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8-K - 8-K - NELNET INCnni22714form8-k.htm
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT - NELNET INCexhibit99122714earningsrel.htm


For Release: February 27, 2014
Media Contact: Ben Kiser, 402.458.3024
Investor Contact: Phil Morgan, 402.458.3038

Nelnet, Inc. supplemental financial information for the fourth 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 fourth quarter 2013 earnings, dated February 27, 2014, and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 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, 2013 (the "2013 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;

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 and budgets, 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, risks related to the expected reduction in government payments to guaranty agencies to rehabilitate defaulted FFELP loans and services in support of those activities, risks related to the availability of government funds and actual extension of the Company's loan servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department"), which accounted for 23 percent of the Company's fee-based revenue in 2013, for an additional five years, and the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under that contract, and the Company's ability 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;

uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; and
 
risks and uncertainties associated with litigation matters and with maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the Company's business, and uncertainties inherent in the estimates and assumptions about future events that management is required to make in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this earnings supplement 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
 
Year ended
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Interest income:
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
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


2



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 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




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 (education planning). 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 reconciliation of the Company's GAAP net income to net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, is provided below.
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
70,520

 
62,830

 
56,634

 
302,672

 
177,997

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(466
)
 
6,175

 
(8,537
)
 
(30,128
)
 
29,384

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
70,054

 
69,005

 
48,097

 
272,544

 
207,381

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
1.52

 
1.35

 
1.20

 
6.50

 
3.76

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(0.01
)
 
0.13

 
(0.18
)
 
(0.65
)
 
0.62

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
1.51

 
1.48

 
1.02

 
5.85

 
4.38


(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. Accordingly, the Company provides operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes.

The increase in earnings in 2013 compared to 2012 was due to an increase in net interest income earned from the Company's student loan portfolio, an increase in revenue and operating margin from the Company's fee-based operating segments, an increase in income from providing investment advisory services, and an increase in gains recognized from the repurchases of the Company's debt.

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 December 31, 2013, the Company had a $25.9 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 20 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

In addition, 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")


4



The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (dollars in millions).

(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue of $56.7 million, $65.4 million, and $69.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b)
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 $35.3 million, an expense of $51.8 million, and income of $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax, which was income of $21.9 million, an expense of $32.1 million, and income of $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

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


Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of December 31, 2013, the Company was servicing $138.2 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $97.5 billion and $76.1 billion of loans as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The year over year increase was due to an increase in government servicing volume.

Revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012 and for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011 due to 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.

Before tax operating margin increased for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012, as a result of the investments made and certain costs incurred by the Company in 2012 to improve performance metrics under the Department 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.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased in the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, compared to the same periods in 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans as a result of providing more plans at existing schools and obtaining new school customers.

Before tax operating margin increased for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012. The increase was the result of efficiencies gained in the operations of the business and a decrease in amortization expense related to intangible

5



assets. In addition, certain investments were made by the Company during 2012 in new products and services to meet customer needs and expand product and service offerings.

Enrollment Services

Enrollment services revenue has decreased year over year 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. Additionally, clients are shifting marketing budgets to more efficient or lower cost channels, which has caused a reduction in volume.

The Company continues to focus on improving the profitability of this segment by reducing operating expenses in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue and gross margin.

Asset Generation and Management

The Company acquired $4.1 billion of FFELP student loans during 2013, compared to $3.9 billion in 2012 and $2.8 billion in 2011. The average loan portfolio balance for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $25.0 billion, $23.7 billion, and $24.0 billion, respectively.

Core student loan spread increased to 1.54% for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to 1.44% for the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was due to the improved corresponding relationship between the interest rate indices governing what the Company earns on its loans and what the Company pays to fund such loans.

Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company earned $148.4 million, $145.3 million, and $144.5 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of $31.0 million, $19.3 million, and $20.2 million of derivative settlements, respectively, used to hedge such loans).

Corporate Activities

Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, recognized revenue of $17.4 million, $9.3 million, and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. These amounts include performance fees earned from the sale of managed securities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had cash and investments of $255.3 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company generated $387.2 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

Forecasted undiscounted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.17 billion as of December 31, 2013.

As of December 31, 2013, $45.0 million was outstanding on the Company's unsecured line of credit and $230.0 million was available for future use. The unsecured line of credit has a maturity date of March 28, 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 393,259 shares of Class A common stock for $13.1 million ($33.40 per share).

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased $90.5 million (par value) of its own asset-backed and unsecured debt securities for a gain totaling $11.7 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company paid cash dividends of $18.6 million.

The Company intends to use its 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.


6



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 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 consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 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 the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment revenues are charged by a 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.  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 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 December 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
$
11

 

 

 
11

 
165,982

 
2,725

 
(847
)
 
167,871

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
59,031

 
951

 
(847
)
 
59,135

Net interest income (loss)
11

 

 

 
11

 
106,951

 
1,774

 

 
108,736

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
3,500

 

 

 
3,500

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
11

 

 

 
11

 
103,451

 
1,774

 

 
105,236

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
63,167

 

 

 
63,167

 

 

 

 
63,167

Intersegment servicing revenue
14,369

 

 

 
14,369

 

 

 
(14,369
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
18,988

 

 
18,988

 

 

 

 
18,988

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
21,735

 
21,735

 

 

 

 
21,735

Other income

 

 

 

 
4,016

 
13,108

 
(1,143
)
 
15,981

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
104

 
695

 

 
799

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(6,150
)
 
(257
)
 

 
(6,407
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
(455
)
 
1,207

 

 
752

Total other income (expense)
77,536

 
18,988

 
21,735

 
118,259

 
(2,485
)
 
14,753

 
(15,512
)
 
115,015

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
32,838

 
9,560

 
4,229

 
46,627

 
583

 
4,910

 

 
52,120

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
13,864

 
13,864

 

 

 

 
13,864

Depreciation and amortization
3,222

 
1,131

 
53

 
4,406

 

 
868

 

 
5,274

Other
22,943

 
2,760

 
1,634

 
27,337

 
7,570

 
6,585

 
(1,143
)
 
40,349

Intersegment expenses, net
1,116

 
1,639

 
1,170

 
3,925

 
14,617

 
(4,173
)
 
(14,369
)
 

Total operating expenses
60,119

 
15,090

 
20,950

 
96,159

 
22,770

 
8,190

 
(15,512
)
 
111,607

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
17,428

 
3,898

 
785

 
22,111

 
78,196

 
8,337

 

 
108,644

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,818
)
 
(514
)
 
(500
)
 
(2,832
)
 
(801
)
 
3,633

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
15,610

 
3,384

 
285

 
19,279

 
77,395

 
11,970

 

 
108,644

Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,932
)
 
(1,286
)
 
(108
)
 
(7,326
)
 
(29,410
)
 
(820
)
 

 
(37,556
)
Net income (loss)
9,678

 
2,098

 
177

 
11,953

 
47,985

 
11,150

 

 
71,088

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
568

 

 
568

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
9,678

 
2,098

 
177

 
11,953

 
47,985

 
10,582

 

 
70,520

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8



 
Three months ended September 30, 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

 
158,793

 
2,201

 
(767
)
 
160,237

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
56,100

 
(18
)
 
(767
)
 
55,315

Net interest income (loss)
10

 

 

 
10

 
102,693

 
2,219

 

 
104,922

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
10

 

 

 
10

 
97,693

 
2,219

 

 
99,922

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,582

 

 

 
64,582

 

 

 

 
64,582

Intersegment servicing revenue
13,519

 

 

 
13,519

 

 

 
(13,519
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
19,927

 

 
19,927

 

 

 

 
19,927

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
22,563

 
22,563

 

 

 

 
22,563

Other income

 

 

 

 
3,981

 
4,632

 

 
8,613

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
2,138

 

 

 
2,138

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(6,432
)
 
(256
)
 

 
(6,688
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments

 

 

 

 
(12,660
)
 
2,700

 

 
(9,960
)
Total other income (expense)
78,101

 
19,927

 
22,563

 
120,591

 
(12,973
)
 
7,076

 
(13,519
)
 
101,175

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
29,719

 
9,229

 
4,491

 
43,439

 
555

 
4,718

 

 
48,712

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
14,668

 
14,668

 

 

 

 
14,668

Depreciation and amortization
2,677

 
1,117

 
57

 
3,851

 

 
489

 

 
4,340

Other
19,752

 
1,908

 
1,556

 
23,216

 
7,939

 
8,732

 

 
39,887

Intersegment expenses, net
1,457

 
1,431

 
1,139

 
4,027

 
13,705

 
(4,213
)
 
(13,519
)
 

Total operating expenses
53,605

 
13,685

 
21,911

 
89,201

 
22,199

 
9,726

 
(13,519
)
 
107,607

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
24,506

 
6,242

 
652

 
31,400

 
62,521

 
(431
)
 

 
93,490

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,822
)
 
(607
)
 
(607
)
 
(3,036
)
 
(1,302
)
 
4,338

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
22,684

 
5,635

 
45

 
28,364

 
61,219

 
3,907

 

 
93,490

Income tax (expense) benefit
(8,620
)
 
(2,141
)
 
(17
)
 
(10,778
)
 
(23,263
)
 
3,597

 

 
(30,444
)
Net income (loss)
14,064

 
3,494

 
28

 
17,586

 
37,956

 
7,504

 

 
63,046

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
216

 

 
216

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
14,064

 
3,494

 
28

 
17,586

 
37,956

 
7,288

 

 
62,830

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9



 
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 settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(6,361
)
 
(751
)
 

 
(7,112
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
10,542

 
3,227

 

 
13,769

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

Other
17,525

 
2,882

 
4,933

 
25,340

 
6,232

 
4,006

 

 
35,578

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10



 
Year ended December 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
$
40

 

 

 
40

 
638,604

 
9,433

 
(3,267
)
 
644,810

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
229,533

 
4,669

 
(3,267
)
 
230,935

Net interest income (loss)
40

 

 

 
40

 
409,071

 
4,764

 

 
413,875

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
18,500

 

 

 
18,500

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
40

 

 

 
40

 
390,571

 
4,764

 

 
395,375

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
243,428

 

 

 
243,428

 

 

 

 
243,428

Intersegment servicing revenue
56,744

 

 

 
56,744

 

 

 
(56,744
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
80,682

 

 
80,682

 

 

 

 
80,682

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
98,078

 
98,078

 

 

 

 
98,078

Other income

 

 

 

 
15,223

 
32,218

 
(1,143
)
 
46,298

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
11,004

 
695

 

 
11,699

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(27,966
)
 
(1,670
)
 

 
(29,636
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
35,256

 
13,337

 

 
48,593

Total other income (expense)
300,172

 
80,682

 
98,078

 
478,932

 
33,517

 
44,580

 
(57,887
)
 
499,142

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
119,092

 
37,575

 
19,296

 
175,963

 
2,292

 
17,914

 

 
196,169

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
64,961

 
64,961

 

 

 

 
64,961

Depreciation and amortization
11,419

 
4,518

 
232

 
16,169

 

 
2,142

 

 
18,311

Other
79,116

 
9,147

 
6,084

 
94,347

 
30,945

 
25,393

 
(1,143
)
 
149,542

Intersegment expenses, net
4,359

 
5,989

 
4,588

 
14,936

 
57,572

 
(15,764
)
 
(56,744
)
 

Total operating expenses
213,986

 
57,229

 
95,161

 
366,376

 
90,809

 
29,685

 
(57,887
)
 
428,983

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
86,226

 
23,453

 
2,917

 
112,596

 
333,279

 
19,659

 

 
465,534

Corporate overhead allocation
(6,150
)
 
(1,957
)
 
(1,943
)
 
(10,050
)
 
(3,896
)
 
13,946

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
80,076

 
21,496

 
974

 
102,546

 
329,383

 
33,605

 

 
465,534

Income tax (expense) benefit
(30,430
)
 
(8,168
)
 
(369
)
 
(38,967
)
 
(125,165
)
 
2,939

 

 
(161,193
)
Net income (loss)
49,646

 
13,328

 
605

 
63,579

 
204,218

 
36,544

 

 
304,341

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
1,669

 

 
1,669

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
49,646

 
13,328

 
605

 
63,579

 
204,218

 
34,875

 

 
302,672

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11



 
Year 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
$
53

 
8

 

 
61

 
610,194

 
7,305

 
(3,707
)
 
613,853

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
263,788

 
8,485

 
(3,707
)
 
268,566

Net interest income (loss)
53

 
8

 

 
61

 
346,406

 
(1,180
)
 

 
345,287

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
21,500

 

 

 
21,500

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
53

 
8

 

 
61

 
324,906

 
(1,180
)
 

 
323,787

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
209,748

 

 

 
209,748

 

 

 

 
209,748

Intersegment servicing revenue
65,376

 

 

 
65,376

 

 

 
(65,376
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
74,410

 

 
74,410

 

 

 

 
74,410

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
117,925

 
117,925

 

 

 

 
117,925

Other income

 

 

 

 
18,219

 
21,257

 

 
39,476

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
3,814

 
325

 

 
4,139

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(11,792
)
 
(2,230
)
 

 
(14,022
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
(51,809
)
 
4,415

 

 
(47,394
)
Total other income (expense)
275,124

 
74,410

 
117,925

 
467,459

 
(41,568
)
 
23,767

 
(65,376
)
 
384,282

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
115,126

 
34,314

 
22,816

 
172,256

 
2,252

 
18,318

 

 
192,826

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
78,375

 
78,375

 

 

 

 
78,375

Depreciation and amortization
18,415

 
7,240

 
6,491

 
32,146

 

 
1,479

 

 
33,625

Other
70,505

 
10,439

 
10,416

 
91,360

 
16,435

 
20,943

 

 
128,738

Intersegment expenses, net
5,280

 
5,383

 
3,768

 
14,431

 
66,215

 
(15,270
)
 
(65,376
)
 

Total operating expenses
209,326

 
57,376

 
121,866

 
388,568

 
84,902

 
25,470

 
(65,376
)
 
433,564

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
65,851

 
17,042

 
(3,941
)
 
78,952

 
198,436

 
(2,883
)
 

 
274,505

Corporate overhead allocation
(5,904
)
 
(1,968
)
 
(1,968
)
 
(9,840
)
 
(5,306
)
 
15,146

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
59,947

 
15,074

 
(5,909
)
 
69,112

 
193,130

 
12,263

 

 
274,505

Income tax (expense) benefit
(22,780
)
 
(5,728
)
 
2,244

 
(26,264
)
 
(73,387
)
 
3,574

 

 
(96,077
)
Net income (loss)
37,167

 
9,346

 
(3,665
)
 
42,848

 
119,743

 
15,837

 

 
178,428

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
431

 

 
431

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
37,167

 
9,346

 
(3,665
)
 
42,848

 
119,743

 
15,406

 

 
177,997

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




12



Net Interest Income, Net of Settlements on Derivatives

The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income.

The following table summarizes the components of “net interest income” and “derivative settlements, net” included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
62,683

 
59,100

 
49,537

 
235,480

 
192,021

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
38,849

 
37,810

 
35,533

 
148,431

 
145,345

Investment interest
2,006

 
1,562

 
1,326

 
6,668

 
4,616

Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(258
)
 
(256
)
 
(752
)
 
(1,671
)
 
(2,232
)
Corporate debt interest expense
(951
)
 
18

 
(2,158
)
 
(4,669
)
 
(8,485
)
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
102,329

 
98,234

 
83,486

 
384,239

 
331,265



13




Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)
Company owned
 
$23,727
 
$22,650
 
$22,277
 
$21,926
 
$21,504
 
$21,237
 
$20,820
 
$20,629
 
$20,715
 
$21,397
% of total
 
38.6%
 
29.8%
 
27.1%
 
25.6%
 
23.2%
 
21.8%
 
18.5%
 
17.7%
 
15.3%
 
15.5%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing
 
2,804,502

 
3,036,534

 
3,096,026

 
3,137,583

 
3,588,412

 
3,892,929

 
4,261,637

 
4,396,341

 
5,145,901

 
5,305,498

FFELP servicing
 
1,912,748

 
1,799,484

 
1,779,245

 
1,724,087

 
1,659,020

 
1,626,146

 
1,586,312

 
1,529,203

 
1,507,452

 
1,462,122

Private servicing
 
155,947

 
164,554

 
163,135

 
161,763

 
175,070

 
173,948

 
170,224

 
173,588

 
178,935

 
195,580

Total:
 
4,873,197

 
5,000,572

 
5,038,406

 
5,023,433

 
5,422,502

 
5,693,023

 
6,018,173

 
6,099,132

 
6,832,288

 
6,963,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers
 
545,456

 
9,566,296

 
8,645,463

 
7,909,300

 
7,505,693

 
6,912,204

 
5,001,695

 
3,218,896

 
1,986,866

 
1,915,203






14



Other Income

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

 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Borrower late fee income
$
3,021

 
2,927

 
3,211

 
12,686

 
13,876

Investment advisory fees
5,907

 
2,352

 
553

 
17,422

 
9,347

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net
3,944

 
1,096

 
936

 
6,094

 
6,914

Other
3,109

 
2,238

 
2,323

 
10,096

 
9,339

Other income
$
15,981

 
8,613

 
7,023

 
46,298

 
39,476


Derivative Settlements

The following table summarizes the components of "derivative settlements, net" included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1:3 basis swaps
$
827

 
781

 
844

 
3,301

 
4,495

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(7,005
)
 
(7,178
)
 
(7,033
)
 
(31,022
)
 
(19,270
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(257
)
 
(256
)
 
(752
)
 
(1,670
)
 
(2,231
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
28

 
(35
)
 
(162
)
 
(245
)
 
3,228

Other

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(244
)
Total settlements - income (expense)
$
(6,407
)
 
(6,688
)
 
(7,112
)
 
(29,636
)
 
(14,022
)

Derivative Market Value and Foreign Currency Adjustments

"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 following table summarizes the components of “derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments” included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Change in fair value of derivatives - income (expense)
$
10,135

 
30,014

 
39,516

 
83,878

 
(27,833
)
Foreign currency transaction adjustment - income (expense)
(9,383
)
 
(39,974
)
 
(25,747
)
 
(35,285
)
 
(19,561
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments - income (expense)
$
752

 
(9,960
)
 
13,769

 
48,593

 
(47,394
)




15



Student Loans Receivable

The table below outlines the components of the Company’s student loan portfolio:
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Held for investment
 
Held for investment
 
Held for sale
 
Held for investment
Federally insured loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
6,686,626

 
6,884,348

 

 
7,261,114

Consolidation
19,363,577

 
17,908,229

 

 
17,708,732

Total
26,050,203

 
24,792,577

 

 
24,969,846

Non-federally insured loans
71,103

 
66,283

 
28,480

 
26,034

 
26,121,306

 
24,858,860

 
28,480

 
24,995,880

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs
(158,595
)
 
(103,551
)
 

 
(113,357
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(43,440
)
 
(42,406
)
 

 
(40,120
)
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans
(11,682
)
 
(11,791
)
 

 
(11,782
)
 
$
25,907,589

 
24,701,112

 
28,480

 
24,830,621

 
 
 


 
 
 



Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Beginning balance
$
24,887,340

 
22,644,880

 
24,995,880

 
24,359,625

Loan acquisitions
1,858,241

 
2,986,532

 
4,058,997

 
3,885,138

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
(479,035
)
 
(461,261
)
 
(2,375,806
)
 
(1,807,144
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(113,234
)
 
(158,847
)
 
(514,108
)
 
(1,331,163
)
Loans sold
(32,006
)
 
(15,424
)
 
(43,657
)
 
(110,576
)
Ending balance
$
26,121,306

 
24,995,880

 
26,121,306

 
24,995,880




16



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
 
Year ended
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.58
 %
 
2.58
 %
 
2.61
 %
 
2.58
 %
 
2.63
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.78
)
 
(0.76
)
 
(0.76
)
 
(0.77
)
 
(0.75
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
0.05

 
0.02

 
0.03

 
0.03

 

Variable student loan yield, net
1.85

 
1.84

 
1.88

 
1.84

 
1.88

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(0.90
)
 
(0.89
)
 
(1.05
)
 
(0.91
)
 
(1.09
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.03

Variable student loan spread
0.96

 
0.96

 
0.84

 
0.94

 
0.82

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.60

 
0.61

 
0.60

 
0.60

 
0.62

Core student loan spread
1.56
 %
 
1.57
 %
 
1.44
 %
 
1.54
 %
 
1.44
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
25,770,607

 
24,491,516

 
23,766,653

 
24,960,521

 
23,694,388

Average balance of debt outstanding
25,687,958

 
24,470,096

 
24,086,770

 
24,954,546

 
23,932,304


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

(a)
Prior to April 1, 2012, the interest earned on the majority of the Company's FFELP student loan assets was indexed to the three-month commercial paper rate.  As allowed by legislation, effective April 1, 2012, the Company elected to change the index on which the Special Allowance Payments are calculated for FFELP loans from the commercial paper rate 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 (Q2 2012 - Q4 2013) or commercial paper rate indices (Q1 2011 - Q1 2012) by quarter. 

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Variable student loan spread increased during the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 2012 as a result of the tightening of the Asset/Liability Base Rate spread as reflected in the previous table.

The primary difference between variable student loan spread and core student loan spread is fixed rate floor income.  A summary of fixed rate floor income and its contribution to core student loan spread follows:
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
45,854

 
44,988

 
42,566

 
179,453

 
164,615

Derivative settlements (a)
(7,005
)
 
(7,178
)
 
(7,033
)
 
(31,022
)
 
(19,270
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
38,849

 
37,810

 
35,533

 
148,431

 
145,345

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.60
%
 
0.61
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.62
%
 
(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

Fixed Rate Floor Income

The following table shows the Company’s student loan assets that are earning fixed rate floor income as of December 31, 2013:
Fixed interest range
 
Borrower/lender weighted average yield
 
Estimated variable conversion rate (a)
 
Loan balance
 
 
 
< 3.0%
 
2.87%
 
0.23%
 
$
1,753,639

3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.20%
 
0.56%
 
2,101,999

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
1,919,895

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,448,691

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
845,296

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.24%
 
2.60%
 
578,336

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
350,308

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.18%
 
3.54%
 
405,238

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70%
 
4.06%
 
367,927

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.16%
 
4.52%
 
151,774

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
259,141

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.17%
 
5.53%
 
612,919

> 9.0%
 
9.04%
 
6.40%
 
295,420

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
11,090,583

 
(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of December 31, 2013, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.83%. As of December 31, 2013, the short-term interest rate was 17 basis points.



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The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013 used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
2014
 
$
1,750,000

 
0.71
%
2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
 
$
4,850,000

 
0.81
%
(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 December 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 $2.17 billion as detailed below.  The $2.17 billion includes approximately $432.5 million (as of December 31, 2013) of overcollateralization included in the asset-backed securitizations.  These excess net asset positions are reflected variously in the following balances on the consolidated balance sheet:  "student loans receivable," "restricted cash and investments," and "accrued interest receivable."

The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of December 31, 2013.  As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $24.6 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 94.6 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 December 31, 2013.
The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast.  These assumptions are further discussed below.

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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 loan consolidation activity, borrower default rates, and utilization of FFEL Program debt management options such as income-based repayment, deferments, and forbearance.  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 $240 million to $300 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 is 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 $100 million to $140 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 December 31, 2013, the net fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives used to hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income was a net liability of $8.7 million.

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