e10vq
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
     
(Mark One)    
 
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008 or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to
 
Commission File Number: 001-13251
 
 
 
 
SLM Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   52-2013874
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
12061 Bluemont Way, Reston, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
  20190
(Zip Code)
 
(703) 810-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
                    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
     
Class
 
Outstanding at July 31, 2008
 
Voting common stock, $.20 par value
  467,297,700 shares
 


 

 
GLOSSARY
 
Listed below are definitions of key terms that are used throughout this document. See also “Appendix A — FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM,” included in SLM Corporation’s (“the Company’s”) 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 29, 2008, for a further discussion of FFELP and CCRAA.
 
2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities — New financing facilities closed in the first quarter of 2008 comprised of: (i) a $26.0 billion FFELP student loan asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) conduit facility; (ii) a $5.9 billion Private Education Loan ABCP conduit facility (collectively, the “2008 ABCP Facilities”); and (iii) a $2.0 billion secured FFELP loan facility (the “2008 Asset-Backed Loan Facility”). The 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities replaced the $30.0 billion Interim ABCP Facility (defined below) and $6.0 billion ABCP facility in the first quarter of 2008.
 
CCRAA — The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.
 
Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee — All holders of FFELP Consolidation Loans are required to pay to the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) an annual 105 basis point Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee on all outstanding principal and accrued interest balances of FFELP Consolidation Loans purchased or originated after October 1, 1993, except for loans for which consolidation applications were received between October 1, 1998 and January 31, 1999, where the Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee is 62 basis points.
 
Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”) — A variable in life-of-loan estimates that measures the rate at which loans in the portfolio prepay before their stated maturity. The CPR is directly correlated to the average life of the portfolio. CPR equals the percentage of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance.
 
“Core Earnings” — In accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company prepares financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In addition to evaluating the Company’s GAAP-based financial information, management evaluates the Company’s business segments on a basis that, as allowed under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” differs from GAAP. The Company refers to management’s basis of evaluating its segment results as “Core Earnings” presentations for each business segment and refers to these performance measures in its presentations with credit rating agencies and lenders. While “Core Earnings” results are not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company relies on “Core Earnings” performance measures in operating each business segment because it believes these measures provide additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management.
 
“Core Earnings” performance measures are the primary financial performance measures used by management to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. Accordingly, financial information is reported to management on a “Core Earnings” basis by reportable segment, as these are the measures used regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision makers. “Core Earnings” performance measures are used in developing the Company’s financial plans, tracking results, and establishing corporate performance targets and incentive compensation. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the Company’s core business activities. “Core Earnings” performance measures are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income. Accordingly, the Company’s “Core Earnings” presentation does not represent another comprehensive basis of accounting.
 
See Note 13, “Segment Reporting,” to the consolidated financial statements and “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — BUSINESS SEGMENTS — Limitations of ‘Core Earnings’ ” and “— Pre-tax Differences between ‘Core Earnings’ and GAAP by Business Segment“ for further discussion of the differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP, as well as reconciliations between “Core Earnings” and GAAP.


1


 

In prior filings with the SEC of SLM Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, “Core Earnings” has been labeled as “ ’Core’ net income” or “Managed net income” in certain instances.
 
Direct Loans — Student loans originated directly by ED under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program (“FDLP”).
 
ED — The U.S. Department of Education.
 
Embedded Fixed-Rate/Variable Rate Floor Income — Embedded Floor Income is Floor Income (see definition below) that is earned on off-balance sheet student loans that are in securitization trusts sponsored by the Company. At the time of the securitization, the value of Embedded Fixed-Rate Floor Income is included in the initial valuation of the Residual Interest (see definition below) and the gain or loss on sale of the student loans. Embedded Floor Income is also included in the quarterly fair value adjustments of the Residual Interest.
 
FFELP — The Federal Family Education Loan Program, formerly the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.
 
FFELP Consolidation Loans — Under the FFELP, borrowers with multiple eligible student loans may consolidate them into a single student loan with one lender at a fixed-rate for the life of the loan. The new loan is considered a FFELP Consolidation Loan. Typically a borrower may consolidate his student loans only once unless the borrower has another eligible loan to consolidate with the existing FFELP Consolidation Loan. The borrower rate on a FFELP Consolidation Loan is fixed for the term of the loan and is set by the weighted average interest rate of the loans being consolidated, rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of a percent, not to exceed 8.25 percent. In low interest rate environments, FFELP Consolidation Loans provide an attractive refinancing opportunity to certain borrowers because they allow borrowers to consolidate variable rate loans into a long-term fixed-rate loan. Holders of FFELP Consolidation Loans are eligible to earn interest under the Special Allowance Payment (“SAP”) formula (see definition below). In April 2008, the Company suspended its participation in the FFELP Consolidation Loan program.
 
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans — Education loans to students or parents of students that are guaranteed or reinsured under FFELP. The loans are primarily Stafford loans but also include PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
Fixed-Rate Floor Income — The Company refers to Floor Income (see definition below) associated with student loans with borrower rates that are fixed to term (primarily FFELP Consolidation Loans and Stafford Loans originated on or after July 1, 2006) as Fixed-Rate Floor Income.
 
Floor Income — FFELP loans generally earn interest at the higher of either the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the SAP formula (see definition below). The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with floating rate debt whose interest is matched closely to the floating nature of the applicable SAP formula. If interest rates decline to a level at which the borrower rate exceeds the SAP formula rate, the Company continues to earn interest on the loan at the fixed borrower rate while the floating rate interest on our debt continues to decline. In these interest rate environments, the Company refers to the additional spread it earns between the fixed borrower rate and the SAP formula rate as Floor Income. Depending on the type of student loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to a market rate each July 1. As a result, for loans where the borrower rate is fixed to term, the Company may earn Floor Income for an extended period of time, and for those loans where the borrower interest rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn Floor Income to the next reset date. In accordance with legislation enacted in 2006, lenders are required to rebate Floor Income to ED for all FFELP loans disbursed on or after April 1, 2006.


2


 

The following example shows the mechanics of Floor Income for a typical fixed-rate FFELP Consolidation Loan (with a commercial paper-based SAP spread of 2.64 percent):
 
         
Fixed Borrower Rate
    7.25 %
SAP Spread over Commercial Paper Rate
    (2.64 )%
         
Floor Strike Rate(1)
    4.61 %
         
 
 
(1) The interest rate at which the underlying index (Treasury bill or commercial paper) plus the fixed SAP spread equals the fixed borrower rate. Floor Income is earned anytime the interest rate of the underlying index declines below this rate.
 
Based on this example, if the quarterly average commercial paper rate is over 4.61 percent, the holder of the student loan will earn at a floating rate based on the SAP formula, which in this example is a fixed spread to commercial paper of 2.64 percent. On the other hand, if the quarterly average commercial paper rate is below 4.61 percent, the SAP formula will produce a rate below the fixed borrower rate of 7.25 percent and the loan holder earns at the borrower rate of 7.25 percent.
 
Graphic Depiction of Floor Income:
 
LINE GRAPH
 
Floor Income Contracts — The Company enters into contracts with counterparties under which, in exchange for an upfront fee representing the present value of the Floor Income that the Company expects to earn on a notional amount of underlying student loans being economically hedged, the Company will pay the counterparties the Floor Income earned on that notional amount over the life of the Floor Income Contract. Specifically, the Company agrees to pay the counterparty the difference, if positive, between the fixed borrower rate less the SAP (see definition below) spread and the average of the applicable interest rate index on that notional amount, regardless of the actual balance of underlying student loans, over the life of the contract. The contracts generally do not extend over the life of the underlying student loans. This contract effectively locks in the amount of Floor Income the Company will earn over the period of the contract. Floor Income Contracts are not considered effective hedges under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and each quarter the Company must record the change in fair value of these contracts through income.
 
Front-End Borrower Benefits — Financial incentives offered to borrowers at origination. Front-End Borrower Benefits primarily represent the Company’s payment on behalf of borrowers for required FFELP fees, including the federal origination fee and federal default fee. The Company accounts for these Front-End Borrower Benefits as loan premiums amortized over the estimated life of the loans as an adjustment to the loan’s yield.


3


 

Gross Floor Income — Floor Income earned before payments on Floor Income Contracts.
 
Guarantors — State agencies or non-profit companies that guarantee (or insure) FFELP loans made by eligible lenders under The Higher Education Act of 1965 (“HEA”), as amended.
 
Interim ABCP Facility — An aggregate of $30 billion asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities that the Company entered into on April 30, 2007 in connection with the Merger (defined below under “Merger Agreement”).
 
Lender Partners — Lender Partners are lenders who originate loans under forward purchase commitments under which the Company owns the loans from inception or, in most cases, acquires the loans soon after origination.
 
Managed Basis — The Company generally analyzes the performance of its student loan portfolio on a Managed Basis. The Company views both on-balance sheet student loans and off-balance sheet student loans owned by the securitization trusts as a single portfolio, and the related on-balance sheet financings are combined with off-balance sheet debt. When the term Managed is capitalized in this document, it is referring to Managed Basis.
 
Merger Agreement — On April 16, 2007, the Company announced that a buyer group (“Buyer Group”) led by J.C. Flowers & Co. (“J.C. Flowers”), Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase, N.A. (the “Merger”) signed a definitive agreement (“Merger Agreement”) to acquire the Company for approximately $25.3 billion or $60.00 per share of common stock. (See also “Merger Agreement” filed with the SEC on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2007.) On January 25, 2008, the Company, Mustang Holding Company Inc. (“Mustang Holding”), Mustang Merger Sub, Inc. (“Mustang Sub”), J.C. Flowers, Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. entered into a Settlement, Termination and Release Agreement (the “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, a lawsuit filed by the Company related to the Merger, as well as all counterclaims, was dismissed.
 
Private Education Consolidation Loans — Borrowers with multiple Private Education Loans (defined below) may consolidate them into a single loan with the Company (Private Consolidation Loans®). The interest rate on the new loan is variable rate with the spread set at the lower of the average weighted spread of the underlying loans or a new spread as a result of favorable underwriting criteria.
 
Private Education Loans — Education loans to students or parents of students that are not guaranteed under the FFELP. Private Education Loans include loans for higher education (undergraduate and graduate degrees) and for alternative education, such as career training, private kindergarten through secondary education schools and tutorial schools. Higher education loans have repayment terms similar to FFELP loans, whereby repayments begin after the borrower leaves school. The Company’s higher education Private Education Loans are not dischargeable in bankruptcy, except in certain limited circumstances. Repayment for alternative education generally begins immediately.
 
In the context of the Company’s Private Education Loan business, the Company uses the term “non-traditional loans” to describe education loans made to certain borrowers that have or are expected to have a high default rate as a result of a number of factors, including having a lower tier credit rating, low program completion and graduation rates or, where the borrower is expected to graduate, a low expected income relative to the borrower’s cost of attendance.
 
Preferred Channel Originations — Preferred Channel Originations are comprised of: 1) loans that are originated by internally marketed Sallie Mae brands, and 2) student loans that are originated by Lender Partners (defined above).
 
Repayment Borrower Benefits — Financial incentives offered to borrowers based on pre-determined qualifying factors, which are generally tied directly to making on-time monthly payments. The impact of Repayment Borrower Benefits is dependent on the estimate of the number of borrowers who will eventually qualify for these benefits and the amount of the financial benefit offered to the borrower. The Company occasionally changes Repayment Borrower Benefits programs in both amount and qualification factors. These programmatic changes must be reflected in the estimate of the Repayment Borrower Benefits discount when made.


4


 

Residual Interest — When the Company securitizes student loans, it retains the right to receive cash flows from the student loans sold to trusts that it sponsors in excess of amounts needed to pay servicing, derivative costs (if any), other fees, and the principal and interest on the bonds backed by the student loans. The Residual Interest, which may also include reserve and other cash accounts, is the present value of these future expected cash flows, which includes the present value of any Embedded Fixed-Rate Floor Income described above. The Company values the Residual Interest at the time of sale of the student loans to the trust and as of the end of each subsequent quarter.
 
Retained Interest — The Retained Interest includes the Residual Interest (defined above) and servicing rights (as the Company retains the servicing responsibilities) for our securitization transactions accounted for as sales.
 
Risk Sharing — When a FFELP loan first disbursed on and after July 1, 2006 defaults, the federal government guarantees 97 percent of the principal balance plus accrued interest (98 percent on loans disbursed before July 1, 2006) and the holder of the loan is at risk for the remaining amount not guaranteed as a Risk Sharing loss on the loan. FFELP loans originated after October 1, 1993 are subject to Risk Sharing on loan default claim payments unless the default results from the borrower’s death, disability or bankruptcy. FFELP loans serviced by a servicer that has Exceptional Performer designation from ED were subject to one-percent Risk Sharing for claims filed on or after July 1, 2006 and before October 1, 2007. The CCRAA reduces default insurance to 95 percent of the unpaid principal and accrued interest for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2012.
 
Special Allowance Payment (“SAP”) — FFELP loans disbursed prior to April 1, 2006 (with the exception of certain PLUS and SLS loans discussed below) generally earn interest at the greater of the borrower rate or a floating rate determined by reference to the average of the applicable floating rates (91-day Treasury bill rate or commercial paper) in a calendar quarter, plus a fixed spread that is dependent upon when the loan was originated and the loan’s repayment status. If the resulting floating rate exceeds the borrower rate, ED pays the difference directly to the Company. This payment is referred to as the Special Allowance Payment or SAP and the formula used to determine the floating rate is the SAP formula. The Company refers to the fixed spread to the underlying index as the SAP spread. For loans disbursed after April 1, 2006, FFELP loans effectively only earn at the SAP rate, as the excess interest earned when the borrower rate exceeds the SAP rate (Floor Income) must be refunded to ED.
 
Variable rate PLUS Loans and SLS Loans earn SAP only if the variable rate, which is reset annually, exceeds the applicable maximum borrower rate. For PLUS loans disbursed on or after January 1, 2000, this limitation on SAP was repealed effective April 1, 2006.
 
A schedule of SAP rates is set forth on page A-5 of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Title IV Programs and Title IV Loans — Student loan programs created under Title IV of the HEA and student loans originated under those programs, respectively.
 
Variable Rate Floor Income — For FFELP Stafford loans whose borrower interest rate resets annually on July 1, the Company may earn Floor Income or Embedded Floor Income (see definitions above) based on a calculation of the difference between the borrower rate and the then current interest rate. The Company refers to this as Variable Rate Floor Income because Floor Income is earned only through the next reset date.
 
Wholesale Consolidation Loans — During 2006, the Company implemented a loan acquisition strategy under which it began purchasing a significant amount of FFELP Consolidation Loans, primarily via the spot market, which augmented its in-house FFELP Consolidation Loan origination process. Wholesale Consolidation Loans are considered incremental volume to the Company’s core acquisition channels, which are focused on the retail marketplace with an emphasis on the Company’s brand strategy. In 2008, the Company ceased acquiring Wholesale Consolidation Loans.


5


 

SLM CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q
INDEX
June 30, 2008
 
                 
Part I. Financial Information
       
 
Item 1.
    Financial Statements     7  
 
Item 2.
    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     45  
 
Item 3.
    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     109  
 
Item 4.
    Controls and Procedures     112  
       
Part II. Other Information
       
 
Item 1.
    Legal Proceedings     113  
 
Item 1A.
    Risk Factors     113  
 
Item 2.
    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     114  
 
Item 3.
    Defaults Upon Senior Securities     114  
 
Item 4.
    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     115  
 
Item 5.
    Other Information     115  
 
Item 6.
    Exhibits     115  
Signatures
    116  


6


 

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements
 
SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)        
 
Assets
               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans (net of allowance for losses of $56,882 and $47,518, respectively)
  $ 43,146,711     $ 35,726,062  
FFELP Consolidation Loans (net of allowance for losses of $40,811 and $41,211, respectively)
    73,171,342       73,609,187  
Private Education Loans (net of allowance for losses of $970,150 and $885,931, respectively)
    17,970,556       14,817,725  
Other loans (net of allowance for losses of $46,794 and $43,558, respectively)
    902,684       1,173,666  
Investments
               
Available-for-sale
    2,707,676       2,871,340  
Other
    82,005       93,040  
                 
Total investments
    2,789,681       2,964,380  
Cash and cash equivalents
    5,123,201       7,582,031  
Restricted cash and investments
    3,701,454       4,600,106  
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
    2,544,517       3,044,038  
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net
    1,304,941       1,300,689  
Other assets
    12,907,154       10,747,107  
                 
Total assets
  $ 163,562,241     $ 155,564,991  
                 
Liabilities
               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 37,191,756     $ 35,947,407  
Long-term borrowings
    117,920,836       111,098,144  
Other liabilities
    2,905,165       3,284,545  
                 
Total liabilities
    158,017,757       150,330,096  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Minority interest in subsidiaries
    9,480       11,360  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized
               
Series A: 3,300 and 3,300 shares, respectively, issued at stated value of $50 per share
    165,000       165,000  
Series B: 4,000 and 4,000 shares, respectively, issued at stated value of $100 per share
    400,000       400,000  
Series C: 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock; 1,150 and 1,000 shares, respectively, issued at liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
    1,150,000       1,000,000  
Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 1,125,000 shares authorized: 534,010 and 532,493 shares issued, respectively
    106,802       106,499  
Additional paid-in capital
    4,637,731       4,590,174  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax of $35,250 and $124,468, respectively)
    61,994       236,364  
Retained earnings
    855,527       557,204  
                 
Stockholders’ equity before treasury stock
    7,377,054       7,055,241  
Common stock held in treasury: 66,445 and 65,951 shares, respectively
    1,842,050       1,831,706  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    5,535,004       5,223,535  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 163,562,241     $ 155,564,991  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


7


 

SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 497,598     $ 511,300     $ 962,074     $ 962,062  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    769,664       1,087,254       1,606,320       2,102,100  
Private Education Loans
    409,323       329,351       852,845       667,772  
Other loans
    21,355       26,453       44,699       54,426  
Cash and investments
    70,521       141,524       194,337       255,428  
                                 
Total interest income
    1,768,461       2,095,882       3,660,275       4,041,788  
Total interest expense
    1,365,918       1,697,229       2,981,363       3,229,319  
                                 
Net interest income
    402,543       398,653       678,912       812,469  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    143,015       148,200       280,326       298,530  
                                 
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses
    259,528       250,453       398,586       513,939  
                                 
Other income:
                               
Gains on student loan securitizations
                      367,300  
Servicing and securitization revenue
    1,630       132,987       109,272       384,925  
Losses on sales of loans and securities, net
    (43,583 )     (10,921 )     (78,249 )     (41,888 )
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
    362,043       821,566       89,247       464,597  
Contingency fee revenue
    83,790       80,237       169,096       167,559  
Collections revenue
    26,365       77,092       83,604       142,654  
Guarantor servicing fees
    23,663       30,273       58,316       69,514  
Other
    108,728       89,004       202,261       185,437  
                                 
Total other income
    562,636       1,220,238       633,547       1,740,098  
Expenses:
                               
Salaries and benefits
    167,788       191,632       347,517       377,982  
Other operating expenses
    185,900       207,168       361,819       376,992  
Restructuring expenses
    46,740             67,418        
                                 
Total expenses
    400,428       398,800       776,754       754,974  
                                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    421,736       1,071,891       255,379       1,499,063  
Income tax expense
    153,074       104,724       90,586       414,738  
                                 
Income before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    268,662       967,167       164,793       1,084,325  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    2,926       696       2,861       1,701  
                                 
Net income
    265,736       966,471       161,932       1,082,624  
Preferred stock dividends
    27,391       9,156       56,416       18,249  
                                 
Net income attributable to common stock
  $ 238,345     $ 957,315     $ 105,516     $ 1,064,375  
                                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ .51     $ 2.32     $ .23     $ 2.59  
                                 
Average common shares outstanding
    466,649       411,870       466,615       411,457  
                                 
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ .50     $ 1.03     $ .23     $ 1.82  
                                 
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    517,954       452,406       467,316       454,139  
                                 
Dividends per common share
  $     $     $     $ .25  
                                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


8


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                                                         
                                              Accumulated
                   
    Preferred
                                  Additional
    Other
                Total
 
    Stock
    Common Stock Shares     Preferred
    Common
    Paid-In
    Comprehensive
    Retained
    Treasury
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Issued     Treasury     Outstanding     Stock     Stock     Capital     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Stock     Equity  
 
Balance at March 31, 2007
    7,300,000       434,586,663       (22,649,966 )     411,936,697     $ 565,000     $ 86,918     $ 2,638,334     $ 300,884     $ 1,833,359     $ (1,047,713 )   $ 4,376,782  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                       
Net income
                                                                    966,471               966,471  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
                                                            (41,912 )                     (41,912 )
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax
                                                            6,416                       6,416  
                                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                                                    930,975  
Cash dividends:
                                                                                       
Preferred stock, series A ($.87 per share)
                                                                    (2,875 )             (2,875 )
Preferred stock, series B ($1.55 per share)
                                                                    (6,120 )             (6,120 )
Issuance of common shares
            1,508,640       241       1,508,881               301       46,774                       10       47,085  
Preferred stock issuance costs and related amortization
                                                    161               (161 )              
Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans
                                                    6,826                               6,826  
Stock-based compensation cost
                                                    29,459                               29,459  
Repurchase of common shares:
                                                                                       
Benefit plans
                    (827,319 )     (827,319 )                                             (34,071 )     (34,071 )
                                                                                         
Balance at June 30, 2007
    7,300,000       436,095,303       (23,477,044 )     412,618,259     $ 565,000     $ 87,219     $ 2,721,554     $ 265,388     $ 2,790,674     $ (1,081,774 )   $ 5,348,061  
                                                                                         
Balance at March 31, 2008
    8,450,000       533,678,028       (66,301,201 )     467,376,827     $ 1,715,000     $ 106,736     $ 4,610,278     $ (2,394 )   $ 617,184     $ (1,838,637 )   $ 5,208,167  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                       
Net income
                                                                    265,736               265,736  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
                                                            (8,984 )                     (8,984 )
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax
                                                            73,844                       73,844  
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment
                                                            (472 )                     (472 )
                                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                                                    330,124  
Cash dividends:
                                                                                       
Preferred stock, series A ($.87 per share)
                                                                    (2,875 )             (2,875 )
Preferred stock, series B ($.88 per share)
                                                                    (3,511 )             (3,511 )
Preferred stock, series C ($18.13 per share)
                                                                    (20,844 )             (20,844 )
Restricted stock dividend
                                                                    (2 )             (2 )
Issuance of common shares
            332,150       3,142       335,292               66       6,761                       70       6,897  
Preferred stock issuance costs and related amortization
                                                    161               (161 )              
Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans
                                                    (3,866 )                             (3,866 )
Stock-based compensation cost
                                                    24,397                               24,397  
Repurchase of common shares:
                                                                                       
Benefit plans
                    (146,726 )     (146,726 )                                             (3,483 )     (3,483 )
                                                                                         
Balance at June 30, 2008
    8,450,000       534,010,178       (66,444,785 )     467,565,393     $ 1,715,000     $ 106,802     $ 4,637,731     $ 61,994     $ 855,527     $ (1,842,050 )   $ 5,535,004  
                                                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


9


 

SLM CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                                                         
                                              Accumulated
                   
    Preferred
                                  Additional
    Other
                Total
 
    Stock
    Common Stock Shares     Preferred
    Common
    Paid-In
    Comprehensive
    Retained
    Treasury
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Issued     Treasury     Outstanding     Stock     Stock     Capital     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Stock     Equity  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
    7,300,000       433,112,982       (22,496,170 )     410,616,812     $ 565,000     $ 86,623     $ 2,565,211     $ 349,111     $ 1,834,718     $ (1,040,621 )   $ 4,360,042  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                       
Net income
                                                                    1,082,624               1,082,624  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
                                                            (90,100 )                     (90,100 )
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax
                                                            6,899                       6,899  
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment
                                                            (522 )                     (522 )
                                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                                                    998,901  
Cash dividends:
                                                                                       
Common stock ($.25 per share)
                                                                    (102,658 )             (102,658 )
Preferred stock, series A ($1.74 per share)
                                                                    (5,750 )             (5,750 )
Preferred stock, series B ($3.07 per share)
                                                                    (12,178 )             (12,178 )
Issuance of common shares
            2,982,321       35,364       3,017,685               596       94,194                       1,584       96,374  
Preferred stock issuance costs and related amortization
                                                    321               (321 )              
Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans
                                                    15,474                               15,474  
Stock-based compensation cost
                                                    46,354                               46,354  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
                                                                    (5,761 )             (5,761 )
Repurchase of common shares:
                                                                                       
Benefit plans
                    (1,016,238 )     (1,016,238 )                                             (42,737 )     (42,737 )
                                                                                         
Balance at June 30, 2007
    7,300,000       436,095,303       (23,477,044 )     412,618,259     $ 565,000     $ 87,219     $ 2,721,554     $ 265,388     $ 2,790,674     $ (1,081,774 )   $ 5,348,061  
                                                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2007
    8,300,000       532,493,081       (65,951,394 )     466,541,687     $ 1,565,000     $ 106,499     $ 4,590,174     $ 236,364     $ 557,204     $ (1,831,706 )   $ 5,223,535  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                       
Net income
                                                                    161,932               161,932  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
                                                            (21,513 )                     (21,513 )
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax
                                                            42,270                       42,270  
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment
                                                            (472 )                     (472 )
                                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                                                    182,217  
Cash dividends:
                                                                                       
Preferred stock, series A ($1.74 per share)
                                                                    (5,750 )             (5,750 )
Preferred stock, series B ($2.31 per share)
                                                                    (8,897 )             (8,897 )
Preferred stock, series C ($33.23 per share)
                                                                    (41,446 )             (41,446 )
Restricted stock dividend
                                                                    (1,848 )             (1,848 )
Issuance of common shares
            1,517,097       3,142       1,520,239               303       18,704                       70       19,077  
Issuance of preferred shares, preferred stock issuance costs and related amortization
    150,000                               150,000               (4,332 )             (323 )             145,345  
Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans
                                                    (10,016 )                             (10,016 )
Stock-based compensation cost
                                                    43,201                               43,201  
Cumulative effect of accounting change related to adoption of
                                                                                       
SFAS No. 159
                                                            (194,655 )     194,655                
Repurchase of common
                                                                                       
shares:
                                                                                       
Benefit plans
                    (496,533 )     (496,533 )                                             (10,414 )     (10,414 )
                                                                                         
Balance at June 30, 2008
    8,450,000       534,010,178       (66,444,785 )     467,565,393     $ 1,715,000     $ 106,802     $ 4,637,731     $ 61,994     $ 855,527     $ (1,842,050 )   $ 5,535,004  
                                                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


10


 

 
SLM CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                 
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,  
    2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
 
Operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 161,932     $ 1,082,624  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Gains on student loan securitizations
          (367,300 )
Losses on sales of loans and securities, net
    78,249       41,888  
Stock-based compensation cost
    48,080       52,840  
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities, excluding equity forwards
    (64,418 )     (125,946 )
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities — equity forwards
          (383,969 )
Provisions for loan losses
    280,326       298,530  
Minority interest, net
    (1,517 )     (190 )
Mortgage loans originated
    (35,455 )     (441,376 )
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans
    36,400       469,125  
Decrease (increase) in purchased paper — mortgage loans
    109,720       (400,230 )
Decrease in restricted cash-other
    1,050       27,059  
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    52,020       (677,935 )
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable
    (166,484 )     203,375  
Adjustment for non-cash loss/(income) related to Retained Interest
    279,900       (10,255 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net
    (56,657 )     167,801  
(Decrease) in other liabilities
    (346,220 )     (245,656 )
                 
Total adjustments
    214,994       (1,392,239 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    376,926       (309,615 )
                 
Investing activities
               
Student loans acquired
    (15,340,698 )     (20,428,723 )
Loans purchased from securitized trusts (primarily loan consolidations)
    (555,024 )     (3,107,240 )
Reduction of student loans:
               
Installment payments
    5,268,996       5,791,060  
Proceeds from securitization of student loans treated as sales
          1,976,599  
Proceeds from sales of student loans
    27,239       777,154  
Other loans originated
    (931,752 )     (1,677,791 )
Other loans repaid
    1,183,672       1,767,690  
Other investing activities, net
    (58,287 )     (133,358 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (72,071,580 )     (23,921,722 )
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
          73,197  
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
    72,279,652       24,683,374  
Purchases of held-to-maturity and other securities
    (400 )     (540 )
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities and other securities
    12,502       10,683  
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash — on-balance sheet trusts
    874,029       (1,071,161 )
Return of investment from Retained Interest
    217,391       144,923  
Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
    (37,868 )      
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (9,132,128 )     (15,115,855 )
                 
Financing activities
               
Short-term borrowings issued
    5,995,653       3,019,225  
Short-term borrowings repaid
    (7,501,607 )     (2,760,750 )
Long-term borrowings issued
    2,437,226       1,567,602  
Long-term borrowings repaid
    (2,619,666 )     (2,453,293 )
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust issued
    11,590,919       16,367,492  
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust repaid
    (3,535,266 )     (2,380,478 )
Asset-backed financing facilities — net activity
    (161,576 )     2,341,693  
Other financing activities, net
    (3,248 )     16,557  
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock-based awards
    282       8,832  
Common stock issued
    4,403       73,220  
Net settlements on equity forward contracts
          (152,306 )
Common stock repurchased
          (42,737 )
Common dividends paid
          (102,658 )
Preferred stock issued
    145,345        
Preferred dividends paid
    (56,093 )     (17,928 )
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    6,296,372       15,484,471  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (2,458,830 )     59,001  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    7,582,031       2,621,222  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 5,123,201     $ 2,680,223  
                 
Cash disbursements made for:
               
Interest
  $ 3,127,241     $ 3,082,619  
                 
Income taxes
  $ 564,269     $ 528,768  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


11


 

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements of SLM Corporation (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2008. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007, as presented, was derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2008.
 
Restructuring Activities
 
The Company is currently restructuring its business in response to the impact of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (“CCRAA”) and current challenges in the capital markets. One-time, involuntary benefit arrangements, disposal costs (including contract termination costs and other exit costs), as well as certain other costs that are incremental and incurred as a direct result of the Company’s restructuring plans, are accounted for in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB’s”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” and are classified as restructuring expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
 
In conjunction with its restructuring plans, the Company has entered into one-time benefit arrangements with employees, primarily senior executives, who have been involuntarily terminated. The Company recognizes a liability when all of the following conditions have been met and the benefit arrangement has been communicated to the employees:
 
  •  Management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan of termination;
 
  •  The plan of termination identifies the number of employees to be terminated, their job classifications or functions and their locations and the expected completion date;
 
  •  The plan of termination establishes the terms of the benefit arrangement, including the benefits that employees will receive upon termination, in sufficient detail to enable employees to determine the type and amount of benefits they will receive if they are involuntarily terminated; and
 
  •  Actions required to complete the plan of termination indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan of termination will be made or that the plan of termination will be withdrawn.


12


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
 
 
Severance costs under such one-time termination benefit arrangements may include all or some combination of severance pay, medical and dental benefits, outplacement services, and certain other costs.
 
Contract termination costs are expensed at the earlier of (1) the contract termination date or (2) the cease use date under the contract. Other exit costs are expensed as incurred and classified as restructuring expenses if (1) the cost is incremental to and incurred as a direct result of planned restructuring activities, and (2) the cost is not associated with or incurred to generate revenues subsequent to the Company’s consummation of the related restructuring activities.
 
In addition to one-time involuntary benefit arrangements, the Company sponsors the SLM Corporation Employee Severance Plan, which provides severance benefits in the event of termination of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ full-time employees (with the exception of certain specified levels of management and employees of the Company’s Asset Performance Group (“APG”) subsidiaries) and part-time employees who work at least 24 hours per week. The Company also sponsors the DMO Employee Severance Plan, which provides severance benefits to certain specified levels of full-time management and full-time employees in the Company’s APG subsidiaries. The Employee Severance Plan and the DMO Employee Severance Plan (collectively, the “Severance Plan”) establishes specified benefits based on base salary, job level immediately preceding termination and years of service upon termination of employment due to Involuntary Termination or a Job Abolishment, as defined in the Severance Plan. The benefits payable under the Severance Plan relate to past service and they accumulate and vest. Accordingly, the Company recognizes severance costs to be paid pursuant to the Severance Plan in accordance with SFAS No. 112, “Employer’s Accounting for Post Employment Benefits,” when payment of such benefits is probable and reasonably estimable. Such benefits including severance pay calculated based on the Severance Plan, medical and dental benefits, outplacement services and continuation pay, have been incurred during the first half of 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2007 as a direct result of the Company’s restructuring initiatives. Accordingly, such costs are classified as restructuring expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value within GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not change which types of instruments are carried at fair value, but rather establishes the framework for measuring fair value. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) SFAS No. 157-2, “Effective Date of SFAS No. 157,” which defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. This FSP will delay the implementation of SFAS No. 157 for the Company’s accounting of goodwill, acquired intangibles, and other nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at the lower of cost or market until January 1, 2009.


13


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
 
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value (on an instrument by instrument basis). Most recognized financial assets and liabilities are eligible items for the measurement option established by the statement. There are a few exceptions, including an investment in a subsidiary or an interest in a variable interest entity that is required to be consolidated, certain obligations related to post-employment benefits, assets or liabilities recognized under leases, various deposits, and financial instruments classified as shareholder’s equity. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each reporting date. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008, and elected the fair value option on all of its Residual Interests effective January 1, 2008. The Company chose this election in order to simplify the accounting for Residual Interests by including all Residual Interests under one accounting model. Prior to this election, Residual Interests were accounted for either under SFAS No. 115 with changes in fair value recorded through other comprehensive income or under SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments,” with changes in fair value recorded through income. At transition, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain to retained earnings as a cumulative-effect adjustment totaling $301 million ($195 million net of tax). This amount was in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2007, and as a result equity was not impacted at transition on January 1, 2008. Changes in fair value of Residual Interests on and after January 1, 2008 are recorded through the income statement. The Company has not elected the fair value option for any other financial instruments at this time.
 
Business Combinations
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141(R) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the entire acquisition-date fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in both full and partial acquisitions; changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to contingencies; changes the recognition and measurement of contingent consideration; requires expensing of most transaction and restructuring costs; and requires additional disclosures to enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) applies to all transactions or other events in which the Company obtains control of one or more businesses. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which for the Company is January 1, 2009. Early adoption is not permitted.
 
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51.” SFAS No. 160 requires reporting entities to present noncontrolling (minority) interests as equity (as opposed to its current presentation as a liability or mezzanine equity) and provides guidance on the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests. SFAS No. 160 applies prospectively for reporting periods beginning on or after


14


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
 
December 15, 2008, which for the Company is January 1, 2009, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. Adoption of this standard will not be material to the Company.
 
Disclosures about Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities — an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities — an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and its related interpretations, and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. To meet those objectives, SFAS No. 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, which for the Company is January 1, 2009.
 
Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (“QSPEs”) and Changes in the FIN No. 46 Consolidation Model
 
In recent meetings, the FASB tentatively decided to amend SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities — a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125,” which would impact the accounting for QSPEs and result in certain changes to the FASB’s Financial Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities — an interpretation of ARB No. 51.” An exposure draft of the proposed amendment to SFAS No. 140 is expected in the third quarter of 2008. Based on the FASB’s preliminary discussions and tentative decisions, and assuming no changes to the Company’s current business model, it is likely that these changes may lead to the consolidation of certain QSPEs and variable interest entities (“VIEs”). However, the impact to the Company’s accounting for its QSPEs and VIEs cannot be determined until the FASB issues the final amendments to SFAS No. 140 and FIN No. 46R.
 
Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued an FSP on Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).” FSP APB 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (or other assets) on conversion to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. FSP APB 14-1, which is applied retrospectively, is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of this FSP on its accounting for its contingently convertible note issued in May 2003 and subsequently called in July 2007.


15


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
 
Accounting for Hedging Activities — An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued an exposure draft to amend the accounting for hedging activities in SFAS No. 133. This proposed Statement is intended to simplify accounting for hedging activities, improve the financial reporting of hedging activities, resolve major practice issues related to hedge accounting that have arisen under SFAS No. 133, and address differences resulting from recognition and measurement anomalies between the accounting for derivative instruments and the accounting for hedged items or transactions. While the amendment as currently written may simplify the Company’s accounting model for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133 by relieving a portion of the burdensome nature of hedge effectiveness testing and relaxing the threshold to qualify as a hedge from highly effective to reasonably effective, the Company does not expect it to significantly impact its results of operations. The full impact of the amendment cannot be evaluated until the final statement is issued later this year. It is expected the amendment will be effective January 1, 2010.
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The Company’s provisions for loan losses represent the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb incurred losses, net of recoveries, in the loan portfolios. The evaluation of the provisions for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. The Company believes that the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to cover probable losses incurred in the loan portfolios.
 
The following tables summarize the total loan provisions for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 119,838     $ 138,779     $ 238,449     $ 280,406  
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
    19,295       6,192       35,398       11,760  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    3,882       3,229       6,479       6,364  
                                 
Total provisions for loan losses
  $ 143,015     $ 148,200     $ 280,326     $ 298,530  
                                 


16


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
 
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses for Private Education Loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 938,409     $ 369,072     $ 885,931     $ 308,346  
Provision for Private Education Loan losses
    119,838       138,779       238,449       280,406  
Charge-offs
    (104,593 )     (87,773 )     (188,752 )     (169,684 )
Recoveries
    8,402       7,826       18,334       14,616  
                                 
Net charge-offs
    (96,191 )     (79,947 )     (170,418 )     (155,068 )
Reclassification of interest reserve(1)
    8,094             16,188        
                                 
Balance before securitization of Private Education Loans
    970,150       427,904       970,150       433,684  
Reduction for securitization of Private Education Loans
                      (5,780 )
                                 
Balance at end of period
  $ 970,150     $ 427,904     $ 970,150     $ 427,904  
                                 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    4.84 %     6.19 %     4.54 %     6.04 %
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance (annualized)
    4.20 %     5.63 %     3.91 %     5.56 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    4.99 %     3.74 %     4.99 %     3.74 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    11.27 %     7.79 %     11.27 %     7.79 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
    2.51       1.33       2.83       1.37  
Ending total loans, gross
  $ 19,448,703     $ 11,828,998     $ 19,448,703     $ 11,828,998  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 7,991,624     $ 5,181,847     $ 7,543,605     $ 5,173,892  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 8,608,651     $ 5,496,478     $ 8,608,651     $ 5,496,478  
 
 
(1) Represents the amount of uncollectible interest, initially reserved within interest income, that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance. Prior to 2008, the interest reserve was reversed in interest income and then included in the provision within the allowance for loan losses. This amount was $5 million and $8 million, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. This change in presentation results in no impact to net income.
 
Due to the seasoning of the Private Education Loan portfolio, shifts in its mix, certain economic factors and other operational factors, the Company has expected and has seen charge-off rates increase from the levels experienced prior to 2007. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded provision expense of $503 million related to the Private Education Loan portfolio. This significant increase in provision expense compared to prior and current quarters primarily relates to the non-traditional portion of the Company’s Private Education Loan portfolio which the Company had been expanding over the past few years. The


17


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
Company has recently terminated these non-traditional loan programs because the performance of these loans turned out to be materially different from its original expectations and from the rest of the Company’s Private Education Loan programs. The non-traditional portfolio is particularly impacted by the weakening U.S. economy and an underlying borrower’s ability to repay a non-traditional loan. As a result, the Company recorded the additional provision in the fourth quarter of 2007, and this is the primary reason that the allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance and as a percentage of ending loans in repayment is significantly higher at June 30, 2008 versus June 30, 2007.
 
Private Education Loan Delinquencies
 
The table below presents the Company’s Private Education Loan delinquency trends as of June 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, and June 30, 2007. Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact earnings if the loan charges off and results in increased servicing and collection costs.
 
                                                 
    Private Education Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007     June 30, 2007  
(Dollars in millions)
  Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 9,662             $ 8,151             $ 5,789          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    1,178               974               544          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    7,720       89.7 %     6,236       88.5 %     4,873       88.7 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    326       3.8       306       4.3       243       4.4  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    210       2.4       176       2.5       131       2.4  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    353       4.1       329       4.7       249       4.5  
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    8,609       100 %     7,047       100 %     5,496       100 %
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    19,449               16,172               11,829          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (508 )             (468 )             (387 )        
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    18,941               15,704               11,442          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (970 )             (886 )             (428 )        
                                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 17,971             $ 14,818             $ 11,014          
                                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            44.3 %             43.6 %             46.5 %
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            10.3 %             11.5 %             11.3 %
                                                 
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            12.0 %             12.1 %             9.0 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on their loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers 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 the established loan program servicing procedures and policies.
 
(3) The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.


18


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
 
Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses
 
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses for the FFELP loan portfolio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 93,997     $ 22,279     $ 88,729     $ 20,315  
Provisions for student loan losses
    19,295       6,192       35,398       11,760  
Net charge-offs
    (15,876 )     (4,720 )     (26,711 )     (8,621 )
Increase for student loan sales and securitization activity
    277       332       277       629  
                                 
Balance at end of period
  $ 97,693     $ 24,083     $ 97,693     $ 24,083  
                                 
 
The Company maintains an allowance for Risk Sharing loan losses on its FFELP loan portfolio. The level of Risk Sharing has varied over the past few years with legislative changes. As of June 30, 2008, 44 percent of the on-balance sheet FFELP loan portfolio was subject to three-percent Risk Sharing, 55 percent was subject to two-percent Risk Sharing and the remaining one percent was not subject to any Risk Sharing. At June 30, 2007, the Company’s FFELP loans were serviced under the Exceptional Performer designation from ED which limited the portfolio to only one-percent Risk Sharing. The Exceptional Performer designation was eliminated by the CCRAA effective October 1, 2007.


19


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
FFELP Loan Delinquencies
 
The table below shows the Company’s FFELP loan delinquency trends as of June 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007. Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact earnings if the account charges off and results in increased servicing and collection costs.
 
                                                 
    FFELP Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007     June 30, 2007  
(Dollars in millions)
  Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 35,136             $ 31,200             $ 28,396          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    12,245               10,675               9,366          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    57,046       85.5 %     55,128       84.4 %     50,790       84.9 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    3,573       5.4       3,650       5.6       3,000       5.0  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    1,662       2.5       1,841       2.8       1,707       2.8  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    4,406       6.6       4,671       7.2       4,353       7.3  
                                                 
Total FFELP loans in repayment
    66,687       100 %     65,290       100 %     59,850       100 %
                                                 
Total FFELP loans, gross
    114,068               107,165               97,612          
FFELP loan unamortized premium
    2,348               2,259               2,024          
                                                 
Total FFELP loans
    116,416               109,424               99,636          
FFELP loan allowance for losses
    (98 )             (89 )             (24 )        
                                                 
FFELP loans, net
  $ 116,318             $ 109,335             $ 99,612          
                                                 
Percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            58.5 %             60.9 %             61.3 %
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            14.5 %             15.6 %             15.1 %
                                                 
FFELP loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            15.5 %             14.1 %             13.5 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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 borrowers 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 the 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.


20


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
3.   Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets include the following:
 
                                 
    Average
    As of June 30, 2008  
    Amortization
          Accumulated
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Period     Gross     Amortization     Net  
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
                               
Customer, services, and lending relationships
    12 years     $ 371     $ (183 )   $ 188  
Software and technology
    7 years       95       (84 )     11  
Non-compete agreements
    2 years       11       (10 )     1  
                                 
Total
            477       (277 )     200  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
                               
Trade names and trademarks
    Indefinite       119             119  
                                 
Total acquired intangible assets
          $ 596     $ (277 )   $ 319  
                                 
 
                                 
    Average
    As of December 31, 2007  
    Amortization
          Accumulated
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Period     Gross     Amortization     Net  
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
                               
Customer, services, and lending relationships
    13 years     $ 366     $ (160 )   $ 206  
Software and technology
    7 years       95       (77 )     18  
Non-compete agreements
    2 years       12       (10 )     2  
                                 
Total
            473       (247 )     226  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
                               
Trade names and trademarks
    Indefinite       110             110  
                                 
Total acquired intangible assets
          $ 583     $ (247 )   $ 336  
                                 
 
The Company recorded amortization of acquired intangibles totaling $15 million and $16 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $31 million and $31 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recognized intangible impairments of $9 million in connection with certain tax exempt bonds previously acquired through the purchase of certain subsidiaries. The Company will continue to amortize its intangible assets with definite useful lives over their remaining estimated useful lives.
 
A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment (see Note 13, “Segment Reporting”) is as follows:
 
                         
    December 31,
          June 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
  2007     Adjustments     2008  
 
Lending
  $ 388     $     $ 388  
APG
    377       19       396  
Corporate and Other
    200       2       202  
                         
Total
  $ 965     $ 21     $ 986  
                         


21


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
3.   Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Continued)
 
On January 3, 2008, the Company acquired an additional 12 percent interest in AFS Holdings, LLC (“AFS”) for a purchase price of approximately $38 million, increasing the Company’s total purchase price to approximately $324 million including cash consideration and certain acquisition costs for its 100 percent controlling interest. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting as defined in SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The Company’s purchase price allocation associated with the January 2008 acquisition resulted in goodwill of approximately $19 million, which increased the aggregate goodwill associated with the Company’s acquisition of AFS to $226 million. The remaining fair value of AFS’s assets and liabilities at each respective acquisition date was primarily allocated to purchased loan portfolios and other identifiable intangible assets.
 
4.   Student Loan Securitization
 
Securitization Activity
 
The Company securitizes its student loan assets and for transactions qualifying as sales, retains a Residual Interest and servicing rights (as the Company retains the servicing responsibilities), all of which are referred to as the Company’s Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans. The Residual Interest is the right to receive cash flows from the student loans and reserve accounts in excess of the amounts needed to pay servicing, derivative costs (if any), other fees, and the principal and interest on the bonds backed by the student loans. The investors in the securitization trusts have no recourse to the Company’s other assets should there be a failure of the trusts to pay principal or interest to investors when due.
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s securitization activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Those securitizations listed as sales are off-balance sheet transactions and those listed as financings remain on-balance sheet.
 


22


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
          Loan
    Pre-
                Loan
    Pre-
       
    No. of
    Amount
    Tax
          No. of
    Amount
    Tax
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain %     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain %  
 
Securitizations sales:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS loans
        $     $       %         $     $       %
FFELP Consolidation Loans
                                               
Private Education Loans
                                               
                                                                 
Total securitizations sales
              $       %                 $       %
                                                                 
Securitization financings:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS Loans(1)
    3       7,125                                              
FFELP Consolidation Loans(1)
                                1       4,985                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations financings
    3       7,125                       1       4,985                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations
    3     $ 7,125                       1     $ 4,985                  
                                                                 
 
                                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
          Loan
    Pre-
                Loan
    Pre-
       
    No. of
    Amount
    Tax
          No. of
    Amount
    Tax
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain %     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain %  
 
Securitizations sales:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS loans
        $     $       %         $     $       %
FFELP Consolidation Loans
                                               
Private Education Loans
                            1       2,000       367       18.4  
                                                                 
Total securitizations sales
              $       %     1       2,000     $ 367       18.4 %
                                                                 
Securitization financings:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS Loans(1)
    6       11,825                       2       7,004                  
FFELP Consolidation Loans(1)
                                2       8,987                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations financings
    6       11,825                       4       15,991                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations
    6     $ 11,825                       5     $ 17,991                  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) In certain securitizations there are terms within the deal structure that result in such securitizations not qualifying for sale treatment and accordingly, they are accounted for on-balance sheet as VIEs. Terms that prevent sale treatment include: (1) allowing the Company to hold certain rights that can affect the remarketing of certain bonds, (2) allowing the trust to enter into interest rate cap agreements after the initial settlement of the securitization, which do not relate to the reissuance of third party beneficial interests or (3) allowing the Company to hold an unconditional call option related to a certain percentage of the securitized assets.

23


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
 
Key economic assumptions used in estimating the fair value of Residual Interests at the date of securitization resulting from the student loan securitization sale transactions completed during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
    FFELP
                               
    Stafford
    FFELP
    Private
    FFELP
    FFELP
    Private
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Education
    Stafford
    Consolidation
    Education
 
Prepayment Speed (annual rate)
  PLUS(1)     Loans(1)     Loans(1)     and PLUS(1)     Loans(1)     Loans(1)  
 
Interim status
                                   
Repayment status
                                   
Life of loan repayment status
                                   
Weighted average life
                                   
Expected credit losses (% of principal securitized)
                                   
Residual cash flows discounted at (weighted average)
                                   
 
 
(1) No securitizations qualified for sale treatment in the period.
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
    FFELP
                               
    Stafford
    FFELP
    Private
    FFELP
    FFELP
    Private
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Education
    Stafford
    Consolidation
    Education
 
Prepayment Speed (annual rate)
  PLUS(1)     Loans(1)     Loans(1)     and PLUS(1)     Loans(1)     Loans  
 
Interim status
                                  0 %
Repayment status
                                  4-7 %
Life of loan repayment status
                                  6 %
Weighted average life
                                  9.4 yrs.  
Expected credit losses (% of principal securitized)
                                  4.69 %
Residual cash flows discounted at (weighted average)
                                  12.5 %
 
 
(1) No securitizations qualified for sale treatment in the period.
 
Retained Interest in Securitized Receivables
 
The following tables summarize the fair value of the Company’s Residual Interests included in the Company’s Retained Interest (and the assumptions used to value such Residual Interests), along with the underlying off-balance sheet student loans that relate to those securitizations in transactions that were treated as sales as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 


24


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
                                 
    As of June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    Consolidation
    Private
       
    Stafford and
    Loan
    Education
       
(Dollars in millions)
  PLUS     Trusts(1)     Loan Trusts     Total  
 
Fair value of Residual Interests(2)
  $ 410     $ 619     $ 1,516     $ 2,545  
Underlying securitized loan balance(3)
    8,383       15,586       13,773       37,742  
Weighted average life
    2.8 yrs.       7.3 yrs.       6.6 yrs.          
Prepayment speed (annual rate)(4)
                               
Interim status
    0 %     N/A       0 %        
Repayment status
    0-30 %     3-8 %     1-30 %        
Life of loan — repayment status
    17       6 %     9 %        
Expected credit losses (% of outstanding student loan principal)
    .10 %     .20 %     5.36 %        
Residual cash flows discount rate
    12.0 %     10.0 %     16.4 %        
 
                                 
    As of December 31, 2007  
    FFELP
    Consolidation
    Private
       
    Stafford and
    Loan
    Education
       
(Dollars in millions)
  PLUS     Trusts(1)     Loan Trusts     Total  
 
Fair value of Residual Interests(2)
  $ 390     $ 730     $ 1,924     $ 3,044  
Underlying securitized loan balance(3)
    9,338       15,968       14,199       39,505  
Weighted average life
    2.7 yrs.       7.4 yrs.       7.0 yrs.          
Prepayment speed (annual rate)(4)
                               
Interim status
    0 %     N/A       0 %        
Repayment status
    0-37 %     3-8 %     1-30 %        
Life of loan — repayment status
    21 %     6 %     9 %        
Expected credit losses (% of outstanding student loan principal)
    .11 %     .21 %     5.28 %        
Residual cash flows discount rate
    12.0 %     9.8 %     12.9 %        
 
 
(1) Includes $295 million and $283 million related to the fair value of the Embedded Floor Income as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Changes in the fair value of the Embedded Floor Income are primarily due to changes in the interest rates and the paydown of the underlying loans.
 
(2) At December 31, 2007, the Company had unrealized gains (pre-tax) in accumulated other comprehensive income of $301 million that related to the Retained Interests. There were no such gains at June 30, 2008.
 
(3) In addition to student loans in off-balance sheet trusts, the Company had $75.2 billion and $65.5 billion of securitized student loans outstanding (face amount) as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, in on-balance sheet securitization trusts.
 
(4) The Company uses CPR curves for Residual Interest valuations that are based on seasoning (the number of months since entering repayment). Under this methodology, a different CPR is applied to each year of a loan’s seasoning. Repayment status CPR used is based on the number of months since first entering repayment (seasoning). Life of loan CPR is related to repayment status only and does not include the impact of the loan while in interim status. The CPR assumption used for all periods includes the impact of projected defaults.
 
As previously discussed, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008, and has elected the fair value option on all of the Residual Interests effective January 1, 2008. The Company chose this election in order to record all Residual Interests under one accounting model. Prior to this election, Residual Interests were accounted for either under SFAS No. 115 with changes in fair value recorded through other

25


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
comprehensive income, except if impaired in which case changes in fair value were recorded through income, or under SFAS No. 155 with all changes in fair value recorded through income. Changes in the fair value of Residual Interests from January 1, 2008 forward are recorded in the servicing and securitization revenue line item of the consolidated income statement.
 
The Company recorded a net unrealized mark-to-market loss related to the Residual Interests of $280 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008. The mark-to-market loss was primarily related to the increase in the discount rate assumption related to the Private Education Loan Residual Interest. This discount rate is applied to the projected cash flows to arrive at a fair value representative of the current economic conditions. The Company increased the risk premium by 350 basis points (from December 31, 2007) to take into account the current level of cash flow uncertainty and lack of liquidity that exists with the Private Education Loan Residual Interests in light of the current economic and credit uncertainty that exists in the market. The increase in the discount rate accounted for $244 million of the net unrealized mark-to-market loss for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
The 2008 mark-to-market loss was also related to increases in the cost of funds assumptions related to the underlying auction rate securities bonds within the FFELP ($1.7 billion face amount of bonds) and Private Education Loan ($0.6 billion face amount of bonds) trusts, which resulted in a $98 million decrease in fair value.
 
The Company recorded impairments to the Retained Interests of $46 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The impairment charges were primarily the result of FFELP loans prepaying faster than projected through loan consolidations. In addition, the Company recorded an unrealized mark-to-market loss under SFAS No. 155 of $57 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
 
The table below shows the Company’s off-balance sheet Private Education Loan delinquency trends as of June 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007.
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007     June 30, 2007  
(Dollars in millions)
  Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 4,159             $ 4,963             $ 6,136          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    1,339               1,417               1,093          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    7,871       95.1 %     7,403       94.7 %     7,002       95.3 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    178       2.2       202       2.6       196       2.7  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    102       1.2       84       1.1       66       .9  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    124       1.5       130       1.6       80       1.1  
                                                 
Total off-balance sheet Private Education Loans in repayment
    8,275       100 %     7,819       100 %     7,344       100 %
                                                 
Total off-balance sheet Private Education Loans, gross
  $ 13,773             $ 14,199             $ 14,573          
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on their loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers 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 the established loan program servicing procedures and programs.
 
(3) The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.


26


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Summary of Derivative Financial Statement Impact
 
The following tables summarize the fair values and notional amounts of all derivative instruments at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and their impact on other comprehensive income and earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, available-for-sale securities with fair values of $208 million and $196 million (none of which was in restricted cash and investments on the balance sheet), respectively, and $69 million and $890 million, respectively, of cash were pledged as collateral against these derivative instruments. In addition, $2.2 billion ($0.1 billion of which is in restricted cash and investments on the balance sheet) and $1.3 billion (none of which was in restricted cash and investments on the balance sheet) of cash was held as collateral at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, for derivative counterparties where the Company has exposure.
 
                                                                 
    Cash Flow     Fair Value     Trading     Total  
    June 30,
    December 31,
    June 30,
    December 31,
    June 30,
    December 31,
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
  2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Fair Values(1)
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ 32     $ (34 )   $ 142     $ 102     $ (51 )   $ 252     $ 123     $ 320  
Floor/Cap contracts
                            (639 )     (442 )     (639 )     (442 )
Futures
                            (2 )           (2 )      
Cross currency interest rate swaps
                5,137       3,640       (1 )     3       5,136       3,643  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 32     $ (34 )   $ 5,279     $ 3,742     $ (693 )   $ (187 )   $ 4,618     $ 3,521  
                                                                 
(Dollars in billions)
                                                               
                                                                 
Notional Values
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ 5.5     $ 3.1     $ 15.6     $ 14.7     $ 185.0     $ 199.5     $ 206.1     $ 217.3  
Floor/Cap contracts
                            38.2       38.9       38.2       38.9  
Futures
                            .3       .6       .3       .6  
Cross currency interest rate swaps
                23.8       23.8       .1       .1       23.9       23.9  
Other(2)
                            .7       .7       .7       .7  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 5.5     $ 3.1     $ 39.4     $ 38.5     $ 224.3     $ 239.8     $ 269.2     $ 281.4  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) Fair values reported are exclusive of collateral held and/or pledged.
 
(2) “Other” includes embedded derivatives bifurcated from newly issued on-balance sheet securitization debt, as a result of adopting SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments.”
 


27


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    Cash Flow     Fair Value     Trading     Total  
(Dollars in millions)
  2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
                                                                 
Change in fair value to cash flow hedges
  $ 74     $ 6     $     $     $     $     $ 74     $ 6  
                                                                 
Amortization of effective hedges(1)
                                               
                                                                 
                                                                 
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income, net
  $ 74     $ 6     $     $     $     $     $ 74     $ 6  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Earnings Summary
                                                               
                                                                 
Amortization of closed futures contracts’ gains/losses in interest expense(2)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
                                                                 
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities — Realized(3)
                            (67 )     (20 )     (67 )     (20 )
                                                                 
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities — Unrealized(4)
                37       1       392       841       429       842  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Total earnings impact
  $     $     $ 37     $ 1     $ 325     $ 821     $ 362     $ 822  
                                                                 
 
                                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    Cash Flow     Fair Value     Trading     Total  
(Dollars in millions)
  2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Change in fair value to cash flow hedges
  $ 42     $ 6     $     $     $     $     $ 42     $ 6  
Amortization of effective hedges(1)
          1                                     1  
                                                                 
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income, net
  $ 42     $ 7     $     $     $     $     $ 42     $ 7  
                                                                 
Earnings Summary
                                                               
Amortization of closed futures contracts’ gains/losses in interest expense(2)
  $     $ (2 )   $     $     $     $     $     $ (2 )
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities — Realized(3)
                            25       (45 )     25       (45 )
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities — Unrealized(4)
                99       16       (35 )     494       64       510  
                                                                 
Total earnings impact
  $     $ (2 )   $ 99     $ 16     $ (10 )   $ 449     $ 89     $ 463  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) The Company expects to amortize $.1 million of after-tax net losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months related to closed futures contracts that were hedging the forecasted issuance of debt instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2008.
 
(2) For futures contracts that qualify as SFAS No. 133 hedges where the hedged transaction occurs.
 
(3) Includes net settlement income/expense related to trading derivatives and realized gains and losses related to derivative dispositions.
 
(4) The change in the fair value of cash flow and fair value hedges represents amounts related to ineffectiveness.

28


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
6.   Other Assets
 
The following table provides the detail of the Company’s other assets at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 
                                 
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Ending
    % of
    Ending
    % of
 
    Balance     Balance     Balance     Balance  
 
Derivatives at fair value
  $ 4,993,182       39 %   $ 3,744,611       35 %
Accrued interest receivable
    3,128,571       24       3,180,590       30  
APG related receivables and Real Estate Owned
    1,640,401       13       1,758,871       16  
Accounts receivable — collateral posted
                867,427       8  
Federal, state and international net income tax asset
    1,196,056       9              
Benefit-related investments
    471,871       4       467,379       4  
Fixed assets, net
    304,405       2       315,260       3  
Accounts receivable — general
    727,465       6       305,118       2  
Other
    445,203       3       107,851       2  
                                 
Total
  $ 12,907,154       100 %   $ 10,747,107       100 %
                                 
 
The “Derivatives at fair value” line in the above table represents the fair value of the Company’s derivatives in a gain position by counterparty. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, these balances primarily included cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges that were offset by an increase in interest-bearing liabilities related to the hedged foreign currency-denominated debt. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the cumulative mark-to-market adjustment to the hedged debt was $(5.0) billion and $(3.6) billion, respectively.
 
7.   Stockholders’ Equity
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s common share repurchases and issuances for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Equity forward activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 is also reported.
 
                                 
          Six Months
 
    Three Months Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
(Shares in millions)
  2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Common shares repurchased:
                               
Benefit plans(1)
    .2       .8       .5       1.0  
                                 
Total shares repurchased
    .2       .8       .5       1.0  
                                 
Average purchase price per share
  $ 23.74     $ 41.18     $ 20.98     $ 42.05  
                                 
Common shares issued
    .3       1.5       1.5       3.0  
                                 
Equity forward contracts:
                               
Outstanding at beginning of period
          48.2             48.2  
New contracts
                       
Exercises
                       
                                 
Outstanding at end of period
          48.2             48.2  
                                 
Authority remaining at end of period for repurchases
    38.8       15.7       38.8       15.7  
                                 
 
 
(1) Includes shares withheld from stock option exercises and vesting of performance stock for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.


29


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
7.   Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)
 
 
The closing price of the Company’s common stock on June 30, 2008 was $19.35.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income includes the after-tax change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments (which includes the Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans as of December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007), unrealized gains and losses on derivatives, and the defined benefit pension plans adjustment. The following table presents the cumulative balances of the components of other comprehensive income as of June 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007.
 
                         
    June 30,
    December 31,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007     2007  
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments(1)
  $ 22,604     $ 238,772     $ 250,263  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives(2)
    19,696       (22,574 )     (671 )
Defined benefit pension plans:
                       
Net prior service cost
                (23 )
Net gain
    19,694       20,166       15,819  
                         
Total defined benefit pension plans(3)
    19,694       20,166       15,796  
                         
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 61,994     $ 236,364     $ 265,388  
                         
 
 
(1) Net of tax expense of $12,707, $125,473 and $130,348 as of June 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, respectively.
 
(2) Net of tax expense of $11,118 as of June 30, 2008, and tax benefit of $12,682 and $382 as of December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, respectively.
 
(3) Net of tax expense of $11,425, $11,677 and $9,309 as of June 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, respectively.


30


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
8.   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 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Numerator:
                               
Net income attributable to common stock
  $ 238,345     $ 957,315     $ 105,516     $ 1,064,375  
Adjusted for dividends of convertible preferred stock series C(1)
    20,844                    
Adjusted for debt expense of convertible debentures (“Co-Cos”), net of taxes(2)
          17,679             35,189  
Adjusted for non-taxable unrealized gains on equity forwards(3)
          (507,072 )           (272,191 )
                                 
Net income attributable to common stock, adjusted
  $ 259,189     $ 467,922     $ 105,516     $ 827,373  
                                 
Denominator (shares in thousands):
                               
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS
    466,649       411,870       466,615       411,457  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock series C
    50,568                    
Dilutive effect of Co-Cos
          30,312             30,312  
Dilutive effect of stock options, nonvested deferred compensation, nonvested restricted stock, restricted stock units, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and equity forwards(3)(4)
    737       10,224       701       12,370  
                                 
Dilutive potential common shares(5)
    51,305       40,536       701       42,682  
                                 
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS
    517,954       452,406       467,316       454,139  
                                 
Net earnings per share:
                               
Basic earnings per common share
  $ .51     $ 2.32     $ .23     $ 2.59  
Dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock series C(1)
    (.01 )                  
Dilutive effect of Co-Cos(2)
          (.03 )           (.05 )
Dilutive effect of equity forwards(3)
          (1.21 )           (.66 )
Dilutive effect of stock options, nonvested deferred compensation, nonvested restricted stock, restricted stock units, and ESPP(4)
          (.05 )           (.06 )
                                 
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ .50     $ 1.03     $ .23     $ 1.82  
                                 
 
 
(1) The Company’s 7.25 percent mandatory convertible preferred stock series C was issued on December 31, 2007. The mandatory convertible preferred stock will automatically convert on December 15, 2010, into between 48 million shares and 59 million shares of common stock, depending upon the Company’s stock price at that time. These instruments were anti-dilutive for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
(2) Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share,” requires the shares underlying Co-Cos to be included in diluted EPS computations regardless of whether the market price trigger or the conversion price has been met, using the “if-converted” method. On June 25, 2007, holders of these securities were notified that the Co-Cos would be called at par on July 25, 2007, as allowed by the terms of the indenture governing the Co-Cos.
 
(3) SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” and the additional guidance provided by EITF Topic No. D-72, “Effect of Contracts That May Be Settled in Stock or Cash on the Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share,” require both the denominator and the numerator to be adjusted in calculating the potential impact of the Company’s equity forward contracts on diluted EPS. Under this guidance, when certain conditions are satisfied, the impact can be dilutive when: (1) the average share price during the period is lower than the respective strike prices on the Company’s equity forward contracts, and (2) the Company recorded an unrealized gain or loss on derivative and hedging activities related to its equity forward contracts.
 
(4) Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, nonvested restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method, and equity forward contracts determined by the reverse treasury stock method. The Company settled all of its outstanding equity forward contracts in January 2008.
 
(5) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, stock options covering approximately 40 million and 41 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, stock options and equity forward contracts covering approximately 21 million and 26 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.


31


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
9.   Other Income
 
The following table summarizes the components of “Other income” in the consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Late fees and forbearance fees
  $ 34,030     $ 32,405     $ 71,185     $ 67,627  
Asset servicing and other transaction fees
    26,067       25,785       51,935       50,775  
Loan servicing fees
    5,616       5,776       12,268       13,551  
Gains on sales of mortgages and other loan fees
    806       3,843       1,914       7,311  
Other
    42,209       21,195       64,959       46,173  
                                 
Total
  $ 108,728     $ 89,004     $ 202,261     $ 185,437  
                                 
 
During the second quarter of 2008, the Company repurchased a portion of its unsecured debt with short-term maturities, which resulted in a gain that is reflected in “Other” in the above table.
 
Late Fees and Forbearance Fees
 
The Company recognizes late fees and forbearance fees on student loans when earned according to the contractual provisions of the promissory notes. Fees are recognized only to the extent they are deemed collectible.
 
Asset Servicing and Other Transaction Fees
 
The Company’s Upromise subsidiary operates a number of programs that encourage consumers to save for the cost of college education. Upromise has established an affinity marketing program which is designed to increase consumer purchases of merchant goods and services and to promote saving for college by consumers who are members of this program. Merchant partners generally pay Upromise transaction fees based on member purchase volume, either online or in stores depending on the contractual arrangement with the merchant partner. A percentage of the consumer members’ purchases is set aside in an account maintained by Upromise on the members’ behalf. The Company recognizes transaction fee revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” as marketing services focused on increasing member purchase volume are rendered based on contractually determined rates and member purchase volumes.
 
Upromise, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Upromise Investments, Inc. (“UII”), a registered broker-dealer, and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC (“UIA”), provides transfer and servicing agent services and program management associated with various 529 college-savings plans. The fees associated with the provision of these services are recognized in accordance with SAB No. 104 based on contractually determined rates and the net assets of the investments within the 529 college-savings plans (transfer and servicing agent/program management fees), and the number of accounts for which Upromise provides record-keeping and account servicing functions (an additional form of transfer and servicing agent fees).


32


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
10.   Restructuring Activities
 
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company initiated a restructuring program to reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies in response to the impacts of the CCRAA and current challenges in the capital markets. As part of this review the Company has refocused its lending activities, exited certain customer relationships and product lines, and is on target to reduce its operating expenses by 20 percent by the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, before adjusting for growth and other investments. In addition, the Company has concluded that its APG operating segment purchased paper businesses no longer produce a mutual strategic fit. As a result, the Company is currently exploring alternatives for its purchased paper businesses, including a potential sale, wind-down and other options. The outcome of these different alternatives is uncertain at this time.
 
The following table summarizes the restructuring expenses incurred to date.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Cumulative Expense
 
    December 31, 2007     March 31, 2008     June 30, 2008     as of June 30, 2008  
 
Severance costs
  $ 22,505     $ 14,869     $ 34,214     $ 71,588  
Lease and other contract termination costs
                8,634       8,634  
Exit and other costs
          5,809       3,892       9,701  
                                 
Total(1)(2)
  $ 22,505     $ 20,678     $ 46,740     $ 89,923  
                                 
 
 
(1) Aggregate restructuring expenses incurred across the Company’s reportable segments during the three months ended June 30, 2008, March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 totaled $31 million, $15 million and $19 million, respectively, in the Company’s Lending reportable segment, $5 million, $1 million and $2 million, respectively, in the Company’s APG reportable segment and $11 million, $5 million and $1 million, respectively, in the Company’s Corporate and Other reportable segment.
 
(2) As of June 30, 2008, the Company estimates an additional $24 million of restructuring expenses associated with its current cost reduction efforts will be incurred in future periods primarily related to position eliminations and resulting employee terminations in its Lending business segment.
 
As of June 30, 2008, severance costs were incurred in conjunction with aggregate completed and planned position eliminations of approximately 2,500 positions across all of the Company’s reportable segments with position eliminations ranging from senior executives to service center personnel.
 
The following table summarizes the restructuring liability balance, which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2008, and related activity during the six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
                                 
          Lease and
             
          Other
             
          Contract
             
    Severance
    Termination
    Exit and
       
    Costs     Costs     Other Costs     Total  
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 18,329     $     $     $ 18,329  
Net accruals
    49,083       8,634       9,701       67,418  
Cash paid
    (37,367 )     (4,979 )     (7,318 )     (49,664 )
                                 
Balance at June 30, 2008
  $ 30,045     $ 3,655     $ 2,383     $ 36,083  
                                 


33


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
11.   Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company uses estimates of fair value as defined by SFAS No. 157 in applying various accounting standards for its financial statements. Under GAAP, fair value measurements are used in one of four ways:
 
  •  In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of income;
 
  •  In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the other comprehensive income section of stockholders’ equity;
 
  •  In the notes to the financial statements as required by SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”; and
 
  •  In the consolidated balance sheet for instruments carried at lower of cost or market with impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statement of income.
 
Fair value under SFAS No. 157 is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants. In general, the Company’s policy in estimating fair values is to first look at observable market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets, where available. When these are not available, other inputs are used to model fair value such as prices of similar instruments, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates and credit spreads (including the Company’s for its liabilities), relying first on observable data from active markets. Additional adjustments may be made for factors including liquidity, bid/offer spreads, etc., depending on current market conditions. Transaction costs are not included in the determination of fair value. When possible, the Company seeks to validate the model’s output to market transactions. Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates. The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.
 
Under SFAS No. 157, the Company categorizes its fair value estimates based on a hierarchal framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the instrument. The three levels are as follows:
 
  •  Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. The types of financial instruments included in level 1 are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices.
 
  •  Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets are used to model fair value. Significant inputs are directly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability being valued. Instruments included in the level 2 category include investment securities, short term liquidity investments and a majority of the Company’s over-the-counter derivative contracts.
 
  •  Level 3 — Pricing inputs significant to the valuation are unobservable. Inputs are developed based on the best information available; however, significant judgment is required by management in developing the inputs. Instruments included in level 3 include residual interests in off-balance sheet securitized loans and derivatives indexed to interest rate indices that do not have active markets.
 
Investments (Including “Restricted”)
 
Investments accounted for under SFAS No. 115 and classified as trading or available-for-sale, are carried at fair value in the financial statements. Investments in U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by


34


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
11.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
U.S. government agencies that are traded in active markets were valued using observable market prices. Other investments for which observable prices from active markets are not available (such as U.S. Treasury-backed securities) were valued through standard bond pricing models using observable market yield curves adjusted for credit and liquidity spreads. The fair value of investments in Commercial Paper, Asset Backed Commercial Paper, or Demand Deposits that have a remaining term of less than 90 days when purchased are estimated at cost. Adjustments for liquidity and credit spreads are made as appropriate.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
All derivatives are accounted for at fair value in the financial statements. The fair values of a majority of derivative financial instruments, including swaps and floors, were determined by standard derivative pricing and option models using the stated terms of the contracts and observable yield curves, forward foreign currency exchange rates and volatilities from active markets. In some cases, management utilized internally developed amortization streams to model the fair value for swaps whose notional matched securitized asset balances. Complex structured derivatives or derivatives that trade in less liquid markets require significant adjustments and judgment in determining fair value that cannot be corroborated with market transactions. All of the Company’s corporate and some of the Company’s trust related derivatives are covered under an International Swap Dealer Association (“ISDA”) agreement requiring collateral to be exchanged based on the fair value of the derivatives. For a more detailed discussion of the collateral agreements, see Note 10, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” within the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In all cases, the Company’s derivatives require collateral movement (or reassignment of the contract) if either the counterparty or the Company experiences a credit rating decrease below a specified level. The fair value of the Company’s derivatives take into account the impact of these collateral agreements in assessing counterparty nonperformance risk. It is the Company’s policy to compare its derivative fair values to those received by its counterparties in order to validate the model’s outputs. The carrying value of borrowings designated as the hedged item in a SFAS No. 133 fair value hedge are adjusted for changes in fair value due to benchmark interest rates and foreign-currency exchange rates. These valuations are determined through standard bond pricing models and option models (when applicable) using the stated terms of the borrowings, and observable yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and volatilities.
 
Residual Interests
 
The Residual Interests are carried at fair value in the financial statements. The fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow models and option models. Observable inputs from active markets are used where available, including yield curves and volatilities. Significant unobservable inputs such as prepayment speeds, default rates, certain bonds’ costs of funds and discount rates, are used in determining the fair value and require significant judgment. These unobservable inputs are internally determined based upon analysis of historical data and expected industry trends. On a quarterly basis the Company back tests its prepayment speed, default rates and costs of funds assumptions by comparing those assumptions to actuals experienced. Material changes in these significant unobservable inputs can directly affect income by impacting the amount of unrealized gain or loss recorded in servicing and securitization revenue as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 159. An analysis of the impact of changes to significant inputs is addressed further in Note 9, “Student Loan Securitization,” within the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, market transactions are not available to validate the models’ results (see Note 4, “Student Loan Securitization,” for further discussion regarding these assumptions).


35


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
11.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments that are marked-to-market on a recurring basis in the financial statements as of June 30, 2008.
 
                                 
    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring
 
    Basis as of June 30, 2008  
(Dollars in millions)
  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Assets
                               
Available for sale investments
  $     $ 2,708     $     $ 2,708  
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
                2,545       2,545  
Derivative instruments(1)
          4,993             4,993  
                                 
Total Assets
  $     $ 7,701     $ 2,545     $ 10,246  
                                 
Liabilities(2)
                               
Derivative instruments(1)
  $     $ (252 )   $ (121 )   $ (373 )
                                 
Total Liabilities
  $     $ (252 )   $ (121 )   $ (373 )
                                 
 
 
(1) Fair value of derivative instruments is comprised of market value less accrued interest and excludes collateral.
 
(2) Borrowings which are the hedged item in a fair value hedge relationship and which are adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only, are not carried at full fair value and are not reflected in this table.
 
The following table summarizes the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2008  
    Residual
    Derivative
          Residual
    Derivative
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Interests     Instruments     Total     Interests     Instruments     Total  
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 2,874     $ (52 )   $ 2,822     $ 3,044     $ (71 )   $ 2,973  
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
                                               
Included in earnings
    (43 )(1)     (72 )(2)     (115 )     17 (1)     (62 )(2)     (45 )
Included in other comprehensive income
                                   
Purchases, issuances and settlements
    (286 )     3       (283 )     (516 )     12       (504 )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
                                   
                                                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 2,545     $ (121 )   $ 2,424     $ 2,545     $ (121 )   $ 2,424  
                                                 
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
  $ (192 )(1)   $ (68 )(2)   $ (260 )   $ (280 )(1)   $ (49 )(2)   $ (329 )
                                                 
 
 
(1) Recorded in servicing and securitization revenue.
 
(2) Recorded in gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net.


36


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
12.   Contingencies
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are routinely defendants in or parties to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. These actions and proceedings may be based on alleged violations of consumer protection, securities, employment and other laws. In certain of these actions and proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damage are asserted against the Company and it subsidiaries.
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations. In connection with formal and informal inquiries in these cases, the Company and its subsidiaries receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders for documents, testimony and information in connection with various aspects of the Company’s regulated activities.
 
In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such litigation and regulatory matters, the Company cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing or the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines or penalties related to each pending matter may be.
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” the Company is required to establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish reserves.
 
Based on current knowledge, reserves have not been established for any pending litigation or regulatory matters. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending litigation or regulatory matters will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or liquidity of the Company.
 
13.   Segment Reporting
 
The Company has two primary operating segments as defined in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” — the Lending operating segment and the APG, formerly known as DMO, operating segment. The Lending and APG operating segments meet the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments identified in SFAS No. 131. Accordingly, the results of operations of the Company’s Lending and APG segments are presented below. The Company has smaller operating segments including the Guarantor Servicing, Loan Servicing, and Upromise operating segments, as well as certain other products and services provided to colleges and universities which do not meet the quantitative thresholds identified in SFAS No. 131. Therefore, the results of operations for these operating segments and the revenues and expenses associated with these other products and services are combined with corporate overhead and other corporate activities within the Corporate and Other reportable segment.
 
The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Management, including the Company’s chief operating decision makers, evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their profitability. As discussed further below, management measures the profitability of the Company’s operating segments based on “Core Earnings” net income. Accordingly, information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is provided based on a “Core Earnings” basis. The Company’s “Core Earnings” performance measures are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other


37


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
companies. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income as described below. Unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. The management reporting process measures the performance of the operating segments based on the management structure of the Company and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution. The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer or the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. Intersegment revenues and expenses are netted within the appropriate financial statement line items consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management. Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information.
 
The Company’s principal operations are located in the United States, and its results of operations and long-lived assets in geographic regions outside of the United States are not significant. In the Lending segment, no individual customer accounted for more than 10 percent of its total revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. USA Funds is the Company’s largest customer in both the APG and Corporate and Other segments. During the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, USA Funds accounted for 28 percent and 33 percent, respectively, of the aggregate revenues generated by the Company’s APG and Corporate and Other segments. No other customers accounted for more than 10 percent of total revenues in those segments for the years mentioned.
 
Lending
 
In the Company’s Lending operating segment, the Company originates and acquires both FFELP loans and Private Education Loans. As of June 30, 2008, the Company managed $171.9 billion of student loans, of which $140.8 billion or 82 percent are federally insured, and serves over 10 million customers. In addition to education lending, the Company also originates mortgage and consumer loans with the intent of selling the majority of such loans. In the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company originated $132 million in mortgage and consumer loans and its mortgage and consumer loan portfolio totaled $546 million at June 30, 2008.
 
Private Education Loans consist of two general types: (1) those that are designed to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the amount financed through either capped federally insured loans or the borrowers’ resources, and (2) those that are used to meet the needs of students in alternative learning programs such as career training, distance learning and lifelong learning programs. Most higher education Private Education Loans are made in conjunction with a FFELP loan and as such are marketed through the same channel as FFELP loans by the same sales force. Unlike FFELP loans, Private Education Loans are subject to the full credit risk of the borrower. The Company manages this additional risk through industry-tested loan underwriting standards and a combination of higher interest rates and loan origination fees that compensate the Company for the higher risk.
 
APG
 
The Company’s APG operating segment provides a wide range of accounts receivable and collections services including student loan default aversion services, defaulted student loan portfolio management services, contingency collections services for student loans and other asset classes, and accounts receivable management and collection for purchased portfolios of receivables that are delinquent or have been charged off by their original creditors, and sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans. The Company’s APG


38


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
operating segment serves the student loan marketplace through a broad array of default management services on a contingency fee or other pay-for-performance basis to 14 FFELP guarantors and for campus-based programs.
 
In addition to collecting on its own purchased receivables and mortgage loans, the APG operating segment provides receivable management and collection services for federal agencies, credit card clients and other holders of consumer debt.
 
The Company has also concluded that its APG operating segment purchased paper businesses no longer produce a mutual strategic fit. As a result, the Company is currently exploring alternatives for its purchased paper businesses, including a potential sale, wind-down and other options.
 
Corporate and Other
 
The Company’s Corporate and Other segment includes the aggregate activity of its smaller operating segments primarily its Guarantor Servicing, Loan Servicing, and Upromise operating segments. Corporate and Other also includes several smaller products and services, as well as corporate overhead.
 
In the Guarantor Servicing operating segment, the Company provides a full complement of administrative services to FFELP guarantors including guarantee issuance, account maintenance, and guarantee fulfillment. In the Loan Servicing operating segment, the Company provides a full complement of activities required to service student loans on behalf of lenders who are unrelated to the Company. Such servicing activities generally commence once a loan has been fully disbursed and include sending out payment coupons to borrowers, processing borrower payments, originating and disbursing FFELP Consolidation Loans on behalf of the lender, and other administrative activities required by ED.
 
Upromise markets and administers an affinity marketing program and also provides administration services for 529 college-savings plans. The Company’s other products and services include comprehensive financing and loan delivery solutions that it provides to college financial aid offices and students to streamline the financial aid process. Corporate overhead includes all of the typical headquarter functions such as executive management, accounting and finance, human resources and marketing.
 
Measure of Profitability
 
The tables below include the condensed operating results for each of the Company’s reportable segments. Management, including the chief operating decision makers, evaluates the Company on certain performance measures that the Company refers to as “Core Earnings” performance measures for each operating segment. While “Core Earnings” results are not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company relies on “Core Earnings” performance measures to manage each operating segment because it believes these measures provide additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management.
 
“Core Earnings” performance measures are the primary financial performance measures used by management to develop the Company’s financial plans, track results, and establish corporate performance targets and incentive compensation. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core business activities of its operating segments. Accordingly, the tables presented below reflect “Core Earnings” operating measures reviewed and utilized by management to manage


39


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
the business. Reconciliation of the “Core Earnings” segment totals to the Company’s consolidated operating results in accordance with GAAP is also included in the tables below.
 
Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
  Lending     APG     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(2)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 524     $     $     $ 524     $ (26 )   $ 498  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    908                   908       (138 )     770  
Private Education Loans
    665                   665       (256 )     409  
Other loans
    21                   21             21  
Cash and investments
    81             5       86       (15 )     71  
                                                 
Total interest income
    2,199             5       2,204       (435 )     1,769  
Total interest expense
    1,605       7       5       1,617       (251 )     1,366  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    594       (7 )           587       (184 )     403  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    192                   192       (49 )     143  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    402       (7 )           395       (135 )     260  
Contingency fee revenue
          84             84             84  
Collections revenue
          27             27       (1 )     26  
Guarantor servicing fees
                24       24             24  
Other income
    62             45       107       322       429  
                                                 
Total other income
    62       111       69       242       321       563  
Restructuring expenses
    31       5       11       47             47  
Operating expenses
    155       110       73       338       16       354  
                                                 
Total expenses
    186       115       84       385       16       401  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    278       (11 )     (15 )     252       170       422  
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    103       (4 )     (6 )     93       60       153  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          3             3             3  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 175     $ (10 )   $ (9 )   $ 156     $ 110     $ 266  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 
(2) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    Net Impact of
    Net Impact of
          Net Impact
       
    Securitization
    Derivative
    Net Impact of
    of Acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Accounting     Accounting     Floor Income     Intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income (loss)
  $ (254 )   $ 89     $ (19 )   $     $ (184 )
Less: provisions for loan losses
    (49 )                       (49 )
                                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    (205 )     89       (19 )           (135 )
Contingency fee revenue
                             
Collections revenue
    (1 )                       (1 )
Guarantor servicing fees
                             
Other income
    (40 )     362                   322  
                                         
Total other income (loss)
    (41 )     362                   321  
Restructuring expenses
                             
Operating expenses
    1                   15       16  
                                         
Total expenses
    1                   15       16  
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ (247 )   $ 451     $ (19 )   $ (15 )     170  
                                         
Income tax benefit
                                    60  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ 110  
                                         
 


40


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
  Lending     APG     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(2)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 719     $     $     $ 719     $ (208 )   $ 511  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    1,391                   1,391       (304 )     1,087  
Private Education Loans
    692                   692       (363 )     329  
Other loans
    27                   27             27  
Cash and investments
    182             7       189       (47 )     142  
                                                 
Total interest income
    3,011             7       3,018       (922 )     2,096  
Total interest expense
    2,371       7       5       2,383       (686 )     1,697  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    640       (7 )     2       635       (236 )     399  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    247                   247       (99 )     148  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    393       (7 )     2       388       (137 )     251  
Contingency fee revenue
          80             80             80  
Collections revenue
          77             77             77  
Guarantor servicing fees
                30       30             30  
Other income
    59             49       108       925       1,033  
                                                 
Total other income
    59       157       79       295       925       1,220  
Restructuring expenses
                                   
Operating expenses
    182       96       104       382       17       399  
                                                 
Total expenses
    182       96       104       382       17       399  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    270       54       (23 )     301       771       1,072  
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    100       20       (9 )     111       (6 )     105  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          1             1             1  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 170     $ 33     $ (14 )   $ 189     $ 777     $ 966  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 
(2) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Net Impact of
    Net Impact of
          Net Impact
       
    Securitization
    Derivative
    Net Impact of
    of Acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Accounting     Accounting     Floor Income     Intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income (loss)
  $ (217 )   $ 20     $ (39 )   $     $ (236 )
Less: provisions for loan losses
    (99 )                       (99 )
                                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    (118 )     20       (39 )           (137 )
Contingency fee revenue
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Other income (loss)
    103       822                   925  
                                         
Total other income (loss)
    103       822                   925  
Operating expenses
                      17       17  
                                         
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ (15 )   $ 842     $ (39 )   $ (17 )     771  
                                         
Income tax benefit
                                    (6 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ 777  
                                         
 

41


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
  Lending     APG     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(2)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,018     $     $     $ 1,018     $ (56 )   $ 962  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    1,896                   1,896       (290 )     1,606  
Private Education Loans
    1,415                   1,415       (562 )     853  
Other loans
    45                   45             45  
Cash and investments
    222             11       233       (39 )     194  
                                                 
Total interest income
    4,596             11       4,607       (947 )     3,660  
Total interest expense
    3,429       14       10       3,453       (472 )     2,981  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    1,167       (14 )     1       1,154       (475 )     679  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    374                   374       (94 )     280  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    793       (14 )     1       780       (381 )     399  
Contingency fee revenue
          169             169             169  
Collections revenue
          84             84             84  
Guarantor servicing fees
                58       58             58  
Other income
    106             97       203       119       322  
                                                 
Total other income
    106       253       155       514       119       633  
Restructuring expenses
    46       6       15       67             67  
Operating expenses
    318       216       144       678       32       710  
                                                 
Total expenses
    364       222       159       745       32       777  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    535       17       (3 )     549       (294 )     255  
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    197       6       (1 )     202       (112 )     90  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          3             3             3  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 338     $ 8     $ (2 )   $ 344     $ (182 )   $ 162  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 
(2) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    Net Impact of
    Net Impact of
          Net Impact
       
    Securitization
    Derivative
    Net Impact of
    of Acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Accounting     Accounting     Floor Income     Intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income (loss)
  $ (449 )   $ (2 )   $ (24 )   $     $ (475 )
Less: provisions for loan losses
    (94 )                       (94 )
                                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    (355 )     (2 )     (24 )           (381 )
Contingency fee income
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Guarantor servicing fees
                             
Other income (loss)
    30       89                   119  
                                         
Total other income (loss)
    30       89                   119  
Operating expenses
    1                   31       32  
                                         
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ (326 )   $ 87     $ (24 )   $ (31 )     (294 )
                                         
Income tax benefit
                                    (112 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ (182 )
                                         
 

42


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
  Lending     APG     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(2)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,414     $     $     $ 1,414     $ (452 )   $ 962  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    2,722                   2,722       (620 )     2,102  
Private Education Loans
    1,350                   1,350       (682 )     668  
Other loans
    54                   54             54  
Cash and investments
    345             9       354       (98 )     256  
                                                 
Total interest income
    5,885             9       5,894       (1,852 )     4,042  
Total interest expense
    4,592       13       11       4,616       (1,387 )     3,229  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    1,293       (13 )     (2 )     1,278       (465 )     813  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    444             1       445       (146 )     299  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    849       (13 )     (3 )     833       (319 )     514  
Contingency fee revenue
          166             166             166  
Collections revenue
          143             143             143  
Guarantor servicing fees
                70       70             70  
Other income
    104             100       204       1,157       1,361  
                                                 
Total other income
    104       309       170       583       1,157       1,740  
Total operating expenses
    353       190       172       715       40       755  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    600       106       (5 )     701       798       1,499  
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    222       39       (2 )     259       156       415  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          2             2             2  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 378     $ 65     $ (3 )   $ 440     $ 642     $ 1,082  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 
(2) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Net Impact of
    Net Impact of
          Net Impact
       
    Securitization
    Derivative
    Net Impact of
    of Acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Accounting     Accounting     Floor Income     Intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income (loss)
  $ (432 )   $ 45     $ (78 )   $     $ (465 )
Less: provisions for loan losses
    (146 )                       (146 )
                                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    (286 )     45       (78 )           (319 )
Contingency fee revenue
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Guarantor servicing fees
                             
Other income (loss)
    692       465                   1,157  
                                         
Total other income (loss)
    692       465                   1,157  
Operating expenses
                      40       40  
                                         
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 406     $ 510     $ (78 )   $ (40 )     798  
                                         
Income tax benefit
                                    156  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ 642  
                                         

43


 

 
SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Segment Reporting (Continued)
 
Summary of “Core Earnings” Adjustments to GAAP
 
The adjustments required to reconcile from the Company’s “Core Earnings” results to its GAAP results of operations relate to differing treatments for securitization transactions, derivatives, Floor Income, and certain other items that management does not consider in evaluating the Company’s operating results. The following table reflects aggregate adjustments associated with these areas for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
(Dollars in millions)
  2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
                               
Net impact of securitization accounting(1)
  $ (247 )   $ (15 )   $ (326 )   $ 406  
Net impact of derivative accounting(2)
    451       842       87       510  
Net impact of Floor Income(3)
    (19 )     (39 )     (24 )     (78 )
Net impact of acquired intangibles(4)
    (15 )     (17 )     (31 )     (40 )
Net tax effect(5)
    (60 )     6       112       (156 )
                                 
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 110     $ 777     $ (182 )   $ 642  
                                 
 
 
(1) Securitization:  Under GAAP, certain securitization transactions in the Company’s Lending operating segment are accounted for as sales of assets. Under the Company’s “Core Earnings” presentation for the Lending operating segment, the Company presents all securitization transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis as long-term non-recourse financings. The upfront “gains” on sale from securitization transactions as well as ongoing “servicing and securitization revenue” presented in accordance with GAAP are excluded from “Core Earnings” net income and replaced by the interest income, provisions for loan losses, and interest expense as they are earned or incurred on the securitization loans. The Company also excludes transactions with its off-balance sheet trusts from “Core Earnings” net income as they are considered intercompany transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis.
 
(2) Derivative accounting:  “Core Earnings” net income excludes periodic unrealized gains and losses arising primarily in the Company’s Lending operating segment, and to a lesser degree in the Company’s Corporate and Other reportable segment, that are caused primarily by the one-sided mark-to-market derivative valuations prescribed by SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP. Under the Company’s “Core Earnings” presentation, the Company recognizes the economic effect of these hedges, which generally results in any cash paid or received being recognized ratably as an expense or revenue over the hedged item’s life. “Core Earnings” net income also excludes the gain or loss on equity forward contracts that under SFAS No. 133, are required to be accounted for as derivatives and are marked-to-market through GAAP net income.
 
(3) Floor Income:  The timing and amount (if any) of Floor Income earned in the Company’s Lending operating segment is uncertain and in excess of expected spreads. Therefore, the Company excludes such income from “Core Earnings” net income when it is not economically hedged. The Company employs derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts and futures, to economically hedge Floor Income. As discussed above in “Derivative Accounting,” these derivatives do not qualify as effective accounting hedges and therefore, under GAAP, are marked-to-market through the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line on the income statement with no offsetting gain or loss recorded for the economically hedged items. For “Core Earnings” net income, the Company reverses the fair value adjustments on the Floor Income Contracts and futures economically hedging Floor Income and includes the amortization of net premiums received (net of Eurodollar futures contracts’ realized gains or losses) in income.
 
(4) Acquired Intangibles:  The Company excludes goodwill and intangible impairment and amortization of acquired intangibles.
 
(5) Net Tax Effect:  Such tax effect is based upon the Company’s “Core Earnings” effective tax rate for the year. The net tax effect for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 includes the impact of the exclusion of the permanent income tax impact of the equity forward contracts.


44


 

Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
 
This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements and information based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this document. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our 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 occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to our ability to cost-effectively refinance the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities, including any potential foreclosure on the student loans under those facilities following their termination; increased financing costs; limited liquidity; any adverse outcomes in any significant litigation to which we are a party; our derivative counterparties terminating their positions with the Company if permitted by their contracts and the Company substantially incurring additional costs to replace any terminated positions; changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace (including changes resulting from new laws and regulations and from the implementation of applicable laws and regulations) which, among other things, may reduce the volume, average term and yields on student loans under the FFELP, may result in loans being originated or refinanced under non-FFELP programs, or may affect the terms upon which banks and others agree to sell FFELP loans to the Company. The Company could also be affected by: changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of lenders, educational institutions, students and their families; incorrect estimates or assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements; changes in the composition of our Managed loan portfolios; changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization markets for education loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to initiate, purchase or carry education loans; changes in projections of losses from loan defaults; changes in general economic conditions; changes in prepayment rates and credit spreads; and changes in the demand for debt management services and new laws or changes in existing laws that govern debt management services. All forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date this document is filed. 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 the Company’s expectations.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
The impacts of the CCRAA and the current challenges in the capital markets require us to rationalize our business operations and reduce our costs. We are undertaking a review of our business units with a goal of achieving appropriate risk-adjusted returns and providing cost-effective services. As part of this review, we have refocused our lending activities, exited certain customer relationships and product lines, and are on target to reduce our operating expenses by 20 percent by the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, before adjusting for growth and other investments. In addition, we have concluded that our APG operating segment purchased paper businesses no longer produce a mutual strategic fit. As a result, the Company is currently exploring alternatives for its purchased paper businesses, including a potential sale, wind-down and other options. The outcome of these different alternatives is uncertain at this time.
 
Legislative and Regulatory Developments
 
On May 7, 2008, the President signed into law The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (the “Act”), which will expand the federal government’s support of financing the cost of higher education. The Act’s provisions include an increase in statutory limits on annual borrowing for FFELP loans, an enhanced benefit for parents who borrow PLUS loans and temporary authority of ED to purchase FFELP


45


 

loans. ED and the U.S. Treasury Department are reviewing the Act to determine the most appropriate action to provide liquidity to holders and lenders of FFELP loans, as the Act does not provide for specific terms as to how ED will implement this temporary authority.
 
On July 1, 2008, pursuant to the Act, ED announced terms under which it will offer to purchase FFELP student loans and loan participations from FFELP lenders (see “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES — ED’s Loan Purchase Commitment and Loan Participation Programs”). Additional details of the programs are available in the Federal Register dated July 1, 2008. These programs have not been finalized by ED. We have announced our intent to participate in these programs but such participation is contingent on both the time frame for finalizing the programs’ terms and conditions and the content of the final terms and conditions.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
A discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies, which include premiums, discounts and Borrower Benefits, related to our loan portfolio, securitization accounting and Retained Interests, provisions for loan losses, derivative accounting and the effects of Consolidation Loan activity on estimates, can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
In addition, on January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value within generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not change which types of instruments are carried at fair value, but rather establishes the framework for measuring fair value.
 
On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) SFAS No. 157-2, “Effective Date of SFAS No. 157,” which defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. This FSP will delay the implementation of SFAS No. 157 for the Company’s accounting of goodwill, acquired intangibles, and other nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at the lower of cost or market until January 1, 2009.
 
As such, SFAS No. 157 currently applies to our investment portfolio accounted for under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities;” our derivative portfolio and designated hedged assets or liabilities accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities;” and our Residual Interest in off-balance sheet securitization trusts accounted for under SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” In general, changes in the fair value of these items will affect the consolidated statement of income and capital. Liquidity is impacted to the extent that changes in capital and net income affect compliance with principal financial covenants in our unsecured revolving credit facilities. Noncompliance with these covenants also impacts our ability to use our 2008 ABCP Facilities (see “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES”). Additionally, liquidity is impacted to the extent that changes in fair value results in the movement of collateral between the Company and its counterparties. Collateral agreements are bilateral and are based on the derivative fair values used to determine the net exposure between the Company and individual counterparties. For a general description of valuation techniques and models used for the above items, see Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, “Fair Value Measurements.” For a discussion of the sensitivity of fair value estimates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
 
As it relates to Residual Interests, additional discussion of significant unobservable inputs, how they are determined, how they impact realized and unrealized gains and the nature of material changes in Residual Interest fair values can be found in Note 9, “Student Loan Securitization,” within the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


46


 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
Condensed Statements of Income
 
                                                                 
    Three Months
          Six Months
       
    Ended
    Increase
    Ended
    Increase
 
    June 30,     (Decrease)     June 30,     (Decrease)  
    2008     2007     $     %     2008     2007     $     %  
 
Net interest income
  $ 403     $ 399     $ 4       1 %   $ 679     $ 813     $ (134 )     (16 )%
Less: provisions for loan losses
    143       148       (5 )     (3 )     280       299       (19 )     (6 )
                                                                 
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses
    260       251       9       4       399       514       (115 )     (22 )
Gains on student loan securitizations
                                  367       (367 )     (100 )
Servicing and securitization revenue
    2       133       (131 )     (98 )     109       385       (276 )     (72 )
Losses on loans and securities, net
    (44 )     (11 )     (33 )     (300 )     (78 )     (42 )     (36 )     (86 )
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
    362       822       (460 )     (56 )     89       465       (376 )     (81 )
Contingency fee revenue
    84       80       4       5       169       166       3       2  
Collections revenue
    26       77       (51 )     (66 )     84       143       (59 )     (41 )
Guarantor servicing fees
    24       30       (6 )     (20 )     58       70       (12 )     (17 )
Other income
    109       89       20       22       202       186       16       9  
Restructuring expenses
    47             47       100       67             67       100  
Operating expenses
    354       399       (45 )     (11 )     710       755       (45 )     (6 )
                                                                 
Pre-tax income
    422       1,072       (650 )     (61 )     255       1,499       (1,244 )     (83 )
Income taxes
    153       105       48       46       90       415       (325 )     (78 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    3       1       2       200       3       2       1       50  
                                                                 
Net income
    266       966       (700 )     (72 )     162       1,082       (920 )     (85 )
Preferred stock dividends
    27       9       18       200       56       18       38       211  
                                                                 
Net income attributable to common stock
  $ 239     $ 957     $ (718 )     (75 )%   $ 106     $ 1,064     $ (958 )     (90 )%
                                                                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ .51     $ 2.32     $ (1.81 )     (78 )%   $ .23     $ 2.59     $ (2.36 )     (91 )%
                                                                 
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ .50     $ 1.03     $ (.53 )     (51 )%   $ .23     $ 1.82     $ (1.59 )     (87 )%
                                                                 
Dividends per common share
  $     $     $       %   $     $ .25     $ (.25 )     (100 )%
                                                                 


47


 

Condensed Balance Sheets
 
                                 
                Increase
 
    June 30,
    December 31,
    (Decrease)  
    2008     2007     $     %  
 
Assets
                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net
  $ 43,147     $ 35,726     $ 7,421       21 %
FFELP Consolidation Loans, net
    73,171       73,609       (438 )     (1 )
Private Education Loans, net
    17,971       14,818       3,153       21  
Other loans, net
    903       1,174       (271 )     (23 )
Cash and investments
    7,913       10,546       (2,633 )     (25 )
Restricted cash and investments
    3,701       4,600       (899 )     (20 )
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
    2,545       3,044       (499 )     (16 )
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net
    1,304       1,301       3        
Other assets
    12,907       10,747       2,160       20  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 163,562     $ 155,565     $ 7,997       5 %
                                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 37,192     $ 35,947     $ 1,245       3 %
Long-term borrowings
    117,921       111,098       6,823       6  
Other liabilities
    2,905       3,285       (380 )     (12 )
                                 
Total liabilities
    158,018       150,330       7,688       5  
                                 
Minority interest in subsidiaries
    9       11       (2 )     (18 )
Stockholders’ equity before treasury stock
    7,377       7,055       322       5  
Common stock held in treasury
    1,842       1,831       11       1  
                                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    5,535       5,224       311       6  
                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 163,562     $ 155,565     $ 7,997       5 %
                                 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, our net income was $266 million or $.50 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $966 million, or $1.03 diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The effective tax rate for those periods was 36 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The movement in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the permanent tax impact of excluding non-taxable gains and losses on the equity forward contracts which were marked to market through earnings under SFAS No. 133. The Company settled all of its outstanding equity forward contracts in January 2008. Pre-tax income decreased by $650 million versus the year-ago quarter primarily due to a decrease in net gains on derivative and hedging activities from $822 million in the year-ago quarter to $362 million in the second quarter of 2008.
 
There were no gains on student loan securitizations in either the second quarter of 2008 or the year-ago quarter because the Company did not complete any off-balance sheet securitizations in those periods. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” on January 1, 2008, and elected the fair value option on all of the Residual Interests effective January 1, 2008. The Company made this election in order to simplify the accounting for Residual Interests by having all Residual Interests under one accounting model. Prior to this election, Residual Interests were accounted for either under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” with changes in fair value recorded through other comprehensive income or under SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments,” with


48


 

changes in fair value recorded through income. The Company reclassified the related accumulated other comprehensive income of $195 million into retained earnings. Equity was not impacted at transition on January 1, 2008. Changes in fair value of Residual Interests on and after January 1, 2008 are recorded through the income statement. The Company has not elected the fair value option for any other financial instruments at this time. Servicing and securitization revenue decreased by $131 million from $133 million in the second quarter of 2007 to $2 million in the second quarter of 2008. This decrease was primarily due to a current-quarter $192 million unrealized mark-to-market loss recorded under SFAS No. 159 compared to a year-ago quarter $57 million unrealized mark-to-market loss, which included impairment and an unrealized mark-to-market loss recorded under SFAS No. 155. The increase in the unrealized loss recorded under SFAS No. 159 was primarily a result of an increase to the discount rate assumption related to the Private Education Loan Residual Interest in the second quarter of 2008, discussed above.
 
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses increased by $9 million in the second quarter from the year-ago quarter. This increase was due to a $4 million increase in net interest income, offset by a $5 million decrease in provisions for loan losses. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in the student loan spread (see “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT — Net Interest Income — Net Interest Margin — On-Balance Sheet”) and a $25 billion increase in the average balance of on-balance sheet student loans, partially offset by an increase in the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities Fees.
 
In the second quarter of 2008, fee and other income and collections revenue totaled $243 million, a $33 million decrease from $276 million in the year-ago quarter. This decrease was primarily the result of a $51 million impairment related to declines in the fair value of mortgage loans and real estate held by the Company’s mortgage purchased paper subsidiary (see “APG BUSINESS SEGMENT”).
 
The Company is currently restructuring its business in response to the impact of CCRAA and current challenges in the capital markets. As part of the Company’s cost reduction efforts, restructuring expenses of $47 million were recognized in the current quarter. Cumulative restructuring expenses from the fourth quarter of 2007 through the second quarter of 2008 totaled $90 million. The majority of these restructuring expenses were severance costs related to the aggregate of completed and planned position eliminations totaling approximately 2,500 positions (representing approximately 23 percent of the overall employee population) across all areas of the Company. The Company estimates an additional $24 million of restructuring expenses associated with its current cost reduction efforts will be incurred in future periods primarily related to position eliminations and resulting employee terminations in its Lending business segment. There were no such expenses recognized in the year-ago quarter.
 
Operating expenses, excluding $6 million of reorganization-related asset impairments recognized in the second quarter of 2008, were $348 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $399 million in the second quarter of 2007. This $51 million decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a $37 million decrease in Merger-related expenses and to the Company’s current cost reduction efforts discussed above.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our net income was $162 million or $.23 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.82 diluted earnings per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The effective tax rate for those periods was 35 percent and 28 percent, respectively. The movement in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the permanent tax impact of excluding non-taxable gains and losses on the equity forward contracts which were marked to market through earnings under SFAS No. 133. The Company settled all of its outstanding equity forward contracts in January 2008. Pre-tax income decreased by $1.2 billion versus the year-ago period primarily due to a decrease in net gains on derivative and hedging activities from $465 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007 to $89 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008, and by a decrease in gains on student loan securitizations.
 
There were no gains on student loan securitizations in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to gains of $367 million in the year-ago period. The Company did not complete any off-balance sheet securitizations in the first half of 2008 as compared to one Private Education Loan securitization in the first half of 2007. Servicing and securitization revenue decreased by $276 million from $385 million in the six


49


 

months ended 2007 to $109 million in the current period. This decrease was primarily due to a $280 million unrealized mark-to-market loss recorded under SFAS No. 159 in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to a $11 million unrealized mark-to-market gain in the six months ended June 30, 2007, which included both impairment and an unrealized mark-to-market gain recorded under SFAS No. 155. The increase in the unrealized loss recorded under SFAS No. 159 was primarily a result of an increase to the discount rate assumption related to the Private Education Loan Residual Interest in the second quarter of 2008.
 
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses decreased by $115 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 from the year-ago period. This decrease was due to a $134 million decrease in net interest income, offset by an $18 million decrease in provisions for loan losses. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to a decrease in the student loan spread (see “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT — Net Interest Income — Net Interest Margin — On-Balance Sheet”) and an increase in the 2008 Asset-Backed Facilities Financing Fees.
 
In the first half of 2008, fee and other income and collections revenue totaled $513 million, a $52 million decrease from $565 million in the year-ago period. This decrease was primarily the result of a $51 million impairment related to declines in the fair value of mortgage loans and real estate held by the Company’s mortgage purchased paper subsidiary (see “APG BUSINESS SEGMENT”).
 
Restructuring expenses of $67 million were recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2008, as previously discussed, with no such expenses recognized in the year-ago period.
 
Operating expenses, excluding $6 million of reorganization-related asset impairments recognized in the second quarter of 2008, were $703 million in the first half of 2008 compared to $755 million in the year-ago period. This $52 million decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a $37 million decrease in Merger-related expenses and the Company’s current cost reduction efforts discussed above.
 
Other Income
 
The following table summarizes the components of “Other income” in the consolidated statements of income for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Late fees and forbearance fees
  $ 34     $ 32     $ 71     $ 67  
Asset servicing and other transaction fees
    26       26       52       51  
Loan servicing fees
    6       6       12       14  
Gains on sales of mortgages and other loan fees
    1       4       2       7  
Other
    42       21       65       46  
                                 
Total
  $ 109     $ 89     $ 202     $ 185  
                                 
 
The increase in other income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the prior periods reported above was primarily due to gains recognized during the second quarter of 2008 on the Company’s repurchase of a portion of its unsecured debt with short-term maturities.
 
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
 
The results of operations of the Company’s Lending and APG operating segments are presented below. These defined business segments operate in distinct business environments and are considered reportable segments under SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” based on quantitative thresholds applied to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In addition, we provide other complementary products and services, including guarantor and student loan servicing, through smaller operating segments that do not meet such thresholds and are aggregated in the Corporate and Other reportable segment for financial reporting purposes.


50


 

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP. In addition to evaluating the Company’s GAAP-based financial information, management, including the Company’s chief operation decision maker, evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their profitability on a basis that, as allowed under SFAS No. 131, differs from GAAP. We refer to management’s basis of evaluating our segment results as “Core Earnings” presentations for each business segment and we refer to these performance measures in our presentations with credit rating agencies and lenders. Accordingly, information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is provided herein based on “Core Earnings,” which are discussed in detail below.
 
Our “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income as described below. Unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting and as a result, our management reporting is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution. The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer or the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. Intersegment revenues and expenses are netted within the appropriate financial statement line items consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management. Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information.
 
“Core Earnings” are the primary financial performance measures used by management to develop the Company’s financial plans, track results, and establish corporate performance targets. While “Core Earnings” are not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company relies on “Core Earnings” in operating its business because “Core Earnings” permit management to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core business activities of our operating segments. Accordingly, the tables presented below reflect “Core Earnings” which is reviewed and utilized by management to manage the business for each of the Company’s reportable segments. A further discussion regarding “Core Earnings” is included under “Limitations of ‘Core Earnings’ ” and “Pre-tax Differences between ‘Core Earnings’ and GAAP by Business Segment.”
 
The “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT” section includes all discussion of income and related expenses associated with the net interest margin, the student loan spread and its components, the provisions for loan losses, and other fees earned on our Managed portfolio of student loans. The “APG BUSINESS SEGMENT” section reflects the fees earned and expenses incurred in providing accounts receivable management and collection services. Our “CORPORATE AND OTHER BUSINESS SEGMENT” section includes our remaining fee businesses and other corporate expenses that do not pertain directly to the primary operating segments identified above.
 


51


 

                         
    Three Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2008  
                Corporate
 
    Lending     APG     and Other  
 
Interest income:
                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 524     $     $  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    908              
Private Education Loans
    665              
Other loans
    21              
Cash and investments
    81             5  
                         
Total interest income
    2,199             5  
Total interest expense
    1,605       7       5  
                         
Net interest income (loss)
    594       (7 )      
Less: provisions for loan losses
    192              
                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    402       (7 )      
Contingency fee revenue
          84        
Collections revenue
          27        
Guarantor servicing fees
                24  
Other income
    62             45  
                         
Total other income
    62       111       69  
Restructuring expenses
    31       5       11  
Operating expenses
    155       110       73  
                         
Total operating expenses
    186       115       84  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    278       (11 )     (15 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    103       (4 )     (6 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          3        
                         
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ 175     $ (10 )   $ (9 )
                         
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 

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    Three Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2007  
                Corporate
 
    Lending     APG     and Other  
 
Interest income:
                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 719     $     $  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    1,391              
Private Education Loans
    692              
Other loans
    27              
Cash and investments
    182             7  
                         
Total interest income
    3,011             7  
Total interest expense
    2,371       7       5  
                         
Net interest income (loss)
    640       (7 )     2  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    247              
                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    393       (7 )     2  
Contingency fee revenue
          80        
Collections revenue
          77        
Guarantor servicing fees
                30  
Other income
    59             49  
                         
Total other income
    59       157       79  
Restructuring expenses
                 
Operating expenses
    182       96       104  
                         
Total operating expenses
    182       96       104  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    270       54       (23 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    100       20       (9 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          1        
                         
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ 170     $ 33     $ (14 )
                         
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 

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    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2008  
                Corporate
 
    Lending     APG     and Other  
 
Interest income:
                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,018     $     $  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    1,896              
Private Education Loans
    1,415              
Other loans
    45              
Cash and investments
    222             11  
                         
Total interest income
    4,596             11  
Total interest expense
    3,429       14       10  
                         
Net interest income (loss)
    1,167       (14 )     1  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    374              
                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    793       (14 )     1  
Contingency fee revenue
          169        
Collections revenue
          84        
Guarantor servicing fees
                58  
Other income
    106             97  
                         
Total other income
    106       253       155  
Restructuring expenses
    46       6       15  
Operating expenses
    318       216       144  
                         
Total operating expenses
    364       222       159  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    535       17       (3 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    197       6       (1 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          3        
                         
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ 338     $ 8     $ (2 )
                         
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 

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    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2007  
                Corporate
 
    Lending     APG     and Other  
 
Interest income:
                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,414     $     $  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    2,722              
Private Education Loans
    1,350              
Other loans
    54              
Cash and investments
    345             9  
                         
Total interest income
    5,885             9  
Total interest expense
    4,592       13       11  
                         
Net interest income (loss)
    1,293       (13 )     (2 )
Less: provisions for loan losses
    444             1  
                         
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    849       (13 )     (3 )
Contingency fee revenue
          166        
Collections revenue
          143        
Guarantor servicing fees
                70  
Other income
    104             100  
                         
Total other income
    104       309       170  
Restructuring expenses
                 
Operating expenses
    353       190       172  
                         
Total operating expenses
    353       190       172  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    600       106       (5 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    222       39       (2 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          2        
                         
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ 378     $ 65     $ (3 )
                         
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for each individual reportable segment.
 
Limitations of “Core Earnings”
 
While GAAP provides a uniform, comprehensive basis of accounting, for the reasons described above, management believes that “Core Earnings” are an important additional tool for providing a more complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations. Nevertheless, “Core Earnings” are subject to certain general and specific limitations that investors should carefully consider. For example, as stated above, unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. Our “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Unlike GAAP, “Core Earnings” reflect only current period adjustments to GAAP. Accordingly, the Company’s “Core Earnings” presentation does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting. Investors, therefore, may not compare our Company’s performance with that of other financial services companies based upon “Core Earnings.” “Core Earnings” results are only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely used by management, the Company’s board of directors, rating agencies and lenders to assess performance.
 
Other limitations arise from the specific adjustments that management makes to GAAP results to derive “Core Earnings” results. For example, in reversing the unrealized gains and losses that result from

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SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment,” as well as on derivatives that do qualify but are in part ineffective because they are not perfect hedges, we focus on the long-term economic effectiveness of those instruments relative to the underlying hedged item and isolate the effects of interest rate volatility, changing credit spreads and changes in our stock price on the fair value of such instruments during the period. Under GAAP, the effects of these factors on the fair value of the derivative instruments (but not on the underlying hedged item) tend to show more volatility in the short term. While our presentation of our results on a “Core Earnings” basis provides important information regarding the performance of our Managed portfolio, a limitation of this presentation is that we are presenting the ongoing spread income on loans that have been sold to a trust managed by us. While we believe that our “Core Earnings” presentation presents the economic substance of our Managed loan portfolio, it understates earnings volatility from securitization gains. Our “Core Earnings” results exclude certain Floor Income, which is real cash income, from our reported results and therefore may understate earnings in certain periods. Management’s financial planning and valuation of operating results, however, does not take into account Floor Income because of its inherent uncertainty, except when it is economically hedged through Floor Income Contracts.
 
As previously discussed, on January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” The fair value adjustments of the items impacted by SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 under GAAP are not included in “Core Earnings” net income and therefore the adoption of SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 did not impact the “Core Earnings” presentation for the three or six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
Pre-tax differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP by Business Segment
 
Our “Core Earnings” are the primary financial performance measures used by management to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. Accordingly, financial information is reported to management on a “Core Earnings” basis by reportable segment, as these are the measures used regularly by our chief operating decision makers. Our “Core Earnings” are used in developing our financial plans and tracking results, and also in establishing corporate performance targets. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the Company’s core business activities. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income, as described in the more detailed discussion of the differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP that follows, which includes further detail on each specific adjustment required to reconcile our “Core Earnings” segment presentation to our GAAP earnings.
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
                Corporate
                Corporate
 
    Lending     APG     and Other     Lending     APG     and Other  
 
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
                                               
Net impact of securitization accounting
  $ (247 )   $     $     $ (15 )   $     $  
Net impact of derivative accounting
    451                   46             796  
Net impact of Floor Income
    (19 )                 (39 )            
Amortization of acquired intangibles
    (5 )     (6 )     (4 )     (5 )     (5 )     (7 )
                                                 
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 180     $ (6 )   $ (4 )   $ (13 )   $ (5 )   $ 789  
                                                 
 


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    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
                Corporate
                Corporate
 
    Lending     APG     and Other     Lending     APG     and Other  
 
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
                                               
Net impact of securitization accounting
  $ (326 )   $     $     $ 406     $     $  
Net impact of derivative accounting
    87                   126             384  
Net impact of Floor Income
    (24 )                 (78 )            
Amortization of acquired intangibles
    (10 )     (11 )     (10 )     (18 )     (9 )     (13 )
                                                 
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ (273 )   $ (11 )   $ (10 )   $ 436     $ (9 )   $ 371  
                                                 
 
(1) Securitization:  Under GAAP, certain securitization transactions in our Lending operating segment are accounted for as sales of assets. Under “Core Earnings” for the Lending operating segment, we present all securitization transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis as long-term non-recourse financings. The upfront “gains” on sale from securitization transactions, as well as ongoing “servicing and securitization revenue” presented in accordance with GAAP, are excluded from “Core Earnings” and are replaced by interest income, provisions for loan losses, and interest expense as earned or incurred on the securitization loans. We also exclude transactions with our off-balance sheet trusts from “Core Earnings” as they are considered intercompany transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis.
 
The following table summarizes the securitization adjustments in our Lending operating segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
“Core Earnings” securitization adjustments:
                               
Net interest income on securitized loans, before provisions for loan losses and before intercompany transactions
  $ (256 )   $ (217 )   $ (449 )   $ (432 )
Provisions for loan losses
    49       99       93       146  
                                 
Net interest income on securitized loans, after provisions for loan losses, before intercompany transactions
    (207 )     (118 )     (356 )     (286 )
Intercompany transactions with off-balance sheet trusts
    (42 )     (30 )     (79 )     (60 )
                                 
Net interest income on securitized loans, after provisions for loan losses
    (249 )     (148 )     (435 )     (346 )
Gains on student loan securitizations
                      367  
Servicing and securitization revenue
    2       133       109       385  
                                 
Total “Core Earnings” securitization adjustments(1)
  $ (247 )   $ (15 )   $ (326 )   $ 406  
                                 
 
 
(1) Negative amounts are subtracted from “Core Earnings” net income to arrive at GAAP net income and positive amounts are added to “Core Earnings” net income to arrive at GAAP net income.
 
“Intercompany transactions with off-balance sheet trusts” in the above table relate primarily to losses incurred through the repurchase of delinquent loans from our off-balance sheet securitization trusts. When Private Education Loans in our securitization trusts settling before September 30, 2005, become 180 days delinquent, we typically exercise our contingent call option to repurchase these loans at par value out of the trust and record a loss for the difference in the par value paid and the fair market value of the loan at the time of purchase. We do not hold the contingent call option for any trusts settled after September 30, 2005.
 
2) Derivative Accounting:  “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses that are caused primarily by the one-sided mark-to-market derivative valuations prescribed by SFAS No. 133 on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP. These unrealized gains and losses occur in

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our Lending operating segment, and occurred in our Corporate and Other reportable segment related to equity forward contracts prior to 2008. In our “Core Earnings” presentation, we recognize the economic effect of these hedges, which generally results in any cash paid or received being recognized ratably as an expense or revenue over the hedged item’s life. “Core Earnings” also exclude the gain or loss on equity forward contracts that under SFAS No. 133, are required to be accounted for as derivatives and are marked-to-market through earnings.
 
SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria, as specified by SFAS No. 133, are met. We believe that our derivatives are effective economic hedges, and as such, are a critical element of our interest rate risk management strategy. However, some of our derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts, certain basis swaps and equity forward contracts (discussed in detail below), do not qualify for “hedge treatment” as defined by SFAS No. 133, and the stand-alone derivative must be marked-to-market in the income statement with no consideration for the corresponding change in fair value of the hedged item. The gains and losses described in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” are primarily caused by interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate volatility, changing credit spreads and changes in our stock price during the period as well as the volume and term of derivatives not receiving hedge treatment.
 
Our Floor Income Contracts are written options that must meet more stringent requirements than other hedging relationships to achieve hedge effectiveness under SFAS No. 133. Specifically, our Floor Income Contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment because the paydown of principal of the student loans underlying the Floor Income embedded in those student loans does not exactly match the change in the notional amount of our written Floor Income Contracts. Under SFAS No. 133, the upfront payment is deemed a liability and changes in fair value are recorded through income throughout the life of the contract. The change in the value of Floor Income Contracts is primarily caused by changing interest rates that cause the amount of Floor Income earned on the underlying student loans and paid to the counterparties to vary. This is economically offset by the change in value of the student loan portfolio, including our Retained Interests, earning Floor Income but that offsetting change in value is not recognized under SFAS No. 133. We believe the Floor Income Contracts are economic hedges because they effectively fix the amount of Floor Income earned over the contract period, thus eliminating the timing and uncertainty that changes in interest rates can have on Floor Income for that period. Prior to SFAS No. 133, we accounted for Floor Income Contracts as hedges and amortized the upfront cash compensation ratably over the lives of the contracts.
 
Basis swaps are used to convert floating rate debt from one floating interest rate index to another to better match the interest rate characteristics of the assets financed by that debt. We primarily use basis swaps to change the index of our floating rate debt to better match the cash flows of our student loan assets that are primarily indexed to a commercial paper, Prime or Treasury bill index. In addition, we use basis swaps to convert debt indexed to the Consumer Price Index to 3 month LIBOR debt. SFAS No. 133 requires that when using basis swaps, the change in the cash flows of the hedge effectively offset both the change in the cash flows of the asset and the change in the cash flows of the liability. Our basis swaps hedge variable interest rate risk, however they generally do not meet this effectiveness test because most of our FFELP loans can earn at either a variable or a fixed interest rate depending on market interest rates. We also have basis swaps that do not meet the SFAS No. 133 effectiveness test that economically hedge off-balance sheet instruments. As a result, under GAAP these swaps are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected currently in the income statement.
 
Under SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity,” equity forward contracts that allow a net settlement option either in cash or the Company’s stock are required to be accounted for as derivatives in accordance with SFAS No. 133. As a result, we account for our equity forward contracts as derivatives in accordance with SFAS No. 133 and mark them to market through earnings. They do not qualify as effective SFAS No. 133 hedges, as a requirement to achieve hedge accounting is the hedged item must impact net income and the settlement of these contracts through the purchase of our own stock does not impact net income. The Company settled all of its equity forward contracts in January 2008.


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The table below quantifies the adjustments for derivative accounting under SFAS No. 133 on our net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 when compared with the accounting principles employed in all years prior to the SFAS No. 133 implementation.
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
“Core Earnings” derivative adjustments:
                               
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net, included in other income(1)
  $ 362     $ 822     $ 89     $ 465  
Less: Realized losses on derivative and hedging activities, net(1)
    85       20       (6 )     45  
                                 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net(1)
    447       842       83       510  
Other pre-SFAS No. 133 accounting adjustments
    4             4        
                                 
Total net impact of SFAS No. 133 derivative accounting(2)
  $ 451     $ 842     $ 87     $ 510  
                                 
 
 
(1) See “Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative and Hedging Activities” below for a detailed breakdown of the components of both the realized and unrealized losses on derivative and hedging activities.
 
(2) Negative amounts are subtracted from “Core Earnings” net income to arrive at GAAP net income and positive amounts are added to “Core Earnings” net income to arrive at GAAP net income.


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Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative and Hedging Activities
 
SFAS No. 133 requires net settlement income/expense on derivatives and realized gains/losses related to derivative dispositions (collectively referred to as “realized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities”) that do not qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133 to be recorded in a separate income statement line item below net interest income. The table below summarizes the realized losses on derivative and hedging activities, and the associated reclassification on a “Core Earnings” basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Reclassification of realized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities:
                               
Net settlement expense on Floor Income Contracts reclassified to net interest income
  $ (175 )   $ (9 )   $ (315 )   $ (16 )
Net settlement income (expense) on interest rate swaps reclassified to net interest income
    86       (11 )     317       (29 )
Net realized gains (losses) on terminated derivative contracts reclassified to other income
    4             4        
                                 
Total reclassifications of realized (gains) losses on derivative and hedging activities
    (85 )     (20 )     6       (45 )
Add: Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net(1)
    447       842       83       510  
                                 
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
  $ 362     $ 822     $ 89     $ 465  
                                 
 
 
(1) “Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” is comprised of the following unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses):
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Floor Income Contracts
  $ 569     $ 81     $ 274     $ 86  
Equity forward contracts
          796             384  
Basis swaps
    (157 )     (38 )     (289 )     22  
Other
    35       3       98       18  
                                 
Total unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
  $ 447     $ 842     $ 83     $ 510  
                                 
 
Unrealized gains and losses on Floor Income Contracts are primarily caused by changes in interest rates. In general, an increase in interest rates results in an unrealized gain and vice versa. Unrealized gains and losses on equity forward contracts fluctuate with changes in the Company’s stock price. Unrealized gains and losses on basis swaps result from changes in the spread between indices, primarily as it relates to Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) swaps economically hedging debt issuances indexed to CPI and on changes in the forward interest rate curves that impact basis swaps hedging repricing risk between quarterly reset debt and daily reset assets.
 
3) Floor Income:  The timing and amount (if any) of Floor Income earned in our Lending operating segment is uncertain and in excess of expected spreads. Therefore, we exclude such income from “Core Earnings” when it is not economically hedged. We employ derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts and futures, to economically hedge Floor Income. As discussed above in “Derivative Accounting,” these derivatives do not qualify as effective accounting hedges, and therefore, under GAAP, they are marked-to-market through


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the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line in the consolidated statement of income with no offsetting gain or loss recorded for the economically hedged items. For “Core Earnings,” we reverse the fair value adjustments on the Floor Income Contracts and futures economically hedging Floor Income and include the amortization of net premiums received in income.
 
The following table summarizes the Floor Income adjustments in our Lending operating segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
“Core Earnings” Floor Income adjustments:
                               
Floor Income earned on Managed loans, net of payments on Floor Income Contracts
  $ 25     $     $ 58     $  
Amortization of net premiums on Floor Income Contracts and futures in net interest income
    (44 )     (39 )     (82 )     (78 )
                                 
Total “Core Earnings” Floor Income adjustments(1)
  $ (19 )   $ (39 )   $ (24 )   $ (78 )
                                 
 
 
(1) Negative amounts are subtracted from “Core Earnings” net income to arrive at GAAP net income and positive amounts are added to “Core Earnings” net income to arrive at GAAP net income.
 
4) Acquired Intangibles:   Our “Core Earnings” exclude goodwill and intangible impairment and the amortization of acquired intangibles. These amounts totaled $15 million and $17 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and $31 million and $40 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. We did not recognize any impairment in the current or year-ago periods.
 
LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
In our Lending business segment, we originate and acquire FFELP loans and Private Education Loans. Typically, a Private Education Loan is made in conjunction with a FFELP Stafford loan and as a result is marketed through the same marketing channels as FFELP Stafford loans. While FFELP loans and Private Education Loans have different overall risk profiles due to the federal guarantee of the FFELP loans, they share many of the same characteristics such as similar repayment terms, the same marketing channel and sales force, and are originated and serviced on the same servicing platform. Finally, where possible, the borrower receives a single bill for both the FFELP loans and Private Education Loans.
 
As a result of the legislatives changes in the CCRAA and with the impact of the credit environment, the student loan market place is undergoing significant change. As a result of these changes, over 160 lenders announced their withdrawal from the federal student loan marketplace. In addition, substantially all other lenders have altered their student loan offerings including the elimination of certain borrower benefits and the elimination of premiums paid on secondary market loan purchases. Many FFELP lenders, excluding the Company, have made other significant changes which will dramatically reduce the loan volume they will originate this academic year. These conditions have also led a number of schools to switch to the FDLP.
 
In fiscal year 2007, 53 percent of our FFELP loan originations consisted of loans made under our owned internal brands. The remainder were comprised of loans originated by lender partners. As a result of CCRAA, it is no longer economical to purchase loans at historical premiums from our lender partners. Therefore, some partners decided to continue to sell loans to us at lower premiums, some became third-party serviced clients, and most decided to exit the business. Given current market conditions, we expect that the loan volume impacted by lender decisions to exit the business will be either (1) originated through our internal brands, (2) absorbed by other lenders, or (3) transferred to the FDLP.
 
The current funding and credit spread environment has made FFELP lending uneconomical. As a result, Congress passed the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (the “Act”) to give lenders the [an incentive] to continue lending this academic year. In connection with the Act, ED has announced two


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programs to encourage lenders to make FFELP loans this academic year (see “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES — ED’s Loan Purchase Commitment and Loan Participation Programs”). ED has indicated that these proposals will be finalized and implemented in the near term.
 
The following table summarizes the “Core Earnings” results of operations for our Lending business segment.
 
                                                 
    Three Months
    Increase
    Six Months
    Increase
 
    Ended
    (Decrease)     Ended
    (Decrease)  
    June 30,     2008 vs.
    June 30,     2008 vs.
 
    2008     2007     2007     2008     2007     2007  
 
“Core Earnings” interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 524     $ 719       (27 )%   $ 1,018     $ 1,414       (28 )%
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    908       1,391       (35 )     1,896       2,722       (30 )
Private Education Loans
    665       692       (4 )     1,415       1,350       5  
Other loans
    21       27       (22 )     45       54       (17 )
Cash and investments
    81       182       (55 )     222       345       (36 )
                                                 
Total “Core Earnings” interest income
    2,199       3,011       (27 )     4,596       5,885       (22 )
Total “Core Earnings” interest expense
    1,605       2,371       (32 )     3,429       4,592       (25 )
                                                 
Net “Core Earnings” interest income
    594       640       (7 )     1,167       1,293       (10 )
Less: provisions for loan losses
    192       247       (22 )     374       444       (16 )
                                                 
Net “Core Earnings” interest income after provisions for loan losses
    402       393       2       793       849       (7 )
Other income
    62       59       5       106       104       2  
Restructuring expenses
    31             100       46             100  
Operating expenses
    155       182       (15 )     318       353       (10 )
                                                 
Total expenses
    186       182       2       364       353       3  
                                                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    278       270       3       535       600       (11 )
Income tax expense
    103       100       3       197       222       (11 )
                                                 
“Core Earnings” net income
  $ 175     $ 170       3 %   $ 338     $ 378       (11 )%
                                                 
 
Net Interest Income
 
Changes in net interest income are primarily due to fluctuations in the student loan and other asset spread discussed below, the growth of our student loan portfolio, and changes in the level of cash and investments we hold on our balance sheet for liquidity purposes.


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Average Balance Sheets — On-Balance Sheet
 
The following table reflects the rates earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. This table reflects the net interest margin for all on-balance sheet assets. It is included in the Lending business segment discussion because this segment includes substantially all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008
          2007
          2008
          2007
       
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
 
Average Assets
                                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 41,666       4.80 %   $ 30,794       6.66 %   $ 40,008       4.84 %   $ 28,851       6.72 %
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    73,509       4.21       67,154       6.49       73,654       4.39       65,218       6.50  
Private Education Loans
    18,573       8.86       10,917       12.10       17,882       9.59       11,134       12.09  
Other loans
    1,018       8.43       1,259       8.43       1,106       8.13       1,312       8.37  
Cash and investments
    9,076       3.13       9,930       5.72       10,670       3.66       8,949       5.76  
                                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    143,842       4.94 %     120,054       7.00 %     143,320       5.14 %     115,464       7.06 %
                                                                 
Non-interest-earning assets
    10,391               9,804               9,969               9,451          
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 154,233             $ 129,858             $ 153,289             $ 124,915          
                                                                 
Average Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                                               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 35,494       4.85 %   $ 5,215       6.75 %   $ 35,735       4.81 %   $ 4,223       6.42 %
Long-term borrowings
    109,351       3.45       115,388       5.59       108,508       3.94       111,689       5.59  
                                                                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    144,845       3.79 %     120,603       5.64 %     144,243       4.16 %     115,912       5.62 %
                                                                 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
    3,895               4,105               3,679               4,294          
Stockholders’ equity
    5,493               5,150               5,367               4,709          
                                                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 154,233             $ 129,858             $ 153,289             $ 124,915          
                                                                 
Net interest margin
            1.13 %             1.33 %             .95 %             1.42 %
                                                                 
 
Rate/Volume Analysis — On-Balance Sheet
 
The following rate/volume analysis illustrates the relative contribution of changes in interest rates and asset volumes.
 
                         
          Increase
 
          (Decrease)
 
          Attributable to
 
    Increase
    Change in  
    (Decrease)     Rate     Volume  
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 vs. Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
Interest income
  $ (327 )   $ (817 )   $ 490  
Interest expense
    (331 )     (751 )     420  
                         
Net interest income
  $ 4     $ (66 )   $ 70  
                         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
                       
Interest income
  $ (382 )   $ (1,485 )   $ 1,103  
Interest expense
    (248 )     (1,175 )     927  
                         
Net interest income
  $ (134 )   $ (310 )   $ 176  
                         


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Net Interest Margin — On-Balance Sheet
 
The following table reflects the net interest margin of on-balance sheet interest-earning assets, before provisions for loan losses. (Certain percentages do not add or subtract down as they are based on average balances.)
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Student loan spread(1)(2)
     1.52 %      1.47 %      1.25 %      1.55 %
Other asset spread(1)(3)
    .28       (.01 )     .14       .08  
                                 
Net interest margin, before the impact of 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees(1)
    1.44       1.33       1.16       1.42  
Less: 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees
    (.31 )           (.21 )      
                                 
Net interest margin
    1.13 %     1.33 %     .95 %     1.42 %
                                 
 
 
  (1)   Before certain commitment and liquidity fees associated with the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities, which are referred to as the “2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees” (see “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” for a further discussion).
 
  (2)   Composition of student loan spread:
 
                                 
Student loan yield, before Floor Income
    5.54 %     8.05 %     5.83 %     8.10 %
Gross Floor Income
    .40       .02       .38       .02  
Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees
    (.57 )     (.64 )     (.58 )     (.65 )
Repayment Borrower Benefits
    (.12 )     (.13 )     (.12 )     (.13 )
Premium and discount amortization
    (.21 )     (.20 )     (.28 )     (.18 )
                                 
Student loan net yield
    5.04       7.10       5.23       7.16  
Student loan cost of funds
    (3.52 )     (5.63 )     (3.98 )     (5.61 )
                                 
Student loan spread, before 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees
    1.52 %     1.47 %     1.25 %     1.55 %
                                 
 
(3)   Comprised of investments, cash and other loans.
 
Student Loan Spread — On-Balance Sheet
 
An important performance measure closely monitored by management is the student loan spread. The student loan spread is the difference between the income earned on student loan assets and the interest paid on the debt funding those assets. The student loan spread is impacted by changes in its various components, as reflected in footnote (2) to the “Net Interest Margin — On-Balance Sheet” table above. Gross Floor Income is impacted by interest rates and the percentage of the FFELP loan portfolio eligible to earn Floor Income. The spread impact from Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees fluctuates as a function of the percentage of FFELP Consolidation Loans on our balance sheet. Repayment Borrower Benefits are generally impacted by the terms of the Repayment Borrower Benefits being offered as well as the payment behavior of the underlying loans. Premium and discount amortization is generally impacted by the prices previously paid for loans and amounts capitalized related to such purchases or originations. Premium and discount amortization is also impacted by prepayment behavior of the underlying loans.
 
The student loan spread, before 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees, for the second quarter of 2008 increased 5 basis points from the second quarter of 2007, primarily due to the increase in Floor Income and reduction in Consolidation Loans as a percentage of the portfolio, offset by an increase in our cost of funds. The cost of funds for on-balance sheet student loans excludes the impact of basis swaps that economically hedge the re-pricing and basis mismatch between our funding and student loan asset indices, but do not receive hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133. We extensively use basis swaps to manage our basis risk associated with our interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities. These swaps generally do not


64


 

qualify as accounting hedges, and as a result, are required to be accounted for in the “gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” line on the income statement, as opposed to being accounted for in interest expense. As a result, these basis swaps are not considered in the calculation of the cost of funds in the table above and therefore, in times of volatile movements of interest rates like those experienced in the second quarter of 2008, the student loan spread can significantly change. See “Core Earnings’ Net Interest Margin” in the following table, which reflects these basis swaps in interest expense and demonstrates the economic hedge effectiveness of these basis swaps.
 
Other Asset Spread — On-Balance Sheet
 
The other asset spread is generated from cash and investments (both restricted and unrestricted) primarily in our liquidity portfolio, and other loans. The Company invests its liquidity portfolio primarily in high quality short-term securities with maturities of one week or less in order to manage credit risk and maintain available cash balances. The other asset spread for the second quarter of 2008 increased 29 basis points from the year-ago quarter. Changes in the other asset spread primarily relate to differences in the index basis and reset frequency between the asset indices and funding indices. A portion of this risk is hedged with derivatives that do not receive hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133 and will impact the other asset spread in a similar fashion as the impact to the on-balance sheet student loan spread as discussed above. In volatile interest rate environments, these spreads may move significantly from period to period and differ from the “Core Earnings” basis other asset spread discussed below.
 
Net Interest Margin — On-Balance Sheet
 
The net interest margin, before 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees, for the second quarter of 2008 increased 11 basis points from the year-ago quarter. The increase in the student loan portfolio as a percentage of the overall interest-earning asset portfolio resulted in an increase to net interest margin of 3 basis points due to the student loan portfolio earning a higher spread than the other asset portfolio. An additional 8 basis point increase relates primarily to the previous discussions of changes in the on-balance sheet student loan and other asset spreads.
 
The increase in the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities Fees was due to the facility closing on February 29, 2008 which resulted in only one month of fees in the first quarter of 2008.
 
“Core Earnings” Net Interest Margin
 
The following table analyzes the earnings from our portfolio of Managed interest-earning assets on a “Core Earnings” basis (see “BUSINESS SEGMENTS — Pre-tax Differences between ‘Core Earnings’ and GAAP by Business Segment”). The ‘‘ ‘Core Earnings’ Net Interest Margin” presentation and certain components used in the calculation differ from the “Net Interest Margin — On-Balance Sheet” presentation. The “Core Earnings” presentation, when compared to our on-balance sheet presentation, is different in that it:
 
  •  includes the net interest margin related to our off-balance sheet student loan securitization trusts. This includes any related fees or costs such as the Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees, premium/discount amortization and Borrower Benefits yield adjustments;
 
  •  includes the reclassification of certain derivative net settlement amounts that do not qualify as SFAS No. 133 hedges. Under GAAP, payments made and received on derivative contracts that do not qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133 are recorded as part of the “gain (loss) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line item on the income statement and are therefore not recognized in the on-balance sheet student loan spread. Under this presentation, these gains and losses are reclassified to the income statement line item of the economically hedged item. For our “Core Earnings” net interest margin, this would primarily include: (a) reclassifying the net settlement amounts related to our written Floor Income Contracts to student loan interest income and (b) reclassifying the net settlement amounts related to certain of our basis swaps to debt interest expense;
 
  •  excludes unhedged Floor Income earned on the Managed student loan portfolio; and


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  •  includes the amortization of upfront payments on Floor Income Contracts in student loan income that we believe are economically hedging the Floor Income.
 
The following table reflects the “Core Earnings” net interest margin, before provisions for loan losses. (Certain percentages do not add or subtract down as they are based on average balances.)
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
“Core Earnings” basis student loan spread(1):
                               
FFELP loan spread
    .87 %     .98 %     .73 %     1.03 %
Private Education Loan spread(2)
    5.08       5.22       5.23       5.25  
                                 
Total “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread(3)
    1.65       1.68       1.56       1.72  
“Core Earnings” basis other asset spread(1)(4)
    (.25 )     (.05 )     (.21 )     .06  
                                 
“Core Earnings” net interest margin, before 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees(1)
    1.52       1.52       1.42       1.58  
Less: 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees
    (.24 )           (.16 )      
                                 
“Core Earnings” net interest margin
    1.28 %     1.52 %     1.26 %     1.58 %
                                 
 
 
                                         
  (1 )   Before certain commitment and liquidity fees associated with the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities, which are referred to as the “2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees” (see “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” for a further discussion).                
  (2 )   Core Earnings” basis Private Education Loan Spread, before 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees and after provisions for loan losses     3.02 %     1.49 %     3.15 %     1.81 %
  (3 )   Composition of “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread:                                
        “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread yield     5.75 %     8.27 %     6.06 %     8.29 %
        Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees     (.54 )     (.57 )     (.55 )     (.58 )
        Borrower Benefits     (.12 )     (.12 )     (.12 )     (.12 )
        Premium and discount amortization     (.18 )     (.19 )     (.27 )     (.18 )
                                         
        “Core Earnings” basis student loan net yield     4.91       7.39       5.12       7.41  
        “Core Earnings” basis student loan cost of funds     (3.26 )     (5.71 )     (3.56 )     (5.69 )
                                         
        “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread, before 2008                                
        Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees     1.65 %     1.68 %     1.56 %     1.72 %
                                         
  (4 )   Comprised of investments, cash and other loans.                                
 
“Core Earnings” Basis Student Loan Spread
 
An important performance measure closely monitored by management is the student loan spread. The student loan spread is the difference between the income earned on student loan assets and the interest paid on the debt funding those assets. The “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread before the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees for the second quarter of 2008 decreased 3 basis points from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to an increase in the Company’s cost of funds from an increase in the credit spread on the Company’s debt during the last year due to the current credit environment. This was offset somewhat by the mix of the overall student loan portfolio between FFELP loans and Private Education Loans as the Private Education Loan portfolio earns a higher spread than the FFELP loan portfolio. Private Education Loans make up a greater portion of the portfolio in the current period versus the year-ago period.
 
The “Core Earnings” basis FFELP loan spread for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 declined from the year-ago periods primarily as a result of the increase in the cost of funds previously discussed, as well as, the mix of the FFELP portfolio shifting towards loans originated subsequent to October 1, 2007, which have lower legislated yields as a result of the CCRAA. The “Core Earnings” basis Private Education Loan spread before provision declined primarily as a result of the increase in the cost of funds discussed previously. The changes in the “Core Earnings” basis Private Education Loan spread after provision for all


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periods presented was primarily due to the timing and amount of provision associated with our allowance for Private Education Loan Losses as discussed below (see “Private Education Loan Losses — Activity in the Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses”).
 
“Core Earnings” Basis Other Asset Spread
 
The “Core Earnings” basis other asset spread is comprised of cash and investments (both restricted and unrestricted) primarily in our liquidity portfolio, and other loans. The Company invests its liquidity portfolio primarily in short-term securities with maturities of one week or less in order to manage credit risk and maintain available cash balances. The “Core Earnings” basis other asset spread for the second quarter of 2008 decreased 20 basis points from the year-ago quarter. Changes in this spread primarily relate to differences between the index basis and reset frequency of the asset indices and funding indices. The significant decrease from the year-ago quarter is mostly due to the other assets’ indices resetting more frequently than the debt funding those assets. In volatile interest rate environments, the asset and debt reset frequencies will lag each other. The decrease in spread is also a result of the increase in our cost of funds as previously discussed.
 
“Core Earnings” Basis Net Interest Margin
 
The “Core Earnings” net interest margin, before 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities fees, for the second quarter of 2008 did not change from the year-ago quarter. The increase in the Managed student loan portfolio as a percentage of the overall Managed interest-earning asset portfolio resulted in an increase to “Core Earnings” net interest margin of 4 basis points due to the Managed student loan portfolio earning a higher spread than the Managed other interest-earning asset portfolio. The offsetting 4 basis point decrease relates primarily to the previous discussions of changes in the “Core Earnings” basis student loan and other asset spreads.
 
The increase in the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities Fees was due to the facility closing on February 29, 2008, which resulted in only one month of fees in the first quarter of 2008.


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Summary of our Managed Student Loan Portfolio
 
The following tables summarize the components of our Managed student loan portfolio and show the changing composition of our portfolio.
 
Ending Balances, net
 
                                         
    June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
  $ 15,484     $     $ 15,484     $ 7,177     $ 22,661  
Grace and repayment
    26,669       71,915       98,584       12,272       110,856  
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, gross
    42,153       71,915       114,068       19,449       133,517  
On-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    1,051       1,297       2,348       (508 )     1,840  
On-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (57 )     (41 )     (98 )     (970 )     (1,068 )
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, net
    43,147       73,171       116,318       17,971       134,289  
                                         
Off-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
    643             643       2,073       2,716  
Grace and repayment
    7,740       15,586       23,326       11,700       35,026  
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, gross
    8,383       15,586       23,969       13,773       37,742  
Off-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    109       464       573       (356 )     217  
Off-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (17 )     (8 )     (25 )     (319 )     (344 )
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, net
    8,475       16,042       24,517       13,098       37,615  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 51,622     $ 89,213     $ 140,835     $ 31,069     $ 171,904  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    37 %     63 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    37 %     63 %     100 %                
% of total
    30 %     52 %     82 %     18 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans, but also includes federally insured PLUS and HEAL loans.
 


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    December 31, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
  $ 14,390     $     $ 14,390     $ 6,735     $ 21,125  
Grace and repayment
    20,469       72,306       92,775       9,437       102,212  
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, gross
    34,859       72,306       107,165       16,172       123,337  
On-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    915       1,344       2,259       (468 )     1,791  
On-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (48 )     (41 )     (89 )     (886 )     (975 )
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, net
    35,726       73,609       109,335       14,818       124,153  
                                         
Off-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
    1,004             1,004       3,117       4,121  
Grace and repayment
    8,334       15,968       24,302       11,082       35,384  
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, gross
    9,338       15,968       25,306       14,199       39,505  
Off-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    154       482       636       (355 )     281  
Off-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (20 )     (9 )     (29 )     (334 )     (363 )
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, net
    9,472       16,441       25,913       13,510       39,423  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 45,198     $ 90,050     $ 135,248     $ 28,328     $ 163,576  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    33 %     67 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    33 %     67 %     100 %                
% of total
    28 %     55 %     83 %     17 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans, but also includes federally insured PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
Student Loan Average Balances (net of unamortized premium/discount):
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 41,666     $ 73,509     $ 115,175     $ 18,573     $ 133,748  
Off-balance sheet
    8,736       16,122       24,858       13,317       38,175  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 50,402     $ 89,631     $ 140,033     $ 31,890     $ 171,923  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    36 %     64 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    36 %     64 %     100 %                
% of total
    29 %     52 %     81 %     19 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans, but also includes federally insured PLUS and HEAL loans.
 

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    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 30,794     $ 67,154     $ 97,948     $ 10,917     $ 108,865  
Off-balance sheet
    11,852       17,356       29,208       14,224       43,432  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 42,646     $ 84,510     $ 127,156     $ 25,141     $ 152,297  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    31 %     69 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    34 %     66 %     100 %                
% of total
    28 %     55 %     83 %     17 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans, but also includes federally insured PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
                                         
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 40,008     $ 73,654     $ 113,662     $ 17,882     $ 131,544  
Off-balance sheet
    8,998       16,231       25,229       13,441       38,670  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 49,006     $ 89,885     $ 138,891     $ 31,323     $ 170,214  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    35 %     65 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    35 %     65 %     100 %                
% of total
    29 %     53 %     82 %     18 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans, but also includes federally insured PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
                                         
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 28,851     $ 65,218     $ 94,069     $ 11,134     $ 105,203  
Off-balance sheet
    12,880       17,687       30,567       13,477       44,044  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 41,731     $ 82,905     $ 124,636     $ 24,611     $ 149,247  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    31 %     69 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    33 %     67 %     100 %                
% of total
    28 %     56 %     84 %     16 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans, but also includes federally insured PLUS and HEAL loans.

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Floor Income — Managed Basis
 
The following table analyzes the ability of the FFELP loans in our Managed portfolio to earn Floor Income after June 30, 2008 and 2007, based on interest rates as of those dates.
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Fixed
    Variable
          Fixed
    Variable
       
    Borrower
    Borrower
          Borrower
    Borrower
       
(Dollars in billions)
  Rate     Rate     Total     Rate     Rate     Total  
 
Student loans eligible to earn Floor Income:
                                               
On-balance sheet student loans
  $ 97.1     $ 16.0     $ 113.1     $ 78.0     $ 19.3     $ 97.3  
Off-balance sheet student loans
    15.5       8.3       23.8       16.5       11.1       27.6  
                                                 
Managed student loans eligible to earn Floor Income
    112.6       24.3       136.9       94.5       30.4       124.9  
Less: post-June 30, 2006 disbursed loans required to rebate Floor Income
    (55.5 )     (1.4 )     (56.9 )     (34.7 )     (1.6 )     (36.3 )
Less: economically hedged Floor Income Contracts
    (25.8 )           (25.8 )     (14.6 )           (14.6 )
                                                 
Net Managed student loans eligible to earn Floor Income
  $ 31.3     $ 22.9     $ 54.2     $ 45.2     $ 28.8     $ 74.0  
                                                 
Net Managed student loans earning Floor Income as of June 30
  $ 0.5     $ 0.1     $ 0.6     $ 4.0     $ 3.2     $ 7.2  
                                                 
 
We have sold Floor Income Contracts to hedge the potential Floor Income from specifically identified pools of FFELP Consolidation Loans that are eligible to earn Floor Income.
 
The following table presents a projection of the average Managed balance of FFELP Consolidation Loans whose Fixed-Rate Floor Income has already been economically hedged through Floor Income Contracts for the period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2013. These loans are both on- and off-balance sheet and the related hedges do not qualify under SFAS No. 133 accounting as effective hedges.
 
                                                 
    July 1, 2008 to
                               
(Dollars in billions)
  December 31, 2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013  
 
Average balance of FFELP Consolidation Loans whose Floor Income is economically hedged (Managed Basis)
  $ 26     $ 21     $ 19     $ 16     $ 16     $ 4  
                                                 
 
Private Education Loan Losses
 
On-Balance Sheet versus Managed Basis Presentation
 
All Private Education Loans are initially acquired on-balance sheet. When we securitize Private Education Loans, we no longer legally own the loans and they are accounted for off-balance sheet. For our Managed Basis presentation in the table below, when loans are securitized, we reduce the on-balance sheet allowance for loan losses for amounts previously provided and then increase the allowance for loan losses for these loans off-balance sheet, with the total of both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet being the Managed Basis allowance for loan losses.
 
When Private Education Loans in our securitized trusts settling before September 30, 2005, become 180 days delinquent, we typically exercise our contingent call option to repurchase these loans at par value out of the trust and record a loss for the difference in the par value paid and the fair market value of the loan at the time of purchase. We account for these loans in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (“AICPA”) Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-3, “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer.” Revenue is recognized over the anticipated remaining life of the loan based upon the amount and timing of anticipated cash flows. On a Managed Basis, the losses recorded under GAAP


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for loans repurchased at day 180 are reversed and the full amount is charged-off at day 212. We do not hold the contingent call option for any trusts settled after September 30, 2005.
 
When measured as a percentage of ending loans in repayment, the off-balance sheet allowance for loan losses is lower than the on-balance sheet percentage because of the different mix of loans on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet.
 
Private Education Loan Delinquencies and Forbearance
 
The tables below present our Private Education Loan delinquency trends as of June 30, 2008 and 2007. Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact earnings as they are an initial indication of the borrower’s potential to possibly default and as a result command a higher loan loss reserve than loans in current status. Delinquent loans also require increased servicing and collection efforts, resulting in higher operating costs.
 
                                 
    On-Balance Sheet Private Education Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007  
    Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 9,662             $ 5,789          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    1,178               544          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                               
Loans current
    7,720       89.7 %     4,873       88.7 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    326       3.8       243       4.4  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    210       2.4       131       2.4  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    353       4.1       249       4.5  
                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    8,609       100 %     5,496       100 %
                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    19,449               11,829          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (508 )             (387 )        
                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    18,941               11,442          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (970 )             (428 )        
                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 17,971             $ 11,014          
                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            44.3 %             46.5 %
                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            10.3 %             11.3 %
                                 
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            12.0 %             9.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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 borrowers 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 the 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.
 


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    Off-Balance Sheet Private Education
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 4,159             $ 6,136          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    1,339               1,093          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                               
Loans current
    7,871       95.1 %     7,002       95.3 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    178       2.2       196       2.7  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    102       1.2       66       .9  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    124       1.5       80       1.1  
                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    8,275       100 %     7,344       100 %
                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    13,773               14,573          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (356 )             (342 )        
                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    13,417               14,231          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (319 )             (183 )        
                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 13,098             $ 14,048          
                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            60.1 %             50.4 %
                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            4.9 %             4.7 %
                                 
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            13.9 %             13.0 %
                                 
 
                                 
    Managed Basis Private Education
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 13,821             $ 11,925          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    2,517               1,637          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                               
Loans current
    15,591       92.3 %     11,875       92.5 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    504       3.0       439       3.4  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    312       1.9       197       1.5  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    477       2.8       329       2.6  
                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    16,884       100 %     12,840       100 %
                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    33,222               26,402          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (864 )             (729 )        
                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    32,358               25,673          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (1,289 )             (611 )        
                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 31,069             $ 25,062          
                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            50.8 %             48.6 %
                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            7.7 %             7.5 %
                                 
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            13.0 %             11.3 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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 borrowers 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 the 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.
 
Activity in the Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
 
The provision for student loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb incurred losses, net of recoveries, in the portfolio of Private Education Loans.

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The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for Private Education Loan losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                                 
    Activity in Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses  
    On-Balance Sheet
    Off-Balance Sheet
    Managed Basis
 
    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 939     $ 369     $ 332     $ 116     $ 1,271     $ 485  
Provision for Private Education Loan losses
    120       139       43       95       163       234  
Charge-offs
    (105 )     (88 )     (60 )     (28 )     (165 )     (116 )
Recoveries
    8       8       3             11       8  
                                                 
Net charge-offs
    (97 )     (80 )     (57 )     (28 )     (154 )     (108 )
Reclassification of interest reserve(1)
    8             1             9        
                                                 
Allowance at end of period
  $ 970     $ 428     $ 319     $ 183     $ 1,289     $ 611  
                                                 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    4.84 %     6.19 %     2.98 %     1.53 %     3.92 %     3.50 %
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance (annualized)
    4.20 %     5.63 %     2.52 %     1.32 %     3.36 %     3.08 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    4.99 %     3.74 %     2.31 %     1.29 %     3.88 %     2.38 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    11.27 %     7.79 %     3.85 %     2.50 %     7.63 %     4.76 %
Average coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
    2.51       1.33       1.37       1.69       2.08       1.42  
Ending total loans, gross
  $ 19,449     $ 11,829     $ 13,773     $ 14,573     $ 33,222     $ 26,402  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 7,992     $ 5,182     $ 7,811     $ 7,091     $ 15,803     $ 12,273  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 8,609     $ 5,496     $ 8,275     $ 7,344     $ 16,884     $ 12,840  
 
 
(1) Represents the amount of uncollectible interest, initially reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance. Prior to 2008, the interest reserve was reversed in interest income and then included in the provision within the allowance for loan losses. This amount was $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 on a Managed Basis. This change in presentation results in no impact to net income.
 


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    Activity in Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses  
    On-Balance Sheet
    Off-Balance Sheet
    Managed Basis
 
    Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 886     $ 308     $ 334     $ 86     $ 1,220     $ 394  
Provision for Private Education Loan losses
    238       281       85       141       323       422  
Charge-offs
    (188 )     (170 )     (107 )     (50 )     (295 )     (220 )
Recoveries
    18       15       4             22       15  
                                                 
Net charge-offs
    (170 )     (155 )     (103 )     (50 )     (273 )     (205 )
Reclassification of interest reserve(1)
    16             3             19        
                                                 
Balance before securitization of Private Education Loans
    970       434       319       177       1,289       611  
Reduction for securitization of Private Education Loans
          (6 )           6              
                                                 
Allowance at end of period
  $ 970     $ 428     $ 319     $ 183     $ 1,289     $ 611  
                                                 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    4.54 %     6.04 %     2.71 %     1.42 %     3.62 %     3.37 %
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance (annualized)
    3.91 %     5.56 %     2.26 %     1.25 %     3.07 %     3.03 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    4.99 %     3.74 %     2.31 %     1.29 %     3.88 %     2.38 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    11.27 %     7.79 %     3.85 %     2.50 %     7.63 %     4.76 %
Average coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
    2.83       1.37       1.54       1.83       2.34       1.48  
Ending total loans, gross
  $ 19,449     $ 11,829     $ 13,773     $ 14,573     $ 33,222     $ 26,402  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 7,544     $ 5,174     $ 7,638     $ 7,067     $ 15,182     $ 12,241  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 8,609     $ 5,496     $ 8,275     $ 7,344     $ 16,884     $ 12,840  
 
 
(1) Represents the amount of uncollectible interest, initially reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance. Prior to 2008, the interest reserve was reversed in interest income and then included in the provision within the allowance for loan losses. This amount was $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 on a Managed Basis. This change in presentation results in no impact to net income.

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The following table provides the detail for our traditional and non-traditional Managed Private Education Loans at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
          Non-
                Non-
       
    Traditional     Traditional     Total     Traditional     Traditional     Total  
 
Ending total loans, gross
  $ 28,349     $ 4,873     $ 33,222     $ 25,791     $ 4,580     $ 30,371  
Ending loans in repayment
    14,433       2,451       16,884       12,711       2,155       14,866  
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    471       818       1,289       438       782       1,220  
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(1)
    2.0 %     15.0 %     3.9 %     1.5 %     11.9 %     3.1 %
Allowance as a percentage of total ending loan balance
    1.7 %     16.8 %     3.9 %     1.7 %     17.1 %     4.0 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    3.3 %     33.4 %     7.6 %     3.5 %     36.3 %     8.2 %
Average coverage of net charge-offs(1)
    1.7       2.3       2.1       2.6       3.3       3.0  
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    4.9 %     24.0 %     7.7 %     5.2 %     26.3 %     8.3 %
Delinquencies greater than 90 days as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    1.6 %     9.8 %     2.8 %     1.7 %     11.1 %     3.1 %
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
    12.0 %     18.5 %     13.0 %     12.8 %     19.4 %     13.9 %
 
 
(1) Annualized for the three months ended June 30, 2008; full year actuals for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Due to the seasoning of the Managed Private Education Loan portfolio, shifts in its mix, certain economic factors and other operational factors, the Company has expected and has seen charge-off rates increase from the levels experienced prior to 2007. Although charge-off rates have increased, the overall increase for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was less than originally expected. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded provision expense of $667 million related to the Managed Private Education Loan portfolio. This significant increase in provision expense compared to prior and current quarters primarily relates to the non-traditional portion of the Company’s Private Education Loan portfolio which the Company had been expanding over the past few years. The Company has recently terminated these non-traditional loan programs because the performance of these loans turned out to be materially different from its original expectations and from the rest of the Company’s Private Education Loan programs. The non-traditional portfolio is particularly impacted by the weakening U.S. economy and an underlying borrower’s ability to repay a non-traditional loan. As a result, the Company recorded the additional provision in the fourth quarter of 2007, and this is the primary reason that the allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance and as a percentage of ending loans in repayment is significantly higher at June 30, 2008 versus June 30, 2007.
 
Managed provision expense increased slightly from $160 million in the first quarter of 2008 to $163 million in the second quarter of 2008. This is a result of the performance of the portfolio remaining relatively unchanged between quarters. Managed delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment increased slightly from 7.4 percent as of March 31, 2008 to 7.7 percent as of June 30, 2008. However, Managed Private Education Loans delinquent greater than 90 days decreased from 3.1 percent at March 31, 2008 to 2.8 percent at June 30, 2008 and Managed Private Education Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance decreased from 16.4 percent as of March 31, 2008 to 13.0 percent at June 30, 2008.
 
Forbearance continues to be a positive collection tool for Private Education Loans as we believe it provides borrowers with sufficient time to obtain employment and income to support their obligations. As reflected in the table below, our experience has consistently shown that three years after being in forbearance status for the first time, over 75 percent of the loans are current, paid in full, or receiving an in-school grace


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or deferment, and approximately eight percent have charged off. Loans in forbearance are reserved commensurate with the default expectation of this specific loan status.
 
                 
   
Tracking by First Time in Forbearance Compared to All Loans Entering Repayment
 
    Status distribution 36
       
    months after ending month
    Status distribution 36
 
    in forbearance for the
    months after entering
 
    first time     repayment (all loans)  
 
In-school/grace/deferment
    8.5 %     7.8 %
Current
    60.5       61.8  
Delinquent 31-60 days
    3.0       1.9  
Delinquent 61-90 days
    1.5       .9  
Delinquent greater than 90 days
    2.6       1.6  
Forbearance
    8.1       5.3  
Charged-off
    8.0       5.6  
Paid
    7.8       15.1  
                 
Total
    100 %     100 %
                 
 
Borrowers use the proceeds of Private Education Loans to obtain higher education, which increases the likelihood of obtaining employment at higher income levels than would be available without the additional education. As a result, borrowers’ repayment capability improves between the time the loan is made and the time they enter the post-education work force. We generally allow the loan repayment period on traditional higher education Private Education Loans to begin six months after the borrower leaves school (consistent with our FFELP loans). This provides the borrower time after graduation to obtain a job to service the debt. For borrowers that need more time or experience hardships, we permit additional delays in payment or partial payments (both referred to as forbearances) when we believe additional time will improve the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Forbearance is also granted to borrowers who may experience temporary hardship after entering repayment, when we believe that it will increase the likelihood of ultimate collection of the loan. Such forbearance is granted within established policies that include limits on the number of forbearance months granted consecutively and limits on the total number of forbearance months granted over the life of the loan. In some instances of forbearance, we require good-faith payments or continuing partial payments. Exceptions to forbearance policies are permitted in limited circumstances and only when such exceptions are judged to increase the likelihood of ultimate collection of the loan.
 
Forbearance does not grant any reduction in the total repayment obligation (principal or interest) but does allow for the temporary cessation of borrower payments (on a prospective and/or retroactive basis) or a reduction in monthly payments for an agreed period of time. The forbearance period extends the original term of the loan. While a loan is in forbearance, interest continues to accrue and is capitalized as principal upon the loan re-entering repayment status. Loans exiting forbearance into repayment status are considered current regardless of their previous delinquency status. Forbearance is used most heavily immediately after the loan enters repayment. A significant portion of our borrower population enters repayment status late in the fourth quarter (six months after the typical graduation timeframe) and, as a result, forbearance levels are generally at higher levels in the first quarter.
 
As indicated in the tables below that show the composition and status of the Managed Private Education Loan portfolio by number of months aged from the first date of repayment, the percentage of loans in forbearance decreases the longer the loans have been in repayment. At June 30, 2008, loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance are 16.1 percent for loans that have been in repayment one to twenty-four months. The percentage drops to 5.4 percent for loans that have been in repayment more than 48 months. Approximately 73 percent of our Managed Private Education Loans in forbearance have been in repayment less than 24 months. These borrowers are essentially extending their grace period as they transition to the workforce.


77


 

The tables below show the composition and status of the Private Education Loan portfolio by number of months aged from the first date of repayment:
 
                                         
    Months Since Entering Repayment  
                      After
       
    1 to 24
    25 to 48
    More than
    June 30,
       
June 30, 2008
  Months     Months     48 Months     2008(1)     Total  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
  $     $     $     $ 13,821     $ 13,821  
Loans in forbearance
    1,848       498       171             2,517  
Loans in repayment — current
    8,966       3,871       2,754             15,591  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 31-60 days
    265       160       79             504  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 61-90 days
    162       100       50             312  
Loans in repayment — delinquent greater than 90 days
    228       163       86             477  
                                         
Total
  $ 11,469     $ 4,792     $ 3,140     $ 13,821       33,222  
                                         
Unamortized discount
                                    (864 )
Allowance for loan losses
                                    (1,289 )
                                         
Total Managed Private Education Loans, net
                                  $ 31,069  
                                         
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
    16.1 %     10.4 %     5.4 %     %     13.0 %
                                         
 
 
(1) Includes all loans in-school/grace/deferment.
 
                                         
    Months Since Entering Repayment  
                      After
       
    1 to 24
    25 to 48
    More than
    June 30,
       
June 30, 2007
  Months     Months     48 Months     2007(1)     Total  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
  $     $     $     $ 11,925     $ 11,925  
Loans in forbearance
    1,229       305       103             1,637  
Loans in repayment — current
    7,002       2,813       2,060             11,875  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 31-60 days
    256       114       69             439  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 61-90 days
    121       49       27             197  
Loans in repayment — delinquent greater than 90 days
    166       105       58             329  
                                         
Total
  $ 8,774     $ 3,386     $ 2,317     $ 11,925       26,402  
                                         
Unamortized discount
                                    (729 )
Allowance for loan losses
                                    (611 )
                                         
Total Managed Private Education Loans, net
                                  $ 25,062  
                                         
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
    14.0 %     9.0 %     4.4 %     %     11.3 %
                                         
 
 
(1) Includes all loans in-school/grace/deferment.
 
The table below stratifies the portfolio of Managed Private Education Loans in forbearance by the cumulative number of months the borrower has used forbearance as of the dates indicated. As detailed in the table below, 6 percent of loans currently in forbearance have cumulative forbearance of more than 24 months.
 
                                 
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Forbearance
    % of
    Forbearance
    % of
 
Cumulative number of months borrower has used forbearance
  Balance     Total     Balance     Total  
 
Up to 12 months
  $ 1,643       65 %   $ 1,176       72 %
13 to 24 months
    736       29       395       24  
More than 24 months
    138       6       66       4  
                                 
Total
  $ 2,517       100 %   $ 1,637       100 %
                                 


78


 

FFELP Loan Losses
 
Delinquencies and Forbearance
 
The tables below present our FFELP loan delinquency trends as of June 30, 2008 and 2007. Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact earnings as they are an initial indication of the borrower’s potential to possibly default and as a result command a higher loan loss reserve than loans in current status. Delinquent loans also require increased servicing and collection efforts, resulting in higher operating costs.
 
                                 
    On-Balance Sheet FFELP
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 35,136             $ 28,396          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    12,245               9,366          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                               
Loans current
    57,046       85.5 %     50,790       84.9 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    3,573       5.4       3,000       5.0  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    1,662       2.5       1,707       2.8  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    4,406       6.6       4,353       7.3  
                                 
Total FFELP loans in repayment
    66,687       100 %     59,850       100 %
                                 
Total FFELP loans, gross
    114,068               97,612          
FFELP loan unamortized premium
    2,348               2,024          
                                 
Total FFELP loans
    116,416               99,636          
FFELP loan allowance for losses
    (98 )             (24 )        
                                 
FFELP loans, net
  $ 116,318             $ 99,612          
                                 
Percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            58.5 %             61.3 %
                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            14.5 %             15.1 %
                                 
FFELP loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            15.5 %             13.5 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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 borrowers 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 the 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.
 


79


 

                                 
    Off-Balance Sheet FFELP
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 4,520             $ 6,041          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    3,084               3,165          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                               
Loans current
    13,413       82.0 %     14,554       78.0 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    958       5.8       1,067       5.7  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    473       2.9       709       3.8  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    1,521       9.3       2,322       12.5  
                                 
Total FFELP loans in repayment
    16,365       100 %     18,652       100 %
                                 
Total FFELP loans, gross
    23,969               27,858          
FFELP loan unamortized premium
    573               682          
                                 
Total FFELP loans
    24,542               28,540          
FFELP loan allowance for losses
    (25 )             (11 )        
                                 
FFELP loans, net
  $ 24,517             $ 28,529          
                                 
Percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            68.3 %             67.0 %
                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            18.0 %             22.0 %
                                 
FFELP loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            15.9 %             14.5 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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 borrowers 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 the 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.

80


 

                                 
    Managed Basis FFELP
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007  
    Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 39,656             $ 34,437          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    15,329               12,531          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                               
Loans current
    70,459       84.8 %     65,344       83.2 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    4,531       5.5       4,067       5.2  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    2,135       2.6       2,416       3.1  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    5,927       7.1       6,675       8.5  
                                 
Total FFELP loans in repayment
    83,052       100 %     78,502       100 %
                                 
Total FFELP loans, gross
    138,037               125,470          
FFELP loan unamortized premium
    2,921               2,706          
                                 
Total FFELP loans
    140,958               128,176          
FFELP loan allowance for losses
    (123 )             (35 )        
                                 
FFELP loans, net
  $ 140,835             $ 128,141          
                                 
Percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            60.2 %             62.6 %
                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            15.2 %             16.8 %
                                 
FFELP loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            15.6 %             13.8 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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 borrowers 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 the 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.
 
Total Provisions for Loan Losses
 
The following tables summarize the total provisions for loan losses on both an on-balance sheet basis and a Managed Basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
Total on-balance sheet loan provisions
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 120     $ 139     $ 238     $ 281  
FFELP Loans
    19       6       35       12  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    4       3       7       5  
                                 
Total on-balance sheet provisions for loan losses
  $ 143     $ 148     $ 280     $ 298  
                                 


81


 

Total Managed Basis loan provisions
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 163     $ 234     $ 323     $ 422  
FFELP Loans
    25       10       44       18  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    4       3       7       5  
                                 
Total Managed Basis provisions for loan losses
  $ 192     $ 247     $ 374     $ 445  
                                 
 
Provision expense for Private Education Loans was previously discussed above (see “Private Education Loan Losses — Activity in the Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses”).
 
Upon the passage of the CCRAA on September 27, 2007, the Exceptional Performer program (under which qualified lenders received reimbursement on default claims higher than the Risk Sharing) was repealed, which resulted in an increase in our Risk Sharing percentage. Therefore, the Company’s FFELP loan provision has increased over the year-ago periods.
 
Total Loan Net Charge-offs
 
The following tables summarize the total loan net charge-offs on both an on-balance sheet basis and a Managed Basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
Total on-balance sheet loan net charge-offs
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 97     $ 80     $ 170     $ 155  
FFELP Loans
    16       5       27       9  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    2       3       7       5  
                                 
Total on-balance sheet loan net charge-offs
  $ 115     $ 88     $ 204     $ 169  
                                 
 
Total Managed loan net charge-offs
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 154     $ 108     $ 273     $ 205  
FFELP Loans
    23       9       39       17  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    2       3       7       5  
                                 
Total Managed loan net charge-offs
  $ 179     $ 120     $ 319     $ 227  
                                 
 
The increase in net charge-offs on FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 versus June 30, 2007, was primarily the result of legislative changes occurring in 2007, which lowered the federal guaranty on claims filed to either 97 percent or 98 percent (depending on date of disbursement). See “Private Education Loan Losses — Activity in the Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses” for a discussion of net charge-offs related to our Private Education Loans.


82


 

Student Loan Premiums as a Percentage of Principal
 
The following table presents student loan premiums paid as a percentage of the principal balance of student loans acquired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate  
 
Student loan premiums paid:
                                                               
Internal lending brands
  $ 2,621       1.46 %   $ 2,298       1.47 %   $ 8,267       1.65 %   $ 6,896       1.43 %
Lender partners
    1,857       3.24       3,382       2.96       4,171       3.12       5,759       2.93  
                                                                 
Total
    4,478       2.20       5,680       2.36       12,438       2.15       12,655       2.11  
Other purchases(1)
    392       2.10       1,316       4.99       599       1.58       5,190       5.34  
                                                                 
Subtotal base purchases
    4,870       2.19       6,996       2.85       13,037       2.12       17,845       3.05  
Consolidation originations
    66       (.04 )     485       3.09       607       1.99       1,187       2.61  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 4,936       2.16 %   $ 7,481       2.87 %   $ 13,644       2.11 %   $ 19,032       3.02 %
                                                                 
 
 
(1) Primarily includes spot purchases (including Wholesale Consolidation Loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007), other commitment clients, and subsidiary acquisitions.
 
Premiums paid as a percentage of principal balance for both internal lending brands and lender partner volume are impacted by Front-End Borrower Benefits where we pay the origination fee and/or federal guaranty fee on behalf of borrowers. Historically, this offered benefit had the impact of increasing the effective premium rate on the loan volume over time as this benefit was offered to a larger segment of our loan originations. In April 2008, the Company suspended participation in the federal consolidation loan program and discontinued subsidizing on behalf of borrowers the federally mandated Stafford loan origination fee for loans guaranteed after May 2, 2008. As a result, we expect and have seen our premiums begin to decline on this volume starting in the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Declines in lender partner premiums will lag those of internal lending brands since acquisitions of lender partner volume in the quarter generally relate to loans originated in prior periods where the Front-End Borrower Benefits were still being offered.
 
Included in “Consolidation originations” is the 0.5 percent FFELP Consolidation Loan origination fee paid on the total balance of new FFELP Consolidation Loans made prior to October 1, 2007 (and 1.0 percent for FFELP Consolidation Loans made after October 1, 2007), including internally consolidated loans from our existing portfolio. The “consolidation originations” premium paid percentage is calculated on only consolidation volume that is incremental to our portfolio. This percentage is largely driven by the mix of internal consolidations. As previously discussed, the Company suspended participation in the federal consolidation loan program in April 2008.


83


 

Student Loan Acquisitions
 
The following tables summarize the components of our student loan acquisition activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                         
    Three Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2008  
    FFELP     Private     Total  
 
Internal lending brands and Lender Partners
  $ 3,361     $ 1,117     $ 4,478  
Other commitment clients
    259             259  
Spot purchases
    133             133  
Consolidations from third parties
    11       55       66  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    12       76       88  
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts
    588       219       807  
                         
Total on-balance sheet student loan acquisitions
    4,364       1,467       5,831  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    (12 )     (76 )     (88 )
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts — off-balance sheet securitized trusts
    121       197       318  
                         
Total Managed student loan acquisitions
  $ 4,473     $ 1,588     $ 6,061  
                         
 
                         
    Three Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2007  
    FFELP     Private     Total  
 
Internal lending brands and Lender Partners
  $ 4,338     $ 1,342     $ 5,680  
Wholesale Consolidations
    911             911  
Other commitment clients
    145       1       146  
Spot purchases
    259             259  
Consolidations from third parties
    430       55       485  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    1,562       138       1,700  
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts
    525       92       617  
                         
Total on-balance sheet student loan acquisitions
    8,170       1,628       9,798  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    (1,562 )     (138 )     (1,700 )
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts — off-balance sheet securitized trusts
    128       173       301  
                         
Total Managed student loan acquisitions
  $ 6,736     $ 1,663     $ 8,399  
                         
 
                         
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2008  
    FFELP     Private     Total  
 
Internal lending brands and Lender Partners
  $ 9,022     $ 3,416     $ 12,438  
Other commitment clients
    444             444  
Spot purchases
    155             155  
Consolidations from third parties
    461       146       607  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    120       245       365  
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts
    1,130       383       1,513  
                         
Total on-balance sheet student loan acquisitions
    11,332       4,190       15,522  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    (120 )     (245 )     (365 )
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts — off-balance sheet securitized trusts
    219       354       573  
                         
Total Managed student loan acquisitions
  $ 11,431     $ 4,299     $ 15,730  
                         


84


 

                         
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30, 2007  
    FFELP     Private     Total  
 
Internal lending brands and Lender Partners
  $ 9,113     $ 3,542     $ 12,655  
Wholesale Consolidations
    3,987             3,987  
Other commitment clients
    194       4       198  
Spot purchases
    1,005             1,005  
Consolidations from third parties
    1,079       108       1,187  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    2,745       301       3,046  
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts
    1,156       151       1,307  
                         
Total on-balance sheet student loan acquisitions
    19,279       4,106       23,385  
Consolidations and clean-up calls of off-balance sheet securitized loans
    (2,745 )     (301 )     (3,046 )
Capitalized interest, premiums and discounts — off-balance sheet securitized trusts
    281       298       579  
                         
Total Managed student loan acquisitions
  $ 16,815     $ 4,103     $ 20,918  
                         
 
As shown in the above tables, off-balance sheet FFELP Stafford loans that consolidate with us become an on-balance sheet interest earning asset. This activity results in impairments of our Retained Interests in securitizations, but this is offset by an increase in on-balance sheet interest earning assets for which we do not record an offsetting gain.
 
Lending Assets
 
The following table includes on-balance sheet asset information for our Lending business segment.
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net
  $ 43,147     $ 35,726  
FFELP Consolidation Loans, net
    73,171       73,609  
Private Education Loans, net
    17,971       14,818  
Other loans, net
    903       1,174  
Investments(1)
    11,362       14,870  
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
    2,545       3,044  
Other(2)
    11,240       8,953  
                 
Total assets
  $ 160,339     $ 152,194  
                 
 
 
(1) Investments include cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term investments, restricted cash and investments, leveraged leases, and municipal bonds.
 
(2) Other assets include accrued interest receivable, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, and other non-interest earning assets.
 
Loan Originations
 
The Company originates loans under its own brand names, which we refer to as internal brands and also through lender partners under forward contracts to purchase loans at contractual prices. In the past, we referred to these combined channels as preferred channel originations. As discussed at the beginning of this “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT,” legislative changes and credit market conditions have resulted in other FFELP lenders reducing their participation in the FFELP program.
 
As a result of the impacts described above, our FFELP internal brand originations in the quarter were up sharply, increasing 44 percent to $1.9 billion. Our lender partner originations offset this increase, declining 56 percent from the year-ago quarter. Some of these customers, such as JPMorgan Chase, were converted to third-party serviced contracts in which we service loans on behalf of these parties.


85


 

Consistent with our announcement in the first quarter that we were tightening our private credit lending standards and ceasing non-traditional lending, Private Education Loan originations declined 24 percent to $891 million in the quarter.
 
At June 30, 2008, there were $4.2 billion of originated loans ($3.5 billion of FFELP loans and $0.7 billion of Private Education Loans) in the pipeline that the Company is committed to purchase from our lender partners. As it relates to FFELP loans, approximately $2.7 billion relates to volume originated prior to CCRAA and $0.2 billion of the $3.5 billion FFELP loans are eligible for participation in ED’s Purchase and Participation Programs (see “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES — ED’S Loan Purchase Commitment and Loan Participation Programs”).
 
The following tables further break down our loan originations by type of loan and source.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Loan Originations — Internal lending brands
                               
Stafford
  $ 1,650     $ 1,096     $ 4,509     $ 3,182  
PLUS
    127       144       673       679  
GradPLUS
    113       77       307       175  
                                 
Total FFELP
    1,890       1,317       5,489       4,036  
Private Education Loans
    854       1,126       3,078       3,208  
                                 
Total
  $ 2,744     $ 2,443     $ 8,567     $ 7,244  
                                 
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Loan Originations — Lending partners
                               
Stafford
  $ 463     $ 1,029     $ 2,570     $ 3,543  
PLUS
    16       60       288       445  
GradPLUS
    4       12       46       42  
                                 
Total FFELP
    483       1,101       2,904       4,030  
Private Education Loans
    37       49       291       330  
                                 
Total
  $ 520     $ 1,150     $ 3,195     $ 4,360  
                                 


86


 

Student Loan Activity
 
The following tables summarize the activity in our on-balance sheet, off-balance sheet and Managed portfolios of FFELP loans and Private Education Loans and highlight the effects of Consolidation Loan activity on our FFELP loan portfolios.
 
                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
                      Total
       
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
    Total On-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 40,168     $ 73,868     $ 114,036     $ 16,977     $ 131,013  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          11       11       55       66  
Consolidations to third parties
    (100 )     (51 )     (151 )     (9 )     (160 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (100 )     (40 )     (140 )     46       (94 )
Acquisitions
    4,003       338       4,341       1,336       5,677  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    3,903       298       4,201       1,382       5,583  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (32 )     36       4       67       71  
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (892 )     (1,031 )     (1,923 )     (455 )     (2,378 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 43,147     $ 73,171     $ 116,318     $ 17,971     $ 134,289  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
                      Total
       
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
    Total Off-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 9,011     $ 16,237     $ 25,248     $ 13,214     $ 38,462  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
                             
Consolidations to third parties
    (30 )     (9 )     (39 )     (12 )     (51 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (30 )     (9 )     (39 )     (12 )     (51 )
Acquisitions
    73       48       121       197       318  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    43       39       82       185       267  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (2 )     (2 )     (4 )     (67 )     (71 )
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (577 )     (232 )     (809 )     (234 )     (1,043 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 8,475     $ 16,042     $ 24,517     $ 13,098     $ 37,615  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
                      Total
       
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Private
    Total
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Managed Basis
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 49,179     $ 90,105     $ 139,284     $ 30,191     $ 169,475  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          11       11       55       66  
Consolidations to third parties
    (130 )     (60 )     (190 )     (21 )     (211 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (130 )     (49 )     (179 )     34       (145 )
Acquisitions
    4,076       386       4,462       1,533       5,995  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    3,946       337       4,283       1,567       5,850  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (34 )     34                    
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,469 )     (1,263 )     (2,732 )     (689 )     (3,421 )
                                         
Ending balance(3)
  $ 51,622     $ 89,213     $ 140,835     $ 31,069     $ 171,904  
                                         
Total Managed Acquisitions(4)
  $ 4,076     $ 397     $ 4,473     $ 1,588     $ 6,061  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
(2) Represents loans that we either own on-balance sheet or loans that we consolidated from our off-balance sheet securitization trusts.
 
(3) As of June 30, 2008, the ending balance includes $5.5 billion of FFELP Stafford and Other Loans and $2.7 billion of FFELP Consolidation Loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2007, which are impacted by CCRAA legislation.
 
(4) The Total Managed Acquisitions line includes incremental consolidations from third parties and acquisitions.


87


 

 
                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total On-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 28,562     $ 66,170     $ 94,732     $ 9,849     $ 104,581  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          430       430       55       485  
Consolidations to third parties
    (673 )     (212 )     (885 )     (8 )     (893 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (673 )     218       (455 )     47       (408 )
Acquisitions
    4,976       1,202       6,178       1,435       7,613  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    4,303       1,420       5,723       1,482       7,205  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (1,166 )     1,755       589       120       709  
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (196 )     (1,236 )     (1,432 )     (437 )     (1,869 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 31,503     $ 68,109     $ 99,612     $ 11,014     $ 110,626  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total Off-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 13,270     $ 17,758     $ 31,028     $ 14,352     $ 45,380  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
                             
Consolidations to third parties
    (247 )     (56 )     (303 )     (17 )     (320 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (247 )     (56 )     (303 )     (17 )     (320 )
Acquisitions
    79       49       128       173       301  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    (168 )     (7 )     (175 )     156       (19 )
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (405 )     (184 )     (589 )     (120 )     (709 )
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,335 )     (400 )     (1,735 )     (340 )     (2,075 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 11,362     $ 17,167     $ 28,529     $ 14,048     $ 42,577  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Managed Basis
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 41,832     $ 83,928     $ 125,760     $ 24,201     $ 149,961  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          430       430       55       485  
Consolidations to third parties
    (920 )     (268 )     (1,188 )     (25 )     (1,213 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (920 )     162       (758 )     30       (728 )
Acquisitions
    5,055       1,251       6,306       1,608       7,914  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    4,135       1,413       5,548       1,638       7,186  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (1,571 )     1,571                    
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,531 )     (1,636 )     (3,167 )     (777 )     (3,944 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 42,865     $ 85,276     $ 128,141     $ 25,062     $ 153,203  
                                         
Total Managed Acquisitions(3)
  $ 5,055     $ 1,681     $ 6,736     $ 1,663     $ 8,399  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
(2) Represents loans that we either own on-balance sheet or loans that we consolidated from our off-balance sheet securitization trusts.
 
(3) The Total Managed Acquisitions line includes incremental consolidations from third parties and acquisitions.
 


88


 

                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total On-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 35,726     $ 73,609     $ 109,335     $ 14,818     $ 124,153  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          461       461       146       607  
Consolidations to third parties
    (341 )     (122 )     (463 )     (25 )     (488 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (341 )     339       (2 )     121       119  
Acquisitions
    10,061       690       10,751       3,799       14,550  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    9,720       1,029       10,749       3,920       14,669  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (409 )     529       120       225       345  
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,890 )     (1,996 )     (3,886 )     (992 )     (4,878 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 43,147     $ 73,171     $ 116,318     $ 17,971     $ 134,289  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total Off-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 9,472     $ 16,441     $ 25,913     $ 13,510     $ 39,423  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
                             
Consolidations to third parties
    (82 )     (23 )     (105 )     (43 )     (148 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (82 )     (23 )     (105 )     (43 )     (148 )
Acquisitions
    122       97       219       354       573  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    40       74       114       311       425  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (84 )     (36 )     (120 )     (225 )     (345 )
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (953 )     (437 )     (1,390 )     (498 )     (1,888 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 8,475     $ 16,042     $ 24,517     $ 13,098     $ 37,615  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Managed Basis
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 45,198     $ 90,050     $ 135,248     $ 28,328     $ 163,576  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          461       461       146       607  
Consolidations to third parties
    (423 )     (145 )     (568 )     (68 )     (636 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (423 )     316       (107 )     78       (29 )
Acquisitions
    10,183       787       10,970       4,153       15,123  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    9,760       1,103       10,863       4,231       15,094  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (493 )     493                    
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (2,843 )     (2,433 )     (5,276 )     (1,490 )     (6,766 )
                                         
Ending balance(3)
  $ 51,622     $ 89,213     $ 140,835     $ 31,069     $ 171,904  
                                         
Total Managed Acquisitions(4)
  $ 10,183     $ 1,248     $ 11,431     $ 4,299     $ 15,730  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
(2) Represents loans that we either own on-balance sheet or loans that we consolidated from our off-balance sheet securitization trusts.
 
(3) As of June 30, 2008, the ending balance includes $5.5 billion of FFELP Stafford and Other Loans and $2.7 billion of FFELP Consolidation Loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2007, which are impacted by CCRAA legislation.
 
(4) The Total Managed Acquisitions line includes incremental consolidations from third parties and acquisitions.
 

89


 

                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total On-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 24,841     $ 61,324     $ 86,165     $ 9,755     $ 95,920  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          1,079       1,079       108       1,187  
Consolidations to third parties
    (1,280 )     (445 )     (1,725 )     (17 )     (1,742 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (1,280 )     634       (646 )     91       (555 )
Acquisitions
    10,759       4,696       15,455       3,697       19,152  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    9,479       5,330       14,809       3,788       18,597  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (2,141 )     3,510       1,369       269       1,638  
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                      (1,871 )     (1,871 )
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (676 )     (2,055 )     (2,731 )     (927 )     (3,658 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 31,503     $ 68,109     $ 99,612     $ 11,014     $ 110,626  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total Off-
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 15,028     $ 18,311     $ 33,339     $ 12,833     $ 46,172  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
                             
Consolidations to third parties
    (620 )     (127 )     (747 )     (36 )     (783 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (620 )     (127 )     (747 )     (36 )     (783 )
Acquisitions
    174       107       281       298       579  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    (446 )     (20 )     (466 )     262       (204 )
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (871 )     (498 )     (1,369 )     (269 )     (1,638 )
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                      1,871       1,871  
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (2,349 )     (626 )     (2,975 )     (649 )     (3,624 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 11,362     $ 17,167     $ 28,529     $ 14,048     $ 42,577  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    FFELP
    FFELP
          Total Private
    Total
 
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Managed Basis
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 39,869     $ 79,635     $ 119,504     $ 22,588     $ 142,092  
Net consolidations:
                                       
Incremental consolidations from third parties
          1,079       1,079       108       1,187  
Consolidations to third parties
    (1,900 )     (572 )     (2,472 )     (53 )     (2,525 )
                                         
Net consolidations
    (1,900 )     507       (1,393 )     55       (1,338 )
Acquisitions
    10,933       4,803       15,736       3,995       19,731  
                                         
Net acquisitions
    9,033       5,310       14,343       4,050       18,393  
                                         
Internal consolidations(2)
    (3,012 )     3,012                    
Off-balance sheet securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (3,025 )     (2,681 )     (5,706 )     (1,576 )     (7,282 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 42,865     $ 85,276     $ 128,141     $ 25,062     $ 153,203  
                                         
Total Managed Acquisitions(3)
  $ 10,933     $ 5,882     $ 16,815     $ 4,103     $ 20,918  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
(2) Represents loans that we either own on-balance sheet or loans that we consolidated from our off-balance sheet securitization trusts.
 
(3) The Total Managed Acquisitions line includes incremental consolidations from third parties and acquisitions.

90


 

 
Other Income — Lending Business Segment
 
The following table summarizes the components of other income, net, for our Lending business segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Late fees and forbearance fees
  $ 34     $ 32     $ 71     $ 67  
Gains on sales of mortgages and other loan fees
    1       4       2       7  
Gains on sales of student loans
          19       1       19  
Other
    27       4       32       11  
                                 
Total other income, net
  $ 62     $ 59     $ 106     $ 104  
                                 
 
The Company periodically sells student loans. The timing and amount of loan sales impacts the amount of recognized gains on sales of student loans.
 
The increase in “Core Earnings” other income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the prior periods reported above was primarily due to gains recognized on the Company’s repurchase of a portion of its unsecured debt with short-term maturities during the second quarter of 2008.
 
Operating Expense — Lending Business Segment
 
The following table summarizes the components of operating expenses for our Lending business segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Three Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Sales and originations
  $ 64     $ 93     $ 138     $ 180  
Servicing
    58       56       122       111  
Corporate overhead
    33       33       58       62  
                                 
Total operating expenses
  $ 155     $ 182     $ 318     $ 353  
                                 
 
Operating expenses for our Lending business segment include costs incurred to service our Managed student loan portfolio and acquire student loans, as well as other general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, operating expenses for the Lending business segment, excluding $4 million in other reorganization-related asset impairments recognized in the second quarter of 2008, totaled $151 million and $171 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 totaled $314 million and $353 million, respectively. The decrease in operating expenses in the second quarter of 2008 versus the second quarter of 2007 was primarily due to lower sales and originations expenses related to the impact of cost reduction initiatives, and to the suspension of certain student loan programs. In addition, the decrease in operating expenses in the second quarter of 2008 versus the year-ago period was due to lower consumer and mortgage loan expenses.


91


 

APG BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
The following table includes the “Core Earnings” results of operations for our APG business segment.
 
                                 
    Quarter Ended June 30, 2008  
    Purchased
                   
    Paper
    Purchased
             
    Non-
    Paper-
    Contingency
       
    Mortgage     Mortgage     & Other     Total APG  
 
Contingency fee income
  $ 3     $     $ 81     $ 84  
Collections revenue (loss)
    57       (30 )           27  
                                 
Total income (loss)
    60       (30 )     81       111  
Restructuring expenses
    1             4       5  
Operating expenses
    51       10       49       110  
                                 
Total expenses
    52       10       53       115  
Net interest expense
    4       1       2       7  
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    4       (41 )     26       (11 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1       (15 )     10       (4 )
                                 
Income (loss) before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    3       (26 )     16       (7 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    3                   3  
                                 
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $     $ (26 )   $ 16     $ (10 )
                                 
 
                                 
    Quarter Ended June 30, 2007  
    Purchased
                   
    Paper
    Purchased
             
    Non-
    Paper-
    Contingency
       
    Mortgage     Mortgage     & Other     Total APG  
 
Contingency fee income
  $ 2     $     $ 78     $ 80  
Collections revenue
    59       18             77  
                                 
Total income
    61       18       78       157  
Restructuring expenses
                       
Operating expenses
    40       6       50       96  
                                 
Total expenses
    40       6       50       96  
Net interest expense
    4       1       2       7  
                                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    17       11       26       54  
Income tax expense
    6       4       10       20  
                                 
Income before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    11       7       16       34  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    1                   1  
                                 
“Core Earnings” net income
  $ 10     $ 7     $ 16     $ 33  
                                 
 


92


 

                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    Purchased
                   
    Paper
    Purchased
             
    Non-
    Paper-
    Contingency
       
    Mortgage     Mortgage     & Other     Total APG  
 
Contingency fee income
  $ 6     $     $ 163     $ 169  
Collections revenue (loss)
    109       (25 )           84  
                                 
Total income (loss)
    115       (25 )     163       253  
Restructuring expenses
    1             5       6  
Operating expenses
    104       19       93       216  
                                 
Total expenses
    105       19       98       222  
Net interest expense
    7       3       4       14  
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    3       (47 )     61       17  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1       (17 )     22       6  
                                 
Income (loss) before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    2       (30 )     39       11  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    3                   3  
                                 
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ (1 )   $ (30 )   $ 39     $ 8  
                                 
 
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Purchased
                   
    Paper
    Purchased
             
    Non-
    Paper -
    Contingency
       
    Mortgage     Mortgage     & Other     Total APG  
 
Contingency fee income
  $ 4     $     $ 162     $ 166  
Collections revenue
    115       28             143  
                                 
Total income
    119       28       162       309  
Restructuring expenses
                       
Operating expenses
    79       12       99       190  
                                 
Total expenses
    79       12       99       190  
Net interest expense
    7       2       4       13  
                                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    33       14       59       106  
Income tax expense
    12       5       22       39  
                                 
Income before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    21       9       37       67  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    2                   2  
                                 
“Core Earnings” net income
  $ 19     $ 9     $ 37     $ 65  
                                 
 
The decrease in collections revenue for the second quarter of 2008 versus the year-ago quarter was primarily due to impairments recognized during the current quarter related to purchased paper portfolios. Due to the weakening economy, real estate values declined and assumed collection periods lengthened. This resulted in impairments related to the mortgage purchased paper portfolios of $51 million and $2 million in the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The economic environment has also resulted in lengthening the assumed lifetime collection period related to the Company’s non-mortgage, purchased paper portfolios, resulting in impairments of $7 million and $3 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

93


 

As previously discussed in “RECENT DEVELOPMENTS,” the Company is pursuing alternatives for its purchased paper businesses, including a potential sale, wind-down or other options.
 
Revenues from United Student Aid Funds, Inc. (“USA Funds”) represented 42 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of total APG revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the APG business segment had total assets of $2.5 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively.
 
Purchased Paper — Non-Mortgage
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Face value of purchases for the period
  $ 1,349     $ 1,064     $ 2,878     $ 2,140  
Purchase price for the period
    125       121       268       223  
Purchase price as a percentage of face value purchased
    9.3 %     11.4 %     9.3 %     10.4 %
Gross Cash Collections (“GCC”)
  $ 172     $ 124     $ 331     $ 239  
Collections revenue
    57       59       109       115  
Collections revenue as a percentage of GCC
    33 %     48 %     33 %     48 %
Carrying value of purchases
  $ 633     $ 376     $ 633     $ 376  
 
The face value of purchases in any quarter is a function of several factors, including the amount of receivables available for purchase in the marketplace, average age of each portfolio, the asset class of the receivables, and competition in the marketplace. As a result, the percentage of face value purchased will vary from quarter to quarter. The decrease in collections revenue as a percentage of GCC in the quarter ended June 30, 2008 compared to the year-ago quarter is primarily due to a significant increase in new portfolio purchases in the second half of 2007. Typically, revenue recognition based on a portfolio’s effective interest rate is a lower percentage of cash collections in the early stages of servicing a portfolio.
 
Purchased Paper — Mortgage/Properties
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Face value of purchases for the period
  $     $ 485     $ 39     $ 725  
Collections revenue
    (30 )     18       (25 )     28  
Collateral value of purchases
          442       29       690  
Purchase price for the period
          329       19       524  
Purchase price as a percentage of collateral fair value
    %     74 %     66 %     76 %
Carrying value of purchases
  $ 1,013     $ 930     $ 1,013     $ 930  
Carrying value of purchases as a percentage of collateral fair value
    77 %     77 %     77 %     77 %
 
The purchase price for sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans is generally determined as a percentage of the underlying collateral’s fair value, but we also consider a number of factors in pricing mortgage loan portfolios to attain a targeted yield. Therefore, the purchase price as a percentage of collateral fair value can fluctuate depending on the mix of sub-performing versus non-performing mortgages in the portfolio, the projected timeline to resolution of loans in the portfolio and the level of private mortgage insurance associated with particular assets. The carrying value of purchases (the basis we carry on our balance sheet) as a percentage of collateral fair value has remained consistent throughout the last year. As the collateral fair value has declined over the past year, the carrying value on our balance sheet has declined proportionately through impairments recognized. The decline in actual purchases in the second quarter of


94


 

2008, compared to the year-ago quarter, is due to the Company’s decision to be more selective, due to the current liquidity and credit environment that exists.
 
Contingency Inventory
 
The following table presents the outstanding inventory of receivables that are currently being serviced through our APG business segment.
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Contingency:
               
Student loans
  $ 8,730     $ 8,195  
Other
    1,692       1,509  
                 
Total
  $ 10,422     $ 9,704  
                 
 
Operating Expenses — APG Business Segment
 
For the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, operating expenses for the APG business segment, excluding $1 million in other reorganization-related asset impairments recognized in the second quarter of 2008, totaled $109 million and $96 million, respectively. The increase in operating expense from the year-ago quarter is primarily due to higher collection costs associated with collections revenues.
 
CORPORATE AND OTHER BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
The following table includes “Core Earnings” results of operations for our Corporate and Other business segment.
 
                                                 
                % Increase
                % Increase
 
    Three Months
    (Decrease)     Six Months
    (Decrease)  
    Ended June 30,     2008 vs.
    Ended June 30,     2008 vs.
 
    2008     2007     2007     2008     2007     2007  
 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
  $     $ 2       (100 )%   $ 1     $ (3 )     133 %
Guarantor servicing fees
    24       30       (20 )     58       70       (17 )
Loan servicing fees
    5       5             11       12       (8 )
Upromise
    26       26             52       51       2  
Other
    14       18       (22 )     34       37       (8 )
                                                 
Total fee and other income
    69       79       (13 )     155       170       (9 )
Restructuring expenses
    11             100       15             100  
Operating expenses
    73       104       (30 )     144       172       (16 )
                                                 
Total expenses
    84       104       (19 )     159       172       (8 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (15 )     (23 )     35       (3 )     (5 )     (40 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (6 )     (9 )     33       (1 )     (2 )     (50 )
                                                 
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ (9 )   $ (14 )     36 %   $ (2 )   $ (3 )     (33 )%
                                                 
 
The decrease in guarantor servicing fees for the second quarter of 2008 versus the year-ago quarter was primarily due to a decrease in the account maintenance fees earned in the current quarter due to legislative changes effective October 1, 2007 as a result of CCRAA.
 
USA Funds, the nation’s largest guarantee agency, accounted for 86 percent of guarantor servicing fees for both of the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and 12 percent and 17 percent, respectively, of revenues associated with other products and services for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.


95


 

At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Corporate and Other business segment had total assets of $733 million and $780 million, respectively.
 
Operating Expenses — Corporate and Other Business Segment
 
The following table summarizes the components of operating expenses for our Corporate and Other business segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
          Six Months
 
    Three Months
    Ended
 
    Ended June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Operating expenses
  $ 20     $ 28     $ 43     $ 57  
Upromise
    24       21       47       42  
General and administrative expenses
    29       55       54       73  
                                 
Total operating expenses
  $ 73     $ 104     $ 144     $ 172  
                                 
 
Operating expenses for our Corporate and Other business segment include direct costs incurred to service loans for unrelated third parties, to perform guarantor servicing on behalf of guarantor agencies, to operate our Upromise subsidiary, as well as information technology expenses related to these functions. Operating expenses also include unallocated corporate overhead expenses for centralized headquarters functions. Operating expenses for the current quarter also include other reorganization-related asset impairments of $1 million. The $31 million decrease in operating expenses versus the year-ago quarter was primarily due to a decrease in Merger-related expenses.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Except in the case of business acquisitions and our APG purchased paper business, which are discussed separately, our APG contingency collections and Corporate and Other business segments are not capital intensive businesses and as such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to these segments. Therefore, the following “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” discussion is concentrated on our Lending business segment.
 
Historically, the Company funded its new loan originations with a combination of unsecured debt and student loan asset-backed securities. Since the Merger announcement in April 2007, the Company has funded its loan originations primarily through the issuance of student loan asset-backed securities and secured student loan financing facilities, as further described below. On June 12, 2008, SLM Corporation sold $2.5 billion of 8.45 percent, 10-year senior unsecured notes (the “8.45% Notes”) priced to yield 8.75 percent, which was immediately swapped to LIBOR plus approximately 400 basis points. Terms of the 8.45% Notes require the Company to redeem the notes at a price of 101 percent of par if, in connection with a change in control of the Company, the Company’s corporate credit ratings are downgraded to below investment grade or withdrawn. This unsecured note issue, the Company’s first since the Merger announcement, provided us with additional liquidity and further diversified our funding sources. We anticipate issuing unsecured corporate debt more regularly in the future.
 
We historically have been a regular issuer of term asset-backed securities (“ABS”) in the domestic and international capital markets. We securitized $25.4 billion in student loans in nine transactions in 2007, compared to $32.1 billion in thirteen transactions in 2006.
 
More recently, adverse conditions in the securitization markets have reduced our access to and increased the cost of borrowing in the market for student loan asset-backed securities. We completed three FFELP term ABS transactions totaling $7.1 billion and six term ABS transactions totaling $11.8 billion, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Although we expect ABS financing to remain our primary source of funding, we have seen, and continue to expect to see, our transaction volumes to be more limited and pricing less favorable than prior to the credit market dislocation that began in the summer of 2007, with significantly reduced opportunities to place subordinated tranches of ABS with investors. All-in costs of our


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new issue FFELP term ABS averaged LIBOR plus 1.40 percent in the second quarter of 2008. The Company’s most recent FFELP term ABS issue was priced on July 31, 2008 at a weighted average cost of LIBOR plus 127 basis points. Our ability to securitize Private Education Loans is more limited than FFELP loans currently. The last Private Education Loan securitization we completed was in the first quarter of 2007.
 
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company closed three new asset-backed financing facilities (the “2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities”): (i) a $26.0 billion FFELP student loan ABCP conduit facility; (ii) a $5.9 billion Private Education Loan ABCP conduit facility (collectively, the “2008 ABCP Facilities”); and (iii) a $2.0 billion secured FFELP loan facility (the “2008 Asset-Backed Loan Facility”). The initial term of the new 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities is 364 days. The underlying cost of borrowing under the 2008 ABCP Facilities currently is LIBOR plus 0.68 percent for the FFELP loan facilities and LIBOR plus 1.55 percent for the Private Education Loan facility, excluding up-front and unused commitment fees. These rates could change depending upon ABS market conditions, in general, and credit syndication market conditions, in particular. All-in pricing on the new 2008 ABCP Facilities will also vary based on usage. The Company currently estimates that the combined, fully utilized all-in cost of borrowings related to the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities including amortized up-front fees and unused commitment fees, is likely to be approximately LIBOR plus 2.15 percent. The 2008 ABCP Facilities will provide funding for certain of the Company’s FFELP and Private Education Loans until such time as these loans are refinanced in the term ABS markets. Funding under the new 2008 ABCP Facilities is subject to usual and customary conditions. The maximum amount the Company may borrow under the 2008 ABCP Facilities is limited based on certain factors, including market conditions, and was approximately $29.7 billion as of June 30, 2008. The 2008 ABCP Facilities are subject to termination under certain circumstances, including the Company’s failure to comply with the principal financial covenants in its unsecured revolving credit facilities. Borrowings under the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities are nonrecourse to the Company. The 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities will need to be refinanced in February 2009. The Company’s current intention is to be in a position that, by February 2009, we will not need to refinance the full amount that was originally borrowed under the facilities.
 
Secured borrowings, including securitizations, asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) borrowings and indentured trusts, comprised 76 percent of our Managed debt outstanding at June 30, 2008, versus 71 percent at June 30, 2007.
 
The Company has not recently relied, and does not intend to rely, on the auction rate securities market as a source of funding. At June 30, 2008, we had $3.3 billion of taxable and $1.7 billion of tax-exempt auction rate securities outstanding on a Managed Basis. In February 2008, an imbalance of supply and demand in the auction rate securities market as a whole led to failures of the auctions pursuant to which certain of our auction rate securities’ interest rates are set. This imbalance continued through the second quarter and, as a result, all of the Company’s auction rate securities as of June 30, 2008 bear interest at the maximum rate allowable under their terms. The maximum allowable interest rate on our $3.3 billion of taxable auction rate securities is generally LIBOR plus 1.50 percent. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the maximum allowable interest rate on many of our $1.7 billion of tax-exempt auction rate securities was amended to LIBOR plus 2.00 percent through May 31, 2008. After May 31, 2008, the maximum allowable rate on these securities reverted to a formula driven rate, which as of June 30, 2008, produced various maximum rates of up to 4.25 percent.
 
In the past, we employed reset rate note structures in conjunction with the issuance of certain tranches of our term asset-backed securities. Reset rate notes are subject to periodic remarketing, at which time the interest rates on the reset rate notes are reset. To date, we have successfully remarketed all of our reset rate notes. In the event a reset rate note cannot be remarketed on its remarketing date, the interest rate generally steps up to and remains LIBOR plus 0.75 percent, until such time as the bonds are successfully remarketed. The Company also has the option to repurchase the reset rate note prior to a failed remarketing and hold it as an investment until such time it can be remarketed. The Company’s repurchase of a reset rate note requires additional funding, the availability and pricing of which may be less favorable to the Company than it was at the time the reset rate note was originally issued. As of June 30, 2008, on a Managed Basis, the Company had $2.0 billion, $2.1 billion and $2.5 billion of reset rate notes due to be remarketed in the remainder of 2008, 2009 and 2010, and an additional $8.5 billion to be remarketed thereafter.


97


 

ED’s Loan Purchase Commitment and Loan Participation Programs
 
On July 1, 2008, pursuant to the “Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008,” ED announced terms under which it will offer to purchase FFELP student loans and loan participations from FFELP lenders. Under ED’s Loan Purchase Commitment Program (“Purchase Program”), ED will purchase loans at a price equal to the sum of (i) par value, (ii) accrued interest, (iii) the one percent origination fee paid to ED, and (iv) a fixed amount of $75 per loan. Lenders will have until September 30, 2009, to sell loans to ED. Under ED’s Loan Participation Purchase Program (“Participation Program”), ED will provide interim short-term liquidity to FFELP lenders by purchasing participation interests in pools of FFELP loans. FFELP lenders will be charged at a rate of commercial paper plus 0.50% on the principal amount of participation interests outstanding. Loans funded under the Participation Program must be either refinanced by the lender or sold to ED pursuant to the Purchase Program prior to its expiration on September 30, 2009. To be eligible for purchase or participation under ED’s programs, loans must be FFELP Stafford or PLUS loans made for the academic year 2008-2009, first disbursed between May 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, and have no ongoing borrower benefits, other than permitted rate reductions of 0.25 percent for automatic payment processing.
 
We expect to utilize the Participation Program to fund a significant portion of our Stafford and PLUS loan originations for the academic year 2008-2009. FFELP loans funded by the Company under the Participation Program will be either refinanced in the capital markets or sold pursuant to the Purchase Program prior to the September 30, 2009 expiration of the Participation Program. Access to ED’s Participation Program will increase our liquidity and reduce our borrowing needs under the 2008 ABCP Facilities. ED has publicly stated that the Purchase and Participation Programs are intended to be short- term liquidity solutions for FFELP lenders, and were made available to assure students’ access to FFELP loans originated for academic year 2008-2009 until such time as a longer-term solution can be developed. ED has not yet publicly proposed a long-term liquidity solution, nor indicated when it will do so. As a result, we are currently unable to predict how such a longer-term solution will impact the Company’s funding needs or financing costs in the future.
 
Primary Sources of Liquidity and Available Capacity
 
During the remainder of 2008, we expect to fund our liquidity needs through our cash and investment portfolio, the liquidity facilities provided by ED, the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities, the issuance of term ABS and, to a lesser extent, if possible, unsecured debt and other sources. To supplement our funding sources, we maintain an additional $6.5 billion in unsecured revolving credit facilities, of which $1.0 billion matures in October 2008. We have not in the past relied upon, and do not expect to rely on, our $6.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facilities as a primary source of liquidity. Although we have never borrowed under these facilities, they are available to be drawn upon for general corporate purposes.


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The following table details our primary sources of liquidity and the available capacity at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 
                 
    June 30, 2008
    December 31, 2007
 
    Available Capacity     Available Capacity  
 
Sources of primary liquidity:
               
Unrestricted cash and liquid investments:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,123     $ 7,582  
U.S. Treasury-backed securities
    625       643  
Commercial paper and asset-backed commercial paper
    1,550       1,349  
Certificates of deposit
    250       600  
Other
    75       83  
                 
Total unrestricted cash and liquid investments(1)(2)
    7,623       10,257  
Unused commercial paper and bank lines of credit
    6,500       6,500  
2008 ABCP Facilities(3)
    5,425        
ABCP borrowing capacity
          5,933  
Interim ABCP Facility borrowing capacity
          4,040  
                 
Total sources of primary liquidity
    19,548       26,730  
                 
Sources of stand-by liquidity:
               
Unencumbered FFELP loans(4)
    14,070       18,731  
                 
Total sources of primary and stand-by liquidity
  $ 33,618     $ 45,461  
                 
 
 
  (1)  Excludes $208 million and $196 million of investments pledged as collateral related to certain derivative positions and $82 million and $93 million of other non-liquid investments classified at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, as cash and investments on our balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
 
  (2)  Includes $2.1 billion and $1.3 billion at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, of cash collateral pledged by derivative counterparties and held by the Company in unrestricted cash.
 
  (3)  Represents the difference between the maximum amount the Company may borrow under the 2008 ABCP Facilities and the amount outstanding as of June 30, 2008, or $29.7 billion less $24.3 billion outstanding as of that date.
 
  (4)  At June 30, 2008, approximately $200 million qualified to be financed by ED’s Participation Program and to be subsequently sold to ED under ED’s Purchase Program.
 
We believe our unencumbered FFELP loan portfolio provides a potential source of stand-by liquidity because of the well-developed market for securitizations. In addition to the assets listed in the table above, we hold on-balance sheet a number of other unencumbered assets, consisting primarily of Private Education Loans, Retained Interests and other assets. At June 30, 2008, we had a total of $47.9 billion of unencumbered assets, including goodwill and acquired intangibles.
 
In addition to managing liquidity, we also seek to minimize interest rate risk. We do so by aligning the interest rate and reset characteristics of our Managed assets and liabilities, generally on a pooled basis, to the extent practicable. In this process we use derivative financial instruments extensively to reduce our interest rate and foreign currency exposure. This interest rate risk management helps us to stabilize our student loan spread in various and changing interest rate environments. (See also “Interest Rate Risk Management” below.)


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Managed Borrowings
 
The following tables present the ending balances of our Managed borrowings at June 30, 2008 and 2007, and average balances and average interest rates of our Managed borrowings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The average interest rates include derivatives that are economically hedging the underlying debt, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133. (See “BUSINESS SEGMENTS — Pre-tax differences Between ’Core Earnings’ and GAAP by Business Segment — Derivative Accounting — Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative and Hedging Activities.”)
 
Ending Balances
 
                                                 
    As of March 30,  
    2008     2007  
    Ending Balance     Ending Balance  
                Total
                Total
 
    Short
    Long
    Managed
    Short
    Long
    Managed
 
    Term     Term     Basis     Term     Term     Basis  
 
Unsecured borrowings
  $ 8,174     $ 34,167     $ 42,341     $ 7,823     $ 40,235     $ 48,058  
Indentured trusts (on-balance sheet)
    73       2,310       2,383       50       2,714       2,764  
ABCP borrowings (on-balance sheet)(1)
    26,273             26,273       1,516       5,779       7,295  
Securitizations (on-balance sheet)
          76,309       76,309             64,326       64,326  
Securitizations (off-balance sheet)
          39,741       39,741             45,975       45,975  
Other(2)
    2,668             2,668       382             382  
                                                 
Total
  $ 37,188     $ 152,527     $ 189,715     $ 9,771     $ 159,029     $ 168,800  
                                                 
 
 
(1)  Includes the 2008 Asset-Backed Loan Facility.
 
(2)  Includes the short-term liability for cash collateral held by the Company for exposure to derivative counterparties.
 
Average Balances
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    Average
    Average
    Average
    Average
    Average
    Average
    Average
    Average
 
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
 
Unsecured borrowings
  $ 40,312       3.45 %   $ 47,422       5.64 %   $ 41,874       3.78 %   $ 47,828       5.64 %
Indentured trusts (on-balance sheet)
    2,424       3.88       2,819       4.80       2,478       4.37       2,863       4.74  
ABCP borrowings (on-balance sheet)(1)
    25,385       5.45       5,331       6.70       25,633       5.26       5,057       6.20  
Securitizations (on-balance sheet)
    74,127       3.12       64,517       5.65       71,938       3.36       59,698       5.66  
Securitizations (off-balance sheet)
    40,416       3.14       47,141       5.78       40,942       3.49       47,671       5.78  
Other
    2,597       2.15       514       5.33       2,320       2.67       466       5.31  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 185,261       3.51 %   $ 167,744       5.70 %   $ 185,185       3.75 %   $ 163,583       5.69 %
                                                                 
 
 
(1)  Includes the 2008 Asset-Backed Loan Facility.
 
Unsecured On-Balance Sheet Financing Activities
 
The following table presents the senior unsecured credit ratings assigned by major rating agencies as of August 5, 2008.
 
                         
    Moody’s     S&P     Fitch  
 
Short-term unsecured debt
    P-2(1 )     A-3       F3  
Long-term senior unsecured debt
    Baa2(1 )     BBB-       BBB  
 
 
  (1)  Negative outlook.


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The table below presents our unsecured on-balance sheet term funding by funding source for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                                 
          Debt Issued For
       
    Debt Issued For
    the Six Months
       
    the Three Months Ended
    Ended
    Outstanding at
 
    June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Convertible debentures
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 2,000  
Retail notes
                      59       4,135       4,192  
Foreign currency denominated notes(1)
                      161       12,797       12,800  
Extendible notes
                            2,445       5,748  
Global notes (Institutional)
    2,437             2,437       1,348       21,747       22,479  
Medium-term notes (Institutional)
                            597       596  
                                                 
Total(2)
  $ 2,437     $     $ 2,437     $ 1,568     $ 41,721     $ 47,815  
                                                 
 
 
  (1)  All foreign currency denominated notes are hedged using derivatives that exchange the foreign denomination for U.S. dollars.
 
  (2)  Excludes brokered deposits balances of $617 million and $243 million at June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


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Securitization Activities
 
Securitization Program
 
The following table summarizes our securitization activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Those securitizations listed as sales are off-balance sheet transactions and those listed as financings remain on-balance sheet.
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
          Loan
                      Loan
             
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
          No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain %     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain %  
 
Securitizations — sales:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS loans
        $     $       %         $     $       %
FFELP Consolidation Loans
                                               
Private Education Loans
                                               
                                                                 
Total securitizations — sales
              $       %               $       %
                                                                 
Securitizations — financings:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS Loans(1)
    3       7,125                                              
FFELP Consolidation Loans(1)
                                1       4,985                  
                                                               
                                                                 
Total securitizations — financings
    3       7,125                       1       4,985                  
                                                               
                                                                 
Total securitizations
    3     $ 7,125                       1     $ 4,985                  
                                                                 
 
                                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
          Loan
                      Loan
             
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
          No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
       
(Dollars in millions)
  Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain%     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     Gain%  
 
Securitizations — sales:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS loans
        $     $       %         $     $       %
FFELP Consolidation Loans
                                               
Private Education Loans
                            1       2,000       367       18.4  
                                                                 
Total securitizations — sales
              $       %     1       2,000     $ 367       18.4 %
                                                                 
Securitizations — financings:
                                                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS Loans(1)
    6       11,825                       2       7,004                  
FFELP Consolidation Loans(1)
                                2       8,987                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations — financings
    6       11,825                       4       15,991                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations
    6     $ 11,825                       5     $ 17,991                  
                                                                 
 
 
(1)  In certain securitizations there are terms within the deal structure that result in such securitizations not qualifying for sale treatment and accordingly, they are accounted for on-balance sheet as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Terms that prevent sale treatment include: (1) allowing us to hold certain rights that can affect the remarketing of certain bonds, (2) allowing the trust to enter into interest rate cap agreements after the initial settlement of the securitization, which do not relate to the reissuance of third party beneficial interests or (3) allowing us to hold an unconditional call option related to a certain percentage of the securitized assets.


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Retained Interest in Securitized Receivables
 
The following tables summarize the fair value of the Company’s Residual Interests included in the Company’s Retained Interest (and the assumptions used to value such Residual Interests), along with the underlying off-balance sheet student loans that relate to those securitizations in transactions that were treated as sales as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
 
                                 
    As of June 30, 2008  
    FFELP
    Consolidation
    Private
       
    Stafford and
    Loan
    Education
       
(Dollars in millions)
  PLUS     Trusts(1)     Loan Trusts     Total  
 
Fair value of Residual Interests(2)
  $ 410     $ 619     $ 1,516     $ 2,545  
Underlying securitized loan balance(3)
    8,383       15,586       13,773       37,742  
Weighted average life
    2.8 yrs       7.3 yrs.       6.6 yrs          
Prepayment speed (annual rate)(4)
                               
Interim status
    0 %     N/A       0 %        
Repayment status
    0-30 %     3-8 %     1-30 %        
Life of loan — repayment status
    17 %     6 %     9 %        
Expected remaining credit losses (% of outstanding student loan principal)
    .10 %     .20 %     5.36 %        
Residual cash flows discount rate
    12.0 %     10.0 %     16.4 %        
 
                                 
    As of December 31, 2007  
    FFELP
    Consolidation
    Private
       
    Stafford and
    Loan
    Education
       
(Dollars in millions)
  PLUS     Trusts(1)     Loan Trusts     Total  
 
Fair value of Residual Interests(2)
  $ 390     $ 730     $ 1,924     $ 3,044  
Underlying securitized loan balance(3)
    9,338       15,968       14,199       39,505  
Weighted average life
    2.7 yrs.       7.4 yrs.       7.0 yrs          
Prepayment speed (annual rate)(4)
                               
Interim status
    0 %     N/A       0 %        
Repayment status
    0-37 %     3-8 %     1-30 %        
Life of loan — repayment status
    21 %     6 %     9 %        
Expected remaining credit losses (% of outstanding student loan principal)
    .11 %     .21 %     5.28 %        
Residual cash flows discount rate
    12.0 %     9.8 %     12.9 %        
 
 
(1)  Includes $295 million and $283 million related to the fair value of the Embedded Floor Income as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Changes in the fair value of the Embedded Floor Income are primarily due to changes in the interest rates and the paydown of the underlying loans.
 
(2)  At December 31, 2007, we had unrealized gains (pre-tax) in accumulated other comprehensive income of $301 million that related to the Retained Interests. As noted in Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies,” to the consolidated financial statements, the unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2007 was reclassified to retained earnings upon the adoption of SFAS No. 159. There were no such gains at June 30, 2008.
 
(3)  In addition to student loans in off-balance sheet trusts, the Company had $75.2 billion and $65.5 billion of securitized student loans outstanding (face amount) as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, in on-balance sheet securitization trusts.
 
(4)  The Company uses CPR curves for Residual Interest valuations that are based on seasoning (the number of months since entering repayment). Under this methodology, a different CPR is applied to each year of a loan’s seasoning. Repayment status CPR used is based on the number of months since first entering repayment (seasoning). Life of loan CPR is related to repayment status only and does not include the impact of the loan while in interim status. The CPR assumption used for all periods includes the impact of projected defaults.


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Off-Balance Sheet Net Assets
 
The following table summarizes our off-balance sheet net assets at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 on a basis equivalent to our GAAP on-balance sheet trusts, which presents the assets and liabilities in the off-balance sheet trusts as if they were being accounted for on-balance sheet rather than off-balance sheet. This presentation, therefore, includes a theoretical calculation of the premiums on student loans, the allowance for loan losses, and the discounts and deferred financing costs on the debt. This presentation is not, nor is it intended to be, a liquidation basis of accounting. (See also “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT — Summary of our Managed Student Loan Portfolio — Ending Balances, net” and “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES — Managed Borrowings — Ending Balances,” earlier in this section.)
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Off-Balance Sheet Assets:
               
Total student loans, net
  $ 37,615     $ 39,423  
Restricted cash and investments
    2,076       2,706  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,211       1,413  
                 
Total off-balance sheet assets
    40,902       43,542  
Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities:
               
Debt, par value
    39,834       42,192  
Debt, unamortized discount and deferred issuance costs
    (93 )     (104 )
                 
Total debt
    39,741       42,088  
Accrued interest payable
    177       305  
                 
Total off-balance sheet liabilities
    39,918       42,393  
                 
Off-Balance Sheet Net Assets
  $ 984     $ 1,149  
                 
 
Servicing and Securitization Revenue
 
Servicing and securitization revenue, the ongoing revenue from securitized loan pools accounted for off-balance sheet as Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (“QSPEs”), includes the interest earned on the Residual Interest asset and the revenue we receive for servicing the loans in the securitization trusts. Interest income recognized on the Residual Interest is based on our anticipated yield determined by estimating future cash flows each quarter.


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The following table summarizes the components of servicing and securitization revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Servicing revenue
  $ 63     $ 74     $ 127     $ 151  
Securitization revenue, before net Embedded Floor Income, impairment and unrealized fair value adjustment
    76       115       161       221  
                                 
Servicing and securitization revenue, before net Embedded Floor Income, impairment and unrealized fair value adjustment
    139       189       288       372  
Embedded Floor Income
    74       2       136       4  
Less: Floor Income previously recognized in gain calculation
    (19 )     (1 )     (35 )     (2 )
                                 
Net Embedded Floor Income
    55       1       101       2  
                                 
Servicing and securitization revenue, before impairment and unrealized fair value adjustment
    194       190       389       374  
Unrealized fair value adjustment(1)
    (192 )     (22 )     (280 )     57  
Retained Interest impairment
          (35 )           (46 )
                                 
Total servicing and securitization revenue
  $ 2     $ 133     $ 109     $ 385  
                                 
Average off-balance sheet student loans
  $ 38,175     $ 43,432     $ 38,669     $ 44,044  
                                 
Average balance of Retained Interest
  $ 2,716     $ 3,552     $ 2,844     $ 3,498  
                                 
Servicing and securitization revenue as a percentage of the average balance of off-balance sheet student loans (annualized)
    .02 %     1.23 %     .57 %     1.76 %
                                 
 
 
(1) The Company adopted SFAS No. 155 on January 1, 2007 and SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 155 required the Company to identify and bifurcate embedded derivatives from the Residual Interest. However, SFAS No. 155 does allow the Company to elect to carry the entire Residual Interest at fair value through earnings rather than bifurcate such embedded derivatives. For the off-balance sheet securitization that settled in 2007, the Company elected to carry the Residual Interest at fair value through earnings. Effective with the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 159, the Company elected the fair value option on all its Residual Interests and now records all changes in fair value through earnings. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 159, changes in fair value on all pre-2007 Residual Interests were recorded in other comprehensive income, pursuant to SFAS No. 115, unless impaired.
 
Servicing and securitization revenue is primarily driven by the average balance of off-balance sheet student loans, the amount of and the difference in the timing of Embedded Floor Income recognition on off-balance sheet student loans, Residual Interest impairments, and the fair value adjustment related to those Residual Interests where the Company has elected to carry such Residual Interests at fair value through earnings under SFAS No. 155 and SFAS No. 159, as discussed in the above table.
 
As previously discussed, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008, and has elected the fair value option on all of the Residual Interests effective January 1, 2008. The Company chose this election in order to record all Residual Interests under one accounting model. Prior to this election, Residual Interests were accounted for either under SFAS No. 115 with changes in fair value recorded through other comprehensive income, except if impaired in which case changes in fair value were recorded through income, or under SFAS No. 155 with all changes in fair value recorded through income. Changes in the fair value of Residual Interests from January 1, 2008 forward are recorded through the income statement.
 
The Company recorded a net unrealized mark-to-market loss related to the Residual Interests of $280 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008. The mark-to-market loss was primarily related to the increase in the


105


 

discount rate assumption related to the Private Education Loan Residual Interest. This discount rate is applied to the projected cash flows to arrive at a fair value representative of the current economic conditions. The Company increased the risk premium by 350 basis points (from December 31, 2007) to better take into account the current level of cash flow uncertainty and lack of liquidity that exists with the Private Education Loan Residual Interests in light of the current economic and credit uncertainty that exists in the market. The increase in the discount rate resulted in a $244 million mark-to-market loss of the six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
The 2008 mark-to-market loss was also related to increases in both the cost of funds assumptions related to the underlying auction rate securities bonds within the FFELP ($1.7 billion face amount of bonds) and Private Education Loan ($0.6 billion face amount of bonds) trusts, which resulted in a $98 million decrease in fair value.
 
The Company recorded impairments to the Retained Interests of $46 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The impairment charges were the result of FFELP loans prepaying faster than projected through loan consolidations. In addition, the Company recorded an unrealized mark-to-market loss under SFAS No. 155 of $57 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
 
Interest Rate Risk Management
 
Asset and Liability Funding Gap
 
The tables below present our assets and liabilities (funding) arranged by underlying indices as of June 30, 2008. In the following GAAP presentation, the funding gap only includes derivatives that qualify as effective SFAS No. 133 hedges (those derivatives which are reflected in net interest margin, as opposed to those reflected in the “gains/(losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” line on the income statement). The difference between the asset and the funding is the funding gap for the specified index. This represents our exposure to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk, which is the risk that the different indices may reset at different frequencies or may not move in the same direction or at the same magnitude.
 
Management analyzes interest rate risk on a Managed basis, which consists of both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet assets and liabilities and includes all derivatives that are economically hedging our debt whether they qualify as effective hedges under SFAS No. 133 or not. Accordingly, we are also presenting the asset and liability funding gap on a Managed basis in the table that follows the GAAP presentation.
 
GAAP Basis
 
                             
Index
  Frequency of
              Funding
 
(Dollars in billions)
  Variable Resets   Assets     Funding(1)     Gap  
 
3-month Commercial paper
  daily   $ 105.8     $     $ 105.8  
3-month Treasury bill
  weekly     7.4       .2       7.2  
Prime
  annual     .6             .6  
Prime
  quarterly     1.5             1.5  
Prime
  monthly     16.9             16.9  
PLUS Index
  annual     1.5             1.5  
3-month LIBOR
  daily                  
3-month LIBOR
  quarterly     1.0       109.3       (108.3 )
1-month LIBOR(2)
  monthly           2.0       (2.0 )
CMT/CPI index
  monthly/quarterly           3.5       (3.5 )
Non Discrete reset(3)
  monthly           27.1       (27.1 )
Non Discrete reset(4)
  daily/weekly     10.5       3.1       7.4  
Fixed-Rate(5)
        18.4       18.4        
                             
Total
      $ 163.6     $ 163.6     $  
                             
 
 
(1) Funding includes all derivatives that qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133.
 
(2) Funding includes the 2008 Asset-Backed Loan Facility.
 
(3) Funding consists of auction rate securities and the 2008 ABCP Facility.
 
(4) Assets include restricted and non-restricted cash equivalents and other overnight type instruments.
 
(5) Assets include receivables and other assets (including Retained Interests, goodwill and acquired intangibles). Funding includes other liabilities and stockholders’ equity (excluding series B Preferred Stock).


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The “Funding Gaps” in the above table are primarily interest rate mismatches in short-term indices between our assets and liabilities. We address this issue typically through the use of basis swaps that typically convert quarterly 3-month LIBOR to other indices that are more correlated to our asset indices. These basis swaps do not qualify as effective hedges under SFAS No. 133 and as a result the effect on the funding index is not included in our interest margin and is therefore excluded from the GAAP presentation.
 
Managed Basis
 
                             
Index
  Frequency of
              Funding
 
(Dollars in billions)
  Variable Resets   Assets     Funding(1)     Gap  
 
3-month Commercial paper
  daily   $ 126.4     $ 12.7     $ 113.7  
3-month Treasury bill
  weekly     10.5       9.2       1.3  
Prime
  annual     1.0       .3       .7  
Prime
  quarterly     6.8       4.0       2.8  
Prime
  monthly     24.3       14.2       10.1  
PLUS Index
  annual     2.4       2.5       (.1 )
3-month LIBOR(2)
  daily           96.6       (96.6 )
3-month LIBOR
  quarterly     .9       14.0       (13.1 )
1-month LIBOR(3)
  monthly           2.0       (2.0 )
Non Discrete reset(4)
  monthly           26.8       (26.8 )
Non Discrete reset(5)
  daily/weekly     12.7       2.6       10.1  
Fixed-Rate(6)
        13.1       13.2       (.1 )
                             
Total
      $ 198.1     $ 198.1     $  
                             
 
 
(1) Funding includes all derivatives that management considers economic hedges of interest rate risk and reflects how we internally manage our interest rate exposure.
 
(2) Funding includes $2.5 billion of auction rate securities.
 
(3) Funding includes the 2008 Asset-Backed Loan Facility.
 
(4) Funding consists of auction rate securities and the 2008 ABCP Facility.
 
(5) Assets include restricted and non-restricted cash equivalents and other overnight type instruments.
 
(6) Assets include receivables and other assets (including Retained Interests, goodwill and acquired intangibles). Funding includes other liabilities and stockholders’ equity (excluding series B Preferred Stock).
 
To the extent possible, we generally fund our assets with debt (in combination with derivatives) that has the same underlying index (index type and index reset frequency). When it is more economical, we also fund our assets with debt that has a different index and/or reset frequency than the asset, but only in instances where we believe there is a high degree of correlation between the interest rate movement of the two indices. For example, we use daily reset 3-month LIBOR to fund a large portion of our daily reset 3-month commercial paper indexed assets. In addition, we use quarterly reset 3-month LIBOR to fund a portion of our quarterly reset Prime rate indexed Private Education Loans. We also use our monthly Non Discrete reset and 1-month LIBOR funding to fund various asset types. In using different index types and different index reset frequencies to fund our assets, we are exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk, which is the risk that the different indices that may reset at different frequencies will not move in the same direction or at the same magnitude. While we believe that this risk is low as all of these indices are short-term with rate movements that are highly correlated over a long period of time, market disruptions can lead to a temporary divergence between indices as was experienced beginning in the second half of 2007 to the present with the commercial paper and LIBOR indices. We use interest rate swaps and other derivatives to achieve our risk management objectives.
 
When compared with the GAAP presentation, the Managed basis presentation includes all of our off-balance sheet assets and funding, and also includes basis swaps that primarily convert quarterly 3-month LIBOR to other indices that are more correlated to our asset indices.


107


 

Weighted Average Life
 
The following table reflects the weighted average life of our Managed earning assets and liabilities at June 30, 2008.
 
                 
    On-Balance
       
(Averages in Years)
  Sheet     Managed  
 
Earning assets
               
Student loans
    8.0       8.1  
Other loans
    5.5       5.5  
Cash and investments
    .2       .2  
                 
Total earning assets
    7.4       7.5  
                 
                 
Borrowings
               
Short-term borrowings
    .6       .6  
Long-term borrowings
    6.5       6.4  
                 
Total borrowings
    5.0       5.2  
                 
 
Long-term debt issuances likely to be called by us or putable by the investor have been categorized according to their call or put dates rather than their maturity dates.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s common share repurchases and issuances for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Equity forward activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 is also reported.
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
(Shares in millions)
  2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Common shares repurchased:
                               
Benefit plans(1)
    .2       .8       .5       1.0  
                                 
Total shares repurchased
    .2       .8       .5       1.0  
                                 
Average purchase price per share
  $ 23.74     $ 41.18     $ 20.98     $ 42.05  
                                 
Common shares issued
    .3       1.5       1.5       3.0  
                                 
Equity forward contracts:
                               
Outstanding at beginning of period
          48.2             48.2  
New contracts
                       
Exercises
                       
                                 
Outstanding at end of period
          48.2             48.2  
                                 
Authority remaining at end of period for repurchases
    38.8       15.7       38.8       15.7  
                                 
 
 
(1) Includes shares withheld from stock option exercises and vesting of performance stock for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.
 
The closing price of the Company’s common stock on June 30, 2008 was $19.35.


108


 

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
 
The effect of short-term movements in interest rates on our results of operations and financial position has been limited through our interest rate risk management. The following tables summarize the effect on earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and the effect on fair values at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by management assuming a hypothetical increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points and 300 basis points while funding spreads remain constant. Additionally, as it relates to the effect on earnings, a sensitivity analysis was performed assuming the LIBOR index increased 25 basis points while other indices remained constant. Both of these analyses do not consider any potential impairment to our Residual Interests that may result from a higher discount rate that would be used to compute the present value of the cash flows if long-term interest rates increased. See Note 9, “Student Loan Securitization,” within the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which details the potential decrease to the fair value of the Residual Interest that could occur under the referenced interest rate environment.
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
                      LIBOR
 
                            Index to
 
    Interest Rates:     Other
 
    Change from
    Change from
    Indices  
    Increase of
    Increase of
    Increase of
 
    100 Basis     300 Basis
    25 Basis
 
    Points     Points     Points  
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  $     %     $     %     $     %  
 
Effect on Earnings
                                               
Increase/(decrease) in pre-tax net income before unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
  $ 3       46 %   $ 11       158 %   $ (65 )     (933 )%
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
    234       54       459       107       77       18  
                                                 
Increase in net income before taxes
  $ 237       56 %   $ 470       112 %   $ 12       3 %
                                                 
Increase in diluted earnings per common share
  $ .457       91 %   $ .908       182 %   $ .023       5 %
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
          LIBOR
 
                            Index to
 
    Interest Rates:     Other
 
    Change from
    Change from
    Indices  
    Increase of
    Increase of
    Increase of
 
    100 Basis
    300 Basis
    25 Basis
 
    Points     Points     Points  
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  $     %     $     %     $     %  
 
Effect on Earnings
                                               
Increase/(decrease) in pre-tax net income before unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
  $       %   $ (5 )     (2 )%   $ (46 )     (660 )%
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
    74       9       75       9       64       15  
                                                 
Increase in net income before taxes
  $ 74       7 %   $ 70       7 %   $ 18       4 %
                                                 
Increase in diluted earnings per common share
  $ .110       11 %   $ .118       11 %   $ .040       8 %
                                                 
 


109


 

                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
          LIBOR
 
                            Index to
 
    Interest Rates:     Other
 
    Change from
    Change from
    Indices  
    Increase of
    Increase of
    Increase of
 
    100 Basis
    300 Basis
    25 Basis
 
    Points     Points     Points  
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  $     %     $     %     $     %  
 
Effect on Earnings
                                               
Increase/(decrease) in pre-tax net income before unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
  $ (2 )     (1 )%   $ 7       3 %   $ (126 )     (66 )%
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
    234       363       459       713       77       120  
                                                 
Increase in net income before taxes
  $ 232       91 %   $ 466       182 %   $ (49 )     (19 )%
                                                 
Increase in diluted earnings per common share
  $ .495       215 %   $ .996       433 %   $ (.105 )     (46 )%
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
          LIBOR
 
                            Index to
 
    Interest Rates:     Other
 
    Change from
    Change from
    Indices  
    Increase of
    Increase of
    Increase of
 
    100 Basis
    300 Basis
    25 Basis
 
    Points     Points     Points  
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
  $     %     $     %     $     %  
 
Effect on Earnings
                                               
Increase/(decrease) in pre-tax net income before unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
  $ 2       %   $ (1 )     %   $ (87 )     (46 )%
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities
    74       14       75       15       64       99  
                                                 
Increase in net income before taxes
  $ 76       5 %   $ 74       5 %   $ (23 )     (9 )%
                                                 
Increase in diluted earnings per common share
  $ .120       7 %   $ .142       8 %   $ (.051 )     (22 )%
                                                 
 
                                         
    At June 30, 2008  
          Interest Rates:  
          Change from
    Change from
 
          Increase of
    Increase of
 
          100 Basis
    300 Basis
 
          Points     Points  
(Dollars in millions)
  Fair Value     $     %     $     %  
 
Effect on Fair Values
                                       
Assets
                                       
Total FFELP loans
  $ 112,762     $ (302 )     %   $ (620 )     (1 )%
Private Education Loans
    17,189                          
Other earning assets
    12,481       (15 )           (42 )      
Other assets
    16,757       (672 )     (4 )     (1,327 )     (8 )
                                         
Total assets
  $ 159,189     $ (989 )     (1 )%   $ (1,989 )     (1 )%
                                         
Liabilities
                                       
Interest bearing liabilities
  $ 145,379     $ (1,209 )     (1 )%   $ (2,940 )     (2 )%
Other liabilities
    2,905       316       11       1,088       37  
                                         
Total liabilities
  $ 148,284     $ (893 )     (1 )%   $ (1,852 )     (1 )%
                                         
 

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    At December 31, 2007  
          Interest Rates:  
          Change from
    Change from
 
          Increase of
    Increase of
 
          100 Basis
    300 Basis
 
          Points     Points  
(Dollars in millions)
  Fair Value     $     %     $     %  
 
Effect on Fair Values
                                       
Assets
                                       
Total FFELP loans
  $ 111,552     $ (303 )     %   $ (603 )     (1 )%
Private Education Loans
    17,289                          
Other earning assets
    16,321       (20 )           (59 )      
Other assets
    15,092       (887 )     (6 )     (1,566 )     (10 )
                                         
Total assets
  $ 160,254     $ (1,210 )     (1 )%   $ (2,228 )     (1 )%
                                         
Liabilities
                                       
Interest bearing liabilities
  $ 141,055     $ (1,424 )     (1 )%   $ (3,330 )     (2 )%
Other liabilities
    3,285       392       12       1,471       45  
                                         
Total liabilities
  $ 144,340     $ (1,032 )     (1 )%   $ (1,859 )     (1 )%
                                         
 
A primary objective in our funding is to minimize our sensitivity to changing interest rates by generally funding our floating rate student loan portfolio with floating rate debt. However, as discussed under “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT — Summary of our Managed Student Loan Portfolio — Floor Income — Managed Basis,” we can have a fixed versus floating mismatch in funding if the student loan earns at the fixed borrower rate and the funding remains floating. In addition, we can have a mismatch in the index of floating rate debt versus floating rate assets.
 
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, certain FFELP loans were earning Floor Income and we locked in a portion of that Floor Income through the use of futures and Floor Income Contracts. The result of these hedging transactions was to convert a portion of the fixed-rate nature of student loans to variable rate, and to fix the relative spread between the student loan asset rate and the variable rate liability.
 
In the above table, under the scenario where interest rates increase 100 and 300 basis points, the change in pre-tax net income before the unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities is primarily due to the impact of (i) our off-balance sheet hedged FFELP Consolidation Loan securitizations and the related Embedded Floor Income recognized as part of the gain on sale, which results in a decrease in payments on the written Floor contracts that more than offset impairment losses on the Embedded Floor Income in the Residual Interest; (ii) in low interest rate environments our unhedged on-balance sheet loans being in a fixed-rate mode due to the Embedded Floor Income while being funded with variable debt; (iii) a portion of our fixed-rate assets being funded with variable debt and (iv) a portion of our variable assets being funded with fixed debt. Items (i) and (iv) will generally cause income to increase when interest rates increase from a low interest rate environment, whereas, items (ii) and (iii) will generally offset this increase. In the 100 and 300 basis point scenario for the three months ended June 30, 2008, items (i) and (iv) had a greater impact than item (ii) resulting in a net gain. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the increase due to item (i) was offset by item (iii) resulting in a zero impact for the 100 basis point scenario and a loss in the 300 basis point scenario. In the six months ended June 30, 2008, item (ii)’s impact in the first quarter resulted in a year-to-date loss in the 100 basis point scenario and a year-to-date net gain in the 300 basis point scenario. In the prior year period, item (ii) had a greater impact on the 100 basis point scenario than in the 300 basis point scenario due to more Floor Income Contracts being “out of the money.”
 
Under the scenario in the tables above, where the LIBOR index increases 25 basis points while other indices remain constant, the main driver of the decrease in pre-tax income before unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities is the result of LIBOR-based debt funding commercial paper-indexed assets. See “Interest Rate Risk Management — Asset and Liability Funding Gap” for a further discussion.

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In addition to interest rate risk addressed in the preceding tables, the Company is also exposed to risks related to foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency exchange risk is primarily the result of foreign denominated debt issued by the Company. As it relates to the Company’s corporate unsecured and securitization debt programs used to fund the Company’s business, the Company’s policy is to use cross currency interest rate swaps to swap all foreign denominated debt payments (fixed and floating) to U.S. dollar LIBOR using a fixed exchange rate. In the tables above, there would be an immaterial impact on earnings if exchange rates were to decrease or increase, due to the terms of the hedging instrument and hedged items matching. The balance sheet interest bearing liabilities would be affected by a change in exchange rates, however, the change would be materially offset by the cross currency interest rate swaps in other assets or other liabilities. In addition, the Company has foreign exchange risk as a result of international operations, however, the exposure is minimal at this time.
 
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.”
 
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of June 30, 2008. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of June 30, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
 
The FDIC and Utah Department of Financial Institutions have informed Sallie Mae Bank that they are contemplating an administrative action against the bank with respect to compliance management. The Company does not anticipate that any such action will restrict the bank’s on-going operations or growth or that any such action will result in a monetary penalty.
 
Significant Updates to Previously Reported Legal Proceedings
 
On June 16, 2008, the court granted summary judgment on all counts against all Defendants in Chae, et al. v. SLM Corporation, et al., (U.S. District Court for the Central District of California), which challenged the Company’s billing practices as they relate to use of the simple daily interest method for calculating interest, charging of late fees while charging simple daily interest, and setting the first payment date at 60 days for consolidation and PLUS loans. On June 16, 2008, the court also denied as moot, plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, United States of America’s motion for summary judgment, and plaintiffs’ partial motion for summary judgment, and the court canceled the jury trial previously scheduled for July 22, 2008. The court entered judgment in the case on June 25, 2008. On July 16, 2008, Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
 
On June 24, 2008, plaintiff voluntarily dismissed Boston v. SLM Corporation et al.,(U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York), a putative class action complaint for alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act regarding 401(k) plan interest in the Company’s common stock. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case because the plaintiff never participated in Sallie Mae’s 401(k) plans. Slaymon v. SLM Corporation et al., (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York), a complaint alleging similar violations, remains outstanding.
 
We are also subject to various claims, lawsuits and other actions that arise in the normal course of business. Most of these matters are claims by borrowers disputing the manner in which their loans have been processed or the accuracy of our reports to credit bureaus. In addition, the collections subsidiaries in our APG segment are routinely named in individual plaintiff or class action lawsuits in which the plaintiffs allege that we have violated a federal or state law in the process of collecting their accounts. Management believes that these claims, lawsuits and other actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Finally, from time to time, we receive information and document requests from state attorneys general and Congressional committees concerning certain of our business practices. Our practice has been and continues to be to cooperate with the state attorneys general and Congressional committees and to be responsive to any such requests.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
We may face limited availability of financing, variation in our funding costs and uncertainty in our securitization financing.
 
In general, the amount, type and cost of our funding, including securitization, other secured financings and unsecured financing from the capital markets and borrowings from financial institutions, have a direct impact on our operating expenses and financial results and can limit our ability to grow our assets.
 
A number of factors could make such securitization, other secured financings and unsecured financing more difficult, more expensive or unavailable on any terms both domestically and internationally (where funding transactions may be on terms more or less favorable than in the United States), including, but not limited to, financial results and losses, changes within our organization, specific events that have an adverse impact on our reputation, changes in the activities of our business partners, disruptions in the capital markets, specific events that have an adverse impact on the financial services industry, counterparty availability, changes affecting our assets, our corporate and regulatory structure, interest rate fluctuations, ratings agencies’ actions, general economic conditions and the legal, regulatory, accounting and tax environments governing our


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funding transactions. In addition, our ability to raise funds is strongly affected by the general state of the U.S. and world economies, and may become increasingly difficult due to economic and other factors. Finally, we compete for funding with other industry participants, some of which are publicly traded. Competition from these institutions may increase our cost of funds.
 
We are dependent on term asset-backed securities market for the long-term financing of student loans. We expect securitizations to provide approximately 90 percent or more of our funding needs in 2008. If the term asset-backed securities market were to experience a prolonged disruption, if our asset quality were to deteriorate or if our debt ratings were to be downgraded, we may be unable to securitize our student loans or to do so on favorable pricing and terms. If we were unable to continue to securitize our student loans at current pricing levels or on favorable terms, we would need to use alternative funding sources to fund new student loan originations and meet our other liquidity needs. If we were unable to find cost-effective and stable funding alternatives, our funding capabilities and liquidity would be negatively impacted and our cost of funds could increase, adversely affecting our results of operations and ability to originate student loans. In addition, the occurrence of certain events such as consolidations and reconsolidations may cause certain of our securitization transactions to amortize earlier than scheduled, which could accelerate the need for additional funding to the extent that we effected the refinancing.
 
We are also dependent on the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities to provide funding for our student loans. The 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities are 364-day facilities and will need to be refinanced in February 2009, although our current intention is to be in a position so that by February 2009, we will not need to refinance the full amount originally borrowed under the facilities. There can be no assurance we will be able to cost-effectively refinance these facilities, or that a foreclosure on the student loans securing these facilities might occur if we were not able to refinance the facility at all.
 
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s common share repurchases during the second quarter of 2008 in connection with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs (which combined totaled .2 million shares for the second quarter of 2008). See Note 7, “Stockholders’ Equity,” to the consolidated financial statements.
 
                                 
                      Maximum Number
 
                Total Number of
    of Shares That
 
                Shares Purchased
    May Yet Be
 
    Total Number
    Average Price
    as Part of Publicly
    Purchased Under
 
    of Shares
    Paid per
    Announced Plans
    the Plans or
 
(Common shares in millions)   Purchased     Share     or Programs     Programs  
 
Period:
                               
April 1 — April 30, 2008
        $             38.8  
May 1 — May 31, 2008
    .1       23.59             38.8  
June 1 — June 30, 2008
    .1       24.45             38.8  
                                 
Total second quarter of 2008
    .2     $ 23.74                
                                 
 
Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities
 
Nothing to report.


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Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
At the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on May 8, 2008, the following proposals were approved by the margins indicated:
 
1. To elect the following named persons to serve as Directors of the Company for one-year terms or until their successors are elected and qualified:
 
                         
    Number of Shares  
    Votes For     Votes Against     Abstain  
 
Ann Torre Bates
    374,931,847       20,273,469       11,156,840  
W. M. Diefenderfer III
    377,638,768       17,571,622       11,151,766  
Diane Suitt Gilleland
    284,765,086       110,279,472       11,317,598  
Earl A. Goode
    285,924,172       109,219,575       11,218,409  
Ronald F. Hunt
    376,688,259       18,473,653       11,200,244  
Albert L. Lord
    378,813,456       16,418,392       11,130,308  
Michael E. Martin
    385,025,207       10,109,172       11,227,777  
Barry A Munitz
    288,022,579       107,100,955       11,238,622  
Howard H. Newman
    384,126,766       11,007,618       11,227,772  
A. Alexander Porter, Jr. 
    378,992,532       16,196,384       11,173,240  
Frank C. Puleo
    385,008,949       10,153,846       11,199,361  
Wolfgang Schoellkopf
    288,734,313       106,410,044       11,217,799  
Steven L. Shapiro
    286,452,206       108,674,390       11,235,560  
Anthony P. Terracciano
    385,147,480       10,016,854       11,197,822  
Barry L. Williams
    380,459,304       14,778,737       11,124,115  
 
2. To amend the SLM Corporation Certificate of Incorporation:
 
         
Number of Shares
Votes For
  Votes Against   Abstain
 
380,994,729
  10,515,932   11,540,761
 
3. To ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008:
 
         
Number of Shares
Votes For
  Votes Against   Abstain
 
386,894,731
  4,979,775   11,176,916
 
Item 5.   Other Information
 
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company initiated a restructuring program to reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies. Incurred and estimated restructuring expenses are disclosed in Note 10, “Restructuring Activities,” to the consolidated financial statements and are incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 6.   Exhibits
 
The following exhibits are furnished or filed, as applicable:
 
         
  10.1     Material contract executed during the reporting period
  31.1     Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2     Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
SLM CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
  By: 
/s/  John F. Remondi
John F. Remondi
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
Date: August 6, 2008


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