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Exhibit 99.1


NEWS RELEASE
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

SALLIE MAE REPORTS FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2014 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Full-Year Private Education Loan Originations of $4.1 Billion
Private Education Loan Portfolio Grows to $8.2 Billion, Up 27 Percent Year-over-Year
Net Interest Income Up 25 Percent Year-over-Year
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Facility Closing Caps Successful Year in Capital Markets

NEWARK, Del., Jan. 21, 2015 — Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM), formally SLM Corporation, today released fourth-quarter 2014 and full-year 2014 financial results that include the effects of $4.1 billion in private education loan originations, up 7 percent from last year; a 27-percent increase in private education loan portfolio size to $8.2 billion; and net interest income of $578 million, up 25 percent from 2013.
In a year of significant change, Sallie Mae achieved the legal separation of Navient, established a market for the sale and securitization of its private education loans and completed the roll out of its own, independent servicing and customer support capabilities. Most recently, the company closed a $750 million asset-backed commercial paper facility.
“2014 was a year of many accomplishments,” said Raymond Quinlan, chairman and CEO. “We managed the extraordinary demands of successfully completing the spin from the preexisting company while strengthening our customer franchise and assisting 367,000 students and families to pay for college.”
For the fourth-quarter 2014, GAAP net income was $20 million ($.03 diluted earnings per share), down from $60 million ($.14 diluted earnings per share) in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year decrease was attributable to a $64-million decrease in gains on sales of securities and a $12-million increase in operating expenses, partially offset by a $28-million increase in net interest income.
For 2014, GAAP net income was $194 million ($.42 diluted earnings per share), down from $259 million ($.58 diluted earnings per share) in 2013.
Core earnings for the quarter were $20 million ($.03 diluted earnings per share), compared with $61 million ($.14 diluted earnings per share) in the year-ago quarter.
Core earnings for the year were $195 million ($.42 diluted earnings per share), compared with $259 million ($.58 diluted earnings per share) for 2013.
Sallie Mae provides core basis earnings because management believes its derivatives are effective economic hedges, and, as such are a critical element of its interest rate risk management strategy, and, consequently, it is one of several measures used to evaluate management performance. The difference between core earnings and GAAP net income is driven by mark-to-market unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts not in effective accounting hedges and hedge ineffectiveness that are recognized in GAAP, but not in core earnings results. Fourth-quarter 2014 and full-year 2014 GAAP results included $62 thousand and $2 million, respectively, of pre-tax losses from derivative accounting treatment that are excluded from core earnings results, vs. $527 thousand and $645 thousand, respectively, in the year-ago periods.




Fourth-quarter 2014 private education loan portfolio results vs. fourth-quarter 2013 included:
Loan originations of $557 million, up 7 percent.
Net interest income of $151 million, up 23 percent.
Average private education loans outstanding increased $1.7 billion to $8.1 billion.
Average yield on the private education loan portfolio was 8.07 percent compared with 8.17 percent.
Provision for loan losses was $30 million, up from $28 million.
Loans in forbearance increased to 2.6 percent of loans in repayment and forbearance.
Delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment increased to 2.0 percent.
Year-over-year private education loan portfolio performance continues to be affected by changes in the company’s business practices undertaken in connection with the Navient spin-off. Most notably, the company changed its policy to charge off loans after 120 days of delinquency and changed its loss confirmation period from two years to one year to reflect both the shorter charge-off policy and its related servicing practices. Prior to the spin-off, Sallie Mae Bank also sold all loans past 90 days delinquent to an affiliate now owned by Navient. Consequently, many of the pre-spin-off, historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not comparable and may not be indicative of future performance.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $88 million in fourth-quarter 2014 (including $10 million of reorganization expenses), compared with $76 million of operating expenses in the year-ago quarter (which included $11 million reserved for compliance-related restitution).
Operating expenses were $316 million for the full-year 2014 (including $38 million of reorganization expenses), compared with $275 million in 2013. The year-over-year increase in operating expenses was primarily the result of increased personnel costs related to being a stand-alone company as well as reorganization costs.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense declined to $24 million in fourth-quarter 2014 from $37 million in the prior-year quarter. The company recorded a net reserve of $7 million for uncertain historical tax positions which resulted in an increase to our effective tax rate to 55 percent in fourth-quarter 2014. Absent these adjustments, the company’s effective tax rate would have been approximately 39 percent in fourth-quarter 2014, compared with an effective tax rate of 38 percent in the prior-year quarter. 
The company’s effective tax rate increased to 42 percent in 2014 from 38 percent in 2013. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2014 was primarily the result of additional reserves related to uncertain historical tax positions. The increase is specific to fourth-quarter 2014 and should not significantly affect the company’s effective tax rate going forward.
Capital
The regulatory capital ratios of the company’s Sallie Mae Bank subsidiary continue to exceed guidelines to be considered well capitalized. At Dec. 31, 2014, Sallie Mae Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were as follows:
Dec. 31, 2014        Well Capitalized Regulatory Requirements
Tier 1 leverage            11.5 percent             5.0 percent
Tier 1 risk-based capital        15.0 percent             6.0 percent
Total risk-based capital        15.9 percent            10.0 percent

Deposits
Deposits at Sallie Mae Bank totaled $11.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2014, compared with $9.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2013. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in money market accounts. The percentage of brokered deposits to total deposits decreased to 60 percent at Dec. 31, 2014, from 63 percent at Dec. 31, 2013.
Guidance
The company expects 2015 results to be as follows:
Full-year private education loan originations of $4.3 billion.
Full-year operating expenses of $325 million, plus an additional $5 million of reorganization expenses.
Full-year loan sales of $1.5 billion.
Provision for private education loan losses between approximately $116 million and $130 million.
Full-year diluted core earnings per share between $0.48 and $0.50.
***


2



Definitions for capitalized terms in this document can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 (filed with the SEC on Feb. 19, 2014). Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the three months and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2013, to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2014, and had no effect on net income, total assets or total liabilities.
***
Sallie Mae will host an earnings conference call tomorrow, Jan. 22, 2015, at 8 a.m. EST. Sallie Mae executives will be on hand to discuss various highlights of the quarter and to answer questions related to Sallie Mae’s performance. Individuals interested in participating in the call should dial 877-356-5689 (USA and Canada) or dial 706-679-0623 (international) and use access code 55432423 starting at 7:45 a.m. EST. A live audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed at www.SallieMae.com/investors. A replay of the conference call via the company’s website will be available approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion. A telephone replay may be accessed approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion through Feb. 4, 2015, by dialing 855-859-2056 (USA and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) with access code 55432423.
Presentation slides for the conference call may be accessed at www.SallieMae.com/investors under the webcasts tab.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” and information based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this release. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the company’s beliefs or expectations and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Item 1A “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 (filed with the SEC on Feb. 19, 2014), the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014; increases in financing costs; limits on liquidity; increases in costs associated with compliance with laws and regulations; changes in accounting standards and the impact of related changes in significant accounting estimates; any adverse outcomes in any significant litigation to which the company is a party; credit risk associated with the company’s exposure to third parties, including counterparties to the company’s derivative transactions; and changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace (including changes resulting from new laws and the implementation of existing laws). The company could also be affected by, among other things: changes in its funding costs and availability; failures of its operating systems or infrastructure, including those of third-party vendors; failure to implement the recently executed separation of the company into two separate publicly traded companies, including failure to transition its origination and servicing operations as planned, increased costs in connection with being a stand-alone company, and failure to achieve the expected benefits of the separation; damage to its reputation; changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of lenders, educational institutions, students and their families; changes in law and regulations with respect to the student lending business and financial institutions generally; changes in banking rules and regulations, including increased capital requirements; increased competition from banks and other consumer lenders; the creditworthiness of its customers; changes in the general interest rate environment, including the rate relationships among relevant money-market instruments and those of its earning assets vs. its funding arrangements; and changes in general economic conditions. The preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements also requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions including estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates or assumptions may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this release. The company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to conform the statement to actual results or changes in its expectations.
In connection with the spin-off of Navient Corporation, the company conformed its policy with that of Sallie Mae Bank to charge off loans after 120 days of delinquency. The company also changed its loss confirmation period from two years to one year to reflect both the shorter charge-off policy and its related servicing practices. Prior to the spin-off, Sallie Mae Bank sold all loans past 90 days delinquent to an affiliate of what is now Navient Corporation. Post-spin-off, sales of delinquent loans to Navient Corporation have been significantly curtailed. Consequently, many of the pre-spin-off, historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not comparable and may not be indicative of future performance.

3




The company reports financial results on a GAAP basis and also provides certain “Core Earnings” performance measures. The difference between the company’s “Core Earnings” and GAAP results for the periods presented were the unrealized, mark-to-market gains/losses on derivative contracts. These are recognized in GAAP but not in “Core Earnings” results. The company provides “Core Earnings” measures because this is what management uses when making management decisions regarding the company’s performance and the allocation of corporate resources. The company’s “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
For additional information, see “Key Financial Measures -‘Core Earnings’” in the company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014 for a further discussion and the “‘Core Earnings’ to GAAP Reconciliation” table in this press release, for a complete reconciliation between GAAP net income and “Core Earnings.”
***

Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM) is the nation’s No. 1 financial services company specializing in education. Whether college is a long way off or just around the corner, Sallie Mae turns education dreams into reality for American families. With products and services that include Upromise rewards, scholarship search and planning tools, private education loans, insurance, and online banking, Sallie Mae offers solutions that help families save, plan, and pay for college. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
###
  
Contacts:
 
Media:
Martha Holler, 302-451-4900, martha.holler@SallieMae.com
Investors:
Brian Cronin, 302-451-0304, brian.cronin@SallieMae.com
###

4




Selected Financial Information and Ratios
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31, 
 
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) 
 
2014 
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
19,717

 
$
60,202

 
$
194,219

 
$
258,945

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.58

Weighted average shares used to compute diluted earnings per share
 
432,108

 
442,949

 
432,269

 
448,549

Return on assets
 
0.66
%
 
2.44
%
 
1.77
%
 
2.83
%
Operating efficiency ratio(1)
 
59
%
 
43
%
 
43
%
 
40
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending Private Education Loans, net
 
$
8,246,647

 
$
6,506,642

 
$
8,246,647

 
$
6,506,642

Ending FFELP Loans, net
 
1,263,139

 
1,424,735

 
1,263,139

 
1,424,735

Ending total education loans, net
 
$
9,509,786

 
$
7,931,377

 
$
9,509,786

 
$
7,931,377

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average education loans
 
$
9,355,797

 
$
7,671,772

 
$
8,916,853

 
$
7,139,630

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Our efficiency ratio is calculated as operating expense, excluding restructuring costs, divided by net interest income after provision for loan losses and other income.


5



SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,359,780

 
$
2,182,865

Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $167,740 and $106,977, respectively)
 
168,934

 
102,105

Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $83,842 and $68,081, respectively)
 
9,509,786

 
7,931,377

Other interest-earning assets
 
77,283

 
4,355

Accrued interest receivable
 
469,697

 
356,283

Premises and equipment, net
 
78,470

 
74,188

Acquired intangible assets, net
 
3,225

 
6,515

Tax indemnification receivable
 
240,311

 

Other assets
 
64,757

 
48,976

Total assets
 
$
12,972,243

 
$
10,706,664

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
$
10,540,555

 
$
9,001,550

Income taxes payable, net
 
191,499

 
162,205

Upromise related liabilities
 
293,004

 
307,518

Other liabilities
 
117,227

 
69,248

Total liabilities
 
11,142,285

 
9,540,521

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:
 
 
 
 
Series A: 3.3 million and 0 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $50 per share
 
165,000

 

Series B: 4 million and 0 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share
 
400,000

 

Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 425 million and 0 shares issued, respectively
 
84,961

 

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,090,511

 

Navient's subsidiary investment
 

 
1,164,495

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $(7,186) and ($1,849), respectively)
 
(11,393
)
 
(3,024
)
Retained earnings
 
113,066

 

Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock
 
1,842,145

 
1,161,471

Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 1 million and 0 shares, respectively
 
(12,187
)
 

Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity
 
1,829,958

 
1,161,471

Noncontrolling interest
 

 
4,672

Total equity
 
1,829,958

 
1,166,143

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
12,972,243

 
$
10,706,664



6




SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
 
$
174,413

 
$
142,446

 
$
660,792

 
$
527,257

Investments
 
2,792

 
2,640

 
8,913

 
20,090

Cash and cash equivalents
 
1,444

 
1,245

 
4,589

 
3,853

Total interest income
 
178,649

 
146,331

 
674,294

 
551,200

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
27,973

 
23,162

 
95,774

 
88,019

Other interest expense
 

 
956

 
41

 
1,066

Total interest expense
 
27,973

 
24,118

 
95,815

 
89,085

Net interest income
 
150,676

 
122,213

 
578,479

 
462,115

Less: provisions for loan losses
 
30,458

 
29,258

 
85,529

 
69,339

Net interest income after provisions for loan losses
 
120,218

 
92,955

 
492,950

 
392,776

Noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales of loans, net
 
396

 
4,496

 
121,359

 
196,593

Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net
 
825

 
(215
)
 
(3,996
)
 
640

Gains on sales of securities
 

 
63,813

 

 
63,813

Other
 
11,095

 
11,342

 
39,921

 
37,222

Total noninterest income
 
12,316

 
79,436

 
157,284

 
298,268

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
36,778

 
24,183

 
129,709

 
106,799

Other operating expenses
 
39,944

 
49,925

 
143,170

 
163,036

Total operating expenses
 
76,722

 
74,108

 
272,879

 
269,835

Acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense
 
1,147

 
871

 
5,292

 
3,956

Restructuring and other reorganization expenses
 
10,483

 
619

 
38,311

 
726

Total expenses
 
88,352

 
75,598

 
316,482

 
274,517

Income before income tax expense
 
44,182

 
96,793

 
333,752

 
416,527

Income tax expense
 
24,465

 
36,923

 
139,967

 
158,934

Net income
 
19,717

 
59,870

 
193,785

 
257,593

Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
(332
)
 
(434
)
 
(1,352
)
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation
 
19,717

 
60,202

 
194,219

 
258,945

Preferred stock dividends
 
4,855

 

 
12,933

 

Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
14,862

 
$
60,202

 
$
181,286

 
$
258,945

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.04

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.59

Average common shares outstanding
 
423,325

 
433,875

 
423,970

 
440,108

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.58

Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
 
432,108

 
442,949

 
432,269

 
448,549




7



SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
 
Quarters Ended December 31,  
 
Years Ended December 31,  
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
 
$
19,717

 
$
59,870

 
$
193,785

 
$
257,593

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
 
2,437

 
(5,580
)
 
6,066

 
35,802

Reclassification adjustments for (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in other income
 

 
(63,813
)
 

 
(63,813
)
Total unrealized gains (losses) on investments
 
2,437

 
(69,393
)
 
6,066

 
(28,011
)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
 
(17,890
)
 

 
(19,772
)
 

Total unrealized losses
 
(15,453
)
 
(69,393
)
 
(13,706
)
 
(28,011
)
Income tax benefit
 
5,911

 
26,334

 
5,337

 
10,639

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit
 
(9,542
)
 
(43,059
)
 
(8,369
)
 
(17,372
)
Comprehensive income
 
10,175

 
16,811

 
185,416

 
240,221

Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
(332
)
 
(434
)
 
(1,352
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
10,175

 
$
17,143

 
$
185,850

 
$
241,573



8




“Core Earnings” to GAAP Reconciliation

The following table reflects adjustments associated with our derivative activities.
 
 
 
Quarters Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
19,717

 
$
60,202

 
$
194,219

 
$
258,945

Preferred stock dividends
 
4,855

 

 
12,933

 

GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
14,862

 
$
60,202

 
$
181,286

 
$
258,945

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
19,717

 
$
60,202

 
$
194,219

 
$
258,945

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)
 
62

 
527

 
1,746

 
645

Net tax effect(2)
 
24

 
201

 
659

 
246

Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
 
38

 
326

 
1,087

 
399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Core Earnings”
 
$
19,755

 
$
60,528

 
$
195,306

 
$
259,344

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.58

Derivative adjustments, net of tax
 

 

 

 

“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.58

______
(1) Derivative Accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses caused by the mark-to-market valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP, as well as the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are a result of ineffectiveness recognized related to effective hedges under GAAP. Under GAAP, for our derivatives held to maturity, the cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract will equal $0.

(2) “Core Earnings” tax rate is based on the effective tax rate at the Bank where the derivative instruments are held.



9



Average Balance Sheets - GAAP
The following table reflects the rates earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities and reflects our net interest margin on a consolidated basis.  
 
 
Quarters Ended December 31, 
 
Years Ended December 31, 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
Average Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private Education Loans
 
$
8,062,977

 
8.07
%
 
$
6,399,584

 
8.17
%
 
$
7,563,356

 
8.16
%
 
$
5,996,651

 
8.16
%
FFELP Loans
 
1,292,820

 
3.21

 
1,272,188

 
3.31

 
1,353,497

 
3.24

 
1,142,979

 
3.32

Taxable securities
 
407,408

 
2.72

 
187,655

 
4.87

 
331,479

 
2.68

 
523,883

 
3.75

Cash and other short-term investments
 
2,159,088

 
0.27

 
1,944,405

 
0.32

 
1,746,839

 
0.26

 
1,473,392

 
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total interest-earning assets
 
11,922,293

 
5.94
%
 
9,803,832

 
5.92
%
 
10,995,171

 
6.13
%
 
9,136,905

 
6.03
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest-earning assets
 
614,105

 
 
 
591,530

 
 
 
549,237

 
 
 
463,584

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
12,536,398

 
 
 
$
10,395,362

 
 
 
$
11,544,408

 
 
 
$
9,600,489

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered deposits
 
$
6,171,293

 
1.22
%
 
$
5,447,772

 
1.18
%
 
$
5,588,569

 
1.12
%
 
$
5,015,201

 
1.24
%
Retail and other deposits
 
3,809,375

 
0.93

 
2,959,532

 
0.92

 
3,593,817

 
0.92

 
2,675,879

 
0.96

Other interest-bearing liabilities
 
17,068

 
2.72

 
49,786

 
7.71

 
26,794

 
0.91

 
120,546

 
0.92

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
9,997,736

 
1.11
%
 
8,457,090

 
1.13
%
 
9,209,180

 
1.04
%
 
7,811,626

 
1.14
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
 
718,365

 
 
 
604,442

 
 
 
727,806

 
 
 
588,586

 
 
Equity
 
1,820,297

 
 
 
1,333,830

 
 
 
1,607,422

 
 
 
1,200,277

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
12,536,398

 
 
 
$
10,395,362

 
 
 
$
11,544,408

 
 
 
$
9,600,489

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
 
 
 
5.01
%
 
 
 
4.95
%
 
 
 
5.26
%
 
 
 
5.06
%


10




Earnings per Common Share
 
 
Quarters Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
19,717

 
$
60,202

 
$
194,219

 
$
258,945

Preferred stock dividends
 
4,855

 

 
12,933

 

Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
14,862

 
$
60,202

 
$
181,286

 
$
258,945

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS
 
423,325

 
433,875

 
423,970

 
440,108

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
8,783

 
9,074

 
8,299

 
8,441

Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS
 
432,108

 
442,949

 
432,269

 
448,549

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
 
$
0.04

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.58




11




Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics


 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FFELP Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Total
 
FFELP Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
5,742

 
$
59,973

 
$
65,715

 
$
5,348

 
$
54,237

 
$
59,585

Total provision
 
464

 
29,994

 
30,458

 
1,582

 
27,676

 
29,258

Charge-offs(1)
 
(938
)
 
(10,056
)
 
(10,994
)
 
(612
)
 

 
(612
)
Recoveries
 

 
1,147

 
1,147

 

 

 

Net charge-offs
 
(938
)
 
(8,909
)
 
(9,847
)
 
(612
)
 

 
(612
)
Student loan sales(2)
 

 
(2,484
)
 
(2,484
)
 

 
(20,150
)
 
(20,150
)
Ending Balance
 
$
5,268

 
$
78,574

 
$
83,842

 
$
6,318

 
$
61,763

 
$
68,081

Allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
9,815

 
$
9,815

 
$

 
$

 
$

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
5,268

 
$
68,759

 
$
74,027

 
$
6,318

 
$
61,763

 
$
68,081

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
46,760

 
$
46,760

 
$

 
$

 
$

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
1,264,807

 
$
8,264,616

 
$
9,529,423

 
$
1,426,972

 
$
6,563,342

 
$
7,990,314

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
 
0.40
%
 
0.72
%
 
 
 
0.25
%
 

 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
 
0.42
%
 
0.95
%
 
 
 
0.44
%
 
0.94
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment
 
0.57
%
 
1.53
%
 
 
 
0.62
%
 
1.55
%
 
 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
 
1.40

 
2.20

 
 
 
2.59

 

 
 
Ending total loans
 
$
1,264,807

 
$
8,311,376

 
 
 
$
1,426,972

 
$
6,563,342

 
 
Average loans in repayment
 
$
930,336

 
$
4,930,742

 
 
 
$
964,583

 
$
3,776,759

 
 
Ending loans in repayment
 
$
926,891

 
$
5,149,215

 
 
 
$
1,023,471

 
$
3,972,317

 
 
________
(1) 
Prior to the Spin-Off, Private Education Loans were sold to an entity that is now a subsidiary of Navient, prior to being charged-off. Therefore, many of our historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not indicative of future performance. Because we now retain more delinquent loans, we believe it could take up to two years from now before our credit performance indicators provide meaningful period-over-period comparisons.
(2) 
Represents fair value write-downs on loans sold.










12






 
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FFELP Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Total
 
FFELP Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
6,318

 
$
61,763

 
$
68,081

 
$
3,971

 
$
65,218

 
$
69,189

Total provision
 
1,946

 
83,583

 
85,529

 
4,384

 
64,955

 
69,339

Charge-offs(1)
 
(2,996
)
 
(14,442
)
 
(17,438
)
 
(2,037
)
 

 
(2,037
)
Recoveries
 

 
1,155

 
1,155

 

 

 

Net charge-offs
 
(2,996
)
 
(13,287
)
 
(16,283
)
 
(2,037
)
 

 
(2,037
)
Student loan sales(2)
 

 
(53,485
)
 
(53,485
)
 

 
(68,410
)
 
(68,410
)
Ending Balance
 
$
5,268

 
$
78,574

 
$
83,842

 
$
6,318

 
$
61,763

 
$
68,081

Allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
9,815

 
$
9,815

 
$

 
$

 
$

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
5,268

 
$
68,759

 
$
74,027

 
$
6,318

 
$
61,763

 
$
68,081

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
46,760

 
$
46,760

 
$

 
$

 
$

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
1,264,807

 
$
8,264,616

 
$
9,529,423

 
$
1,426,972

 
$
6,563,342

 
$
7,990,314

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment
 
0.31
%
 
0.32
%
 
 
 
0.23
%
 

 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
 
0.42
%
 
0.95
%
 
 
 
0.44
%
 
0.94
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment
 
0.57
%
 
1.53
%
 
 
 
0.62
%
 
1.55
%
 
 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs
 
1.76

 
5.91

 
 
 
3.10

 

 
 
Ending total loans
 
$
1,264,807

 
$
8,311,376

 
 
 
$
1,426,972

 
$
6,563,342

 
 
Average loans in repayment
 
$
968,134

 
$
4,539,325

 
 
 
$
870,460

 
$
3,509,502

 
 
Ending loans in repayment
 
$
926,891

 
$
5,149,215

 
 
 
$
1,023,471

 
$
3,972,317

 
 

______
(1) 
Prior to the Spin-Off, Private Education Loans were sold to an entity that is now a subsidiary of Navient, prior to being charged-off. Therefore, many of our historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not indicative of future performance. Because we now retain more delinquent loans, we believe it could take up to two years from now before our credit performance indicators provide meaningful period-over-period comparisons.
(2) 
Represents fair value write-downs on loans sold.

13




Private Education Loan Key Credit Quality Indicators


 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance(1)
 
% of Balance
 
Balance(1)
 
% of Balance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cosigners:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With cosigner
 
$
7,465,339

 
90
%
 
$
5,898,751

 
90
%
Without cosigner
 
846,037

 
10

 
664,591

 
10

Total
 
$
8,311,376

 
100
%
 
$
6,563,342

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FICO at Origination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 670
 
$
558,801

 
7
%
 
$
461,412

 
7
%
670-699
 
1,227,860

 
15

 
1,364,286

 
21

700-749
 
2,626,238

 
32

 
1,649,192

 
25

Greater than or equal to 750
 
3,898,477

 
46

 
3,088,452

 
47

Total
 
$
8,311,376

 
100
%
 
$
6,563,342

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seasoning(2)(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-12 payments
 
$
2,373,117

 
29
%
 
$
1,840,538

 
28
%
13-24 payments
 
1,532,042

 
18

 
1,085,393

 
17

25-36 payments
 
755,143

 
9

 
669,685

 
10

37-48 payments
 
411,493

 
5

 
362,124

 
6

More than 48 payments
 
212,438

 
3

 
30,891

 

Not yet in repayment
 
3,027,143

 
36

 
2,574,711

 
39

Total
 
$
8,311,376

 
100
%
 
$
6,563,342

 
100
%

______
(1) 
Balance represents gross Private Education Loans.
(2) 
Prior to the Spin-Off, Private Education Loans were sold to an entity that is now a subsidiary of Navient, prior to being charged-off. Therefore, many of our historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not indicative of future performance. Because we now retain more delinquent loans, we believe it could take up to two years from now before our credit performance indicators provide meaningful period-over-period comparisons.
(3) 
Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.



14




Private Education Loan Delinquencies


 The following tables provide information regarding the loan status and aging of past due loans. Prior to the Spin-Off, Private Education Loans were sold to an entity that is now a subsidiary of Navient, prior to being charged-off. Therefore, many of our historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not indicative of future performance. Because we now retain more delinquent loans, we believe it could take up to two years from now before our credit performance indicators provide meaningful period-over-period comparisons.

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
%
 
Balance
 
%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
 
$
3,027,143

 
 
 
$
2,574,711

 
 
Loans in forbearance(2)
 
135,018

 
 
 
16,314

 
 
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
 
5,045,600

 
98.0
%
 
3,933,143

 
99.0
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
 
63,873

 
1.2

 
28,854

 
0.7

Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
 
29,041

 
0.6

 
10,280

 
0.3

Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
 
10,701

 
0.2

 
40

 

Total private education loans in repayment
 
5,149,215

 
100.0
%
 
3,972,317

 
100.0
%
Total private education loans, gross
 
8,311,376

 
 
 
6,563,342

 
 
Private education loans deferred origination costs
 
13,845

 
 
 
5,063

 
 
Total private education loans
 
8,325,221

 
 
 
6,568,405

 
 
Private education loans allowance for losses
 
(78,574
)
 
 
 
(61,763
)
 
 
Private education loans, net
 
$
8,246,647

 
 
 
$
6,506,642

 
 
Percentage of private education loans in repayment
 
 
 
62.0
%
 
 
 
60.5
%
Delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment
 
 
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
1.0
%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
 
 
 
2.6
%
 
 
 
0.4
%
_______
(1) 
Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans (e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation).
(2) 
Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
(3) 
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.

 





15




Summary of Our Education Loan Portfolio
Ending Education Loan Balances, net
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Private
Education
Loans 
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Total education loan portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In-school(1)
 
$
2,548,721

 
$
1,185

 
$
2,549,906

 
$
2,191,445

 
$
2,477

 
$
2,193,922

Grace, repayment and other(2)
 
5,762,655

 
1,263,622

 
7,026,277

 
4,371,897

 
1,424,495

 
5,796,392

Total, gross
 
8,311,376

 
1,264,807

 
9,576,183

 
6,563,342

 
1,426,972

 
7,990,314

Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium
 
13,845

 
3,600

 
17,445

 
5,063

 
4,081

 
9,144

Allowance for loan losses
 
(78,574
)
 
(5,268
)
 
(83,842
)
 
(61,763
)
 
(6,318
)
 
(68,081
)
Total education loan portfolio
 
$
8,246,647

 
$
1,263,139

 
$
9,509,786

 
$
6,506,642

 
$
1,424,735

 
$
7,931,377

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of total
 
87
%
 
13
%
 
100
%
 
82
%
 
18
%
 
100
%
(1)      Loans for customers still attending school and are not yet required to make payments on the loan.
(2)     Includes loans in deferment or forbearance.


Average Student Loan Balances (net of unamortized premium/discount)


 
 
 
Quarters Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Private Education Loans
 
$
8,062,977

 
86
%
 
$
6,399,584

 
83
%
 
$
7,563,356

 
85
%
 
5,996,651

 
84
%
FFELP Loans
 
1,292,820

 
14

 
1,272,188

 
17

 
1,353,497

 
15

 
1,142,979

 
16

Total portfolio
 
$
9,355,797

 
100
%
 
$
7,671,772

 
100
%
 
$
8,916,853

 
100
%
 
7,139,630

 
100
%

16





Student Loan Activity


 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance
 
$
7,779,422

 
$
1,315,951

 
$
9,095,373

 
$
6,161,411

 
$
1,214,831

 
$
7,376,242

Acquisitions and originations
 
559,043

 

 
559,043

 
522,008

 
233,854

 
755,862

Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization
 
84,076

 
9,932

 
94,008

 
61,715

 
17,398

 
79,113

Sales
 
(7,212
)
 

 
(7,212
)
 
(109,718
)
 
(987
)
 
(110,705
)
Loan consolidation to third parties
 
(1,742
)
 
(13,197
)
 
(14,939
)
 
(4,732
)
 
(5,903
)
 
(10,635
)
Repayments and other
 
(166,940
)
 
(49,547
)
 
(216,487
)
 
(124,042
)
 
(34,458
)
 
(158,500
)
Ending balance
 
$
8,246,647

 
$
1,263,139

 
$
9,509,786

 
$
6,506,642

 
$
1,424,735

 
$
7,931,377

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance
 
$
6,506,642

 
$
1,424,735

 
$
7,931,377

 
$
5,447,700

 
$
1,039,755

 
$
6,487,455

Acquisitions and originations
 
4,087,320

 
7,470

 
4,094,790

 
3,803,262

 
478,384

 
4,281,646

Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization
 
170,306

 
46,093

 
216,399

 
112,122

 
49,313

 
161,435

Sales
 
(1,873,414
)
 
(7,654
)
 
(1,881,068
)
 
(2,347,521
)
 
(1,182
)
 
(2,348,703
)
Loan consolidation to third parties
 
(14,811
)
 
(41,760
)
 
(56,571
)
 
(13,445
)
 
(23,456
)
 
(36,901
)
Repayments and other
 
(629,396
)
 
(165,745
)
 
(795,141
)
 
(495,476
)
 
(118,079
)
 
(613,555
)
Ending balance
 
$
8,246,647

 
$
1,263,139

 
$
9,509,786

 
$
6,506,642

 
$
1,424,735

 
$
7,931,377

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


17





Private Education Loan Originations
The following table summarizes our Private Education Loan originations.
 
 
 
Quarters Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
%
 
2013
 
%
 
2014
 
%
 
2013
 
%
Smart Option - interest only(1)
 
$
138,141

 
25
%
 
$
126,680

 
24
%
 
$
998,612

 
25
%
 
$
942,568

 
25
%
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
 
169,048

 
30

 
163,788

 
31

 
1,256,978

 
31

 
1,184,073

 
31

Smart Option - deferred(1)
 
247,444

 
45

 
231,609

 
45

 
1,817,011

 
44

 
1,666,547

 
44

Smart Option - principal and interest
 
2,059

 

 
476

 

 
3,347

 

 
1,347

 

Total Private Education Loan originations
 
$
556,692

 
100
%
 
$
522,553

 
100
%
 
$
4,075,948

 
100
%
 
3,794,535

 
100
%
 
(1) 
Interest only, fixed pay and deferred describe the payment option while in school or in grace period.


Deposits
Interest bearing deposits are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate
 
Amount
 
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market
 
$
4,527,448

 
1.15
%
 
$
3,212,889

 
0.65
%
Savings
 
703,687

 
0.81
%
 
743,742

 
0.81
%
NOW
 

 
%
 
18,214

 
0.12
%
Certificates of deposit
 
5,308,818

 
1.00
%
 
4,971,669

 
1.39
%
Deposits - interest bearing
 
$
10,539,953

 
 
 
$
8,946,514

 
 


Regulatory Capital

 
 
Actual
 
Well Capitalized Regulatory Requirements
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
As of December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets)
 
$
1,413,988

11.5
%
 
$
614,709

>
5.0
%
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
 
$
1,413,988

15.0
%
 
$
565,148

>
6.0
%
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
 
$
1,497,830

15.9
%
 
$
941,913

>
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets)
 
$
1,221,416

11.7
%
 
$
521,973

>
5.0
%
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
 
$
1,221,416

16.4
%
 
$
446,860

>
6.0
%
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
 
$
1,289,497

17.3
%
 
$
745,374

>
10.0
%


18