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8-K - 8-K - NELNET INCnni22714form8-k.htm
EX-99.2 - EXHIBIT - NELNET INCexhibit992-nnix22714x10kxs.htm


Nelnet Reports Fourth Quarter 2013 Results
GAAP net income $1.52 per share, $1.51 per share excluding adjustments
16 percent increase in revenue from Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing segment
Net student loan assets of $25.9 billion

LINCOLN, Neb., February 27, 2014-Nelnet (NYSE: NNI) today reported GAAP net income of $70.5 million, or $1.52 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with GAAP net income of $56.6 million, or $1.20 per share, for the same period a year ago.

Excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net income was $70.1 million, or $1.51 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $48.1 million, or $1.02 per share, for the same period in 2012. The company reported income from derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments of $0.4 million after tax, or $0.01 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with income of $8.5 million after tax, or $0.18 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2012. 

The increase in net income in 2013 compared with 2012 was due to increases in net interest income earned on the company’s student loan portfolio and increases in income from the company's fee-based businesses and other investments.

"2013 was a record financial year for us; we achieved the highest earnings in our history," said Jeff Noordhoek, Nelnet chief executive officer. "We continue to deliver consistent results, grow and diversify around our core businesses, and purchase student loan portfolios. In 2014, our focus will be on effectively deploying capital and making investments in core businesses and diversification."

Nelnet operates four primary business segments, earning interest income on student loans in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment, and fee-based revenue in its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, and Enrollment Services operating segments.

Asset Generation and Management

A substantial portion of Nelnet's student loans are financed for the life of the loan at terms the company has estimated (as of December 31, 2013) will generate significant undiscounted future cash flow of approximately $2.17 billion. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the company purchased $1.9 billion of student loans. As of December 31, 2013, net student loan assets were $25.9 billion.

Historically low interest rates are continuing to provide an opportunity for the company to generate substantial near-term value and cash flow from its student loan portfolio. For the fourth quarter of 2013, Nelnet reported net interest income of $108.7 million, compared with $90.6 million for the same period a year ago. Net interest income included $38.8 million and $35.5 million of fixed rate floor income in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.   Core student loan spread increased to 1.56 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with 1.44 percent for the same period in 2012. This increase was due to the improved relationship between the interest rate indices governing what the company earns on its loans (one-month LIBOR) and what the company pays to fund such loans (three-month LIBOR).

Fee-Based Operating Segments

The company reported total revenue from its fee-based operating segments in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012 of $103.9 million and $98.2 million, respectively. Net income from fee-based operating segments was $12.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, up from $9.0 million for the same period in 2012. Certain intangible assets within the company's fee-based operating segments became fully amortized in 2012, which improved net income by $2.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with the same period in 2012.

Revenue from the company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing segment increased 16 percent, or $8.6 million, to $63.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, up from $54.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in revenue was the result of growth in servicing volume under the company's contract with the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and collection revenue from guaranty agencies.

As of December 31, 2013, the company was servicing $110.5 billion of loans for 5.3 million borrowers on behalf of the Department, compared with $68.8 billion of loans for 3.9 million borrowers as of December 31, 2012. Revenue from this contract increased to $28.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, up from $19.4 million for the same period a year ago.






For the fourth quarter of 2013, revenue from the company's Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce segment was $19.0 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 7 percent, from the same period in 2012. The company reported fourth quarter of 2013 revenue from its Enrollment Services segment of $21.7 million, compared with $25.9 million for the same period in 2012.

Other Income

Other income increased $9.0 million to $16.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $7.0 million for the same period in 2012. The increase was due to increases in investment advisory fee revenue, which totaled $5.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $0.6 million for the same period in 2012, and in net realized and unrealized gains on investments, which totaled $3.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $0.9 million for the same period in 2012.

Operating Expenses

The company reported consolidated operating expenses of $111.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $109.2 million for the same period in 2012.

Year End Results

GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $302.7 million, or $6.50 per share, compared with GAAP net income of $178.0 million, or $3.76 per share, for 2012. Excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net income in 2013 was $272.5 million, or $5.85 per share, compared with $207.4 million, or $4.38 per share, for 2012. The derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments were income of $30.1 million after tax, or $0.65 per share, during 2013, compared with an expense of $29.4 million after tax, or $0.62 per share, for 2012.
 
Non-GAAP Performance Measures

The company provides additional non-GAAP financial information related to specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results, including specifically, the impact of unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments which do not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP and foreign currency transaction gains or losses resulting from 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 financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations, and items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated in advance, affect the period to period comparability of the results of the company's fundamental business operations on a recurring basis. Accordingly, the company provides operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes.

Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements  

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws.  These statements are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, among others, risks related to the company's student loan portfolio such as interest rate basis and repricing risk and the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations; the company's funding requirements to satisfy asset financing needs; risks related to the availability of government funds and actual extension of the company's loan servicing contract with the Department for an additional five years and the company's ability to maintain and increase volumes under that contract to service federally owned student loans; changes in the educational credit and services marketplace resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs and budgets; risks related to the expected reduction in government payments to guaranty agencies to rehabilitate defaulted FFELP loans and services in support of those activities; uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; and changes in general economic and credit market conditions. For more information, see the "Risk Factors" sections and other cautionary discussions of risks and uncertainties included in documents filed or furnished by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the cautionary information about forward-looking statements contained in the company's supplemental financial information for the fourth quarter ended December, 31, 2013.  All information in this release is as of the date of this release. Although the company may from time to time voluntarily update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the company's expectations, the company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.











Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
165,865

 
158,675

 
154,663

 
638,142

 
609,237

Investment interest
2,006

 
1,562

 
1,326

 
6,668

 
4,616

Total interest income
167,871

 
160,237

 
155,989

 
644,810

 
613,853

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on bonds and notes payable
59,135

 
55,315

 
65,391

 
230,935

 
268,566

Net interest income
108,736

 
104,922

 
90,598

 
413,875

 
345,287

Less provision for loan losses
3,500

 
5,000

 
3,500

 
18,500

 
21,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
105,236

 
99,922

 
87,098

 
395,375

 
323,787

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
63,167

 
64,582

 
54,584

 
243,428

 
209,748

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
18,988

 
19,927

 
17,735

 
80,682

 
74,410

Enrollment services revenue
21,735

 
22,563

 
25,890

 
98,078

 
117,925

Other income
15,981

 
8,613

 
7,023

 
46,298

 
39,476

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
799

 
2,138

 
3,009

 
11,699

 
4,139

Derivative settlements, net
(6,407
)
 
(6,688
)
 
(7,112
)
 
(29,636
)
 
(14,022
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
752

 
(9,960
)
 
13,769

 
48,593

 
(47,394
)
Total other income
115,015

 
101,175

 
114,898

 
499,142

 
384,282

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
52,120

 
48,712

 
48,633

 
196,169

 
192,826

Cost to provide enrollment services
13,864

 
14,668

 
16,172

 
64,961

 
78,375

Depreciation and amortization
5,274

 
4,340

 
8,861

 
18,311

 
33,625

Other
40,349

 
39,887

 
35,578

 
149,542

 
128,738

Total operating expenses
111,607

 
107,607

 
109,244

 
428,983

 
433,564

Income before income taxes
108,644

 
93,490

 
92,752

 
465,534

 
274,505

Income tax expense
37,556

 
30,444

 
36,099

 
161,193

 
96,077

Net income
71,088

 
63,046

 
56,653

 
304,341

 
178,428

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
568

 
216

 
19

 
1,669

 
431

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
70,520

 
62,830

 
56,634

 
302,672

 
177,997

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
1.52

 
1.35

 
1.20

 
6.50

 
3.76

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,502,028

 
46,496,612

 
47,277,427

 
46,570,314

 
47,369,331









Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)

 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable, net
$
25,907,589

 
24,701,112

 
24,830,621

Non-federally insured student loans receivable - held for sale

 
28,480

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
255,307

 
284,054

 
149,343

Restricted cash and investments
902,699

 
768,621

 
911,978

Goodwill and intangible assets, net
123,250

 
124,050

 
126,511

Other assets
582,004

 
630,611

 
589,442

Total assets
$
27,770,849

 
26,536,928

 
26,607,895

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
$
25,955,289

 
24,858,455

 
25,098,835

Other liabilities
371,570

 
300,560

 
343,847

Total liabilities
26,326,859

 
25,159,015

 
25,442,682

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,443,662

 
1,377,863

 
1,165,208

Noncontrolling interest
328

 
50

 
5

Total equity
1,443,990

 
1,377,913

 
1,165,213

Total liabilities and equity
$
27,770,849

 
26,536,928

 
26,607,895



Contacts:
Media, Ben Kiser, +1-402-458-3024, or Investors, Phil Morgan, +1-402-458-3038, both of Nelnet, Inc.