Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM), formally SLM Corporation, today released fourth-quarter 2014 and full-year 2014 financial results that include the effects of $4.1 billion in private education loan originations, up 7 percent from last year; a 27-percent increase in private education loan portfolio size to $8.2 billion; and net interest income of $578 million, up 25 percent from 2013.

In a year of significant change, Sallie Mae achieved the legal separation of Navient, established a market for the sale and securitization of its private education loans and completed the roll out of its own, independent servicing and customer support capabilities. Most recently, the company closed a $750 million asset-backed commercial paper facility.

“2014 was a year of many accomplishments,” said Raymond Quinlan, chairman and CEO. “We managed the extraordinary demands of successfully completing the spin from the preexisting company while strengthening our customer franchise and assisting 367,000 students and families to pay for college.”

For the fourth-quarter 2014, GAAP net income was $20 million ($.03 diluted earnings per share), down from $60 million ($.14 diluted earnings per share) in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year decrease was attributable to a $64-million decrease in gains on sales of securities and a $12-million increase in operating expenses, partially offset by a $28-million increase in net interest income.

For 2014, GAAP net income was $194 million ($.42 diluted earnings per share), down from $259 million ($.58 diluted earnings per share) in 2013.

Core earnings for the quarter were $20 million ($.03 diluted earnings per share), compared with $61 million ($.14 diluted earnings per share) in the year-ago quarter.

Core earnings for the year were $195 million ($.42 diluted earnings per share), compared with $259 million ($.58 diluted earnings per share) for 2013.

Sallie Mae provides core basis earnings because management believes its derivatives are effective economic hedges, and, as such are a critical element of its interest rate risk management strategy, and, consequently, it is one of several measures used to evaluate management performance. The difference between core earnings and GAAP net income is driven by mark-to-market unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts not in effective accounting hedges and hedge ineffectiveness that are recognized in GAAP, but not in core earnings results. Fourth-quarter 2014 and full-year 2014 GAAP results included $62 thousand and $2 million, respectively, of pre-tax losses from derivative accounting treatment that are excluded from core earnings results, vs. $527 thousand and $645 thousand, respectively, in the year-ago periods.

Fourth-quarter 2014 private education loan portfolio results vs. fourth-quarter 2013 included:

  • Loan originations of $557 million, up 7 percent.
  • Net interest income of $151 million, up 23 percent.
  • Average private education loans outstanding increased $1.7 billion to $8.1 billion.
  • Average yield on the private education loan portfolio was 8.07 percent compared with 8.17 percent.
  • Provision for loan losses was $30 million, up from $28 million.
  • Loans in forbearance increased to 2.6 percent of loans in repayment and forbearance.
  • Delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment increased to 2.0 percent.

Year-over-year private education loan portfolio performance continues to be affected by changes in the company’s business practices undertaken in connection with the Navient spin-off. Most notably, the company changed its policy to charge off loans after 120 days of delinquency and changed its loss confirmation period from two years to one year to reflect both the shorter charge-off policy and its related servicing practices. Prior to the spin-off, Sallie Mae Bank also sold all loans past 90 days delinquent to an affiliate now owned by Navient. Consequently, many of the pre-spin-off, historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not comparable and may not be indicative of future performance.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $88 million in fourth-quarter 2014 (including $10 million of reorganization expenses), compared with $76 million of operating expenses in the year-ago quarter (which included $11 million reserved for compliance-related restitution).

Operating expenses were $316 million for the full-year 2014 (including $38 million of reorganization expenses), compared with $275 million in 2013. The year-over-year increase in operating expenses was primarily the result of increased personnel costs related to being a stand-alone company as well as reorganization costs.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense declined to $24 million in fourth-quarter 2014 from $37 million in the prior-year quarter. The company recorded a net reserve of $7 million for uncertain historical tax positions which resulted in an increase to our effective tax rate to 55 percent in fourth-quarter 2014. Absent these adjustments, the company’s effective tax rate would have been approximately 39 percent in fourth-quarter 2014, compared with an effective tax rate of 38 percent in the prior-year quarter.

The company’s effective tax rate increased to 42 percent in 2014 from 38 percent in 2013. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2014 was primarily the result of additional reserves related to uncertain historical tax positions. The increase is specific to fourth-quarter 2014 and should not significantly affect the company’s effective tax rate going forward.

Capital

The regulatory capital ratios of the company’s Sallie Mae Bank subsidiary continue to exceed guidelines to be considered well capitalized. At Dec. 31, 2014, Sallie Mae Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were as follows:

           

Dec. 31, 2014

Well Capitalized Regulatory Requirements

Tier 1 leverage 11.5 percent 5.0 percent
Tier 1 risk-based capital 15.0 percent 6.0 percent
Total risk-based capital 15.9 percent 10.0 percent
 

Deposits

Deposits at Sallie Mae Bank totaled $11.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2014, compared with $9.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2013. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in money market accounts. The percentage of brokered deposits to total deposits decreased to 60 percent at Dec. 31, 2014, from 63 percent at Dec. 31, 2013.

Guidance

The company expects 2015 results to be as follows:

  • Full-year private education loan originations of $4.3 billion.
  • Full-year operating expenses of $325 million, plus an additional $5 million of reorganization expenses.
  • Full-year loan sales of $1.5 billion.
  • Provision for private education loan losses between approximately $116 million and $130 million.
  • Full-year diluted core earnings per share between $0.48 and $0.50.

***

Definitions for capitalized terms in this document can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 (filed with the SEC on Feb. 19, 2014). Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the three months and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2013, to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2014, and had no effect on net income, total assets or total liabilities.

***

Sallie Mae will host an earnings conference call tomorrow, Jan. 22, 2015, at 8 a.m. EST. Sallie Mae executives will be on hand to discuss various highlights of the quarter and to answer questions related to Sallie Mae’s performance. Individuals interested in participating in the call should dial 877-356-5689 (USA and Canada) or dial 706-679-0623 (international) and use access code 55432423 starting at 7:45 a.m. EST. A live audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed at www.SallieMae.com/investors. A replay of the conference call via the company’s website will be available approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion. A telephone replay may be accessed approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion through Feb. 4, 2015, by dialing 855-859-2056 (USA and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) with access code 55432423.

Presentation slides for the conference call may be accessed at www.SallieMae.com/investors under the webcasts tab.

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

In connection with the spin-off of Navient Corporation, the company conformed its policy with that of Sallie Mae Bank to charge off loans after 120 days of delinquency. The company also changed its loss confirmation period from two years to one year to reflect both the shorter charge-off policy and its related servicing practices. Prior to the spin-off, Sallie Mae Bank sold all loans past 90 days delinquent to an affiliate of what is now Navient Corporation. Post-spin-off, sales of delinquent loans to Navient Corporation have been significantly curtailed. Consequently, many of the pre-spin-off, historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not comparable and may not be indicative of future performance.

The company reports financial results on a GAAP basis and also provides certain “Core Earnings” performance measures. The difference between the company’s “Core Earnings” and GAAP results for the periods presented were the unrealized, mark-to-market gains/losses on derivative contracts. These are recognized in GAAP but not in “Core Earnings” results. The company provides “Core Earnings” measures because this is what management uses when making management decisions regarding the company’s performance and the allocation of corporate resources. The company’s “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

For additional information, see “Key Financial Measures -‘Core Earnings’” in the company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014 for a further discussion and the “‘Core Earnings’ to GAAP Reconciliation” table in this press release, for a complete reconciliation between GAAP net income and “Core Earnings.”

***

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

   

Selected Financial Information and Ratios

(Unaudited)

 
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,

(In thousands, except per share data)

2014   2013 2014   2013
 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation $ 19,717 $ 60,202 $ 194,219 $ 258,945
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $ 0.03 $ 0.14 $ 0.42 $ 0.58
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted earnings per share 432,108 442,949 432,269 448,549
Return on assets 0.66 % 2.44 % 1.77 % 2.83 %
Operating efficiency ratio(1) 59 % 43 % 43 % 40 %
 
Other Operating Statistics
Ending Private Education Loans, net $ 8,246,647 $ 6,506,642 $ 8,246,647 $ 6,506,642
Ending FFELP Loans, net   1,263,139     1,424,735     1,263,139     1,424,735  
Ending total education loans, net $ 9,509,786   $ 7,931,377   $ 9,509,786   $ 7,931,377  
 
Average education loans $ 9,355,797 $ 7,671,772 $ 8,916,853 $ 7,139,630
 
(1)   Our efficiency ratio is calculated as operating expense, excluding restructuring costs, divided by net interest income after provision for loan losses and other income.
 
   

SLM CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
December 31, December 31,
2014 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,359,780 $ 2,182,865
Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $167,740 and $106,977, respectively) 168,934 102,105
Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $83,842 and $68,081, respectively) 9,509,786 7,931,377
Other interest-earning assets 77,283 4,355
Accrued interest receivable 469,697 356,283
Premises and equipment, net 78,470 74,188
Acquired intangible assets, net 3,225 6,515
Tax indemnification receivable 240,311 —
Other assets   64,757     48,976  
Total assets $ 12,972,243   $ 10,706,664  
 
Liabilities
Deposits $ 10,540,555 $ 9,001,550
Income taxes payable, net 191,499 162,205
Upromise related liabilities 293,004 307,518
Other liabilities   117,227     69,248  
Total liabilities   11,142,285     9,540,521  
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:
Series A: 3.3 million and 0 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $50 per share 165,000 —
Series B: 4 million and 0 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share 400,000 —
Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 425 million and 0 shares issued, respectively 84,961 —
Additional paid-in capital 1,090,511 —
Navient's subsidiary investment — 1,164,495
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $(7,186) and ($1,849), respectively) (11,393 ) (3,024 )
Retained earnings   113,066     —  
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock 1,842,145 1,161,471
Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 1 million and 0 shares, respectively   (12,187 )   —  
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity 1,829,958 1,161,471
Noncontrolling interest   —     4,672  
Total equity   1,829,958     1,166,143  
Total liabilities and equity $ 12,972,243   $ 10,706,664  
 
   

SLM CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
2014   2013 2014   2013
Interest income:
Loans $ 174,413 $ 142,446 $ 660,792 $ 527,257
Investments 2,792 2,640 8,913 20,090
Cash and cash equivalents   1,444   1,245     4,589     3,853  
Total interest income 178,649 146,331 674,294 551,200
Interest expense:
Deposits 27,973 23,162 95,774 88,019
Other interest expense   —   956     41     1,066  
Total interest expense   27,973   24,118     95,815     89,085  
Net interest income 150,676 122,213 578,479 462,115
Less: provisions for loan losses   30,458   29,258     85,529     69,339  
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses   120,218   92,955     492,950     392,776  
Noninterest income:
Gains on sales of loans, net 396 4,496 121,359 196,593
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net 825 (215 ) (3,996 ) 640
Gains on sales of securities — 63,813 — 63,813
Other   11,095   11,342     39,921     37,222  
Total noninterest income   12,316   79,436     157,284     298,268  
Expenses:
Compensation and benefits 36,778 24,183 129,709 106,799
Other operating expenses   39,944   49,925     143,170     163,036  
Total operating expenses 76,722 74,108 272,879 269,835
Acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense 1,147 871 5,292 3,956
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses   10,483   619     38,311     726  
Total expenses   88,352   75,598     316,482     274,517  
Income before income tax expense 44,182 96,793 333,752 416,527
Income tax expense   24,465   36,923     139,967     158,934  
Net income 19,717 59,870 193,785 257,593
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest   —   (332 )   (434 )   (1,352 )
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation 19,717 60,202 194,219 258,945
Preferred stock dividends   4,855   —     12,933     —  
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ 14,862 $ 60,202   $ 181,286   $ 258,945  
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $ 0.04 $ 0.14   $ 0.43   $ 0.59  
Average common shares outstanding   423,325   433,875     423,970     440,108  
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $ 0.03 $ 0.14   $ 0.42   $ 0.58  
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding   432,108   442,949     432,269     448,549  
 
   

SLM CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
Quarters Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
2014   2013 2014   2013
Net income $ 19,717 $ 59,870 $ 193,785 $ 257,593
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments 2,437 (5,580 ) 6,066 35,802
Reclassification adjustments for (gain) on sale of available-for-sale securities included in other income   —     (63,813 )   —     (63,813 )
Total unrealized gains (losses) on investments 2,437 (69,393 ) 6,066 (28,011 )
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges   (17,890 )   —     (19,772 )   —  
Total unrealized losses (15,453 ) (69,393 ) (13,706 ) (28,011 )
Income tax benefit   5,911     26,334     5,337     10,639  
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit   (9,542 )   (43,059 )   (8,369 )   (17,372 )
Comprehensive income 10,175 16,811 185,416 240,221
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest   —     (332 )   (434 )   (1,352 )
Total comprehensive income attributable to SLM Corporation $ 10,175   $ 17,143   $ 185,850   $ 241,573  
 

“Core Earnings” to GAAP Reconciliation

The following table reflects adjustments associated with our derivative activities.

   
Quarters Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

2014   2013 2014   2013
 
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation $ 19,717 $ 60,202 $ 194,219 $ 258,945
Preferred stock dividends   4,855   —   12,933   —
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ 14,862 $ 60,202 $ 181,286 $ 258,945
 
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation $ 19,717 $ 60,202 $ 194,219 $ 258,945
 
Adjustments:
Net impact of derivative accounting(1) 62 527 1,746 645
Net tax effect(2)   24   201   659   246
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP   38   326   1,087   399
 
“Core Earnings” $ 19,755 $ 60,528 $ 195,306 $ 259,344
 
GAAP diluted earnings per common share $ 0.03 $ 0.14 $ 0.42 $ 0.58
Derivative adjustments, net of tax   —   —   —   —
“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share $ 0.03 $ 0.14 $ 0.42 $ 0.58
 

______

(1)  

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

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

Average Balance Sheets - GAAP

The following table reflects the rates earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities and reflects our net interest margin on a consolidated basis.

   
Quarters Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
2014   2013 2014   2013

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance   Rate Balance   Rate Balance   Rate Balance   Rate
Average Assets
Private Education Loans $ 8,062,977 8.07 % $ 6,399,584 8.17 % $ 7,563,356 8.16 % $ 5,996,651 8.16 %
FFELP Loans 1,292,820 3.21 1,272,188 3.31 1,353,497 3.24 1,142,979 3.32
Taxable securities 407,408 2.72 187,655 4.87 331,479 2.68 523,883 3.75
Cash and other short-term investments   2,159,088 0.27     1,944,405 0.32     1,746,839 0.26     1,473,392 0.3  
 
Total interest-earning assets 11,922,293 5.94 % 9,803,832 5.92 % 10,995,171 6.13 % 9,136,905 6.03 %
 
Non-interest-earning assets   614,105   591,530   549,237   463,584
 
Total assets $ 12,536,398 $ 10,395,362 $ 11,544,408 $ 9,600,489
 
Average Liabilities and Equity
Brokered deposits $ 6,171,293 1.22 % $ 5,447,772 1.18 % $ 5,588,569 1.12 % $ 5,015,201 1.24 %
Retail and other deposits 3,809,375 0.93 2,959,532 0.92 3,593,817 0.92 2,675,879 0.96
Other interest-bearing liabilities   17,068 2.72     49,786 7.71     26,794 0.91     120,546 0.92  
Total interest-bearing liabilities 9,997,736 1.11 % 8,457,090 1.13 % 9,209,180 1.04 % 7,811,626 1.14 %
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities 718,365 604,442 727,806 588,586
Equity   1,820,297   1,333,830   1,607,422   1,200,277
 
Total liabilities and equity $ 12,536,398 $ 10,395,362 $ 11,544,408 $ 9,600,489
 
Net interest margin 5.01 % 4.95 % 5.26 % 5.06 %
 
   

Earnings per Common Share

 
Quarters Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,

(In thousands, except per share data)

2014   2013 2014   2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation $ 19,717 $ 60,202 $ 194,219 $ 258,945
Preferred stock dividends 4,855   —   12,933   —
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ 14,862   $ 60,202   $ 181,286   $ 258,945
Denominator:
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS 423,325 433,875 423,970 440,108
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan 8,783   9,074   8,299   8,441
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS 432,108   442,949   432,269   448,549
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation: $ 0.04   $ 0.14   $ 0.43   $ 0.59
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation: $ 0.03   $ 0.14   $ 0.42   $ 0.58
 
 

Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics

 
Quarters Ended
December 31,
2014   2013

(Dollars in thousands)

FFELP Loans  

Private Education

Loans

   Total FFELP Loans   Private Education
Loans		   Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Beginning balance $ 5,742 $ 59,973 $ 65,715 $ 5,348 $ 54,237 $ 59,585
Total provision 464 29,994 30,458 1,582 27,676 29,258
Charge-offs(1) (938 ) (10,056 ) (10,994 ) (612 ) — (612 )
Recoveries —   1,147   1,147   —   —   —  
Net charge-offs (938 ) (8,909 ) (9,847 ) (612 ) — (612 )
Student loan sales(2) —   (2,484 ) (2,484 ) —   (20,150 ) (20,150 )
Ending Balance $ 5,268   $ 78,574   $ 83,842   $ 6,318   $ 61,763   $ 68,081  
Allowance:

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

$ — $ 9,815 $ 9,815 $ — $ — $ —

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

$ 5,268 $ 68,759 $ 74,027 $ 6,318 $ 61,763 $ 68,081
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 46,760 $ 46,760 $ — $ — $ —
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $ 1,264,807 $ 8,264,616 $ 9,529,423 $ 1,426,972 $ 6,563,342 $ 7,990,314
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized) 0.40 % 0.72 % 0.25 % —
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.42 % 0.95 % 0.44 % 0.94 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment 0.57 % 1.53 % 0.62 % 1.55 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.40 2.20 2.59 —
Ending total loans $ 1,264,807 $ 8,311,376 $ 1,426,972 $ 6,563,342
Average loans in repayment $ 930,336 $ 4,930,742 $ 964,583 $ 3,776,759
Ending loans in repayment $ 926,891 $ 5,149,215 $ 1,023,471 $ 3,972,317
________

(1)

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

(2)

 Represents fair value write-downs on loans sold.
 
 
Years Ended
December 31,
2014   2013

(Dollars in thousands)

FFELP Loans   Private Education

Loans

   Total FFELP Loans   Private Education
Loans		   Total
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Beginning balance $ 6,318 $ 61,763 $ 68,081 $ 3,971 $ 65,218 $ 69,189
Total provision 1,946 83,583 85,529 4,384 64,955 69,339
Charge-offs(1) (2,996 ) (14,442 ) (17,438 ) (2,037 ) — (2,037 )
Recoveries —   1,155   1,155   —   —   —  
Net charge-offs (2,996 ) (13,287 ) (16,283 ) (2,037 ) — (2,037 )
Student loan sales(2) —   (53,485 ) (53,485 ) —   (68,410 ) (68,410 )
Ending Balance $ 5,268   $ 78,574   $ 83,842   $ 6,318   $ 61,763   $ 68,081  
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 9,815 $ 9,815 $ — $ — $ —
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $ 5,268 $ 68,759 $ 74,027 $ 6,318 $ 61,763 $ 68,081
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 46,760 $ 46,760 $ — $ — $ —
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $ 1,264,807 $ 8,264,616 $ 9,529,423 $ 1,426,972 $ 6,563,342 $ 7,990,314
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment 0.31 % 0.32 % 0.23 % —
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.42 % 0.95 % 0.44 % 0.94 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment 0.57 % 1.53 % 0.62 % 1.55 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs 1.76 5.91 3.10 —
Ending total loans $ 1,264,807 $ 8,311,376 $ 1,426,972 $ 6,563,342
Average loans in repayment $ 968,134 $ 4,539,325 $ 870,460 $ 3,509,502
Ending loans in repayment $ 926,891 $ 5,149,215 $ 1,023,471 $ 3,972,317
______

(1)

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

(2)

 Represents fair value write-downs on loans sold.
 
 

Private Education Loan Key Credit Quality Indicators

 
December 31,
2014   2013

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance(1)   % of Balance Balance(1)   % of Balance
 
Cosigners:
With cosigner $ 7,465,339 90 % $ 5,898,751 90 %
Without cosigner   846,037   10     664,591 10  
Total $ 8,311,376   100 % $ 6,563,342 100 %
 
FICO at Origination:
Less than 670 $ 558,801 7 % $ 461,412 7 %

  670-699

1,227,860 15 1,364,286 21

  700-749

2,626,238 32 1,649,192 25
Greater than or equal to 750   3,898,477   46     3,088,452 47  
Total $ 8,311,376   100 % $ 6,563,342 100 %
 
Seasoning(2)(3):
1-12 payments $ 2,373,117 29 % $ 1,840,538 28 %
13-24 payments 1,532,042 18 1,085,393 17
25-36 payments 755,143 9 669,685 10
37-48 payments 411,493 5 362,124 6
More than 48 payments 212,438 3 30,891 —
Not yet in repayment   3,027,143   36     2,574,711 39  
Total $ 8,311,376   100 % $ 6,563,342 100 %
 
______
(1)   Balance represents gross Private Education Loans.
 
(2)

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

 

(3)

Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.

 
 

Private Education Loan Delinquencies

 
The following tables provide information regarding the loan status and aging of past due loans. Prior to the Spin-Off, Private Education Loans were sold to an entity that is now a subsidiary of Navient, prior to being charged-off. Therefore, many of our historical credit indicators and period-over-period trends are not indicative of future performance. Because we now retain more delinquent loans, we believe it could take up to two years from now before our credit performance indicators provide meaningful period-over-period comparisons.
 
 
December 31,
2014   2013

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance   % Balance   %
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1) $ 3,027,143 $ 2,574,711
Loans in forbearance(2) 135,018 16,314
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
Loans current 5,045,600 98.0 % 3,933,143 99.0 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3) 63,873 1.2 28,854 0.7
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3) 29,041 0.6 10,280 0.3
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)   10,701   0.2   40   —  
Total private education loans in repayment   5,149,215   100.0 % 3,972,317   100.0 %
Total private education loans, gross 8,311,376 6,563,342
Private education loans deferred origination costs   13,845   5,063  
Total private education loans 8,325,221 6,568,405
Private education loans allowance for losses   (78,574 ) (61,763 )
Private education loans, net $ 8,246,647   $ 6,506,642  
Percentage of private education loans in repayment 62.0 % 60.5 %
Delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment 2.0 % 1.0 %

Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance

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

Summary of Our Education Loan Portfolio

 

Ending Education Loan Balances, net

 
  December 31,
2014   2013
Private     Private    
Education FFELP Total Education FFELP Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans Loans Portfolio Loans Loans Portfolio
Total education loan portfolio:
In-school(1) $ 2,548,721 $ 1,185 $ 2,549,906 $ 2,191,445 $ 2,477 $ 2,193,922
Grace, repayment and other(2) 5,762,655   1,263,622   7,026,277   4,371,897   1,424,495   5,796,392  
Total, gross 8,311,376 1,264,807 9,576,183 6,563,342 1,426,972 7,990,314
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium 13,845 3,600 17,445 5,063 4,081 9,144
Allowance for loan losses (78,574 ) (5,268 ) (83,842 ) (61,763 ) (6,318 ) (68,081 )
Total education loan portfolio $ 8,246,647   $ 1,263,139   $ 9,509,786   $ 6,506,642   $ 1,424,735   $ 7,931,377  
% of total 87 % 13 % 100 % 82 % 18 % 100 %
 

(1)

   Loans for customers still attending school and are not yet required to make payments on the loan.

(2)

 Includes loans in deferment or forbearance.
 
 

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

   
 
Quarters Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2014   2013 2014   2013
Private Education Loans $ 8,062,977   86 % $ 6,399,584   83 % $ 7,563,356   85 % 5,996,651   84 %
FFELP Loans 1,292,820 14   1,272,188 17   1,353,497 15   1,142,979 16  
Total portfolio $ 9,355,797 100 % $ 7,671,772 100 % $ 8,916,853 100 % 7,139,630 100 %
 
 

Student Loan Activity

 
  Quarters Ended
December 31,
2014   2013
Private     Private    
Education FFELP Total Education FFELP Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans Loans Portfolio Loans Loans Portfolio
Beginning balance $ 7,779,422 $ 1,315,951 $ 9,095,373 $ 6,161,411 $ 1,214,831 $ 7,376,242
Acquisitions and originations 559,043 — 559,043 522,008 233,854 755,862
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 84,076 9,932 94,008 61,715 17,398 79,113
Sales (7,212 ) — (7,212 ) (109,718 ) (987 ) (110,705 )
Loan consolidation to third parties (1,742 ) (13,197 ) (14,939 ) (4,732 ) (5,903 ) (10,635 )
Repayments and other (166,940 ) (49,547 ) (216,487 ) (124,042 ) (34,458 ) (158,500 )
Ending balance $ 8,246,647   $ 1,263,139   $ 9,509,786   $ 6,506,642   $ 1,424,735   $ 7,931,377  
 
 
Years Ended
December 31,
2014   2013
Private     Private    
Education FFELP Total Education FFELP Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans Loans Portfolio Loans Loans Portfolio
Beginning balance $ 6,506,642 $ 1,424,735 $ 7,931,377 $ 5,447,700 $ 1,039,755 $ 6,487,455
Acquisitions and originations 4,087,320 7,470 4,094,790 3,803,262 478,384 4,281,646
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 170,306 46,093 216,399 112,122 49,313 161,435
Sales (1,873,414 ) (7,654 ) (1,881,068 ) (2,347,521 ) (1,182 ) (2,348,703 )
Loan consolidation to third parties (14,811 ) (41,760 ) (56,571 ) (13,445 ) (23,456 ) (36,901 )
Repayments and other (629,396 ) (165,745 ) (795,141 ) (495,476 ) (118,079 ) (613,555 )
Ending balance $ 8,246,647   $ 1,263,139   $ 9,509,786   $ 6,506,642   $ 1,424,735   $ 7,931,377  
 
 

Private Education Loan Originations

 

The following table summarizes our Private Education Loan originations.

   
Quarters Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2014   %   2013   % 2014   %   2013   %
Smart Option - interest only(1) $ 138,141 25 % $ 126,680 24 % $ 998,612 25 % $ 942,568 25 %
Smart Option - fixed pay(1) 169,048 30 163,788 31 1,256,978 31 1,184,073 31
Smart Option - deferred(1) 247,444 45 231,609 45 1,817,011 44 1,666,547 44
Smart Option - principal and interest 2,059 —   476 —   3,347 —   1,347 —  
Total Private Education Loan originations $ 556,692 100 % $ 522,553 100 % $ 4,075,948 100 % 3,794,535 100 %
 
(1)   Interest only, fixed pay and deferred describe the payment option while in school or in grace period.
 
 

Deposits

 

Interest bearing deposits are summarized as follows:

 
December 31,
2014   2013
  Year-End   Year-End
Weighted Weighted
Average Average

(Dollars in thousands)

Amount Stated Rate Amount Stated Rate
 
Money market $ 4,527,448 1.15 % $ 3,212,889 0.65 %
Savings 703,687 0.81 % 743,742 0.81 %
NOW — — % 18,214 0.12 %
Certificates of deposit 5,308,818 1.00 % 4,971,669 1.39 %
Deposits - interest bearing $ 10,539,953 $ 8,946,514
 
   

Regulatory Capital

 
Well Capitalized Regulatory
Actual Requirements

(Dollars in thousands)

Amount   Ratio Amount Ratio
As of December 31, 2014:  
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets) $ 1,413,988 11.5 % $ 614,709 ≥ 5.0 %
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) $ 1,413,988 15.0 % $ 565,148 ≥ 6.0 %
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) $ 1,497,830 15.9 % $ 941,913 ≥ 10.0 %
 
As of December 31, 2013:
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets) $ 1,221,416 11.7 % $ 521,973 ≥ 5.0 %
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) $ 1,221,416 16.4 % $ 446,860 ≥ 6.0 %
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) $ 1,289,497 17.3 % $ 745,374 ≥ 10.0 %