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8-K - 8-K - NELNET INCnni5913form8-k.htm
EX-99.1 - EARNINGS RELEASE - NELNET INCexhibit9915913earningsrele.htm


For Release: May 9, 2013
Media Contact: Ben Kiser, 402.458.3024
Investor Contact: Phil Morgan, 402.458.3038

Nelnet, Inc. supplemental financial information for the first quarter 2013
(All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

The following information should be read in connection with Nelnet, Inc.'s (the “Company's”) press release for first quarter 2013 earnings, dated May 9, 2013, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

This earnings supplement contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company's plans and expectations for future financial condition, results of operations, or economic performance, or that address management's plans and objectives for future operations, and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events. The words “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “will,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the "2012 Annual Report"), in particular such risks and uncertainties as:

student loan portfolio risks such as interest rate basis and repricing risk resulting from the fact that the interest rate characteristics of the student loan assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets, the risk of loss of floor income on certain student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP"), risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, and risks from changes in levels of student loan prepayment or default rates (including recent increases in default rates associated with adverse general economic conditions);

financing and liquidity risks, including risks of changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization and other financing markets for student loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to purchase, refinance, or continue to hold student loans;

risks from changes in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs, such as the expected decline over time in FFELP loan interest income and fee-based revenues due to the discontinuation of new FFELP loan originations in 2010 and potential government initiatives to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program, and the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under its loan servicing contract with the Department and to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP and Federal Direct Loan Program loans;

risks related to a breach of or failure in the Company's operational or information systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors; and

uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations.

All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this document. Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.



1



Consolidated Statements of Income
 
Three months ended
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2012
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
155,539

 
154,663

 
153,058

Investment interest
1,617

 
1,326

 
1,095

Total interest income
157,156

 
155,989

 
154,153

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on bonds and notes payable
58,358

 
65,391

 
69,297

Net interest income
98,798

 
90,598

 
84,856

Less provision for loan losses
5,000

 
3,500

 
6,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
93,798

 
87,098

 
78,856

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
55,601

 
54,584

 
49,488

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
23,411

 
17,735

 
21,913

Enrollment services revenue
28,957

 
25,890

 
31,664

Other income
9,416

 
7,023

 
10,954

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
1,407

 
3,009

 

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
9,256

 
13,769

 
(15,407
)
Derivative settlements, net
(8,184
)
 
(7,112
)
 
227

Total other income
119,864

 
114,898

 
98,839

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
47,905

 
48,633

 
49,095

Cost to provide enrollment services
19,642

 
16,172

 
21,678

Depreciation and amortization
4,377

 
8,861

 
8,136

Impairment expense

 
2,767

 

Other
34,941

 
32,811

 
32,263

Total operating expenses
106,865

 
109,244

 
111,172

Income before income taxes
106,797

 
92,752

 
66,523

Income tax expense
38,447

 
36,099

 
23,230

Net income
68,350

 
56,653

 
43,293

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
271

 
19

 
152

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
68,079

 
56,634

 
43,141

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
1.46

 
1.20

 
0.91

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,658,031

 
47,277,427

 
47,298,195



2




Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2012
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable, net
$
24,885,316

 
24,830,621

 
23,836,832

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
209,564

 
149,343

 
131,252

Restricted cash and investments
862,212

 
911,978

 
744,595

Goodwill
117,118

 
117,118

 
117,118

Intangible assets, net
8,556

 
9,393

 
23,682

Other assets
562,458

 
589,442

 
592,833

Total assets
$
26,645,224

 
26,607,895

 
25,446,312

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
$
25,125,177

 
25,098,835

 
24,060,609

Other liabilities
293,643

 
343,847

 
277,830

Total liabilities
25,418,820

 
25,442,682

 
24,338,439

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,226,123

 
1,165,208

 
1,107,716

Noncontrolling interest
281

 
5

 
157

Total equity
1,226,404

 
1,165,213

 
1,107,873

Total liabilities and equity
$
26,645,224

 
26,607,895

 
25,446,312





3



Overview

The Company is an education services company focused primarily on providing fee-based processing services and quality education-related products and services in four core areas: asset management and finance, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services. These products and services help students and families plan, prepare, and pay for their education and make the administrative and financial processes more efficient for schools and financial organizations. In addition, the Company earns interest income on a portfolio of federally insured student loans.

A summary of the Company's GAAP net income reconciled to GAAP net income, excluding derivative market and foreign currency adjustments, is provided below.

 
Three months ended
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2012
GAAP net income
$
68,079

 
56,634

 
43,141

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(5,738
)
 
(8,537
)
 
9,552

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
62,341

 
48,097

 
52,693

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income
$
1.46

 
1.20

 
0.91

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(0.12
)
 
(0.18
)
 
0.20

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
1.34

 
1.02

 
1.11


(a) The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its financial
position and performance. "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments" include (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. The Company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to these financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations.

The increase in earnings for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012 was due to an increase in net interest income earned from the Company's student loan portfolio, an increase in revenue from the Company's fee-based operating segments, and a decrease in operating expenses.

The Company earns fee-based revenue through the following reportable operating segments:
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing ("LGS") - referred to as Nelnet Diversified Solutions ("NDS")
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce ("TPP&CC") - referred to as Nelnet Business Solutions ("NBS")
Enrollment Services - commonly called Nelnet Enrollment Solutions ("NES")

As shown in the following table, revenue and net income earned from the Company's reportable fee-based operating segments was $122.9 million and $17.5 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2013 compared to $120.0 million and $10.6 million, respectively, for the same period a year ago.

In addition, the Company earns net interest income on its FFELP student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management ("AGM") operating segment. This segment is expected to generate a stable net interest margin and significant amounts of cash as the FFELP portfolio amortizes. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had a $24.9 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 20 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.


4



The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in millions).
(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue of $15.0 million and $17.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b)
Total revenue includes "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "total other income" from the Company's segment statements of income, excluding the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, which was income of $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and an expense of $21.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax, which was income of $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and an expense of $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

(c)
Computed as income before income taxes divided by total revenue.

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

Excluding intersegment revenue, revenue increased 12 percent, or $6.1 million, to $55.6 million for the first quarter of 2013, up from $49.5 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in revenue is the result of growth in servicing volume under the Company's contract with the Department and an increase in collection revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. These increases were partially offset by decreases in traditional FFELP and guaranty servicing revenue.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company was servicing $84.6 billion of loans for 4.3 million borrowers on behalf of the Department, compared with $51.8 billion of loans for 3.1 million borrowers as of March 31, 2012. Revenue from this contract increased to $20.3 million for the first quarter of 2013, up from $14.8 million for the same period in 2012.

The Company achieved the first place ranking in the most recent annual survey results related to the servicing contract with the Department. The Company is being allocated 30 percent of new loan volume for the fourth year of this contract (the period from August 15, 2012 through August 14, 2013). The servicing contract with the Department spans five years (through June 2014), with a five-year renewal at the option of the Department. Although the Company currently anticipates that the Department will exercise its option to renew the servicing contract for five years at the end of the current term in 2014, there can be no assurance of such renewal.

Before tax operating margin increased to 26.9% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 17.2% in the first quarter of 2012. The Company made investments and incurred certain costs in 2012 to improve performance metrics under the government servicing contract and to implement and comply with the Department's special direct consolidation loan initiative. In addition, intangible assets for this segment were fully amortized in 2012. Excluding the amortization of intangible assets, before tax operating margin was 20.5% for the first quarter of 2012.


5



Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased 7 percent, or $1.5 million, to $23.4 million for the first quarter of 2013, up from $21.9 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in revenue is the result of an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans and campus commerce customers.

Before tax operating margin increased to 37.9% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 31.5% in for the first quarter of 2012. The increase in margin was the result of efficiencies gained in the operations of the business and a decrease in amortization expense related to intangible assets. These decreases in expenses in 2013 compared to 2012 were partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits due to adding personnel to support the increase in the number of tuition payment plans and campus commerce customers.

This segment is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Based on the timing of when revenue is recognized and when expenses are incurred, revenue and operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Enrollment Services

Revenue decreased 9 percent, or $2.7 million, to $29.0 million for the first quarter of 2013, down from $31.7 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease in revenue is due to a decrease in inquiry generation and management revenue as a result of the regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts.

The Company is focused on increasing revenue and gross margin in this segment by increasing quality inquiries and volume and expanding products and services. In addition, the Company is focused on modifying operating expenses to increase margin. Excluding the costs to provide enrollment services (costs directly related to revenue) and the amortization of intangible assets (which were fully amortized in 2012), operating expenses for the first quarter of 2013 decreased $1.1 million, or 11 percent, compared to the same period in 2012.

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company contributed its student list and marketing operations (Student Marketing Group) to a third-party and received a minority interest in a new student list and marketing partnership.

Asset Generation and Management

The Company acquired $743.8 million of FFELP student loans during the first quarter of 2013.

Core student loan spread increased to 1.50% for the first quarter of 2013, compared to 1.44% for the three months ended December 31, 2012. This increase was due to the tightening between the interest rate paid by the Company on its liabilities funding student loan assets and the rate earned by the Company on such student loan assets.

Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company earned $35.7 million of fixed rate floor income (net of $8.3 million of derivative settlements used to hedge such loans), compared to $38.1 million (net of $3.1 million of derivative settlements) for the same period in 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2013, the Company had cash and investments of $209.6 million.

For the first quarter of 2013, the Company generated $85.0 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securities transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.11 billion as of March 31, 2013.

During the first quarter 2013, the Company repurchased:
213,535 shares of Class A common stock for $6.7 million (at an average price of $31.40 per share)
$13.0 million (notional amount) of asset-backed debt securities for a gain totaling $1.4 million

During the first quarter 2013, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.10 per share.


6



The Company intends to use its strong liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP student loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments in its core business areas of loan financing, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions.

Operating Segments

The Company earns fee-based revenue through its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, and Enrollment Services operating segments. In addition, the Company earns net interest income on its student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment. The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer and the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. See note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report for a description of each operating segment, including the primary products and services offered.

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company, as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their financial results prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  

The accounting policies of the Company’s operating segments are the same as those described in note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report. Intersegment revenues are charged by the segment that provides a product or service to another segment.  Intersegment revenues and expenses are included within each segment consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management.  Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information. Income taxes are allocated based on 38% of income (loss) before taxes for each individual operating segment. The difference between the consolidated income tax expense and the sum of taxes calculated for each operating segment is included in income taxes in Corporate Activity and Overhead.

Corporate Activity and Overhead

Corporate Activity and Overhead includes the following items:

The operating results of Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary
Income earned on certain investment activities
Interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions
Other product and service offerings that are not considered operating segments

Corporate Activities and Overhead also includes certain corporate activities and overhead functions related to executive management, human resources, accounting, legal, occupancy, and marketing. These costs are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.



7




Segment Results of Operations

The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.

 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
10

 

 

 
10

 
155,654

 
2,311

 
(819
)
 
157,156

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
57,482

 
1,695

 
(819
)
 
58,358

Net interest income
10

 

 

 
10

 
98,172

 
616

 

 
98,798

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
10

 

 

 
10

 
93,172

 
616

 

 
93,798

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
55,601

 

 

 
55,601

 

 

 

 
55,601

Intersegment servicing revenue
14,953

 

 

 
14,953

 

 

 
(14,953
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
23,411

 

 
23,411

 

 

 

 
23,411

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
28,957

 
28,957

 

 

 

 
28,957

Other income

 

 

 

 
4,196

 
5,220

 

 
9,416

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
1,407

 

 

 
1,407

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
5,275

 
3,981

 

 
9,256

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(7,539
)
 
(645
)
 

 
(8,184
)
Total other income (expense)
70,554

 
23,411

 
28,957

 
122,922

 
3,339

 
8,556

 
(14,953
)
 
119,864

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
28,444

 
9,359

 
5,767

 
43,570

 
562

 
3,773

 

 
47,905

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
19,642

 
19,642

 

 

 

 
19,642

Depreciation and amortization
2,789

 
1,138

 
61

 
3,988

 

 
389

 

 
4,377

Other
18,390

 
2,287

 
1,651

 
22,328

 
7,513

 
5,100

 

 
34,941

Intersegment expenses, net
935

 
1,425

 
1,149

 
3,509

 
15,142

 
(3,698
)
 
(14,953
)
 

Total operating expenses
50,558

 
14,209

 
28,270

 
93,037

 
23,217

 
5,564

 
(14,953
)
 
106,865

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
20,006

 
9,202

 
687

 
29,895

 
73,294

 
3,608

 

 
106,797

Corporate overhead allocation
(997
)
 
(332
)
 
(332
)
 
(1,661
)
 
(712
)
 
2,373

 

 

Income before income taxes
19,009

 
8,870

 
355

 
28,234

 
72,582

 
5,981

 

 
106,797

Income tax expense
(7,223
)
 
(3,371
)
 
(135
)
 
(10,729
)
 
(27,581
)
 
(137
)
 

 
(38,447
)
Net income
11,786

 
5,499

 
220

 
17,505

 
45,001

 
5,844

 

 
68,350

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
271

 

 
271

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
11,786

 
5,499

 
220

 
17,505

 
45,001

 
5,573

 

 
68,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8



 
Three months ended December 31, 2012
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
9

 

 

 
9

 
154,781

 
2,079

 
(880
)
 
155,989

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
64,113

 
2,158

 
(880
)
 
65,391

Net interest income (loss)
9

 

 

 
9

 
90,668

 
(79
)
 

 
90,598

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
3,500

 

 

 
3,500

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
9

 

 

 
9

 
87,168

 
(79
)
 

 
87,098

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,584

 

 

 
54,584

 

 

 

 
54,584

Intersegment servicing revenue
16,166

 

 

 
16,166

 

 

 
(16,166
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
17,735

 

 
17,735

 

 

 

 
17,735

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
25,890

 
25,890

 

 

 

 
25,890

Other income

 

 

 

 
3,804

 
3,219

 

 
7,023

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
2,684

 
325

 

 
3,009

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments

 

 

 

 
10,542

 
3,227

 

 
13,769

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(6,361
)
 
(751
)
 

 
(7,112
)
Total other income (expense)
70,750

 
17,735

 
25,890

 
114,375

 
10,669

 
6,020

 
(16,166
)
 
114,898

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
29,463

 
8,543

 
5,229

 
43,235

 
529

 
4,869

 

 
48,633

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
16,172

 
16,172

 

 

 

 
16,172

Depreciation and amortization
4,786

 
2,066

 
1,624

 
8,476

 

 
385

 

 
8,861

Impairment expense

 

 
2,767

 
2,767

 

 

 

 
2,767

Other
17,525

 
2,882

 
2,166

 
22,573

 
6,232

 
4,006

 

 
32,811

Intersegment expenses, net
1,448

 
1,341

 
944

 
3,733

 
16,373

 
(3,940
)
 
(16,166
)
 

Total operating expenses
53,222

 
14,832

 
28,902

 
96,956

 
23,134

 
5,320

 
(16,166
)
 
109,244

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
17,537

 
2,903

 
(3,012
)
 
17,428

 
74,703

 
621

 

 
92,752

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,789
)
 
(596
)
 
(596
)
 
(2,981
)
 
(1,605
)
 
4,586

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
15,748

 
2,307

 
(3,608
)
 
14,447

 
73,098

 
5,207

 

 
92,752

Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,984
)
 
(877
)
 
1,370

 
(5,491
)
 
(27,777
)
 
(2,831
)
 

 
(36,099
)
Net income (loss)
9,764

 
1,430

 
(2,238
)
 
8,956

 
45,321

 
2,376

 

 
56,653

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
19

 

 
19

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
9,764

 
1,430

 
(2,238
)
 
8,956

 
45,321

 
2,357

 

 
56,634

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9



 
Three months ended March 31, 2012
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
20

 
4

 

 
24

 
153,512

 
1,588

 
(971
)
 
154,153

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
68,829

 
1,439

 
(971
)
 
69,297

Net interest income
20

 
4

 

 
24

 
84,683

 
149

 

 
84,856

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
6,000

 

 

 
6,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
20

 
4

 

 
24

 
78,683

 
149

 

 
78,856

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
49,488

 

 

 
49,488

 

 

 

 
49,488

Intersegment servicing revenue
16,954

 

 

 
16,954

 

 

 
(16,954
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
21,913

 

 
21,913

 

 

 

 
21,913

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
31,664

 
31,664

 

 

 

 
31,664

Other income

 

 

 

 
5,000

 
5,954

 

 
10,954

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
(21,604
)
 
6,197

 

 
(15,407
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
227

 

 

 
227

Total other income (expense)
66,442

 
21,913

 
31,664

 
120,019

 
(16,377
)
 
12,151

 
(16,954
)
 
98,839

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
29,042

 
8,618

 
6,279

 
43,939

 
719

 
4,437

 

 
49,095

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
21,678

 
21,678

 

 

 

 
21,678

Depreciation and amortization
4,413

 
1,740

 
1,617

 
7,770

 

 
366

 

 
8,136

Other
18,666

 
2,816

 
1,956

 
23,438

 
3,632

 
5,193

 

 
32,263

Intersegment expenses, net
1,385

 
1,333

 
848

 
3,566

 
17,143

 
(3,755
)
 
(16,954
)
 

Total operating expenses
53,506

 
14,507

 
32,378

 
100,391

 
21,494

 
6,241

 
(16,954
)
 
111,172

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
12,956

 
7,410

 
(714
)
 
19,652

 
40,812

 
6,059

 

 
66,523

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,503
)
 
(501
)
 
(501
)
 
(2,505
)
 
(1,392
)
 
3,897

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
11,453

 
6,909

 
(1,215
)
 
17,147

 
39,420

 
9,956

 

 
66,523

Income tax (expense) benefit
(4,352
)
 
(2,625
)
 
462

 
(6,515
)
 
(14,979
)
 
(1,736
)
 

 
(23,230
)
Net income (loss)
7,101

 
4,284

 
(753
)
 
10,632

 
24,441

 
8,220

 

 
43,293

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
152

 

 
152

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
7,101

 
4,284

 
(753
)
 
10,632

 
24,441

 
8,068

 

 
43,141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


10



Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses (Net of Settlements on Derivatives)

The following table summarizes the components of “net interest income after provision for loan losses,” net of “derivative settlements, net” included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2012
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
55,621

 
49,537

 
47,335

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
35,716

 
35,533

 
38,092

Investment interest
1,617

 
1,326

 
1,095

Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(645
)
 
(752
)
 

Corporate debt interest expense
(1,695
)
 
(2,158
)
 
(1,439
)
Provision for loan losses
(5,000
)
 
(3,500
)
 
(6,000
)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
85,614

 
79,986

 
79,083


Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)
Company owned
 
$23,139
 
$23,727
 
$22,650
 
$22,277
 
$21,926
 
$21,504
 
$21,237
 
$20,820
% of total
 
61.6%
 
38.6%
 
29.8%
 
27.1%
 
25.6%
 
23.2%
 
21.8%
 
18.5%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
441,913

 
2,804,502

 
3,036,534

 
3,096,026

 
3,137,583

 
3,588,412

 
3,892,929

 
4,261,637

FFELP servicing:
 
2,311,558

 
1,912,748

 
1,799,484

 
1,779,245

 
1,724,087

 
1,659,020

 
1,626,146

 
1,586,312

Private servicing:
 
152,200

 
155,947

 
164,554

 
163,135

 
161,763

 
175,070

 
173,331

 
170,224

Total:
 
2,905,671

 
4,873,197

 
5,000,572

 
5,038,406

 
5,023,433

 
5,422,502

 
5,692,406

 
6,018,173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers
 
684,996

 
545,456

 
9,566,296

 
8,645,463

 
7,909,300

 
7,505,693

 
6,912,204

 
5,001,695



11



Other Income

The following table summarizes the components of "other income" included in the attached consolidated statements of income.

 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Borrower late fee income
$
3,505

 
3,211

 
3,703

Investment advisory fees
2,158

 
553

 
3,155

Investments - realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net
957

 
994

 
1,186

Other
2,796

 
2,265

 
2,910

Other income
$
9,416

 
7,023

 
10,954


Derivative Market Value and Foreign Currency Adjustments

The following table summarizes the components of “derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments” included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Change in fair value of derivatives - income (expense)
$
(19,507
)
 
39,516

 
16,835

Foreign currency transaction adjustment - income (expense)
28,763

 
(25,747
)
 
(32,242
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments - income (expense)
$
9,256

 
13,769

 
(15,407
)

Derivative Settlements

The following table summarizes the components of "derivative settlements, net" included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
1:3 basis swaps
$
911

 
844

 
1,381

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(8,304
)
 
(7,033
)
 
(3,137
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(645
)
 
(752
)
 

Cross-currency interest rate swaps
(146
)
 
(162
)
 
2,109

Other

 
(9
)
 
(126
)
Total settlements - (expense) income
$
(8,184
)
 
(7,112
)
 
227



12



Student Loans Receivable

The table below outlines the components of the Company’s student loan portfolio:
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
March 31,
2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2012
Federally insured loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
7,145,693

 
7,261,114

 
7,257,986

Consolidation
17,852,598

 
17,708,732

 
16,623,497

Total
24,998,291

 
24,969,846

 
23,881,483

Non-federally insured loans
32,306

 
26,034

 
24,825

 
25,030,597

 
24,995,880

 
23,906,308

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs
(95,872
)
 
(113,357
)
 
(21,041
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(37,913
)
 
(40,120
)
 
(36,783
)
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans
(11,496
)
 
(11,782
)
 
(11,652
)
 
$
24,885,316

 
24,830,621

 
23,836,832

Allowance for federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans
0.15
%
 
0.16
%
 
0.15
%
Allowance for non-federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans
35.59
%
 
45.26
%
 
46.94
%

Student Loan Spread

The following table analyzes the student loan spread on the Company’s portfolio of student loans, which represents the spread between the yield earned on student loan assets and the costs of the liabilities and derivative instruments used to fund those assets.
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.57
 %
 
2.61
 %
 
2.63
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.77
)
 
(0.76
)
 
(0.75
)
Premium and deferred origination costs amortization, net of discount accretion
0.03

 
0.03

 
(0.02
)
Variable student loan yield, net
1.83

 
1.88

 
1.86

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(0.93
)
 
(1.05
)
 
(1.13
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.06

Variable student loan spread
0.91

 
0.84

 
0.79

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.59

 
0.60

 
0.64

Core student loan spread
1.50
 %
 
1.44
 %
 
1.43
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
24,781,426

 
23,766,653

 
24,118,892

Average balance of debt outstanding
24,823,397

 
24,086,770

 
24,236,068



13



A trend analysis of the Company's core and variable student loan spreads is summarized below.

(a)
The interest earned on the majority of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate.  The Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  The relationship between the indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans has a significant impact on student loan spread.  This table (the right axis) shows the difference between the Company's liability base rate and the one-month LIBOR rate by quarter.

The primary difference between variable student loan spread and core student loan spread is fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives.  A summary of fixed rate floor income and its contribution to core student spread follows:
 
Three months ended
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
March 31, 2012
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,020

 
42,566

 
41,229

Derivative settlements (a)
(8,304
)
 
(7,033
)
 
(3,137
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
35,716

 
35,533

 
38,092

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.59
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.64
%
 
(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.


14



Fixed Rate Floor Income

The following table shows the Company’s student loan assets that are earning fixed rate floor income as of March 31, 2013:
 
 
Borrower/
 
Estimated
 
 
Fixed
 
lender
 
variable
 
 
interest
 
weighted
 
conversion
 
Loan
rate range
 
average yield
 
rate (a)
 
Balance
< 3.0%
 
2.87%
 
0.23%
 
$
1,774,244

3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.20%
 
0.56%
 
2,135,857

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
1,966,530

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,481,191

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
847,821

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.24%
 
2.60%
 
582,433

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
353,305

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.18%
 
3.54%
 
410,869

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70%
 
4.06%
 
374,500

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.17%
 
4.53%
 
153,030

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
262,675

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.17%
 
5.53%
 
614,211

> 9.0%
 
9.05%
 
6.41%
 
290,149

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
11,246,815

 
(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.82%. As of March 31, 2013, the short-term interest rate was 21 basis points.

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of March 31, 2013 used by the Company to hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.
 
 
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
Maturity
 
 
 
2013
 
$
3,150,000

 
0.71
%
 
2014
 
1,750,000

 
0.71

 
2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

 
2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

 
2017
 
750,000

 
0.99

 
 
 
$
7,500,000

 
0.78
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Future Cash Flow from Portfolio

The majority of the Company’s portfolio of student loans is funded in asset-backed securitizations that are structured to substantially match the maturity of the funded assets, thereby minimizing liquidity risk. In addition, due to (i) the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, and (ii) the servicing and administration fees the Company earns from these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

As of March 31, 2013, based on cash flow models developed to reflect management’s current estimate of, among other factors, prepayments, defaults, deferment, forbearance, and interest rates, the Company currently expects future undiscounted cash flows from its portfolio to be approximately $2.11 billion as detailed below.  The $2.11 billion includes approximately $465.9 million (as of March 31, 2013) of overcollateralization included in the asset-backed securitizations.  These excess net asset positions are reflected variously in the following balances in the consolidated balance sheet:  "student loans receivable," "restricted cash and investments," and "accrued interest receivable."

15




The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of March 31, 2013.  As of March 31, 2013, the Company had $23.0 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 92.1 percent of its total FFELP student loan portfolio. The forecasted cash flow does not include cash flows that the Company expects to receive related to loans funded in its warehouse facilities or loans acquired subsequent to March 31, 2013.

FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast - $2.11 billion
(dollars in millions)
The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast.  These assumptions are further discussed below.

Prepayments:  The primary variable in establishing a life of loan estimate is the level and timing of prepayments. Prepayment rates equal the amount of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance, net of scheduled principal payments.  A number of factors can affect estimated prepayment rates, including the level of consolidation activity and default rates.  Should any of these factors change, management may revise its assumptions, which in turn would impact the projected future cash flow. The Company’s cash flow forecast above assumes prepayment rates that are generally consistent with those utilized in the Company’s recent asset-backed securities transactions. If management used a prepayment rate assumption two times greater than what was used to forecast the cash flow, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $220 million to $280 million.

Interest rates:  The Company funds the majority of its student loans with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  Meanwhile, the interest earned on the Company’s student loan assets are indexed primarily to a one-month LIBOR rate.  The different interest rate characteristics of the Company’s loan assets and liabilities funding these assets result in basis risk.  The Company’s cash flow forecast assumes three-month LIBOR will exceed one-month LIBOR by 12 basis points for the life of the portfolio, which approximates the historical relationship between these indices.  If the forecast is computed assuming a spread of 24 basis points between three-month and one-month LIBOR for the life of the portfolio, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $90 million to $130 million.

The Company uses the current forward interest rate yield curve to forecast cash flows.  A change in the forward interest rate curve would impact the future cash flows generated from the portfolio.  An increase in future interest rates will reduce the amount of fixed rate floor income the Company is currently receiving.  The Company attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in short-term rates by hedging interest rate risks. As of March 31, 2013, the net fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives used to hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income was a liability of $36.5 million.

16