EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1839530
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1839530_10-K_2025_0001558370-25-003247.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we,” “our,” “us,” “XBP Europe, “the Company” and similar terms are to XBP Europe Inc. and its subsidiaries before the Business Combination, and to XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. following consummation of the Business Combination, except where the context requires otherwise.
Overview
We are a pan-European integrator of bills, payments and related solutions and services seeking to enable digital transformation of our clients. We believe our business ultimately advances digital transformation, improves market-wide liquidity by expediting payments, and encourages sustainable business practices.
Our solutions and services serve clients of varying sizes in multiple industries, and across public and private sectors. Our larger reporting segment is the Bills & Payments segment where revenue stems from transactions processed by our products and services, including bill and payments processing, from our locations or from client locations. In 2024, this revenue stream generated approximately $110 million, including discontinued operations revenue of $8 million (approximately 73% of total revenues). Our other reporting segment is the Technology segment where revenue stems from the sale of recurring and perpetual software licenses and related maintenance, professional services, and sale of hardware solutions and related maintenance, which represented the remainder of our revenue or $41 million (27% of total revenues) in 2024.
In total, we serve over 2,000 clients across Europe (including a smaller number in the Middle East and Africa). Our client concentration is relatively low, with the top 10 clients accounting for 27.6% of our revenue in 2024 and 26.0% of our revenue in 2023, and the top 100 clients accounting for 79.1% and 76.3% of revenue in 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, we generated $151 million of revenue, including discontinued operations revenue of $8 million.
We process several hundred million payment transactions annually. This volume is achieved using a hybrid of our cloud-based infrastructure and platforms, which enables us to deploy our business solutions to clients across the European market, and also to the Middle East and Africa (together with Europe, “EMEA”), where we have a smaller number of clients. Our physical footprint spans 15 countries and 32 locations. We host our products both on our own and our client premises and as a SaaS offering in the cloud. These offerings, along with several hybrid solutions are available to clients based on their needs and preferences. We offer a flexible model when it comes to our licenses, whereby clients can choose among licenses covering a maximum number of transactions, multi-year term licenses with renewal options, or perpetual licenses. Our flexible deployment model has attracted many leading banking and financial institutions, including some of the largest in Europe. Among these institutions is Finanz Informatik (“FI”), the IT service provider of
the Savings Banks Finance Group, a German financial institution with approximately $3.0 trillion in business volume and more than 50 million end-customers.
We intend to enhance and expand our product and service offerings by adding emerging standards to our bills and payments solutions, such as our Request to Pay and Confirmation of Payee offerings, which should position us as one of the few companies within the broader open banking initiative that can offer solutions across industries. Since the Closing, we have expanded our offering to include XBP Omnidirect, a cloud-based communication management platform, and Reaktr.ai, our cyber-security, data modernization and cloud management business unit which is powered by AI, both of which are covered in more detail below, and which aim to expand our solution stack among the existing and new client base, thereby resulting in higher value client relationships.
We offer an industry-agnostic and cross-departmental suite of products, which centers around finance and accounting (“F&A”) solutions and services and is comprised of the XBP Platform, Request to Pay, enterprise information management, robotic process automation, Digital Mailroom, business process management and workflow automation, and integrated communication services. We also offer industry specific solutions for banking and financial services. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people and businesses operate, we have rolled out a suite of Work From Anywhere (“WFA”) applications with enterprise software for connectivity and productivity to better enable remote work.
We increased our focus on Public Sector opportunities in 2024 and see a significant long-term structural opportunity in this vertical going forward. In 2024, we won a multi-year contract for His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) in the United Kingdom for approximately $40 million, where XBP Europe will digitally transform birth, marriage, and death records dating back to 1837. This contract win was enabled by our state-of-the-art AI-powered IDP solution, which improves efficiency and security while integrating precision-enhanced corrections and feedback-driven validation mechanisms to refine field accuracy over time.
We expect to see continued demand from the Public Sector in 2025 and beyond for several reasons. Government expenditure as a percent of GDP in Europe significantly exceeds other regions around the world. According to the International Monetary Fund, government expenditure as a percent of GDP in 2022 in the United Kingdom and the European Union was 44.3% and 49.2%, respectively, compared to the United States at 36.3%. In the European Union specifically, total government expenditure grew from €3.7 trillion in 2000 to nearly €8 trillion in 2022, based on data from Eurostat.
Europe’s 2030 Digital Decade Programme should provide long-term tailwinds for companies providing digital transformation and cloud services. Launched by the European Commission, the Digital Decade Programme is a framework guiding Europe’s digital transformation until 2030. The initiative was launched in 2023 and focuses on investment in digital skills, digital infrastructure, digital transformation of businesses, and digitalization of public services. Specific targets include 75% of EU enterprises adopting cloud computing, big data, and/or AI, over 90% of SMEs reaching a basic level of digital intensity, and doubling the number of unicorn companies. According to the IDC, overall EMEA digital transformation spending is projected to exceed $1.2 trillion by 2028, driven by AI and industry-specific investments, particularly in financial services and the public sector.
Industry-agnostic and Cross-departmental Solutions
XBP Platform - exchange for bills and payments
The XBP platform provides a secured network, allowing billers, consumers and businesses to communicate and transact utilizing a modern technology stack that can connect to any client system without significant capital investments by new clients. Business-to-business (“B2B”) billers are able to communicate with payers electronically, offering transparency and simplified reconciliations. By structuring and linking data across disparate client systems, our XBP platform can be rapidly implemented using each client’s existing infrastructure and in-country settlement processes. This product allows payers to receive their bills in a single place, with analytics, alerts and several payment options. Downstream processes can be integrated with actionable data that is offered as a value-added service.
The XBP platform payment solutions enable consolidation of inbound payment channels and data continuity to enhance treasury management. Among other things, the product offers integrated receivables dashboards, multi-channel bill presentment and payment, reconciliation, exception and dispute management, ageing analytics, collections management, and targeted engagements.
Through the introduction of the XBP platform for small and medium sized businesses (“SMB”), clients are able to access our XBP web portal and leverage rich features to organize their bills, initiate communication and manage account receivables (“AR”) effectively, all designed to improve liquidity by expediting payments. We also use the XBP platform as the tool to support our ERP data consolidation offering, for which we see a market demand and which we offered our clients beginning in 2024. Any enterprise which has more than one ERP system likely faces challenges in consolidating the data from multiple ERPs, which is time consuming, prone to errors, and delays reporting and decision-making. We use our robotic process automation (“RPA”) suite, along with off the shelf ERP connectors to extract data from multiple ERPs, and feed it into XBP for clients to have one consolidated view without data being compromised or delayed due to manual handling.
Our accounts payable (“AP”) solution enables clients to simplify the complexities of supplier onboarding and management through a user-friendly user-interface (“UI”). Our AP solution can be integrated with our Digital Mailroom technology, which is able to process both digital and non-digital (e.g., paper) data. The AP solution process begins by initiating a requisition. Once approved, the requisition moves to procurement, where bids are solicited from an approved supplier network. We believe that supporting our clients by making our supplier network available may be a key differentiator in enabling a complete AP solution. Our AP solution also records receipt of goods and invoices and performs three-way matching digitally. Exceptions are processed and once approved in accordance with the client’s processes, the purchase is recorded in the client’s ERP system, so that it can be paid. We then use our system to generate and deliver a payment file in the format the bank needs so that a payment can be processed. Some of our clients also authorize us to process the payment on their behalf. Additionally, we deploy advanced AI-enabled solutions to decipher complex invoices and provide forecasts and insights into legacy accounting platforms.
Plug and play solutions across the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) and Order-to-Cash (O2C) cycle to simplify and personalize user experience, optimize treasury management, and facilitate compliance while reducing administrative cost.
Request To Pay (RTP)
Our consistent focus on innovation in the open banking space allowed us to become one of the first market participants to develop an approved Request to Pay (“RTP”) solution for the UK market. This product was developed in cooperation with a key partner, Mastercard, and was approved by the UK’s regulatory body, Pay.UK in 2020. Meanwhile, the post-Brexit European Union is advancing its own RTP solution known as “R2P”, through the Single European Payment Area (“SEPA”) framework, sponsored by the European Payments Council (the “EPC”). Whether in the United Kingdom or EU, RTP/R2P enables billers to make payment requests and allows payers to act on such requests through a secure, unified messaging service that provides end-to-end audit trails for billers and facilitates two-way communication throughout the payment process. The solution is designed to help reduce the number of late payments by allowing the payer to exercise more options, including opening a line of communication regarding the amount, frequency and time of payment. According to a study by the Euro Banking Association, RTP has multiple potential uses, which include POS (point of sale) transactions, e-commerce, e-invoicing, and recurring payments. The benefits across these use cases are multifold and include: improved liquidity management, reduction of payment defaults, avoidance of credit card fees and reduced reliance on cash by enabling a low cost real time account to account transfer.
Enterprise Information Management
Our enterprise information management (“EIM”) solutions consume and organize large amounts of data across multiple formats and store the information in cloud-enabled proprietary platforms. We also gather transaction data from enterprise systems for hosting. The collected, extracted data is usually used to complete a client-mandated process, and is then made available to our clients and their end-consumers for a period of time in return for an access fee as part of the hosting service. We use this suite of solutions extensively in our digital transformation projects.
Robotic Process Automation
We have consistently been at the forefront of implementing Robotic Process Automation (RPA).Our deployment model for RPA is desktop automation, followed by server level automation if the usage is reaching its capacity. We have built up a large library of RPA rules by both industry and client embedded into our solution suite. We view RPA as a step towards the automation of processes in instances where application programming interfaces (“APIs”) do not exist. An example of this is old legacy systems, which may only be accessed through UI that were intended for a human operator to access. In these instances, RPAs will allow a bot to mimic human interaction.
Digital Mailroom Solutions
We are one of the leading providers of digital mailroom and records digitization solutions and often handle the entire mailroom operation for our clients. Our digital mailroom product, called DMR, employs our technology and uses either our or a client’s infrastructure to process mailroom transactions. The end-to-end digital mailroom accommodates
inputs from paper, fax, emails and other electronic data. We also offer recorded voice, image, microfiche and video input channels. Users of DMR are able to view any of these inputs the same way they view emails in their inbox. The versatility of DMR means that it is used as both a module inside the XBP platform and as part of our WFA suite. The UI also connects to our other offerings, such as the Drysign e-signature platform, shipping and receiving services with digital receipt, and delivery and routing to our intelligent lockers offering.
We offer DMR for enterprise-wide deployment to captive mailrooms of clients, mailrooms outsourced to the Company and others. DMR is also suitable for business locations with no dedicated mailroom, such as a client’s front desk and can function as a virtual address solution, enabling businesses to acquire desirable addresses to support their evolution without needing to invest in additional physical office locations. Digital mailroom solutions are available as SaaS, BpaaS or as enterprise licenses. Our largest DMR deployment is with the German Savings Banks Finance Group, to which over 50 million users have access.
Business Process Management and Intelligent Workflow Automation
We have built extensive workflow automation and case management platforms for business process management, which can be leveraged to use our EIM engines. These platforms are designed to integrate popular databases and enterprise systems and are offered across three user categories: enterprise class (10,000 or more users or tasks), interdepartmental class (collaboration across departments), and case-management (off the shelf workflow automation platform which can be customized). Most of our deployments of the workflow automation suite are with banking clients in Germany and the United Kingdom and we typically use our platforms Plexus for more complex deployments, and Beats for off-the shelf workflows.
Integrated Communications
Our comprehensive multi-channel integrated communications solutions help clients communicate with other businesses or their clients. This suite of solutions can link through several channels, including email, print and mail, SMS, web, voice, and chat. Our solutions and services can be expanded to include design and marketing, selection of optimal engagement and least cost routing for mission critical communications. The cost of bills, statements, enrollments, client support, targeted marketing, mass notifications, reprographics, and regulatory notices can each be evaluated using these solutions. We also partner with clients to promote digital migration and improve user experience and help reduce, and even eliminate inefficient, wasteful communications.
Banking and Financial Industry Solutions and Services
XBP Europe is one of the largest non-bank processors of payments in Europe, having processed several hundred million payment transactions in 2024. Our banking and financial industry offerings include solutions for payment processing and payment enablement, mortgage enrollment, lending and loan management, confirmation of payee, know your client (“KYC”), anti-money laundering, governance, compliance and information management solutions and accounted for approximately 51% of revenue in 2024. We can provide these services as an end-to-end solution or as an augmentation of existing banking processes. We may also offer them as a technology license or through our employees who service clients.
We handle a variety of payment channels in addition to checks and credit cards, including Real Time Payments (called Faster Payments in the UK), SEPA, Bank Giro in the Nordics and other payment networks. We perform these services on behalf of banks or our other clients. Open banking is changing the regulatory environments in many of the Company’s markets, which are beginning to permit non-bank payment processors to connect to the payment networks directly. We operate core and mission critical payments services for a number of banks in Europe. These banks look to us to manage the payment infrastructure (software, hardware and hosting), the process design, the operational aspects of the services, payment scheme compliance (to the in-country interbank clearing schemes) and the application of the appropriate governance processes covering this heavily regulated industry. The bank clients outsource functions from their payments infrastructure and operations to us, and we then manage the end-to-end design, build, test and operate aspects of the payments processes using our in-house resources, software and know-how. We have internal policies and
procedures that conform to the standards required by banks and regulators for such sensitive and crucial activities and to comply with local laws and regulations.
The services that we provide are for certain services so critical to the banks’ core operational activities that they are exempt from value added tax. As part of our services, our staff and systems collect and aggregate outgoing payments, initiate and process payments, check those payments for validity and compliance, and submit them directly to the national interbank payments networks to which we are directly connected. Similarly, when payments are arriving (incoming requests for payment), our systems and staff validate them, perform anti-fraud checks (rejecting fraudulent payments) and make payment decisions if funds are available and the account credentials are met. Post-settlement, the time after a payment has been made, we operate systems and services that handle payment queries or errors.
Cross-border Payments
As well as domestic payments, we operate foreign currency services for five banks in the United Kingdom and Ireland. These services are more complex than domestic payments as they require us to comply with international sanctions regimes (e.g., OFAC) and involve many more regulations, rules and downstream processes including exchange rate charging tariffs.
Digitization of Checks
We provide mobile and remote deposit technologies to our banking and financial services clients. For example, when the United Kingdom transitioned from traditional check processing to an image-based clearing system (“ICS”) in 2017, to speed up the settlement of checks, XBP Europe and Vocalink (part of Mastercard) were selected to jointly build and run the infrastructure of this new inter-bank clearing system. Today, all checks in the United Kingdom are processed via ICS. Separately, we have delivered ICS compliant services to seven of the nineteen participant banks in the United Kingdom and have been working to upgrade their mobile and remote deposit capabilities.
Confirmation of Payee/Verification of Payee
Payments in the United Kingdom and the European Union are moving toward real time account-to-account payments, which is expected to shift transactional volumes from traditional services such as card schemes, and batch-based payments such as direct debit. This move is largely driven by regulation, in part due to cost and speed benefits. Both the United Kingdom and the European Union payments regulators have encouraged the adoption of so-called overlay services that provide greater benefits to end users and reduced opportunities for fraud. Two of these overlays are RTP, which is described above, and Confirmation of Payee (“CoP”) and we are part of a select few in the industry that has adopted and deployed both of these services.
CoP is a service that verifies the payee’s bank account name and details before transmitting payments. This is a standard mandated by Pay.UK and conforms to the security requirements of open banking. CoP acts as an additional layer of payment protection and warns against sending payments to any non-verified payee account. This serves to transfer the fraud liability to the payer should the payer ignore any warnings. These validations help reduce the risk of payments to the wrong account holder, subsequent payment investigations and adjustment costs, and losses from, among other things, fraud. We were among the first service providers to launch a live client on our CoP service with the Co-operative Bank in 2020 and have been an approved CoP aggregator since 2024. We have since implemented the product with additional bank clients.
Additionally, XBP Europe was recently registered with the European Payments Council as a vendor of Verification of Payee (“VOP”) services. This development underscores the Company’s readiness to help organizations across the Eurozone, achieve compliance with new instant payment regulations, and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) operating in Eurozone countries must comply with VOP regulations by October 5, 2025. VOP has emerged as an essential tool in the payments ecosystem. It limits the industry’s mounting annual losses of approximately $120 billion from erroneous payments, fraud, and misdirected transactions, by ensuring payee details match the account holder’s information.
Mortgage and loan management
To improve the speed and provide cost efficiencies within a compliant mortgage and lending completion process, our proprietary mortgage and loan management solutions enable lenders to originate and service loans with greater efficiency by automating the entire mortgage lifecycle, from origination to submission and post-completion disbursements.
XBP Omnidirect
Following the Closing, we have begun offering XBP Omnidirect, a cloud-based platform that provides enterprise level client communication management centered around a digital storefront. In the Omnidirect storefront, clients manage all their printing, fulfilment, composition, marketing campaign needs, and do so for both internal and external purposes. As a result, the platform effectively transforms inventory management to become online based, but equally important, clients directly control multiple other channels, including marketing and fulfilment.
Cybersecurity, Data Modernization and Cloud management, and generative AI - Reaktr.ai
In January 2024, we announced the formation of Reaktr.ai, a business unit aimed at addressing the evolving needs of our clients in the cybersecurity, data modernization and cloud management, and generative AI spaces. With the constant threat of cybersecurity attacks, our clients’ operations are in need of robust fortification. Digital transformation is a broad subject, however all digital transformations have a common denominator, which is data modernization. Our data modernization solutions enable clients’ data to be cloud ready. In cases where clients are cloud ready but have not yet migrated or are considering whether to adopt a hybrid approach, Reaktr.ai is designed to advise on the right solution and to undertake the transition and subsequent management of the digital data. All of these solutions are complemented by AI-powered platforms which supplement operations to provide a competitive edge.
Overview of Revenues
Our two reportable segments are Bills & Payments and Technology. These segments are comprised of significant business units that align our products and services with how we manage our business, approach our key markets and interact with our clients based on their respective industries.
● Bills and Payments: The Bills & Payments business unit primarily focuses on optimizing how bills and payments are processed by businesses of all sizes and industries. The Company offers automation of AP and AR processes and through an integrated platform, seeks to integrate buyers and suppliers across Europe. This business unit also includes our digital transformation revenue, which is both project based and recurring.
● Technology: The Technology business unit primarily focuses on sales of recurring and perpetual software licenses and related maintenance, hardware solutions and related maintenance and professional services.
History and Development of Our Company
XBP Europe, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on September 28, 2022 to facilitate the Business Combination. On November 30, 2023, following the Closing, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “XBP Europe”) and its shares started trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker “XBP” and its warrants started trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “XBPEW”. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company constitutes a collection of entities, which have comprised the core European business of ETI since the 1995 merger between Texas-based BancTec, Inc. and Recognition International, Inc. The Company’s subsidiaries and predecessor entities have been serving clients in the European marketplace for over 45 years. In 2018, through the acquisitions of Asterion International and Drescher Full-Service Versand, ETI further expanded its geographic and client reach across Europe.
Key Business Strategies
The Company’s business strategy aims to accelerate clients’ digital transformation through deployment of software and operations automation techniques, hosted on cloud. The Company’s overarching goal is to provide the highest value and lowest cost of ownership to its clients. The Company attempts to accomplish this by building scalable systems that are used by its employees to deliver business process automation services across Europe. The key elements of the Company’s growth strategy are described below:
● Expand Penetration of Solution Stack Across Client Base. We seek to move up in what we call “the seven layers of technology enabled solutions and services stack,” climbing the value chain of our clients from discrete services to end-to-end processes through use of front-end enterprise software. We believe continued deployment of our single sign on portals with on-demand applications will drive expansion of our front-end software (B2B/B2C/SaaS) and integrated offerings thereby enabling us to cross and up-sell within our existing client base.
● Government Frameworks and Tenders. We currently provide solutions to various government agencies in a number of countries throughout Europe and intend to intensify our presence and participation in the public sector, our pan-European scale and capacity to bid on new government and public agency led technology and infrastructure opportunities. This includes digitization, AI-driven, and cloud-based solutions. We plan to dedicate additional sales leadership and other resources to expand our presence and range of service offerings to government projects.
● Expand XBP network of buyers and suppliers. We processed several hundred million payment transactions in 2024. The transactions we process touch tens of millions of consumers, buyers and suppliers across Europe, and present a significant opportunity to connect many more of them. We intend to expand the scope and scale of services we offer by leveraging the integration value our existing network provides as it endeavors to further connect buyers and suppliers to communicate and transact digitally.
● Work-from-Anywhere (WFA) enablement - We believe the modern workforce will continue to become more globalized, dynamic and distributed, demanding applications that support digital workflows, remote connectivity, productivity optimization and flexible facilities. We plan to continue expanding our WFA suite of enterprise software to meet the evolving needs of our clients and their employees.
● Pursue new client opportunities. We plan to continue to develop new long-term, strategic client relationships, especially where we have an opportunity to deliver a wide range of our capabilities and can have a meaningful impact on our clients’ business outcomes. For example, we plan to leverage the solutions we have already
introduced in some European markets, like CoP or RTP (which we have introduced in the United Kingdom), and offer them to clients in other European markets, e.g. VOP and R2P respectively.
● Capitalize on our enhanced scale and operating capacity. We intend to utilize our pan-European scale and track record of success to strengthen our ability to bid on new opportunities. We plan to dedicate additional resources to expand our range of service offerings and pursue additional cross-selling opportunities. We will also look to use our scale and operations expertise to improve utilization of our assets.
● Reaktr.ai - Taking the AI Plunge. Reaktr.AI was created as a direct result of the needs of our clients to fortify their operations and help them accelerate their digital transformation by serving as the data modernization and cloud migration partner, all of which are complemented by AI powered platforms. We have begun our outreach to clients and have commenced the investment cycle needed to make this a core offering of ours.
Clients
We serve over 2,000 clients across a variety of industries. Our clients are among the leading companies in their respective industries, and many of them are recurring clients that have maintained long-term relationships with us and our predecessor companies.
We have successfully leveraged our relationships with clients to offer extended value chain services. We believe that clients are turning to us due to a demonstrated ability to work on large-scale projects, past performance and record of delivery, and deep domain expertise accumulated from years of experience in key verticals. We believe our stable and significant base of clients and long-term relationships can contribute to predictable revenues.
The Company maintains a strong mix of diversified clients with low client concentration. No single client accounted for more than 6% of 2024 or 2023 revenue and the top 10 clients only accounted for 27.6% of our 2024 revenue and 26.0% of our 2023 revenue, respectively, and the top 100 clients accounted for 79.1% and 76.3% of revenue in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Intellectual Property
We deploy a combination of proprietary knowledge platforms and applications, as well as generally available third-party licensed software. We have a worldwide, non-exclusive, fully paid perpetual irrevocable intellectual property license with ETI and its worldwide subsidiaries pursuant to which we have access to all of the intellectual property in existence at November 29, 2023 of ETI and its subsidiaries for use in the EMEA region on an exclusive basis. Until such time as we are no longer an affiliate of ETI, we may also employ any intellectual property improvements developed by ETI. We believe that the intellectual property we have at our disposal is a competitive strength.
Our platforms aim to enhance information management and workflow processes through automation and process optimization to minimize labor requirements or to improve labor performance. Our decisioning engines have been built with years of deep domain expertise, incorporating hundreds of thousands of client and industry specific rules which enable efficiency and lower cost preparation and decisioning of transactions. Our business processes and implementation methodologies are confidential and proprietary and include trade secrets that are important to our business.
Our licensed intellectual properties are generally governed by written agreements of varying duration, including some with fixed terms that are subject to renewal based on mutual agreement, and some are perpetual in nature. Generally, each agreement may be further extended, and we have historically been able to renew most existing agreements before they expire. We expect these and other similar agreements to be extended so long as it is mutually advantageous to both parties at the time of renewal.
Competition
Our competitors include both large and small businesses, as well as global companies. Such competitors broadly fall into the following categories:
(a) Bills and payments aggregators and processors, multinational companies providing data aggregation, information management and workflow automation;
(b) Consulting, discrete process and platform integration service providers;
(c) Platform and front-end software providers;
(d) BPO companies; and
(e) Niche local providers in specific verticals and/or geographies.
We believe the principal competitive factors in providing our solutions include platforms, industry specific knowledge, quality, reliability and security of service, and price.
Regulation and Compliance
We operate across numerous jurisdictions and provide client solutions in a number of fields, any number of which could be subject to regulation in the future. We are subject to the general legal framework in such jurisdictions. While we provide support to clients in highly regulated industries, including banking, healthcare, insurance and utilities, which in some cases will result in the clients placing contractual obligations on us to comply with certain rules and regulations applicable to those industries in the performance of its services, currently there are no industry-specific licenses or authorizations required for us to provide such services.
However, we believe that the current regulatory environment in many geographies presents opportunities for growth as many geographies allow non-bank payment processes to connect directly to payment networks through the open banking initiative. In connection with accessing such opportunities and expanding our business we may choose to opt into certain regulatory frameworks, or may be required to comply with new or existing regulations, any of which may impact our business operations and practices. We may, in the future, decide to subject ourselves to regulation to expand our service offerings. We partnered with Mastercard to develop an approved RTP solution for the United Kingdom market, which was approved by Pay.UK in 2020. In addition, the post-Brexit European Union is advancing R2P, which could be subject to regulation from the EPC.
There has been increased public attention regarding the use of personal information and data transfer, accompanied by legislation and regulations intended to strengthen data protection, information security and consumer and personal privacy. The law in these areas continues to develop and the changing nature of privacy laws in the European Union and elsewhere could impact us processing of personal information of our employees and processing of personal information on behalf of our clients. In the European Union the comprehensive GDPR went into effect in May 2018. The GDPR has introduced significant privacy-related changes for companies operating both in and outside the European Union. We have resources dedicated to compliance with existing and emerging laws and regulations. We also rely on outside experts and licensed technologies to help supplement our knowledge and resource base and to validate and audit our processes.
Human Capital
We consider our employees to be the foundation for our growth and success.
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately 1,450 total employees (of which approximately 140 are part-time employees) across 16 countries (14 across Europe and in Morocco, as well as the U.S., where our chief executive officer and chief financial officer are located). Our employee count fluctuates from time to time based upon the timing
and duration of client engagements. Our senior leadership team has extensive experience with business process management, and while we have grown through a number of acquisitions, we have retained an experienced and cohesive leadership team.
We are fully committed to developing and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, and understand that our ability to attract, train, and retain talented individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives is key to our continued success.
● Diversity and inclusion. We continue to focus on the hiring, retention, and advancement of women and underrepresented populations. Recently, we have been expanding our efforts to recruit and hire world-class diverse talent, and identifying strategic partners to accelerate our inclusion and diversity programs.
● Compensation and benefits. We offer a complete set of benefits for our employees, including competitive base salaries and bonus opportunities. In addition, we expect to establish an equity incentive plan through which we will use targeted equity-based grants with vesting conditions to attract and retain personnel.
● Health, safety, and wellness. We are committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented significant changes in the best interest of our employees and the communities in which we operate, by having the vast majority of our employees work from home, while implementing additional safety measures for employees continuing critical on-site work.
● Talent development. We invest significant resources to develop the talent needed to continue to be a leader in our industry. We deliver numerous training opportunities, provide rotational assignment opportunities, have expanded our focus on continuous learning and development, and implemented industry leading methodologies to manage performance, provide feedback and develop talent. Our talent development programs provide employees with the resources they need to help achieve their career goals, build management skills and lead their organizations.
● Building connections. We believe that building connections between our employees, their families, and our communities creates a more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable workplace. We are active and involved in the communities in which our employees live and work, and we promote a culture of volunteering and giving back.
We locate our operation centers in areas where the value proposition it offers is attractive relative to other local opportunities, resulting in an engaged educated multi-lingual workforce that is able to make a meaningful global contribution from their local marketplace. Our platforms enable rapid learning and facilitate knowledge transfer among employees, reducing training time, and allowing employees to increase their skills and leadership capabilities with the goal of creating a long-term funnel of talent to support our growth.
Controlled Company
For purposes of the Nasdaq Listing Rule, the Company is a “controlled company.” Under the Nasdaq rules, controlled companies are companies of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group, or another company. ETI, through its ownership of BTC International, owns a majority of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock.
Available Information
Our website address is www.xbpeurope.com. We are not including the information provided on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report. We make available free of charge (other than an investor’s own internet access charges) through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, we make available our code of ethics entitled “Global Code of Ethics and Business Conduct” free of charge
through our website. We have posted on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our code of ethics.
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The information contained on the websites referenced in this Annual Report is not incorporated by reference into this filing.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set forth below together with all of the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before making an investment decision. The Company’s risk factors set forth below are not the only risks facing the Company. If any of these risk factors should occur, moreover, the trading price of our securities could decline, and investors in our securities could lose all or part of their investment in our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to management or that management currently deems immaterial also may materially, adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. We may amend or supplement the risk factors set forth below from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC. These risk factors are not exhaustive and all investors are encouraged to perform their own investigation with respect to our business, financial condition and prospects.
Risks Related to our Business
The Company’s ability to achieve continued and sustained profitability is uncertain.
The Company’s profitability depends on, among other things, its ability to generate revenue in excess of its expenses. However, the Company has significant and continuing fixed costs and expenses, which it may not be able to reduce adequately to sustain such profitability if its revenue continues to decrease, or if revenue does not increase commensurately with an increase in costs. In addition, the Company may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown events that may cause its costs to exceed its expectations. In addition, the Company now incurs additional legal, accounting and other expenses that it did not incur when it operated as a subsidiary of ETI, as further described in the risk factor entitled “The Company will incur significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations” below.
The Company’s revenues have declined over the last few years due to, among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic, a loss of clients, the completion of certain one-off projects, currency fluctuation exposure, the transition of the Company’s clients to lower revenue but higher margin systems and platforms, and changes of clients’ technology that has resulted in fewer transactions that fall under the contractual arrangements with the Company. Contracts with several other large clients are up for renewal. Although these contracts are expected to be renewed, there can be no assurances that they will be renewed on favorable terms or at all.
Further, the Company’s revenues may be adversely affected by many factors, including but not limited to a future pandemic; a potential recession in Europe; the inability to attract new clients to use its services; a failure by existing clients to renew their contracts or use additional services (or a decision by existing clients to cease or reduce using the Company’s services); the lengthening of its sales cycles and implementation periods; changes in its client mix; failure of clients to pay invoices on a timely basis or at all; a failure in the performance of the Company’s solutions or internal controls that adversely affects its reputation or results in loss of business; the loss of market share to existing or new competitors; the failure to enter or succeed in new markets; regional or global economic conditions or regulations affecting perceived need for or value of the Company’s services; or the Company’s inability to develop new offerings, expand its offerings or drive adoption of its new offerings on a timely basis and thus potentially not meeting evolving market needs.
The Company’s future profitability also may be impacted by non-cash charges and potential impairment of goodwill, which will negatively affect its reported financial results. Even if it achieves profitability on an annual basis, the Company may not be able to achieve profitability on a quarterly basis. The Company may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including those described elsewhere herein. Any inability of the Company to achieve continued and sustained profitability may adversely impact its financial position and may require the Company to seek additional financing (which will be subject to the risks described in the risk factor below entitled “The Company may need to raise debt or equity financing, which it may be unable to do on favorable terms or at all”).
The Company may need to raise debt or equity financing, which it may be unable to do on favorable terms or at all.
The Company may be unable to generate continued and sustained profitability, or may incur significant losses in the future. As a result, the Company may need to raise additional capital through debt and/or equity financing at some point in the future. Any debt agreements the Company enters into at such time may include financial or operational covenants which may constrain its ability to operate its business, and any inability to satisfy covenants contained in any debt agreements may require prepayment and/or refinancing of such debt. The Company may also be unable to raise debt and/or equity financing at an attractive price or on attractive terms or at all.
The limited public float of the Company may also adversely affect its ability to raise debt and/or equity financing on attractive terms or at all. For more, see “The Company has a limited public float, which adversely affects trading volume and liquidity, and may adversely affect the price of the Common Stock and access to additional capital.”
The Company relies on ETI, which is a highly leveraged company that faces substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. An adverse event affecting ETI may affect the delivery and availability of the services the Company relies on ETI to provide.
The Company is majority-owned by ETI and depends on services that ETI has historically provided. ETI has agreed to continue providing certain services and fulfilling other obligations pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Services Agreement, and the License Agreement. However, ETI's financial instability raises concerns about its ability to perform these obligations on a sustained basis.
As of September 30, 2024, ETI had approximately $1.1 billion in third-party debt outstanding (of which $51.2 million was classified as current debt) on a consolidated basis. ETI’s financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed in its Form 10-Q, expressed substantial doubt about ETI’s ability to continue as a going concern under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern.
On November 6, 2024, Nasdaq notified ETI that its securities would be delisted, and trading of ETI’s securities was suspended on November 8, 2024. On January 27, 2025, ETI filed Form 15 with the SEC to deregister its securities, effectively suspending its public reporting obligations.
On March 3, 2025, most of ETI's U.S. and three Canadian subsidiaries, excluding the Company, filed voluntary petitions for bankruptcy relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (such subsidiaries, the “ETI Debtor Subs”). These include entities that historically provided services and support to the Company. As a result, the Company’s reliance on these entities is at risk, and the following potential risks arise:
• Service Disruption: ETI Debtor Subs' ability to continue providing services under the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Services Agreement, and the License Agreement may be compromised, potentially impacting the Company’s operations, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Financial Exposure: ETI Debtor Subs' bankruptcy may limit their ability to satisfy financial or contractual obligations to the Company, potentially resulting in unexpected costs, liabilities, or disputes.
• Reputational Risk: ETI's financial instability and bankruptcy may create negative market perceptions that could adversely affect the Company’s business relationships and investor confidence.
• Operational Uncertainty: The bankruptcy process may involve restructuring efforts, asset sales, or legal disputes that could result in changes to the organizational structure or business strategy of the ETI Debtor Subs, further disrupting the Company's reliance on their services.
• Potential Legal and Financial Impact: ETI Debtor Subs' bankruptcy proceedings may result in creditor actions or other claims that indirectly affect the Company, including those arising from the Company’s announced potential acquisition of the debtor subsidiaries upon their emergence from bankruptcy.
The Company has entered into a new related party agreement with HOV Services Ltd. to help mitigate the risk of service disruption from the ETI Debtor Subs; however, there can be no assurance that this mitigation effort will be successful, and the Company is continuing to monitor the situation closely.
There can be no assurance that the ETI Debtor Subs will successfully emerge from bankruptcy in a manner that allows them to meet their obligations to the Company or that the Company's reliance on the ETI Debtor Subs will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
If the Company is unable to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, it may not be able to accurately report its financial results in a timely manner or there may be misstatements in its financial statements (which may include material misstatements), any of which may adversely affect investor confidence and materially and adversely affect business and operating results.
The Company’s financial statements were prepared in reliance on information provided by, and personnel of, ETI. There can be no assurance that its internal controls will be effective, which could adversely affect its ability to accurately report its financial statements in a timely manner or there may be misstatements in its financial statements (which may be material misstatements). The occurrence of any such events may adversely affect investor confidence and materially and adversely affect business and operating results.
There can be no assurances that ETI will continue to control the Company in the future. Any change in control of the Company may impact its strategy or business, including in a manner adverse to the Company’s stockholders.
For various strategic reasons, ETI may need to raise additional financing and may choose to engage in non-strategic divestitures and/or liquidations of assets including, potentially, dispositions of shares of Common Stock. In the event ETI disposes of shares of Common Stock, such dispositions may cause the market value of the Common Stock to decline or could result in a change of control of the Company. Any change in control of the Company may result in a change in the Company’s strategy or business, including in a manner adverse to the Company’s stockholders.
Historical or new adverse issues associated with ETI or its management, such as litigation and its recent Nasdaq delisting and deregistration of its securities, as well as issues associated with the Company, may adversely impact the Company’s reputation, business and financial position and share price.
Significant negative news, adverse legal or regulatory findings, material litigation, reputational damage and other adverse developments associated with ETI and/or members of its management team, whether historical or in the future, may adversely impact the Company’s reputation, business and financial position and share price.
ETI and its predecessor entities and management (including members of the Company’s management) have been subject to a variety of claims, including claims that resulted in certain adverse settlements and judgments against ETI, and may in the future be subject to claims. In addition, ETI’s securities are no longer listed on Nasdaq, and ETI filed a Form 15 on January 27, 2025 to deregister ETI’s Common Stock and Series B Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, which filing immediately suspended ETI’s reporting obligations under Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Such historical claims, settlements or judgments, or any new claims, whether or not successful, by ETI or the Company, or the delisting of ETI’s securities by Nasdaq and deregistration of its securities under the Exchange Act and suspension of its reporting obligations, may adversely affect the reputation or perception of the Company and its management team, and ultimately, the Company’s business, financial position, and share price.
Certain of the Company’s contracts are subject to rights of termination, audit and/or investigation, which, if exercised, could negatively impact the Company’s reputation and reduce the Company’s ability to compete for new contracts and have an adverse effect on its business, results of operation and financial condition.
Many of the Company’s client contracts may be terminated by its clients without cause and without any fee or penalty, with only limited notice. Any failure to meet a client’s expectations, as well as factors beyond the Company’s control, including a client’s financial condition, strategic priorities, or mergers and acquisitions, could result in a cancellation or non-renewal of such a contract or a decrease in business provided to the Company and cause its actual results to differ from its forecasts. The Company may not be able to replace a client that elects to terminate or not renew its contract with it, which would reduce its revenues. As described in the risk factor entitled “The Company’s ability to achieve continued and sustained profitability is uncertain” above.
In addition, a portion of the Company’s revenues is derived from contracts with foreign governments and their agencies. Government entities typically finance projects through appropriated funds. While these projects are often planned and executed as multi-year projects, government entities usually reserve the right to change the scope of, or terminate, these projects for lack of approved funding and/or at their convenience. Changes in government or political developments, including budget deficits, shortfalls or uncertainties, government spending reductions (e.g., during a government transition) or other debt or funding constraints could result in lower governmental sales and in the Company’s projects being reduced in price or scope or terminated altogether, which also could limit its recovery of incurred costs, reimbursable expenses and profits on work completed prior to the termination. The public procurement environment is unpredictable and this could adversely affect the Company’s ability to perform work under new and existing contracts. These risks can potentially have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenue growth and profit margins.
Moreover, government contracts are generally subject to a right to conduct audits and investigations by government agencies. Additionally, if the government discovers improper or illegal activities or contractual non-compliance (including improper billing), the Company may be subject to various civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspensions or debarment from doing business with the government. Any resulting penalties or sanctions could be substantial. Further, the negative publicity that could arise from any such penalties, sanctions or findings in such audits or investigations could have an adverse effect on the Company’s reputation in the industry and reduce its ability to compete for new contracts and could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may not be able to offset increased costs with increased fees under its contracts.
The pricing and other terms of the Company’s client contracts are based on estimates and assumptions the Company makes at the time it enters into these contracts. These estimates reflect the Company’s best judgments regarding the nature of the engagement and the Company’s expected costs to provide the contracted services and could differ from actual results. Not all of the Company’s larger long-term contracts allow for escalation of fees as the Company’s costs of operations increase and those that allow for such escalations do not always allow increases at rates comparable to increases that the Company experiences. In circumstances where the Company cannot negotiate long-term contract terms that provide for fee adjustments to reflect increases in the Company’s cost of service delivery, the Company’s business, financial conditions, and results of operation could be materially impacted. Any such increase in costs may require the Company to seek additional financing (which will be subject to the risks described in the risk factor above entitled “The Company may need to raise debt or equity financing, which it may be unable to do on favorable terms or at all”).
The Company’s business process automation solutions often require long selling cycles and long implementation periods that may result in significant upfront expenses that may not be recovered.
The Company often faces long selling cycles to secure new contracts for its business process automation solutions. If the Company is successful in obtaining an engagement, the selling cycle may be followed by a long implementation period during which it plans its services in detail and demonstrates to the client its ability to successfully integrate its solutions with the client’s internal operations. The Company’s clients may experience delays in obtaining internal approvals or delays associated with technology or system implementations which can further lengthen the selling cycle or implementation period, and certain engagements may also require a ramping up period after implementation before the Company can commence providing its services. Even if the Company succeeds in developing a relationship with a potential client and begins to discuss the services in detail, the potential client may choose a competitor or decide to retain the work in-house prior to the time a contract is signed. In addition, once a contract is signed, the Company sometimes does not begin to receive revenue until completion of the implementation period and its solution is fully operational. The extended lengths of the Company’s selling cycles and implementation periods can result in the incurrence of significant upfront expenses that may never result in profits or may result in profits only after a significant period of time has elapsed, which may negatively impact its financial performance. For example, the Company generally hires new employees to provide services in connection with certain large engagements once a new contract is signed. Accordingly, the Company may incur significant costs associated with these hires before it collects corresponding revenues. The Company’s inability to obtain contractual commitments after a selling cycle, maintain contractual commitments after the implementation period or limit expenses prior to the receipt of corresponding revenue may have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company faces significant competition, including from clients who may elect to perform their business processes in-house or invest in their own technologies in-house.
The Company’s industry is highly competitive, fragmented and subject to rapid change. The Company competes primarily against local, national, regional and large multi-national information and payment technology companies, including focused business process outsourcing (“BPO”) companies based in offshore locations, as well as other BPO and business process automation, consulting services and digital transformation solution providers that focus on the in-house capabilities of the Company’s clients and potential clients. These competitors may include entrants from adjacent industries or entrants in geographic locations with lower costs than those in which the Company operates.
Some of the Company’s competitors have greater financial, marketing, technological or other resources, larger client bases and more established reputations or brand awareness than it does. In addition, some of the Company’s competitors who do not have, or have limited, global delivery capabilities may expand their delivery centers to the countries in which it operates or increase their capacity in lower cost geographies, which could result in increased competition. Some of the Company’s competitors may also enter into strategic or commercial relationships among themselves or with larger, more established companies in order to benefit from increased scale and enhanced scope capabilities or enter into similar arrangements with potential clients. Further, the Company expects competition to intensify in the future as more companies enter its markets and clients consolidate the services they require among fewer vendors. Increased competition, the Company’s inability to compete successfully against competitors, pricing pressures or loss of market share could result in reduced operating margins, which could adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid technological change, including the adoption of AI, and failure to compete successfully within the industry and address such changes could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
The process of developing new services and solutions is inherently complex and uncertain. It requires accurate anticipation of clients’ changing needs and emerging technological trends. The Company must make long-term investments and commit significant resources before knowing whether these investments will eventually result in services that achieve client acceptance and generate the revenues required to provide desired returns. If the Company fails to accurately anticipate and meet its clients’ needs through the development of new technologies and service
offerings or if its new services are not widely accepted, it could lose market share and clients to its competitors and that could materially adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
More specifically, the business process automation industry in which part of the Company’s business operates is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and changing client preferences. The success of the Company’s business depends, in part, upon its ability to develop technology and solutions that keep pace with changes in its industry and the industries of its clients. Although the Company has made, and will continue to make, significant investments in the research, design and development of new technology and platforms-driven solutions, it may not be successful in addressing these changes on a timely basis or in marketing the changes it implements. In addition, products or technologies developed by others may render the Company’s services uncompetitive or obsolete. Failure to address these developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, existing and potential clients are actively shifting their businesses away from paper-based environments to electronic environments with reduced needs for physical document management and processing. This shift may result in decreased demand for the physical document management services the Company provides. Though the Company has solutions for clients seeking to make these types of transitions, a significant shift by its clients away from physical documents to non-paper based technologies, whether now existing or developed in the future, could adversely affect its business, results of operation and financial condition.
Also, some of the large international companies in the industry have significant financial resources and compete with us to provide document processing services and/or business process services. The Company competes primarily on the basis of technology, performance, price, quality, reliability, brand, distribution and client service and support. The Company’s success in future performance is largely dependent upon its ability to compete successfully, to promptly and effectively react to changing technologies and client expectations and to expand into additional market segments. To remain competitive, The Company must develop services and applications; periodically enhance its existing offerings; remain cost efficient; and attract and retain key personnel and management. If competitors innovate faster and better by utilizing AI, the Company may be adversely impacted. The heightened interest in AI may increase competition and disrupt the Company’s business model. Further, AI may lower barriers to entry in our industry and we may be unable to compete with products or services offered by new competitors. AI related changes may also affect our clients’ expectations and requirements in ways we cannot adequately anticipate or adapt to, causing our business to lose sales. If the Company is unable to compete successfully, the Company could lose market share and important clients to its competitors and that could materially adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected if it does not protect its intellectual property or if its services are found to infringe on the intellectual property of others, or if the intellectual property ETI or its subsidiaries provides under the License Agreement is not protected or is found to infringe on the intellectual property of others.
The Company’s success depends in part on certain methodologies and practices it utilizes in developing and implementing applications and other proprietary intellectual property rights. In order to protect such rights, the Company relies upon a combination of nondisclosure, license and other contractual arrangements, as well as trade secret, copyright, trademark and patent laws but the Company has limited registered intellectual property and, as a result, could in the future be subject to infringement claims which could lead to substantial additional costs. The Company’s operations depend on its ability to independently manage its intellectual property portfolio. The Company also generally enters into confidentiality agreements with its employees, clients and potential clients, and limits access to and distribution of its proprietary information. There can be no assurance that the laws, rules, regulations and treaties in effect in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the contractual and other protective measures it takes are or will be adequate to protect it from misappropriation or unauthorized use of its intellectual property, or that such laws will not change. There can be no assurance that the resources invested by the Company to protect its intellectual property will be sufficient or that its intellectual property portfolio will adequately deter misappropriation or improper use of its technology, and its intellectual property rights may not prevent competitors from independently developing or selling products and services similar to or duplicative of the Company’s. The Company may not be able to detect unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce its rights, and any such steps may be costly and unsuccessful. Infringement by
others of the Company’s intellectual property, and the costs to the Company of enforcing its intellectual property rights, may have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company could also face competition in some countries where it has not invested in an intellectual property portfolio. If the Company is not able to protect its intellectual property, the value of its brand and other intangible assets may be diminished, and its business may be adversely affected. Further, although the Company believes that it is not infringing on the intellectual property rights of others, claims may nonetheless be successfully asserted against it in the future, and the Company may be the target of enforcement of patents or other intellectual property by third parties, including aggressive and opportunistic enforcement claims by non-practicing entities. Regardless of the merit of such claims, responding to infringement claims can be expensive and time-consuming. If the Company is found to infringe any third-party rights, the Company could be required to pay substantial damages or it could be enjoined from offering some of its products and services. The costs of defending any such claims could be significant, and any successful claim may require the Company to modify its services. The value of, or the Company’s ability to use, its intellectual property may also be negatively impacted by dependencies on third parties, such as its ability to obtain or renew on reasonable terms licenses that the Company needs in the future, or its ability to secure or retain ownership or rights to use data in certain software analytics or services offerings. Any such circumstances may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, as described above, the Company relies on ETI for certain services, including intellectual property of ETI and its subsidiaries, which are provided pursuant to the License Agreement. Such intellectual property is subject to many of the same risks described above. In particular, the Company relies on ETI and its subsidiaries to protect such intellectual property, and its business operations may be materially impacted if such intellectual property is determined to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others. For more, see the risk factor above entitled “The Company relies on ETI, which is a highly leveraged public company and faces substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. An adverse event affecting ETI may affect the delivery and availability of the services the Company relies on ETI to provide.”
The Company’s revenues are highly dependent on the banking and finance industries, and any decrease in demand for business process solutions in these industries could reduce its revenues and adversely affect the results of operations.
A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are derived from the banking and finance industries. Clients in banking and financial services accounted for 51% of the Company’s revenues in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Clients who provide commercial services accounted for 5% of the Company’s revenues in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Clients in the services, technology, and manufacturing industries accounted for 17% and 19% of the Company’s revenues in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s success largely depends on continued demand for its services from clients in these segments, and a downturn or reversal of the demand for business process solutions in any of these segments, or the introduction of regulations that restrict or discourage companies from engaging its services, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, consolidation in any of these industries or combinations or mergers, particularly involving the Company’s clients, may decrease the potential number of clients for its services. The Company has been affected by the worsening of economic conditions and significant consolidation in the financial services industry and the continuation of this trend may negatively affect its revenues and profitability. Europe’s persistently high inflation, caused in part by increasing energy prices, as a result of the conflict in the Ukraine, may not ease despite measures aimed at reducing inflation. A recession in Europe (including the EU and the UK) may lead to further consolidation in the financial services industry, a reduction in demand for the Company’s services or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s operations or financial performance.
The Company derives significant revenue and profit from contracts awarded through competitive bidding processes, including renewals, which can impose substantial costs on the Company, and the Company will not achieve revenue and profit objectives if it fails to accurately and effectively bid on (and win or renew) such projects. In addition, even if bids are won and a contract is awarded to the Company, revenue and profit objectives may not be achieved due to a number of factors outside its control, including cases where an applicable contract or framework arrangement does not guarantee transaction volume.
Many of the contracts awarded to the Company through competitive bidding procedures are extremely complex and require the investment of significant resources in order to prepare accurate bids and proposals. Competitive bidding imposes substantial costs and presents a number of risks, including: (i) the substantial cost and managerial time and effort that the Company spends to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that may or may not be awarded to it; (ii) the need to estimate accurately the resources and costs that will be required to implement and service any contracts the Company is awarded, sometimes in advance of the final determination of their full scope and design; (iii) the expense and delay that may arise if the Company’s competitors protest or challenge awards made to it pursuant to competitive bidding and the risk that such protests or challenges could result in the requirement to resubmit bids and in the termination, reduction or modification of the awarded contracts; and (iv) the opportunity cost of not bidding on and winning other contracts the Company might otherwise pursue. If the Company’s competitors protest or challenge an award made to it on a government contract, it could involve litigation that could take years to resolve.
The Company’s profitability is dependent upon its ability to obtain adequate pricing for its services and to improve its cost structure.
The Company’s success depends on its ability to obtain adequate pricing for its services. Depending on competitive market factors, future prices the Company obtains for its services may decline from previous levels. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate pricing for its services that could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company regularly reviews its operations with a view towards reducing its cost structure, including, without limitation, reducing its employee base, exiting certain businesses, improving process and system efficiencies and outsourcing some internal functions. The Company, from time to time, engages in operational restructuring to reduce costs. If the Company is unable to continue to maintain its cost base at or below the current level and maintain process and systems changes resulting from prior restructuring actions or to realize the expected cost reductions in the ongoing strategic transformation program, it could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. In addition, in order to meet the service requirements of the Company’s clients, which often includes 24/7 service, and to optimize its employee cost base, including its back-office support, the Company often relies on delivery service and back-office support centers in lower-cost locations, including several developing countries. Relying on centers in these locations presents a number of operational risks, many of which are beyond its control, including the risks of political instability, natural disasters, safety and security risks, labor disruptions, excessive employee turnover and rising labor rates. Additionally, a change in the political environment in Europe or the adoption and enforcement of legislation and regulations curbing the use of such centers outside of Europe could materially adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. These risks could impair the Company’s ability to effectively provide services to its clients and keep its costs aligned to its associated revenues and market requirements.
The Company’s ability to sustain and improve profit margins is dependent on a number of factors, including its ability to continue to improve the cost efficiency of its operations through such programs as robotic process automation, to absorb the level of pricing pressures on its services through cost improvements and to successfully complete information technology initiatives. If any of these factors adversely materialize or if the Company is unable to achieve and maintain productivity improvements through restructuring actions or information technology initiatives, its ability to offset labor cost inflation and competitive price pressures would be impaired, each of which could materially adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition and could require the Company to seek additional financing (which will be subject to the risks described in the risk factor above entitled “The Company may need to raise debt or equity financing, which it may be unable to do on favorable terms or at all”). Furthermore, these restructurings may lead to negative implications or disruptions to client experience and therefore the Company could face unexpected consequences.
Fluctuations in the costs of labor, paper, ink, energy, by-products and other materials and resources may adversely impact the results of the Company’s operations.
Cost of labor, paper, ink, energy and other raw materials represent a material portion of the Company’s costs. Increases in the costs of these inputs, especially as a result of the current high-inflationary environment in the countries in which the Company operates, may not be able to be passed on to the Company’s clients through higher prices. The
Company further expects that inflation may continue to increase or remain higher than in the recent past, resulting in growing costs. Increases in the cost of materials, postage and labor may adversely impact clients’ demand for the Company’s printing and printing-related services.
The Company relies, in some cases, on third-party hardware, software and services, which could cause errors or failures of the Company’s services and resulting in adverse effects for the Company’s business and reputation.
Although the Company developed many of its platform-driven solutions internally or with the help of ETI and its other affiliates, the Company relies, in some cases, on third-party hardware and software in connection with its service offerings which the Company either purchases or leases from third-party vendors. The Company is generally able to select from a number of competing hardware and software applications, but the complexity and unique specifications of the hardware or software makes design defects and software errors difficult to detect. Any errors or defects in third-party hardware or software that are incorporated into the Company’s service offerings may result in a delay or loss of revenue, diversion of resources, damage to its reputation, the loss of the affected client, loss of future business, increased service costs or potential litigation claims against the Company.
Further, this hardware and software may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this hardware or software could result in delays in the provisioning of the Company’s services, which could negatively affect its business until equivalent technology is either developed by it or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated. In addition, it is possible that the Company’s hardware vendors or the licensors of third-party software could increase the prices they charge, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations. Further, changing hardware vendors or software licensors could detract from management’s ability to focus on the ongoing operations of the Company’s business or could cause delays in the operations of its business.
The Company is subject to regular client and third-party security reviews and failure to pass these reviews may have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.
Many of the Company’s client contracts require that it maintain certain physical and/or information security standards, and, in certain cases, permit a client to audit the Company’s compliance with these contractual standards. Any failure to meet such standards or pass such audits can constitute a breach of contract which may result in damages or clients enforcing other remedies under the client contracts which may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business. Further, clients from time to time may require stricter physical and/or information security than they negotiated in their contracts, and may condition continued volumes and business on the satisfaction of such additional requirements. Some of these requirements may be expensive to implement or maintain, and may not be factored into the Company’s contract pricing. Further, on an annual basis the Company obtains third-party audits of certain of its locations in accordance with third party attestation standards, and many of its clients expect that the Company will engage in such procedures, and report to them the results. Negative findings in such an audit and/or the failure to adequately remediate in a timely fashion such negative findings may cause clients to terminate their contracts or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, results of operation and financial condition.
Currency fluctuations among the Euro, British Pound, Polish Zloty, Norwegian Krona, Danish Krona, Swedish Krona and any other local currencies of any locations where the Company operates in the future, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The functional currencies of the Company’s businesses are the local currencies in Europe including the Euro, British Pound, Polish Zloty, Norwegian Krona, Danish Krona, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc and Serbian Dinar, as well as the Moroccan Dirham, U.S. Dollar and Indian Rupee. Changes in exchange rates between any of these currencies (other than the U.S. Dollar) and the U.S. Dollar will affect the recorded levels of the Company’s assets, liabilities, net sales, cost of goods sold and operating margins and could result in exchange gains or losses. Exchange rates between these currencies in recent years have fluctuated significantly and may do so in the future. The Company’s operating results and profitability may be affected by any volatility in currency exchange rates and its ability to manage effectively currency transaction and translation risks. In addition, to the extent the U.S. Dollar strengthens against the functional
currencies of the Company’s business (other than the U.S. Dollar), revenues and profits will be reduced when converted into and reported in U.S. Dollars.
The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by economic and political conditions, creating complex risks, many of which are beyond the Company’s control.
The Company’s business depends on the continued demand for its services, and if current global economic conditions worsen, its business could be adversely affected by its clients’ financial condition and level of business activity. Along with its clients, the Company is subject to global political, economic and market conditions, including inflation, tariffs, interest rates, energy costs, the impact of natural disasters, disease, military action and the threat of terrorism. In particular, the Company currently derives, and is likely to continue to derive, almost all of its revenue from clients located in Europe. Any future decreases in the general level of economic activity in European markets, such as decreases in business and consumer spending and increases in unemployment rates as the Company experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in a decrease in demand for the Company’s services, thus reducing its revenue. For example, certain clients may decide to reduce or postpone their spending on the services the Company provides, and the Company may be forced to lower its prices. Other developments in response to economic events, such as consolidations, restructurings or reorganizations, particularly involving the Company’s clients, could also cause the demand for the Company’s services to decline, negatively affecting the amount of business that it is able to obtain or retain. The Company may not be able to predict the impact such conditions will have on the industries it serves and may be unable to plan effectively for or respond to such impact. In response to economic and market conditions, from time to time the Company has undertaken or may undertake initiatives to reduce its cost structure where appropriate, such as consolidation of resources to provide functional region-wide support to its international subsidiaries in a centralized fashion. These initiatives, as well as any future workforce and facilities reductions the Company may implement, may not be sufficient to meet current and future changes in economic and market conditions and allow us to continue to achieve the growth rates expected. Any future workforce and/or facility reductions that may be implemented will be subject to local employment laws which may impose expenses and logistical challenges in connection with any such workforce reductions. Costs actually incurred in connection with certain restructuring actions may also be higher than the Company’s estimates of such costs and/or may not lead to the anticipated cost savings.
In addition, any future disruptions or turbulence in the global capital markets may adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and financial condition, and the liquidity and financial condition of its clients. Such disruptions may limit the Company’s ability to access financing, increase the cost of financing needed to meet liquidity needs and affect the ability of its clients to use credit to purchase its services or to make timely payments to the Company, in each case adversely affecting its financial condition and results of operations.
If the Company is unable to attract, train and retain skilled professionals, including highly skilled technical personnel to satisfy client demand and senior management to lead its business, or its labor expenses increase or otherwise comprise a larger percentage of its revenue, its business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
The Company’s success is dependent, in large part, on its ability to keep its supply of skilled professionals, including project managers, software developers, IT engineers and senior technical personnel, in balance with client demand, and on its ability to attract and retain senior management with the knowledge and skills to lead its business. Each year, the Company must hire new professionals and retrain, retain, and motivate its workforce across Europe and its nearshore jurisdictions. Competition for skilled labor is intense and, in some jurisdictions in which the Company operates, there are more jobs for certain professionals than qualified persons to fill these jobs. Costs associated with recruiting and training professionals can be significant and shortages of key personnel in the regions of our operation could require us to pay more to hire and retain key personnel, thereby increasing our cost. If the Company is unable to hire or deploy employees with the needed skillsets or if it is unable to adequately train or equip its employees with the skills or tools needed, this could materially adversely affect its business. Additionally, if the Company is unable to maintain an employee environment that is competitive and contemporary, it could have an adverse effect on engagement and retention, which may materially adversely affect the Company’s business. Furthermore, our restructuring plans and any future reductions in force or other restructuring intended to improve operational efficiencies and operating costs, may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain employees. If more stringent labor laws become applicable to the
Company or if a significant number of its employees unionize, the profitability of the Company may be adversely affected.
Increased labor costs due to competition, statutory wage increases or employee benefits costs, unionization activity or other factors would adversely impact the Company’s cost of sales and operating expenses. As a result, the Company anticipates that its labor costs will continue to increase. In addition, the Company may face increased costs related to other employee benefits, such as in respect of unfunded UK pension liabilities, which amounted to approximately $8.4 million as of December 31, 2024. Such UK pension liabilities are subject to a fixed payment plan and, pursuant to an agreement with the pension plan’s trustee, are expected to be fully funded by the Company by February 2030 (although there can be no assurance that it will be fully funded by such date). Any such increase, or any increase in labor costs as a percentage of the Company’s revenue could adversely affect the Company’s financial results, as further described in the risk factor entitled “The Company’s ability to achieve continued and sustained profitability is uncertain.”
The Company is also subject to applicable rules and regulations relating to its relationship with its employees, including minimum wage and break requirements, health benefits, unemployment taxes, overtime, and working conditions and immigration status. Legislated increases in the minimum wage and increases in additional labor cost components, such as employee benefit costs, workers’ compensation insurance rates, compliance costs and fines, as well as the cost of litigation in connection with these regulations, would increase the Company’s labor costs. Further, the Company’s employees may form labor unions or workers’ councils, and the Company may become subject to new labor-related requirements that may impose additional requirements or costs on our business. As is the case with any negotiation, the Company may not be able to negotiate or renew acceptable collective bargaining agreements in such cases, which could result in strikes or work stoppages by affected workers. Renewal of collective bargaining agreements could also result in higher wages or benefits paid to union members. In addition, negotiations with labor unions and/or workers’ councils could hinder the pace of innovation by diverting management’s attention away from discovering and implementing the type of innovative strategies that we believe are crucial to the success of our business. A disruption in operations, higher ongoing labor costs or a hindrance to the pace of innovation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
While the Company is already subject to oversight by workers’ councils in several European countries, if the Company becomes subject to oversight by any workers’ councils in additional jurisdictions, it may be required to consult with such workers’ councils with respect to certain decisions and to provide specific information and records upon request. Any failure to engage with or provide information to a workers’ council could result in actual or threatened legal challenges or proceedings. Additionally, consultation with and/or obtaining approvals from workers’ councils may involve additional expense and unanticipated delays, particularly if the Company is required to make changes to accommodate feedback and recommendations from such workers’ councils. If consultations with a workers’ council does not yield a desired result, or if a workers’ council withholds or delays its approvals, the Company may be unable to execute key transactions in a timely fashion or at all, which may impede the ability of the Company to execute its growth strategy and/or have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to comply with data privacy and data protection laws in processing and transferring personal data across jurisdictions may subject the Company to fines, and the enactment of more stringent data privacy and data protection laws may increase its compliance costs.
Any inability by the Company to adequately address privacy and security concerns could result in expenses and liabilities, and an adverse impact on the Company. Moreover, international privacy and data security regulations may become more complex and have greater consequences. Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, or the GDPR, governs the collection and use of personal data of data subjects in the European Economic Area and extraterritorially as well, and imposes several stringent requirements for controllers and processors of personal data, including, for example, higher standards for obtaining consent from individuals to process their personal data, more robust disclosures to individuals and a strengthened individual data rights regime, shortened timelines for data breach notifications, limitations on retention of information, increased requirements pertaining to health data, other special categories of personal data and pseudonymized (i.e., key-coded) data and additional obligations when the Company contracts third-party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data. The GDPR provides that European Union
member states may make their own further laws and regulations limiting the processing of personal data, including genetic, biometric or health data, which could limit the Company’s ability to use and share personal data or could cause its costs to increase, and harm its business and financial condition. Failure to comply with the requirements of the GDPR and the applicable national data protection laws of the European Union member states may result in fines of up to €20,000,000 or up to 4% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher, and other administrative penalties.
In addition to the GDPR, the Company is also subject to data privacy and security laws in other jurisdictions in which it operates. Developing new regulations regarding artificial intelligence and data use more broadly continue to add to the complexity of the legal environment and managing the privacy elements of these new rules will be critical to our ability to serve our clients as well as to achieve operational efficiencies.
Any future failure by the Company to comply with the GDPR or other applicable data privacy and security laws could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition. Industry groups also impose self-regulatory standards that bind the Company by their incorporation into the contracts that the Company executed and failing to comply with such standards could have a binding impact on its business.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect the Company’s business, investments and results of operations.
The Company is subject to laws, regulations and rules enacted by national, regional and local governments and the listing requirements of Nasdaq. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws, regulations and rules may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws, regulations and rules and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and rules, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
Any failure or perceived failure to comply with laws and/or regulations, which may change from time to time, in one or more of the jurisdictions in which it operates, could subject the Company to legal actions and materially adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s business is subject to laws, regulations and rules enacted by national, regional and local governments, which may change from time to time. The Company also provides support to clients in highly regulated sectors, including banking, healthcare, insurance and utilities, which in some cases will result in the clients placing contractual obligations on the Company to comply with certain rules and regulations applicable to those sectors in the performance of its services. Currently there are no sector specific licenses or authorizations required for the Company to provide such services.
Any failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and rules, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Furthermore, if the Company’s business becomes subject to additional laws and/or regulations in one or more of the jurisdictions in which it operates, including as a result of changing laws or regulations, changing interpretations of previously enacted laws or regulations, or increased oversight, then a failure to comply with such laws and/or regulations could subject the Company to legal actions and/or otherwise adversely affect its ability to continue its operations as they are currently conducted or are expected to be conducted in the future.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the financial and economic sanctions and import and/or export controls imposed on Russia by the United Kingdom, the European Union, and others, has caused, and may continue to cause, significant economic and social disruption, and its impact on the Company’s business is uncertain.
The ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has created volatility in the global capital markets and is expected to have further global economic consequences. The economic sanctions and controls imposed by the United Kingdom, the European Union, and others on Russia have caused, and may continue to cause, significant economic and social disruption, and its impact on the Company’s business is uncertain.
In addition to adverse effects on the Company’s operations and on the wider global economy and market conditions, a continuation or escalation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine could result in significant increases in energy prices in Europe and other parts of the world. This has already resulted, and may continue to result, in clients and potential clients (both direct and indirect) of the Company diverting a larger proportion of their available cash towards paying their energy bills and delaying capital investments, particularly for purchases of software solutions such as the Company’s, which may be seen as “luxury” purchases under such conditions. Any of these impacts or increases in these conditions could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations of the Company and could cause the market value of its securities to decline.
COVID-19 caused a global health crisis that caused significant economic and social disruption, and a similar public health event could impact the Company’s business adversely.
The Company’s results of operations could in the future be materially adversely impacted by public health events similar to COVID-19. The global spread of COVID-19 created significant volatility and uncertainty and economic disruption. The extent to which the coronavirus pandemic will, or a similar public health event could, continue to impact the Company’s business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that it may not be able to accurately predict, including: the duration and scope of the pandemic; governmental, business and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken; the impact on economic activity; the effect on the Company’s clients and client demand for its services and solutions; the Company’s ability to sell and provide its services and solutions, including as a result of travel restrictions and people working from home; the ability of its clients to pay for its services and solutions; and any closures of its and its clients’ offices and facilities. The spread of the coronavirus caused the Company to modify its business practices (including employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences), and the Company may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that the Company determines are in the best interests of its employees, clients and business partners.
The Company may incur losses and liabilities resulting from an unfavorable outcome of pending or anticipated legal disputes.
From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may become involved in other legal proceedings, inquiries, claims and disputes in the ordinary course of its business. For example, a group of 71 former employees has brought a claim against a subsidiary of the Company related to their dismissals resulting from the closure of two production sites in France in 2020 (see Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” for further information). Although we believe we have adequately reserved for potential liabilities related to pending litigation, there can be no assurances that we have done so. In addition, litigation or potential claims can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources, cause the Company to incur significant expenses or liability or require it to change its’ business practices. Because of the potential risks, expenses and uncertainties of litigation, the Company may, from time to time, settle disputes, even where it believes that it has meritorious claims or defenses. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable, the Company cannot assure you that the results of any of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on its business.
The Company operates in a number of jurisdictions and, as a result, may incur additional expenses in order to comply with the laws of those jurisdictions.
The Company’s business operates throughout Europe, and therefore, is required to comply with the laws of multiple jurisdictions. These laws regulating the internet, payments, payments processing, privacy, taxation, terms of service, website accessibility, consumer protection, intellectual property ownership, services intermediaries, labor and employment, wages and hours, worker classification, background checks, and recruiting and staffing companies, among others, could be interpreted to apply to us, and could result in greater rights to competitors, users, and other third parties. Compliance with these laws and regulations may be costly, and at times, may require the Company to change its business practices or restrict its product offerings, and the imposition of any such laws or regulations on it, its clients, or third parties that the Company or its clients utilize to provide or use its services, may adversely impact its revenue and business. In addition, the Company may be subject to multiple overlapping legal or regulatory regimes that impose conflicting requirements and enhanced legal risks.
Cybersecurity issues, vulnerabilities, and criminal activity resulting in a data or security breach could result in risks to the Company’s systems, networks, products, solutions and services resulting in liability or reputational damage.
The Company collects and retains large volumes of internal and client data, including personally identifiable information and other sensitive data both physically and electronically, for business purposes, and its various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. The Company also maintains personally identifiable information about its employees. Safeguarding client, employee and the Company’s own data is a key priority for the Company, and its clients and employees have come to rely on it for the protection of their personal information. Augmented vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks pose a risk to the Company’s security and the security of its clients, partners, suppliers and third-party service providers, and to the confidentiality, availability and integrity of data owned by the Company or its clients. Despite the Company’s efforts to protect sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, it may be vulnerable to material security breaches, theft, misplaced or lost data, programming errors, employee errors and/or malfeasance that could potentially lead to the compromise of sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, improper use of its systems, software solutions or networks, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions. Despite protective measures, the Company may not be successful in preventing security breaches which compromise the confidentiality and integrity of this data. While the Company attempts to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, including employee training, monitoring and testing, and maintenance of protective systems and contingency plans, the Company remains vulnerable to such threats.
The sensitive, confidential or personal data or information that the Company has access to is also subject to privacy and security laws, regulations or client imposed controls. The regulatory environment, as well as the requirements imposed on the Company by the industries it serves governing information, security and privacy laws is increasingly demanding. Maintaining compliance with applicable security and privacy regulations may increase the Company’s operating costs and/or adversely impact its ability to provide services to its clients. Furthermore, a compromised data system or the intentional, inadvertent or negligent release or disclosure of data could result in theft, loss, fraudulent or unlawful use of client, employee or the Company data which could harm the Company’s reputation or result in remedial and other costs, fines or lawsuits. In addition, a cyber-related attack could result in other negative consequences, including damage to the Company’s reputation or competitiveness, remediation or increased protection costs, litigation or regulatory action. Fraud, employee negligence, and unauthorized access, including, malfunctions, viruses and other events beyond the control of the Company, may lead to the misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information the Company processes, stores and transmits, including personal information, for its clients. Such failure to prevent or mitigate data loss or other security breaches, including breaches of its vendors’ technology and systems, could expose the Company or its clients to a risk of loss or misuse of such information, adversely affect its operating results, result in litigation or potential liability for it and otherwise harm its business. As a result, among other things, the Company may be subject to monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions or fines under the GDPR in the European Union or the United Kingdom. In addition to any legal liability, data or security breaches may lead to negative publicity, reputational damage and otherwise adversely affect the results of operations of the Company.
Risks Related to Owning Our Common Stock
The Company has a limited public float, which adversely affects trading volume and liquidity, and may adversely affect the price of the Common Stock and access to additional capital.
As of March 18, 2025, ETI and Cantor own approximately 71.8% and 21.2% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock. Although all of ETI’s shares, and the majority of Cantor’s shares of Common Stock were subject to contractual restrictions on resale until November 29, 2024, such restrictions have lapsed and those entities may now resell their shares without regard to those restrictions. The sale of shares of those shares Common Stock could have a significant negative impact on the public trading price of our Common Stock. The aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock owned by Cantor and BTC International represent approximately 93.0% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Due to the limited public float, the trading price of Common Stock may fluctuate widely due to various factors, including the volume of purchase or sales of Common Stock relative to the public float. The limited public float could adversely affect the Company’s business and financing opportunities, and may make it difficult for you to sell your Common Stock at a price that is attractive to you.
The Company is an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act and it has taken advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies; this could make the Company’s securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare the Company’s performance with other public companies.
The Company is an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act and intends to elect to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor internal controls attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As a result, holders of our securities and potential investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important. There can be no assurances whether investors will find the Company’s securities less attractive because of such exemptions. If some investors find the securities less attractive as a result of reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of the Company’s securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for the Company’s securities and the trading prices of the securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of its financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period, difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Pursuant to the JOBS Act, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for so long as it is an “emerging growth company”.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, and generally requires in the same report an attestation by a public company’s independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting. Refer to Item 9A for more information.
However, under the JOBS Act, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until it is no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Company could be an “emerging growth company” until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following March 16, 2026, the fifth anniversary of the IPO, (b) in which the Company has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, (c) the Company’s non-convertible debt issued within a three year period exceeds $1 billion, or (d) if the market value of the Company’s shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of its second fiscal quarter.
Substantial future sales of shares of Common Stock could cause the market price of our shares of Common Stock to decline.
As of March 18, 2025 our Common Stock was beneficially owned by ETI, representing 21,802,364 shares (approximately 71.8% of our outstanding Common Stock at March 18, 2025) and by Cantor, representing 6,449,404 shares (approximately 21.2% of our outstanding Common Stock at March 18, 2025). The Lock-Up Agreement that had previously applied to these shares expired on November 29, 2024. Each of Cantor and ETI are permitted to resell all of their shares with resale registration statements we previously filed with the SEC. In addition, our board of directors could designate and sell a class of preferred stock with preferential rights over the Common Stock with respect to dividends or other distributions. We filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC that registers the sale of up to $250.0 million of any combination of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or units from time to time and at prices and on terms that we may determine (although we are currently subject to the “baby shelf” registration limitations).The resale, or expected or potential resale, or any sales under our universal shelf registration statement, of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public market (or the market perception that such sales could occur, including sales in connection with addressing the delisting matters discussed above) could adversely affect the market price for shares of Common Stock and make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of Common Stock at times and prices that you feel are appropriate. Furthermore, we expect that the selling security holders under the resale registration statements will continue to offer the securities for a significant period of time, the precise duration of which cannot be predicted. Accordingly, the adverse market and price pressures resulting from an offering may continue for an extended period of time.
The provision of the Company’s Charter that authorizes the Board to issue preferred stock from time to time based on terms approved by the Board may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that public stockholders might consider in their best interest.
The provision of the Company’s Charter that authorizes the Board to issue preferred stock from time to time based on terms approved by the Board may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that you might consider in your best interest. Authorized but unissued preferred stock may enable the Board to render it more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company and thereby protect continuity of or entrench its management, which may negatively impact the market price of the Common Stock. If, in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, for example, the Board was to determine that a takeover proposal was not in the best interests of the Company, such preferred stock could be issued by the Board without stockholder approval in one or more private placements or other transactions that might prevent or render more difficult or make more costly the completion of any attempted takeover transaction by diluting voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or an insurgent stockholder group, by creating a substantial voting bloc in institutional or other hands that might support the position of the incumbent board of directors, by effecting an acquisition that might complicate or preclude the takeover, or otherwise.
The Company’s Charter contains forum limitations for certain disputes between the Company and its stockholders that could limit the ability of stockholders to bring claims against the Company or its directors, officers and employees in jurisdictions preferred by stockholders.
The Company’s Charter provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative lawsuit brought on the Company’s behalf, (ii) any lawsuit against the Company’s current or former directors, officers, employees or stockholders asserting a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any such person to the Company or its stockholders, (iii) any lawsuit asserting a claim arising under any provision of the DGCL, the Company’s Charter or Bylaws (each, as in effect from time to time), or (iv) any lawsuit governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware. The foregoing forum provisions do not apply to claims arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws for which there is exclusive federal or concurrent federal and state jurisdiction. The Company’s Charter also provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The foregoing forum provisions may prevent or limit a stockholder’s ability to file a lawsuit in a judicial forum that it prefers for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers, employees or stockholders, which may discourage such lawsuits, make them more difficult or
expensive to pursue, and result in outcomes that are less favorable to such stockholders than outcomes that may have been attainable in other jurisdictions, although stockholders will not be deemed to have waived the Company’s compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a forum selection provision as written in connection with claims arising under the Securities Act because Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act claims.
In addition, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing forum provisions in the Company’s Charter, courts may find the foregoing forum provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable in certain cases that the foregoing forum provisions purport to address, including claims brought under the Securities Act. If this were to occur in any particular lawsuit, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such lawsuit in other jurisdictions or resolving lawsuits involving similar claims in multiple jurisdictions, all of which could harm the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The Company does not expect to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.
The Company does not anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors may need to rely on sales of their shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment.
Risks Related to Being a Public Company
The Company is a controlled company, and thus is eligible for exemptions from certain corporate governance rules of Nasdaq. You may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.
The Company is considered a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq. Controlled companies are exempt from the Nasdaq corporate governance rules requiring that listed companies have (i) a majority of the board of directors consist of “independent” directors under the listing standards of Nasdaq, (ii) a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors and a written nominating/corporate governance committee charter meeting the Nasdaq requirements and (iii) a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors and a written compensation committee charter meeting the requirements of Nasdaq. The Company has not taken advantage of any of the exemptions described above. If the Company uses some or all of these exemptions, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.
So long as ETI controls the Company, other holders of the Company’s Common Stock will have limited ability to influence matters requiring stockholder approval, and ETI’s interests may conflict with (or may be adverse to) the interests of the other holders of Common Stock. ETI, along with its directors and management team, may make decisions that adversely impact the Company’s other stockholders.
As of December 31, 2024, ETI beneficially owns approximately 72.3% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock. So long as this ownership and control continues, ETI, along with its directors and management team, including its Executive Chairman, Par Chadha, generally will have the ability to control the outcome of any matter submitted for the vote of Company’s stockholders, including the election and removal of directors, changes to the size of the Board, any amendment to the Company’s Charter and Bylaws, and the approval of any merger or other significant corporate transaction, including a sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets (other than in certain circumstances set forth in the Company’s Charter or Bylaws).
The interests of ETI may not coincide with (or may be adverse to) the interests of the other Company stockholders. ETI’s ability, subject to the limitations in the Company’s Charter and Bylaws, to control all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval will limit the ability of other stockholders to influence corporate matters and, as a result, the Company may take actions that its stockholders do not view as beneficial and/or that
adversely affect the Company’s stockholders other than ETI. ETI may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to the Company’s business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to the Company. As a result of the foregoing, the market price of Common Stock could be adversely affected. In addition, the existence of a controlling stockholder of the Company may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discouraging a third party from seeking to acquire, the Company. A third party would be required to negotiate any such transaction with ETI, and the interests of ETI with respect to such transaction may be different from the interests of Company’s stockholders other than ETI.
Considering the Company’s relationship with ETI and Par Chadha, stockholders are encouraged to review ETI’s public filings relating to the relationships between such parties and their respective affiliates.
The Company incurs significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company faces a significantly increased costs for insurance, legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses as a public company that the Company did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the requirements of Section 404, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC and the securities exchanges, impose additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Compliance with public company requirements will increase costs and make certain activities more time-consuming. A number of those requirements require the Company to carry out activities the Company had not been directly required to do (although ETI, as its parent and a public company, has been required to do so). For example, the Company created new board committees and adopted new internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, additional expenses associated with SEC reporting requirements are being incurred. Furthermore, if any issues in complying with those requirements are identified (for example, if the auditors identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in the internal control over financial reporting), the Company could incur additional costs to rectify those issues, and the existence of those issues could adversely affect the Company’s reputation or investor perceptions of it. As a public company, it could be more difficult or costly for the Company to obtain and retain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and the Company may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage with increased self-retention risk or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a public company, it could also be more difficult and expensive for the Company to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the Board, or Board committees or as executive officers. Furthermore, if the Company is unable to satisfy its obligations as a public company, it could be subject to delisting of its Common Stock, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.
The additional reporting and other obligations imposed by various rules and regulations applicable to public companies will increase legal and financial compliance costs and the costs of related legal, accounting and administrative activities. These increased costs will require the Company to divert a significant amount of money that could otherwise be used to expand the business and achieve strategic objectives. Advocacy efforts by shareholders and third-parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.
If the Company is unable to maintain a listing on a national securities exchange, it could negatively impact the price and liquidity of its Common Stock and its ability to access the capital markets
The Company’s Common Stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Global Market (the “NGM”). On September 4, 2024 the Company requested to transfer the listing of its securities to The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “NCM”). That application is pending.
On April 24, 2024, the Company received a deficiency letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that the listing of its Common Stock was not in compliance with the minimum $15 million market value of publicly held shares requirement (the “NGM MVPHS Requirement”) for a period of 30 consecutive business days set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(C) for continued listing on the NGM. Because of the Company’s non-
compliance with the NGM MVPHS Requirement for continued listing on that market, on September 4, 2024 the Company had requested to transfer the listing of its securities to The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “NCM”).
The Company received written notice (the “Delisting Determination Letter”) from Nasdaq on October 18, 2024 stating that the Company had not regained compliance with the NGM MVPHS Requirement. The Company requested a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) pursuant to Listing Rule 5810(d), which automatically stayed the suspension and/or delisting of the Company’s securities pending completion of the hearing and the expiration of any additional extension period granted by the Panel following the hearing. At the Panel hearing on December 12, 2024, the Company restated its transfer request to the Panel and presented a plan to demonstrate compliance with Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) for the NCM by having a market value of listed securities of at least $35 million (the “NCM MVLS Requirement”) no later than April 4, 2025.
On January 13, 2025, Nasdaq notified the Company that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) had granted the Company’s request to continue its application with the Nasdaq staff to transfer its securities to the NCM, provided it demonstrated compliance the NCM MVLS Requirement on or before April 4, 2025. Although the Company believes it will be able to demonstrate compliance with all requirements for continued listing on NCM, including the NCM MVLS Requirement, on or before April 4, 2025, there can be no assurance that it will. If the Company fails to regain compliance or in the future fails to comply with the NCM MVLS Requirement or any other requirements for continued listing on the NCM, the Company’s securities could become subject to potential delisting.
The Company had also received a deficiency letter from Nasdaq August 30, 2024 notifying the Company that the Company’s market value of listed securities (“MVLS”) was below the $50 million minimum MVLS requirement for continued listing on the NGM under Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A) (the “NGM MVLS Deficiency Matter”). Nasdaq informed the Company on October 18, 2024 that because the Company satisfied the $50 million in total assets and total revenue requirement under Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(A), an alternative method of compliance with the continued listing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5450(b), the NGM MVLS Deficiency Matter was then resolved.
If Nasdaq does not approve the application to continue the listing of its Common Stock on the NCM and delists the Company’s shares because of the failure to demonstrate compliance with the listing standards of the NCM, or if the Company in the future fails to maintain such compliance and the Company is not able to list such securities on another national securities exchange, the securities of the Company could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, the Company and its stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:
● a limited availability of market quotations for the Company’s securities;
● reduced liquidity for the Company’s securities;
● a determination that the Common Stock is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading the Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for shares of Common Stock;
● a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
● a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about the Company, its business, or its market, or if they change their recommendations regarding the Company’s securities adversely, the price and trading volume of the Company’s securities could decline.
The trading market for the Company’s securities will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about the Company, its business, market or competitors. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on the Company, except to the extent currently included or in the future covered in analysts’ reports on ETI. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of the Company, the Company’s share price and trading volume may likely be negatively impacted. If any of the analysts who may cover the
Company change their recommendation regarding the Company’s Common Stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about the Company’s competitors, the price of the Company’s shares of Common Stock would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover the Company were to cease coverage of the Company or fail to regularly publish reports on it, the Company could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause its share price or trading volume to decline.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease and own numerous facilities across 14 European countries and Morocco. The size of our active property portfolio as of December 31, 2024 was in excess of 552,908 square feet (sq. ft.) and comprised of 29 leased properties and 2 owned properties including offices, sales offices, service locations, and production facilities. Many of our operating facilities are equipped with fiber connectivity and have access to other power sources.
Many of our operations facilities are leased under long term leases with varying expiration dates, except for the following owned locations: (i) an operating facility in Egham, United Kingdom with an approximately building area of 11,098 sq. ft., and (ii) an operating facility in Dublin, Ireland with an approximate building area of 24,563 sq. ft. We also maintain an operating presence at 8 client sites in France; 5 client sites in Belgium; and 1 client site in Germany and Switzerland respectively.
Our properties are suitable to deliver services to our clients for each of our business segments. Our management believes that all of our properties and facilities are well maintained.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Subsidiary Litigation
A group of 71 former employees brought a claim against a subsidiary of the Company related to their dismissal resulting from the closure of two production sites in France in 2020. The employees filed complaints with the Labor Court on June 9, 2022. Conciliation hearings at the Labor Court were held on September 27, 2022, December 13, 2022, March 7, 2023, September 5, 2023 November 14, 2023, December 5, 2023 and February 5, 2024.
In March 2023, 67 claimants (after the in principle settlement was agreed with the first 4 claimants) filed an application for summary proceedings in respect of part of the claim for a total claim of $1.1 million. The summary proceedings hearing was held on April 11, 2023 and the court issued its decision on May 9, 2023 upholding all of the plaintiffs’ claims for a total amount of $1.1 million. However, the court’s decision did not increase the Company’s anticipated exposure for the overall claim. The Company has appealed against the decision (and paid the amount of $1.1 million to 66 of the 67 claimants, as settlement agreement in principle was subsequently reached with one further claimant on November 10, 2023 pending the appeal). Since the majority of the claimants concluded settlement agreements with the Company, the appeal proceedings pertain only to 15 remaining claimants who have not settled.The next hearing, pertaining only to 15 remaining claimants who have not concluded settlement agreements with the Company, is scheduled for June 2, 2025.
In addition to the above, the substantive hearing for the foregoing claims was held on February 16, 2024 and a decision was made on June 28, 2024. The Company has appealed the decision from that substantive hearing.
The Company reached a number of settlements with 56 claimants prior to the June 2024 court decision and approximately $1.8 million was paid to such claimants in addition to the amounts paid as part of the summary proceedings. The court awarded $1.2 million to the claimants who had not settled before the court’s decision and, after the deduction of the amounts already paid to such claimants, $1.0 million remains to be paid by the Company. The Company will also be responsible for up to three months’ unemployment allowance paid to these claimants by the unemployment fund, which is not expected to significantly increase the Company’s total costs. The Company has appealed the decision. The Company accrued $1.0 million and $2.2 million in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, based on the estimate of the range of possible losses.
Other
We are, from time to time, involved in other legal proceedings, inquiries, claims and disputes, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although our management cannot predict the outcomes of these matters, our management believes these actions will not have a material, adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “XBP”. Our Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XBPEW”.
Stockholders
As of March 18, 2025 there were approximately 245 registered holders of record of our Common Stock. The number of holders of record does not include a substantially greater number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders, whose shares of record are held by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on shares of our Common Stock. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, capital requirements, general financial condition, and is within the discretion of our board of directors.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2024, with respect to the shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans.
Number of Securities to
Number of Securities
be Issued Upon
Remaining Available
Exercise of Outstanding
Weighted Average
for Future Issuance
Options and
Exercise Price of
Under Equity
Plan Category
Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding Options
Compensation Plans(1)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
3,420,329
$
1.31
2,099,941
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
-
-
-
Total
3,420,329
$
1.31
2,099,941
(1) The Company currently maintains the 2024 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by our board of directors on June 13, 2024. There are 5,520,270 shares of our Common Stock reserved for issuance under our 2024 Stock Incentive Plan.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities During the Year Ended December 31, 2024
None.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Unless otherwise noted, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relates solely to our continuing operations and does not include the operations of our certain on-demand printing operations. See “Pending Divestiture” below and Note 3 - Discontinued Operations of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information about the disposable group.
Forward Looking Statements
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with a review of the other Items included in this Annual Report and our December 31, 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. Certain statements contained in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
The Company is a pan-European integrator of bills, payments and related solutions and services seeking to enable digital transformation of our clients. The Company serves over 2,000 clients of varying sizes and across multiple industries and geographies. We believe our business ultimately advances digital transformation, improves market-wide liquidity, and encourages sustainable business practices.
The Company’s digital foundation was developed to deliver fully outsourced solutions to address current and evolving client needs. The Company hosts its products both on client premises and as a SaaS offering in the cloud. These offerings, along with several hybrid solutions are available to clients based on the client’s needs and preferences. When distributing its licenses, the Company offers a flexible model, whereby clients may choose among licenses covering a maximum number of transactions, multi-year term licenses with flexible renewal options, or perpetual licenses.
The Company’s primary source of revenue stems from transactions processed by its products, including bills and payments processing and constitutes the dominant part of revenue in our larger, Bills & Payments reporting segment. Other sources of revenue include the sale of recurring software licenses and professional services, perpetual software licenses, as well as hardware solutions and related maintenance and constitute our Technology reporting segment. The Company offers an industry-agnostic and cross-departmental suite of products, which center around finance and accounting (“F&A”) solutions and services comprised of the XBP Platform, Request to Pay, enterprise information management, Digital Mailroom, business process management and workflow automation, and integrated communication services. The Company also offers core industry solutions for the banking and financial services sector, and has, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, rolled out a suite of Work From Anywhere (“WFA”) applications with enterprise software for connectivity and productivity to enable remote work.
The continued success of the Company’s business is driven by its people. Its operation centers are located in areas where the value proposition the Company offers is attractive relative to other local opportunities, resulting in an engaged, educated multi-lingual workforce that is able to make a meaningful global contribution from their local marketplace. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately 1,450 employees (of which 140 were part-time employees) across 16 countries (14 across Europe and in Morocco as well as the U.S., where our chief executive officer and chief financial officer are located).
History
XBP Europe, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on September 28, 2022 to facilitate the Business Combination. On November 30, 2023, following the Closing, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “XBP Europe”) and its shares started trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker “XBP” and its warrants started trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “XBPEW”. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company constitutes a collection of entities, which have comprised the core European business of ETI since the 1995 merger between Texas-based BancTec, Inc. and Recognition International, Inc. The Company’s subsidiaries and predecessor entities have been serving clients in the European marketplace for over 45 years. In 2018, through the acquisitions of Asterion International and Drescher Full-Service Versand, ETI further expanded its geographic and client reach across Europe.
Merger Agreement
On October 9, 2022, XBP Europe, Inc. entered into the Merger Agreement with CF VIII, BTC International and Merger Sub. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub, a newly formed subsidiary of CF VIII, merged with and into XBP Europe, Inc., with XBP Europe, Inc. surviving the Merger.
The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, CF VIII was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Merger was treated as the equivalent of the Company issuing stock for the net assets of CFVIII, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CFVIII were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Merger were those of the Company.
As a consequence of the Merger, XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. became the successor to CF VIII, which required the Company to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices.
Recent developments
Non-Binding Letter of Intent
On March 4, 2025, the Company announced that it had entered into an exclusive, non-binding letter of intent with ETI to acquire Exela Technologies BPA, LLC (“Exela BPA”), a leading provider of business process automation solutions and subsidiary of ETI. Under the terms of the letter of intent, the Company has been granted exclusivity while the parties work in good faith to negotiate definitive agreements, complete due diligence, undertake necessary regulatory approvals, and seek any necessary approvals, including from the Company’s shareholders.
The Company is continuing to work through the process; however, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into or that the proposed transaction will be consummated. Those portions of the letter of intent that describe the proposed transaction are non-binding. The Company only intends to announce additional details regarding the proposed transaction if and when a definitive agreement is executed.
Pending Divestiture
During the third quarter of 2024, certain on-demand printing operations of the Company met the criteria to be disclosed as discontinued operations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. See Note 3 - Discontinued Operations of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on discontinued operations.
Key Factors Affecting Company’s Business
The Company believes that its performance and future success depend upon several factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges including those discussed below and in the section of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors.”
Investment in Technology
The Company’s revenue growth depends heavily upon its ability to ensure a timely flow of competitive products, services and technologies to the marketplace while also leveraging its domain expertise. Through regular and sustained investment, licensing of intellectual property and acquisition of third-party businesses and technology, the Company continues to develop new knowledge platforms, applications and supporting service bundles that enhance and expand its existing suite of services. These efforts will require the Company to invest significant financial and other resources.
Acquiring new clients
The Company plans to continue developing new long-term, strategic client relationships, particularly where there is an opportunity to deliver a wide range of capabilities that have a meaningful impact on clients’ business outcomes. As such, the Company plans to leverage the solutions it has already introduced in some European markets, like Confirmation of Payee or Request To Pay, that are part of its XBP platform, and offer them to clients in other European markets as well as solutions and products within its F&A offering such as the ERP data consolidation solution. With the launch of XBP Omnidirect and Reaktr.ai, we are looking to expand our client base. Additionally, the Company continues to evaluate becoming a registered payment service provider to supplement its existing solutions and services. The Company believes there is a long-term opportunity to expand in these markets to serve new clients.
The Company’s ability to attract new clients also depends on a number of factors, including the effectiveness and pricing of its products, its competitors’ offerings, and successfully executing its marketing efforts. Acquisition of new clients is expected to have a positive impact on the Company’s long-term profitability and operations.
Expanding the Company’s relationships with existing clients
In addition to acquiring new clients, the Company intends to continue retaining existing clients and pursue cross-selling and up-selling opportunities. With an existing base of over 2,000 clients, the Company believes there are meaningful opportunities to offer a bundled suite of services and to be a “one-stop-shop” for its clients’ bills and payments automation and broader digital transformation journeys.
The Company’s ability to influence clients to process more transactions and payments on its platforms has a direct impact on its revenue. As such, the Company offers a full suite of solutions by bundling integrated accounts payable and receivables, payment solutions, F&A services, master data management, reporting analytics along with integrated communication services for enterprise and small and medium businesses.
Our Segments
Our two reportable segments are Bills & Payments and Technology. These segments are comprised of significant strategic business units that align our products and services with how we manage our business, approach our key markets and interact with our clients based on their respective industries.
Bills and Payments: The Bills & Payments business unit primarily focuses on optimizing how bills and payments are processed by businesses of all sizes and industries. The Company offers automation of AP and AR processes and through an integrated platform, seeks to integrate buyers and suppliers across Europe. This business unit also includes our digital transformation revenue, which is both project based and recurring.
Technology: The Technology business unit primarily focuses on sales of recurring and perpetual software licenses and related maintenance, hardware solutions and related maintenance and professional services.
Key Performance Indicators
We use a variety of operational and financial measures to assess our performance. Among the measures considered by our management are the following:
● Revenue by segment;
● Gross profit by segment; and
● Adjusted EBITDA (which is a non-GAAP financial measure).
Revenue by segment
We analyze our revenue by comparing actual monthly revenue to internal projections and prior periods across our operating segments in order to assess performance, identify potential areas for improvement, and determine whether segments are meeting management’s expectations.
Gross profit by segment
The Company defines Gross Profit as revenue less cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). The Company uses Gross Profit by segment to assess financial performance at the segment level.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement its financial data presented on a basis consistent with GAAP, this Annual Report contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. The Company has included these non-GAAP financial measures because they are financial measures used by management to evaluate the Company’s core operating performance and trends, to make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital and new investments. These measures exclude certain expenses that are required under GAAP. The Company excludes these items because they are non-recurring or non-cash expenses that are determined based in part on the Company’s underlying performance.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We define EBITDA as net income (loss), plus taxes, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus restructuring and related expenses, related party management fee and royalties, non-cash equity compensation, foreign exchange gains or losses, changes in fair value of warrant liability, and non-recurring transaction costs incurred in connection with the Business Combination.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance and results of operations as our board of directors and management use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance, because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization) and items outside the control of our management team. Net income/loss is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not required to be uniformly applied, are not audited and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by
other companies in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
The following tables present a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net loss from continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Net loss from continuing operations
$
(6,533)
$
(5,568)
Income tax expense
2,911
Interest expense including related party interest expense, net
6,322
7,006
Depreciation and amortization
3,160
2,944
EBITDA from continuing operations
5,860
4,988
Restructuring and related expenses(1)
1,879
5,053
Employee litigation matter(2)
1,283
1,431
Related party management fee and royalties(3)
-
1,330
Foreign exchange losses, net
2,520
Non-cash equity compensation(4)
1,611
-
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
(43)
(597)
Transaction Fees(5)
2,970
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations
$
13,390
$
15,774
(1) Adjustment represents costs associated with restructuring, including employee severance and vendor and lease termination costs.
(2) Represents litigation settlement and associated expenses incurred in connection with the Company subsidiary litigation. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies for more details.
(3) Primarily represents management fee incurred in exchange for services, which included provision of legal, human resources, corporate finance, and marketing support. The management services agreement was terminated in connection with the Business Combination and was replaced by the related party service fee pursuant to the Services Agreement which reduced the fee and modified the services provided.
(4) Represents the non-cash charges for restricted stock units and options.
(5) Represents transaction costs incurred as part of the Business Combination.
The following tables present a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our net loss from discontinued operations, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
$
(5,833)
$
(5,479)
Income tax expense
-
-
Interest expense, net
Depreciation and amortization
EBITDA from discontinued operations
(5,133)
(4,383)
Restructuring and related expenses(1)
Related party service fees and royalties
-
Impairment of goodwill
-
Foreign exchange losses (gains), net
(5)
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations
$
(4,797)
$
(4,176)
(1) Adjustment represents costs associated with restructuring related to employee severance.
Key Components of Revenue and Expenses
Revenue
The Company earns revenue from transactions processed using its products and services. In addition, the Company also sells recurring and perpetual software licenses, as well as maintenance and other professional services. Licensing options are flexible and clients can purchase a license covering a maximum number of transactions, multi-year term licenses with flexible renewal options. The Company derives a majority of its revenue from transactions processing as well as from the sale of licenses and technology implementation services.
Related party revenue - Related party revenue consists of sales of the above products or services to related parties.
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, including performance bonuses, facility costs and cost of products.
Related party cost of revenue - Related party cost of revenue consists of the cost of the products or services purchased or acquired from related parties, plus a related party transfer pricing markup.
Selling, general and administrative expenses - Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of administrative personnel and officers’ salaries and benefits including performance bonuses, legal and audit expenses, insurance, operating lease expenses (mainly facilities and vehicles) and other facility costs.
Related party expenses - Related party expenses primarily consist of the shared service cost, service fee, royalties and related party management fee which was replaced by the related party service fee in connection with the Business Combination.
Depreciation and amortization - Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets expenses consist of depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of client relationship asset.
Interest expense, net - Interest expense consists of interest related to pensions, debt, and finance leases.
Related party interest expense - Related party interest expense consists of interest incurred on amounts due to related parties.
Foreign exchange losses, net - Foreign exchange losses, net is comprised of losses and gains due to foreign currency remeasurement that are netted together for reporting purposes.
Changes in fair value of warrant liability - Changes in fair value of warrant liability represents the mark-to-market fair value adjustments to the outstanding Private Warrants issued as part of the consummation of the Business Combination. The change in fair value of Private Warrants is primarily the result of the change in the underlying stock price of our stock used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The warrant liability is remeasured at the end of each subsequent reporting period.
Pension income, net - Pension income, net consists of expected return on employee benefit plan assets, amortization of prior service cost and amortization of net loss.
Income tax expense - Income taxes consist primarily of income taxes related to federal, and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company conducts its business. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets for its U.S. federal taxes and certain foreign and state taxes as the Company has concluded that it is not more likely than not that the deferred assets will be utilized.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023 (US dollars in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Revenue:
Bills and Payments
$
101,850
$
110,458
Technology
40,922
44,719
Revenue, net (including related party revenue of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively)
142,772
155,177
Cost of revenue:
Bills and Payments
85,455
95,572
Technology
19,059
19,738
Total cost of revenue (including related party cost of revenue of $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
104,514
115,310
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
26,525
31,173
Related party expense
5,101
4,633
Depreciation and amortization
3,160
2,944
Operating profit
3,472
1,117
Interest expense, net
6,232
5,035
Related party interest expense, net
1,971
Foreign exchange losses, net
2,520
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
(43)
(597)
Pension income, net
(1,705)
(929)
Net loss before income taxes
(3,622)
(4,962)
Income tax expense
2,911
Net loss from continuing operations
$
(6,533)
$
(5,568)
For the purposes of trend analysis, constant currency refers to the prevailing rate of the US dollar against relevant currencies for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our revenue on a consolidated basis decreased by $12.4 million, or 8.0%, to $142.8 million (including related party revenue of $0.4 million) from $155.2 million (including related party revenue of $0.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023. On a constant currency basis, revenue declined by $13.5 million, or 8.7%, offset by the positive impact of foreign currency accounting for $1.1 million or 0.7%.
Bills & Payments and Technology segments constituted 71.3%, and 28.7%, respectively, of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 71.2%, and 28.8%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The revenue changes by reporting segment were as follows:
Bills & Payments - Net revenue attributable to bills and payments segment was $101.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $110.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The revenue decline of $8.6 million, or 7.8%, is primarily attributable to completion of one time projects, lower volumes and client contract end, offset by the positive impact of newly won and revenue ramping contracts. On a constant currency basis, revenue declined by $9.3 million, or 8.4%, offset by the positive impact of foreign currency accounting for a $0.7 million or 0.6%.
Technology - For the year ended December 31, 2024, revenue attributable to the Technology segment decreased by $3.8 million, or 8.5%, to $40.9 million from $44.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The revenue decrease in the Technology segment was largely due to a lower volume of software licenses sold and partially
offset by an increase in professional services and maintenance revenue. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased by $4.2 million, or 9.4%, offset by the positive impact of foreign currency accounted for $0.4 million or 0.9%.
Cost of Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the cost of revenue decreased by $10.8 million (including decrease in related party cost of $0.0 million), or 9.4%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. Total cost of revenue decreased by $11.6 million or 10.1% on a constant currency basis, offset by the positive impact of foreign currency of $0.9 million or 0.7%, when compared to the cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In the Bills & Payments segments, the decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in revenue, improved utilization of operations coupled with cost optimizations and more profitable contracts. The cost of revenue in the Bills & Payments segment decreased by $10.1 million, or 10.6%. On a constant currency basis, cost of revenue at Bills & Payments segment declined by $10.9 million, or 11.4%, offset by the positive impact of foreign currency of 0.8% or $0.8 million.
The cost of revenue in the Technology segment decreased by $0.7 million, or 3.4%, primarily due to the change in the revenue mix within the Technology segment. On a constant currency basis, cost of revenue at the Technology segment decreased by $0.7 million, or 3.7%, offset by the foreign currency impact accounting for $0.1 million or 0.3%.
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 73.2% of revenue compared to 74.3% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, with the decrease primarily due to improved utilization of operations, cost optimizations and change in revenue mix.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A expenses”) decreased by $4.6 million, or 14.9%, to $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $31.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to cost optimization initiatives, coupled with higher one-time costs pertaining to professional fees and insurance in 2023. SG&A expenses decreased as a percentage of revenue to 18.6% for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 20.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Related Party Expenses
Related party expense was $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the growth in the COE (Center of Excellence), partially offset by the cost optimizations taken during the year.
Depreciation and Amortization
Total depreciation and amortization expense was $3.2 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in total depreciation and amortization expense by $0.3 million was primarily due to an increase in amortization expense related to outsource contract costs during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, largely due to an increase in borrowing costs as a result of higher borrowings under the 2024 Credit Facilities during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Related Party Interest Expense, Net
Related party interest expense, net was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to related party interest expense, net of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the related party interest expense, net was due to an elimination of a related party interest receivable as required by the Ultimate Parent Support Agreement during the prior year.
Foreign Exchange Losses, net
Foreign exchange losses were $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to foreign exchange losses of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to higher unrealized foreign exchange losses, partially offset by lower realized foreign exchange losses for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
The change in fair value of warrant liability during the year ended December 31, 2024 was a gain of $43 thousand. The change in fair value of warrant liability resulted from the remeasurement of the Private Warrant liability between December 31, 2023 and the end of the reporting period, December 31, 2024.
Pension Income, net
Pension income, net was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to pension income, net of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in income was primarily due to higher expected return on plan assets recorded in the year ended December 31, 2024.
Income Tax Expense
The Company had an income tax expense of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to an income tax expense of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in the income tax expenses for the current period is higher than the same period last year due to a remeasurement of existing uncertain tax positions in Germany.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
At December 31, 2024 and 2023 cash and cash equivalents totalled $12.1 million and $6.5 million, respectively.
The Company currently expects to spend approximately $1.5 to $2.5 million on total capital expenditures over the next twelve months. The Company will continue to evaluate additional capital expenditure needs that may arise.
As of December 31, 2024, and in comparison to December 31, 2023, total debt increased by $12.3 million primarily due to borrowings under the 2024 Senior Credit Facilities, partially offset by repayments of Revolving Credit Facilities and 2022 Committed Facility Agreement (See “Indebtedness” below).
The Company has utilized COVID-19 relief measures in various European jurisdictions, including permitted deferrals of certain payroll, social security and value added taxes. At the end of the fourth quarter 2024, the Company paid a significant portion of these deferred payroll taxes, social security and value added taxes. The remaining balance of deferred payroll taxes, social security and value added taxes will be paid by the April 2027, or later, as per deferment timeline as established by local laws and regulations.
The Company believes the current cash, cash equivalents and cash flows from financing activities, including the reduction in cash used in principal repayment on borrowings under factoring arrangement, are sufficient to meet the
Company’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements for a period of at least twelve months. To the extent existing cash, cash from operations, and amounts available for borrowing are insufficient to fund future activities, the Company may need to raise additional capital. The Company may require funding for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, cost overruns for reasons outside of its control and it may experience slower sales than anticipated. If the Company’s current cash on hand is not sufficient to meet its financing requirements for the next twelve months, it may have to raise funds to allow it to continue to operate its business and execute on its business plan. The Company cannot be certain that funding will be available on acceptable terms or at all particularly given the amount of Company securities being offered, the terms of such securities and the potential duration of any offering. To the extent that the Company raises additional funds by issuing equity securities, its stockholders may experience significant dilution. Any debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may impact the Company’s ability to conduct business or return capital to investors. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital on acceptable terms, it may have to significantly scale back, delay or discontinue certain businesses, restrict its operations or obtain funds by entering into agreements on unattractive terms.
Cash Flows
Our consolidated statements of cash flows include cash flows related to the disposable group. Significant non-cash items and capital expenditures of discontinued operations related to our disposable group are presented separately in Note 3 - Discontinued Operations of the notes to consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report.
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(5,227)
$
(1,535)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,710)
(2,669)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
12,446
(305)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
(308)
3,941
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
5,201
(568)
Analysis of Cash Flow Changes between the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Operating Activities - Net cash used in operating activities was $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase of $3.7 million in cash used in operating activities was largely due to a higher net loss and higher outflows from related party payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities.
Investing Activities - Net cash used in investing activities was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $1.0 million in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to reduction in additions of property, plant and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Financing Activities - Net cash provided by financing activities was $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase of $12.8 million in cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to borrowings under the 2024 Senior Credit Facilities, partially offset by repayments of Revolving Credit Facilities and 2022 Committed Facility Agreement, and reduction in net borrowing under the securitization facility due to the entry into the Amended Factoring Agreement on September 15, 2023, which resulted in an off-balance sheet treatment of the Secured Borrowing Facility.
Indebtedness
Secured Borrowing Facility
On August 25, 2020, certain entities entered into an agreement wherein amounts due from clients were pledged to a third party, in exchange for a borrowing facility in amounts up to a total of €31.0 million (the “Secured Borrowing Facility”). The proceeds from the Secured Borrowing Facility were determined by the amounts invoiced to our clients. The amounts due from clients were recorded in accounts receivable and the amount due to the third party as a liability, presented under “Current portion of long-term debt” on the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of the Secured Borrowing Facility was 0.10% of newly assigned receivables with minimum of €0.1 million in annual fees and the Secured Borrowing Facility bore interest at Euribor rate plus 0.70% on the unpaid principal amount. The Company incurred interest expense of $0 and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the Secured Borrowing Facility. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balances payable under the Secured Borrowing Facility were $0 and $0.1 million, respectively.
On September 15, 2023, the relevant entities entered into an amendment to the Secured Borrowing Facility (the “Amended Factoring Agreement”) to convert the existing arrangement into a non-recourse factoring program wherein an unrelated third party (the “Factor”) shall provide financing to certain subsidiaries of the Company by purchase of certain approved and partially approved accounts receivables (as defined in the Amended Factoring Agreement) up to a maximum amount of €15.0 million while assuming the risk of non-payment on the purchased accounts receivables up to the level of approval. The relevant entities shall have no continuing involvement in the transferred accounts receivable, other than collection and administrative responsibilities and, once sold, the accounts receivable shall no longer be available to satisfy creditors of the relevant entities.
The Company accounted for the transactions under the Amended Factoring Agreement as a sale under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, and treats it as an off-balance sheet arrangement. Net funds received from the transfers reflect the face value of the account less a fee, which is recorded as an increase to cash and a reduction to accounts receivable outstanding in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company reports the cash flows attributable to the sale of account receivables to the Factor and the cash receipts from collections made on behalf of and paid to the Factor under the Amended Factoring Agreement, on a net basis as trade accounts receivables in cash flows from operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s outstanding factored accounts receivable amounted to $16.6 million pursuant to the Amended Factoring Agreement, representing the face value of the invoices. The Company recognizes factoring costs upon disbursement of funds. The Company incurred a loss on sale of accounts receivables including expenses pursuant to the Amended Factoring Agreement totaling approximately $0.8 million and $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 respectively, which is presented in interest expense,net on the consolidated statements of operations.
2019 Credit Agreement
In October 2019, a wholly-owned UK subsidiary of XBP Europe (the “UK Subsidiary”) entered into a secured credit agreement (the “2019 Credit Agreement”) with HSBC UK Bank plc (“HSBC”) for a £9.0 million Secured Credit Facility (the “Secured Credit Facility”) consisting of (i) a secured Term Loan A facility in an aggregate principal amount of £2.0 million (the “Term Loan A Facility”), (ii) a secured Term Loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of £2.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”), and (iii) a secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of £5.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). On December 21, 2022, the UK Subsidiary amended its 2019 Credit Agreement, allowing the UK Subsidiary to affirm to extend the maturity of Term Loan A Facility and Term Loan B Facility to October 31, 2024 subject to compliance with financial covenants. On February 9, 2023, the UK Subsidiary amended its 2019 Credit Agreement, allowing the UK Subsidiary to extend the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility to October 31, 2024 subject to compliance with financial covenants. The maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility has since been extended on various dates. On May 10, 2024, the maturity was further extended to August 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has repaid outstanding amount of $1.9 million, $0.4 million, and $6.4 million under the Term Loan A Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and the Revolving
Credit Facility, respectively and accordingly wrote off the unamortized balance of less than $0.1 million of debt issuance cost related to the 2019 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had fully repaid the outstanding balance under the 2019 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan A Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and the Revolving Credit Facility was $1.9 million, $0.4 million, and $6.4 million, respectively.
The 2019 Credit Agreement contained financial covenants including, but not limited to (a) a Combined Cashflow Coverage Ratio, which measured the ratio of (i) Combined Cashflow and (ii) Debt Service defined as finance charges in addition to mandatory repayments in respect to the 2019 Credit Agreement, (b) Combined Interest Coverage Ratio, which measured the ratio of (i) Combined EBITDA to (ii) Combined Finance Charges, (c) a Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio, which measured the ratio of (i) Combined Net Indebtedness in respect to the last day of the most recent period to (ii) EBITDA, (d) Guaranteed Intragroup Balances, (e) the Loan to Market Value defined as the Facility A Loan outstanding to the market value of the property in each case, as defined in the 2019 Credit Agreement. The term “Combined” refers to the UK Subsidiary and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
The 2019 Credit Agreement and indenture governing the Secured Credit Facility contained limitations on the ability of the UK subsidiary to effect mergers and change of control events as well as certain other limitations, including limitations on: (i) the declaration and payment of dividends or other restricted payments (ii) substantial changes of the general nature of the business, (iii) acquisition of a company, (iv) enter a joint venture, (v) or effect a dormant subsidiary to commence trading or cease to satisfy the criteria of a dormant subsidiary.
The UK Subsidiary’s obligations under the 2019 Credit Agreement were jointly and severally guaranteed by certain of its existing and future direct and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries. The 2019 Credit Agreement and the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement (defined below) contained cross default provisions which related to the UK Subsidiary and its subsidiaries, but not any other entities within the consolidated group.
At inception, borrowings under the Secured Credit Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR plus the applicable margin of 2%, 2.5%, and 3% per annum for the Term Loan A Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and the Revolving Credit Facility respectively. Effective October 29, 2021, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 3%. Effective December 31, 2021, borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 2% and 2.5%, respectively.
In June 2020, the UK Subsidiary entered into an amendment to the 2019 Credit Agreement, to provide an additional aggregate principal amount of £4.0 million under a credit agreement (the “Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility” or “2020 Credit Agreement”) together with Revolving Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Facilities”). At the inception of the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility, the borrowing bore an interest rate per annum equal to the LIBOR plus the applicable margin of 3.5% per annum. Effective December 31, 2022, borrowings under the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 3.5%.
The maturity of the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility has since been extended on various dates subject to compliance with financial covenants. On May 10, 2024 the maturity was further extended to August 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repaid outstanding amounts of $5.1 million under the 2020 Credit Agreement and accordingly wrote off the unamortized balance of less than $0.1 million of debt issuance cost related to the 2020 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had fully repaid the outstanding balance under the 2020 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility had an outstanding principal balance of $5.1 million.
As of December 31, 2023, the UK Subsidiary was in compliance with all affirmative and negative covenants under the 2019 Credit Agreement, including any financial covenants, pertaining to its financing arrangements.
2022 Committed Facility Agreement
In May 2022, the UK Subsidiary entered into a committed facility agreement (the “2022 Committed Facility Agreement”) with HSBC, which includes a term loan for £1.4 million to be used in refinancing a property owned by XBP Europe in Dublin, Ireland (the “Property”). At inception of the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement, the borrowing bore an interest rate equal to 3.5% per annum in addition to the Bank of England Base Rate. The maturity of the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement is May 2027. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has repaid outstanding amount of $1.5 million under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had fully repaid the outstanding balance under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement had an outstanding balance of $1.5 million.
The 2022 Committed Facility Agreement contained financial covenants including, but not limited to (a) a Combined Debt Service Coverage Ratio, which measured the cashflow less dividends, net capital expenditure, and taxation relative to the debt service for that relevant period, (b) interest cover, which measured EBITDA relative to the aggregate of (i) interest charges and (ii) interest element of finance leases in any relevant period, (c) Total Net Debt to EBITDA, which measured the total net debt relative to EBITDA for any relevant period, and (d) loan to market value, which measured the loan as a percentage of the aggregate market value of The Property. The term “Combined” refers to the UK subsidiary and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2023, the UK Subsidiary was in compliance with all affirmative and negative covenants under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement, including any financial covenants pertaining to its financing arrangements.
2024 Facilities Agreement
In June 2024, XBP Europe, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, together with certain other subsidiaries (the “XBP Group”), entered into a Facilities Agreement (the “2024 Facilities Agreement”) with HSBC for a £15.0 million and €10.5 million Secured Credit Facility consisting of (i) a single draw, secured Term Loan A facility in an aggregate principal amount of £3.0 million (the “2024 Term Loan A Facility”), (ii) a single draw, secured Term Loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of €10.5 million (the “2024 Term Loan B Facility”, collectively with the 2024 Term Loan A Facility, the “2024 Term Loan Facilities”) and (iii) a multi-draw, multi-currency secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of £12.0 million (the “2024 Revolving Credit Facility”), and, together with the 2024 Term Loan Facilities, (the “2024 Senior Credit Facilities”). The 2024 Term Loan Facilities mature on June 26, 2028 and the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility matures on June 26, 2027, with certain extension rights at the discretion of HSBC. An additional £14.0 million of credit under the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility may be made available at HSBC’s discretion for specific purposes as per the 2024 Facilities Agreement.
The Company used the 2024 Term Loan Facilities to repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Agreement, 2020 Credit Agreement and 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. The Company incurred $1.5 million in debt issuance costs related to the 2024 Facilities Agreement.
The 2024 Facilities Agreement contains financial covenants including, but not limited to, (i) requiring the maintenance of a consolidated total leverage ratio of not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 (with step-downs to (a) 2.25 to 1.00 starting January 1, 2025 and (b) 2.00 to 1.00 starting January 1, 2026); (ii) a cash flow coverage ratio of at least 1.10:1.00; and (iii) a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.00 to 1.00.
The 2024 Facilities Agreement and indenture governing the 2024 Secured Credit Facilities contains certain affirmative and negative covenants limiting on the ability of the XBP Group to effect mergers and change of control events as well as certain other limitations, including limitations on (i) incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (ii) dispositions of assets, (iii) substantial changes of the general nature of the business, (iv) entering into restrictive agreements, (v) making certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, (vi) prepaying certain indebtedness, (vii) the declaration and payment of dividends or other restricted payments, (viii) engaging in transactions with affiliates, or (ix) amending certain material documents.
Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, all obligations under the 2024 Facilities Agreement are jointly and severally unconditionally guaranteed by each member of the XBP Group.
Borrowings under the 2024 Term Loan A Facility, the 2024 Term Loan B Facility and 2024 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 3.25%, Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus the applicable margin of 3.25% and Reference Rate plus the applicable margin of 3.25%, respectively. “Reference Rate” for any period means (i) Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for funds extended in U.S. Dollars; (ii) the EURIBOR, for funds extended in Euros; (iii) the SONIA, for funds extended in Pounds Sterling; and the Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate (“STIBOR”) for funds extended in Swedish Krona.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has drawn $3.9 million under 2024 Term Loan A Facility and $11.4 million under 2024 Term Loan B Facility, and repaid $8.7 million outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Agreement, $5.1 million outstanding indebtedness under the 2020 Credit Agreement and $1.5 million outstanding indebtedness under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. Accordingly, the Company wrote off the unamortized balance of less than $0.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the 2019 Credit Agreement and 2020 Credit Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repaid $0.4 million and $1.1 million of outstanding principal amount under the 2024 Term Loan A Facility and 2024 Term Loan B Facility, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance of the 2024 Term Loan A Facility and the 2024 Term Loan B Facility was $3.4 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The principal amount drawn under the 2024 Term Loan A Facility shall be repaid in fifteen (15) equal quarterly installments of £150 thousands with the remaining outstanding principal amount of £750 thousands payable at maturity along with accrued and unpaid interest. The principal amount drawn under the 2024 Term Loan B Facility shall be repaid in fifteen (15) equal quarterly installments of €525 thousands with the remaining outstanding principal amount of €2.625 million payable at maturity along with accrued and unpaid interest.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has drawn £12.0 million under 2024 Revolving Credit Facility in Euros currency. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance under the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility was $14.7 million.
The Company may, at any time, prepay the principal of the 2024 Senior Credit Facilities. Each prepayment shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued interest, without any premium or penalty. However, the Company is limited to a maximum of four voluntary prepayments of the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility within any consecutive twelve-month period.
As of December 31, 2024, the XBP Group was in compliance with all affirmative and negative covenants under the 2024 Facilities Agreement, including any financial covenants, pertaining to its financing arrangements.
Changes to Covenant Ratios and Compliance
The Company is not aware of any changes in the required covenant ratio under the 2024 Senior Credit Facilities at future compliance dates. The Company continually monitors its compliance with the covenants. The Company believes it will remain in compliance with all such covenants for the next 12 months based on the expected future performance; however, due to the inherent uncertainty, management’s estimates of the achievement of its financial covenants may change in the future. The Company believes there are multiple mechanisms available to the Company in case of non-compliance with the provisions of any of its debt covenants, which would ensure ongoing sufficient liquidity for the Company, including but not limited to, entering into bona fide negotiations with its lenders to amend the existing facilities as appropriate, refinancing existing credit facilities with alternative providers of capital or curing any potential breaches.
Restructuring Activities
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company’s management approved a restructuring plan to realign the Company’s business and strategic priorities by rightsizing its workforce in certain regions. Costs and liabilities
associated with management-approved restructuring activities are recognized when they are incurred. One-time employee termination costs are recognized at the time of communication to employees, unless future service is required, in which case the costs are recognized ratably over the future service period. Ongoing employee termination benefits are recognized as a liability when it is probable that a liability exists and the amount is reasonably estimable. Restructuring charges are recognized as an operating expense within the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and related liabilities are recorded within accrued compensation and benefits on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023. The Company periodically evaluates and, if necessary, adjusts its estimates based on currently available information.
Potential Future Transactions
We may, from time to time, explore and evaluate possible strategic transactions, which may include joint ventures, as well as business combinations or the acquisition or disposition of assets. In order to pursue certain of these opportunities, additional funds will likely be required. Subject to applicable contractual restrictions, to obtain such financing, we may seek to use cash on hand, or we may seek to raise additional debt or equity financing through private placements or through underwritten offerings. There can be no assurance that we will enter into additional strategic transactions or alliances, nor do we know if we will be able to obtain the necessary financing for transactions that require additional funds on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement that we entered into in connection with the Closing, certain of our stockholders have the right to demand underwritten offerings of our Common Stock. We may from time to time in the future explore, with certain of those stockholders the possibility of an underwritten public offering of our Common Stock held by those stockholders. There can be no assurance as to whether or when an offering may be commenced or completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires the use of judgments and estimates. The critical accounting policies are described below to provide a better understanding of how the Company develops its assumptions and judgments about future events and related estimations and how they can impact the Company’s financial statements. A critical accounting estimate is one that requires subjective or complex estimates and assessments and is fundamental to the Company’s results of operations. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable according to the current facts and 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. The Company believes the current assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine amounts reflected in the combined financial statements are appropriate; however, actual results may differ under different conditions. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Goodwill and other intangible assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life or on a basis that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are realized.
Benefit Plan Accruals: The Company has defined benefit plans in the UK, Germany, Norway and France under which participants earn a retirement benefit based upon a formula set forth in the respective plans. The Company records annual amounts relating to its pension plans based on calculations that incorporate various actuarial and other assumptions, including discount rates, mortality, assumed rates of return, and compensation increases. The Company reviews its assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so.
Impairment of goodwill, long-lived and other intangible assets: Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying
amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, the Company records impairment losses for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value. Fair value is determined, in part, by the estimated cash flows to be generated by those assets. The Company’s cash flow estimates are based upon, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect the Company’s best estimate of future market rates, and operating performance. Development of future cash flows also requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including timing of future expected cash flows, using the appropriate discount rates, and determining salvage values. The estimate of fair value represents the Company’s best estimates of these factors, and is subject to variability. Assets are generally grouped at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is the reporting unit level for us. Changes to the key assumptions related to future performance and other economic factors could adversely affect the impairment valuation.
The Company conducts its annual goodwill impairment tests on October 1 of each year, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. When performing the annual impairment test, the Company has the option of performing a qualitative or quantitative assessment to determine if an impairment has occurred. If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company would be required to perform a quantitative impairment test for goodwill. A quantitative test requires comparison of fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company uses a combination of the Guideline Public Company Method of the Market Approach and the Discounted Cash Flow Method of the Income Approach to determine the reporting unit fair value. For the Guideline Public Company Method, the Company’s annual impairment test utilizes valuation multiples of publicly traded peer companies. For the Discounted Cash Flow Method, the annual impairment test utilizes discounted cash flow projections using market participant weighted average cost of capital calculation. If the fair value of goodwill at the reporting unit level is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded for the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We conducted our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2024 and 2023, and concluded that there was no impairment in our goodwill and other intangible assets during the years.
Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, allocation of assets and liabilities to reporting units, and determination of fair value. The determination of reporting unit fair value is sensitive to the amount of Revenue and EBITDA generated by us, as well as the Revenue and EBITDA market multiples used in the calculation. Additionally, the fair value is sensitive to changes in the valuation assumptions such as expected income tax rate, risk-free rate, asset beta, and various risk premiums. Unanticipated changes, including immaterial revisions, to these assumptions could result in a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific assets and time frames, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions.
Warrants: The Company accounts for the warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to Company’s own shares of common stock and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of equity at the time of issuance.
We determined upon further review of the warrant agreements, that while Public Warrants meet the definition of a derivative, they meet the equity scope exception in ASC 815 to be classified in stockholders’ deficit and are not subject to remeasurement provided that the warrants continue to meet the criteria for equity classification.
Similarly, Private Warrants meet the definition of a derivative, however they don’t meet the equity scope exception in ASC 815 and are subject to remeasurement. Private Warrant liability shall be measured at fair value on transaction closing date, with changes in fair value each period recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue: The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with ASC 606. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the client, and is the unit of account in ASC 606. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. The contract transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. All of the Company’s material sources of revenue are derived from contracts with clients, primarily relating to the provision of business and transaction processing services within each of the segments. The Company does not have any significant extended payment terms, as payment for invoices issued is received shortly after goods are delivered or services are provided. Refer to Note 4 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 contained elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information regarding the Company’s revenue recognition policy.
Income Taxes: We account for income taxes by using the asset and liability method. We account for income taxes regarding uncertain tax positions and recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax benefit/(expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred income taxes are recognized on the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable in future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, as determined under tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the event the Company determines that it would be able to realize deferred tax assets that have valuation allowances established, an adjustment to the net deferred tax assets would be recognized as a component of income tax expense through continuing operations.
We engage in transactions (such as acquisitions) in which the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty and examination by the varying taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required by us in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. While our tax returns are prepared and based on our interpretation of tax laws and regulations, in the normal course of business the tax returns are subject to examination by the various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future assessments of additional tax, interest and penalties. For purposes of our income tax provision, a tax benefit is not recognized if the tax position is not more likely than not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits. Considerable judgment is involved in determining which tax positions are more likely than not to be sustained.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The JOBS Act provides that a company can choose not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.
The Company is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act and has elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period for new or revised financial accounting standards, although it may decide to early adopt such new or revised accounting standards to the extent permitted by such standards. This may make it difficult or impossible to compare the Company’s financial results with the financial results of another public company that is either not an emerging growth company or is an emerging growth company that has chosen not to take advantage of the extended transition period exemptions because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 4-Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2024, we had $28.9 million of debt outstanding, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.29%. Interest is calculated under the terms of our credit agreements based on the greatest of certain specified base rates plus an applicable margin that varies based on certain factors. Assuming no change in the amount outstanding, a 1.0% increase or decrease in the assumed weighted average interest rate would not have a material impact on the results of operations.
At December 31, 2023, we had $16.6 million of debt outstanding, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.25%. Assuming no change in the amount outstanding, a 1.0% increase or decrease in the assumed weighted average interest rate would not have had a material impact on the results of operations.
Foreign Currency Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency risks that arise from normal business operations. These risks include transaction gains and losses associated with intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries and transactions denominated in currencies other than a location’s functional currency. Our contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries.
Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivatives for trading purposes, to generate income or to engage in speculative activity.
Inflation Risk
The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. Nonetheless, if the Company’s costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, the Company may not be able to fully offset such higher costs. The Company’s inability or failure to do so could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following financial statements are included herein:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 1195)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes, (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ UHY LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.
Sterling Heights, Michigan
March 19, 2025
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands of United States dollars except share and per share amounts)
December 31,
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
12,099
$
6,537
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,198 and $1,183, respectively
19,810
30,238
Inventories, net
3,823
4,045
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4,228
6,550
Current assets held for sale
1,378
2,497
Total current assets
41,338
49,867
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,325 and $39,876, respectively
11,272
12,811
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
4,805
5,206
Goodwill
21,666
22,823
Intangible assets, net
1,121
1,498
Deferred income tax assets
7,026
6,811
Other noncurrent assets
Noncurrent assets held for sale
-
3,018
Total assets
$
88,045
$
102,739
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$
12,553
$
13,281
Related party payables
5,443
13,012
Accrued liabilities
17,993
23,850
Accrued compensation and benefits
16,482
16,267
Customer deposits
Deferred revenue
6,870
6,004
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
1,734
1,562
Current portion of long-term debts
4,958
3,863
Current liabilities held for sale
2,443
3,818
Total current liabilities
68,765
82,071
Related party notes payable
1,451
1,542
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
23,966
12,763
Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion
-
Pension liabilities
10,339
12,208
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
3,271
3,785
Other long-term liabilities
1,599
1,635
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale
-
1,280
Total liabilities
$
109,391
$
115,307
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
-
-
Common Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 30,166,102 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
Additional paid in capital
1,611
-
Accumulated deficit
(23,705)
(11,339)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(1,416)
Unrealized pension actuarial gains, net of tax
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,259)
Total stockholders’ deficit
(21,346)
(12,568)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$
88,045
$
102,739
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands of United States dollars except share and per share amounts)
Year ended December 31,
Revenue, net
$
142,408
$
154,943
Related party revenue, net
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
104,467
115,234
Related party cost of revenue
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
26,525
31,173
Related party expense
5,101
4,633
Depreciation and amortization
3,160
2,944
Operating profit
3,472
1,117
Other expense (income), net
Interest expense, net
6,232
5,035
Related party interest expense, net
1,971
Foreign exchange losses, net
2,520
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
(43)
(597)
Pension income, net
(1,705)
(929)
Net loss before income taxes
(3,622)
(4,962)
Income tax expense
2,911
Net loss from continuing operations
(6,533)
(5,568)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
(5,833)
(5,479)
Net loss
$
(12,366)
$
(11,047)
Loss per share:
Basic and diluted - continuing operations
$
(0.22)
$
(0.25)
Basic and diluted - discontinued operations
(0.19)
(0.24)
Basic and diluted
$
(0.41)
$
(0.49)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands of United States dollars)
Year ended December 31,
Net loss
$
(12,366)
$
(11,047)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments
1,890
(2,995)
Unrealized pension actuarial gains, net of tax
3,455
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax
$
(10,389)
$
(10,587)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands of United States dollars except share and per share amounts)
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
Unrealized
Foreign
Pension
Currency
Actuarial
Common Stock
Additional
Net Parent
Translation
Gains (Losses),
Accumulated
Total
Shares
Amount
Paid in Capital
Investment
Adjustment
net of tax
Deficit
Deficit
Balances at January 1, 2023
-
$
-
$
-
$
(5,845)
$
(17,789)
$
(3,298)
$
-
$
(26,932)
Net loss January 1, 2023 to November 29, 2023
-
-
-
(13,120)
-
-
-
(13,120)
Classification adjustment
-
-
-
(19,368)
19,368
-
-
-
Issuance of common stock to Cantor and others
8,363,413
6,512
-
-
-
-
6,520
Issuance of common stock to BTC International
21,802,689
(6,215)
38,333
-
-
(13,412)
18,728
Transaction costs related to the Merger
-
-
(297)
-
-
-
-
(297)
Net income November 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,073
2,073
Foreign currency translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
(2,995)
-
-
(2,995)
Net unrealized pension actuarial gains, net of tax
-
-
-
-
-
3,455
-
3,455
Balances at December 31, 2023
30,166,102
$
$
-
$
-
$
(1,416)
$
$
(11,339)
$
(12,568)
Net loss January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
-
-
-
-
-
-
(12,366)
(12,366)
Equity-based compensation
-
-
1,611
-
-
-
-
1,611
Foreign currency translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
1,890
-
-
1,890
Net unrealized pension actuarial gains, net of tax
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balances at December 31, 2024
30,166,102
$
$
1,611
$
-
$
$
$
(23,705)
$
(21,346)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands of United States dollars)
Years ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$
(12,366)
$
(11,047)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
2,965
3,467
Amortization of intangible assets
Debt issuance cost amortization
-
Impairment of goodwill
-
Credit loss expense
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
(43)
(597)
Stock-based compensation expense
1,611
-
Unrealized foreign currency losses (gains)
2,428
(616)
Change in deferred income taxes
(247)
(422)
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable
9,568
5,990
Inventories
(58)
Prepaid expense and other assets
2,297
2,123
Accounts payable
(365)
(2,417)
Related party payables
(8,446)
(843)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(4,848)
2,629
Deferred revenue
1,099
Customer deposits
(189)
(538)
Net cash used in operating activities
(5,227)
(1,535)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(1,263)
(2,330)
Cash paid for costs of fulfilling a contract
-
(339)
Additions to internally developed software
(447)
-
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,710)
(2,669)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under secured borrowing facility
-
87,635
Principal repayment on borrowings under secured borrowing facility
(79)
(91,662)
Borrowings under 2024 Term Loan A Facility
3,834
-
Borrowings under 2024 Term Loan B Facility
11,360
-
Borrowings under 2024 Revolving Credit Facility
15,352
-
Cash paid for debt issuance costs
(1,527)
-
Principal payments on 2024 Term Loan A Facility
(383)
-
Principal payments on 2024 Term Loan B Facility
(1,136)
-
Principal payments on long-term obligations
(15,270)
(920)
Proceeds from Secured Credit Facility
Principal payments on finance leases
(635)
(786)
Proceeds from Business Combination, net of transaction expenses
-
5,205
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
12,446
(305)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
(308)
3,941
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
5,201
(568)
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period, including cash from discontinued operations
6,905
7,473
Cash and equivalents, end of period, including cash from discontinued operations
$
12,106
$
6,905
Supplemental cash flow data:
Income tax payments, net of refunds received
1,059
Interest paid
3,429
1,798
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of United States dollars except share and per share amounts)
1.General
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “XBP Europe”) is a pan-European integrator of bills, payments and related solutions and services seeking to enable digital transformation of its clients. The Company’s name - “XBP” - stands for “exchange for bills and payments” and reflects the Company’s strategy to facilitate connections between buyers and suppliers to optimize clients’ bills and payments and related digitization processes. XBP believes its business ultimately advances digital transformation, improves market-wide liquidity, and encourages sustainable business practices.
The Company provides business process management solutions with proprietary software suites and deep domain expertise, serving as a technology and operations partner for its clients’ strategic journeys and streamlining their complex, disconnected payment processes. The Company serves over 2,000 clients across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”). The Company’s client relationships span multiple industries, including banking, healthcare, insurance, and the public sector. The Company is able to deploy its solutions to clients in any EMEA market due to its cloud-based structure. Its physical footprint spans 15 countries with 32 locations.
Classification Adjustment
In preparing the condensed combined and consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company determined that net parent investment should be reduced by $18.9 million with an offsetting increase to foreign currency translation adjustment in the same amount, in order to conform carve-out financial statements of XBP Europe, Inc. to the transaction parameters of the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and statement of stockholders’ deficit for the year ended December 31, 2023 were adjusted for this reclass.
Merger/Business Combination with CF Acquisition Corp. VIII
The Company was a special purpose acquisition company called CF Acquisition Corp. VIII (“CF VIII”) prior to the closing of a business combination (the “Business Combination”) on November 29, 2023. Pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 9, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”) whereby XBP Europe, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and an indirect subsidiary of Exela Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ETI”), became a wholly owned subsidiary of CFV III. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from CF VIII to “XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.” The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse capitalization in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). Under this method of accounting, CF VIII was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes with XBP Europe surviving as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of CF VIII.
Divesture
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Company determined that its certain on-demand printing operations met the criteria to be classified as a discontinued operation, and, as a result, disposable group’s historical financial results are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations, and assets and liabilities were retrospectively reclassified as assets and liabilities held for sale. See Note 3 - Discontinued Operations of the notes to consolidated financial statements.
2.Reverse Recapitalization
As discussed in Note 1, on November 29, 2023, the Company consummated a business combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The Business Combination was accounted for as a Reverse Recapitalization, rather than a
business combination, for financial accounting and reporting purposes. Accordingly, XBP Europe was deemed the accounting acquirer (and legal acquiree) and CF VIII was treated as the accounting acquiree (and legal acquirer). Under this method of accounting, the reverse recapitalization was treated as the equivalent of XBP Europe issuing stock for the net assets of CF VIII, accompanied by a recapitalization. XBP Europe has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:
● XBP Europe pre-combination stockholder has the majority of the voting power in the post-Business Combination company;
● XBP Europe’s stockholder has the ability to appoint a majority of the Company’s board of directors;
● XBP Europe’s management team is the management team of the post-Business Combination company;
● XBP Europe’s prior operations is comprised of the ongoing operations of the post-Business Combination company;
● XBP Europe is the larger entity based on historical revenues and business operations; and
● The post-Business Combination company has assumed XBP Europe’s operating name.
The net assets of CF VIII are stated at historical cost, with no incremental goodwill or other intangible assets recorded for the effects of the Business Combination. The consolidated assets, liabilities, and results of operations prior to the Business Combination are those of XBP Europe. The shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share available for common stockholders, prior to the Business Combination, have been retroactively restated.
At Closing, the Company received net proceeds of $5.2 million from the Business Combination.
Transaction costs consist of directors and officers liability insurance cost, legal and professional fees, and other fees relating to the consummation of the Business Combination. The Company incurred $3.3 million in transaction costs relating to the Merger for the year ended December 31, 2023, $0.3 million of which was recorded to additional paid-in capital and the remaining $3.0 million was expensed.
Immediately after giving effect to the Business Combination, there were 30,166,102 shares of Common Stock outstanding, 6,249,980 Public Warrants outstanding and 385,000 Private Warrants outstanding. See Note 18 - Warrants and Note 19 - Stockholders’ Deficit for more details.
3.Discontinued Operations
During the third quarter of 2024, certain on-demand printing operations of the Company met the criteria for classification as held for sale and accordingly, was measured at the lower of their carrying value or its fair value less costs to sell. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.1 million relating to the disposal group (as defined in Note 4 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) in impairment of goodwill in the consolidated statement of operations of the disposal group for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company determined that the held for sale disposal group has met the criteria to be disclosed as discontinued operations as it represents a significant strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results.
The results of the disposal group are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and, as such, have been excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. Impairment loss was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2024, in impairment of goodwill in the consolidated statements of operations of the disposal group. Further, the Company has reclassified the assets and liabilities of the disposal group as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated statements of balance sheets for all periods presented. The consolidated statements of cash flows are presented on a consolidated basis for both
continuing operations and discontinued operations. Unless otherwise noted, reference within the notes to consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations.
The financial results of the disposal group are presented as loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents the major components of financial results of the Company’s disposable group for the periods presented:
Year ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Revenue, net
$
8,064
$
11,393
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
8,932
12,222
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
3,801
3,509
Related party expense
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of goodwill (1)
-
Operating loss
(5,477)
(5,295)
Other expense (income), net
Interest expense, net
Foreign exchange losses (gains), net
(5)
Net loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
(5,833)
(5,479)
Income tax expense
-
-
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
$
(5,833)
$
(5,479)
(1) During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $0.1million impairment in goodwill, due to held for sale classification as discussed above.
As of December 31, 2024, the assets and liabilities of the disposal group are classified as current in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as it is probable that the sale will occur within one year. The following table represents the aggregated carrying amounts of classes of assets and liabilities that are classified as discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $90
Inventories, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,690
Total current assets held for sale
$
1,378
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable (including related party of $305)
$
1,170
Accrued liabilities
Accrued compensation and benefits
Customer deposits
Total current liabilities held for sale
$
2,443
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $89
Inventories, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets held for sale
$
2,497
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,114
$
1,188
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
1,659
Goodwill
Deferred income tax assets
Other noncurrent assets
Total noncurrent assets held for sale
$
3,018
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable (including related party of $339)
$
1,472
Accrued liabilities
Accrued compensation and benefits
Customer deposits
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
Total current liabilities held for sale
$
3,818
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
1,280
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale
$
1,280
The following table presents significant non-cash items and capital expenditures of discontinued operations for the periods presented:
Year ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Depreciation
$
$
Impairment of goodwill
-
Credit loss expense (income)
(16)
Unrealized foreign currency losses (gains)
(5)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
$
$
4.Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Throughout the period prior to the Closing, the Company operated as part of ETI. Consequently, stand-alone financial statements have not historically been prepared for the Company. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared from ETI’s historical accounting records and are presented on a stand-alone basis as if the Company’s operations had been conducted independently from ETI. The consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The consolidated statements of operations include all revenues and costs directly attributable to XBP Europe, including costs for facilities, functions and services used by XBP Europe. Costs for certain functions and services such as accounting, finance and IT delivered by subsidiaries of ETI are directly charged to XBP Europe based on specific identification when possible or based on the actual specific people and related cost. Current and deferred income taxes have been determined based on the stand-alone results of XBP Europe. However, because the Company filed as part of ETI’s tax group in certain jurisdictions, the Company’s actual tax balances may differ from those reported. The Company’s portion of its domestic and certain income taxes for jurisdictions outside the United States are deemed to have been settled in the period the related tax expense was recorded.
All intercompany transactions and balances within the Company have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include assets and liabilities that have been determined to be specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. Transactions with affiliated companies owned by ETI or its subsidiaries which are not a part of the Company are reflected as related party transactions.
All of the allocations and estimates in the consolidated financial statements are based on assumptions that management of ETI believes are reasonable. However, the consolidated financial statements included herein may not be indicative of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company in the future or if the Company had been a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
Actual costs that would have been incurred if XBP Europe had been a stand-alone Company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions.
Certain comparative amounts for prior year have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
Estimates and judgments relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition for multiple element arrangements, allowance for credited losses, inventory obsolescence costs, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, employee benefits, contingencies, goodwill, intangible assets, right of use assets and obligation, pension obligations, pension assets, and asset and liability valuations. The Company regularly assesses these estimates and records changes in estimates in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting
The Company consists of two segments:
1. The Bills & Payments business unit primarily focuses on optimizing how bills and payments are processed by businesses of all sizes and industries. It offers automation of AP and AR processes and through its platform, XBP, seeks to integrate buyers and suppliers across Europe. This business unit also includes the Company’s digital transformation revenue, which is both project based and recurring.
2. The Technology business unit primarily focuses on sales of recurring software licenses and related maintenance, hardware solutions and related maintenance and professional services.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash deposited with financial institutions and liquid investments with original maturity dates equal to or less than three months. All bank deposits and money market accounts are considered cash and cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
Accounts receivable are carried at the original invoice amount less an estimate made for credit losses. Revenue that has been earned but remains unbilled at the end of the period is recorded as a component of accounts receivable, net. The Company specifically analyzes accounts receivable mainly based on customer type and related aging schedules, historical collection experience, current and future economic and market condition to estimate the probability of default in the future when evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for expected credit losses. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances against the allowance for expected credit losses, net of any amounts recorded in deferred revenue, when it becomes probable that the receivable will not be collected.
Inventories
Inventories primarily include heavy-duty scanners and related parts, toner, paper stock, envelopes and postage supplies. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable values and include the cost of raw materials, labor, and purchased subassemblies. Cost is determined using the weighted average method.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method (which approximates the use of the assets) over the estimated useful lives of the assets. When these assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the asset and related depreciation is relieved, and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations for the period of sale or disposal. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lease term or the useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Intangible Assets
Customer Relationships
Customer relationship intangible assets represent customer contracts and relationships obtained as part of acquired businesses. Customer relationship values are estimated by evaluating various factors including historical attrition rates, contractual provisions and customer growth rates, among others. The estimated average useful lives of customer relationships range from 4 to 16 years depending on facts and circumstances. These intangible assets are primarily amortized straight-line over the estimated useful life. The Company evaluates the remaining useful life of intangible assets on an annual basis to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life.
Developed Technology
The Company has acquired various developed technologies embedded in its technology platform. Developed technology is an integral asset to the Company in providing solutions to customers and is recorded as an intangible asset. The Company amortizes developed technology on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, which is typically 5 to 8.5 years.
Capitalized Software Costs
The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred to develop software products to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed after establishing technological feasibility in accordance with ASC section 985-20, Software - Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed, and the Company capitalizes costs to develop or purchase internal-use software in accordance with ASC section 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software. Significant estimates and assumptions include determining the appropriate period over which to amortize the capitalized costs based on estimated useful lives and estimating the marketability of the commercial software products and related future revenues. The Company amortizes capitalized software costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, which is typically 5 years.
Outsourced Contract Costs
Costs of outsourcing contracts, including costs incurred for bid and proposal activities, are generally expensed as incurred. However, certain costs incurred upon initiation of an outsourcing contract are deferred and expensed on a straight-line basis over the estimated contract term, which is typically 3 to 5 years. These costs represent incremental external costs or certain specific internal costs that are directly related to the contract acquisition or fulfillment activities and can be separated into two principal categories: contract commissions and set-up/fulfillment costs. Contract fulfillment costs are capitalized only if they are directly attributable to a specifically anticipated future contract; represent the enhancement of resources that will be used in satisfying a future performance obligation (the services under the anticipated contract); and are expected to be recovered.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including finite-lived trade names, trademarks, customer relationships, developed technology, capitalized software costs, outsourced contract costs, acquired software, workforce, and property, plant and equipment, when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on the ability to recover the carrying value of the asset from the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) of the related operations. If these cash flows are less than the carrying value of such assets, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between estimated fair value and carrying value. The primary measure of fair value is based on discounted cash flows based in part on the financial results and the expectation of future performance.
The Company did not record any impairment related to its property, plant, and equipment, customer relationships, developed technology, capitalized software cost or outsourced contract costs for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over tangible and intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed arising from business combinations. Goodwill is generally allocated to reporting units based upon relative fair value (taking into consideration other factors such as synergies) when an acquired business is integrated into multiple reporting units. The Company’ reporting units are at the operating segment level, for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management. When a business within a reporting unit is disposed of, goodwill is allocated to the disposed business using the relative fair value method.
The Company conducts its annual goodwill impairment tests on October 1st of each year, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. When performing the annual impairment test, the Company has the option of performing a qualitative or quantitative assessment to determine if an impairment has occurred. If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company would be required to perform a quantitative impairment analysis for goodwill. The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company uses a combination of the Guideline Public Company Method of
the Market Approach and the Discounted Cash Flow Method of the Income Approach to determine the reporting unit fair value. Refer to Note 10- Intangible Assets and Goodwill for additional discussion of goodwill. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $0.1 million impairment in goodwill in discontinued operation, due to held for sale classification.
Benefit Plan Accruals
The Company has defined benefit plans in the UK, Germany, Norway and France under which participants earn a retirement benefit based upon a formula set forth in the respective plans. The Company records annual amounts relating to its pension plans based on calculations that incorporate various actuarial and other assumptions, including discount rates, mortality, assumed rates of return, and compensation increases. The Company reviews its assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so.
Leases
The Company determines if a contract is, or contains, a lease at contract inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities, net of current portion in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, current portion of finance lease liabilities and finance lease liabilities, net of current portion in the consolidated balance sheets.
ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In addition, ROU assets include initial direct costs incurred by the lessee as well as any lease payments made at or before the commencement date and exclude lease incentives. As most of the Company’ leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The implicit rate in the lease is used when readily determinable. Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with a term of one year or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
Finance lease ROU assets are amortized over the lease term or the useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. The amortization of finance lease ROU assets is recorded in depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. For operating leases, expense is recognized for lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for all equity-classified awards under stock-based compensation plans at their “fair value.” This fair value is measured at the fair value of the awards at the grant date and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of the awards on the grant date is determined using the stock price on the respective grant date in the case of restricted stock units and using an option pricing model in the case of stock options. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. The expense resulting from share-based payments is recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Warrants
The Company accounts for the warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to Company’s own shares of common stock and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside
of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of equity at the time of issuance.
The Company determined upon further review of the warrant agreements, that while Public Warrants meet the definition of a derivative, they meet the equity scope exception in ASC 815 to be classified in stockholders’ deficit and are not subject to remeasurement provided that the warrants continue to meet the criteria for equity classification.
Similarly, Private Warrants meet the definition of a derivative, however they don’t meet the equity scope exception in ASC 815 and are subject to remeasurement. Private Warrant liability shall be measured at fair value on transaction closing date, with changes in fair value each period recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Held for Sale
The Company classifies assets as held-for-sale (“disposal group”) in the period when all of the relevant criteria to be classified as held for sale are met. These criteria include management’s commitment to sell the disposal group in its present condition and the sale being deemed probable of being completed within one year. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. The fair values of disposal groups are estimated using accepted valuation techniques, including indicative listing prices. The Company considers historical experience, guidance received from third parties, and all information available at the time the estimates are made to derive fair value. Any loss resulting from the measurement is recognized in the period when the held for sale criteria are met. The Company assesses the fair value of a disposal group, less any costs to sell, each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and reports any subsequent changes as an adjustment to the carrying value of the disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the initial carrying value of the disposal group. Assets held-for-sale are not amortized or depreciated.
Revenue Recognition
The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in ASC 606. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration that is expected to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. The contract transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. All of the Company’s material sources of revenue are derived from contracts with customers, primarily relating to the provision of business and transaction processing services and sales of recurring software licenses and professional services within each of the Company’s segments. The Company does not have any significant extended payment terms, as payment for invoices issued is received shortly after goods are delivered or services are provided.
Nature of Services
The primary performance obligations are to stand ready to provide various forms of business processing services, consisting of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over time, and accordingly are combined into a single performance obligation. The Company’s promise to its customers is typically to perform an unknown or unspecified quantity of tasks and the consideration received is contingent upon the customers’ use (i.e., number of transactions processed, requests fulfilled, etc.); as such, the total transaction price is variable. The variable fees are allocated to the single performance obligation charged to the distinct service period in which the Company performs the service.
Revenue from the sale of software licenses is recognized as a single performance obligation at the point in time that the software license is delivered to the customer. Perpetual licenses are granted or a noncancelable license is granted for a nonrefundable fee, which are recognized at a point in time. No significant obligations or contingencies exist with regard to delivery, customer acceptance or rights of return at the time revenue is recognized.
Professional services revenue consists of implementation services for new customers, or implementations of new products for existing customers. Professional services are typically sold on a time-and-materials basis and recognized monthly based on actual hours incurred.
Revenue from the sale of hardware solutions is recognized on a point in time basis and related maintenance are recognized ratably over the contractual term.
Disaggregation of Revenues
The following tables disaggregate revenue from contracts by geographic region for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Year ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
France
$
50,472
$
57,746
Germany
38,000
34,578
United Kingdom
32,136
35,579
Sweden
12,996
17,575
Other
8,804
9,465
Total Revenue, net
$
142,408
$
154,943
Contract Balances
The following table presents contract assets, contract liabilities and contract costs recognized at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
December 31,
December 31,
January 1,
(dollars in thousands)
Accounts receivable, net
$
19,810
$
30,238
$
34,476
Deferred revenues
6,870
6,004
5,660
Customer deposits
Costs to obtain and fulfill a contract
$
-
$
$
Accounts receivable, net includes $6.5 million and $10.8 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing amounts not billed to customers. Unbilled receivables are accrued and represent work performed in accordance with the terms of contracts with customers.
Deferred revenues relate to payments received in advance of performance under a contract. A significant portion of this balance relates to maintenance contracts or other service contracts where the Company received payments for upfront conversions or implementation activities which do not transfer a service to the customer but rather are used in fulfilling the related performance obligations that transfer over time. The advance consideration received from customers is deferred over the contract term. The Company recognized revenue of $5.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 that had been deferred as of December 31, 2023. The Company recognized revenue of $6.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 that had been deferred as of January 1, 2023.
Costs incurred to obtain and fulfill contracts are deferred and presented as part of intangible assets, net and expensed on a straight-line basis over the estimated benefit period. These costs represent incremental external costs or certain specific internal costs that are directly related to the contract acquisition or fulfillment and can be separated into two principal categories: contract commissions and fulfillment costs. Applying the practical expedient in ASC 340-40-25-4, the incremental costs of obtaining contracts are recognized as an expense when incurred if the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The effect of applying this practical expedient was not material.
Customer deposits consist primarily of amounts received from customers in advance for postage. These advanced postage deposits are used to cover the costs associated with postage, with the corresponding postage revenue being recognized as services are performed.
Performance Obligations
At the inception of each contract, the Company assesses the goods and services promised in the Company’s contracts and identifies each distinct performance obligation. The majority of the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation, as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts. For the majority of the Company’s business and transaction processing service contracts, revenues recognized as services are provided based on an appropriate input or output method, typically based on the related labor or transactional volumes.
Certain of the Company’s contracts have multiple performance obligations, including contracts that combine software implementation services with post-implementation customer support. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using the best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. The primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach, under which the Company estimates the expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and adds an appropriate margin for that distinct good or service. The adjusted market approach is also used whereby the Company estimates the price that customers in the market would be willing to pay. In assessing whether to allocate variable consideration to a specific part of the contract, the Company considers the nature of the variable payment and whether it relates specifically to its efforts to satisfy a specific part of the contract. Certain of the Company’s software implementation performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time, typically when customer acceptance is obtained.
When evaluating the transaction price, the Company analyzes, on a contract-by-contract basis, all applicable variable considerations. The nature of the Company’s contracts gives rise to variable consideration, including volume discounts, contract penalties, and other similar items that generally decrease the transaction price. These amounts are estimated based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduce revenues recognized. The Company does not anticipate significant changes to the Company’s estimates of variable consideration.
Reimbursements from customers, such as postage costs, are included in revenue, while the related costs are included in cost of revenue.
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
In accordance with optional exemptions available under ASC 606, the Company did not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (a) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, and (b) contracts for which variable consideration relates entirely to an unsatisfied performance obligation, which comprise the majority of the Company’s contracts. The Company has certain non-cancellable contracts where a fixed monthly fee is received in exchange for a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over time, with the corresponding remaining performance obligations as of December 31, 2024 in each of the future periods below:
(dollars in thousands)
$
6,668
Total
$
6,870
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
Restructuring Charges
Costs and liabilities associated with management-approved restructuring activities are recognized when they are incurred. One-time employee termination costs are recognized at the time of communication to employees, unless future service is required, in which case the costs are recognized ratably over the future service period. Ongoing employee termination benefits are recognized as a liability when it is probable that a liability exists and the amount is reasonably estimable. Restructuring charges are recognized as an operating expense within the consolidated statements of operations and related liabilities are recorded within accrued compensation and benefits on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company periodically evaluates and, if necessary, adjusts its estimates based on currently available information.
The liability for the restructuring charge associated with an exit or disposal activity is measured initially at its fair value. Restructuring charges for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes by using the asset and liability method. The Company accounts for income taxes regarding uncertain tax positions and recognized interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred income taxes are recognized on the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable in future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, as determined under tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company did not consider future book income as a source of taxable income when assessing if a portion of the deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. However, scheduling the reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities indicated that a portion of the deferred tax assets are likely to be realized. Therefore, partial valuation allowances were established against a portion of the Company’ deferred tax assets. In the event the Company determines that it would be able to realize deferred tax assets that have valuation allowances established, an adjustment to the net deferred tax assets would be recognized as a component of income tax expense through continuing operations.
The Company engages in transactions (i.e. acquisitions) in which the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty and examination by the varying taxing authorities. Therefore, judgment is required by the Company in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. While the Company’s tax returns are prepared and based on the Company’ interpretation of tax laws and regulations, in the normal course of business the tax returns are subject to examination by the various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future assessments of additional tax, interest and penalties. For purposes of the Company’s income tax provision, a tax benefit is not recognized if the tax position is not more likely than not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits. Considerable judgment is involved in determining which tax positions are more likely than not to be sustained. Refer to Note 13 - Income Taxes for further information.
Loss Contingencies
The Company reviews the status of each significant matter, if any, and assesses its potential financial exposure considering all available information including, but not limited to, the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other updated information and events pertaining to a particular matter. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues a liability for the estimated loss. Judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether an exposure is reasonably estimable. Because of uncertainties related to loss contingencies, accruals are based
on the best information available at the time. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to its pending claims and litigation and may revise its estimates. These revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could have a material impact on the results of operations and financial position of the Company. The Company’s liabilities exclude any estimates for legal costs not yet incurred associated with handling these matters.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company has determined all international subsidiaries’ functional currency is the local currency. These assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date while income and expense amounts are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are disclosed as a separate component of other comprehensive loss.
Included as foreign exchange losses, net in the consolidated statements of operations are net exchange losses of $2.5 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net Loss per Share
Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted EPS gives effect to the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, using the more dilutive of the two-class method and if-converted method in the period of earnings. The two-class method is an earnings allocation method that determines earnings per share (when there are earnings) for common stock and participating securities. The if-converted method assumes all convertible securities are converted into common stock. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares of common stock if their effect is anti-dilutive.
As the Company experienced net losses for the periods presented, the Company did not include the effect of 6,634,980 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of 6,634,980 warrants sold in the IPO and Private Placement and issued in connection with completion of the Business Combination, or the effect of the aggregate number of shares issuable pursuant to outstanding restricted stock units and options (3,420,329 as of December 31, 2024) in the calculation of diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, because their effects were anti-dilutive.
The components of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders (A)
$
(6,533)
$
(5,568)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders (B)
(5,833)
(5,479)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders (C)
$
(12,366)
$
(11,047)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (D)
30,166,102
22,535,920
Loss Per Share:
Basic and diluted - continuing operations (A/D)
$
(0.22)
$
(0.25)
Basic and diluted - discontinued operations (B/D)
(0.19)
(0.24)
Basic and diluted (C/D)
$
(0.41)
$
(0.49)
Fair Value Measurements
The Company records the fair value of assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value as the price received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous
market for that asset or liability. The fair value should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the entity.
In addition to defining fair value, ASC 820 expands the disclosure requirements around fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three levels based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of the three levels, which is determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:
Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 - unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability at fair value.
Refer to Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plans and Note 16 - Fair Value Measurement for further discussion.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents and certain other financial instruments with highly rated financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution. From time to time, the Company assesses the credit worthiness of its customers. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized because of the large number of entities comprising the Company’s client base and their dispersion across many industries and geographic areas. The Company generally has not experienced any material losses related to receivables from any individual customer or groups of customers. The Company does not require collateral. Due to these factors, no additional credit risk beyond amounts provided for collection losses is believed by management to be probable in the Company’s accounts receivable, net. The Company does not have any significant customers that account for 10% or more of the total combined revenues.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. The FASB-issued guidance clarifies the accounting for leasehold improvements associated with common control leases by requiring that leasehold improvements associated with common control leases be amortized by the lessee over the useful life of the leasehold improvements to the common control group (regardless of the lease term), as long as the lessee controls the use of the underlying asset through a lease. Additionally, leasehold improvements associated with common control leases should be accounted for as a transfer between entities under common control through an adjustment to equity, if, and when, the lessee no longer controls the use of the underlying asset. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows, financial position or disclosures.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company adopted ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires retrospective disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis. Additionally, it requires disclosure of the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). The Company has provided the required disclosure after adopting this standard. Refer to Note 22 - Segment Information for further discussion.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, Debt-Debt with Conversions and Other Option (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, which amends ASC 470-20 to clarify the requirements related to accounting for the settlement of a debt instrument as an induced conversion. This ASU is intended to improve the relevance and consistency in application of the induced conversion guidance in Subtopic 470-20 for (a) convertible debt instruments with cash conversion features and (b) debt instruments that are not currently convertible. This ASU is effective for all entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASC 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which is intended to provide more detailed information about specified categories of expenses (purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and amortization) included in certain expense captions presented on the consolidated statement of operations. This new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments may be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for periods after the effective date of this ASU or (2) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires an annual tabular effective tax rate reconciliation disclosure including information for specified categories and jurisdiction levels, as well as, disclosure of income taxes paid, net of refunds received, disaggregated by federal, state/local, and significant foreign jurisdiction. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
5.Inventories
Inventories, net consist of the following:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Finished goods
$
5,585
$
5,892
Allowance for obsolescence
(1,762)
(1,847)
Total inventories, net
$
3,823
$
4,045
Finished goods inventory includes $1.8 million and $1.8 million of allowance for obsolescence as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s allowance for obsolescence is based on a policy developed by historical experience and management judgment.
6.Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, net consist of the following:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Billed receivables
$
14,554
$
20,584
Unbilled receivables
6,454
10,837
Less: Allowance for credit losses
(1,198)
(1,183)
Total accounts receivable, net
$
19,810
$
30,238
Unbilled receivables represent balances recognized as revenue that have not been billed to the customer. The Company allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a policy developed by historical experience and management judgment. Adjustments to the allowance for credit losses may occur based on market conditions or specific client circumstances.
The following table describes the changes in the allowance for expected credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (all related to accounts receivables):
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1, of the allowance for expected credit losses
$
1,183
$
Change in the provision for expected credit losses for the period
Balance at December 31, of the allowance for expected credit losses
$
1,198
$
1,183
7.Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Prepaid postage
$
$
1,924
Government receivables
1,263
1,600
Prepaid maintenance
Deposits
Prepaid insurance
Other prepaids
1,913
1,859
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
4,228
$
6,550
8.Leases
The Company leases numerous facilities in Europe. The Company facilities house general offices, sales offices, service locations, and production facilities. Substantially all of the Company’s operations facilities are leased under long-term leases with varying expiration dates, except for the 2 owned locations. The Company regularly obtains various machinery, equipment, vehicles and furniture on leases. The machinery and equipment leases mainly include leasing of computers, servers, other IT equipment, mailing system, production equipment, generators, office equipment, printers, copiers and miscellaneous warehouse equipment.
The Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 recorded on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
December 31,
Consolidated balance sheets location (dollars in thousands)
Operating Lease
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
$
4,805
$
5,206
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
1,734
1,562
Operating lease liabilities, net of current position
3,271
3,785
Finance Lease
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net (included in Property, plant and equipment, net)
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion
-
Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
December 31,
Weighted-average remaining lease term
Operating Leases
1.79
2.58
Finance leases
0.36
0.17
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating Leases
13.1
%
9.5
%
Finance leases
9.6
%
2.1
%
The interest on financing lease liabilities was less than $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The amortization expense on finance lease ROU assets was $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Maturities of finance and operating lease liabilities based on lease term for the next five years are as follows:
Finance
Operating
(dollars in thousands)
Leases
Leases
$
$
2,210
-
1,701
-
1,449
-
-
2030 and thereafter
-
Total lease payments
6,089
Less: Imputed interest
-
(1,084)
Present value of lease liabilities
$
$
5,005
Total rental expense for all operating leases was $4.7 million and $5.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table summarizes the cash paid and related right-of-use operating finance or operating lease recognized for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
3,001
$
2,707
Financing cash flows from finance leases
Right-of-use lease assets obtained in the exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases
$
2,919
$
4,786
Finance leases
-
-
9.Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant, and equipment, which include assets recorded under finance leases, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, and amortization, and consist of the following:
Expected Useful Lives
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
(in Years)
Buildings and improvements
7 - 40
$
8,770
$
9,115
Leasehold improvements
Shorter of life of improvement or lease term
Machinery and equipment
5 - 15
6,935
7,033
Computer equipment and software
3 - 8
25,663
26,324
Furniture and Fixtures
5 - 15
7,855
7,765
Finance lease right-of use assets
Shorter of life of the asset or lease term
1,662
1,764
51,597
52,687
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(40,325)
(39,876)
Total property, plant and equipment, net
$
11,272
$
12,811
Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was $2.4 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
10.Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost or acquisition-date fair value less accumulated amortization and consists of the following:
Weighted
Average
December 31, 2024
Remaining
Gross
Useful Life
Carrying
Accumulated
Intangible Asset,
(dollars in thousands)
(in Years)
Amount (a)
Amortization
net
Customer relationships
2.0
$
2,960
$
(2,241)
$
Internally developed software
4.5
(30)
Outsource contract costs
-
(719)
-
Total intangibles, net
$
4,111
$
(2,990)
$
1,121
Weighted
Average
December 31, 2023
Remaining
Gross
Useful Life
Carrying
Accumulated
Intangible Asset,
(dollars in thousands)
(in Years)
Amount (a)
Amortization
net
Customer relationships
3.0
$
3,145
$
(1,997)
$
1,148
Outsource contract costs
1.0
(418)
Total intangibles, net
$
3,913
$
(2,415)
$
1,498
(a) Amounts include intangibles acquired in business combinations and asset acquisitions
Aggregate amortization expense related to intangibles was $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Estimated intangibles amortization expense for the three years consists of the following:
Estimated
Amortization
(dollars in thousands)
Expenses
$
2029 and thereafter
Total
$
1,121
Goodwill
The Company’s operating segments are significant strategic business units that align its products and services with how it manages its business, approach the markets and interacts with customers. The Company is organized into two segments: Bills and Payments and Technology (See Note 22 - Segment Information).
Goodwill by reporting segment consists of the following:
Balances at
Currency
Balances at
January 1,
Translation
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Additions
Disposals
Impairments
Adjustments
Bills and Payments
$
9,971
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
(472)
$
9,499
Technology
12,852
-
-
-
(685)
12,167
Total
$
22,823
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
(1,157)
$
21,666
Balances at
Currency
Balances at
January 1,
Translation
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Additions
Disposals
Impairments
Adjustments
Bills and Payments
$
9,602
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
9,971
Technology
12,373
-
-
-
12,852
Total
$
21,975
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
22,823
The Company tests for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level on October 1 of each year and between annual tests if a triggering event indicates the possibility of an impairment. The Company monitors changing business conditions as well as industry and economic factors, among others, for events which could trigger the need for an interim impairment analysis.
In connection with the completion of the annual impairment tests as of October 1, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded no impairment charge to goodwill.
11.Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Accrued taxes (exclusive of income taxes)
$
8,153
$
5,892
Accrued employee related expenses
1,314
3,697
Accrued legal reserve for pending litigation
1,722
3,097
Accrued professional and legal fees
1,367
4,171
Accrued postage and shipping
2,635
Accrued facility related expenses
Other accruals
3,964
3,561
Total accrued liabilities
$
17,993
$
23,850
12.Debt
Secured Borrowing Facility
On August 25, 2020, certain entities entered into an agreement wherein amounts due from clients were pledged to a third party, in exchange for a borrowing facility in amounts up to a total of €31.0 million (the “Secured Borrowing Facility”). The proceeds from the Secured Borrowing Facility were determined by the amounts invoiced to the Company’s clients. The amounts due from clients were recorded in accounts receivable and the amount due to the third party as a liability, presented under current portion of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of the
Secured Borrowing Facility was 0.10% of newly assigned receivables with minimum of €0.1 million in annual fees and the Secured Borrowing Facility bore interest at Euribor rate plus 0.70% on the unpaid principal amount. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred interest expense of $0 and $0.6 million, respectively, related to the Secured Borrowing Facility. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balances payable under the Secured Borrowing Facility were $0 and $0.1 million, respectively.
On September 15, 2023, the relevant entities entered into an amendment to the Secured Borrowing Facility (the “Amended Factoring Agreement”), as amended from time to time to convert the existing arrangement into a non-recourse factoring program wherein an unrelated third party (the “Factor”) shall provide financing to certain subsidiaries of the Company by purchase of certain approved and partially approved accounts receivables (as defined in the Amended Factoring Agreement) up to a maximum amount of €15.0 million while assuming the risk of non-payment on the purchased accounts receivables up to the level of approval. The relevant entities shall have no continuing involvement in the transferred accounts receivable, other than collection and administrative responsibilities and, once sold, the accounts receivable shall no longer be available to satisfy creditors of the relevant entities.
The Company accounted for the transactions under the Amended Factoring Agreement as a sale under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, and treats it as an off-balance sheet arrangement. Net funds received from the transfers reflect the face value of the account less a fee, which is recorded as an increase to cash and a reduction to accounts receivable outstanding in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company reports the cash flows attributable to the sale of account receivables to the Factor and the cash receipts from collections made on behalf of and paid to the Factor under the Amended Factoring Agreement, on a net basis as trade accounts receivables in cash flows from operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s outstanding factored accounts receivable amounted to $16.6 million pursuant to the Amended Factoring Agreement, representing the face value of the invoices. The Company recognizes factoring costs upon disbursement of funds. The Company incurred a loss on sale of accounts receivables including expenses pursuant to the Amended Factoring Agreement totaling approximately $0.8 million and $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 respectively, which is presented in interest expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
2019 Credit Agreement
In October 2019, a wholly-owned UK subsidiary of XBP Europe (the “UK Subsidiary”) entered into a secured credit agreement (the “2019 Credit Agreement”) with HSBC UK Bank plc (“HSBC”) for a £9.0 million Secured Credit Facility (the “Secured Credit Facility”) consisting of (i) a secured Term Loan A facility in an aggregate principal amount of £2.0 million (the “Term Loan A Facility”), (ii) a secured Term Loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of £2.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”), and (iii) a secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of £5.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). On December 21, 2022, the UK Subsidiary amended its 2019 Credit Agreement, allowing the UK Subsidiary to affirm to extend the maturity of Term Loan A Facility and Term Loan B Facility to October 31, 2024 subject to compliance with financial covenants. On February 9, 2023, the UK Subsidiary amended its 2019 Credit Agreement, allowing the UK Subsidiary to extend the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility to October 31, 2024 subject to compliance with financial covenants. The maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility has since been extended on various dates. On May 10, 2024, the maturity was further extended to August 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has repaid outstanding amount of $1.9 million, $0.4 million, and $6.4 million under the Term Loan A Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and the Revolving Credit Facility, respectively and accordingly wrote off the unamortized balance of less than $0.1 million of debt issuance cost related to the 2019 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had fully repaid the outstanding balance under the 2019 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan A Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $1.9 million, $0.4 million, and $6.4 million, respectively.
The 2019 Credit Agreement contained financial covenants including, but not limited to (a) a Combined Cashflow Coverage Ratio, which measured the ratio of (i) Combined Cashflow and (ii) Debt Service defined as finance charges in addition to mandatory repayments in respect to the 2019 Credit Agreement, (b) Combined Interest Coverage
Ratio, which measured the ratio of (i) Combined EBITDA to (ii) Combined Finance Charges, (c) a Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio, which measured the ratio of (i) Combined Net Indebtedness in respect to the last day of the most recent period to (ii) EBITDA, (d) Guaranteed Intragroup Balances, (e) the Loan to Market Value defined as the Facility A Loan outstanding to the market value of the property in each case, as defined in the 2019 Credit Agreement. The term “Combined” refers to the UK Subsidiary and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
The 2019 Credit Agreement and indenture governing the Secured Credit Facility contained limitations on the ability of the UK subsidiary to effect mergers and change of control events as well as certain other limitations, including limitations on: (i) the declaration and payment of dividends or other restricted payments (ii) substantial changes of the general nature of the business, (iii) acquisition of a company, (iv) enter a joint venture, (v) or effect a dormant subsidiary to commence trading or cease to satisfy the criteria of a dormant subsidiary.
The UK Subsidiary’s obligations under the 2019 Credit Agreement were jointly and severally guaranteed by certain of its existing and future direct and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries. The 2019 Credit Agreement and the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement (defined below) contained cross default provisions which relate to the UK Subsidiary and its subsidiaries, but not any other entities within the consolidated group.
At inception, borrowings under the Secured Credit Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR plus the applicable margin of 2%, 2.5%, and 3% per annum for the Term Loan A Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and the Revolving Credit Facility respectively. Effective October 29, 2021, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”) plus the applicable margin of 3%. Effective December 31, 2021, borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility and the Term Loan B Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 2% and 2.5%, respectively.
In June 2020, the UK Subsidiary entered into an amendment to the 2019 Credit Agreement, to provide an additional aggregate principal amount of £4.0 million under a credit agreement (the “Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility” or “2020 Credit Agreement”) together with Revolving Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Facilities”). At the inception of the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility, the borrowing bore an interest rate per annum equal to the LIBOR plus the applicable margin of 3.5% per annum. Effective December 31, 2022, borrowings under the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 3.5%.
The maturity of the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility has since been extended on various dates subject to compliance with financial covenants. On May 10, 2024 the maturity was further extended to August 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has repaid outstanding amount of $5.1 million under the 2020 Credit Agreement and accordingly wrote off the unamortized balance of less than $0.1 million of debt issuance cost related to the 2020 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had fully repaid the outstanding balance under the 2020 Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the Revolving Working Capital Loan Facility had an outstanding principal balance of $5.1 million.
As of December 31, 2023, the UK Subsidiary was in compliance with all affirmative and negative covenants under the 2019 Credit Agreement, including any financial covenants, pertaining to its financing arrangements.
2022 Committed Facility Agreement
In May 2022, the UK Subsidiary entered into a committed facility agreement (the “2022 Committed Facility Agreement”) with HSBC, which includes a term loan for £1.4 million to be used in refinancing a property owned by XBP Europe in Dublin, Ireland (the “Property”). At inception of the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement, the borrowing bore an interest rate equal to 3.5% per annum in addition to the Bank of England Base Rate. The maturity of the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement is May 2027. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has repaid outstanding amount of $1.5 million under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had fully repaid the outstanding balance under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement had an outstanding balance of $1.5 million.
The 2022 Committed Facility Agreement contained financial covenants including, but not limited to (a) a Combined Debt Service Coverage Ratio, which measured the cashflow less dividends, net capital expenditure, and taxation relative to the debt service for that relevant period, (b) interest cover, which measured EBITDA relative to the aggregate of (i) interest charges and (ii) interest element of finance leases in any relevant period, (c) Total Net Debt to EBITDA, which measured the total net debt relative to EBITDA for any relevant period, and (d) loan to market value, which measured the loan as a percentage of the aggregate market value of the Property. The term “Combined” refers to the UK subsidiary and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2023, the UK Subsidiary was in compliance with all affirmative and negative covenants under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement, including any financial covenants pertaining to its financing arrangements.
2024 Facilities Agreement
In June 2024, XBP Europe, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, together with certain other subsidiaries (the “XBP Group”), entered into a Facilities Agreement (the “2024 Facilities Agreement”) with HSBC for a £15.0 million and €10.5 million Secured Credit Facility consisting of (i) a single draw, secured Term Loan A facility in an aggregate principal amount of £3.0 million (the “2024 Term Loan A Facility”), (ii) a single draw, secured Term Loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of €10.5 million (the “2024 Term Loan B Facility”, collectively with the 2024 Term Loan A Facility, the “2024 Term Loan Facilities”) and (iii) a multi-draw, multi-currency secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of £12.0 million (the “2024 Revolving Credit Facility”), and, together with the 2024 Term Loan Facilities, (the “2024 Senior Credit Facilities”). The 2024 Term Loan Facilities mature on June 26, 2028 and the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility matures on June 26, 2027, with certain extension rights at the discretion of HSBC. An additional £14.0 million of credit under the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility may be made available at HSBC’s discretion for specific purposes as per the 2024 Facilities Agreement.
The Company used the 2024 Term Loan Facilities to repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Agreement, 2020 Credit Agreement and 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. The Company incurred $1.5 million in debt issuance costs related to the 2024 Facilities Agreement.
The 2024 Facilities Agreement contains financial covenants including, but not limited to, (i) requiring the maintenance of a consolidated total leverage ratio of not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 (with step-downs to (a) 2.25 to 1.00 starting January 1, 2025 and (b) 2.00 to 1.00 starting January 1, 2026); (ii) a cash flow coverage ratio of at least 1.10:1.00; and (iii) a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.00 to 1.00.
The 2024 Facilities Agreement and indenture governing the 2024 Secured Credit Facilities contains certain affirmative and negative covenants limiting on the ability of the XBP Group to effect mergers and change of control events as well as certain other limitations, including limitations on (i) incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (ii) dispositions of assets, (iii) substantial changes of the general nature of the business, (iv) entering into restrictive agreements, (v) making certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, (vi) prepaying certain indebtedness, (vii) the declaration and payment of dividends or other restricted payments, (viii) engaging in transactions with affiliates, or (ix) amending certain material documents.
Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, all obligations under the 2024 Facilities Agreement are jointly and severally unconditionally guaranteed by each member of the XBP Group.
Borrowings under the 2024 Term Loan A Facility, the 2024 Term Loan B Facility and 2024 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the SONIA plus the applicable margin of 3.25%, Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus the applicable margin of 3.25% and Reference Rate plus the applicable margin of 3.25%, respectively. “Reference Rate” for any period means (i) Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for funds extended in U.S. Dollars; (ii) the EURIBOR, for funds extended in Euros; (iii) the SONIA, for funds extended in Pounds Sterling; and the Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate (“STIBOR”) for funds extended in Swedish Krona.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has drawn $3.9 million under 2024 Term Loan A Facility and $11.4 million under 2024 Term Loan B Facility, and repaid $8.7 million outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Agreement, $5.1 million outstanding indebtedness under the 2020 Credit Agreement and $1.5 million outstanding indebtedness under the 2022 Committed Facility Agreement. Accordingly, the Company wrote off the unamortized balance of less than $0.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the 2019 Credit Agreement and 2020 Credit Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repaid $0.4 million and $1.1 million of outstanding principal amount under the 2024 Term Loan A Facility and 2024 Term Loan B Facility, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance of the 2024 Term Loan A Facility and the 2024 Term Loan B Facility was $3.4 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The principal amount drawn under the 2024 Term Loan A Facility shall be repaid in fifteen (15) equal quarterly installments of £150 thousands with the remaining outstanding principal amount of £750 thousands payable at maturity along with accrued and unpaid interest. The principal amount drawn under the 2024 Term Loan B Facility shall be repaid in fifteen (15) equal quarterly installments of €525 thousands with the remaining outstanding principal amount of €2.625 million payable at maturity along with accrued and unpaid interest.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has drawn £12.0 million under 2024 Revolving Credit Facility in Euros currency. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance under the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility was $14.7 million.
The Company may, at any time, prepay the principal of the 2024 Senior Credit Facilities. Each prepayment shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued interest, without any premium or penalty. However, the Company is limited to a maximum of four voluntary prepayments of the 2024 Revolving Credit Facility within any consecutive twelve-month period.
As of December 31, 2024, the XBP Group was in compliance with all affirmative and negative covenants under the 2024 Facilities Agreement, including any financial covenants, pertaining to its financing arrangements.
Debt Outstanding
As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, the following debt instruments were outstanding:
December 31,
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2024 Term Loan A Facility(1)
$
3,198
$
-
2024 Term Loan B Facility(2)
9,276
-
Term loan
-
3,785
2024 Revolving Credit Facility(3)
14,218
-
Revolvers(4)
2,233
12,767
Secured borrowings under Securitization Facility
-
Total debt
28,924
16,626
Less: Current portion of long-term debt
4,958
3,863
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
$
23,966
$
12,763
(1) Net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2024.
(2) Net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2024.
(3) Net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2024.
(4) Includes $2.2 million and $1.3 million of outstanding balance under working capital loan as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, maturities of long-term debt are as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
Maturity
$
5,166
2,933
17,671
4,400
2029 and thereafter
-
Total debt
30,170
Less: Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
1,246
Total maturities of long-term debt
$
28,924
13.Income Taxes
The income tax provision consists of the following:
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Current income taxes
Federal
$
-
$
-
State
-
-
Foreign
2,664
1,028
Total Current
$
2,664
$
1,028
Deferred income taxes
Federal
$
-
$
-
State
-
-
Foreign
(422)
Total Deferred
$
$
(422)
Total income tax provision
$
2,911
$
The following represents the domestic and foreign components of loss before income tax provision:
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
U.S.
$
(5,326)
$
(3,199)
Foreign
1,704
(1,763)
Total
$
(3,622)
$
(4,962)
At December 31, 2024, gross deferred tax assets totaled approximately $28.1 million while gross deferred tax liabilities totaled approximately $1.6 million. Deferred income taxes reflect the net of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. The Company has gross US NOLs of $1.1 million and gross foreign NOLs of $80.8 million. Applying jurisdictional tax rates, the total tax-effected US and foreign NOLs are $0.2 million and $19.5 million, respectively. The US NOLs do not expire. The amount of foreign NOLs expiring beginning in 2025 is $1.0 million gross or $0.2 million tax-effected. The remaining foreign NOLs do not expire.
Significant components of the Company’s deferred taxes assets (liabilities) are as follows:
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Deferred income tax assets:
Property, plant, and equipment
$
$
Defined benefit liability
2,846
3,431
Bad debt reserve
Inventories
Accrued liabilities
3,114
2,312
Accrued pension liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
1,086
1,183
Net operating loss
19,701
19,718
Total deferred income tax assets
$
28,148
$
28,358
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Operating lease right of use assets
$
(1,028)
$
(1,141)
Intangible assets
(551)
(550)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
$
(1,579)
$
(1,691)
Valuation allowance
(19,543)
(19,856)
Total net deferred income tax assets
$
7,026
$
6,811
A reconciliation of the significant differences between the federal statutory income tax and the effective income tax on pretax loss is as follows:
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Tax expense at statutory rate
$
(761)
$
(1,042)
Foreign rate difference
(1,625)
Return to provision adjustments
(624)
GILTI
-
Rate change
(924)
Change in valuation allowance
4,117
PY Deferred True Up
-
Permanent differences
(75)
Unrecognized tax benefits
Other
Income tax expense
$
2,911
$
The Company believes that based upon the range of data reviewed, no uncertain tax positions have been identified for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (the IRA) was signed into law in the U.S. Among other changes, the IRA introduced a corporate minimum tax on certain corporations with average adjusted financial statement income over a three-tax year period in excess of $1.0 billion and an excise tax on certain stock repurchases by certain covered corporations for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022 and several tax incentives to promote clean energy. Based on the Company’s current analysis and pending future guidance to be issued by Treasury, the Company does not believe these provisions will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company adopted the provision of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in the Topic of the ASC 740. ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions in the Company's financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, exclusive of interest and penalties, were $1.1
million and $0.7 million at December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. No interest and penalties have been recognized since the liability can be settled with net operating losses.
Total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, are as follows (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits-January 1,
$
$
-
Gross increases-tax positions in prior period
Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period
(179)
-
Gross increases-tax positions in current period
-
-
Settlement
-
-
Lapse of statute of limitations
-
-
Unrecognized tax benefits-December 31,
$
1,138
$
14.Employee Benefit Plans
U.K. Pension Plan
Two of the Company’s subsidiaries in the United Kingdom provide pension benefits to certain retirees and eligible dependents. Employees eligible for participation included all full-time regular employees who were more than three years from retirement prior to October 2001. A retirement pension or a lump-sum payment may be paid depending upon length of service at the mandatory retirement age. The Company accrues the cost of these benefits over the service lives of the covered employees based on an actuarial calculation. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan. No new employees are registered under this plan and the pension obligation for the existing participants of the plan is calculated based on actual salary of the participants at the earlier of two dates, the participants leaving the Company or December 31, 2015. The expected rate of return assumptions for plan assets relate solely to the UK plan and are based mainly on historical performance achieved over a long period of time (15 to 20 years) encompassing many business and economic cycles.
German Pension Plan
XBP Europe’s subsidiaries in Germany, Exela Technologies ECM Solutions GmbH, provides pension benefits to certain retirees. Employees eligible for participation include all employees who started working for the Company or its predecessors prior to September 30, 1987 and have finished a qualifying period of at least 10 years. The Company accrues the cost of these benefits over the service lives of the covered employees based on an actuarial calculation. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan. The German pension plan is an unfunded plan and therefore has no plan assets. No new employees are registered under this plan and the participants who are already eligible to receive benefits under this plan are no longer employees of the Company.
Norway Pension Plan
The Company’s subsidiary in Norway provides pension benefits to eligible retirees and eligible dependents. Employees eligible for participation include all employees who were more than three years from retirement prior to March 2018. The Company accrues the cost of these benefits over the service lives of the covered employees based on an actuarial calculation. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan. No new employees are registered under this plan and the pension obligation for the existing participants of the plan is calculated based on actual salary of the participants at the earlier of two dates, the participants leaving the Company or April 30, 2018.
Asterion Pension Plan
In 2018, Exela Technologies Holding GmbH (through the Asterion Business Combination), acquired the obligation to provide pension benefits to eligible retirees and eligible dependents. Employees eligible for participation
included all full-time regular employees who were more than three years from retirement prior to July 2003. A retirement pension or a lump-sum payment may be paid depending upon length of service at the mandatory retirement age. The Company accrues the cost of these benefits over the service lives of the covered employees based on an actuarial calculation. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan. No new employees are registered under this plan and the pension obligation for the existing participants of the plan is calculated based on actual salary of the participants at the earlier of two dates, the participants leaving the Company or April 10, 2018.
Funded Status
The change in benefit obligations, the change in the fair value of the plan assets and the funded status of the Company’s pension plans (except for the German pension plan which is unfunded) and the amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
$
64,289
$
61,770
Service cost
Interest cost
2,997
3,050
Actuarial gain
(5,669)
(1,019)
Benefits paid
(2,296)
(2,577)
Foreign-exchange rate changes
(1,169)
3,028
Benefit obligation at end of year
$
58,186
$
64,289
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period
$
52,081
$
45,694
Actual (loss) return on plan assets
(3,817)
3,559
Employer contributions
2,744
2,993
Benefits paid
(2,193)
(2,473)
Foreign-exchange rate changes
(968)
2,308
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
47,847
52,081
Funded status at end of year
$
(10,339)
$
(12,208)
Net amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Pension liability, net(a)
$
(10,339)
$
(12,208)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax consist of:
Net actuarial gain
(87)
(3,331)
Net prior service costs
-
(124)
Net amount recognized in accumulated comprehensive loss, net of tax
$
(87)
$
(3,455)
Plans with underfunded or non-funded accumulated benefit obligation:
Aggregate projected benefit obligation
$
58,186
$
64,289
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation
$
58,186
$
64,289
Aggregate fair value of plan assets
$
47,847
$
52,081
(a) Combined balance of $10.3 million as of December 31, 2024 includes pension liabilities (assets) of $8.5 million, $1.4 million, $1.2 million and ($0.8) million under UK, Asterion, German and Norway pension plans, respectively. Combined balance of $12.2 million as of December 31, 2023 includes pension liabilities (assets) of $10.1 million, $1.6 million, $1.5 million and $(1.0) million under UK, Asterion, German and Norway pension plans, respectively.
Tax Effect on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company had actuarial gain of $(0.2) million and $(0.2) million, respectively, which is net of a deferred tax benefit of $1.9 million and $1.3 million for December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Pension and Postretirement Expense
The components of the net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Year ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Service cost
$
$
Interest cost
2,997
3,050
Expected return on plan assets
(2,938)
(2,717)
Amortization
Amortization of prior service cost
-
Amortization of net loss
1,233
1,664
Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,326
$
2,158
The Company records pension interest cost within Interest expense, net. Expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs, and amortization of net losses are recorded within pension income, net. Service cost is recorded within cost of revenue.
Valuation
The Company uses the corridor approach and projected unit credit method in the valuation of its defined benefit plans for the UK, Germany, and Norway respectively. The corridor approach defers all actuarial gains and losses resulting from variances between actual results and economic estimates or actuarial assumptions. For defined benefit pension plans, these unrecognized gains and losses are amortized when the net gains and losses exceed 10% of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. The amount in excess of the corridor is amortized over 15 years. Similarly, the Company used the Projected Unit Credit Method for the German Plan, and evaluated the assumptions used to derive the related benefit obligations consisting primarily of financial and demographic assumptions including commencement of employment, biometric decrement tables, retirement age, staff turnover. The projected unit credit method determines the present value of the Company’s defined benefit obligations and related service costs by taking into account each period of service as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement and measures each unit separately in building up the final obligation. Benefit is attributed to periods of service using the plan’s benefit formula, unless an employee’s service in later years will lead to a materially higher of benefit than in earlier years, in which case a straight-line basis is used.
The following tables set forth the principal actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligation and net periodic benefit costs:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
UK
Germany
Norway
Asterion
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate
5.60
%
4.80
%
3.50
%
3.16
%
3.90
%
3.10
%
3.50
%
3.16
%
Rate of compensation increase
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.00
%
3.50
%
N/A
N/A
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs:
Discount rate
4.80
%
5.00
%
3.50
%
3.16
%
3.90
%
3.00
%
3.50
%
3.16
%
Expected asset return
5.68
%
5.87
%
N/A
N/A
4.80
%
4.45
%
3.50
%
3.16
%
Rate of compensation increase
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.00
%
3.50
%
N/A
N/A
The Germany plan is an unfunded plan and therefore has no plan assets. The expected rate of return assumptions for plan assets are based mainly on historical performance achieved over a long period of time (10 to 20 years) encompassing many business and economic cycles. Adjustments, upward and downward, may be made to those historical returns to reflect future capital market expectations; these expectations are typically derived from expert advice from the investment community and surveys of peer company assumptions.
The Company assumed a weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the UK scheme of 5.68%. The Company long-term expected rate of return on cash is determined by reference to UK government 10 year bond yields at the balance sheet dates. The long-term expected return on bonds is determined by reference to corporate bond yields at the balance sheet dates. The long-term expected rate of return on equities and diversified growth funds is based on the rate of return on UK long dated government bonds with an allowance for out-performance. The long-term expected rate of return on the liability driven investments holdings is determined by reference to UK government 20 year bond yields at the balance sheet dates.
The discount rate assumption was developed considering the current yield on an investment grade non-gilt index with an adjustment to the yield to match the average duration of the index with the average duration of the plan’s liabilities. The index utilized reflected the market’s yield requirements for these types of investments.
The inflation rate assumption was developed considering the difference in yields between a long-term government stocks index and a long-term index-linked stocks index. This difference was modified to consider the depression of the yield on index-linked stocks due to the shortage of supply and high demand, the premium for inflation above the expectation built into the yield on fixed-interest stocks and the government’s target rate for inflation (CPI) at 2.5%. The assumptions used are the best estimates chosen from a range of possible actuarial assumptions which, due to the time scale covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice.
Plan Assets
The investment objective for the UK plan is to earn, over moving fifteen to twenty year periods, the long-term expected rate of return, net of investment fees and transaction costs, to satisfy the benefit obligations of the plan, while at the same time maintaining sufficient liquidity to pay benefit obligations and proper expenses, and meet any other cash needs, in the short-to medium-term.
The Company’s investment policy related to the UK defined benefit plan is to continue to maintain investments in government gilts and highly rated bonds as a means to reduce the overall risk of assets held in the fund. No specific targeted allocation percentages have been set by category, but are set at the direction and discretion of the plan trustees. The weighted average allocation of plan assets by asset category is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
U.K. and other international equities
32.8
%
27.3
%
U.K. government and corporate bonds
4.6
5.1
Diversified growth fund
20.8
15.1
Liability driven investments
36.5
50.9
Multi-asset credit fund
5.3
1.6
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
The following tables set forth, by category and within the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of the Company’s pension assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
December 31, 2024
(dollars in thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Asset Category:
Cash
$
1,386
$
1,386
$
-
$
-
Equity funds:
U.K.
14,317
-
14,317
-
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds/U.K. Gilts
2,205
-
2,205
-
Other investments:
Diversified growth fund
9,949
-
9,949
-
Liability driven investments
17,465
-
17,465
-
Multi-asset credit fund
2,525
-
2,525
-
Total fair value
$
47,847
$
1,386
$
46,461
$
-
December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Asset Category:
Cash
$
$
$
-
$
-
Equity funds:
U.K.
13,297
-
13,297
-
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds/U.K. Gilts
2,671
-
2,671
-
Other investments:
Diversified growth fund
7,846
-
7,846
-
Liability driven investments
26,488
-
26,488
-
Multi-asset credit fund
-
-
Total fair value
$
52,081
$
$
51,140
$
-
The plan assets are categorized as follows, as applicable:
Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 - unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability at fair value.
Employer Contributions
XBP Europe’s funding of employer contributions is based on governmental requirements and differs from those methods used to recognize pension expense. The Company made contributions of $2.7 million and $3.0 million to its pension plans during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company has fully funded the pension plans for 2024 based on current plan provisions. The Company expects to contribute $2.7 million to the pension plans during 2025, based on current plan provisions.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The estimated future pension benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants are as follow:
Estimated
Benefit
(dollars in thousands)
Payments
Year ended December 31,
$
2,730
2,748
3,064
3,473
3,282
2030 - 2034
18,136
Total
$
33,433
15.Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is, from time to time, involved in certain legal proceedings, inquiries, claims and disputes, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although management cannot predict the outcomes of these matters, management does not believe these actions will have a material, adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.
Company Subsidiary Litigation
A group of 71 former employees brought a claim against a subsidiary of the company related to their dismissal resulting from the closure of two production sites in France in 2020. The employees filed complaints with the Labor Court on June 9, 2022. Conciliation hearings at the Labor Court were held on September 27, 2022, December 13, 2022, March 7, 2023, September 5, 2023, November 14, 2023, December 5, 2023, and February 5, 2024.
In March 2023, 67 claimants (after the in principle settlement was agreed with the first 4 claimants) filed an application for summary proceedings in respect of part of the claim for a total claim of $1.1 million. The summary proceedings hearing was held on April 11, 2023 and the court issued its decision on May 9, 2023 upholding all of the plaintiffs’ claims for a total amount of $1.1 million. However, the court’s decision did not increase the Company’s anticipated exposure for the overall claim.
The Company has appealed against the decision (and paid the amount of $1.1 million to 66 of the 67 claimants, as settlement agreement in principle was subsequently reached with one further claimant on November 10, 2023 pending the appeal). Since the majority of the claimants concluded settlement agreements with the Company, the appeal proceedings pertain only to 15 remaining claimants who have not settled. The next hearing, pertaining only to the remaining claimants who have not concluded settlement agreements with the Company, is scheduled for June 2, 2025.
In addition to the above, the substantive hearing was held on February 16, 2024 and a decision was made on June 28, 2024. The Company has appealed the decision from that substantive hearing.
The Company reached a number of settlements with 56 claimants prior to the court’s June 2024 decision and approximately $1.8 million was paid to such claimants in addition to the amounts paid as part of the summary proceedings. The court awarded $1.2 million to the claimants who had not settled before the court’s decision and, after the deduction of the amounts already paid to such claimants, $1.0 million remain to be paid by the Company. The Company will also be responsible for up to three months’ unemployment allowance paid to these claimants by the unemployment fund, which is not expected to significantly increase the Company’s total costs. The Company has appealed the decision. The Company accrued $1.0 million and $2.2 million in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, based on the estimate of the range of possible losses.
Contract-Related Contingencies
The Company has certain contingent obligations that arise in the ordinary course of providing services to its customers. These contingencies are generally the result of contracts that require the Company to comply with certain performance measurements or the delivery of certain services to customers by a specified deadline. The Company believes the adjustments to the transaction price, if any, under these contract provisions will not result in a significant revenue reversal or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statement of comprehensive loss or consolidated statements of cash flows.
16.Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of assets and liabilities including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and current portion of long-term debt approximated their fair value as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, due to the relative short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of the Company’s loans and receivables under the factoring arrangement entered into by subsidiaries of the Company are equal to the carrying values. Property and equipment, intangible assets, capital lease obligations, and goodwill are not required to be re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis. These assets are evaluated for impairment if certain triggering events occur. If such evaluation indicates that impairment exists, the respective asset is written down to its fair value.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company determined the fair value of Private Warrants’ liability as $7 thousand and less than $0.1 million, respectively, included in the other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets under Level 3 fair value measurement using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of the Private Warrants liability are assumptions related to the inputs of exercise price, fair value of the underlying common stock, risk-free interest rate, expected term, expected volatility, and expected dividend yield. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate would have resulted in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the forecasted financial information would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. For all significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Level 3 liabilities, a change in one of the inputs would not necessarily result in a directionally similar change in the fair value.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of net assets and liabilities classified as Level 3:
December 31,
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
$
$
Change in the fair value of the private warrants liability
(43)
(597)
Balance at end of period
$
$
17.Stock-Based Compensation
XBP Europe 2024 Stock Incentive Plan
On June 13, 2024, the stockholders of XBP Europe approved and adopted XBP Europe’s 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (the “XBP 2024 Equity Plan”) at XBP Europe’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan, subject to adjustment for certain changes in capitalization or other corporate events, XBP Europe is authorized to issue up to 5,520,270 shares of common stock pursuant to equity-based awards, which may be granted to eligible participants in furtherance of XBP Europe’s broader compensation strategy and philosophy. Awards granted under the 2024 Equity Plan will be granted upon terms approved by XBP Europe’s Compensation Committee and set forth in an award agreement or other evidence of an award. As of December 31, 2024, there were no shares of XBP Europe’s common stock issued under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan. However, restricted stock unit and stock options were issued under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan.
Restricted Stock Unit
Restricted stock unit awards generally vest ratably over a less than a year to three (3) year period. Restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture if employment or service terminates prior to vesting and are expensed ratably over the vesting period.
A summary of restricted stock unit activities under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan for the year ended December 31, 2024 is summarized in the following table:
Average
Weighted
Remaining
Number
Average Grant
Contractual Life
of Units
Date Fair Value
(Years)
Granted
3,325,329
$
1.24
Forfeited
-
-
Vested
-
-
Outstanding Balance as of December 31, 2024
3,325,329
$
1.24
2.19
Options
Under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan, stock options are granted at a price per share not less than 100% of the fair market value per share of the underlying stock at the grant date. The vesting period for each option award is established on the grant date, and the options generally expire ten (10) years from the grant date. Stock options granted under the 2024 Plan generally require no less than a four (4) year ratable vesting period. Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2024 is summarized in the following table:
Average
Weighted
Weighted
Remaining
Average Grant
Average
Vesting Period
Outstanding
Date Fair Value
Exercise Price
(Years)
Granted
95,000
$
0.58
$
Exercised
-
-
Forfeited
-
-
Expired
-
-
Outstanding Balance as of December 31, 2024(1)
95,000
$
0.58
$
1.31
3.33
(1) None of the outstanding options are exercisable as of December 31, 2024. Exercise prices of all of the outstanding options as of December 31, 2024 were higher than the market price of the shares of the Company. Therefore, aggregate intrinsic value was zero.
As of December 31, 2024, there was $2.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock unit awards and stock option awards under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan, which will be recognized over the respective service period. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company incurred total compensation expense of $1.6 million related to restricted stock unit awards and stock option awards under the XBP 2024 Equity Plan for the year ended December 31, 2024.
18.Warrants
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had the following common stock warrants outstanding:
Warrants
Exercise Price
Issuance Date
Expiration
Private Placement Warrants
135,000
11.50
03/11/2021
11/29/2028
Forward Purchase Warrants
250,000
11.50
03/11/2021
11/29/2028
Public Warrants
6,249,980
11.50
03/11/2021
11/29/2028
Total
6,634,980
Public Warrants
The Public Warrants qualify for the derivative scope exception under ASC 815 and are therefore classified as equity on the consolidated balance sheets. They may only be exercised for a whole number of shares at a price of $11.50. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants are currently exercisable and will expire five years from the completion of the Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants if the price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 (except as described with respect to the Private Placement Warrants and Forward Purchase Warrants):
● in whole and not in part;
● at a price of $0.01 per Warrant;
● upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrantholder; and
● if, and only if, the closing price of the Common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted) for any of 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the Warrants become exercisable and ending three trading days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrantholders.
If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may not exercise its redemption right if the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or the Company is unable to effect such registration or qualification.
Private Warrants
The Private Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants, except that so long as they are held by Cantor or any Permitted Transferees, as applicable, the Private Warrants (i) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, (ii) may not be transferred, assigned or sold until thirty (30) days after the completion by the Company of an initial Business Combination, and (iii) shall not be redeemable by the Company,
Upon exercise of each of the Public Warrants and Private Warrants, the exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Common Stock.
19.Stockholders’ Deficit
Preferred Stock - The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of December 31, 2024, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Common Stock - The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of Common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of the Common Stock. The holders of shares of Common Stock will not have cumulative voting rights. As of December 31, 2024, there were 30,166,102 shares of Common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.
20.Restructuring
The Company periodically takes actions to improve operating efficiencies, typically in connection with rationalizing the cost structure of the Company. The Company’s footprint and headcount reductions and organizational integration actions relate to discrete, unique restructuring events, primarily reflected in approved plans for reductions in force.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company’s management approved a restructuring plan to realign the Company’s business and strategic priorities by rightsizing its workforce in certain regions.
The Company’s restructuring activity and balance of the restructuring liability is as follows:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1,
$
5,267
$
2,036
Restructuring charges
1,051
4,297
Payment of benefits
(4,634)
(1,066)
Balance at December 31,
$
1,685
$
5,267
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the current portion of the restructuring liability was $1.7 million and $5.3 million respectively, and was included in accrued compensation and benefits in the consolidated balance sheets.
21.Related Parties
The components of related party expense in the consolidated statements of operations are summarized as follows:
Years ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Related party shared services
$
3,584
$
3,515
Related party royalty
-
Related party service fee
1,517
Total related party expense
$
5,101
$
4,633
Historically, the Company has been managed and operated in the ordinary course of business with other affiliates of ETI. Accordingly, certain shared costs have been allocated to the Company and reflected as expenses in the consolidated financial statements.
Sales of Products and Services
During the historical periods presented, the Company sold products and services to non-XBP Europe subsidiaries of ETI. Revenue, net in the consolidated statements of operations include sales to affiliates of ETI of $0.4 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Purchases
During the historical periods presented, the Company purchased high-speed scanners and related products from non-XBP Europe subsidiaries of ETI. These purchases totaled $0.1 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Shared Service Center Costs
The historical costs and expenses reflected in the Company’s financial statements include costs for certain shared service functions historically provided by the non-XBP Europe subsidiaries of the Company’s parent, ETI, including, but not limited to accounting and finance, IT and business process operations. Where possible, these charges were allocated based on full-time equivalents (FTE’s), formal agreements between XBP Europe and subsidiaries of ETI, or other allocation methodologies that Management determined to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided or the benefit received by XBP Europe and all costs of operating XBP Europe during the periods presented.
The allocated shared service expenses and general corporate expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $3.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively, and are included in the related party expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
In the opinion of management of ETI and the Company, the expense and cost allocations have been determined on a basis considered to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided or the benefit received by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The amounts that would have been, or will be incurred, on a stand-alone basis could differ from the amounts allocated due to economies of scale, difference in management judgment, a requirement for more or fewer employees or other factors. Management does not believe, however, that it is practicable to estimate what these expenses would have been had the Company operated as an independent entity, including any expenses associated with obtaining any of these services from unaffiliated entities. In addition, the future results of operations, financial position and cash flows could differ materially from the historical results presented herein.
Royalty Expenses
During the historical periods presented, subsidiaries of the Company’s parent, ETI, charged royalty fees for allowing the Company to use tradenames and trademarks owned by subsidiaries of ETI. The Company incurred royalty expense of $0 and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, included in related party expense within the consolidated statements of operations.
Service Fee
During the historical periods presented, subsidiaries of ETI provided management services to the Company in exchange for a management fee. These management services included provision of legal, human resources, corporate finance, and marketing support. The management fee was calculated based on a weighted average of total external revenue, headcount and total assets attributable to the Company. On October 9, 2022 the management fee was terminated when the Merger Agreement was entered into and was replaced by the related party service fee pursuant to the Services Agreement, which reduced the fee and modified the services provided. Services provided under Annex A of the Services Agreement include sales of certain hardware, operations delivery, finance, accounting, human resource and technology support services. The Company incurred total fees of $1.5 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Note Receivable
The Company entered into an Intercompany Loan Agreement with an affiliate of ETI on January 1, 2016, where the Company agreed to lend up to €20 million to the affiliate. The related party note receivable had a six year term with the option to extend for an additional one year term and bore annual interest of 9.5%, due at the end of the term. On January 1, 2023, the Company amended its Intercompany Loan Agreement, extending the maturity of the Intercompany
Loan Agreement to December 31, 2023. In accordance with the Ultimate Parent Support Agreement, related party note receivable was eliminated at Closing against related party payables with a residual amount recorded to additional paid-in capital. No related party note receivable was recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The consolidated statements of operations included $0 related party interest income for both the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Notes Payable
The Company entered into three Intercompany Loan Agreements with an affiliate of ETI, in September 2009 and May 2010, whereby the affiliate of ETI agreed to lend up to £9.3 million to the Company (“related party notes payable”). The related party notes payable which were denominated in Great British pounds accrued interest daily at the one-month LIBOR rate for United States dollar deposits in the London interbank market plus four percentage points. These notes had an original maturity date of one year (which was extended by the lender for one additional year on each anniversary of the notes) and were assigned by the lender to another affiliate of ETI and amended with an effective date of December 1, 2012. The amendment amended (a) the interest rate to a fixed rate of 4% plus LIBOR for the remainder of 2012, 12% for 2013 and 13.5% thereafter, (b) extended the term of the agreement to December 31, 2024, and (c) denominated the notes in United States dollars. In accordance with the Ultimate Parent Support Agreement, related party notes payable were eliminated at closing with a corresponding impact to additional paid-in capital. As a result no related party notes payable was recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The consolidated statements of operations included related party interest expense of $0 and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in the related party interest expense, net.
Further, the Company entered into another four Intercompany Loan Agreements (“new related party notes payable”) with affiliates of ETI, three of the notes are dated September 4, 2023 (and subsequently amended on September 15, 2023) and one note is dated September 15, 2023. The new related party notes payable have a ten year term and bear annual interest of 6.0%, due at the end of the term. The consolidated balance sheets included $1.5 million and $1.5 million new related party notes payable as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The consolidated statements of operations included $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, of related party interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in the related party interest expense, net.
Related Party Payables and Related Party Notes Payables Balances with Affiliates
Related party payables and related party notes payables balances with affiliates as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands)
Related party payables
Related party notes payable
Related party payables
Related party notes payable
ETI
$
5,443
$
1,451
$
13,012
$
1,542
22.Segment Information
The Company’s operating segments are significant strategic business units that align its products and services with how it manages its business, approaches the markets and interacts with its clients. The Company is organized into two segments: Bills and Payments and Technology.
Bills and Payments
The Bills & Payments business unit primarily focuses on optimizing how bills and payments are processed by businesses of all sizes and industries. It offers automation of Accounts Payable (“AP”) and Accounts Receivables (“AR”) processes and through its platform, XBP, seeks to integrate buyers and suppliers across Europe. This business unit also includes the Company’s digital transformation revenue, which is both project based and recurring.
Technology
The Technology business unit primarily focuses on sales of recurring software licenses and related maintenance, hardware solutions and related maintenance and professional services.
The CODM of the Company is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews segment profit to evaluate operating segment performance and determine how to allocate resources to operating segments. “Segment profit” is defined as revenue less cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). The Company does not allocate selling, general, and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense and foreign exchange losses, net. The Company manages assets on a total company basis, not by operating segment, and therefore asset information and capital expenditures by operating segments are not presented.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the results of the disposable group are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and, as such, have been excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. See Note 3 - Discontinued Operations of the notes to consolidated financial statements.
A reconciliation of segment profit to net loss before income taxes is presented below.
Year ended December 31, 2024
(dollars in thousands)
Bills & Payments
Technology
Total
Revenue, net (including related party revenue of $0.4 million)
$
101,850
$
40,922
$
142,772
Cost of revenue (including related party cost of revenue of $0.0 million, exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
85,455
19,059
104,514
Segment profit
16,395
21,863
38,258
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
26,525
Related party expense
5,101
Depreciation and amortization
3,160
Interest expense, net
6,232
Related party interest expense, net
Foreign exchange losses, net
2,520
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
(43)
Pension income, net
(1,705)
Net loss before income taxes
$
(3,622)
Year ended December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands)
Bills & Payments
Technology
Total
Revenue, net (including related party revenue of $0.2 million)
$
110,458
$
44,719
$
155,177
Cost of revenue (including related party cost of revenue of $0.1 million, exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
95,572
19,738
115,310
Segment profit
14,886
24,981
39,867
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
31,173
Related party expense
4,633
Depreciation and amortization
2,944
Interest expense, net
5,035
Related party interest expense, net
1,971
Foreign exchange losses, net
Changes in fair value of warrant liability
(597)
Pension income, net
(929)
Net loss before income taxes
$
(4,962)

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, means 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 Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and our management necessarily applies its judgement in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on such review and evaluation, our CEO and our CFO have concluded that as of December 31, 2024, our internal controls were effective at the reasonable assurance level for this purpose.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management, under the supervision of the board of directors, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate “internal control over financial reporting,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Management, with participation of the CEO and CFO, under the oversight of our Board of Directors, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control- Integrated Framework (2013) (the “COSO 2013 Framework”). Based on its assessment, our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2024.
Remediation of Previously Reported Material Weakness
As previously disclosed, we identified a material weakness related to ineffective review controls over the financial statement closing process and the order-to-cash process, including the review of new agreements and work orders.
In response, and as part of the remediation plan, management under the overall SOX controls framework brought about a higher focus on the order-to-cash and the financial close and reporting process controls, expanded the Risks and Controls Matrix (RACM) language to address documentation gaps on control descriptions, designed and implemented specific period closure checklists to strengthen review controls for the financial close and reporting process, added experienced personnel across financial close and reporting and order-to-cash sub-processes, and established a Center of Excellence (COE) to strengthen the controls environment. As aforementioned, the effectiveness of the financial close and reporting and order-to-cash controls was tested and found to be effective. We have therefore concluded that the material weaknesses were remediated as of December 31, 2024.
We believe these efforts will enhance our financial reporting controls, though we may need to continue reviewing and modifying them as necessary in the future.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders under the captions “Director Nominees,” “Continuing Members of the Board of Directors,” “Additional Information Concerning the Board of Directors of the Company,” Committees of the Board of Directors” “Insider Trading Policy” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Remuneration,” which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans,” which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Director Independence,” which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
a) (1) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(3) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1†
Merger Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2022, by and among CF VIII, Merger Sub, XBP Europe and BTC International (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to CF VIII’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 11, 2022).
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated November 29, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2023).
3.2
Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2023).
4.1
Form of Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to CF VIII’s Form S-1/A, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021).
4.2
Warrant Agreement, dated March 11, 2021, by and between CF VIII and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to CF VIII’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2021).
4.3*
Description of Securities
10.1
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2023, by and among CF VIII, Cantor, Existing Holders, and New Holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2023).
10.2
Services Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2023, by and among XBP Europe and Exela Technologies BPA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2023).
10.3
ETI and Subsidiary Companies Intercompany Income Tax Allocation agreement, dated as of November 29, 2023, by and among ETI, CF VIII, and XBP Europe (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2023).
10.4
Form of Indemnity Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to CF VIII’s Form S-1/A, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021).
10.5
Facilities Agreement, dated June 26, 2024, by and among (i) XBP Europe, as Parent and Guarantor, (ii) Exela Technologies Limited and Banctec Holdings N.V., as Borrowers and Guarantors, (iii) certain subsidiaries of the XBP Group named in the Facilities Agreement, as Guarantors and (iv) HSBC UK Bank plc, as Lender, Administrative Agent and Security Agent under the Facilities Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 28, 2024).
10.6
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 20, 2024).
10.7
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Agreement under the XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 20, 2024).
10.8
Form of Option Grant Notice and Agreement under the XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 20, 2024).
10.9
XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. Executive Officer Annual Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 20, 2024).
16.1
Letter from WithumSmith+Brown, PC to the Securities and Exchange Commission, dated December 20, 2023 (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 16.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 21, 2023.
19.1*
Insider Trading Policy
21.1*
List of subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1*
Consent of UHY LLP, independent registered public accounting firm of the Company.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this report).
Exhibit No.
Description
31.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
97.1
Clawback Policy (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 97.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024).
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
† Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request.
* Filed or furnished herewith, as applicable.
# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.