SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 Washington, D.C. 20549
 _____________________
 FORM 10-Q
 
 (Mark One)
 
 [X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004
 
 OR
 
 [   ]
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 000 - 26728
  
 Talk America Holdings, Inc.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 Delaware
(State of incorporation)
23-2827736
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 
 12020 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 250, Reston, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
20191
(Zip Code) 
 (703) 391-7500
 (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 X No____
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
 
 Yes X No____
 
 Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
 26,686,205 shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, were issued and outstanding as of May 6, 2004.
 
 
  TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 Index
 
 PagePART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATIONItem 1. Consolidated Financial StatementsConsolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)
2Consolidated Balance Sheets  March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 (unaudited)
3Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)
4Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
5Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
9Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
16Item 4. Controls and Procedures
16PART II - OTHER INFORMATIONItem 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K(a) Exhibits
17(b) Reports on Form 8-K
17 
 
 1  TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (In thousands, except for per share data)
 (Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Revenue

$
109,321

$
87,843Costs and expenses:Network and line costs


54,220


43,884General and administrative expenses


15,162


12,879Provision for doubtful accounts


3,421


2,223Sales and marketing expenses


17,284


9,371Depreciation and amortization


5,131


4,307Total costs and expenses


95,218


72,664Operating income


14,103


15,179Other income (expense):Interest income


101


110Interest expense


(817
)

(2,479
)Other income, net


--


2,151Income before provision for income taxes


13,387


14,961Provision for income taxes


5,031


5,835Net income

$
8,356

$
9,126Income per share  Basic:Net income per share

$
0.31

$
0.35Weighted average common shares outstanding


26,674


26,376Income per share  Diluted:Net income per share

$
0.29

$
0.32Weighted average common and common equivalentshares outstanding


28,862


29,940  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 2 TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (In thousands, except for share and per share data)
 (Unaudited)
  March 31, 2004
December 31, 2003AssetsCurrent assets:Cash and cash equivalents

$
29,749

$
35,242Accounts receivable, trade (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $10,032 and $9,414 at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively)


42,660


40,321Deferred income taxes


24,568


24,605Prepaid expenses and other current assets


5,941


5,427Total current assets


102,918


105,595Property and equipment, net


65,390


68,069Goodwill


19,503


19,503Intangibles, net


3,955


4,666Deferred income taxes


36,528


40,543Other assets


7,850


7,547$
236,144

$
245,923Liabilities and Stockholders EquityCurrent liabilities:Accounts payable

$
39,470

$
35,296Sales, use and excise taxes


14,131


14,551Deferred revenue Legal settlements


12,599


10,873Current portion of long-term debt


16,797


16,806Accrued compensation


2,905


9,888Other current liabilities


5,769


7,027Total current liabilities


91,671


94,441Long-term debt


16,351


31,791Deferred income taxes


19,920


19,904Commitments and contingenciesStockholders' equity:Preferred stock - $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding


--


--Common stock - $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 26,683,094 and 26,662,952 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively


280


280Additional paid-in capital


354,906


354,847Accumulated deficit


(241,984
)

(250,340
)Treasury stock - $.01 par value, 1,315,789 shares at March 31,2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively


(5,000
)

(5,000
)Total stockholders' equity


108,202


99,787$
236,144

$
245,923 
 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 3 
 TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (In thousands)
 (Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Cash flows from operating activities:Net income

$
8,356

$
9,126Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Provision for doubtful accounts


3,421


2,223Depreciation and amortization


5,131


4,307Non-cash compensation


9


--Non-cash interest and amortization of accrued interest liabilities


(65
)

(65
)Gain from extinguishment of debt


--


(2,154
)Deferred income taxes


4,068


5,835Changes in assets and liabilities:Accounts receivable, trade


(5,760
)

(5,343
)Prepaid expenses and other current assets


(514
)

(145
)Other assets


(13
)

1,114Accounts payable


4,174


3,325Sales, use and excise taxes


(420
)

332Deferred revenue


1,726


1,154Accrued compensation


(6,983
)

(2,251
)Other current liabilities


(1,258
)

(2,849
)Net cash provided by operating activities


11,872


14,609Cash flows from investing activities:Capital expenditures


(1,220
)

(2,691
)Capitalized software development costs


(811
)

(663
)Net cash used in investing activities


(2,031
)

(3,354
)Cash flows from financing activities:Payments of borrowings


(15,000
)

(10,793
)Payments of capital lease obligations


(384
)

(16
)Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants


50


12Purchase of treasury stock


--


(5,000
)Net cash used in financing activities


(15,334
)

(15,797
)Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(5,493
)

(4,542
)Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period


35,242


33,588Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$
29,749

$
29,046 
 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 4 TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)
 
 NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 (a) Basis of Financial Statements Presentation
 
 The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Talk America Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Talk America," "we," "our" and "us"). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
 The consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto as of March 31, 2004 and for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003 are presented as unaudited, but in the opinion of management include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. The consolidated balance sheet information for December 31, 2003 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed March 12, 2004, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed May 7, 2004 . These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as amended by our Form 10-K/A. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future periods. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.
 
 (b) Risks and Uncertainties
 
 Future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect future operating results and cash flows and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to:
 
 ·  Changes in government policy, regulation and enforcement or adverse judicial or administrative interpretations and rulings or legislative action relating to regulations, enforcement and pricing, including, but not limited to, changes that affect the continued availability of the unbundled network element platform of the local exchange carriers network and the costs associated therewith
 ·  Dependence on the availability and functionality of the networks of the incumbent local exchange carriers as they relate to the unbundled network element platform
 ·  Increased price competition in local and long distance services, including bundled services, and overall competition within the telecommunications industry, including, but not limited to, in the State of Michigan
 ·  Adverse determinations in certain litigation matters
 
 Negative developments in these areas could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 NOTE 2. DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
 The following is a summary of our debt and capital lease obligations (in thousands):
 
 March 31, 2004
December 31, 200312% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007

$
25,730

$
40,7308% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (1)


3,713


3,7785% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2004


670


670Capital lease obligations


3,035


3,419Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations

$
33,148

$
48,597Less: current maturities (2)


16,797


16,806Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities

$
16,351

$
31,791 
 (1) Includes future accrued interest or $0.9 million as of March 31, 2004 and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2003.
 
 5
  (2) Reflects our February 19, 2004 notice and commitment to redeem $15 million principal amount of these 12% Senior Subordinated Notes on April 20, 2004 and resulting change in the maturity of such principal amount to the noticed redemption date.
 
 (a)  12% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 and 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007
 
 Effective April 4, 2002, we completed the exchange of $57.9 million of the $61.8 million outstanding principal balance of our 4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due December 15, 2002 ("4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes") for $53.2 million principal amount of our new 12% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due August 2007 ("12% Senior Subordinated Notes") and $2.8 million principal amount of our new 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due August 2007 ("8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes") and cash paid of $0.5 million. In addition, we exchanged $17.4 million of the $18.1 million outstanding principal balance of our 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes ("5% Convertible Subordinated Notes") that mature on December 15, 2004 for $17.4 million principal amount of the 12% Senior Subordinated Notes.
 
 The 12% Senior Subordinated Notes accrue interest at a rate of 12% per year on the principal amount, payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, beginning on August 15, 2002. Interest is payable in cash, except that we may, at our option, pay up to one-third of the interest due on any interest payment date through and including the August 15, 2004 interest payment date in additional 12% Senior Subordinated Notes. The 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8% per year on the principal amount, also payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, and are convertible, at the option of the holder, into common stock at $15.00 per share. The 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at any time at our option at par value plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
 
 In accordance with SFAS No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings," we accounted for the exchange of the 4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes for $53.2 million of the 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and $2.8 million of the 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes as a troubled debt restructuring. Since the total liability of $57.4 million ($57.9 million of principal as of the exchange date, less cash payments of $0.5 million) was less than the future cash flows to holders of 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and 12% Senior Subordinated Notes of $91.5 million (representing the $56.0 million of principal and $35.5 million of future interest expense), the liability remained on our balance sheet at $57.4 million as long-term debt. We recognized the difference of $1.4 million between principal and the carrying amount as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the new notes.
 
 (b)  5% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2004
 
 
 As of March 31, 2004, we had $0.7 million principal amount outstanding of our 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes that mature on December 15, 2004. Interest on these notes is due and payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15. The notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, at a conversion price of $76.14 per share. The 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part at our option, at 100.71% of par.
 
 (c)  Capital Leases
 
 During 2003, we entered into a non-cancelable capital lease agreement for upgrades to our customer data storage equipment. Approximately $3.0 million was outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 2003. Total assets under this lease agreement are approximately $3.4 million as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The lease is repayable in 36 monthly installments, which includes interest based on an annual percentage rate of approximately 2%.
 
 NOTE 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 We are party to a number of legal actions and proceedings arising from our provision and marketing of telecommunications services, as well as certain legal actions and regulatory matters arising in the ordinary course of business. During the second quarter of 2003, we were made aware that AOL agreed to settle a class action case for approximately $10 million; the claims in the case allegedly relate to marketing activities conducted pursuant to the former telecommunications marketing agreement, between us and AOL. At the time of the settlement agreement, AOL asserted that we are required to indemnify AOL in this matter under the terms of the marketing agreement and advised that it will seek such
 
 6
 indemnification from us. We believe that we do not have an obligation to indemnify AOL in this matter and that any claim by AOL for this indemnification would be without merit. We have received no further information regarding this matter and it is our intention, if AOL initiates a claim for indemnification under the marketing agreement, to defend against the claim vigorously. We believe that the ultimate outcome of the foregoing actions will not result in a liability that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
 NOTE 4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
 We account for our stock option awards under the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations, including FASB Interpretation No. 44 "Accounting for Certain Transactions Including Stock Compensation," an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25. Under the intrinsic value based method, compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at grant date or other measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. We make pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied as required by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and SFAS 148,  Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation  Transition and Disclosure  an amendment of SFAS 123 . The following disclosure complies with the adoption of this statement and includes pro forma net income as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied (in thousands except for per share data):
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Net income as reported

$
8,356

$
9,126Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income


9


--Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all options


(1,496
)

(206
)Pro forma net income

$
6,869

$
8,920 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Basic earnings per share:As reported

$
0.31

$
0.35Pro forma

$
0.26

$
0.34Diluted earnings per share:As reported

$
0.29

$
0.32Pro forma

$
0.24

$
0.32 
 
 For purposes of pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123, the estimated fair value of the options is assumed to be amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The fair value of the options granted has been estimated at the various dates of the grants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
 ·  Fair market value based on our closing common stock price on the date the option is granted;
 ·  Risk-free interest rate based on the weighted averaged 5 year U.S. treasury note strip rates;
 ·  Volatility based on the historical stock price over the expected term (5 years);
 ·  No expected dividend yield based on future dividend payment plans.
 
 7
  NOTE 5. PER SHARE DATA
 
 Basic earnings per common share for a fiscal period is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the fiscal period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the net income during the fiscal period for the assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options, warrants and convertible bonds (and assuming that the proceeds hypothetically received from the exercise of dilutive stock options are used to repurchase our common stock at the average share price during the fiscal period). For the diluted earnings calculation, we also adjust the net income by the interest expense on the convertible bonds assumed to be converted. Income per share is computed as follows (in thousands except per share data):
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Net income used to compute basic earnings per share

$
8,356

$
9,126Interest expense on convertible bonds, net of tax affect


(5
)

319Net income used to compute diluted earnings per share

$
8,351

$
9,445Average shares of common stock outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share


26,674


26,376Additional common shares to be issued assuming exercise of stock options and warrants (net of shares assumed reacquired) and conversion of convertible bonds *


2,188


3,564Average shares of common and common equivalent stock outstanding used to compute diluted earnings per share


28,862


29,940Income per share  Basic:Net income per share

$
0.31

$
0.35Weighted average common shares outstanding


26,674


26,376Income per share  Diluted:Net income per share

$
0.29

$
0.32Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding


28,862


29,940 
 * The diluted share basis for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, excludes 9 shares associated with certain convertible bonds due to their antidilutive effect. The diluted share basis for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 excludes 2,889 and 2,184 shares, respectively, associated with the options and warrants due to their antidilutive effect.
 
 NOTE 6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 On February 19, 2004, we noticed and committed to redeem $15 million principal amount of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes on April 20, 2004, with the resulting change in the maturity of such principal amount to the noticed redemption date. We redeemed the $15 million of 12% Senior Subordinated Notes on April 20, 2004, leaving $10.7 million principal amount of the 12% Senior Subordinated Notes then outstanding.
 
 8 Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 12, 2004, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed May 7, 2004 and any subsequent filings. Certain of the statements contained herein may be considered forward-looking statements for purposes of the securities laws. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other materials released to the public. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide our managements current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on our current expectations and assumptions currently believed to be valid. For these statements, we claim protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases, including, but not limited to, believes, "estimates," "expects," "expected," "anticipates," "anticipated," plans, strategy, target, prospects and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
 
 All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In addition to those factors discussed in this Form 10-Q Report, you should see our other reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time for information identifying factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
 
 OVERVIEW
 
 We offer a bundle of local and long distance phone services to residential and small business customers in the United States. Our business strategy is to build a large, profitable base of bundled phone service customers using the wholesale operating platforms of the incumbent local exchange companies and then to migrate customers to our own networking platform and further increase our revenues and profitability by offering new products and services to these customers. We refer to this strategy as our customer first strategy.
 
 In 2000, we decided to expand beyond our historical long distance service offerings and utilize the unbundled network element platform to enter the large local telecommunications market and diversify our product portfolio through the bundling of local service with our core long distance service offerings. We ended the first quarter 2004 with 623,000 billed bundled lines. We expect our existing base of long distance customers to continue to decline in 2004 through attrition due to our decision to focus our marketing efforts on the sale of our bundled product.
 
 An integral element of our business strategy is to develop our own local networking capability. If successful, local networking will enhance our operating flexibility and provide us with an alternative to the wholesale operating platforms of the incumbent local exchange companies. As the first step in enabling us to implement this stage of our business strategy, during 2003, we deployed networking assets in Michigan and currently have provisioned over 1,500 customers to our switch. We are in the process of automating the business processes required to provide local network-based services. We are also adding new services and enhancing our existing service and product offerings, as available, to increase our revenues and profitability from our customers. We have installed a new voicemail platform and expect to launch a new dial-up internet service and digital subscriber line, or DSL, service in 2004.
 
 9 
 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain of our financial data as a percentage of revenue:
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Revenue


100.0
%

100.0
%Costs and expenses:Network and line costs


49.6


50.0General and administrative expenses


13.9


14.7Provision for doubtful accounts


3.1


2.5Sales and marketing expenses


15.8


10.7Depreciation and amortization


4.7


4.9Total costs and expenses


87.1


82.8Operating income


12.9


17.2Other income (expense):Interest income


0.1


0.1Interest expense


(0.8
)

(2.8
)Other, net


--


2.4Income before income taxes


12.2


16.9Provision for income taxes


4.6


6.6Net income


7.6
%

10.3
% 
 The following table sets forth for certain items of our financial data for the periods indicated the percentage increase or (decrease) in such item from the preceding fiscal period:
 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,2004
2003Revenue


24.5
%

10.6
%Costs and expenses:Network and line costs


23.6


9.1General and administrative expenses


17.7


(11.6
)Provision for doubtful accounts


53.9


(44.5
)Sales and marketing expenses


84.4


59.0Depreciation and amortization


19.1


(3.1
)Total costs and expenses


31.0


5.1Operating income


(7.1
)

47.1Other income (expense):Interest income


(8.2
)

23.6Interest expense


(67.0
)

68.2Other, net


(100.0
)

366.5Income before income taxes


(10.5
)

84.0Provision for income taxes


(13.8
)

--Net income


(8.4)
%

12.3
%  Revenue. The increase in revenue for the first quarter 2004 from the first quarter 2003 was due to the increase in bundled revenue offset by a decline in long distance revenue. During 2004, we increased certain fees and rates related to our long distance and bundled products and such changes in rates may adversely impact customer turnover.
 
 The increase in bundled revenue to $91.7 million for the first quarter 2004 from $60.2 million for the first quarter 2003 was due to higher average bundled lines in 2004 as compared to 2003, partially offset by lower average monthly revenue per customer. We ended the first quarter 2004 with 623,000 billed bundled lines, compared to 402,000 at the end of first quarter 2003. Approximately 54% of the bundled lines in the first quarter 2004 were in Michigan, compared to 67% at the end of first quarter 2003, reflecting our continued efforts to market into new states in the first quarter 2004, increasing our penetration of New York and New Jersey and adding Alabama, Pennsylvania and Maryland as productive states. Continued growth in revenues will depend upon our ability to develop and scale various marketing programs in additional states or areas and to maintain or reduce the current level of customer turnover.
 
 10
  Our long distance revenue decreased for the first quarter 2004 to $17.6 million from $27.7 million for the first quarter 2003. Our decision in 2000 to invest in building a bundled customer base, together with customer turnover, contributed to the decline in long distance customers and revenue, although the effect on revenue of the decline in customers was offset partially by an increase in average monthly revenue per customer due to price increases. We expect this decline in long distance customers and revenues to continue.
 
 Network and Line Costs . The increase of network and line costs for the first quarter 2004 from the first quarter 2003 is primarily due to the increase in bundled customers, partially offset by the decrease in long distance customers. The lower total network and line costs as a percentage of revenue were due primarily to lower network costs as a percentage of revenue for both the bundled and long distance products. This decrease was partially offset by a shift in our customer base to the higher cost bundled product from the lower cost long distance product and increases in network cost pricing and costs of unbundled network elements in certain states.
 
 Bundled network and line costs were $47.3 million for the first quarter 2004, as compared to $32.1 million for the first quarter 2003. Long distance network and line costs were $6.9 million for the first quarter 2004, as compared to $11.8 million for the first quarter 2003. As a percentage of bundled revenue, bundled and network line costs were 51.6% for the first quarter 2004, as compared to 53.4% for the first quarter 2003. Long distance network and line costs as a percentage of long distance revenue were 39.2% for the first quarter 2004, as compared to 42.6% for the first quarter 2003. During the first quarter 2004, we recorded a liability for network and line costs of $1.2 million related to retroactive cost increases pending the resolution of a rate proceeding in the State of Georgia. The increase in these liabilities was offset by a reduction  in accruals for network and line costs due  to the expiration of the period to backbill us certain charges.
 
 We structure and price our products in order to maintain network and line costs as a percentage of revenue at certain targeted levels. While the control of the structure and pricing of our products assists us in mitigating risks of increases in network and line costs, the telecommunications industry is highly competitive and there can be no assurances that we will be able to effectively market these higher priced products. There are several factors that could cause our network and line costs as a percentage of revenue to increase in the future, including without limitation:
 
 ·  determinations by the FCC, courts, or state commission(s) that make unbundled local switching and/or combinations of unbundled network elements effectively unavailable to us in some or all of our geographic service areas, requiring us to provide services in these areas through total service resale agreements with incumbent local exchange companies, through network elements purchased from the Regional Bell Operating Companies at "just and reasonable" rates under Section 271 of the Act or through the switching facilities of other non-incumbent carriers, in any case at significantly increased costs, or to provide services over our own switching facilities, if they have been deployed. The Court of Appeals, on March 2, 2004, issued an order that reversed the FCCs Triennial Review Order in part and remanded to the FCC with instructions to revise the Order in material ways that may make unbundled local switching and/or combinations of unbundled network elements effectively unavailable to us in some or all of our geographic service areas (see our discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Matters," below);
 
 ·  adverse changes to the current pricing methodology mandated by the FCC for use in establishing the prices charged to us by incumbent local telephone companies for the use of their unbundled network elements. The FCCs 2003 Triennial Review Order, which was reversed in part and remanded to the FCC with instructions to revise the Order in material ways, (see our discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Matters," below) clarified several aspects of these pricing principles related to depreciation, fill factors (i.e. network utilization) and cost of capital, which could enable incumbent local telephone companies to increase the prices for unbundled network elements. In addition, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on December 15, 2003, which initiated a proceeding to consider making additional changes to its unbundled network element pricing methodology, including reforms that would base prices more on the actual network costs incurred by incumbent local exchange companies than on the hypothetical network costs that would be incurred when the most efficient technology is used. These changes could result in material increases in prices charged to us for unbundled network elements; and
 
 11
 ·  determinations by state commissions to increase prices for unbundled network elements in ongoing state cost dockets.
 
 Changes in the pricing of our service plans could also cause network and line costs as a percentage of revenue to change in the future. See our discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Matters," below.
 
 General and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses increased for the first quarter ended 2004 from the first quarter 2003 primarily due to an increase in the number of employees for customer service, information technology and our local networking initiatives to support our expanding base of bundled customers. The increase was also attributable to a new operating lease for information technology equipment during the first quarter 2004.
 
 While we expect general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue to continue to decline as the customer base grows, realization of such efficiencies will be dependent on the ability of management to continue to control personnel costs in areas such as customer service and collections. There can be no assurances that we will be able to realize these efficiencies.
 
 Provision for Doubtful Accounts . The provision for doubtful accounts increased for the first quarter 2004 from the first quarter 2003. The increase in bad debt expense is primarily attributable to the increase in bundled revenue, both in total and as a percentage of total revenue.
 
 Sales and Marketing Expenses . The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter 2004 from the first quarter 2003 is primarily attributable to increased levels of sales and marketing activity to continue our bundled sales growth. Currently, substantially all of our sales and marketing expenses relate to the bundled product. We expect sales and marketing expenses in total and as a percentage of sales to continue to increase in 2004 as we continue to target growth in the bundled product and invest in the development of our marketing programs.
 
 Interest Expense . The decrease in interest expense for the first quarter 2004 from the first quarter 2003 is primarily attributable to a decrease in outstanding debt balances through repurchases of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes during 2003 and the first quarter 2004, and our 8% Secured Convertible Notes during 2003.
 
 Depreciation and Amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization for the first quarter 2004 from the first quarter 2003 is primarily attributable to depreciation on costs incurred in 2003 related to our deployment of networking assets (our local switch and colocation equipment) in Michigan, and amortization of capitalized software projects completed during 2003 primarily related to the development of customer relations management software.
 
 Other Income, Net . Other income for the first quarter 2003 consists of gains from our repurchase of a portion of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discount to par.
 
 Provision for Income Taxes . The effective tax rate for the first quarter 2004 was 37.6%. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 39% in 2003 reflects the impact of income tax returns filed during the first quarter 2004 for the 2003 tax year. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 38% for fiscal 2004. As a result of the application of net operating loss carryforwards, we currently need only pay accrued alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes; we expect net operating losses will be fully utilized by the end of 2005.
 
 
 12 
 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
 Our management assesses our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operations, capital expenditures and debt service obligations. For the first quarters 2004 and 2003, our operating activities provided net cash flow of $11.9 million and $14.6 million, respectively, which was used in each year by us, along with existing cash and cash equivalents, to reduce our outstanding debt obligations and fund capital expenditures and capitalized software development costs. For the first quarter 2003, we also utilized cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. As of March 31, 2004, we had $29.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and long-term debt (including current maturities) of $33.1 million, compared to $35.2 million and $48.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2003.
 
 
 Our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2004 are summarized by years to maturity as follows (in thousands):
 
 Contractual Obligations

Total
1 year or
less
2  3
Years
4  5
Years
ThereafterTalk America Holdings, Inc.:12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (1)

$
25,730

$
15,000

$
--

$
10,730

$
--8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (2)


3,713


--


--


3,713


--5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004


670


670


--


--


--Talk America Inc. and other subsidiaries:Capital lease obligations


3,035


1,127


1,908


--


--$
33,148

$
16,797

$
1,908

$
14,443

$
--Operating leases

$
7,508

$
2,844

$
3,773

$
446

$
445Carrier commitments (3)


81,650


19,250


41,600


20,800


--Total Contractual Obligations

$
122,306

$
38,891

$
47,281

$
35,689

$
445 ________
 
 (1) Reflects our February 19, 2004 notice and commitment to redeem $15 million principal amount of these 12% Senior Subordinated Notes on April 20, 2004 and resulting change in the maturity of such principal amount to the noticed redemption date. Since the first quarter 2004 and through May 10, 2004, we have redeemed the $15 million of these 12% Senior Subordinated Notes that we so noticed for redemption.
 
 (2) The amount of the 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes include $2.8 million of principal and $0.9 million of future accrued interest.
 
 (3) In December 2003, we entered into a new four-year master carrier agreement with AT&T. The agreement provides us with a variety of services, including transmission facilities to connect our network switches as well as services for international calls, local traffic, international calling cards, overflow traffic and operator assisted calls. The agreement also provides that, subject to certain terms and conditions, we will purchase these services exclusively from AT&T during the term of the agreement, provided, however, that we are not obligated to purchase exclusively in certain cases, including if such purchases would result in a breach of any contract with another carrier that was in place when we entered into the AT&T agreement, or if vendor diversity is required. Certain of our network service agreements, including the AT&T agreement, contain certain minimum usage commitments. Our contract with AT&T establishes pricing and provides for annual minimum revenue commitments based upon usage as follows: 2004 - $25 million, 2005 - $32 million, 2006 - $32 million and 2007 - $32 million and obligates us to pay 65 percent of the revenue shortfall, if any. A separate contract with a different vendor establishes pricing and provides for annual minimum payments for 2004 of $3.0 million. While we believe we will meet these annual minimum revenue commitments, and that we will not have to pay the shortfalls, there can be no assurances of this, and, if we are required to pay any of the shortfall amounts under one of these agreements, our costs of purchasing the services under the agreement will correspondingly increase.
 
 13
  Cash Provided By Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.9 million and $14.6 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the major contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
 ·  Net income of $8.4 million;
 ·  Increases in accounts payable of $4.2 million, primarily due to increased levels of sales and marketing activity to continue our bundled sales growth, and an increase in network and line costs primarily due to the increase in bundled customers;
 ·  Non-cash items of $12.6 million, primarily consisting of utilization of deferred tax assets of $4.1 million. The application of NOL carryforwards have limited our current payment of income taxes to cash taxes for alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes. We expect that our NOLs will be fully utilized by the end of 2005;
 ·  An increase in deferred revenue of $1.7 million for advance customer billings, primarily due to the growth in bundled customers.
 
 Partially offsetting these contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
 ·  An increase in accounts receivable of $5.8 million due to the growth of our customer base. We generally do not have a significant concentration of credit risk with respect to net trade accounts receivable, due to the large number of end-users comprising our customer base;
 ·  A decrease in accrued compensation of $7.0 million due to payment of year-end performance bonuses;
 ·  A decrease in other current liabilities of $1.3 million primarily attributable to a decrease in accrued interest due to both lower debt levels and accrued interest payments.
 
 For the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the major contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
 ·  Net income of $9.1 million;
 ·  An increase in accounts payable of $3.3 million attributable to an increase in network and line costs primarily due to the increase in bundled customers;
 ·  An increase in deferred revenue of $1.2 million for advance customer billings, primarily due to the growth in bundled customers;
 ·  A decrease in other assets of $1.1 million attributable to repayment of a related party loan.
 
 Partially offsetting these contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
 ·  An increase in accounts receivable of $5.3 million, primarily due to the continued shift in our customer base from long distance customers to local bundled customers with higher average monthly revenue per customer.
 ·  A decrease in accrued compensation of $2.3 million primarily due to payment of year-end performance bonuses;
 ·  A decrease in other current liabilities of $2.8 million primarily attributable to accrued interest payments.
 
 
 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $2.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, consisting of capitalized software development costs of $0.8 million and capital expenditures of $1.2 million, consisting primarily of upgrades to our information technology capabilities.
 
 In 2004, we plan to add six additional colocations to our existing local network and to continue migrating local bundled customers over to our network, and expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $12 to $15 million for both network and non-network assets. As we pursue our "customer first" strategy of building a large, profitable base of bundled service customers using the wholesale operating platforms of the incumbent local exchange companies and then migrate those customers to our own networking platform and offer new products and services to these customers, our capital expenditures are expected to increase significantly.
 
 Capitalized software development costs consist of direct development costs associated with internal-use computer software, including external direct costs of material and services and payroll costs for employees devoting time to the software projects. In 2003, capitalized software development costs totaled $2.7 million and were primarily related to the development of customer relations management software. In 2004, we expect software development costs to increase moderately as we continue to develop the integrated information systems required to provide local switch-based service.
 
 14
  Net cash used in investing activities was $3.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2003, consisting of capitalized software development costs of $0.7 million and capital expenditures primarily for the purchase of equipment of $2.7 million.
 
 Net Cash Used in Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $15.3 and $15.8 million, primarily attributable to debt repayment of $15.0 and $10.8 million, respectively. In addition, for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to our share buyback program announced in January 2003, we purchased 1,315,789 shares for a purchase price of $5.0 million. Under the buyback program, we are authorized to spend up to $10.0 million for share purchases, with a cap of 2.5 million shares.
 
 In the second quarter of 2004 through May 10, 2004, we have redeemed the $15 million of 12% Senior Subordinated Notes for which we had given notice in February 2004, leaving $10.7 million principal amount of the 12% Senior Subordinated Notes currently outstanding. In 2004, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to purchase our debt prior to maturity, as well as to consider acquiring shares under the balance of our share buyback program. The remaining shares authorized under the program may be purchased, from time to time, in the open market and/or in private transactions.
 
 
 While we believe that we have access to new capital in the public or private markets to fund our ongoing cash requirements, there can be no assurance as to the timing, amounts, terms or conditions of any such new capital or whether it could be obtained on terms acceptable to us. We anticipate that our cash requirements will generally be met from our cash-on-hand and from cash generated from operations. Based on our current projections for operations, we believe that our cash-on-hand and our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our currently contemplated capital expenditures, our debt service obligations, and the expenses of conducting our operations for at least the next twelve months. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to realize our projected cash flows from operations, which is subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed in this report, or that we will not be required to consider capital expenditures in excess of those currently contemplated, as discussed in this report.
 
 OTHER MATTERS
 
 Our provision of telecommunication services is subject to government regulation. Changes in existing regulations could have a material adverse effect on us. Our local telecommunication services are provided almost exclusively through the use of unbundled network elements purchased from incumbent local telephone companies, and it is primarily the availability of cost-based unbundled network element rates that enables us to price our local telecommunications services competitively. The FCC currently requires incumbent local telephone companies to provide an unbundled network element platform, that includes all of the network elements required by a competitor to provide a retail telecommunications service, in most geographic areas. Through the use of such unbundled network element platforms we are able to provide retail local services entirely through the use of the incumbent local telephone companys facilities at lower prices than those available for local resale through total resale service agreements. In its UNE Triennial Review proceeding, the FCC sought to identify, among other issues, which if any network elements the incumbent local telephone companies should no longer be required to offer on an unbundled basis. The FCC also analyzed the issue of which elements must be unbundled in response to a remand of its previous rules by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In the FCCs UNE Triennial Review Order, released August 21, 2003 and effective as of October 2, 2003, the Commission determined that certain network elements will no longer be subject to unbundling, while other elements must continue to be offered subject to further, more detailed review by the state public utility commissions. The Order was subject to numerous federal judicial appeals, which were consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Court, on March 2, 2004, issued an order that reversed the FCCs Order in part and remanded to the FCC with instructions to revise the Order in material ways. The Court stayed its decision until the denial of any petitions for rehearing or for a 60-day period (i.e., until May 1, 2004), whichever is later. In April 2004 the Court extended its stay to June 15, 2004. As directed by the FCC in early April 2004, we have agreed to negotiate in good faith new commercial contracts for the receipt of wholesale phone services from the incumbent local exchange carriers. To date no agreements have been reached nor can any assurance be given that any agreements will be reached.
 
 
 Should the local circuit switching unbundled network element become effectively unavailable due to this adverse decision or otherwise, we would be unable to offer services on an unbundled network element platform basis and would instead have to serve customers through total service resale agreements with the incumbent local exchange companies, through network elements purchased from the Regional Bell Operating Companies at "just and reasonable" rates under Section 271 of the Act or through our own facilities or the switching facilities of other non-incumbent carriers. Our transition from providing telecommunications services on an unbundled network element platform basis could delay our service roll-out in some markets, increase our costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating margins, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
 
 15
  
 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debt, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, sales taxes, network and line costs, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
 Additional information about these critical accounting policies may by found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed March 12, 2004, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed May 7, 2004, in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," under the heading "Critical Accounting Policies."
 
 
 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
 In the normal course of business, our financial position is subject to a variety of risks, such as the collectibility of our accounts receivable and the receivability of the carrying values of our long-term assets. Our long-term obligations consist primarily of long term debt with fixed interest rates. We do not presently enter into any transactions involving derivative financial instruments for risk management or other purposes.
 
 Our available cash balances are invested on a short-term basis (generally overnight) and, accordingly, are not subject to significant risks associated with changes in interest rates. Substantially all of our cash flows are derived from our operations within the United States and we are not subject to market risk associated with changes in for eign exchange rates.
 
 Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
 As of March 31, 2004, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There were no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our disclosure controls over financial reporting.
 
 16 
 PART II  OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
 (a)  Exhibits
 
 31.1  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Gabriel Battista (filed herewith).
 
 31.2  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Edward B. Meyercord, III (filed herewith).
 
 31.3  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of David G. Zahka (filed herewith).
 
 32.1  Certification of Gabriel Battista Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished to the Commission herewith).
 
 32.2  Certification of Edward B. Meyercord, III Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished to the Commission herewith).
 
 32.3  Certification of David G. Zahka Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished to the Commission herewith).
 
 (b)  Reports on Form 8-K.
 
 No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed by us during the three months ended March 31, 2004.
 
 17 
 SIGNATURES
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
 
 Date: May 7, 2004
By:/s/ Gabriel Battista
Gabriel Battista
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)Date: May 7, 2004
By:/s/ David G. Zahka
David G. Zahka
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)Date: May 7, 2004
By:/s/ Thomas M. Walsh
Thomas M. Walsh
Senior Vice President - Finance
(Principal Accounting Officer) 
 18