Form: SC 13G

Schedule filed to report acquisition of beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a class of equity securities by passive investors and certain institutions

March 10, 2000

SC 13G: Schedule filed to report acquisition of beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a class of equity securities by passive investors and certain institutions

Published on March 10, 2000



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*



Deluxe Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)


Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)


248019101
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)


February 29, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)



Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed: [ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[X] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).

SCHEDULE 13G


- ----------------------------- ---------------------------
CUSIP No. - 248019101 Page 2 of 9 Pages
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY).

ESL Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
22-2875193
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
2 (a) [X]
(b) [_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4

Delaware
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF
2,805,971
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6

OWNED BY 0
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING
2,805,971
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
4,292,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
10 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11

5.95%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
12

PN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------- ---------------------------
CUSIP No. - 248019101 Page 3 of 9 Pages
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY).


ESL Limited, a Bermuda corporation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
2 (a) [X]
(b) [_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4

Bermuda
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF
631,487
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6

OWNED BY 0
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING
631,487
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
4,292,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
10 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11

5.95%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
12

CO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------- ---------------------------
CUSIP No. - 248019101 Page 4 of 9 Pages
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY).

ESL Institutional Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
06-1456821
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
2 (a) [X]
(b) [_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4

Delaware
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF
57,060
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6

OWNED BY 0
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING
57,060
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
4,292,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
10 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11

5.95%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
12

PN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------- ---------------------------
CUSIP No. - 248019101 Page 5 of 9 Pages
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY).

ESL Investors, L.L.C.
13-4095958
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
2 (a) [X]
(b) [_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4

Delaware
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF
797,882
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6

OWNED BY 0
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING
797,882
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
4,292,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
10 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11

5.95%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
12

OO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------
Page 6 of 9 Pages
---------------------------


Item 1(a) Name of Issuer:
- --------- --------------

Deluxe Corporation

Item 1(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
- --------- -----------------------------------------------

3680 Victoria Street North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55126-2966

Item 2(a) Names of Persons Filing:
- --------- -----------------------

ESL Partners, L.P.
ESL Limited
ESL Institutional Partners, L.P.
ESL Investors, L.L.C.

Item 2(b) Addresses of Principal Business Offices:
- --------- ---------------------------------------

ESL Partners, L.P., ESL Institutional Partners, L.P., and ESL
Investors, L.L.C.:
One Lafayette Place
Greenwich, CT 06830

ESL Limited
Hemisphere House
9 Church Street
Hamilton, Bermuda

Item 2(c) Citizenship:
- --------- -----------

ESL Partners, L.P. -- Delaware
ESL Limited -- Bermuda
ESL Institutional Partners, L.P. -- Delaware
ESL Investors, L.L.C. -- Delaware

Item 2(d) Title of Class of Securities:
- --------- ----------------------------

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

Item 2(e) CUSIP Number:
- --------- ------------

248019101

---------------------------
Page 7 of 9 Pages
---------------------------

Item 3 Status of Persons Filing:
- ------ ------------------------

(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15
U.S.C. 78o);
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C.
78c);
(c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the
Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e) [ ] An investment adviser in accordance with (S)240.13d-
1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
(S)240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g) [ ] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with
(S)240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h) [ ] A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j) [ ] Group, in accordance with (S)240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).


Item 4 Ownership:
- ------ ----------

(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 4,292,400 shares of Common Stock, par
value $1.00 per share.

This statement is filed on behalf of a group consisting of ESL
Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("ESL"), ESL
Limited, a Bermuda corporation ("Limited"), ESL Institutional
Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Institutional"),
and ESL Investors, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
("Investors") sometimes referred to collectively as the "ESL
Reporting Group." The general partner of ESL is RBS Partners, L.P.
(the "General Partner"). The general partner of the General Partner
of ESL is ESL Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation. ESL
Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
("ESLIM"), is the investment manager of Limited. RBS Investment
Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("RBSIM") is
the general partner of Institutional. RBS Partners, L.P. is the
manager of Investors. In the aforementioned capacities, ESL,
Limited, Institutional, and Investors each may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the shares of Deluxe Corporation common stock
beneficially owned by the other members of the group.

As of March 10, 2000: (i) ESL was the record owner of 2,805,971
shares of common stock of Deluxe Corporation; (ii) Limited was the
record owner of 631,487 shares of common stock of Deluxe
Corporation; (iii) Institutional was the record owner of 57,060
shares of common stock of Deluxe Corporation; and (iv) Investors
was the record owner of 797,882 shares of common stock of Deluxe
Corporation.

(b) Percent of Class: 5.95%.

---------------------------
Page 8 of 9 Pages
---------------------------

(c) Number of shares as to which each person has:

(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

See Item 5 of each cover page.

(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0.

(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

See Item 7 of each cover page.

(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0.

Item 5 Ownership of 5% or Less of a Class:
- ------ ----------------------------------

Not applicable.

Item 6 Ownership of More than 5% on Behalf of Another Person:
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------

Not applicable.

Item 7 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary which Acquired
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------
the Security Being Reported on By The Parent Holding Company:
------------------------------------------------------------

Not applicable

Item 8 Identification and Classification of Members of the Group:
- ------ ---------------------------------------------------------

See Item 4(a).

Item 9 Notice of Dissolution of Group:
- ------ ------------------------------

Not applicable

Item 10 Certification:
- ------- -------------

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for
the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control
of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held
in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that
purpose or effect.

---------------------------
Page 9 of 9 Pages
---------------------------

SIGNATURE


After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Date: March 10, 2000


ESL PARTNERS, L.P.

By: RBS Partners, L.P., its general partner
By: ESL Investments, Inc., its general
partner

By: /S/ EDWARD S. LAMPERT
---------------------------------
Edward S. Lampert
Chairman

ESL LIMITED

By: ESL Investment Management, LLC,
its investment manager

By: /S/ EDWARD S. LAMPERT
---------------------------------
Edward S. Lampert
Managing Member

ESL INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS, L.P.

By: RBS Investment Management, LLC,
its general partner

By: /S/ EDWARD S. LAMPERT
---------------------------------
Edward S. Lampert
Managing Member

ESL INVESTORS, L.L.C.

By: RBS Partners, L.P., its manager
By: ESL Investments, Inc., its
general partner

By: /S/ EDWARD S. LAMPERT
---------------------------------
Edward S. Lampert
Chairman

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1 Joint Filing Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2000, entered into by
- ---------
and among ESL Partners, L.P., ESL Limited, ESL Institutional Partners,
L.P., and ESL Investors, L.L.C.