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EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 EARNINGS RELEASE - NELNET INCexhibit99111916earningsrel.htm
8-K - 8-K - NELNET INCa11916form8-k.htm


For Release: November 9, 2016
Investor Contact: Phil Morgan, 402.458.3038
Nelnet, Inc. supplemental financial information for the third quarter 2016
(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 third quarter 2016 earnings, dated November 9, 2016, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
Forward-looking and cautionary statements
This report contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this document.  Statements that are not historical facts, 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, are forward-looking statements. 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.
The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analysis made by management in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors that management believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2015 Annual Report, and include 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, uncertainties regarding the expected benefits from purchased securitized and unsecuritized FFELP student loans and initiatives to purchase additional FFELP and private education loans, 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, including adverse changes resulting from slower than expected payments on student loans in FFELP securitization trusts, 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 or legislative proposals to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program or otherwise allow FFELP loans to be refinanced with Federal Direct Loan Program loans, risks related to adverse changes in the Company's volumes allocated under the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department, which accounted for approximately 15 percent of the Company's revenue in 2015, risks related to the Department's initiative to procure a new contract for federal student loan servicing to acquire a single servicing solution to service all loans owned by the Department, including the risk that the Company's joint venture with Great Lakes may not be awarded the contract, and risks related to the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP, Federal Direct Loan Program, and private education 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, including cybersecurity risks related to the potential disclosure of confidential student loan borrower and other customer information;
uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations;
the uncertain nature of the expected benefits from the acquisition of Allo Communications LLC and the ability to integrate its communications operations and successfully expand its fiber network in existing service areas and additional communities;
risks and uncertainties related to initiatives to pursue additional strategic investments and acquisitions, including investments and acquisitions that are intended to diversify the Company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses; and
risks and uncertainties associated with litigation matters and with maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the Company's businesses, reputational and other risks, including the risk of increased regulatory costs, resulting from the recent politicization of student loan servicing, 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 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 or revise its prior forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, the Company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

1




Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
193,721

 
184,067

 
187,701

 
567,775

 
535,480

Investment interest
2,460

 
2,185

 
1,456

 
6,674

 
5,548

Total interest income
196,181

 
186,252

 
189,157

 
574,449

 
541,028

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on bonds and notes payable
96,386

 
94,052

 
77,164

 
280,847

 
221,344

Net interest income
99,795

 
92,200

 
111,993

 
293,602

 
319,684

Less provision for loan losses
6,000

 
2,000

 
3,000

 
10,500

 
7,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
93,795

 
90,200

 
108,993

 
283,102

 
312,534

Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,350

 
54,402

 
61,520

 
161,082

 
183,164

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue
33,071

 
30,483

 
30,439

 
102,211

 
92,805

Communications revenue
4,343

 
4,478

 

 
13,167

 

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
13,741

 
4,326

 
39,794

Other income
15,150

 
9,765

 
12,282

 
38,711

 
35,675

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
2,160

 

 
597

 
2,260

 
4,987

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
42,262

 
(35,207
)
 
(24,780
)
 
(15,099
)
 
(10,699
)
Derivative settlements, net
(6,261
)
 
(5,495
)
 
(5,878
)
 
(18,292
)
 
(16,535
)
Total other income
145,075

 
58,426

 
87,921

 
288,366

 
329,191

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
63,743

 
60,923

 
63,215

 
187,907

 
183,052

Depreciation and amortization
8,994

 
8,183

 
6,977

 
24,817

 
19,140

Loan servicing fees
5,880

 
7,216

 
7,793

 
20,024

 
22,829

Cost to provide communication services
1,784

 
1,681

 

 
5,169

 

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
11,349

 
3,623

 
32,543

Other expenses
26,391

 
29,409

 
31,604

 
84,174

 
94,430

Total operating expenses
106,792

 
107,412

 
120,938

 
325,714

 
351,994

Income before income taxes
132,078

 
41,214

 
75,976

 
245,754

 
289,731

Income tax expense
47,715

 
15,036

 
26,999

 
87,184

 
104,985

Net income
84,363

 
26,178

 
48,977

 
158,570

 
184,746

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
69

 
28

 
22

 
165

 
117

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
84,294

 
26,150

 
48,955

 
158,405

 
184,629

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
1.98

 
0.61

 
1.09

 
3.70

 
4.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
42,642,213

 
42,635,700

 
45,047,777

 
42,788,133

 
45,763,443



2



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable, net
$
25,615,434

 
28,324,552

 
28,954,280

Cash, cash equivalents, investments, and notes receivable
324,682

 
367,210

 
350,508

Restricted cash and investments
964,379

 
977,395

 
995,360

Goodwill and intangible assets, net
198,276

 
197,062

 
161,586

Other assets
566,840

 
552,925

 
583,661

Total assets
$
27,669,611

 
30,419,144

 
31,045,395

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
$
25,320,878

 
28,105,921

 
28,757,954

Other liabilities
367,637

 
421,065

 
452,042

Total liabilities
25,688,515

 
28,526,986

 
29,209,996

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,972,085

 
1,884,432

 
1,835,153

Noncontrolling interest
9,011

 
7,726

 
246

Total equity
1,981,096

 
1,892,158

 
1,835,399

Total liabilities and equity
$
27,669,611

 
30,419,144

 
31,045,395




3



Overview

The Company is a diverse company with a focus on delivering education-related products and services and student loan asset management. The largest operating businesses engage in student loan servicing, tuition payment processing and school information systems, and communications. A significant portion of the Company's revenue is net interest income earned on a portfolio of federally insured student loans. The Company also makes investments to further diversify the Company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses, including, but not limited to, investments in real estate and start-up ventures.

GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments

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
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
84,294

 
26,150

 
48,955

 
158,405

 
184,629

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
(42,262
)
 
35,207

 
24,780

 
15,099

 
10,699

Tax effect (a)
16,060


(13,379
)

(9,416
)

(5,737
)

(4,065
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (b)
$
58,092

 
47,978

 
64,319

 
167,767

 
191,263

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
1.98

 
0.61

 
1.09

 
3.70

 
4.03

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
(0.99
)

0.83


0.55


0.35


0.24

Tax effect (a)
0.37

 
(0.31
)
 
(0.21
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(0.09
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (b)
$
1.36

 
1.13

 
1.43

 
3.92

 
4.18


(a)
The tax effects are calculated by multiplying the derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments by the applicable statutory income tax rate.

(b)
The Company provides additional non-GAAP financial information related to specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results 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 are subject to volatility mostly due to timing and market factors beyond the control of management, and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the Company’s management utilizes operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes when making decisions regarding the Company’s performance and in presentations with credit rating agencies, lenders, and investors. Consequently, the Company reports this non-GAAP information because the Company believes that it provides additional information regarding operational and performance indicators that are closely assessed by management. There is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for the presentation of such non-GAAP information, which is only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information that management utilizes to assess performance.

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income(a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income). The Company has concluded this error has an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods.

Operating Results

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 September 30, 2016, the Company had a $25.6 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over

4



the next approximately 25 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

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")
Communications - referred to as Allo Communications ("Allo")

Other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable are combined and included in Corporate and Other Activities ("Corporate"). Corporate and Other Activities also includes income earned on certain investments and interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions.

The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment and Corporate and Other Activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions).


overviewchartq316a07.jpg
(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b)
Total revenue includes "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "total other income" from the Company's segment statements of income, excluding the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax. For information regarding the exclusion of the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, see "GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments" above.

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

A summary of the results and financial highlights for each reportable operating segment and a summary of the Company's liquidity and capital resources follows.

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of September 30, 2016, the Company was servicing $193.2 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $175.3 billion of loans as of September 30, 2015.

Revenue decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 due to a decrease in guaranty servicing and collection revenue. The Company's guaranty servicing and collection revenue was earned from two guaranty clients, and a significant amount of such revenue came from one of those clients. The

5



contract with this client expired on October 31, 2015. FFELP guaranty servicing and collection revenue recognized by the Company from this client for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $11.6 million and $32.8 million respectively. The other guaranty servicing and collection client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016. After this customer's exit from the FFELP guaranty business effective June 30, 2016, the Company has no remaining guaranty servicing and collection revenue.

Revenue from the government servicing contract increased to $40.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $33.2 million for the same period in 2015, and increased to $112.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $99.3 million for the same period in 2015. This increase was due to an increase in disbursements, the transfer of borrowers to the Company from a not-for-profit servicer who exited the loan servicing business, and the shift in the portfolio of loans serviced to a greater portion of loans in higher paying repayment statuses. As of September 30, 2016, the Company was servicing $161.7 billion of student loans for 6.0 million borrowers under this contract.

The increase in before tax operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to a reduction of expenses through improved operational efficiencies.

In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing platform to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016. 

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC ("GreatNet"). The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Servicers, or "TIVAS") that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department. On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. On October 26, 2016, the Department released the Phase II solicitation for its new single servicer contract. Responses for Phase II are due December 12, 2016. The Department anticipates the servicing system contract will be awarded by February 2017.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 due to increases in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction and payments volume, and new school customers.

The decrease in before tax operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to the Company's continued investment in and enhancements of payment plan and campus commerce systems and products.

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

Communications

On December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 92.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo for total cash consideration of $46.25 million.  On January 1, 2016, the Company sold a 1.0 percent ownership interest in Allo to a non-related third-party for $0.5 million. The remaining 7.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo is owned by members of Allo management, who have the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent (up to 19 percent) of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo.  The Allo assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded by the Company at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, and such assets and liabilities were included in the Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 2015.  However, Allo had no impact on the consolidated statement of income for 2015.  On January 1, 2016, the Company began to reflect the operations of Allo in the consolidated statements of income.


6



For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the operating segment recorded a net loss of $2.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The Company anticipates this operating segment will be dilutive to consolidated earnings as it continues to build its network in Lincoln, Nebraska, due to large upfront capital expenditures and associated depreciation and upfront customer acquisition costs.

The Company currently plans to spend a total of approximately $50 million in network capital expenditures during 2016, and anticipates total capital expenditures of approximately $90 million in 2017. However, such amounts could change based on customer demand for Allo's services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Allo's capital expenditures were $24.6 million, including $12.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Asset Generation and Management

Core student loan spread was 1.26% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 1.45% for the same period in 2015 and 1.29% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease in core student loan spread for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 was due to a decrease in fixed rate floor income, and the decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to a decrease in fixed rate floor income and a widening in the basis between the asset and debt indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015, the average balance of student loans decreased $2.7 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, due primarily to the amortization of the student loan portfolio, and limited portfolio acquisitions from third parties, which were $52.7 million and $1.8 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $238.6 million and $3.8 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned $36.4 million, $48.2 million, $116.5 million, and $139.5 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of derivative settlements of $5.2 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $15.2 million and $15.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, used to hedge such loans). The decrease in fixed rate floor income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 was due to an increase in interest rates.

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income (a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income).
 
Corporate and Other Activities

On February 1, 2016, the Company sold 100 percent of the membership interests in Sparkroom LLC, which includes the majority of the Company's inquiry management products and services within Nelnet Enrollment Solutions. The Company retained the digital marketing and content solution products and services under the brand name Peterson's within the Nelnet Enrollment Solutions business, which include test preparation study guides, school directories and databases, career exploration guides, on-line courses, scholarship search and selection data, career planning information and guides, and on-line information about colleges and universities. The Company reclassified the revenue and cost of goods sold attributable to the Peterson's products and services from "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" to "other income" and "other expenses," respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. After this reclassification, "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" include the operating results of the products and services sold as part of the Sparkroom disposition for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income.


7



Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $67.2 million. In addition, the Company had a portfolio of available-for-sale and trading investments, consisting primarily of student loan asset-backed securities, with a fair value of $112.6 million as of September 30, 2016.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company generated $258.8 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

Forecasted 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 September 30, 2016.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of 1,812,592 shares of Class A common stock for $60.1 million ($33.18 per share), including 201,551 shares of Class A common stock for $7.7 million ($38.08 per share) during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $15.3 million ($0.36 per share), including $5.1 million ($0.12 per share) during the third quarter.

The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP and private education loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments; expansion of Allo's telecommunications network; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions. The timing and size of these opportunities will vary and will have a direct impact on the Company's cash and investment balances.
 
Operating Segments

The Company has four reportable operating segments. The Company's reportable operating segments include:

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
Communications
Asset Generation and Management

The Company earns fee-based revenue through its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing, and Communications 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 2015 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. GAAP.  

Corporate and Other Activities

Other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable are combined and included in Corporate and Other Activities. Corporate and Other Activities includes the following items:

Income earned on certain investment activities
Interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions
Other product and service offerings that are not considered reportable operating segments including, but not limited to, WRCM, the SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, and the Enrollment Services business

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


8



Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

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 September 30, 2016
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Communications
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
37

 
2

 

 
194,701

 
2,370

 
(930
)
 
196,181

Interest expense

 

 
318

 
95,383

 
1,615

 
(930
)
 
96,386

Net interest income
37

 
2

 
(318
)
 
99,318

 
755

 

 
99,795

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 
6,000

 

 

 
6,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
37

 
3

 
(318
)
 
93,318

 
755

 

 
93,795

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,350

 

 

 

 

 

 
54,350

Intersegment servicing revenue
11,021

 

 

 

 

 
(11,021
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
33,071

 

 

 

 

 
33,071

Communications revenue

 

 
4,343

 

 

 

 
4,343

Other income

 

 

 
4,265

 
10,886

 

 
15,150

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 
2,160

 

 

 
2,160

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 
42,546

 
(284
)
 

 
42,262

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 
(6,028
)
 
(233
)
 

 
(6,261
)
Total other income
65,371

 
33,071

 
4,343

 
42,943

 
10,369

 
(11,021
)
 
145,075

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Salaries and benefits
32,505

 
15,979

 
2,325

 
486

 
12,448

 

 
63,743

Depreciation and amortization
557

 
2,929

 
1,630

 

 
3,878

 

 
8,994

Loan servicing fees

 

 

 
5,880

 

 

 
5,880

Cost to provide communication services

 

 
1,784

 

 

 

 
1,784

Other expenses
8,784

 
4,149

 
1,545

 
1,769

 
10,143

 

 
26,391

Intersegment expenses, net
5,825

 
1,616

 
279

 
11,146

 
(7,845
)
 
(11,021
)
 

Total operating expenses
47,671

 
24,673

 
7,563

 
19,281

 
18,624

 
(11,021
)
 
106,792

Income (loss) before income taxes
17,737

 
8,401

 
(3,538
)
 
116,980

 
(7,500
)
 

 
132,078

Income tax (expense) benefit
(6,740
)
 
(3,192
)
 
1,344

 
(44,571
)
 
5,443

 

 
(47,715
)
Net income (loss)
10,997

 
5,209

 
(2,194
)
 
72,409

 
(2,057
)
 

 
84,363

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
69

 

 
69

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
10,997

 
5,209

 
(2,194
)
 
72,409

 
(2,126
)
 

 
84,294


9



 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Communications
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
22

 
3

 

 
184,966

 
2,064

 
(802
)
 
186,252

Interest expense

 

 
205

 
92,769

 
1,881

 
(802
)
 
94,052

Net interest income
22

 
3


(205
)
 
92,197

 
183

 

 
92,200

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
 
 
2,000

 

 

 
2,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
22

 
3


(205
)
 
90,197

 
183

 

 
90,200

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,402

 

 

 

 

 

 
54,402

Intersegment servicing revenue
11,408

 

 

 

 

 
(11,408
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
30,483

 

 

 

 

 
30,483

Communications revenue
 
 
 
 
4,478

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,478

Other income, net

 

 

 
3,834

 
5,931

 

 
9,765

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 
(31,411
)
 
(3,797
)
 

 
(35,207
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 
(5,264
)
 
(231
)
 

 
(5,495
)
Total other income
65,810

 
30,483


4,478

 
(32,841
)
 
1,903

 
(11,408
)
 
58,426

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
31,380

 
15,444

 
1,377

 
499

 
12,222

 

 
60,923

Depreciation and amortization
445

 
2,511

 
1,378

 

 
3,848

 

 
8,183

Loan servicing fees

 

 


 
7,216

 

 

 
7,216

Cost to provide communication services
 
 
 
 
1,681

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,681

Other expenses
11,380

 
4,815

 
813

 
1,481

 
10,920

 

 
29,409

Intersegment expenses, net
6,102

 
1,562

 
187

 
11,539

 
(7,981
)
 
(11,408
)
 

Total operating expenses
49,307

 
24,332


5,436

 
20,735

 
19,009

 
(11,408
)
 
107,412

Income (loss) before income taxes
16,525

 
6,154


(1,163
)
 
36,621

 
(16,923
)
 

 
41,214

Income tax (expense) benefit
(6,280
)
 
(2,338
)
 
442

 
(13,916
)
 
7,057

 

 
(15,036
)
Net income (loss)
10,245

 
3,816


(721
)
 
22,705

 
(9,866
)
 

 
26,178

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest


 

 

 

 
28

 

 
28

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
10,245

 
3,816


(721
)
 
22,705

 
(9,894
)
 

 
26,150



10



 
Three months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
14

 

 
188,197

 
1,385

 
(439
)
 
189,157

Interest expense

 

 
76,040

 
1,563

 
(439
)
 
77,164

Net interest income
14

 

 
112,157

 
(178
)
 

 
111,993

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
3,000

 

 

 
3,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
14

 

 
109,157

 
(178
)
 

 
108,993

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
61,900

 

 

 

 
(380
)
 
61,520

Intersegment servicing revenue
12,027

 

 

 

 
(12,027
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
30,439

 

 

 

 
30,439

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
13,741

 

 
13,741

Other income

 

 
3,312

 
8,970

 

 
12,282

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
608

 
(11
)
 

 
597

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
(24,357
)
 
(423
)
 

 
(24,780
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(5,623
)
 
(255
)
 

 
(5,878
)
Total other income
73,927

 
30,439

 
(26,060
)
 
22,022

 
(12,407
)
 
87,921

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
34,525

 
13,983

 
558

 
14,149

 

 
63,215

Depreciation and amortization
484

 
2,202

 

 
4,291

 

 
6,977

Loan servicing fees

 

 
7,793

 

 

 
7,793

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
11,349

 

 
11,349

Other expenses
14,602

 
3,579

 
1,421

 
12,002

 

 
31,604

Intersegment expenses, net
7,513

 
2,246

 
12,544

 
(9,895
)
 
(12,407
)
 

Total operating expenses
57,124

 
22,010

 
22,316

 
31,896

 
(12,407
)
 
120,938

Income (loss) before income taxes
16,817

 
8,429

 
60,781

 
(10,052
)
 

 
75,976

Income tax (expense) benefit
(6,390
)
 
(3,204
)
 
(23,096
)
 
5,691

 

 
(26,999
)
Net income (loss)
10,427

 
5,225

 
37,685

 
(4,361
)
 

 
48,977

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5
)
 

 

 
27

 

 
22

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
10,432

 
5,225

 
37,685

 
(4,388
)
 

 
48,955


(a)
Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.


11



 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Communications
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
80

 
7

 
1

 
570,390

 
6,527

 
(2,556
)
 
574,449

Interest expense

 

 
671

 
278,029

 
4,702

 
(2,556
)
 
280,847

Net interest income
80

 
7

 
(670
)
 
292,361

 
1,825

 

 
293,602

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 
10,500

 

 

 
10,500

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
80

 
7

 
(670
)
 
281,861

 
1,825

 

 
283,102

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
161,082

 

 

 

 

 

 
161,082

Intersegment servicing revenue
34,436

 

 

 

 

 
(34,436
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
102,211

 

 

 

 

 
102,211

Communications revenue

 

 
13,167

 

 

 

 
13,167

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 

 
4,326

 

 
4,326

Other income

 

 

 
12,362

 
26,349

 

 
38,711

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net

 

 

 
2,260

 

 

 
2,260

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 
(8,763
)
 
(6,336
)
 

 
(15,099
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 
(17,596
)
 
(696
)
 

 
(18,292
)
Total other income
195,518

 
102,211

 
13,167

 
(11,737
)
 
23,643

 
(34,436
)
 
288,366

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
96,851

 
45,859

 
4,792

 
1,504

 
38,902

 

 
187,907

Depreciation and amortization
1,440

 
7,711

 
4,137

 

 
11,528

 

 
24,817

Loan servicing fees

 

 

 
20,024

 

 

 
20,024

Cost to provide communications services

 

 
5,169

 

 

 

 
5,169

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 

 
3,623

 

 
3,623

Other expenses
31,635

 
13,122

 
3,110

 
4,766

 
31,540

 

 
84,174

Intersegment expenses, net
18,168

 
4,690

 
610

 
34,791

 
(23,823
)
 
(34,436
)
 

Total operating expenses
148,094

 
71,382

 
17,818

 
61,085

 
61,770

 
(34,436
)
 
325,714

Income (loss) before income taxes
47,504

 
30,836

 
(5,321
)
 
209,039

 
(36,302
)
 

 
245,754

Income tax (expense) benefit
(18,052
)
 
(11,718
)
 
2,022

 
(79,434
)
 
19,998

 

 
(87,184
)
Net income (loss)
29,452

 
19,118

 
(3,299
)
 
129,605

 
(16,304
)
 

 
158,570

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
165

 

 
165

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
29,452

 
19,118

 
(3,299
)
 
129,605

 
(16,469
)
 

 
158,405



12



 
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
34

 
3

 
536,899

 
5,352

 
(1,260
)
 
541,028

Interest expense

 

 
218,021

 
4,583

 
(1,260
)
 
221,344

Net interest income
34

 
3

 
318,878

 
769

 

 
319,684

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
7,150

 

 

 
7,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
34

 
3

 
311,728

 
769

 

 
312,534

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
183,544

 

 

 

 
(380
)
 
183,164

Intersegment servicing revenue
37,121

 

 

 

 
(37,121
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
92,805

 

 

 

 
92,805

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
39,794

 

 
39,794

Other income

 

 
11,838

 
23,837

 

 
35,675

 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net

 

 
2,000

 
2,987

 

 
4,987

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
(11,363
)
 
664

 

 
(10,699
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(15,775
)
 
(760
)
 

 
(16,535
)
Total other income
220,665

 
92,805

 
(13,300
)
 
66,522

 
(37,501
)
 
329,191

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
99,813

 
40,887

 
1,623

 
40,729

 

 
183,052

Depreciation and amortization
1,457

 
6,592

 

 
11,091

 

 
19,140

Loan servicing fees

 

 
22,829

 

 

 
22,829

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
32,543

 

 
32,543

Other expenses
44,578

 
11,493

 
3,828

 
34,531

 

 
94,430

Intersegment expenses, net
22,200

 
6,444

 
37,913

 
(29,056
)
 
(37,501
)
 

Total operating expenses
168,048

 
65,416

 
66,193

 
89,838

 
(37,501
)
 
351,994

Income (loss) before income taxes
52,651

 
27,392

 
232,235

 
(22,547
)
 

 
289,731

Income tax (expense) benefit
(20,007
)
 
(10,410
)
 
(88,248
)
 
13,680

 

 
(104,985
)
Net income (loss)
32,644

 
16,982

 
143,987

 
(8,867
)
 

 
184,746

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5
)
 

 

 
122

 

 
117

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
32,649

 
16,982

 
143,987

 
(8,989
)
 

 
184,629

(a)
Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.


13



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."
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives (a)
$
56,571

 
47,141

 
58,250

 
157,577

 
163,404

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
36,352

 
39,497

 
48,229

 
116,479

 
139,542

Investment interest
2,460

 
2,185

 
1,456

 
6,674

 
5,548

Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(233
)
 
(231
)
 
(257
)
 
(697
)
 
(762
)
Corporate debt interest expense
(1,616
)
 
(1,887
)
 
(1,563
)
 
(4,723
)
 
(4,583
)
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
93,534

 
86,705

 
106,115

 
275,310

 
303,149


(a)
In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income.


14



Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)

lgsvolumechartq316a01.jpg
Company owned
 
$21,397
 
$19,742
 
$19,369
 
$18,934
 
$18,593
 
$18,886
 
$18,433
 
$18,079
 
$17,429
% of total
 
15.5%
 
12.2%
 
11.5%
 
11.1%
 
10.6%
 
10.7%
 
10.1%
 
9.8%
 
9.0%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
5,305,498

 
5,915,449

 
5,882,446

 
5,817,078

 
5,886,266

 
5,842,163

 
5,786,545

 
5,726,828

 
6,009,433

FFELP servicing:
 
1,462,122

 
1,397,295

 
1,358,551

 
1,353,785

 
1,339,307

 
1,335,538

 
1,298,407

 
1,296,198

 
1,357,412

Private servicing:
 
195,580

 
202,529

 
205,926

 
209,854

 
230,403

 
245,737

 
250,666

 
267,073

 
292,989

Total:
 
6,963,200

 
7,515,273

 
7,446,923

 
7,380,717

 
7,455,976

 
7,423,438

 
7,335,618

 
7,290,099

 
7,659,834

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers:
 
1,915,203

 
1,611,654

 
1,592,813

 
1,559,573

 
1,710,577

 
1,755,341

 
1,796,783

 
1,842,961

 
2,103,989



15



Communications Financial and Operating Data

Certain financial and operating data for Allo is summarized in the tables below.
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
Residential revenue
$
2,643

 
7,695

Business revenue
1,565

 
4,777

Other revenue
135

 
695

Total revenue
$
4,343

 
13,167

 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(2,194
)
 
(3,299
)
EBITDA (a)
(1,590
)
 
(514
)
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
12,610

 
24,647

 
 
 
 
Revenue contribution:

 
 
Internet
40.5
 %
 
38.5
%
Telephone
27.2

 
27.1

Television
32.5

 
32.2

Other
(0.2
)
 
2.2

 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
%

 
As of September 30, 2016
 
As of
December 31, 2015
Residential customer information:
 
 
 
Households served
8,745

 
7,600

Households passed (b)
22,977

 
21,274

Total households in current markets
137,500

 
137,500


(a)
Earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") is a supplemental non-GAAP performance measure that is frequently used in capital-intensive industries such as telecommunications. Allo's management uses EBITDA to compare Allo's performance to that of its competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure performance from period to period. EBITDA excludes interest expense and income taxes because these items are associated with a company's particular capitalization and tax structures. EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures. The Company reports EBITDA for Allo because the Company believes that it provides useful additional information for investors regarding a key metric used by management to assess Allo's performance, and it provides supplemental information about Allo's operating performance on a more variable cost basis. There are limitations to using EBITDA as a performance measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from Allo's calculations. In addition, EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance, such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA from net income (loss) under GAAP is presented in the table immediately below.
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Net loss
$
(2,194
)
 
(3,299
)
 
Net interest expense
318

 
670

 
Income tax benefit
(1,344
)
 
(2,022
)
 
Depreciation and amortization
1,630

 
4,137

 
Earnings (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)
$
(1,590
)
 
(514
)
(b)
Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments, and condominiums that Allo already serves and those in which Allo has the capacity to connect to its network distribution system without further material extensions to the transmission lines, but have not been connected.

16



Other Income

The following table summarizes the components of "other income."
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
Peterson's revenue (a)
$
4,128

 
3,246

 
5,759

 
10,655

 
14,730

Borrower late fee income
3,158

 
3,106

 
3,605

 
9,910

 
11,357

Investment advisory fees
1,535

 
1,014

 
677

 
3,367

 
2,167

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments classified as available-for-sale and trading, net
506

 
(112
)
 
(3,155
)
 
1,444

 
(805
)
Other (b)
5,823

 
2,511

 
5,396

 
13,335

 
8,226

Other income
$
15,150

 
9,765

 
12,282

 
38,711

 
35,675


(a)
Represents revenue previously included in "Enrollment services revenue" on the consolidated statements of income. The decrease in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 was due to the loss of rights to a certain publication.

(b)
The operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 include gains of $3.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, related to the Company's sale of venture capital investments. The operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 include a gain of approximately $3.0 million related to the Company's sale of Sparkroom, LLC in February 2016.

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
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
Change in fair value of derivatives - income (expense)
$
47,093

 
(44,975
)
 
(23,722
)
 
(1,556
)
 
(43,179
)
Foreign currency transaction adjustment - (expense) income
(4,831
)
 
9,768

 
(1,058
)
 
(13,543
)
 
32,480

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments - income (expense)
$
42,262

 
(35,207
)
 
(24,780
)
 
(15,099
)
 
(10,699
)


17



Derivative Settlements

The following table summarizes the components of "derivative settlements, net" included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
1:3 basis swaps
$
523

 
743

 
179

 
938

 
568

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(5,157
)
 
(4,841
)
 
(5,456
)
 
(15,241
)
 
(15,490
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(233
)
 
(231
)
 
(255
)
 
(696
)
 
(760
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
(1,394
)
 
(1,166
)
 
(346
)
 
(3,293
)
 
(853
)
Total settlements - expense
$
(6,261
)
 
(5,495
)
 
(5,878
)
 
(18,292
)
 
(16,535
)

Student Loans Receivable

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
September 30,
2015
Federally insured loans
 
 
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
5,353,052

 
6,202,064

 
6,375,336

Consolidation
20,189,881

 
22,086,043

 
22,580,043

Total
25,542,933

 
28,288,107

 
28,955,379

Private education loans
276,432

 
267,642

 
232,824

 
25,819,365

 
28,555,749

 
29,188,203

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs
(152,361
)
 
(180,699
)
 
(183,543
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(37,028
)
 
(35,490
)
 
(35,945
)
Allowance for loan losses – private education loans
(14,542
)
 
(15,008
)
 
(14,435
)
 
$
25,615,434

 
28,324,552

 
28,954,280


Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
$
26,754,560

 
28,313,850

 
28,555,749

 
28,223,908

Loan acquisitions
52,667

 
1,771,841

 
238,595

 
3,835,983

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, and other
(660,074
)
 
(581,321
)
 
(1,989,806
)
 
(1,900,237
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(327,766
)
 
(316,167
)
 
(940,413
)
 
(967,455
)
Loans sold
(22
)
 

 
(44,760
)
 
(3,996
)
Ending balance
$
25,819,365

 
29,188,203

 
25,819,365

 
29,188,203



18



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
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.93
 %
 
2.84
 %
 
2.59
 %
 
2.87
 %
 
2.56
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.83
)
 
(0.83
)
 
(0.82
)
 
(0.83
)
 
(0.83
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization (a)
0.06

 
0.06

 
0.06

 
0.06

 
0.05

Variable student loan yield, net
2.16

 
2.07

 
1.83

 
2.10

 
1.78

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(1.44
)
 
(1.35
)
 
(1.04
)
 
(1.36
)
 
(1.01
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.01
)
 

Variable student loan spread
0.71

 
0.71

 
0.79

 
0.73

 
0.77

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.55

 
0.58

 
0.66

 
0.57

 
0.66

Core student loan spread
1.26
 %

1.29
 %

1.45
 %
 
1.30
 %
 
1.43
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
26,368,507

 
27,314,389

 
29,109,130

 
27,305,128

 
28,565,287

Average balance of debt outstanding
26,235,053

 
27,240,061

 
29,067,202

 
27,188,069

 
28,621,681


(a)
In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income. The impact of this adjustment was excluded from the above table.

A trend analysis of the Company's core and variable student loan spreads is summarized below.
slspreadq316.jpg
(a)
The interest earned on a large portion of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate.  The Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  The relationship between the indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans has a significant impact on student loan spread.  This table (the right axis) shows the difference between the Company's liability base rate and the one-month LIBOR rate by quarter.

19



Variable student loan spread decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to a widening in the basis between the asset and debt indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans (as reflected in the table above).

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
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
41,509

 
44,338

 
53,685

 
131,720

 
155,032

Derivative settlements (a)
(5,157
)
 
(4,841
)
 
(5,456
)
 
(15,241
)
 
(15,490
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
36,352

 
39,497

 
48,229

 
116,479

 
139,542

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.55
%
 
0.58
%
 
0.66
%
 
0.57
%
 
0.66
%
 
(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 federally insured student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of September 30, 2016.
Fixed interest rate range
 
Borrower/lender weighted average yield
 
Estimated variable conversion rate (a)
 
Loan balance
3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.34%
 
0.70%
 
$
1,042,494

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
2,147,414

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,585,631

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
964,042

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.22%
 
2.58%
 
606,787

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
426,196

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.19%
 
3.55%
 
493,997

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70%
 
4.06%
 
483,079

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.17%
 
4.53%
 
167,923

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
285,421

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.18%
 
5.54%
 
663,138

> 9.0%
 
9.04%
 
6.40%
 
229,140

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
9,095,262

 
(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of September 30, 2016, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 2.34% and the short-term interest rate was 52 basis points.


20



The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of September 30, 2016 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)
 
 
2017
 
$
750,000

 
0.99
%
2018
 
1,350,000

 
1.07

2019
 
3,250,000

 
0.97

2020
 
1,500,000

 
1.01

2025
 
100,000

 
2.32

2026
 
50,000

 
1.52

 
 
$
7,000,000

 
1.02
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.






21