297       132,895  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    54,402       43,002       142,418       112,552  
 
                               
Financing interest expense
    (3,006 )     (3,179 )     (9,123 )     (9,310 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
                      (1,572 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on fuel price derivatives
    66,034       (4,701 )     (31,876 )     (25,030 )
(Increase) decrease in amount due to Avis under tax receivable agreement
    (9,159 )           (9,159 )     78,904  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    108,271       35,122       92,260       155,544  
 
                               
Income taxes
    35,927       12,859       29,771       108,590  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
    72,344       22,263       62,489       46,954  
 
                               
Changes in available-for-sale securities, net of tax effect of $10 and $(24) in 2008 and $34 and $(14) in 2007
    19       62       (42 )     (25 )
Changes in interest rate swaps, net of tax effect of $277 and $210 in 2008 and $(431) and $(593) in 2007
    495       (622 )     367       (856 )
Foreign currency translation
    (15 )     13       (23 )     13  
 
                       
 
Comprehensive income
  $ 72,843     $ 21,716     $ 62,791     $ 46,086  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 1.86     $ 0.56     $ 1.60     $ 1.17  
Diluted
  $ 1.82     $ 0.55     $ 1.57     $ 1.15  
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    38,831       39,990       38,999       40,121  
Diluted
    39,730       41,060       39,920       41,232  
 
                               
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
                 
    Nine months ended
    September 30,
    2008     2007  
 
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 62,489     $ 46,954  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
               
Net unrealized (gain) loss on fuel price derivatives
    (4,652 )     14,251  
Stock-based compensation
    3,914       3,150  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,950       11,204  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
          1,572  
Deferred taxes
    5,594       97,213  
Provision for credit losses
    30,544       12,606  
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
    66        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
    (293,517 )     (274,779 )
Other assets
    (3,192 )     (3,299 )
Accounts payable
    193,593       121,852  
Accrued expenses
    (1,621 )     5,214  
Income taxes
    2,057       (1,226 )
Other liabilities
    (1,356 )     348  
Amounts due to Avis under tax receivable agreement
    (4,502 )     (94,397 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
    4,367       (59,337 )
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (12,339 )     (12,477 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (4,259 )     (1,031 )
Maturities of available-for-sale securities
    927       830  
Purchase of trade name
    (44 )      
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (41,526 )     (40,428 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash used for investing activities
    (57,241 )     (53,106 )
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Excess tax benefits from equity instrument share-based payment arrangements
    140       1,713  
Payments in lieu of issuing shares of common stock
    (2,076 )     (1,180 )
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    415       3,065  
Net increase in deposits
    66,650       161,265  
Net increase (decrease) in borrowed federal funds
    23,305       (65,396 )
Net borrowings on revolving line-of-credit facility
    12,800       206,700  
Loan origination fees paid for revolving line-of-credit facility
    (1,556 )     (998 )
Net repayments on 2005 revolving line-of-credit facility
          (20,000 )
Repayments on term loan
          (131,000 )
Repayments of acquired debt
          (374 )
Purchase of shares of treasury stock
    (31,391 )     (30,424 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
    68,287       123,371  
 
               
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    (23 )     13  
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    15,390       10,941  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    43,019       35,060  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 58,409     $ 46,001  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental cash flow information
               
Interest paid
  $ 34,890     $ 31,226  
Income taxes paid
  $ 22,222     $ 10,646  
 
               
Significant non-cash transactions:
               
Capitalized software licensing agreement
  $     $ 2,872  
 
               
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
          The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, except as disclosed herein, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Wright Express Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2007. When used in these notes, the term “Company” means Wright Express Corporation and all entities included in the consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.
     Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
          The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, as of January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement requires, among other things, the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair value to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. This change resulted in no impact to January 1, 2008, retained earnings.
          In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS No. 157, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, as of January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 159 provides an option for most financial assets and liabilities to be reported at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis with changes in fair value reported in earnings. After initial adoption, the election is made at the acquisition of a financial asset, financial liability, or a firm commitment and it may not be revoked. The Company has not elected to report certain financial instruments and other items at fair value as permitted by the SFAS No. 159 transition provisions. The adoption of this Statement therefore had no impact to January 1, 2008, retained earnings.
     New Accounting Pronouncements
          In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No. 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. Currently, the Company has no noncontrolling interests in any of its subsidiaries.
          Also in December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. It requires acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs that the acquirer expects but is not obligated to incur to be recognized separately from the acquisition. SFAS No. 141(R) modifies the criteria for the recognition of contingencies as of the acquisition date. It also provides guidance on subsequent accounting for acquired contingencies. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for business acquisitions for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009, the first day of the Company’s annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company may not apply it before that date.
          In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. Under this Statement, entities are required to disclose how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and its related interpretations, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have on its financial statement disclosures.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
2. Acquisitions
          Acquisition of TelaPoint, Inc.  In August 2007, the Company acquired the stock of TelaPoint, Inc. (“TelaPoint”) for approximately $40,000 cash. The Company purchased TelaPoint in order to take advantage of its browser-based supply chain software solutions for bulk petroleum distributors and retailers.
          Acquisition of Pacific Pride Services, Inc.  In February 2008, the Company acquired certain assets of Pacific Pride Services, Inc. (“Pacific Pride”) for approximately $32,000 cash. Pacific Pride’s franchise network encompasses more than three-hundred thirty independent fuel franchisees who issue their own Pacific Pride commercial fueling cards to fleet customers. These cards provide access to fuel at more than one thousand Pacific Pride and strategic partner locations in the U.S. and Canada. The Company has allocated the purchase price of the acquisition based upon the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In connection with the fair valuing of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management performed assessments of intangible assets using customary valuation procedures and techniques. The purchase price and related allocations for the Pacific Pride acquisition have not been finalized.
          The following is a reconciliation of the cost of the assets acquired from Pacific Pride and the ultimate allocation to goodwill:
         
 
 
       
 
Consideration paid (including acquisition costs and net of cash acquired)
  $ 31,540  
Less:
       
Accounts receivable
    39,396  
Accounts payable
    (42,341 )
Other tangible assets, net
    148  
Software (a)
    300  
Non-compete agreement (b)
    100  
Customer relationships (c)
    13,400  
Trademarks and trade names (d)
    1,400  
 
     
 
       
Recorded goodwill
  $ 19,137  
 
     
 
       
 
(a)      Weighted average life – 2.0 years.
(b)      Weighted average life – 1.0 year.
(c)      Weighted average life – 4.9 years.
(d)      Indefinite-lived intangible asset.
          The weighted average life of the combined definite-lived intangible assets is 4.8 years.
          Acquisition of Financial Automation Limited.  In August 2008, the Company acquired certain assets of Financial Automation Limited (“FAL”) for approximately $9,250 cash. FAL is a New Zealand-based provider of fuel card processing software solutions. The Company has allocated the purchase price of the acquisition based upon the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In connection with the fair valuing of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management performed assessments of intangible assets using customary valuation procedures and techniques. The purchase price and related allocations for the FAL acquisition have not been finalized.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
          The following is a reconciliation of the cost of the assets acquired from FAL and the ultimate allocation to goodwill:
         
 
 
       
 
Consideration paid (including acquisition costs and net of cash acquired)
  $ 9,986  
Less:
       
Tangible assets, net
    85  
Software (a)
    7,100  
Customer relationships (b)
    1,500  
 
     
 
       
Recorded goodwill
  $ 1,301  
 
     
 
       
 
(a)      Weighted average life – 4.6 years.
(b)      Weighted average life – 4.7 years.
          The weighted average life of the combined definite-lived intangible assets is 4.6 years.
          The operations for each of these acquisitions are reported within the results of the Company’s fleet segment from the acquisition date.
          No pro forma information has been included in these financial statements as the results of operations of TelaPoint, Pacific Pride and FAL for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, were not material to the Company’s reported revenues, net income or earnings per share.
3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
          The changes in goodwill during the period January 1 to September 30, 2008 were as follows:
                         
 
    Fleet     MasterCard        
    Segment     Segment     Total  
 
Goodwill, beginning of period
  $ 284,652     $ 9,713     $ 294,365  
Adjustment to allocation of purchase price for TelaPoint acquisition
    351             351  
Acquisition of Pacific Pride
    19,137             19,137  
Acquisition of FAL
    1,301             1,301  
 
                 
 
                       
Goodwill, end of period
  $ 305,441     $ 9,713     $ 315,154  
 
                 
 
                       
 
During the period January 1 to September 30, 2008, no goodwill was written off due to impairment.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
          The changes in intangible assets during the period January 1 to September 30, 2008 were as follows:
                                 
 
    Net Carrying                     Net Carrying  
    Amount,                     Amount,  
    Beginning of                     End of  
    Period     Acquisitions     Amortization     Period  
 
Definite-lived intangible assets
                               
Software
  $ 8,755     $ 7,400     $ (615 )   $ 15,540  
Non-compete agreement
          100       (58 )     42  
Customer relationships
    9,156       14,900       (2,682 )     21,374  
 
                               
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
                               
Trademarks and trade names
    3,021       1,444             4,465  
 
                       
Total
  $ 20,932     $ 23,844     $ (3,355 )   $ 41,421  
 
                       
 
                               
 
          The Company expects amortization expense related to the definite-lived intangible assets above as follows:  $1,407 for October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008; $5,088 for 2009; $5,278 for 2010; $4,917 for 2011; $4,100 for 2012; and $3,472 for 2013.
          Other intangible assets consist of the following:
                                                 
 
    September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007
    Gross                     Gross              
    Carrying     Accumulated     Net Carrying     Carrying     Accumulated     Net Carrying  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
 
Definite-lived intangible assets
                                               
Software
  $ 16,400     $ (860 )   $ 15,540     $ 9,000     $ (245 )   $ 8,755  
Non-compete agreement
    100       (58 )     42                    
Customer relationships
    24,900       (3,526 )     21,374       10,000       (844 )     9,156  
 
                                   
 
                                               
 
  $ 41,400     $ (4,444 )     36,956     $ 19,000     $ (1,089 )     17,911  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
                                               
Trademarks and trade names
                    4,465                       3,021  
 
                                           
 
Total
                  $ 41,421                     $ 20,932  
 
                                           
 
                                               
 
4. Borrowed Federal Funds
          The Company has federal funds lines-of-credit totaling $140,000 at September 30, 2008, and $160,000 at December 30, 2007. The average rate on the outstanding borrowings under lines-of-credit was 2.15 percent at September 30, 2008, and 4.38 percent at December 30, 2007.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
5. Earnings per Common Share
          The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
                                 
 
    Three months ended     Nine months ended
    September 30,     September 30,
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Income available for common stockholders — Basic
  $ 72,344     $ 22,263     $ 62,489     $ 46,954  
Convertible, redeemable preferred stock
    110       177       368       521  
 
                       
 
                               
Income available for common stockholders — Diluted
  $ 72,454     $ 22,440     $ 62,857     $ 47,475  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic
    38,831       39,990       38,999       40,121  
Unvested restricted stock units
    417       543       434       550  
Stock options
    38       83       43       117  
Convertible, redeemable preferred stock
    444       444       444       444  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted
    39,730       41,060       39,920       41,232  
 
                       
 
                               
 
6. Fair Value
          Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157. This standard establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157, among other things, requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The Company recorded no change to January 1, 2008, retained earnings as a result of adopting SFAS No. 157.
          The Company holds mortgage-backed securities, fixed income and equity securities, derivatives and certain other financial instruments which are carried at fair value. The Company determines fair value based upon quoted prices when available or through the use of alternative approaches, such as model pricing, when market quotes are not readily accessible or available. The Company carries certain of its liabilities at fair value, including its derivative liabilities. In determining the fair value of the Company’s obligations, various factors are considered including:  closing exchange or over-the-counter market price quotations; time value and volatility factors underlying options and derivatives; price activity for equivalent instruments; the Company’s own-credit standing; and counterparty credit risk.
          These valuation techniques may be based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
    Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
 
    Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
 
    Level 3 — Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
          The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and the related hierarchy levels:
                                 
 
            Fair Value Measurements
            at Reporting Date Using
            Quoted Prices     Significant        
            in Active     Other     Significant  
            Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
    September 30,     Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    2008     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
 
Assets:
                               
 
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 4,329     $     $ 4,329     $  
Asset-backed securities
    4,099             4,099        
Municipal bonds
    391             391        
Equity securities
    3,941       3,941              
 
                       
 
                               
Total available-for-sale securities
  $ 12,760     $ 3,941     $ 8,819     $  
 
                       
 
                               
Executive deferred compensation plan trust (a)
  $ 1,708     $ 1,708     $     $  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
 
                               
July 2007 interest rate swap arrangements with a base rate of 5.20% and an aggregate notional amount of $80,000
  $ 1,284     $     $ 1,284     $  
August 2007 interest rate swap arrangement with a base rate of 4.73% and a notional amount of $25,000
    353             353        
 
                       
 
                               
Total interest rate swap arrangements (b)
  $ 1,637     $     $ 1,637     $  
 
                       
 
                               
Fuel price derivatives – diesel
  $ 16,290     $     $ 16,290     $  
Fuel price derivatives – unleaded fuel
    20,656             20,656        
 
                       
 
                               
Total fuel price derivatives (c)
  $ 36,946     $     $ 36,946     $  
 
                       
 
                               
 
(a)        The fair value of these instruments is recorded in other assets.
 
(b)        The fair value of these instruments is recorded in accrued expenses.
 
(c)   The following table presents additional information about the fuel price derivatives:
                         
 
            Weighted-Average Price(2)
    Percentage(1)   Floor   Ceiling
 
For the period October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
    90 %   $ 2.50     $ 2.56  
For the period January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009
    90 %   $ 2.58     $ 2.64  
For the period April 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009
    90 %   $ 2.67     $ 2.73  
For the period July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009
    90 %   $ 2.86     $ 2.92  
For the period October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009
    90 %   $ 3.02     $ 3.08  
For the period January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010
    80 %   $ 3.25     $ 3.31  
For the period April 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010
    53 %   $ 3.34     $ 3.40  
For the period July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010
    27 %   $ 3.60     $ 3.66  
 
                       
 
(1)        Represents the estimated percentage of the Company’s forecasted earnings subject to fuel price variations.
 
(2)     Weighted-average price is the Company’s estimate of the retail price equivalent of the underlying strike price of the fuel price derivatives.
7. Financing Debt
          On May 29, 2008, the Company entered into an incremental amendment agreement (the “Incremental Amendment Agreement”) of the Company’s existing credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) to increase the aggregate unsecured revolving line-of-credit from $350,000 to $450,000. The Company incurred $1,556 in loan origination fees in conjunction with entering into the Incremental Amendment Agreement. These fees have been recorded as other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. All other provisions of the Credit Agreement remain unchanged.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
8. Income Taxes
          The reconciliation between the income tax computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate and the reported effective tax rate on net income from continuing operations is as follows:
                 
 
    Nine months ended  
    September 30,
    2008     2007  
 
Federal statutory rate
    35.0   %     35.0   %
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
    2.4   %     1.3   %
Revaluation of deferred tax assets, net
    (5.8) %     33.5   %
Dividend exclusion
    0.1   %     0.1   %
Other
    0.6   %     (0.1) %
 
               
 
           
 
               
Effective tax rate
    32.3   %     69.8   %
 
           
 
               
 
          During the third quarter of 2008, the Company filed its consolidated federal and state tax returns and adjusted its estimated tax rate accordingly. As a result of filing the tax returns, the Company reassessed the blended rates on which its net deferred tax assets would be realized and accordingly reduced its provision for income taxes by $8,734.
          The significant revaluation in 2007 was attributable to the State of Maine enacting a law effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2007, which changed the State’s rules for apportioning income related to the performance of services. The new law effectively reduced taxable income or loss apportioned to the State of Maine. This caused a change to the Company’s apportionment factors and resulted in a significant decrease in the Company’s blended state income tax rate. The lower state income tax rate was applied to the cumulative temporary differences existing between the carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The effect of this lower state income tax rate on the temporary differences decreased the Company’s deferred tax assets which resulted in a charge to the provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, of $80,879.
9. Tax Receivable Agreement
          As a consequence of the Company’s separation from Avis, the tax basis of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets increased (the “Tax Basis Increase”). The Tax Basis Increase is expected to reduce the amount of tax that the Company may pay in the future to the extent the Company generates taxable income in sufficient amounts in the future. The Company is contractually obligated, pursuant to its Tax Receivable Agreement with Avis, to remit to Avis 85 percent of any such cash savings.
          The 2008 reassessment of the blended tax rates described in Note 8 also resulted in an adjustment in the anticipated amounts due to Avis. The future benefits increased, which increased the associated liability to Avis, resulting in a $9,159 charge to non-operating income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.
          As discussed in Note 8, “Income Taxes,” the Company’s blended state income tax rate decreased in the second quarter of 2007. The lower state income tax rate contributed to a lower overall rate. The lower overall rate decreased the Company’s deferred tax assets and resulted in a charge to the provision for income taxes. The lower overall rate also decreased the expected benefit the Company will realize from the Tax Basis Increase. Accordingly, the related contractual liability to Avis recorded in connection with the Tax Receivable Agreement decreased.

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
10. Commitments and Contingencies
     Litigation
          The Company is involved in pending litigation in the usual course of business. In the opinion of management, such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
11. Segment Information
          The Company operates in two reportable segments, fleet and MasterCard. The fleet segment provides customers with payment and transaction processing services specifically designed for the needs of vehicle fleet customers. During 2008, the Company acquired Pacific Pride and FAL. The operations of these entities have been included in the fleet segment. The MasterCard segment provides customers with a payment processing solution for their corporate purchasing and transaction monitoring needs. The Company’s chief decision maker evaluates the operating results of the Company’s reportable segments based upon revenues and “adjusted net income,” which is defined by the Company as net income adjusted for fair value changes of fuel price derivatives (unrealized gains and losses on fuel price derivatives) and the amortization of acquired intangible assets. These adjustments are reflected net of the tax impact.
          The following table presents the Company’s reportable segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
                                         
 
            Operating     Depreciation                
    Total     Interest     and             Adjusted Net  
    Revenues     Expense     Amortization     Income Taxes     Income  
 
Three months ended September 30, 2008
                                       
Fleet
  $ 101,062     $ 8,874     $ 5,092     $ 4,549     $ 20,326  
MasterCard
    7,469       707       124       877       1,460  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 108,531     $ 9,581     $ 5,216     $ 5,426     $ 21,786  
 
                             
 
                                       
Three months ended September 30, 2007
                                       
Fleet
  $ 81,403     $ 8,484     $ 3,766     $ 12,104     $ 21,059  
MasterCard
    6,249       674       156       781       1,255  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 87,652     $ 9,158     $ 3,922     $ 12,885     $ 22,314  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
          The following table presents the Company’s reportable segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
                                         
 
            Operating     Depreciation                
    Total     Interest     and             Adjusted Net  
    Revenues     Expense     Amortization     Income Taxes     Income  
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2008
                                       
Fleet
  $ 292,064     $ 25,513     $ 14,100     $ 27,366     $ 58,420  
MasterCard
    20,651       2,154       542       1,967       3,210  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 312,715     $ 27,667     $ 14,642     $ 29,333     $ 61,630  
 
                             
 
                                       
Nine months ended September 30, 2007
                                       
Fleet
  $ 228,673     $ 23,098     $ 10,088     $ 112,204     $ 53,504  
MasterCard
    16,774       1,927       474       1,662       2,833  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 245,447     $ 25,025     $ 10,562     $ 113,866     $ 56,337  
 
                             
 
                                       
 

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WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
          The following table reconciles adjusted net income to net income:
                                 
 
    Three months ended     Nine months ended
    September 30,     September 30,
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Adjusted net income
  $ 21,786     $ 22,314     $ 61,630     $ 56,337  
Unrealized gains (losses) on fuel price derivatives
    82,372       331       4,652       (14,251 )
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
    (1,313 )     (408 )     (3,355 )     (408 )
Tax impact
    (30,501 )     26       (438 )     5,276  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
  $ 72,344     $ 22,263     $ 62,489     $ 46,954  
 
                       
 
                               
 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
We intend for this discussion to provide you with information that will assist you in understanding our financial statements, the changes in key items in those financial statements from year to year, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting estimates affect our financial statements. The discussion also provides information about the financial results of the two segments of our business to provide a better understanding of how those segments and their results affect our financial condition and results of operations as a whole. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2007, the notes accompanying those financial statements as contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2008 and in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes in Item 1 of Part I of this report.
Overview
          Wright Express is a leading provider of payment processing and information management services to the vehicle fleet industry. We facilitate and manage transactions for vehicle fleets through our proprietary closed network of major oil companies, fuel retailers and vehicle maintenance providers. We provide fleets with detailed transaction data, analytical tools and purchase control capabilities. Our operations are organized as follows:
    Fleet — The fleet reportable segment provides customers with payment and transaction processing services specifically designed for the needs of the vehicle fleet industry. This segment also provides information management and account services to these fleet customers.
 
    MasterCard — The MasterCard reportable segment provides customers with a payment processing solution for their corporate purchasing and transaction monitoring needs. The MasterCard products are used by businesses to facilitate purchases of products and perform analysis utilizing our information management capabilities.
Summary
          Below are some key items from the third quarter of 2008:
    Concerns about future economic growth, high oil prices, lower consumer sentiment, and the adverse developments in the credit markets continue to challenge the U.S. economy and credit markets. These challenges had a direct impact on our business as we experienced slower volume growth than anticipated and an increase in credit losses.
 
    Total fleet transactions processed increased 14 percent from the third quarter of 2007 to 72.5 million. Payment processing transactions increased 4 percent to 55.5 million, and transaction processing transactions increased 73 percent to 16.9 million. The increase in transaction processing transactions is primarily attributable to our acquisition of Pacific Pride during the first quarter of 2008.
 
    Average expenditure per payment processing transaction increased 37 percent to $80.84 from $59.19 for the same period last year. This increase was predominantly driven by higher average retail fuel prices. The average fuel price per gallon during the three months ended September 30, 2008, was $4.02, a 40 percent increase over the same period last year. Offsetting the impact of higher fuel prices was a 2 percent drop in gallons per transaction as compared to the third quarter of last year.
 
    Realized losses on our fuel price derivatives were $16.3 million compared to realized losses of $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2007.
 
    Credit losses in the fleet segment were $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, versus $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The current quarter’s provision for credit losses is within management expectations. Our fleet customers overall remain more than 98 percent current.
 
    Total MasterCard purchase volume grew $160 million to $670 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 31 percent over the same period last year. Growth was primarily driven by spend on single use account cards.
 
    We repurchased 71,100 shares, for approximately $2.0 million, of our common stock during the third quarter of 2008.

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Results of Operations
     Fleet
          The following table reflects comparative operating results and key operating statistics within our fleet segment:
                                                                 
 
(in thousands, except per transaction and per gallon data)   Three months ended                     Nine months ended        
    September 30,     Increase (decrease)     September 30,     Increase (decrease)
    2008     2007     Amount     Percent     2008     2007     Amount     Percent  
 
Revenues
                                                               
Payment processing revenue
  $ 76,802     $ 61,230     $ 15,572       25  %   $ 222,094     $ 172,613     $ 49,481       29  %
Transaction processing revenue
    5,326       3,684       1,642       45  %     14,561       10,811       3,750       35  %
Account servicing revenue
    7,636       6,898       738       11  %     22,610       19,371       3,239       17  %
Finance fees
    8,027       7,119       908       13  %     22,935       19,070       3,865       20  %
Other
    3,271       2,472       799       32  %     9,864       6,808       3,056       45  %
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Total revenues
    101,062       81,403       19,659       24  %     292,064       228,673       63,391       28  %
 
                                                               
Total operating expenses
    48,997       40,437       8,560       21  %     154,823       120,616       34,207       28  %
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Operating income
    52,065       40,966       11,099       27  %     137,241       108,057       29,184       27  %
 
                                                               
Financing interest expense
    (3,006 )     (3,179 )     173       (5 )%     (9,123 )     (9,310 )     187       (2 )%
Loss on extinguishment of debt
                                  (1,572 )     1,572     NM  
Net realized and unrealized losses on fuel price derivatives
    66,034       (4,701 )     70,735     NM       (31,876 )     (25,030 )     (6,846 )     27  %
(Increase) decrease in amount due to Avis under tax receivable agreement
    (9,159 )           (9,159 )   NM       (9,159 )     78,904       (88,063 )     (112 )%
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Income (loss) before income taxes
    105,934       33,086       72,848       220  %     87,083       151,049       (63,966 )     (42 )%
Income taxes
    35,050       12,078       22,972       190  %     27,804       106,928       (79,124 )     (74 )%
 
                                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 70,884     $ 21,008     $ 49,876       237  %   $ 59,279     $ 44,121     $ 15,158       34  %
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Key operating statistics
                                                               
Payment processing revenue:
                                                               
Payment processing transactions
    55,519       53,595       1,924       4  %     164,684       157,334       7,350       5  %
Average expenditure per payment processing transaction
  $ 80.84       59.19       21.65       37  %   $ 75.16     $ 56.33       18.83       33  %
Average price per gallon of fuel
  $ 4.02       2.88       1.14       40  %   $ 3.75     $ 2.76       0.99       36  %
 
                                                               
Transaction processing revenue:
                                                               
Transaction processing transactions
    16,943       9,818       7,125       73  %     45,482       29,083       16,399       56  %
 
                                                               
Account servicing revenue:
                                                               
Average number of vehicles serviced (a)
    4,463       4,426       37       1  %     4,464       4,364       100       2  %
 
 
(a)   Does not include Pacific Pride vehicle information.
 
NM   Not meaningful.
     Revenues
          Payment processing revenue increased $15.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period last year. The primary components of this increase were a $14.8 million increase in revenue associated with a 40 percent increase in the average price per gallon of fuel and a 4 percent increase in payment processing transactions which resulted in additional revenues of $2.2 million. Offsetting these increases was a 2 percent decrease in gallons per transaction which resulted in lower revenues of $1.5 million.
          Payment processing revenue increased $49.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period last year. The primary components of this increase were a $44.8 million increase in revenue associated with a 36 percent increase in the average price per gallon of fuel and a 5 percent increase in payment processing transactions which resulted in additional revenues of $8.0 million. Offsetting these increases was a 2 percent decrease in gallons per transaction which resulted in lower revenues of $3.3 million.

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          Our payment processing rates for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, declined as a result of re-negotiated rates with merchants and additional rebates to large customers. These additional rebates are, in part, due to the significant third quarter increase in gas prices that accelerated achievement of rebate targets. Increases in the price per gallon will result in a decrease of our payment processing rate, as approximately 55 percent of our merchant volumes have a fixed component to their price. Changes in rebates will also impact the net payment processing rate.
          Transaction processing revenue increased $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007, and increased $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. These increases in revenue, as well as the increases in transaction processing transactions, are due primarily to the acquisition of Pacific Pride during the first quarter of 2008.
          Account servicing revenue increased $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007, and increased $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. These increases in revenue are primarily due to the acquisition of TelaPoint during the third quarter of 2007.
          Our finance fees have increased $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, and increased $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. These increases correlate to the increase in our average accounts receivable balance subject to fees.
     Operating Expenses
          Changes in operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period a year ago, include the following:
    Salary and other personnel expenses decreased $1.7 million. Stock-based compensation and short-term incentive programs were adjusted to reverse expense recorded earlier this year. The reversal was based on a revised earnings projection, as of September 30, 2008, that indicated no payments should be made under these plans for the current year. This reduced the third quarter expense, as compared to the prior period in 2007, by approximately $3.0 million. Offsetting this decrease was a $1.0 million increase to general salaries due to headcount and wage increases. The prior year period does not have $0.6 million of expenses related to Pacific Pride, which was acquired in February 2008.
 
    Service fees increased $0.8 million, primarily as the result of increases in professional services during the third quarter of 2008.
 
    Credit losses increased $5.7 million. We generally measure our credit loss performance by calculating credit losses as a percentage of total fuel expenditures on payment processing transactions (“Fuel Expenditures”). This metric for credit losses was 20.1 basis points of Fuel Expenditures compared to 10.6 basis points of Fuel Expenditures for the same period last year. The increase was driven by higher charge-offs in our fleet portfolios. Fleet charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $4.3 million higher compared to the same period in 2007. The remaining increase in the provision is primarily the result of higher reserve rates and accounts receivable balances.
 
    Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $1.3 million. The amortization associated with the intangible assets acquired with the February 2008 purchase of Pacific Pride and the August 2007 purchase of TelaPoint resulted in an increase of $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The remaining increase is due to the addition of capital assets as we enhance our product features and functionality.
 
    Operating interest expense increased $0.4 million. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in average operating debt for the current three month period of $166.6 million partially offset by a 119 basis point decrease in the weighted average interest rate. Changes in interest rates and Fuel Expenditures may create volatility in our operating interest expense.

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          Changes in operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period a year ago, include the following:
    Salary and other personnel expenses increased $1.7 million. Annual merit increases and additional staff increased general salary expense $2.4 million. The prior year period does not have expenses related to Pacific Pride, which was acquired in February 2008. Salary and other personnel expenses related to Pacific Pride totaled $1.4 million. Offsetting these increases was a reduction of expense related to stock-based compensation and short-term incentive programs. The reversal of previously recognized expense was based on a revised earnings projection, as of September 30, 2008, that indicated no payments should be made under these plans for the current year. This reduced the expense, as compared to the same period in 2007, by approximately $2.1 million.
 
    Service fees increased $3.6 million. This increase is primarily due to a $2.4 million increase in professional service fees. We incurred higher costs for legal, tax and accounting services. The increase also includes consulting fees related to the investigation of additional market opportunities and costs associated with acquisitions that did not materialize. Pacific Pride added approximately $0.5 million to the increase in expense.
 
    Credit losses increased $16.9 million. Credit losses were 23.3 basis points of Fuel Expenditures compared to 13.7 basis points of Fuel Expenditures for the same period last year. The increase was driven by higher charge-offs in our fleet portfolios. Fleet charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $11.5 million higher compared to the same period in 2007. The remaining increase in the provision is primarily the result of higher reserve rates and accounts receivable balances.
 
    Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $4.0 million. The amortization associated with the intangible assets acquired with the February 2008 purchase of Pacific Pride and the August 2007 purchase of TelaPoint resulted in an increase of $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The remaining increase is due to the addition of capital assets as we enhance our product features and functionality.
 
    Operating interest expense increased $2.4 million. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in average operating debt for the current nine month period of $146.4 million partially offset by a 86 basis point decrease in the weighted average interest rate.
          We own fuel-price sensitive derivative instruments that we purchase generally on a quarterly basis to manage the impact of volatility in fuel prices on our cash flows. Historically we have estimated the effect on our forecasted earnings exposure associated with changes in fuel prices and entered into derivative agreements designed to cover 90 percent of this impact. We have reduced this percentage to approximately 80 percent for instruments purchased this year, which start to settle in 2010. The program is designed to address fuel price increases and decreases. Our derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Accordingly, gains and losses on our fuel price-sensitive derivative instruments, whether they are realized or unrealized, affect our current period earnings. The following table illustrates the relationship between our realized and unrealized losses, the estimated collar range and the average fuel price for each period covered:
                                 
 
           
    Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per gallon data)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Realized losses
  $ (16,338 )   $ (5,032 )   $ (36,528 )   $ (10,779 )
Unrealized gain (loss)
    82,372       331       4,652       (14,251 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on fuel price derivatives
  $ 66,034     $ (4,701 )   $ (31,876 )   $ (25,030 )
 
                       
 
                               
Collar range:
                               
Floor
  $ 2.53     $ 2.32     $ 2.55     $ 2.30  
Ceiling
  $ 2.59     $ 2.39     $ 2.61     $ 2.37  
 
                               
Average fuel price
  $ 4.02     $ 2.88     $ 3.75     $ 2.76  
 
 
          The difference between the average ceiling price on the derivative instruments and actual average fuel price was greater in the three and nine months of 2008 as compared to the difference in the corresponding periods in 2007. The realized losses and unrealized gains and loss, and related changes from period over period, shown in the table above, were a result of these differences in fuel prices.
          During the third quarter of 2008, we filed our 2007 consolidated federal and all of our 2007 state tax returns and adjusted the tax rate that we apply to our deferred tax assets as they are realized in the future. Specifically, we increased our deferred tax asset and

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reduced our provision for income taxes by $8.7 million. The associated effect to the amount due to Avis under the tax receivable agreement was adjusted and resulted in a $9.2 million charge to other income in the third quarter.
          The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, is not comparable to the same periods in the current year. On June 7, 2007, the State of Maine enacted a law effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2007, which changed the State’s rules for apportioning income related to the performance of services. The new law effectively reduced our overall blended statutory income tax rates, the amount of our deferred tax assets, and the amount of the related contractual liability to Avis. The effect of this lower state income tax rate on our existing deferred tax assets resulted in a charge to the provision for income taxes of $80.9 million during the second quarter of 2007. Under the terms of our Tax Receivable Agreement with Avis, a significant portion of this charge was offset by $78.9 million of non-operating income resulting from decreasing our contractual liability to Avis.
     MasterCard
          The following table reflects comparative operating results and key operating statistics within our MasterCard segment:
                                                                 
 
(in thousands)   Three months ended                     Nine months ended        
    September 30,     Increase (decrease)     September 30,     Increase (decrease)
    2008     2007     Amount     Percent     2008     2007     Amount     Percent  
 
Revenues
                                                               
Payment processing revenue
  $ 6,883     $ 5,757     $ 1,126       20  %   $ 19,111     $ 15,541     $ 3,570       23  %
Account servicing revenue
    9       17       (8 )     (47 )%     46       52       (6 )     (12 )%
Finance fees
    82       111       (29 )     (26 )%     244       292       (48 )     (16 )%
Other
    495       364       131       36  %     1,250       889       361       41  %
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Total revenues
    7,469       6,249       1,220       20  %     20,651       16,774       3,877       23  %
 
                                                               
Total operating expenses
    5,132       4,213       919       22  %     15,474       12,279       3,195       26  %
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Operating income
    2,337       2,036       301       15  %     5,177       4,495       682       15  %
Income taxes
    877       781       96       12  %     1,967       1,662       305       18  %
 
                                               
Net income
  $ 1,460     $ 1,255     $ 205       16  %   $ 3,210     $ 2,833     $ 377       13  %
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Key operating statistics
                                                               
Payment processing revenue:
                                                               
MasterCard purchase volume
  $ 670,137       510,585     $ 159,552       31  %   $ 1,818,679     $ 1,360,163     $ 458,516       34  %
 
                                                               
 
          Payment processing revenue and the related operating expenses increased due to higher MasterCard purchase volume, primarily driven by new business from our single use account card. Offsetting a portion of the increase in payment processing revenue during 2008 was an increase in rebates as some of our customers have reached higher payout tiers.
          Operating expenses have increased in the following areas:
    Service fee expenses are based on a purchase volume which has increased period over period primarily due to the new business from our single use account card.
 
    The provision for credit loss was higher by $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods last year. The increases were predominantly the result of higher reserve rates associated with increased spend.

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Liquidity, Capital Resources and Cash Flows
          Our primary source of liquidity is management operating cash, which we define as cash from operations adjusted for changes in deposits and borrowed federal funds. Management operating cash is not a measure in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). During the first nine months of 2008, we generated approximately $94.3 million in management operating cash as compared to approximately $36.5 million of management operating cash generated during the first nine months of 2007.
          In addition to the $94.3 million of management operating cash we generated during the first nine months of 2008, we also borrowed an additional $12.8 million on our revolving credit facility. These cash increases were offset by a $31.5 million use of cash to acquire the assets of Pacific Pride and a $31.4 million use of cash to purchase treasury stock during the first nine months of 2008.
     Management Operating Cash
          We focus on management operating cash as a key element in achieving maximum stockholder value, and it is the primary measure we use internally to monitor cash flow performance from our core operations. Since deposits and borrowed federal funds are used to finance our accounts receivable, we believe that they are a recurring and necessary use and source of cash. As such, management considers deposits and borrowed federal funds when evaluating our operating activities. For the same reason, we believe that management operating cash may also be useful to investors as one means of evaluating our performance. However, management operating cash is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, net cash used for operating activities as presented on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in accordance with GAAP.
          The table below reconciles net cash used for operating activities to management operating cash:
                 
 
    Nine months ended
    September 30,
    2008     2007  
 
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
  $ 4,367     $ (59,337 )
Net increase in deposits
    66,650       161,265  
Net increase (decrease) in borrowed federal funds
    23,305       (65,396 )
 
           
 
               
Management operating cash
  $ 94,322     $ 36,532  
 
           
 
               
 
          The increase in our accounts receivable is predominantly a result of the 36 percent increase in the price per gallon of fuel. We expect that our accounts receivable balance will continue to fluctuate with changes in the average price per gallon of fuel.
          Our bank subsidiary, FSC, utilizes certificates of deposit to finance our accounts receivable. FSC issues certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or less in various maturities ranging between three months and three years and with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.1 percent to 5.45 percent as of September 30, 2008. The interest rates on these certificates of deposit have lowered over the past few months. Approximately one-quarter of our certificate of deposit portfolio matured in the third quarter of 2008. The weighted average yield on these maturing certificates of deposits was 4.2 percent. As of September 30, 2008, we had approximately $666 million of deposits outstanding at a weighted average rate of 4.05 percent. Certificates of deposit are subject to regulatory capital requirements. Beyond these capital requirements, there is no limit on the total certificates of deposit that FSC may issue. Subsequent to the passing of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, our certificates of deposits will be in denominations of $250,000 or less, corresponding to the increase in the FDIC insurance limits to $250,000. We believe that our certificates of deposits are paying competitive yields and that there continues to be consumer demand for these instruments.
          FSC also utilizes federal funds lines of credit to supplement the financing of our accounts receivable. Our available federal funds lines of credit were $160 million at December 31, 2007. One of our federal funds lines was withdrawn during the second quarter of 2008. We no longer have a relationship with the bank which had been providing us a federal funds line of credit totaling $35 million. We replaced $15 million of the amount withdrawn with another bank. Our total federal funds lines of credit were $140 million at September 30, 2008. At September 30, 2008, outstanding borrowings under these federal funds lines total approximately $31 million with an interest rate of 2.15 percent.

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     Short-term Liquidity
          Our credit agreement contains various financial covenants requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios. In addition to the financial covenants, the credit agreement contains various customary restrictive covenants. FSC is not subject to certain of these restrictions. We have been, and expect to continue to be, in compliance with all material covenants and restrictions.
          On May 29, 2008, we entered into an incremental amendment agreement (the “Incremental Amendment Agreement”) of our existing credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) to increase the aggregate unsecured revolving line-of-credit from $350 million to $450 million. This commitment increase, provided pursuant to terms already present in the Credit Agreement, permitted us to increase our revolving credit facility by an amount of $100 million. We incurred approximately $1.6 million in loan origination fees in conjunction with the Incremental Amendment Agreement. These fees are being amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. All other provisions of the Credit Agreement remain unchanged.
          Our average debt balance increased to $239.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $206.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The average debt balance increased to $238.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $182.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The average interest rate decreased to 5.0 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 6.2 percent for the same period last year. The average interest rate decreased to 5.5 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 6.6 percent for the same period last year. The outstanding balance on our corporate credit facility at September 30, 2008, was $212.2 million.
          We have a letter of credit associated with the Credit Agreement. The letter of credit reduces the amount available for borrowings and collateralizes our fuel price derivative instruments. We are assessed a fee on the liquidation value of the letter of credit. This fee was 0.575 percent at September 30, 2008. The balance of the letter of credit was $12 million at September 30, 2008.
          We expect total capital expenditures for 2008 to be approximately $18 to $19 million. Our capital spending is financed primarily through internally generated funds.
          Concerns about future economic growth, high oil prices, lower consumer sentiment, and the adverse developments in the credit markets continue to challenge the U.S. economy and credit markets. Currently, we have not seen deterioration in our liquidity and our ability to access the capital we need to fund our operations.
          Management believes that we can adequately fund our cash needs during the next 12 months.
     Long-term Liquidity
          Management assesses our long-term liquidity requirements periodically. Based on the results of these assessments, we may elect to increase our borrowing capacity, issue additional equity instruments or discontinue our share repurchase program.
     Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
          We have no material changes to our off-balance sheet arrangements as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
     Purchase of Treasury Shares
          The following table presents share repurchase program activity from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008 and February 12, 2007 (the date of inception of the plan), through September 30, 2007:
                                                                 
 
(in thousands)   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
    Shares   Cost   Shares   Cost   Shares   Cost   Shares   Cost
 
Treasury stock purchased
    71.1     $ 2,046       273.5     $ 9,781       1,034.2     $ 31,391       972.2     $ 30,424  
 
                                                               
 
          In July 2008, our board of directors approved an increase of $75 million to our current share repurchase authorization. In addition, our board of directors extended the share repurchase program to July 25, 2010. As of September 30, 2008, we have approximately $81 million of remaining availability under the program. Share repurchases will be made on the open market and may be commenced or suspended at any time. Management, based on its evaluation of market and economic conditions and other factors, will determine the timing and number of shares repurchased.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
          We have no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
     New Accounting Pronouncements
          See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of this report for further details of new accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
          We have no material changes to the disclosure on this matter made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
          The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of Wright Express Corporation evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. “Disclosure controls and procedures” are controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, and is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of Wright Express Corporation concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2008.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
          There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008, our most recently completed fiscal quarter, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
          As of the date of this filing, we are not involved in any material legal proceedings. We also were not involved in any material legal proceedings that were terminated during the third quarter of 2008. However, from time to time, we are subject to other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, none of which we believe are likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
           Except as provided below, there has not been a material change to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The following risk factors have been added to reflect current economic conditions.
Our exposure to counterparty credit risk could create an adverse affect on our financial condition.
          We engage in a number of transactions where counterparty credit risk becomes a relevant factor. Specifically, we have fuel price derivatives and interest rate swaps whose values at any point in time are dependent upon not only the market but also the viability of the counterparty. The failure or perceived weakness of any of our counterparties has the potential to expose us to risk of loss in these situations. Financial institutions, primarily banks, have historically been our most significant counterparties. The current instability of the financial markets has resulted in many financial institutions becoming significantly less creditworthy, and we are therefore exposed currently to these counterparty risks.
General economic conditions may affect our revenue and harm our business.
          As widely reported, financial markets in the United States, Europe and Asia have been experiencing extreme disruption in recent months. Unfavorable changes in economic conditions, including declining consumer confidence, inflation, recession or other changes, may lead our customers to use less of our services and our revenue could be adversely affected. Challenging economic conditions also may impair the ability of our customers or partners to pay for services they have purchased, and as a result, our reserves for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable could increase. We are unable to predict the likely duration and severity of the current disruption in financial markets and adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Share Repurchases
          The following table provides information about the Company’s purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2008:
                                 
 
                            Approximate Dollar  
                    Total Number of     Value of Shares  
                    Shares Purchased     that May Yet Be  
                    as Part of Publicly     Purchased Under  
    Total Number of     Average Price     Announced Plans or     the Plans or  
    Shares Purchased     Paid per Share     Programs (a)     Programs (a)  
 
July 1 – July 31, 2008
        $           $ 82,944,195  
August 1 – August 31, 2008
    71,100     $ 28.78       71,100     $ 80,897,847  
September 1 – September 30, 2008
        $           $ 80,897,847  
 
                       
 
                               
Total
    71,100     $ 28.78       71,100          
 
                       
 
                               
 
(a)   On February 7, 2007, the Company announced a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $75 million of its common stock over the next 24 months. In July 2008, our board of directors approved an increase of $75 million to our current share repurchase authorization. In addition, our board of directors extended the share repurchase program to July 25, 2010. We now have authorization to purchase up to $150 million of our common stock. Share repurchases will be made on the open market and may be commenced or suspended at any time. The Company’s management, based on its evaluation of market and economic conditions and other factors, will determine the timing and number of shares repurchased.

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Item 6. Exhibits.
     
Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1  
  Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2005, File No. 001-32426).
     
3.2  
  Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 22, 2008, File No. 001-32426).
     
4.1  
  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2005 by and between Wright Express Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2005, File No. 001-32426).
     
* 31.1  
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     
* 31.2  
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     
* 32.1  
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
     
* 32.2  
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
     
 
*   These exhibits have been filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
             
    WRIGHT EXPRESS CORPORATION    
 
           
November 5, 2008
  By:   /s/  Melissa D. Smith    
 
           
 
      Melissa D. Smith    
 
      CFO and Executive Vice President, Finance and    
 
      Operations (principal financial officer)    
 
           

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1  
  Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2005, File No. 001-32426).
     
3.2  
  Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 22, 2008, File No. 001-32426).
     
4.1  
  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2005 by and between Wright Express Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2005, File No. 001-32426).
     
* 31.1  
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     
* 31.2  
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     
* 32.1  
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
     
* 32.2  
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Wright Express Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
     
 
*   These exhibits have been filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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