NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
June 30, 2022
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
As used herein, the terms Equifax, the Company, we, our and us refer to Equifax Inc., a Georgia corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as a combined entity, except where it is clear that the terms mean only Equifax Inc.
Nature of Operations. We collect, organize and manage various types of financial, demographic, employment, criminal history and marketing information. Our products and services enable businesses to make credit and service decisions, manage their portfolio risk, automate or outsource certain payroll-related, tax and human resources business processes, and develop marketing strategies concerning consumers and commercial enterprises. We serve customers across a wide range of industries, including the financial services, mortgage, retail, telecommunications, utilities, automotive, brokerage, healthcare and insurance industries, as well as government agencies. We also enable consumers to manage and protect their financial health through a portfolio of products offered directly to consumers. As of June 30, 2022, we operated in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, or U.K., Uruguay and the United States of America, or U.S. We also have investments in consumer and/or commercial credit information companies through joint ventures in Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore and have an investment in a consumer and commercial credit information company in Brazil. We have a joint venture in Russia that offers consumer credit services; however, we determined as of March 31, 2022 to exit our ownership position, wrote the value of the investment to zero and expect no future economic benefit from the joint venture's operations going forward.
We develop, maintain and enhance secured proprietary information databases through the compilation of consumer specific data, including credit, income, employment, criminal history, asset, liquidity, net worth and spending activity, and business data, including credit and business demographics, that we obtain from a variety of sources, such as credit granting institutions, and income and tax information primarily from large to mid-sized companies in the U.S. We process this information utilizing our proprietary information management systems. We also provide information, technology and services to support debt collections and recovery management.
Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable sections of SEC Regulation S-X. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021 Form 10-K”).
Our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented and are of a normal recurring nature.
Earnings Per Share. Our basic earnings per share, or EPS, is calculated as net income attributable to Equifax divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is calculated to reflect the potential dilution that would occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and resulted in additional common shares outstanding. The net income amounts used in both our basic and diluted EPS calculations are the same. A reconciliation of the weighted-average outstanding shares used in the two calculations is as follows:
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| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | (In millions) |
Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic) | | 122.4 | | | 121.8 | | | 122.3 | | | 121.8 | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | |
Stock options and restricted stock units | | 0.9 | | | 1.7 | | | 1.1 | | | 1.6 | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted) | | 123.3 | | | 123.5 | | | 123.4 | | | 123.4 | |
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, stock options that were anti-dilutive were not material.
Financial Instruments. Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of these items, other than long-term debt, approximate their fair market values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of our fixed-rate debt is determined using Level 2 inputs such as quoted market prices for publicly traded instruments, and for non-publicly traded instruments, through valuation techniques depending on the specific characteristics of the debt instrument, taking into account credit risk. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $4.7 billion and $5.2 billion compared to its carrying value of $5.0 billion, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements. Fair value is determined based on the assumptions marketplace participants use in pricing an asset or liability. We use a three level fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in valuation techniques between observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices with observable market data and unobservable data (e.g., a company’s own data).
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. We completed multiple acquisitions during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021. The values of certain assets acquired were recorded at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The majority of the related current assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their carrying values as of the date of acquisition, as their carrying values approximated their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair values of definite-lived intangible assets acquired in these acquisitions were estimated primarily based on the income approach. The income approach estimates fair value based on the present value of the cash flows that the assets are expected to generate in the future. We developed internal estimates for the expected cash flows and discount rates in the present value calculations.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable are stated at cost and are due in less than a year. Significant payment terms for customers are identified in the contract. We do not recognize interest income on our trade accounts receivable. Additionally, we generally do not require collateral from our customers related to our trade accounts receivable.
The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management's estimate for expected credit losses for outstanding trade accounts receivables. We determine expected credit losses based on historical write-off experience, an analysis of the aging of outstanding receivables, customer payment patterns, the establishment of specific reserves for customers in an adverse financial condition and adjusted based upon our expectations of changes in macroeconomic conditions that may impact the collectability of outstanding receivables. We reassess the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts each reporting period. Increases to the allowance for doubtful accounts are recorded as bad debt expense, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Below is a rollforward of our allowance for doubtful accounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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| Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (In millions) |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning of period | $ | 14.9 | | | $ | 11.8 | | | $ | 13.9 | | | $ | 12.9 | |
Current period bad debt expense | 1.8 | | | 0.3 | | | 3.0 | | | — | |
Write-offs, net of recoveries | (1.1) | | | (0.9) | | | (1.3) | | | (1.7) | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, end of period | $ | 15.6 | | | $ | 11.2 | | | $ | 15.6 | | | $ | 11.2 | |
Other Current Assets. Other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets include amounts receivable from tax authorities. Other current assets also include amounts in specifically designated accounts that hold the funds that are due to customers from our debt collection and recovery management services. As of June 30, 2022, these assets were $26.8 million, with a corresponding balance in other current liabilities. These amounts are restricted as to their current use and will be released according to the specific customer agreements.
Other Assets. Other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily represent our investments in unconsolidated affiliates, the Company’s operating lease right-of-use assets, employee benefit trust assets, long-term deferred tax assets and assets related to life insurance policies covering certain officers of the Company.
Equity Investment. We record our equity investment in Brazil within Other Assets at fair value, using observable Level 1 inputs. The carrying value of the investment has been adjusted to $54.1 million as of June 30, 2022 based on quoted market prices, resulting in an unrealized loss of $34.2 million and $6.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. The carrying value of the investment was $117.9 million as of June 30, 2021, resulting in an unrealized loss of
$5.6 million and $17.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. We have a joint venture in Russia that offers consumer credit services; however, we determined as of March 31, 2022 to exit our ownership position, expect no future economic benefit from the joint venture's operations going forward and recorded a $19.5 million loss to fully impair the investment. All unrealized gains or losses on these investments were recorded in Other income, net within the Consolidated Statements of Income.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2022, we sold our interest in two equity investments. The overall sale proceeds exceeded the total carrying value of the investments, and we have recorded a gain of $27.5 million in Other income, net within the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Other Current Liabilities. Other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the current portion of our operating lease liabilities and various accrued liabilities such as costs related to the 2017 cybersecurity incident as described more fully in Note 6, interest expense and accrued employee benefits. Other current liabilities also include the offset to other current assets related to amounts in specifically designated accounts that hold the funds that are due to customers from our debt collection and recovery management services. As of June 30, 2022, these funds were $26.8 million. These amounts are restricted as to their current use and will be released according to the specific customer agreements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” The update provides clarifying guidance to reduce diversity in practice stating that contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in business combinations should be measured in accordance with Accounting Standards Topic 606, rather than the fair value principles of Accounting Standards Topic 805. ASU 2021-08 is effective for all public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, although early adoption is permitted. This guidance must be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The update provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) contract modifications on financial reporting, caused by reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are still evaluating the impact, but do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. REVENUE
Revenue Recognition. Based on the information that management reviews internally for evaluating operating segment performance and nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows affected by economic factors, we disaggregate revenue as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | Change | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Change |
Consolidated Operating Revenue | | 2022 | | 2021 | | $ | | % | | 2022 | | 2021 | | $ | | % |
| | (In millions) | | (In millions) |
Verification Services | | $ | 504.5 | | | $ | 394.5 | | | $ | 110.0 | | | 28 | % | | $ | 1,017.8 | | | 779.6 | | | $ | 238.2 | | | 31 | % |
Employer Services | | 104.7 | | | 107.5 | | | (2.8) | | | (3) | % | | 240.3 | | | 209.6 | | | 30.7 | | | 15 | % |
Total Workforce Solutions | | 609.2 | | | 502.0 | | | 107.2 | | | 21 | % | | 1,258.1 | | | 989.2 | | | 268.9 | | | 27 | % |
Online Information Solutions | | 329.2 | | | 347.8 | | | (18.6) | | | (5) | % | | 673.0 | | | 699.9 | | | (26.9) | | | (4) | % |
Mortgage Solutions | | 36.8 | | | 49.3 | | | (12.5) | | | (25) | % | | 80.3 | | | 103.4 | | | (23.1) | | | (22) | % |
Financial Marketing Services | | 55.4 | | | 58.6 | | | (3.2) | | | (5) | % | | 101.1 | | | 111.8 | | | (10.7) | | | (10) | % |
Total U.S. Information Solutions | | 421.4 | | | 455.7 | | | (34.3) | | | (8) | % | | 854.4 | | | 915.1 | | | (60.7) | | | (7) | % |
Asia Pacific | | 90.1 | | | 91.6 | | | (1.5) | | | (2) | % | | 176.6 | | | 178.6 | | | (2.0) | | | (1) | % |
Europe | | 79.8 | | | 76.7 | | | 3.1 | | | 4 | % | | 165.6 | | | 153.7 | | | 11.9 | | | 8 | % |
Canada | | 64.0 | | | 64.7 | | | (0.7) | | | (1) | % | | 125.7 | | | 125.4 | | | 0.3 | | | — | % |
Latin America | | 52.2 | | | 44.1 | | | 8.1 | | | 18 | % | | 99.6 | | | 85.8 | | | 13.8 | | | 16 | % |
Total International | | 286.1 | | | 277.1 | | | 9.0 | | | 3 | % | | 567.5 | | | 543.5 | | | 24.0 | | | 4 | % |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 1,316.7 | | | $ | 1,234.8 | | | $ | 81.9 | | | 7 | % | | $ | 2,680.0 | | | $ | 2,447.8 | | | $ | 232.2 | | | 9 | % |
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Remaining Performance Obligation – We have elected to disclose only the remaining performance obligations for those contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year and do not disclose the value of remaining performance obligations for contracts in which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice. We expect to recognize as revenue the following amounts related to our remaining performance obligations as of June 30, 2022, inclusive of foreign exchange impact:
| | | | | | | | |
Performance Obligation | | Amount |
| | (In millions) |
Less than 1 year | | $ | 29.3 | |
1 to 3 years | | 36.6 | |
3 to 5 years | | 18.8 | |
Thereafter | | 30.3 | |
Total remaining performance obligation | | $ | 115.0 | |
3. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS
2022 Acquisitions and Investments. In the first quarter of 2022, the Company acquired 100% of Efficient Hire, a provider of cloud recruiting, onboarding and HR management solutions, within the Workforce Solutions operating segment, and Data Crédito, a consumer credit reporting agency in the Dominican Republic, within the International operating segment. These acquisitions expand the Company's data assets and product offerings and broaden our geographic footprint. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, which requires the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed to be measured at fair value at the date of the acquisition. The purchase price allocations for the acquisitions are not yet finalized and open areas relate to measurement of income taxes and working capital. Accordingly, adjustments may be made to the values of the assets and liabilities assumed as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed at the valuation date.
2021 Acquisitions and Investments. In the first quarter of 2021, the Company acquired 100% of Kount, a provider of fraud prevention and digital identity solutions, for $640 million within the U.S. Information Solutions (“USIS”) business unit. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2021, the Company acquired 100% of HIREtech and i2Verify within the Workforce Solutions business unit, as well as a small acquisition and purchase of the remaining noncontrolling interest of a business within our International business unit.
4. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. We perform our annual goodwill impairment tests as of September 30.
Changes in the amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2022, are as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Workforce Solutions | | U.S. Information Solutions | | International | | Total |
| | |
Balance, December 31, 2021 | | $ | 2,365.4 | | | $ | 1,900.1 | | | $ | 1,992.6 | | | $ | 6,258.1 | |
Acquisitions | | 44.9 | | | — | | | 27.0 | | | 71.9 | |
Adjustments to initial purchase price allocation | | 1.4 | | | (0.2) | | | (5.2) | | | (4.0) | |
Foreign currency translation | | — | | | — | | | (87.3) | | | (87.3) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance, June 30, 2022 | | $ | 2,411.7 | | | $ | 1,899.9 | | | $ | 1,927.1 | | | $ | 6,238.7 | |
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of indefinite-lived reacquired rights representing the value of rights which we had granted to various affiliate credit reporting agencies that were reacquired in the U.S. and Canada. At the time we acquired these agreements, they were considered perpetual in nature under the accounting guidance in place at that time and, therefore, the useful lives are considered indefinite. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized. We are required to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment of the asset value. We perform our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as of September 30. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset carrying amounts did not change materially during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
Purchased Intangible Assets. Purchased intangible assets represent the estimated acquisition date fair value of acquired intangible assets used in our business. Purchased data files represent the estimated acquisition date fair value of consumer information files acquired primarily through the purchase of independent credit reporting agencies in the U.S., Australia and Canada. We expense the cost of modifying and updating credit files in the period such costs are incurred. We amortize all of our purchased intangible assets on a straight-line basis. For additional information about the useful lives related to our purchased intangible assets, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2021 Form 10-K.
Purchased intangible assets at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following:
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| | June 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| | Gross | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net | | Gross | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net |
Definite-lived intangible assets: | | (In millions) |
Purchased data files | | $ | 1,100.2 | | | $ | (495.6) | | | $ | 604.6 | | | $ | 1,103.1 | | | $ | (466.0) | | | $ | 637.1 | |
Customer relationships | | 825.8 | | | (377.3) | | | 448.5 | | | 805.2 | | | (354.9) | | | 450.3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proprietary database | | 708.0 | | | (87.1) | | | 620.9 | | | 710.2 | | | (59.3) | | | 650.9 | |
Acquired software and technology | | 164.3 | | | (29.3) | | | 135.0 | | | 160.0 | | | (18.9) | | | 141.1 | |
Trade names and other intangible assets | | 25.0 | | | (15.5) | | | 9.5 | | | 23.9 | | | (12.6) | | | 11.3 | |
Non-compete agreements | | 13.6 | | | (4.7) | | | 8.9 | | | 11.0 | | | (3.7) | | | 7.3 | |
Total definite-lived intangible assets | | $ | 2,836.9 | | | $ | (1,009.5) | | | $ | 1,827.4 | | | $ | 2,813.4 | | | $ | (915.4) | | | $ | 1,898.0 | |
Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets was $57.9 million and $40.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets was $115.2 million and $79.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Estimated future amortization expense related to definite-lived purchased intangible assets at June 30, 2022 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Years ending December 31, | | Amount |
| | (In millions) |
2022 | | $ | 115.3 | |
2023 | | 223.5 | |
2024 | | 212.9 | |
2025 | | 207.9 | |
2026 | | 195.9 | |
Thereafter | | 871.9 | |
| | $ | 1,827.4 | |
5. DEBT
Debt outstanding at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| | (In millions) |
Commercial paper | | $ | 711.0 | | | $ | 321.9 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Notes, 3.3%, due December 2022 | | 500.0 | | | 500.0 | |
Notes, 3.95%, due June 2023 | | 400.0 | | | 400.0 | |
Notes, 2.6%, due December 2024 | | 750.0 | | | 750.0 | |
Notes, 2.6%, due December 2025 | | 400.0 | | | 400.0 | |
Notes, 3.25%, due June 2026 | | 275.0 | | | 275.0 | |
Term loan, due August 2026 | | 700.0 | | | 700.0 | |
Debentures, 6.9%, due July 2028 | | 125.0 | | | 125.0 | |
Notes, 3.1%, due May 2030 | | 600.0 | | | 600.0 | |
Notes, 2.35%, due September 2031 | | 1,000.0 | | | 1,000.0 | |
Notes, 7.0%, due July 2037 | | 250.0 | | | 250.0 | |
Other | | 0.7 | | | 3.2 | |
Total debt | | 5,711.7 | | | 5,325.1 | |
Less short-term debt and current maturities | | (1,611.7) | | | (824.8) | |
Less unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs | | (26.5) | | | (30.2) | |
Total long-term debt, net | | $ | 4,073.5 | | | $ | 4,470.1 | |
2.35% Senior Notes. In August 2021, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.35% ten-year Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) in an underwritten public offering. Interest on the 2031 Notes accrues at a rate of 2.35% per year and is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The net proceeds of the sale of the 2031 Notes were used to repay our then-outstanding $300.0 million 3.6% Senior Notes due 2021 and $300.0 million Floating Rate Notes due 2021. The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of borrowings under our commercial paper program and the funding of acquisitions, including our acquisition of Appriss Insights in the fourth quarter of 2021. We must comply with various non-financial covenants, including certain limitations on mortgages, liens and sale-leaseback transactions, as well as mergers and sales of substantially all of our assets. The 2031 Notes are unsecured and rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.
Senior Credit Facilities. In August 2021, we refinanced our existing unsecured revolving credit facility of $1.1 billion set to expire September 2023, and entered into a new $1.5 billion five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a new $700.0 million delayed draw term loan (“Term Loan”), collectively known as the “Senior Credit Facilities,” both of which mature in August 2026. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities may be used for working capital, for capital expenditures, to refinance existing debt, to finance acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes. The Revolver includes an option to request a maximum of three one-year extensions of the maturity date, any time after the first anniversary of the closing date of the Revolver. Availability of the Revolver is reduced by the outstanding principal balance of our commercial
paper notes and by any letters of credit issued under the Revolver. As of June 30, 2022, there were $711.0 million of outstanding commercial paper notes, $0.4 million of letters of credit outstanding, no outstanding borrowings under the Revolver and $700.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan. Availability under the Revolver was $788.6 million at June 30, 2022.
Commercial Paper Program. In the third quarter of 2021, we increased the size of our commercial paper (“CP”) program from $1.1 billion to $1.5 billion, consistent with the increase in our Revolver. The $1.5 billion CP program has been established through the private placement of commercial paper notes from time-to-time, in which borrowings may bear interest at either a variable or a fixed rate, plus the applicable margin. Maturities of CP can range from overnight to 397 days. Because the CP is backstopped by our Revolver, the amount of CP which may be issued under the program is reduced by the outstanding face amount of any letters of credit issued and by the outstanding borrowings under our Revolver. At June 30, 2022, there were $711.0 million of outstanding CP notes.
For additional information about our debt agreements, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2021 Form 10-K.
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation, Claims and Government Investigations Related to the 2017 Cybersecurity Incident. In 2017, we experienced a cybersecurity incident following a criminal attack on our systems that involved the theft of certain personally identifiable information of U.S., Canadian and U.K. consumers. Following the 2017 cybersecurity incident, hundreds of class actions and other lawsuits were filed against us typically alleging harm from the incident and seeking various remedies, including monetary and injunctive relief. We were also subject to investigations and inquiries by federal, state and foreign governmental agencies and officials regarding the 2017 cybersecurity incident and related matters. Most of these lawsuits and government investigations have concluded or been resolved, including pursuant to the settlement agreements described below and in prior filings, while others remain ongoing. The Company’s participation in these settlements does not constitute an admission by the Company of any fault or liability, and the Company does not admit fault or liability.
In 2019, we recorded expenses, net of insurance recoveries, of $800.9 million in other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, exclusive of our legal and professional services expenses. The amount accrued represents our best estimate of the liability related to these matters. The Company will continue to evaluate information as it becomes known and adjust accruals for new information and further developments in accordance with ASC 450-20-25. While it is reasonably possible that losses exceeding the amount accrued may be incurred, it is not possible at this time to estimate the additional possible loss in excess of the amount already accrued that might result from adverse judgments, settlements, penalties or other resolution of the proceedings and investigations described below based on a number of factors, such as the various stages of these proceedings and investigations, including matters on appeal, that alleged damages have not been specified or are uncertain, the uncertainty as to the certification of a class or classes and the size of any certified class, as applicable, and the lack of resolution on significant factual and legal issues. The ultimate amount paid on these actions, claims and investigations in excess of the amount already accrued could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in future periods.
Consumer Settlement. On July 19, 2019 and July 22, 2019, we entered into multiple agreements that resolve the U.S. consolidated consumer class action cases, captioned In re: Equifax, Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation, MDL No. 2800 (the “U.S. Consumer MDL Litigation”), and the investigations of the FTC, the CFPB, the Attorneys General of 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and the NYDFS (collectively, the “Consumer Settlement”). The Consumer Settlement became effective on January 11, 2022. Under the terms of the Consumer Settlement, the Company contributed $380.5 million to a non-reversionary settlement fund (the “Consumer Restitution Fund”) to provide restitution for U.S. consumers identified by the Company whose personal information was compromised as a result of the 2017 cybersecurity incident as well as to pay reasonable attorneys’ fees and reasonable costs and expenses for the plaintiffs’ counsel in the U.S. Consumer MDL Litigation (not to exceed $80.5 million), settlement administration costs and notice costs. The Company has agreed to contribute up to an additional $125.0 million to the Consumer Restitution Fund to cover certain unreimbursed costs and expenditures incurred by affected U.S. consumers in the event the $380.5 million in the Consumer Restitution Fund is exhausted. The Company also agreed to various business practice commitments related to consumer assistance and its information security program, including conducting third party assessments of its information security program.
Other Matters. We face other lawsuits and government investigations related to the 2017 cybersecurity incident that have not yet been concluded or resolved. These ongoing matters may result in judgments, fines or penalties, settlements or other relief. We dispute the allegations in the remaining lawsuits and intend to defend against such claims. Set forth below are descriptions of these matters.
Canadian Class Actions. Five putative Canadian class actions, four of which are on behalf of a national class of approximately 19,000 Canadian consumers, are pending against us in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Each of the proposed Canadian class actions asserts a number of common law and statutory claims seeking monetary damages and other related relief in connection with the 2017 cybersecurity incident. In addition to seeking class certification on behalf of Canadian consumers whose personal information was allegedly impacted by the 2017 cybersecurity incident, in some cases, plaintiffs also seek class certification on behalf of a larger group of Canadian consumers who had contracts for subscription products with Equifax around the time of the incident or earlier and were not impacted by the incident.
On December 13, 2019, the court in Ontario granted certification of a nationwide class that includes all impacted Canadians as well as Canadians who had subscription products with Equifax between March 7, 2017 and July 30, 2017 who were not impacted by the incident. We appealed one of the claims on which a class was certified and on June 9, 2021, our appeal was granted by the Ontario Divisional Court. The plaintiff has since filed a notice of further appeal with the Ontario Court of Appeal, which was argued before the Court of Appeal in June 2022. All remaining purported class actions are at preliminary stages or stayed.
FCA Investigation. The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) opened an enforcement investigation against our U.K. subsidiary, Equifax Limited, in October 2017. The investigation by the FCA has involved a number of information requirements and interviews. We continue to respond to the information requirements and are cooperating with the investigation.
Although we continue to cooperate in the Canadian class action proceedings and the FCA investigation, an adverse outcome to any such proceedings and investigation could subject us to fines or other obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in future periods.
Data Processing, Outsourcing Services and Other Agreements
We have separate agreements with Google, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Tata Consultancy Services and others to outsource portions of our network and security infrastructure, computer data processing operations, applications development, business continuity and recovery services, help desk service and desktop support functions, operation of our voice, data and cloud computing networks, maintenance and related functions and to provide certain other administrative and operational services. The agreements expire between 2022 and 2027. Annual payment obligations in regard to these agreements vary due to factors such as the volume of data processed; changes in our servicing needs as a result of new product offerings, acquisitions or divestitures; the introduction of significant new technologies; foreign currency; or the general rate of inflation. In certain circumstances (e.g., a change in control or for our convenience), we may terminate these data processing and outsourcing agreements, and, in doing so, certain of these agreements require us to pay significant termination fees.
Guarantees and General Indemnifications
We may issue standby letters of credit and performance and surety bonds in the normal course of business. The aggregate notional amounts of all performance and surety bonds and standby letters of credit was not material at June 30, 2022 and generally have a remaining maturity of one year or less. We may issue other guarantees in the ordinary course of business. The maximum potential future payments we could be required to make under the guarantees in the ordinary course of business was not material at June 30, 2022. We have agreed to guarantee the liabilities and performance obligations (some of which have limitations) of a certain debt collections and recovery management subsidiary under its commercial agreements.
We have agreed to standard indemnification clauses in many of our lease agreements for office space, covering such things as tort, environmental and other liabilities that arise out of or relate to our use or occupancy of the leased premises. Certain of our credit agreements include provisions which require us to make payments to preserve an expected economic return to the lenders if that economic return is diminished due to certain changes in law or regulations. In conjunction with certain transactions, such as sales or purchases of operating assets or services in the ordinary course of business, or the disposition of certain assets or businesses, we sometimes provide routine indemnifications, the terms of which range in duration and sometimes are not limited. Additionally, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against liabilities that arise by reason of their status as directors or officers. The Company maintains directors and officers liability insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to such obligations.
We cannot reasonably estimate our potential future payments under the guarantees and indemnities and related provisions described above because we cannot predict when and under what circumstances these provisions may be triggered.
Contingencies
In addition to the matters set forth above, we are involved in legal and regulatory matters, government investigations, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We periodically assess our exposure related to these matters based on the information which is available. We have recorded accruals in our Consolidated Financial Statements for those matters in which it is probable that we have incurred a loss and the amount of the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated.
For additional information about these and other commitments and contingencies, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2021 Form 10-K.
7. INCOME TAXES
We are subject to U.S. federal, state and international income taxes. We are generally no longer subject to federal, state, or international income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018 with a few exceptions. Due to the potential for resolution of state and foreign examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitations, it is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefit balance may change within the next twelve months by a range of $0 to $6.3 million.
Effective Tax Rate
Our effective income tax rate was 23.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to 22.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Our effective income tax rate was 25.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to 23.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Our effective tax rate was higher for the second quarter and first six months of 2022 as compared to 2021 due to a greater foreign income tax rate differential. The increase in the foreign rate differential was primarily driven by the adjustment to fully impair our investment in Russia.
8. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, after tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, are as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Foreign currency | | Pension and other postretirement benefit plans | | Cash flow hedging transactions | | Total |
| | (In millions) |
Balance, December 31, 2021 | | $ | (292.5) | | | $ | (1.9) | | | $ | (1.0) | | | $ | (295.4) | |
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications | | (131.8) | | | — | | | — | | | (131.8) | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | | 13.6 | | | (0.8) | | | — | | | 12.8 | |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | | (118.2) | | | (0.8) | | | — | | | (119.0) | |
Balance, June 30, 2022 | | $ | (410.7) | | | $ | (2.7) | | | $ | (1.0) | | | $ | (414.4) | |
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to noncontrolling interests were not material as of June 30, 2022.
9. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we recorded $8.6 million ($6.5 million, net of tax) of restructuring charges, all of which were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses within our Consolidated Statements of Income. This charge was recorded to general corporate expense and resulted from our continuing efforts to realign our internal resources to support the Company’s strategic objectives and primarily relate to a reduction in headcount. As of June 30, 2022, $4.9 million of the fourth quarter 2021 restructuring charge has been paid, with the remaining future payments expected to be completed later in 2022.
10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Reportable Segments. We manage our business and report our financial results through the following three reportable segments, which are the same as our operating segments:
–Workforce Solutions
–U.S. Information Solutions (“USIS”)
–International
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in our summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2021 Form 10-K. We evaluate the performance of these reportable segments based on their operating revenues, operating income and operating margins, excluding any unusual or infrequent items, if any. The measurement criteria for segment profit or loss and segment assets are substantially the same for each reportable segment. Inter-segment sales and transfers are not material for all periods presented. All transactions between segments are accounted for at fair market value or cost depending on the nature of the transaction and no timing differences occur between segments.
A summary of segment products and services is as follows:
Workforce Solutions. This segment includes employment, income, criminal history and social security number verification services as well as complementary payroll-based transaction services, employment tax management services and identity theft protection products offered directly to consumers and through employers.
U.S. Information Solutions. This segment includes consumer and commercial information services (such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling services and portfolio analytics, locate services, fraud detection and prevention services, identity verification services and other consulting services); mortgage services; financial marketing services; identity management; and credit monitoring products sold to resellers or directly to consumers.
International. This segment includes information services products, which includes consumer and commercial services (such as credit and financial information, credit scoring and credit modeling services), credit and other marketing products and services. In Asia Pacific, Europe, Canada and Latin America we also provide information, technology and services to support debt collections and recovery management. In Europe and Canada we also provide credit monitoring products to resellers or directly to consumers.
Operating revenue and operating income by operating segment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended |
(In millions) | | June 30, | | June 30, |
Operating revenue: | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Workforce Solutions | | $ | 609.2 | | | $ | 502.0 | | | $ | 1,258.1 | | | $ | 989.2 | |
U.S. Information Solutions | | 421.4 | | | 455.7 | | | 854.4 | | | 915.1 | |
International | | 286.1 | | | 277.1 | | | 567.5 | | | 543.5 | |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 1,316.7 | | | $ | 1,234.8 | | | $ | 2,680.0 | | | $ | 2,447.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended |
(In millions) | | June 30, | | June 30, |
Operating income: | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Workforce Solutions | | $ | 281.2 | | | $ | 265.8 | | | $ | 589.7 | | | $ | 531.5 | |
U.S. Information Solutions | | 112.0 | | | 136.7 | | | 233.5 | | | 291.6 | |
International | | 32.4 | | | 33.4 | | | 69.4 | | | 63.2 | |
General Corporate Expense | | (121.0) | | | (129.9) | | | (255.5) | | | (273.7) | |
Total operating income | | $ | 304.6 | | | $ | 306.0 | | | $ | 637.1 | | | $ | 612.6 | |
Total assets by operating segment at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | December 31, |
(In millions) | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Total assets: | | | | |
Workforce Solutions | | $ | 4,043.7 | | | $ | 3,888.3 | |
U.S. Information Solutions | | 3,114.9 | | | 3,091.4 | |
International | | 3,153.1 | | | 3,271.5 | |
General Corporate | | 909.5 | | | 789.7 | |
Total assets | | $ | 11,221.2 | | | $ | 11,040.9 | |