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Exhibit 99.1


sma16.jpg
NEWS RELEASE
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

SALLIE MAE REPORTS FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Fourth-Quarter GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $143 Million ($0.33 Per Diluted Share); Full-Year GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $472 Million ($1.07 Per Diluted Share)
Fourth-Quarter Core Earnings Attributable to Common Stock Increased 66 Percent over the Prior-Year Period (Excluding the 2017 Impact of the Tax Act)
Company Declares First-Quarter 2019 Common Stock Dividend and Announces New Share Repurchase Program

NEWARK, Del., Jan. 23, 2019 — Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM), formally SLM Corporation, today released fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results, announced a new policy to pay a regular, quarterly common stock dividend, beginning in the first-quarter 2019, and has approved a new share repurchase program. Fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 results included GAAP net income attributable to the company’s common stock of $143 million ($0.33 diluted earnings per share) and $472 million ($1.07 diluted earnings per share), respectively. These results were primarily driven by growth in the company’s private education loan portfolio, which totaled $20.3 billion at the end of 2018, up 18 percent from the year-ago period.
“Last year, nearly 374,000 students and families trusted Sallie Mae to help them achieve the dream of a higher education,” said Raymond J. Quinlan, Chairman and CEO, Sallie Mae. “We enter 2019 with significant momentum after another great quarter highlighted by increased net interest income, growth in our private education loan business, and terrific credit quality. It’s particularly gratifying to be in a position to return capital to stockholders through our new dividend and repurchase programs as we continue to expand the franchise.”
For the fourth-quarter 2018, GAAP net income was $148 million compared with $47 million in the year-ago quarter. GAAP net income attributable to the company’s common stock was $143 million ($0.33 diluted earnings per share) in the fourth-quarter 2018 compared with $44 million ($0.10 diluted earnings per share) in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to a $74 million increase in net interest income and a $22 million decrease in income tax expense, which were offset by a $27 million increase in total non-interest expenses. The fourth-quarter 2017 included $39 million of additional expense ($24 million in other income and $15 million in additional tax expense) as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”).
For 2018, GAAP net income was $487 million compared with $289 million in 2017. GAAP net income attributable to the company’s common stock was $472 million ($1.07 diluted earnings per share) in 2018 compared with $273 million ($0.62 diluted earnings per share) in 2017. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to a $284 million increase in net interest income and a $131 million decrease in income tax expense, which were offset by a $59 million increase in provisions for credit losses, a $49 million decrease in total non-interest income and a $108 million increase in total non-interest expenses. Full-year 2017 included $39 million of additional expense as a result of the Tax Act.
Fourth-quarter 2018 results vs. fourth-quarter 2017 included:
Private education loan originations of $733 million, up 16 percent.
Net interest income of $383 million, up 24 percent.
Net interest margin of 6.11 percent, up 11 basis points.
Average private education loans outstanding of $20.4 billion, up 18 percent.
Average yield on the private education loan portfolio was 9.34 percent, up 73 basis points.
Private education loan provision for loan losses was $39 million, down from $49 million.
Private education loans in forbearance were 3.8 percent of private education loans in repayment and forbearance, up from 3.7 percent.

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Private education loan delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment were 2.6 percent, up from 2.4 percent.
Private education loan net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment were 1.00 percent, down from 1.07 percent.
Personal loan originations of $185 million.
Average personal loans outstanding of $1.2 billion, up from $265 million.
Average yield on the personal loan portfolio was 11.60 percent, up 138 basis points.
Personal loan provision for loan losses was $18 million, up from $6 million.
Non-GAAP core earnings for the fourth-quarter 2018 were $142 million compared with $47 million in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP core earnings attributable to the company’s common stock were $138 million ($0.31 diluted earnings per share) in the fourth-quarter 2018 compared with $44 million ($0.10 diluted earnings per share) in the year-ago quarter. Absent the impact of Tax Act-related items, the year-ago quarter non-GAAP core earnings would have been $86 million, and non-GAAP core earnings attributable to the company’s common stock in the year-ago quarter would have been $83 million ($0.19 diluted earnings per share).
Non-GAAP core earnings for 2018 were $487 million compared with $294 million for 2017. Non-GAAP core earnings attributable to the company’s common stock were $471 million ($1.07 diluted earnings per share) for 2018 compared with $278 million ($0.63 diluted earnings per share) for 2017. Absent the impact of Tax Act-related items, non-GAAP core earnings in 2017 would have been $333 million, and non-GAAP core earnings attributable to the company’s common stock in 2017 would have been $317 million ($0.72 diluted earnings per share).
Fourth-quarter 2018 and full-year 2018 GAAP results included $7 million and $1 million, respectively, of pre-tax gains from derivative accounting treatment that are excluded from core earnings results vs. pre-tax losses of $1 million and $8 million, respectively, in the year-ago periods.
Sallie Mae provides core earnings because it is one of several measures management uses to evaluate management performance and allocate corporate resources. The difference between core earnings and GAAP net income is driven by mark-to-market unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts recognized in GAAP net income, but not in core earnings results. Management believes its derivatives are effective economic hedges, and, as such, they are a critical element of the company’s interest rate risk management strategy. In third-quarter 2018, management made an immaterial change to its definition of core earnings. For additional information, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - ‘Core Earnings’ ” in the company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2018.
For a reconciliation of the effect of various tax-related items (including the Tax Act) (the “Tax-Related Items”) on certain line items in the GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income of the company, see Appendix A on pages 25 and 26 of this press release.
Total Non-Interest Income and Expenses
Total non-interest income was $13 million in the fourth-quarter 2018 compared with total non-interest loss of $22 million in the year-ago quarter. Total non-interest loss was $52 million for 2018 compared with $3 million for 2017. The Tax-Related Items reduced the company’s other income (loss) in the fourth-quarter 2018 and the fourth-quarter 2017, and for full-year 2018 and 2017. Absent these Tax-Related Items, other income increased $2 million compared with the respective year-ago periods, primarily due to increased credit card revenue from the company’s Upromise subsidiary.
Total non-interest expenses were $146 million in the fourth-quarter 2018 compared with $119 million in the year-ago quarter. Non-interest expenses grew 23 percent from the year-ago quarter, while the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio decreased to 37.6 percent in the fourth-quarter 2018 from 41.2 percent in the year-ago quarter. Absent the Tax-Related Items, the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio would have been 36.9 percent and 37.1 percent in fourth-quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in non-interest expenses was driven by the growth in the portfolio and investments associated with the development of the company’s personal loan product and investments related to other product diversification and platform enhancements.
Total non-interest expenses were $557 million for 2018 compared with $449 million for 2017. Full-year non-interest expenses grew 24.0 percent year-over-year, and the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio increased to 41.0 percent in 2018 from 39.6 percent in 2017. Absent the Tax-Related Items, the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio would have been 38.3 percent and 38.4 percent for 2018 and 2017, respectively.
In early 2018, we indicated our intention to invest $40 million to accelerate the diversification of our consumer lending platform into the personal loan and credit card businesses and to migrate our technology infrastructure to the cloud. Non-interest expenses associated with these efforts totaled $17 million in the fourth-quarter 2018 and $44 million in 2018. Expenses in the company’s primary education loan business increased 9 percent in fourth-quarter 2018 compared to fourth-quarter 2017, and increased 14 percent in 2018 compared to 2017, excluding the technology infrastructure migration costs.


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Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased to $44 million in the fourth-quarter 2018 from $66 million in the year-ago quarter. The effective income tax rate in fourth-quarter 2018 was 23.2 percent, a decrease from 58.5 percent in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to the Tax-Related Items, as well as the reduction in the federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent under the Tax Act.
Income tax expense decreased to $72 million in 2018 from $203 million in 2017. The company’s effective income tax rate decreased to 12.8 percent in 2018 from 41.2 percent in 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a $94 million decrease in income tax expense in 2018 due to the expiration of the statutes of limitations regarding a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions. Absent that item, our effective tax rate for 2018 would have been 25.4 percent. The further decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the reduction in the federal statutory corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act.
Capital
The regulatory capital ratios of the company’s Sallie Mae Bank subsidiary continue to exceed guidelines for institutions considered “well capitalized.” At Dec. 31, 2018, Sallie Mae Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were as follows:
 
Dec. 31, 2018
“Well Capitalized”
 Regulatory Requirements
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
12.1 percent
  6.5 percent
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
12.1 percent
  8.0 percent
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
13.3 percent
10.0 percent
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
11.1 percent
  5.0 percent
Deposits
Deposits at the company totaled $18.9 billion ($10.3 billion in brokered deposits and $8.6 billion in retail and other deposits) at Dec. 31, 2018 compared with $15.5 billion ($8.2 billion in brokered deposits and $7.3 billion in retail and other deposits) at Dec. 31, 2017.
Capital Return Initiatives
The company also announced today that it has initiated a new policy to pay a regular, quarterly common stock dividend, and has approved a new share repurchase program.
A 2019 first-quarter dividend of $0.03 per share on the company’s common stock will be paid on March 15, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2019. This marks the first time the company has paid a common stock dividend since its spin-off of Navient Corporation in 2014.
The new share repurchase program, which is effective immediately and expires on Jan. 22, 2021, permits the company to repurchase from time to time shares of its common stock up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $200 million. The repurchases may occur through a variety of methods, including open market repurchases, repurchases effected through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, or other similar transactions.
Guidance
The company expects 2019 results to be as follows:
Full-year diluted core earnings per share: $1.22 - $1.26.
Full-year private education loan originations of $5.7 billion.
Full-year non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio: 35 percent - 36 percent.

***

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Sallie Mae will host an earnings conference call tomorrow, Jan. 24, 2019, 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 3955447 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 will be available approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion and will remain available through Feb. 7, 2019, by dialing 855-859-2056 (USA and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) with access code 3955447.
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 our beliefs, opinions or expectations and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements. This includes, but is not limited to, the company’s expectation and ability to pay a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock in the future, subject to the determination by the company’s Board of Directors, and based on an evaluation of the company’s earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions, capital allocation determinations, and other factors, risks and uncertainties. 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, 2017 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Feb. 23, 2018) and subsequent filings with the SEC; increases in financing costs; limits on liquidity; increases in costs associated with compliance with laws and regulations; failure to comply with consumer protection, banking and other laws; 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 education loans and the educational credit marketplace (including changes resulting from new laws and the implementation of existing laws). We could also be affected by, among other things: changes in our funding costs and availability; reductions to our credit ratings; cybersecurity incidents and cyberattacks and other failures or breaches of our operating systems or infrastructure, including those of third-party vendors; damage to our reputation; risks associated with restructuring initiatives, including failures to successfully implement cost-cutting and restructuring initiatives and the adverse effects of such initiatives on our business; 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 our customers; changes in the general interest rate environment, including the rate relationships among relevant money-market instruments and those of the our earning assets versus our funding arrangements; rates of prepayments on the loans that we make or acquire; changes in general economic conditions and our ability to successfully effectuate any acquisitions; and other strategic initiatives. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements also requires us 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. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or changes in our expectations.
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 (excluding current period accruals on the derivative instruments), net of tax. 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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — GAAP Consolidated Earnings Summary -‘Core Earnings’ ” in the company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2018 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.”
We report in this press release certain effects of the Tax Act and reductions to other income due to the reduction in our tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of our indemnified uncertain tax positions. Further details on the effect of these tax-related items on the GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income are described in Appendix A on pages 25 and 26 of this press release. We believe this additional disclosure will be helpful to

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investors by illustrating and quantifying the impact of tax-related items. Our financial results absent the effect of the Tax Act and absent reductions to other income due to the reduction in our tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of our indemnified uncertain tax positions are unique to our company, are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to adjustments made by, or to similarly captioned measures reported by, other companies.


***


Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) is the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company. Whether college is a long way off or just around the corner, Sallie Mae offers products that promote responsible personal finance, including private education loans, Upromise rewards, scholarship search, college financial planning tools, and online retail banking. 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, Rick Castellano, 302-451-2541, rick.castellano@salliemae.com
Investors:
Brian Cronin, 302-451-0304, brian.cronin@salliemae.com
###

5




Selected Financial Information and Ratios
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31, 
 
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data and percentages) 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
143,313

 
$
43,866

 
$
471,836

 
$
273,220

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.62

Weighted average shares used to compute diluted earnings per share
 
440,264

 
438,932

 
439,681

 
438,551

Return on assets
 
2.2
%
 
0.9
%
 
2.0
%
 
1.4
%
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio (1)
 
37.6
%
 
41.2
%
 
41.0
%
 
39.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending Private Education Loans, net
 
$
20,294,843

 
$
17,244,830

 
$
20,294,843

 
$
17,244,830

Ending FFELP Loans, net
 
847,889

 
929,159

 
847,889

 
929,159

Ending total education loans, net
 
$
21,142,732

 
$
18,173,989

 
$
21,142,732

 
$
18,173,989

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending Personal Loans, net
 
$
1,128,187

 
$
393,652

 
$
1,128,187

 
$
393,652

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average education loans
 
$
21,249,935

 
$
18,258,153

 
$
20,170,801

 
$
17,147,089

Average Personal Loans
 
$
1,165,432

 
$
265,113

 
$
900,152

 
$
112,644

_________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) We calculate and report our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio as the ratio of (a) the total non-interest expense numerator to (b) the net revenue denominator (which consists of the sum of net interest income, before provision for credit losses, and non-interest income, excluding any gains and losses on sales of loans and securities, net and the net impact of derivative accounting as defined in the "‘Core Earnings’ to GAAP Reconciliation" table in this Press Release). We believe doing so provides useful information to investors because it is a measure used by our management team to monitor our effectiveness in managing operating expenses. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate our ratio. Accordingly, our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.


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SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,559,106

 
$
1,534,339

Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $182,325 and $247,607, respectively)
 
176,245

 
244,088

Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $341,121 and $251,475, respectively)
 
22,270,919

 
18,567,641

Restricted cash
 
122,789

 
101,836

Other interest-earning assets
 
27,157

 
21,586

Accrued interest receivable
 
1,191,981

 
967,482

Premises and equipment, net
 
105,504

 
89,748

Income taxes receivable, net
 
41,570

 

Tax indemnification receivable
 
39,207

 
168,011

Other assets
 
103,695

 
84,853

Total assets
 
$
26,638,173

 
$
21,779,584

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
$
18,943,158

 
$
15,505,383

Long-term borrowings
 
4,284,304

 
3,275,270

Income taxes payable, net
 

 
102,285

Upromise member accounts
 
213,104

 
243,080

Other liabilities
 
224,951

 
179,310

Total liabilities
 
23,665,517

 
19,305,328

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:
 
 
 
 
Series B: 4 million and 4 million shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share
 
400,000

 
400,000

Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 449.9 million and 443.5 million shares issued, respectively
 
89,972

 
88,693

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,274,635

 
1,222,277

Accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax expense of $3,436 and $1,696, respectively)
 
10,623

 
2,748

Retained earnings
 
1,340,017

 
868,182

Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity before treasury stock
 
3,115,247

 
2,581,900

Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 14.2 million and 11.1 million shares, respectively
 
(142,591
)
 
(107,644
)
Total equity
 
2,972,656

 
2,474,256

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
26,638,173

 
$
21,779,584


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SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
 
$
524,597

 
$
392,399

 
$
1,894,687

 
$
1,413,505

Investments
 
1,181

 
2,016

 
6,162

 
8,288

Cash and cash equivalents
 
12,435

 
5,081

 
34,503

 
15,510

Total interest income
 
538,213

 
399,496

 
1,935,352

 
1,437,303

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
116,195

 
66,218

 
389,349

 
223,691

Interest expense on short-term borrowings
 
1,156

 
2,107

 
5,833

 
6,341

Interest expense on long-term borrowings
 
37,995

 
21,980

 
127,106

 
78,050

Total interest expense
 
155,346

 
90,305

 
522,288

 
308,082

Net interest income
 
382,867

 
309,191

 
1,413,064

 
1,129,221

Less: provisions for credit losses
 
57,619

 
55,324

 
244,864

 
185,765

Net interest income after provisions for credit losses
 
325,248

 
253,867

 
1,168,200

 
943,456

Non-interest income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales of loans, net
 

 

 
2,060

 

Losses on sales of securities, net
 

 

 
(1,549
)
 

Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net
 
6,238

 
(940
)
 
(87
)
 
(8,266
)
Other income (loss)
 
6,446

 
(21,066
)
 
(52,319
)
 
5,364

Total non-interest income (loss)
 
12,684

 
(22,006
)
 
(51,895
)
 
(2,902
)
Non-interest expenses:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
61,524

 
55,796

 
252,346

 
213,319

FDIC assessment fees
 
6,853

 
7,473

 
32,786

 
28,950

Other operating expenses
 
77,594

 
55,399

 
271,844

 
206,820

Total non-interest expenses
 
145,971

 
118,668

 
556,976

 
449,089

Income before income tax expense
 
191,961

 
113,193

 
559,329

 
491,465

Income tax expense
 
44,449

 
66,190

 
71,853

 
202,531

Net income
 
147,512

 
47,003

 
487,476

 
288,934

Preferred stock dividends
 
4,199

 
3,137

 
15,640

 
15,714

Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
143,313

 
$
43,866

 
$
471,836

 
$
273,220

Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.08

 
$
0.63

Average common shares outstanding
 
435,586

 
431,980

 
435,054

 
431,216

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.62

Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
 
440,264

 
438,932

 
439,681

 
438,551



8



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



 
 
 
Quarters Ended
December 31,  
 
Years Ended
December 31,  
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
 
$
147,512

 
$
47,003

 
$
487,476

 
$
288,934

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
 
3,335

 
(50
)
 
(2,561
)
 
(716
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
 
(24,953
)
 
11,631

 
11,907

 
19,195

Total unrealized gains (losses)
 
(21,618
)
 
11,581

 
9,346

 
18,479

Income tax (expense) benefit
 
5,229

 
(4,416
)
 
(2,333
)
 
(7,060
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit
 
(16,389
)
 
7,165

 
7,013

 
11,419

Total comprehensive income
 
$
131,123

 
$
54,168

 
$
494,489

 
$
300,353



9




“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)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income
 
$
147,512

 
$
47,003

 
$
487,476

 
$
288,934

Preferred stock dividends
 
4,199

 
3,137

 
15,640

 
15,714

GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
143,313

 
$
43,866

 
$
471,836

 
$
273,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)
 
(7,092
)
 
706

 
(1,284
)
 
8,197

Net tax effect(2)
 
(1,722
)
 
270

 
(312
)
 
3,131

Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
 
(5,370
)
 
436

 
(972
)
 
5,066

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Core Earnings” attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
137,943

 
$
44,302

 
$
470,864

 
$
278,286

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.62

Derivative adjustments, net of tax
 
(0.02
)
 

 

 
0.01

“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.31

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.63

______
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, but include current period accruals on the derivative instruments. For periods prior to July 1, 2018, “Core Earnings” also exclude the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are a result of ineffectiveness recognized related to effective hedges under GAAP, net of tax. 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.
 


10




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, 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
 
Balance 
 
 
Rate 
 
Average Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private Education Loans
 
$
20,391,032

 
9.34
%
 
$
17,318,182

 
8.61
%
 
$
19,282,500

 
9.10
%
 
$
16,176,351

 
8.43
%
FFELP Loans
 
858,903

 
4.90

 
939,971

 
4.07

 
888,301

 
4.57

 
970,738

 
3.91

Personal Loans
 
1,165,432

 
11.60

 
265,113

 
10.22

 
900,152

 
11.08

 
112,644

 
9.90

Taxable securities
 
182,652

 
2.56

 
316,378

 
2.52

 
235,700

 
2.61

 
326,757

 
2.53

Cash and other short-term investments
 
2,254,767

 
2.19

 
1,604,619

 
1.26

 
1,844,404

 
1.88

 
1,454,557

 
1.07

Total interest-earning assets
 
24,852,786

 
8.59
%
 
20,444,263

 
7.75
%
 
23,151,057

 
8.36
%
 
19,041,047

 
7.55
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest-earning assets
 
1,169,125

 
 
 
1,331,197

 
 
 
1,157,628

 
 
 
1,104,598

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
26,021,911

 
 
 
$
21,775,460

 
 
 
$
24,308,685

 
 
 
$
20,145,645

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered deposits
 
$
9,777,361

 
2.66
%
 
$
7,923,341

 
1.87
%
 
$
9,028,589

 
2.43
%
 
$
7,224,869

 
1.75
%
Retail and other deposits
 
8,532,952

 
2.36

 
7,351,063

 
1.55

 
8,142,449

 
2.08

 
6,939,520

 
1.40

Other interest-bearing liabilities(1)
 
4,419,040

 
3.52

 
3,261,087

 
2.94

 
3,948,001

 
3.37

 
2,932,681

 
2.88

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
22,729,353

 
2.71
%
 
18,535,491

 
1.93
%
 
21,119,039

 
2.47
%
 
17,097,070

 
1.80
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
 
379,361

 
 
 
778,258

 
 
 
461,327

 
 
 
647,294

 
 
Equity
 
2,913,197

 
 
 
2,461,711

 
 
 
2,728,319

 
 
 
2,401,281

 
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
26,021,911

 
 
 
$
21,775,460

 
 
 
$
24,308,685

 
 
 
$
20,145,645

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
 
 
 
6.11
%
 
 
 
6.00
%
 
 
 
6.10
%
 
 
 
5.93
%
______
(1) Includes the average balance of our unsecured borrowing, as well as secured borrowings and amortization expense of transaction costs related to our term asset-backed securitizations and our asset-backed commercial paper funding facility.


11




Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations follows.
 
 
Quarters Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
147,512

 
$
47,003

 
$
487,476

 
$
288,934

Preferred stock dividends
 
4,199

 
3,137

 
15,640

 
15,714

Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
143,313

 
$
43,866

 
$
471,836

 
$
273,220

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS
 
435,586

 
431,980

 
435,054

 
431,216

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)(1)(2)
 
4,678

 
6,952

 
4,627

 
7,335

Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS
 
440,264

 
438,932

 
439,681

 
438,551

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.08

 
$
0.63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.62



__________

(1) 
Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method.
 
(2)  For the quarters ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, securities covering less than 1 million shares and no shares, respectively, and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, securities covering less than 1 million shares and no shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.


12




Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics


 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,080

 
$
274,684

 
$
53,210

 
$
328,974

Total provision
 
238

 
38,671

 
18,336

 
57,245

Net charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
 
(341
)
 
(40,849
)
 
(9,878
)
 
(51,068
)
Recoveries
 

 
5,437

 
533

 
5,970

Net charge-offs
 
(341
)
 
(35,412
)
 
(9,345
)
 
(45,098
)
Loan sales(1)
 

 

 

 

Ending Balance
 
$
977

 
$
277,943

 
$
62,201

 
$
341,121

Allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
120,110

 
$

 
$
120,110

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
977

 
$
157,833

 
$
62,201

 
$
221,011

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
1,257,856

 
$

 
$
1,257,856

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
846,487

 
$
19,246,609

 
$
1,190,091

 
$
21,283,187

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 
0.21
%
 
1.00
%
 
3.21
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
 
0.12
%
 
1.36
%
 
5.23
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 
0.15
%
 
1.90
%
 
5.23
%
 
 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
 
0.72

 
1.96

 
1.66

 
 
Ending total loans, gross
 
$
846,487

 
$
20,504,465

 
$
1,190,091

 
 
Average loans in repayment(2)
 
$
665,151

 
$
14,166,945

 
$
1,163,782

 
 
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 
$
665,807

 
$
14,666,856

 
$
1,190,091

 
 
________
(1) 
Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 
Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

13







 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,352

 
$
227,167

 
$
1,400

 
$
229,919

Total provision
 
76

 
49,437

 
5,558

 
55,071

Net charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
 
(296
)
 
(36,828
)
 
(339
)
 
(37,463
)
Recoveries
 

 
5,419

 
9

 
5,428

Net charge-offs
 
(296
)
 
(31,409
)
 
(330
)
 
(32,035
)
Loan sales(1)
 

 
(1,480
)
 

 
(1,480
)
Ending Balance
 
$
1,132

 
$
243,715

 
$
6,628

 
$
251,475

Allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
94,682

 
$

 
$
94,682

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
1,132

 
$
149,033

 
$
6,628

 
$
156,793

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
990,351

 
$

 
$
990,351

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
927,660

 
$
16,441,816

 
$
400,280

 
$
17,769,756

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 
0.17
%
 
1.07
%
 
0.50
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
 
0.12
%
 
1.40
%
 
1.66
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 
0.15
%
 
2.00
%
 
1.66
%
 
 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
 
0.96

 
1.94

 
5.02

 
 
Ending total loans, gross
 
$
927,660

 
$
17,432,167

 
$
400,280

 
 
Average loans in repayment(2)
 
$
711,614

 
$
11,740,773

 
$
264,876

 
 
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 
$
746,456

 
$
12,206,033

 
$
400,280

 
 

________
(1) 
Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 
Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.






14





 
 
Year Ended
 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,132

 
$
243,715

 
$
6,628

 
$
251,475

Total provision
 
980

 
169,287

 
74,317

 
244,584

Net charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
 
(1,135
)
 
(154,701
)
 
(19,690
)
 
(175,526
)
Recoveries
 

 
20,858

 
946

 
21,804

Net charge-offs
 
(1,135
)
 
(133,843
)
 
(18,744
)
 
(153,722
)
Loan sales(1)
 

 
(1,216
)
 

 
(1,216
)
Ending Balance
 
$
977

 
$
277,943

 
$
62,201

 
$
341,121

Allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
120,110

 
$

 
$
120,110

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
977

 
$
157,833

 
$
62,201

 
$
221,011

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
1,257,856

 
$

 
$
1,257,856

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
846,487

 
$
19,246,609

 
$
1,190,091

 
$
21,283,187

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(2)
 
0.16
%
 
1.01
%
 
2.11
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
 
0.12
%
 
1.36
%
 
5.23
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 
0.15
%
 
1.90
%
 
5.23
%
 
 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs
 
0.86

 
2.08

 
3.32

 
 
Ending total loans, gross
 
$
846,487

 
$
20,504,465

 
$
1,190,091

 
 
Average loans in repayment(2)
 
$
691,406

 
$
13,303,801

 
$
889,348

 
 
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 
$
665,807

 
$
14,666,856

 
$
1,190,091

 
 
______
(1) 
Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 
Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

15





 
 
Year Ended
 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
2,171

 
$
182,472

 
$
58

 
$
184,701

Total provision
 
(85
)
 
178,542

 
7,138

 
185,595

Net charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
 
(954
)
 
(130,063
)
 
(579
)
 
(131,596
)
Recoveries
 

 
17,635

 
11

 
17,646

Net charge-offs
 
(954
)
 
(112,428
)
 
(568
)
 
(113,950
)
Loan sales(1)
 

 
(4,871
)
 

 
(4,871
)
Ending Balance
 
$
1,132

 
$
243,715

 
$
6,628

 
$
251,475

Allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
94,682

 
$

 
$
94,682

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
1,132

 
$
149,033

 
$
6,628

 
$
156,793

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
$

 
$
990,351

 
$

 
$
990,351

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
927,660

 
$
16,441,816

 
$
400,280

 
$
17,769,756

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(2)
 
0.13
%
 
1.03
%
 
0.47
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
 
0.12
%
 
1.40
%
 
1.66
%
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 
0.15
%
 
2.00
%
 
1.66
%
 
 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs
 
1.19

 
2.17

 
11.67

 
 
Ending total loans, gross
 
$
927,660

 
$
17,432,167

 
$
400,280

 
 
Average loans in repayment(2)
 
$
745,039

 
$
10,881,058

 
$
119,606

 
 
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 
$
746,456

 
$
12,206,033

 
$
400,280

 
 
______
(1) 
Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 
Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.
    


16




Private Education Loan Key Credit Quality Indicators


 
 
Private Education Loans
 
 
Credit Quality Indicators
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance(1)
 
% of Balance
 
Balance(1)
 
% of Balance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cosigners:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With cosigner
 
$
18,378,398

 
90
%
 
$
15,658,539

 
90
%
Without cosigner
 
2,126,067

 
10

 
1,773,628

 
10

Total
 
$
20,504,465

 
100
%
 
$
17,432,167

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FICO at Original Approval(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 670
 
$
1,409,789

 
7
%
 
$
1,153,591

 
6
%
670-699
 
3,106,983

 
15

 
2,596,959

 
15

700-749
 
6,759,721

 
33

 
5,714,554

 
33

Greater than or equal to 750
 
9,227,972

 
45

 
7,967,063

 
46

Total
 
$
20,504,465

 
100
%
 
$
17,432,167

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seasoning(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-12 payments
 
$
4,969,334

 
24
%
 
$
4,256,592

 
24
%
13-24 payments
 
3,481,235

 
17

 
3,229,465

 
19

25-36 payments
 
2,741,954

 
13

 
2,429,238

 
14

37-48 payments
 
1,990,049

 
10

 
1,502,327

 
9

More than 48 payments
 
2,061,448

 
10

 
1,256,813

 
7

Not yet in repayment
 
5,260,445

 
26

 
4,757,732

 
27

Total
 
$
20,504,465

 
100
%
 
$
17,432,167

 
100
%

______
(1) 
Balance represents gross Private Education Loans.
(2) 
Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.
(3) 
Number of months in active repayment (whether interest only payment, fixed payment or full principal and interest payment status) for which a scheduled payment was due.

17





Personal Loan Key Credit Quality Indicators


 
 
Personal Loans
 
 
Credit Quality Indicators
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance(1)
 
% of Balance
 
Balance(1)
 
% of Balance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FICO at Original Approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 670
 
$
77,702

 
7
%
 
$
32,156

 
8
%
670-699
 
339,053

 
28

 
114,731

 
29

700-749
 
554,700

 
47

 
182,025

 
45

Greater than or equal to 750
 
218,636

 
18

 
71,368

 
18

Total
 
$
1,190,091

 
100
%
 
$
400,280

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seasoning(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0-12 payments
 
$
1,008,758

 
85
%
 
$
400,280

 
100
%
13-24 payments
 
181,333

 
15

 

 

25-36 payments
 

 

 

 

37-48 payments
 

 

 

 

More than 48 payments
 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
1,190,091

 
100
%
 
$
400,280

 
100
%
______
(1) 
Balance represents gross Personal Loans.
(2) 
Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.


18




Private Education Loan Delinquencies


 The following table provides information regarding the loan status of our Private Education Loans. Loans in repayment include loans making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

 
 
Private Education Loans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
%
 
Balance
 
%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
 
$
5,260,445

 
 
 
$
4,757,732

 
 
Loans in forbearance(2)
 
577,164

 
 
 
468,402

 
 
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
 
14,289,705

 
97.4
%
 
11,911,128

 
97.6
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
 
231,216

 
1.6

 
179,002

 
1.5

Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
 
95,105

 
0.7

 
78,292

 
0.6

Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
 
50,830

 
0.3

 
37,611

 
0.3

Total loans in repayment
 
14,666,856

 
100.0
%
 
12,206,033

 
100.0
%
Total loans, gross
 
20,504,465

 
 
 
17,432,167

 
 
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)
 
68,321

 
 
 
56,378

 
 
Total loans
 
20,572,786

 
 
 
17,488,545

 
 
Allowance for losses
 
(277,943
)
 
 
 
(243,715
)
 
 
Total loans, net
 
$
20,294,843

 
 
 
$
17,244,830

 
 
Percentage of loans in repayment
 
 
 
71.5
%
 
 
 
70.0
%
Delinquencies as a percentage of loans in repayment
 
 
 
2.6
%
 
 
 
2.4
%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
 
 
 
3.8
%
 
 
 
3.7
%
_______
(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.


Loans in full principal and interest repayment status in our Private Education Loan portfolio at December 31, 2018 increased by 27 percent compared with December 31, 2017, and total 44 percent of our Private Education Loan portfolio at December 31, 2018.

19




Personal Loan Delinquencies

The following table provides information regarding the loan status of our Personal Loans.

 
 
Personal Loans
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
%
 
Balance
 
%
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
 
$
1,172,776

 
98.5
%
 
$
398,988

 
99.7
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(1)
 
6,722

 
0.6

 
761

 
0.2

Loans delinquent 61-90 days(1)
 
5,416

 
0.5

 
340

 
0.1

Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(1)
 
5,177

 
0.4

 
191

 

Total Personal Loans in repayment
 
1,190,091

 
100.0
%
 
400,280

 
100.0
%
Total Personal Loans, gross
 
1,190,091

 
 
 
400,280

 
 
Personal Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)
 
297

 
 
 

 
 
Total Personal Loans
 
1,190,388

 
 
 
400,280

 
 
Personal Loans allowance for losses
 
(62,201
)
 
 
 
(6,628
)
 
 
Personal Loans, net
 
$
1,128,187

 
 
 
$
393,652

 
 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Personal Loans in repayment
 
 
 
1.5
%
 
 
 
0.3
%

_______
(1) 
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.



Summary of Our Loan Portfolio
Ending Loan Balances, net

 
 
December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Private
Education
Loans 
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Total loan portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In-school(1)
 
$
4,037,125

 
$
163

 
$

 
$
4,037,288

Grace, repayment and other(2)
 
16,467,340

 
846,324

 
1,190,091

 
18,503,755

Total, gross
 
20,504,465

 
846,487

 
1,190,091

 
22,541,043

Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)
 
68,321

 
2,379

 
297

 
70,997

Allowance for loan losses
 
(277,943
)
 
(977
)
 
(62,201
)
 
(341,121
)
Total loan portfolio, net
 
$
20,294,843

 
$
847,889

 
$
1,128,187

 
$
22,270,919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of total
 
91
%
 
4
%
 
5
%
 
100
%
_______

(1) Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loans.
(2) Includes loans in deferment or forbearance. Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.


20



 
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Total loan portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In-school(1)
 
$
3,740,237

 
$
257

 
$

 
$
3,740,494

Grace, repayment and other(2)
 
13,691,930

 
927,403

 
400,280

 
15,019,613

Total, gross
 
17,432,167

 
927,660

 
400,280

 
18,760,107

Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)
 
56,378

 
2,631

 

 
59,009

Allowance for loan losses
 
(243,715
)
 
(1,132
)
 
(6,628
)
 
(251,475
)
Total loan portfolio, net
 
$
17,244,830

 
$
929,159

 
$
393,652

 
$
18,567,641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of total
 
93
%
 
5
%
 
2
%
 
100
%
 _______

(1) Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loans.
(2) Includes loans in deferment or forbearance. Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

Average Loan Balances (net of unamortized premium/discount)


 
 
 
Quarters Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Private Education Loans
 
$
20,391,032

 
91
%
 
$
17,318,182

 
94
%
 
$
19,282,500

 
92
%
 
$
16,176,351

 
94
%
FFELP Loans
 
858,903

 
4

 
939,971

 
5

 
888,301

 
4

 
970,738

 
5

Personal Loans
 
1,165,432

 
5

 
265,113

 
1

 
900,152

 
4

 
112,644

 
1

Total portfolio
 
$
22,415,367

 
100
%
 
$
18,523,266

 
100
%
 
$
21,070,953

 
100
%
 
$
17,259,733

 
100
%

21





Loan Activity

 
 
Quarter Ended December 31, 2018

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance
 
$
20,030,806

 
$
868,138

 
$
1,079,959

 
$
21,978,903

Acquisitions and originations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
 
479,469

 

 
184,752

 
664,221

Variable rate
 
258,951

 

 

 
258,951

Total acquisitions and originations
 
738,420

 

 
184,752

 
923,172

Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization
 
302,969

 
7,767

 
(55
)
 
310,681

Sales
 

 

 

 

Loan consolidations to third-parties
 
(317,515
)
 
(6,264
)
 

 
(323,779
)
Repayments and other
 
(459,837
)
 
(21,752
)
 
(136,469
)
 
(618,058
)
Ending balance
 
$
20,294,843

 
$
847,889

 
$
1,128,187

 
$
22,270,919



 
 
Quarter Ended December 31, 2017

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance
 
$
16,959,241

 
$
950,524

 
$
130,700

 
$
18,040,465

Acquisitions and originations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
 
282,491

 

 
290,387

 
572,878

Variable rate
 
356,143

 

 

 
356,143

Total acquisitions and originations
 
638,634

 

 
290,387

 
929,021

Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization
 
240,593

 
6,141

 

 
246,734

Sales
 
(1,495
)
 

 

 
(1,495
)
Loan consolidations to third-parties
 
(209,273
)
 
(6,692
)
 

 
(215,965
)
Repayments and other
 
(382,870
)
 
(20,814
)
 
(27,435
)
 
(431,119
)
Ending balance
 
$
17,244,830

 
$
929,159

 
$
393,652

 
$
18,567,641



 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance
 
$
17,244,830

 
$
929,159

 
$
393,652

 
$
18,567,641

Acquisitions and originations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
 
3,082,544

 

 
1,157,875

 
4,240,419

Variable rate
 
2,252,948

 

 

 
2,252,948

Total acquisitions and originations
 
5,335,492

 

 
1,157,875

 
6,493,367

Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization
 
597,997

 
31,093

 
(71
)
 
629,019

Sales
 
(42,772
)
 

 

 
(42,772
)
Loan consolidations to third-parties
 
(991,044
)
 
(30,076
)
 

 
(1,021,120
)
Repayments and other
 
(1,849,660
)
 
(82,287
)
 
(423,269
)
 
(2,355,216
)
Ending balance
 
$
20,294,843

 
$
847,889

 
$
1,128,187

 
$
22,270,919


22



 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance
 
$
14,113,409

 
$
1,011,678

 
$
12,835

 
$
15,137,922

Acquisitions and originations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
 
1,524,893

 

 
424,889

 
1,949,782

Variable rate
 
3,293,950

 

 

 
3,293,950

Total acquisitions and originations
 
4,818,843

 

 
424,889

 
5,243,732

Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization
 
462,030

 
31,396

 

 
493,426

Sales
 
(6,992
)
 

 

 
(6,992
)
Loan consolidations to third-parties
 
(630,877
)
 
(36,856
)
 

 
(667,733
)
Repayments and other
 
(1,511,583
)
 
(77,059
)
 
(44,072
)
 
(1,632,714
)
Ending balance
 
$
17,244,830

 
$
929,159

 
$
393,652

 
$
18,567,641


Private Education Loan Originations
The following table summarizes our Private Education Loan originations. Originations represent loans that were funded or acquired during the period presented.
 
 
Quarters Ended
December 31,
 
Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
%
 
2017
 
%
 
2018
 
%
 
2017
 
%
Smart Option - interest only(1)
 
$
155,471

 
21
%
 
$
133,479

 
21
%
 
$
1,164,229

 
22
%
 
$
1,071,470

 
22
%
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
 
195,438

 
27

 
155,754

 
25

 
1,410,124

 
27

 
1,222,799

 
26

Smart Option - deferred(1)
 
258,087

 
35

 
238,152

 
37

 
2,017,927

 
38

 
1,889,682

 
39

Smart Option - principal and interest
 
1,618

 

 
1,210

 

 
8,450

 

 
6,831

 

Graduate Loan
 
107,903

 
15

 
93,802

 
15

 
609,742

 
11

 
536,125

 
11

Parent Loan
 
14,960

 
2

 
11,507

 
2

 
104,771

 
2

 
73,253

 
2

Total Private Education Loan originations
 
$
733,477

 
100
%
 
$
633,904

 
100
%
 
$
5,315,243

 
100
%
 
$
4,800,160

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of loans with a cosigner
 
85.2
%
 
 
 
85.0
%
 
 
 
87.2
%
 
 
 
88.0
%
 
 
Average FICO at approval(2)
 
746

 
 
 
746

 
 
 
746

 
 
 
747

 
 
_______ 
(1) 
Interest only, fixed pay and deferred describe the payment option while in school or in grace period.
(2) 
Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.

Deposits
Interest bearing deposits are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
 
Amount
 
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market
 
$
8,687,766

 
2.46
%
 
$
7,731,966

 
1.80
%
Savings
 
702,342

 
2.00
%
 
738,243

 
1.10
%
Certificates of deposit
 
9,551,974

 
2.74
%
 
7,034,121

 
1.93
%
Deposits - interest bearing
 
$
18,942,082

 
 
 
$
15,504,330

 
 
_____
(1) Includes the effect of interest rate swaps in effective hedge relationships.

23




Regulatory Capital
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Actual
 
“Well Capitalized” Regulatory Requirements
 
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
As of December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
$
2,896,091

12.1
%
 
$
1,558,174

>
6.5
%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
$
2,896,091

12.1
%
 
$
1,917,752

>
8.0
%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
$
3,196,279

13.3
%
 
$
2,397,190

>
10.0
%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 
$
2,896,091

11.1
%
 
$
1,299,032

>
5.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
$
2,350,081

11.9
%
 
$
1,288,435

>
6.5
%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
$
2,350,081

11.9
%
 
$
1,585,767

>
8.0
%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
$
2,597,926

13.1
%
 
$
1,982,208

>
10.0
%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 
$
2,350,081

11.0
%
 
$
1,067,739

>
5.0
%




24



Appendix A
Reconciliation of the Effect of Tax-Related Items on Certain Lines Items in the GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income
The Tax Act lowered the federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, beginning in 2018. Because the Tax Act was enacted during the fourth-quarter 2017, the company was required in late 2017 to reflect the application of the lower tax rate in future years to its deferred tax assets, liabilities and indemnification receivables. Therefore, at Dec. 31, 2017, the company recorded a provisional estimate that resulted in a $15 million net increase in tax expense and reduced other income by $24 million to reflect the effect of the lower tax rate.
Unrelated to the Tax Act, the company also reduced other income in the fourth-quarter 2017, the full-year 2017, the fourth-quarter 2018 and the full-year 2018 to reflect the reduction in its tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of its indemnified uncertain tax positions. When reflecting these reductions, income taxes payable and income tax expense were reduced by corresponding amounts for the relevant periods.
The tables below reflect the adjustments to certain line items in the GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income related to these tax-related items.
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
As
Reported
 
Tax-Related Items
 
Adjusted
(Non-GAAP)
 
As
 Reported
 
Tax-Related Items
 
Adjusted
(Non-GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net
 
$
6,238

 
$

 
$
6,238

 
$
(940
)
 
$

 
$
(940
)
Other income (loss)
 
6,446

 
6,850

(1) 
13,296

 
(21,066
)
 
32,126

(3) 
11,060

Total non-interest income (loss)
 
$
12,684

 
$
6,850

 
$
19,534

 
$
(22,006
)
 
$
32,126

 
$
10,120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
 
$
191,961

 
$
6,850

 
$
198,811

 
$
113,193

 
$
32,126

 
$
145,319

Income tax expense
 
$
44,449

 
$
6,850

(2) 
$
51,299

 
$
66,190

 
$
(6,441
)
(4) 
$
59,749

Net income
 
$
147,512

 
$

 
$
147,512

 
$
47,003

 
$
38,567

 
$
85,570

Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
143,313

 
$

 
$
143,313

 
$
43,866

 
$
38,567

 
$
82,433

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.33

 
$

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.19

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
0.33

 
$

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.10

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.19

_____
(1) Represents the reduction in the tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.
 
(2) Represents the net reduction to income tax expense because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.

(3) Represents the $24 million reduction in a tax-related indemnification receivable due to the lower federal corporate income tax rate set forth in the Tax Act and an $8 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.

(4) Represents the net reduction in deferred tax assets and liabilities of $15 million due to the lower federal corporate income tax rate set forth in the Tax Act, and an $8 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.



25



 
 
Year Ended
 
Year Ended
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
As
Reported
 
Tax-Related Items
 
Adjusted
(Non-GAAP)
 
As
 Reported
 
Tax-Related Items
 
Adjusted
(Non-GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales of loans, net
 
$
2,060

 
$

 
$
2,060

 
$

 
$

 
$

Losses on sales of securities, net
 
(1,549
)
 

 
(1,549
)
 

 

 

Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net
 
(87
)
 

 
(87
)
 
(8,266
)
 

 
(8,266
)
Other income (loss)
 
(52,319
)
 
93,857

(1) 
41,538

 
5,364

 
34,749

(3) 
40,113

Total non-interest income (loss)
 
$
(51,895
)
 
$
93,857

 
$
41,962

 
$
(2,902
)
 
$
34,749

 
$
31,847

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
 
$
559,329

 
$
93,857

 
$
653,186

 
$
491,465

 
$
34,749

 
$
526,214

Income tax expense
 
$
71,853

 
$
93,857

(2) 
$
165,710

 
$
202,531

 
$
(3,818
)
(4) 
$
198,713

Net income
 
$
487,476

 
$

 
$
487,476

 
$
288,934

 
$
38,567

 
$
327,501

Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
 
$
471,836

 
$

 
$
471,836

 
$
273,220

 
$
38,567

 
$
311,787

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
1.08

 
$

 
$
1.08

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.72

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation
 
$
1.07

 
$

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.62

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.71

_____
(1) Represents the reduction in the tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.
 
(2) Represents the net reduction to income tax expense because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.

(3) Represents the $24 million reduction in a tax-related indemnification receivable due to the lower federal corporate income tax rate set forth in the Tax Act and an $11 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.

(4) Represents the net reduction in deferred tax assets and liabilities of $15 million due to the lower federal corporate income tax rate set forth in the Tax Act, and an $11 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable because of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations related to a portion of indemnified uncertain tax positions.


26