NNI-9.30.13-10Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
 
or

¨
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 001-31924

NELNET, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEBRASKA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
84-0748903
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
121 SOUTH 13TH STREET, SUITE 201
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
68508
(Zip Code)
 (402) 458-2370
(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 [X] No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

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.
Large accelerated filer [  ]                                                   Accelerated filer [X]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]                                                     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[  ] No[X]

As of October 31, 2013, there were 34,872,451 and 11,495,377 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding, respectively (excluding 11,317,364 shares of Class A Common Stock held by wholly owned subsidiaries).  
 




NELNET, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
September 30, 2013


 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 







PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
As of
 
As of
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $54,197 and $51,902, respectively)
$
24,701,112

 
24,830,621

Non-federally insured student loans receivable - held for sale
28,480

 

Cash and cash equivalents:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party
6,421

 
7,567

Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party
44,970

 
58,464

Total cash and cash equivalents
51,391

 
66,031

Investments
232,663

 
83,312

Restricted cash and investments
674,926

 
815,462

Restricted cash - due to customers
93,695

 
96,516

Accrued interest receivable
303,350

 
307,518

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,510 and $1,529, respectively)
62,951

 
63,638

Goodwill
117,118

 
117,118

Intangible assets, net
6,932

 
9,393

Property and equipment, net
33,013

 
31,869

Other assets
103,021

 
88,976

Fair value of derivative instruments
128,276

 
97,441

Total assets
$
26,536,928

 
26,607,895

Liabilities:
 

 
 

Bonds and notes payable
$
24,858,455

 
25,098,835

Accrued interest payable
14,218

 
14,770

Other liabilities
171,134

 
161,671

Due to customers
93,695

 
96,516

Fair value of derivative instruments
21,513

 
70,890

Total liabilities
25,159,015

 
25,442,682

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
  Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding

 

Common stock:
 
 
 
Class A, $0.01 par value. Authorized 600,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 34,876,145 shares and 35,116,913 shares, respectively
349

 
351

Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,495,377 shares
115

 
115

Additional paid-in capital
24,068

 
32,540

Retained earnings
1,347,609

 
1,129,389

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings
5,722

 
2,813

Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,377,863

 
1,165,208

Noncontrolling interest
50

 
5

Total equity
1,377,913

 
1,165,213

Total liabilities and equity
$
26,536,928

 
26,607,895

 
 
 
 
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
24,755,486

 
24,920,130

Restricted cash and investments
673,304

 
753,511

Fair value of derivative instruments
101,819

 
82,841

Other assets
305,546

 
306,454

Bonds and notes payable
(25,017,110
)
 
(25,209,341
)
Other liabilities
(311,541
)
 
(348,364
)
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities
$
507,504

 
505,231


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


2



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three months
 
Nine months
 
ended September 30,
 
ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
158,675

 
150,528

 
472,277

 
454,574

Investment interest
1,562

 
1,140

 
4,662

 
3,290

Total interest income
160,237

 
151,668

 
476,939

 
457,864

Interest expense:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest on bonds and notes payable
55,315

 
66,402

 
171,800

 
203,175

Net interest income
104,922

 
85,266

 
305,139

 
254,689

Less provision for loan losses
5,000

 
5,000

 
15,000

 
18,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
99,922

 
80,266

 
290,139

 
236,689

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,582

 
53,285

 
180,261

 
155,164

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
19,927

 
17,928

 
61,694

 
56,675

Enrollment services revenue
22,563

 
30,661

 
76,343

 
92,035

Other income
8,613

 
12,699

 
30,317

 
32,453

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
2,138

 
195

 
10,900

 
1,130

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net
(16,648
)
 
(31,275
)
 
24,612

 
(68,073
)
Total other income
101,175

 
83,493

 
384,127

 
269,384

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
48,712

 
46,395

 
144,049

 
144,193

Cost to provide enrollment services
14,668

 
20,151

 
51,097

 
62,203

Depreciation and amortization
4,340

 
8,402

 
13,037

 
24,764

Other
39,887

 
29,989

 
109,193

 
93,160

Total operating expenses
107,607

 
104,937

 
317,376

 
324,320

Income before income taxes
93,490

 
58,822

 
356,890

 
181,753

Income tax expense
30,444

 
21,870

 
123,637

 
59,978

Net income
63,046

 
36,952

 
233,253

 
121,775

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
216

 
124

 
1,101

 
412

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
62,830

 
36,828

 
232,152

 
121,363

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
1.35

 
0.78

 
4.98

 
2.56

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,496,612

 
47,460,308

 
46,593,241

 
47,399,207


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three months
 
Nine months
 
ended September 30,
 
ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
63,046

 
36,952

 
233,253

 
121,775

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of losses
5,689

 
133

 
6,875

 
1,745

Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses
(730
)
 
(2,618
)
 
(2,246
)
 
(4,848
)
Income tax effect
(1,834
)
 
961

 
(1,720
)
 
1,170

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
3,125

 
(1,524
)
 
2,909

 
(1,933
)
Comprehensive income
66,171

 
35,428

 
236,162

 
119,842

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
216

 
124

 
1,101

 
412

Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
65,955

 
35,304

 
235,061

 
119,430


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


4



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Nelnet, Inc. Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock shares
 
Common stock shares
 
Preferred stock
 
Class A common stock
 
Class B common stock
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
 Retained earnings
 
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings
 
Employee notes receivable
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total equity
 
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2012

 
35,847,801

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
358

 
115

 
52,194

 
1,092,715

 
(409
)
 
(368
)
 
293

 
1,144,898

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
36,828

 

 

 
124

 
36,952

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,524
)
 

 

 
(1,524
)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.1 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,737
)
 

 

 

 
(4,737
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
(180
)
 

 

 

 

 
271

 

 

 

 

 
271

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
584

 

 

 

 

 
584

Repurchase of common stock

 
(8,545
)
 

 

 

 

 
(206
)
 

 

 

 

 
(206
)
Balance as of September 30, 2012

 
35,839,076

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
358

 
115

 
52,843

 
1,124,806

 
(1,933
)
 
(368
)
 
417

 
1,176,238

Balance as of June 30, 2013

 
34,988,110

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
350

 
115

 
27,004

 
1,289,416

 
2,597

 

 
113

 
1,319,595

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
62,830

 

 

 
216

 
63,046

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
3,125

 

 

 
3,125

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(279
)
 
(279
)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.1 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,637
)
 

 

 

 
(4,637
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
(745
)
 

 

 

 

 
264

 

 

 

 

 
264

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
824

 

 

 

 

 
824

Repurchase of common stock

 
(111,220
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(4,024
)
 

 

 

 

 
(4,025
)
Balance as of September 30, 2013

 
34,876,145

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
349

 
115

 
24,068

 
1,347,609

 
5,722

 

 
50

 
1,377,913

Balance as of December 31, 2011

 
35,643,102

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
356

 
115

 
49,245

 
1,017,629

 

 
(1,140
)
 

 
1,066,205

Issuance of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
121,363

 

 

 
412

 
121,775

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,933
)
 

 

 
(1,933
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.3 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(14,186
)
 

 

 

 
(14,186
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
255,538

 

 

 
3

 

 
3,545

 

 

 

 

 
3,548

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,573

 

 

 

 

 
1,573

Repurchase of common stock

 
(59,564
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1,520
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,521
)
Reduction of employee stock notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
772

 

 
772

Balance as of September 30, 2012

 
35,839,076

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
358

 
115

 
52,843

 
1,124,806

 
(1,933
)
 
(368
)
 
417

 
1,176,238

Balance as of December 31, 2012

 
35,116,913

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
351

 
115

 
32,540

 
1,129,389

 
2,813

 

 
5

 
1,165,213

Issuance of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
232,152

 

 

 
1,101

 
233,253

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,909

 

 

 
2,909

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,061
)
 
(1,061
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.3 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(13,932
)
 

 

 

 
(13,932
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
149,608

 

 

 
2

 

 
2,231

 

 

 

 

 
2,233

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,308

 

 

 

 

 
2,308

Repurchase of common stock

 
(390,376
)
 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(13,011
)
 

 

 

 

 
(13,015
)
Balance as of September 30, 2013

 
34,876,145

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
349

 
115

 
24,068

 
1,347,609

 
5,722

 

 
50

 
1,377,913


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Nine months
 
ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
232,152

 
121,363

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
1,101

 
412

Net income
233,253

 
121,775

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs
58,330

 
85,370

Student loan discount accretion
(26,333
)
 
(31,693
)
Provision for loan losses
15,000

 
18,000

Derivative market value adjustment
(73,743
)
 
67,349

Foreign currency transaction adjustment
25,902

 
(6,186
)
Payments to terminate and/or amend derivative instruments, net of proceeds
(6,469
)
 
(6,430
)
Gain on sale of loans
(34
)
 
(80
)
Gain from debt repurchases
(10,866
)
 
(1,050
)
 Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net
(2,246
)
 
(4,848
)
Purchases of student loans - held for sale
(28,480
)
 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
13,279

 
(29,141
)
Other
2,557

 
763

Decrease in accrued interest receivable
4,168

 
40,545

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
687

 
(7,745
)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
(2,445
)
 
2,330

Decrease in accrued interest payable
(552
)
 
(2,998
)
Increase in other liabilities
598

 
14,636

Net cash provided by operating activities
202,606

 
260,597

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchases of student loans
(1,696,253
)
 
(875,556
)
Purchase of student loans from a related party
(466,941
)
 
(299
)
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
2,269,253

 
2,500,005

Proceeds from sale of student loans
11,287

 
92,149

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(196,657
)
 
(155,057
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
52,733

 
112,854

Purchases of other investments
(8,316
)
 

Purchases of property and equipment, net
(11,720
)
 
(7,370
)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
140,536

 
(291,239
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
93,922

 
1,375,487

Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Payments on bonds and notes payable
(4,159,079
)
 
(2,795,019
)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable
3,888,772

 
1,232,250

Payments of debt issuance costs
(13,295
)
 
(7,630
)
Dividends paid
(13,932
)
 
(14,186
)
Repurchases of common stock
(13,015
)
 
(1,521
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
437

 
349

Payments received on employee stock notes receivable

 
772

Issuance of noncontrolling interest
5

 
5

Distribution to noncontrolling interest
(1,061
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
(311,168
)
 
(1,584,980
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(14,640
)
 
51,104

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
66,031

 
42,570

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
51,391

 
93,674

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 

 
 

Interest paid
$
148,482

 
179,007

Income taxes paid, net of refunds
$
114,744

 
86,798


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Information as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2013 and 2012 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

1.    Basis of Financial Reporting

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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 nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2013. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the "2012 Annual Report").

2.    Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
As of
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Held for investment
 
Held for sale
 
Held for investment
Federally insured loans
 
 
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
6,884,348

 

 
7,261,114

Consolidation
17,908,229

 

 
17,708,732

Total
24,792,577

 

 
24,969,846

Non-federally insured loans
66,283

 
28,480

 
26,034

 
24,858,860


28,480

 
24,995,880

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs
(103,551
)
 

 
(113,357
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(42,406
)
 

 
(40,120
)
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans
(11,791
)
 

 
(11,782
)
 
$
24,701,112

 
28,480

 
24,830,621

Allowance for federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans
0.17
%
 
 
 
0.16
%
Allowance for non-federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans
17.79
%
 
 
 
45.26
%


7



Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Balance at beginning of period
$
51,611

 
49,657

 
51,902

 
48,482

Provision for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
5,000

 
5,000

 
16,000

 
18,000

Non-federally insured loans

 

 
(1,000
)
 

Total provision for loan losses
5,000

 
5,000

 
15,000

 
18,000

Charge-offs:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
(3,142
)
 
(5,449
)
 
(12,472
)
 
(16,943
)
Non-federally insured loans
(906
)
 
(1,058
)
 
(2,270
)
 
(2,355
)
Total charge-offs
(4,048
)
 
(6,507
)
 
(14,742
)
 
(19,298
)
Recoveries - non-federally insured loans
363

 
399

 
1,173

 
1,104

Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans, net
700

 
(928
)
 
(1,243
)
 
(2,647
)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans repurchased, net
571

 
588

 
2,107

 
2,568

Balance at end of period
$
54,197

 
48,209

 
54,197

 
48,209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
$
42,406

 
35,614

 
42,406

 
35,614

Non-federally insured loans
11,791

 
12,595

 
11,791

 
12,595

Total allowance for loan losses
$
54,197

 
48,209

 
54,197

 
48,209


Repurchase Obligations

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had participated a cumulative amount of $98.5 million (par value) of non-federally insured loans to third parties. Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.

In addition, in 2011, the Company sold a portfolio of non-federally insured loans for proceeds of $91.3 million (100% of par value).  The Company retained credit risk related to this portfolio and will pay cash to purchase back any loans which become 60 days delinquent. As of September 30, 2013, the balance of this portfolio was $66.0 million (par value).

The Company’s estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The activity related to this accrual is detailed below.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Beginning balance
$
14,594

 
17,243

 
16,130

 
19,223

Repurchase obligation transferred to the allowance for loan losses related to loans repurchased, net
(571
)
 
(588
)
 
(2,107
)
 
(2,568
)
Ending balance
$
14,023

 
16,655

 
14,023

 
16,655



8



Student Loan Status and Delinquencies

Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The percent of non-federally insured loans held for investment that were delinquent 31 days or greater as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012 was 13.4 percent, 28.6 percent, and 26.0 percent, respectively. The table below shows the Company’s federally insured student loan delinquency amounts.

Rehabilitation Loans and Delinquent Loans Funded in FFELP Warehouse Facilities

Rehabilitation loans are student loans that have previously defaulted, but for which the borrower has made a specified number of on-time payments.  Although rehabilitation loans benefit from the same guarantees as other federally insured student loans, rehabilitation loans have generally experienced re-default rates that are higher than default rates for federally insured student loans that have not previously defaulted.  The Company has purchased a significant amount of rehabilitation loans during 2012 and 2013.  Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate under the Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFEL Program" or "FFELP").  As such, there is minimal credit risk related to rehabilitation loans purchased; therefore, these loans are presented separately in the following delinquency tables.

In addition, the Company has purchased delinquent federally insured loans that are funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate. As such, there is minimal credit risk related to these loans. Loans delinquent 121 days or greater and funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities are included with rehabilitated loans purchased in the following delinquency tables.

 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
As of September 30, 2012
Federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
2,780,442

 
 
 
$
2,949,320

 
 
 
$
3,163,918

 
 
Loans in forbearance
2,953,119

 
 
 
2,992,023

 
 
 
2,868,168

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
14,157,330

 
87.2
%
 
14,583,044

 
87.6
%
 
13,673,217

 
87.2
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
662,814

 
4.1

 
652,351

 
3.9

 
586,021

 
3.7

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
354,975

 
2.2

 
330,885

 
2.0

 
308,377

 
2.0

Loans delinquent 91-120 days
235,681

 
1.5

 
247,381

 
1.5

 
237,941

 
1.5

Loans delinquent 121-270 days
624,042

 
3.8

 
603,942

 
3.6

 
628,697

 
4.0

Loans delinquent 271 days or greater
195,853

 
1.2

 
220,798

 
1.4

 
253,438

 
1.6

Total loans in repayment
16,230,695

 
100.0
%
 
16,638,401

 
100.0
%
 
15,687,691

 
100.0
%
Total federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans
$
21,964,256

 
 

 
$
22,579,744

 
 

 
$
21,719,777

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rehabilitation loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
259,377

 
 
 
$
150,317

 
 
 
$
90,836

 
 
Loans in forbearance
443,629

 
 
 
330,278

 
 
 
129,257

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
1,078,730

 
50.7
%
 
670,205

 
35.1
%
 
418,584

 
61.9
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
188,583

 
8.9

 
113,795

 
6.0

 
52,053

 
7.7

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
125,310

 
5.9

 
79,691

 
4.2

 
35,104

 
5.2

Loans delinquent 91-120 days
137,016

 
6.4

 
186,278

 
9.8

 
33,931

 
5.0

Loans delinquent 121-270 days
354,192

 
16.7

 
633,001

 
33.1

 
99,041

 
14.7

Loans delinquent 271 days or greater
241,484

 
11.4

 
226,537

 
11.8

 
37,025

 
5.5

Total loans in repayment
2,125,315

 
100.0
%
 
1,909,507

 
100.0
%
 
675,738

 
100.0
%
Total rehabilitation loans
2,828,321

 
 
 
2,390,102

 
 
 
895,831

 
 
Total federally insured loans
$
24,792,577

 
 
 
$
24,969,846

 
 
 
$
22,615,608

 
 


9



3.    Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
22,632,522

 
0.27% - 6.90%
 
11/25/15 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing
890,500

 
0.08% - 2.13%
 
5/1/28 - 5/25/42
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
23,523,022

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,277,650

 
0.18% - 0.28%
 
1/17/16 - 6/12/16
Unsecured line of credit
75,000

 
1.68%
 
3/28/18
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
99,232

 
3.62%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
61,828

 
1.68% - 5.10%
 
11/14/13 - 11/11/15
 
25,036,732

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable
(178,277
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
24,858,455

 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
21,185,140

 
0.32% - 6.90%
 
11/25/15 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing
969,925

 
0.15% - 2.14%
 
5/1/28 - 5/25/42
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
22,155,065

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,554,151

 
0.21% - 0.29%
 
1/31/15 - 6/30/15
Department of Education Conduit
1,344,513

 
0.82%
 
1/19/14
Unsecured line of credit
55,000

 
1.71%
 
2/17/16
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
99,232

 
3.68%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
62,904

 
1.50% - 5.10%
 
11/14/13 - 11/11/15
 
25,270,865

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable
(172,030
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
25,098,835

 
 
 
 


10



FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had four FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
 
 
NHELP-I (a)
 
NHELP-III (b)
 
NHELP-II (c)
 
NFSLW-I (d)
 
Total
Maximum financing amount
 
$
500,000

 
750,000

 
500,000

 
500,000

 
2,250,000

Amount outstanding
 

 
637,770

 
373,258

 
266,622

 
1,277,650

Amount available
 
$
500,000

 
112,230

 
126,742

 
233,378

 
972,350

Expiration of liquidity provisions
 


 
January 16, 2014

 
February 28, 2014

 
June 12, 2014

 
 
Final maturity date
 


 
January 17, 2016

 
February 28, 2016

 
June 12, 2016

 
 
Maximum advance rates
 
 
 
92.2 - 95%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
92 - 98%

 
 
Minimum advance rates
 
 
 
92.2 - 95%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
84 - 90%

 
 
Advanced as equity support
 
$

 
36,926

 
33,863

 
11,647

 
82,436


(a)
On October 1, 2013, the Company terminated this facility. All loans previously financed in this facility were financed in other warehouse facilities during the third quarter of 2013.
(b)
The Company entered into this facility on January 16, 2013. On September 16, 2013, the Company amended this facility to increase the maximum financing amount from $500 million to $750 million.
(c)
On June 3, 2013, the Company amended this facility to change the terms of the advance rates.

(d)
On June 13, 2013, the Company amended this facility to change the terms of the advance rates and extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions and its final maturity date.

Each FFELP warehouse facility is supported by 364-day liquidity provisions, which are subject to the respective expiration date shown in the previous table. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by such date, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's final maturity date. The NFSLW-I warehouse facility provides for formula-based advance rates, depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of the principal and interest of loans financed as shown in the table above. The advance rates for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions, but they are subject to minimums as disclosed above. The NHELP-III and NHELP-II warehouse facilities have static advance rates that require initial equity for loan funding, but do not require increased equity based on market movements.

The FFELP warehouse facilities contain financial covenants relating to levels of the Company’s consolidated net worth, ratio of recourse indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA, and unencumbered cash. Any noncompliance with these covenants could result in a requirement for the immediate repayment of any outstanding borrowings under the facilities.


11



Asset-backed Securitizations

The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
 
2013-1
 
2013-2 (a)
 
2013-3
 
2013-4
 
2013-5 (a)
 
Total
Date securities issued
 
1/31/13
 
2/28/13
 
4/30/13
 
6/21/13
 
9/30/13
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
437,500

 
1,122,000

 
765,000

 
453,000

 
399,000

 
$
3,176,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
428,000

 
1,122,000

 
745,000

 
440,000

 
399,000

 
3,134,000

Bond discount
 

 
(3,325
)
 

 
(1,690
)
 
(4,881
)
 
(9,896
)
Issue price
 
$
428,000

 
1,118,675

 
745,000

 
438,310

 
394,119

 
3,124,104

Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)
 
0.60
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.63
%
 
 
Final maturity date
 
6/25/41

 
7/25/40

 
2/25/37

 
12/26/42

 
1/25/37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class B subordinated notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
9,500

 
 
 
20,000

 
13,000

 
 
 
42,500

Bond discount
 
(1,525
)
 
 
 
(1,762
)
 
(1,804
)
 
 
 
(5,091
)
Issue price
 
$
7,975

 
 
 
18,238

 
11,196

 
 
 
37,409

Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)
 
1.50
%
 
 
 
1.50
%
 
1.50
%
 
 
 
 
Final maturity date
 
3/25/48

 
 
 
7/25/47

 
1/25/47

 
 
 
 

(a)
Total original principal amount excludes the Class B subordinated tranches for the 2013-2 and 2013-5 transactions totaling $34.0 million and $9.0 million, respectively, that were retained at issuance. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has a total of $85.5 million (face amount) of its own Class B subordinated notes remaining from prior completed asset-backed securitizations that are not included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Department of Education Conduit

In May 2009, the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department") implemented a program under which it financed eligible FFELP loans in a conduit vehicle established to provide funding for student lenders (the "Conduit Program").  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $1.3 billion borrowed under this facility. On February 28, 2013, all student loans funded in the Conduit Program were refinanced in the 2013-2 asset-backed securitization and the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. After these transactions, no loans remained financed by the Company in the Conduit Program and the facility was paid down in full. No additional loans can be financed in this facility, and the Conduit Program has expired for future use by the Company.

Unsecured Line of Credit

On February 17, 2012, the Company entered into a $250.0 million unsecured line of credit. On March 28, 2013, the facility was amended to increase the line of credit to $275.0 million and extend the maturity date from February 17, 2016 to March 28, 2018. There were no significant financial covenant changes made as part of this amendment. As of September 30, 2013, $75.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use.

Debt Repurchases

The Company repurchased $15.4 million (face amount) and $4.1 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and recognized gains on such purchases of $2.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company repurchased $84.7 million (face amount) and $21.7 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities and recognized gains of $10.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.


12



4.   Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk because the interest rate characteristics of the Company's assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets. The Company has adopted a policy of periodically reviewing the mismatch related to the interest rate characteristics of its assets and liabilities together with the Company's outlook as to current and future market conditions. Based on those factors, the Company uses derivative instruments as part of its overall risk management strategy. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's interest rate risk management strategy currently include basis swaps and interest rate swaps.

Basis Swaps

Interest earned on the majority of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate.  Meanwhile, the Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  The different interest rate characteristics of the Company's loan assets and liabilities funding these assets results in basis risk.

The Company also faces repricing risk due to the timing of the interest rate resets on its liabilities, which may occur as infrequently as once a quarter, in contrast to the timing of the interest rate resets on its assets, which generally occur daily. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $23.7 billion and $1.0 billion of FFELP loans indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate and the three-month treasury bill rate, respectively, the indices for which reset daily, and $15.2 billion of debt indexed to three-month LIBOR, the indices for which reset quarterly, and $8.1 billion of debt indexed to one-month LIBOR, the indices for which reset monthly.

The Company has used derivative instruments to economically hedge its basis and repricing risk.  The Company has entered into basis swaps in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the 1:3 Basis Swaps).

The following table summarizes the Company’s 1:3 Basis Swaps outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
 
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Notional amount
 
 
2021
 
 
$
250,000

 
250,000

 
 
2022
 
 
1,900,000

 
1,900,000

 
 
2023
 
 
3,650,000

 
3,150,000

 
 
2024
 
 
250,000

 
250,000

 
 
2026
 
 
800,000

 
800,000

 
 
2028
 
 
100,000

 
100,000

 
 
2036
 
 
700,000

 
700,000

 
 
2039
(a)
 
150,000

 
150,000

 
 
2040
(b)
 
200,000

 
200,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,000,000

(c)
7,500,000

(c)
(a)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.
(b)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.
(c)
The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points and one-month LIBOR plus 3.3 basis points, respectively.

13



Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payments ("SAP") formula set by the Department. The SAP rate is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that depends on loan type, origination date, and repayment status. The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with variable rate debt. In low and/or certain declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, these student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to reflect the low and/or declining interest rates. In these interest rate environments, the Company may earn additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.

Depending on the type of loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to an annual 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, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income, and for those loans where the borrower rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn floor income to the next reset date, which the Company refers to as variable rate floor income. All FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006 effectively earn at the SAP rate, since lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income for those loans to the Department.

Absent the use of derivative instruments, a rise in interest rates may reduce the amount of floor income received and this may have an impact on earnings due to interest margin compression caused by increasing financing costs, until such time as the federally insured loans earn interest at a variable rate in accordance with their SAP formulas. In higher interest rate environments, where the interest rate rises above the borrower rate and fixed rate loans effectively become variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $11.2 billion and $11.3 billion, respectively, of student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income. The weighted average estimated variable conversion rate for these loans, which is the estimated short-term interest rate at which the loans would convert to a variable rate, was 1.82%.

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.
 
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
 
 
2013
 
$

 
%
 
$
3,150,000

 
0.71
%
2014
 
1,750,000

 
0.71

 
1,750,000

 
0.71

2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

 
1,100,000

 
0.89

2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
750,000

 
0.99

 
 
$
4,850,000

 
0.81
%
 
$
7,500,000

 
0.78
%

(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

As of both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $99.2 million of unsecured Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities debt outstanding. The interest rate on the Hybrid Securities through September 29, 2036 is equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.375%, payable quarterly. The Company had the following derivatives outstanding that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.7%.
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036
 
$
25,000

 
4.28
%
 
$
75,000

 
4.28
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

14




Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €420.5 million and €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of these transactions, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date. Changes in the principal and accrued interest amounts as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of these derivative instrument agreements, the Company receives from a counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on notional amounts of €420.5 million and €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on notional amounts of $500.0 million and $450.0 million, respectively. In addition, under the terms of these agreements, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Euro in effect as of the issuance of the notes.

The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instruments.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Re-measurement of Euro Notes
$
(39,974
)
 
(20,799
)
 
(25,902
)
 
6,186

Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps
39,074

 
24,586

 
18,978

 
(24,934
)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)
$
(900
)
 
3,787

 
(6,924
)
 
(18,748
)
(a)
The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.

Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:
 
Fair value of asset derivatives
 
Fair value of liability derivatives
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
1:3 basis swaps
$
20,425

 
12,239

 

 
1,215

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
6,032

 

 
18,186

 
45,913

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges

 

 
3,327

 
23,762

Cross-currency interest rate swaps
101,819


82,841

 

 

Other

 
2,361

 

 

Total
$
128,276

 
97,441

 
21,513

 
70,890


During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company terminated certain derivatives for net payments of $2.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company paid $6.4 million to terminate certain derivatives. Any proceeds received or payments made to terminate a derivative in advance of its expiration date are accounted for as a change in fair value of such derivative.


15



Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
 
 
Derivative assets
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement
 
Cash collateral received (a)
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2013
 
$
128,276

 
(17,991
)
 
(73,734
)
 
36,551

Balance as of December 31, 2012
 
97,441

 
(13,234
)
 
(19,993
)
 
64,214


 
 
 
 
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement
 
Cash collateral pledged (b)
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2013
 
$
(21,513
)
 
17,991

 
4,000

 
478

Balance as of December 31, 2012
 
(70,890
)
 
13,234

 
63,128

 
5,472


(a)
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the trustee for certain of the Company's asset-backed securitization transactions held $73.7 million and $20.0 million, respectively, of collateral from the counterparty on the cross-currency interest rate swaps.

(b)
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $4.0 million and $63.1 million, respectively, posted as collateral to derivative counterparties, which is included in “restricted cash and investments” in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.


16



The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Settlements:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
$
781

 
1,100

 
2,474

 
3,651

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(7,178
)
 
(5,595
)
 
(24,017
)
 
(12,237
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(256
)
 
(733
)
 
(1,413
)
 
(1,479
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
(35
)
 
227

 
(273
)
 
3,390

Other

 
(50
)
 

 
(235
)
Total settlements - income (expense)
(6,688
)
 
(5,051
)
 
(23,229
)
 
(6,910
)
Change in fair value:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
(2,161
)
 
(4,578
)
 
9,402

 
(2,005
)
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(9,599
)
 
(29,903
)
 
33,231

 
(41,681
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
2,700

 
1,695

 
11,790

 
(890
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
39,074

 
24,586

 
18,978

 
(24,934
)
Other

 
2,775

 
342

 
2,161

Total change in fair value - income (expense)
30,014

 
(5,425
)
 
73,743

 
(67,349
)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)
(39,974
)
 
(20,799
)
 
(25,902
)
 
6,186

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)
$
(16,648
)
 
(31,275
)
 
24,612

 
(68,073
)

5.    Investments

A summary of the Company's investments and restricted investments follows:
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses (a)
 
Fair value
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses
 
Fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)
$
211,548

 
8,535

 
(968
)
 
219,115

 
64,970

 
3,187

 
(179
)
 
67,978

Equity securities
1,550

 
1,519

 
(5
)
 
3,064

 
3,449

 
1,604

 
(180
)
 
4,873

Total available-for-sale investments
$
213,098

 
10,054

 
(973
)
 
222,179

 
68,419

 
4,791

 
(359
)
 
72,851

Trading investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,484

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,461

Total available-for-sale and trading investments

 

 

 
$
232,663

 
 
 
 
 


 
83,312

Restricted Investments (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,724

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,830

    
(a)
As of September 30, 2013, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

(b)
As of September 30, 2013, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

(c)
Restricted investments are included in "restricted cash and investments" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.


17



The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities is summarized below.
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Other income
 
$
730

 
2,618

 
2,246

 
4,848

Income tax expense
 
(270
)
 
(969
)
 
(831
)
 
(1,794
)
Net
 
$
460

 
1,649

 
1,415

 
3,054


6.   Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 32.6% and 37.2%, respectively, and was 34.8% and 33.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the third quarter of 2013, income tax expense was reduced by $4.1 million due to the resolution of various uncertain tax positions relating primarily to prior years resulting from examination closings and lapse of applicable statute of limitations. In addition, the Company reversed $1.3 million ($0.8 million after tax) of interest expense during the third quarter of 2013 related to the resolution of certain tax positions. The reversal of interest expense reduced "interest on bonds and notes payable" in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. During the second quarter of 2012, state income tax laws were enacted that reduced the Company's income tax expense during the second quarter by $4.6 million.

7.   Earnings per Common Share

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
62,277

 
553

 
62,830

 
36,538

 
290

 
36,828

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:


 


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,086,743

 
409,869

 
46,496,612

 
47,086,182

 
374,126

 
47,460,308

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
1.35

 
1.35

 
1.35

 
0.78

 
0.78

 
0.78


 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
230,141

 
2,011

 
232,152

 
120,452

 
911

 
121,363

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,189,200

 
404,041

 
46,593,241

 
47,042,062

 
357,145

 
47,399,207

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
4.98

 
4.98

 
4.98

 
2.56

 
2.56

 
2.56


18




Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.

As of September 30, 2013, a cumulative amount of 127,129 shares have been deferred by non-employee directors under the Directors Stock Compensation Plan and will become issuable upon the termination of service by the respective non-employee director on the board of directors. These shares are included in the Company's weighted average shares outstanding calculation.

8.    Segment Reporting

The Company earns fee-based revenue through its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, and Enrollment Services operating segments. In addition, the Company earns net interest income on its student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment. The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer and the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. See note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report for a description of each operating segment, including the primary products and services offered.

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company, as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their financial results prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  

The accounting policies of the Company’s operating segments are the same as those described in note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report. Intersegment revenues are charged by the segment that provides a product or service to another segment.  Intersegment revenues and expenses are included within each segment 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. Income taxes are allocated based on 38% of income (loss) before taxes for each individual operating segment. The difference between the consolidated income tax expense and the sum of taxes calculated for each operating segment is included in income taxes in Corporate Activity and Overhead.

Corporate Activity and Overhead

Corporate Activity and Overhead includes the following items:

The operating results of Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary
Income earned on certain investment activities
Interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions
Other product and service offerings that are not considered operating segments

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


19



Segment Results of Operations

The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Three months ended September 30, 2013
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
10

 

 

 
10

 
158,793

 
2,201

 
(767
)
 
160,237

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
56,100

 
(18
)
 
(767
)
 
55,315

Net interest income (loss)
10

 

 

 
10

 
102,693

 
2,219

 

 
104,922

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
10

 

 

 
10

 
97,693

 
2,219

 

 
99,922

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,582

 

 

 
64,582

 

 

 

 
64,582

Intersegment servicing revenue
13,519

 

 

 
13,519

 

 

 
(13,519
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
19,927

 

 
19,927

 

 

 

 
19,927

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
22,563

 
22,563

 

 

 

 
22,563

Other income

 

 

 

 
3,981

 
4,632

 

 
8,613

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
2,138

 

 

 
2,138

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
(12,660
)
 
2,700

 

 
(9,960
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(6,432
)
 
(256
)
 

 
(6,688
)
Total other income (expense)
78,101

 
19,927

 
22,563

 
120,591

 
(12,973
)
 
7,076

 
(13,519
)
 
101,175

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
29,719

 
9,229

 
4,491

 
43,439

 
555

 
4,718

 

 
48,712

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
14,668

 
14,668

 

 

 

 
14,668

Depreciation and amortization
2,677

 
1,117

 
57

 
3,851

 

 
489

 

 
4,340

Other
19,752

 
1,908

 
1,556

 
23,216

 
7,939

 
8,732

 

 
39,887

Intersegment expenses, net
1,457

 
1,431

 
1,139

 
4,027

 
13,705

 
(4,213
)
 
(13,519
)
 

Total operating expenses
53,605

 
13,685

 
21,911

 
89,201

 
22,199

 
9,726

 
(13,519
)
 
107,607

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
24,506

 
6,242

 
652

 
31,400

 
62,521

 
(431
)
 

 
93,490

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,822
)
 
(607
)
 
(607
)
 
(3,036
)
 
(1,302
)
 
4,338

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
22,684

 
5,635

 
45

 
28,364

 
61,219

 
3,907

 

 
93,490

Income tax (expense) benefit
(8,620
)
 
(2,141
)
 
(17
)
 
(10,778
)
 
(23,263
)
 
3,597

 

 
(30,444
)
Net income (loss)
14,064

 
3,494

 
28

 
17,586

 
37,956

 
7,504

 

 
63,046

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
216

 

 
216

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
14,064

 
3,494

 
28

 
17,586

 
37,956

 
7,288

 

 
62,830

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

20



 
Three months ended September 30, 2012
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
12

 
3

 

 
15

 
150,661

 
1,891

 
(899
)
 
151,668

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
64,829

 
2,472

 
(899
)
 
66,402

Net interest income (loss)
12

 
3

 

 
15

 
85,832

 
(581
)
 

 
85,266

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
12

 
3

 

 
15

 
80,832

 
(581
)
 

 
80,266

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
53,285

 

 

 
53,285

 

 

 

 
53,285

Intersegment servicing revenue
15,855

 

 

 
15,855

 

 

 
(15,855
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
17,928

 

 
17,928

 

 

 

 
17,928

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
30,661

 
30,661

 

 

 

 
30,661

Other income

 

 

 

 
5,834

 
6,865

 

 
12,699

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
195

 

 

 
195

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
(30,694
)
 
4,470

 

 
(26,224
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(4,319
)
 
(732
)
 

 
(5,051
)
Total other income (expense)
69,140

 
17,928

 
30,661

 
117,729

 
(28,984
)
 
10,603

 
(15,855
)
 
83,493

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
27,716

 
8,578

 
5,147

 
41,441

 
462

 
4,492

 

 
46,395

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
20,151

 
20,151

 

 

 

 
20,151

Depreciation and amortization
4,691

 
1,703

 
1,633

 
8,027

 

 
375

 

 
8,402

Other
16,775

 
2,285

 
1,782

 
20,842

 
3,451

 
5,696

 

 
29,989

Intersegment expenses, net
1,262

 
1,379

 
1,000

 
3,641

 
16,064

 
(3,850
)
 
(15,855
)
 

Total operating expenses
50,444

 
13,945

 
29,713

 
94,102

 
19,977

 
6,713

 
(15,855
)
 
104,937

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
18,708

 
3,986

 
948

 
23,642

 
31,871

 
3,309

 

 
58,822

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,337
)
 
(446
)
 
(446
)
 
(2,229
)
 
(909
)
 
3,138

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
17,371

 
3,540

 
502

 
21,413

 
30,962

 
6,447

 

 
58,822

Income tax (expense) benefit
(6,601
)
 
(1,345
)
 
(191
)
 
(8,137
)
 
(11,765
)
 
(1,968
)
 

 
(21,870
)
Net income (loss)
10,770

 
2,195

 
311

 
13,276

 
19,197

 
4,479

 

 
36,952

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
124

 

 
124

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
10,770

 
2,195

 
311

 
13,276

 
19,197

 
4,355

 

 
36,828

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

21



 
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
29

 

 

 
29

 
472,622

 
6,708

 
(2,420
)
 
476,939

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
170,502

 
3,718

 
(2,420
)
 
171,800

Net interest income (loss)
29

 

 

 
29

 
302,120

 
2,990

 

 
305,139

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
15,000

 

 

 
15,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
29

 

 

 
29

 
287,120

 
2,990

 

 
290,139

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
180,261

 

 

 
180,261

 

 

 

 
180,261

Intersegment servicing revenue
42,375

 

 

 
42,375

 

 

 
(42,375
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
61,694

 

 
61,694

 

 

 

 
61,694

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
76,343

 
76,343

 

 

 

 
76,343

Other income

 

 

 

 
11,207

 
19,110

 

 
30,317

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
10,900

 

 

 
10,900

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
35,711

 
12,130

 

 
47,841

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(21,816
)
 
(1,413
)
 

 
(23,229
)
Total other income (expense)
222,636

 
61,694

 
76,343

 
360,673

 
36,002

 
29,827

 
(42,375
)
 
384,127

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
86,254

 
28,015

 
15,067

 
129,336

 
1,709

 
13,004

 

 
144,049

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
51,097

 
51,097

 

 

 

 
51,097

Depreciation and amortization
8,197

 
3,387

 
179

 
11,763

 

 
1,274

 

 
13,037

Other
56,173

 
6,387

 
4,450

 
67,010

 
23,375

 
18,808

 

 
109,193

Intersegment expenses, net
3,243

 
4,350

 
3,418

 
11,011

 
42,955

 
(11,591
)
 
(42,375
)
 

Total operating expenses
153,867

 
42,139

 
74,211

 
270,217

 
68,039

 
21,495

 
(42,375
)
 
317,376

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
68,798

 
19,555

 
2,132

 
90,485

 
255,083

 
11,322

 

 
356,890

Corporate overhead allocation
(4,332
)
 
(1,443
)
 
(1,443
)
 
(7,218
)
 
(3,095
)
 
10,313

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
64,466

 
18,112

 
689

 
83,267

 
251,988

 
21,635

 

 
356,890

Income tax (expense) benefit
(24,498
)
 
(6,882
)
 
(261
)
 
(31,641
)
 
(95,755
)
 
3,759

 

 
(123,637
)
Net income (loss)
39,968

 
11,230

 
428

 
51,626

 
156,233

 
25,394

 

 
233,253

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
1,101

 

 
1,101

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
39,968

 
11,230

 
428

 
51,626

 
156,233

 
24,293

 

 
232,152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

22



 
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
44

 
8

 

 
52

 
455,413

 
5,226

 
(2,827
)
 
457,864

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
199,675

 
6,327

 
(2,827
)
 
203,175

Net interest income (loss)
44

 
8

 

 
52

 
255,738

 
(1,101
)
 

 
254,689

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
18,000

 

 

 
18,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
44

 
8

 

 
52

 
237,738

 
(1,101
)
 

 
236,689

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
155,164

 

 

 
155,164

 

 

 

 
155,164

Intersegment servicing revenue
49,210

 

 

 
49,210

 

 

 
(49,210
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
56,675

 

 
56,675

 

 

 

 
56,675

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
92,035

 
92,035

 

 

 

 
92,035

Other income

 

 

 

 
14,415

 
18,038

 

 
32,453

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
1,130

 

 

 
1,130

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
(62,351
)
 
1,188

 

 
(61,163
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(5,431
)
 
(1,479
)
 

 
(6,910
)
Total other income (expense)
204,374

 
56,675

 
92,035

 
353,084

 
(52,237
)
 
17,747

 
(49,210
)
 
269,384

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
85,663

 
25,771

 
17,587

 
129,021

 
1,723

 
13,449

 

 
144,193

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
62,203

 
62,203

 

 

 

 
62,203

Depreciation and amortization
13,629

 
5,174

 
4,867

 
23,670

 

 
1,094

 

 
24,764

Other
52,980

 
7,557

 
5,483

 
66,020

 
10,203

 
16,937

 

 
93,160

Intersegment expenses, net
3,832

 
4,042

 
2,824

 
10,698

 
49,842

 
(11,330
)
 
(49,210
)
 

Total operating expenses
156,104

 
42,544

 
92,964

 
291,612

 
61,768

 
20,150

 
(49,210
)
 
324,320

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
48,314

 
14,139

 
(929
)
 
61,524

 
123,733

 
(3,504
)
 

 
181,753

Corporate overhead allocation
(4,115
)
 
(1,372
)
 
(1,372
)
 
(6,859
)
 
(3,701
)
 
10,560

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
44,199

 
12,767

 
(2,301
)
 
54,665

 
120,032

 
7,056

 

 
181,753

Income tax (expense) benefit
(16,796
)
 
(4,851
)
 
874

 
(20,773
)
 
(45,610
)
 
6,405

 

 
(59,978
)
Net income (loss)
27,403

 
7,916

 
(1,427
)
 
33,892

 
74,422

 
13,461

 

 
121,775

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
412

 

 
412

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
27,403

 
7,916

 
(1,427
)
 
33,892

 
74,422

 
13,049

 

 
121,363

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9.    Major Customer

The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the Department that spans five years (through June 2014).  Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $26.0 million and $19.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $68.4 million and $50.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Department has the option to extend the contract for an additional five years. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.

 
10. Related Party Transactions

The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2012 Annual Report.  The following provides an update for related party transactions that have occurred during the first nine months of 2013.


23



Investment Advisory Services

On February 1, 2013, WRCM established a third private investment fund (“SLABS Fund III”) for the primary purpose of investing and trading in student loan asset-backed securities, and engaging in financial transactions related thereto.  The initial amount invested in SLABS Fund III was $34.5 million, and Michael S. Dunlap, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a significant shareholder of the Company, Angela L. Muhleisen (who is a sister of Mr. Dunlap, as well as Director, Chairperson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), an entity under common control with the Company), and WRCM made initial investments in the fund in the amounts of $3.0 million, $2.0 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.  The management agreement for the fund provides non-affiliated limited partners the ability to remove WRCM as manager of the fund without cause. WRCM earns 50 basis points (annually) from SLABS Fund III on the outstanding balance of the investments in the fund, of which WRCM pays approximately 50 percent of such amount to Union Bank as custodian.  In addition, WRCM earns up to 50 percent of the gains from the sale of securities from the fund.  As of September 30, 2013, the outstanding balance of investments in SLABS Fund III was $35.0 million.

Loan Purchases

During the third quarter of 2013, the Company purchased FFELP student loans of $478.3 million (face amount) from Union Bank and recorded a total discount of $11.4 million as a result of these purchases.

Mortgage Servicing Agreement

On May 1, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Union Bank under which the Company was engaged by Union Bank to assist in performing various duties in connection with the expansion of Union Bank's mortgage loan operations and the servicing of mortgage loans. Per the terms of the agreement, each party will be responsible for 50 percent of all costs incurred directly related to the expansion of the mortgage loan operations. Additionally, each party will be entitled to receive 50 percent of the net income resulting from the mortgage loan operations. Through September 30, 2013, the Company has paid Union Bank approximately $17,000 for its portion of costs incurred related to the expansion of the mortgage loan operations.

Aircraft Purchase

During the second quarter 2013, the Company purchased an aircraft for total consideration of $5.8 million and sold an interest in such aircraft to Union Financial Services, Inc. ("UFS") for $2.0 million. After the completion of this transaction, the Company and UFS own 65 percent and 35 percent of the aircraft, respectively. UFS is owned 50 percent by Mr. Dunlap and 50 percent by Stephen F. Butterfield, Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

11.   Fair Value

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed securities
$

 
229,095

 
229,095

 

 
77,652

 
77,652

Equity securities
3,064

 

 
3,064

 
4,873

 

 
4,873

Debt securities
504

 

 
504

 
787

 

 
787

Total investments
3,568

 
229,095

 
232,663

 
5,660

 
77,652

 
83,312

Fair value of derivative instruments

 
128,276

 
128,276

 

 
97,441

 
97,441

Total assets
$
3,568

 
357,371

 
360,939

 
5,660

 
175,093

 
180,753

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivative instruments
$

 
21,513

 
21,513

 

 
70,890

 
70,890

Total liabilities
$

 
21,513

 
21,513

 

 
70,890

 
70,890



24



The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
25,287,320

 
24,701,112

 

 

 
25,287,320

Non-federally insured student loans receivable - held for sale
28,480

 
28,480

 

 

 
28,480

Cash and cash equivalents
51,391

 
51,391

 
51,391

 

 

Investments
232,663

 
232,663

 
3,568

 
229,095

 

Restricted cash
668,202

 
668,202

 
668,202

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
93,695

 
93,695

 
93,695

 

 

Restricted investments
6,724

 
6,724

 
6,724

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
303,350

 
303,350

 

 
303,350

 

Derivative instruments
128,276

 
128,276

 

 
128,276

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
24,376,185

 
24,858,455

 

 
24,376,185

 

Accrued interest payable
14,218

 
14,218

 

 
14,218

 

Due to customers
93,695

 
93,695

 
93,695

 

 

Derivative instruments
21,513

 
21,513

 

 
21,513

 

 
As of December 31, 2012
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
25,418,623

 
24,830,621

 

 

 
25,418,623

Cash and cash equivalents
66,031

 
66,031

 
66,031

 

 

Investments
83,312

 
83,312

 
5,660

 
77,652

 

Restricted cash
806,632

 
806,632

 
806,632

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
96,516

 
96,516

 
96,516

 

 

Restricted investments
8,830

 
8,830

 
8,830

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
307,518

 
307,518

 

 
307,518

 

Derivative instruments
97,441

 
97,441

 

 
97,441

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
24,486,008

 
25,098,835

 

 
24,486,008

 

Accrued interest payable
14,770

 
14,770

 

 
14,770

 

Due to customers
96,516

 
96,516

 
96,516

 

 

Derivative instruments
70,890

 
70,890

 

 
70,890

 

 
The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report.

12. Legal Proceedings

General

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, including the legal proceedings discussed below. These matters frequently involve claims by student loan borrowers disputing the manner in which their student loans have been serviced or the accuracy of reports to credit bureaus, claims by student loan borrowers or other consumers alleging that state or Federal consumer protection laws have been violated in the process of collecting loans or conducting other business activities, and disputes with other business entities. From time to time, lawsuits may be brought as, or subsequently amended to assert claims in the form of, putative class action cases.

In evaluating each of its legal proceedings, the Company considers many factors that involve significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the overall litigation process, including (i) the amount of damages and the nature of any other relief sought in the proceeding, if specified; (ii) whether the proceeding is at an early stage; (iii) the impact of discovery; (iv) whether novel or unsettled legal theories are at issue; (v) the outcome of pending motions or appeals; (vi) whether there are significant factual issues to be resolved; (vii) whether class action status is sought and the Company's views of the likelihood of a class being certified by the court and the ultimate size of the class; (viii) the jurisdiction in which the proceeding is pending; (ix) the Company's views of the

25



merits of the claims and of the strength of the Company's defenses; and (x) the progress of any negotiations with opposing parties. In assessing whether a legal proceeding may be material, the Company considers these and other quantitative and qualitative factors, including whether disclosure of the proceeding might be important to a reader of the Company's financial statements in light of all of the information about the Company that is available to the reader.

Actions Requesting Certifications of Classes

Proceedings or complaints that involve or ask for certifications of classes generally expand the scope of legal defense costs, as well as alleged potential claim amounts. The Company is currently subject to three legal proceedings in which the plaintiffs have made allegations that one or more putative classes should be certified by the applicable court. It is significant to note that no putative class has actually been certified in any of these proceedings, the Company's position is that class certification would be inappropriate in each such proceeding described below, and the Company intends to vigorously contest such certification. The Company has accrued an immaterial amount related to the legal proceedings described below. However, due to the relatively early stage of these matters and the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of its exposure to any reasonably possible losses or range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of the amount accrued, cannot currently be made.

Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC

On January 4, 2011, a complaint against Peterson's Nelnet, LLC (“Peterson's”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. ("Nelnet"), was filed in the U.S. federal District Court for the District of New Jersey (the “New Jersey District Court”). The complaint alleges that Peterson's sent six advertising faxes to the named plaintiff in 2008-2009 that were not the result of express invitation or permission granted by the plaintiff and did not include certain opt out language. The complaint also alleges that such faxes violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”), purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500 per violation, trebled for willful violations for each of the six faxes. The complaint further alleges that Peterson's had sent putative class members more than 10,000 faxes that violated the TCPA, amounting to more than $5 million in statutory penalty damages and more than $15 million if trebled for willful violations. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On September 13, 2013, the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification, and on October 7, 2013, Peterson's filed a motion to dismiss the named plaintiff's motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the New Jersey District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. Peterson's intends to continue to contest the suit vigorously.

Than Zaw v. Nelnet, Inc.

On January 18, 2013, a Third Amended Complaint was served on Nelnet in connection with a lawsuit by Than Zaw against Nelnet (erroneously referred to in the lawsuit as Nelnet Business Solutions, Inc.) in the Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County (the “California State Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on December 30, 2010, and alleges that Nelnet violated the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in its interactions with the plaintiff, a California resident. The plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint added additional allegations claiming that Nelnet violated Section 632 of the California Penal Code by allegedly recording one or more telephone calls to the plaintiff without the plaintiff's consent, and sought $5,000 in statutory damages per alleged violation. The Third Amended Complaint further alleged that Nelnet improperly recorded telephone calls to other California residents without such persons' consent, and sought to establish a class action with respect to the California Section 632 claim. As of the filing date of this report, the Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. On October 16, 2013, Nelnet and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Nelnet would, without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, settle all claims in the lawsuit, including potential class action claims, for payment of an immaterial amount. The settlement agreement in principle is subject to finalization and court approval.


26



Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al

On August 6, 2012, an Amended Complaint was served on Peterson's, CUnet, LLC (“CUnet”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, and on Nelnet (collectively, the "Defendants"), in connection with a lawsuit by Grant Keating in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (the “Ohio District Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on August 24, 2011, and alleges that the Defendants sent an advertising text message to the named plaintiff in June 2011 using an automatic telephone dialing system, and without the plaintiff's express consent. The complaint also alleges that this text message violated the TCPA, purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500, trebled for a willful violation. The complaint further alleges that the Defendants sent putative class members similar text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system, without such purported class members' consent. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On August 29, 2013, the Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, and the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. The Defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously in this lawsuit.

13. Subsequent Events

On October 31, 2013, the Company purchased GCO Education Loan Funding Trust-II, giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $1.6 billion of FFEL Program loans. The trust includes FFELP loans funded to term with notes payable that carry interest rates on a spread to LIBOR or are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" ("Auction Rate Securities"). The student loans and debt within the trust will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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 is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted.)

The following discussion and analysis provides information that the Company’s management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company's plans and expectations for future financial condition, results of operations, or economic performance, or that address management's plans and objectives for future operations, and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events. The words “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “will,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2012 Annual Report and elsewhere in this report, in particular such risks and uncertainties as:

student loan portfolio risks such as interest rate basis and repricing risk resulting from the fact that the interest rate characteristics of the student loan assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets, the risk of loss of floor income on certain student loans originated under the FFEL Program, risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, and risks from changes in levels of student loan prepayment or default rates;

financing and liquidity risks, including risks of changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization and other financing markets for student loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to purchase, refinance, or continue to hold student loans;


27



risks from changes in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs, such as the expected decline over time in FFELP loan interest income and fee-based revenues due to the discontinuation of new FFELP loan originations in 2010 and potential government initiatives to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program, risks related to the availability of government funds and actual extension of the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department for an additional five years, and the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under that contract, and the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP and Federal Direct Loan Program loans;

risks related to a breach of or failure in the Company's operational or information systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors;

uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; and
 
risks associated with litigation and uncertainties inherent in the estimates and assumptions about future events that management is required to make in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this document. Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

OVERVIEW

The Company is an education services company focused primarily on providing fee-based processing services and quality education-related products and services in four core areas: loan financing, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services. These products and services help students and families plan, prepare, and pay for their education and make the administrative and financial processes more efficient for schools and financial organizations. In addition, the Company earns net interest income on a portfolio of federally insured student loans.

A reconciliation of the Company's GAAP net income to net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, is provided below.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
62,830

 
36,828

 
232,152

 
121,363

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
6,175

 
16,259

 
(29,661
)
 
37,921

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
69,005

 
53,087

 
202,491

 
159,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
1.35

 
0.78

 
4.98

 
2.56

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
0.13

 
0.34

 
(0.63
)
 
0.80

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
1.48

 
1.12

 
4.35

 
3.36


(a)
The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its financial position and performance. "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments" include (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. The Company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to these financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the Company provides operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes.

The increase in earnings for the 2013 periods compared to the 2012 periods was due to an increase in net interest income earned from the Company's student loan portfolio and an increase in revenue and operating margin from the Company's fee-based operating segments.

The Company earns net interest income on its FFELP student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management ("AGM") operating segment. This segment is expected to generate a stable net interest margin and significant amounts of cash as the FFELP portfolio amortizes. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a $24.7 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over

28



the next approximately 20 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

In addition, the Company earns fee-based revenue through the following reportable operating segments:
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing ("LGS") - referred to as Nelnet Diversified Solutions ("NDS")
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce ("TPP&CC") - referred to as Nelnet Business Solutions ("NBS")
Enrollment Services - commonly called Nelnet Enrollment Solutions ("NES")

The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in millions).
(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue of $13.5 million and $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $42.4 million and $49.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b)
Total revenue includes "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "total other income" from the Company's segment statements of income, excluding the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, which was an expense of $12.7 million and $30.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and income of $35.7 million and an expense of $62.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax, which was an expense of $7.8 million and $19.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and income of $22.1 million and an expense of $38.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of September 30, 2013, the Company was servicing $135.0 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $92.5 billion of loans as of September 30, 2012.

Revenue increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 due to growth in servicing volume under the Company's contract with the Department and an increase in collection revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. These increases were partially offset by decreases in traditional FFELP and guaranty servicing revenue.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company was servicing $106.9 billion of loans for 5.1 million borrowers on behalf of the Department, compared with $63.6 billion of loans for 3.6 million borrowers as of September 30, 2012. Revenue from this contract increased to $26.0 million and $68.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, up from $19.1 million and $50.1 million for the same respective periods in 2012. The servicing contract

29



with the Department spans five years (through June 2014), with a five-year extension at the option of the Department. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.

Before tax operating margin increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The Company made investments and incurred certain costs in 2012 to improve performance metrics under the government servicing contract and to implement and comply with the Department's special direct consolidation loan initiative. In addition, intangible assets for this segment were fully amortized in 2012. Salaries and benefits and other expense increased in 2013 to support the increase in volume under the government servicing contract and due to an increase in costs related to getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customers, and new school customers.

Before tax operating margin increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase was the result of efficiencies gained in the operations of the business and a decrease in amortization expense related to intangible assets. These decreases in expenses in 2013 compared to 2012 were partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits due to adding personnel to support the increase in the number of tuition payment plans and campus commerce customers.

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

Enrollment Services

Revenue decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 due to a decrease in inquiry generation and management revenue as a result of the regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts. Additionally, clients are shifting marketing budgets to more efficient or lower cost channels, which has caused a reduction in volume.

The Company continues to focus on improving the profitability of this segment by reducing operating expenses in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue and gross margin.

Asset Generation and Management

The Company acquired $2.2 billion of FFELP student loans during the first nine months of 2013, including $1.1 billion purchased during the third quarter. The average loan portfolio balance for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $24.5 billion and $23.0 billion, respectively.

On October 31, 2013, the Company purchased a student loan securitization trust, giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $1.6 billion of FFELP student loans. The trust includes student loans funded to term with notes payable. The student loans and debt within the trust will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Core student loan spread increased to 1.57% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 1.44% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and increased to 1.53% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 1.43% for the same period in 2012. This increase was due to the improved corresponding relationship between the interest rate indices governing what the Company earns on its loans and what the Company pays to fund such loans.

Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company earned $37.8 million and $34.7 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of $7.2 million and $5.6 million of derivative settlements, respectively, used to hedge such loans), and $109.6 million and $109.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (net of $24.0 million and $12.2 million of derivative settlements, respectively).


30



Corporate Activities

Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, recognized investment advisory revenue of $2.4 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $11.5 million and $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts include performance fees earned from the sale of managed securities. As of September 30, 2013, WRCM was managing an investment portfolio of $942.8 million for third-party entities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and investments of $284.1 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company generated $202.6 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.10 billion as of September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2013, $75.0 million was outstanding on the Company's unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use. The unsecured line of credit has a maturity date of March 28, 2018.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased $84.7 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities for a gain totaling $10.9 million, including $15.4 million (face amount) for a gain of $2.1 million during the third quarter.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased 390,376 shares of Class A common stock for $13.0 million ($33.34 per share), including 111,220 shares for $4.0 million ($36.19 per share) during the third quarter. Included in the shares purchased during the third quarter were 107,614 shares remaining in the Company's 401(k) plan. Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2013, shares of the Company's Class A common stock are no longer an eligible investment alternative for the Company's matching contributions under the plan, and after this purchase, no shares of the Company's Class A common stock are held in the Company's 401(k) plan.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company paid cash dividends of $13.9 million, including $4.6 million ($0.10 per share) during the third quarter.

The Company intends to use its strong liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP student loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments in its core business areas of loan financing, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Analysis of the Company's operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 is summarized below.

The Company’s operating results are primarily driven by the performance of its existing portfolio and the revenues generated by its fee-based businesses and the costs to provide such services.  The performance of the Company’s portfolio is driven by net interest income (which includes financing costs) and losses related to credit quality of the assets, along with the cost to administer and service the assets and related debt.

The Company operates as four distinct operating segments as described previously. For a reconciliation of the segment operating results to the consolidated results of operations, see note 8 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report. Since the Company monitors and assesses its operations and results based on these segments, the discussion following the consolidated results of operations is presented on a segment basis.

31




 
Three months
 
Nine months
 
 
 
ended September 30,
 
ended September 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
Additional information
Loan interest
$
158,675

 
150,528

 
472,277

 
454,574

 
Increase is due to an increase in the average student loan balance, gross fixed rate floor income, and student loan discount accretion (net), partially offset by a slight decrease in gross variable student loan yield.
Investment interest
1,562

 
1,140

 
4,662

 
3,290

 
Includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and investments and funds in asset-backed securitizations. Average investment balances increased year over year.
Total interest income
160,237

 
151,668

 
476,939

 
457,864

 
 
Interest expense
55,315

 
66,402

 
171,800

 
203,175

 
Decrease is due to a decrease in student loan cost of funds, partially offset by an increase in average debt balance.
Net interest income
104,922

 
85,266

 
305,139

 
254,689

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Less provision for loan losses
5,000

 
5,000

 
15,000

 
18,000

 
Represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio of student loans.
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
99,922

 
80,266

 
290,139

 
236,689

 
 
Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
LGS revenue
64,582

 
53,285

 
180,261

 
155,164

 
See LGS operating segment - results of operations.
TPP&CC revenue
19,927

 
17,928

 
61,694

 
56,675

 
See TPP&CC operating segment - results of operations.
NES revenue
22,563

 
30,661

 
76,343

 
92,035

 
See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Other income
8,613

 
12,699

 
30,317

 
32,453

 
See table below for the components of "other income."
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
2,138

 
195

 
10,900

 
1,130

 
Gain is primarily from the repurchase of the Company's own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative settlements, net
(6,688
)
 
(5,051
)
 
(23,229
)
 
(6,910
)
 
The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income. See table below for additional analysis.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
(9,960
)
 
(26,224
)
 
47,841

 
(61,163
)
 
Includes (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars.
Total other income
101,175

 
83,493

 
384,127

 
269,384

 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Salaries and benefits
48,712

 
46,395

 
144,049

 
144,193

 
Increases due to additional personnel to support increased servicing volume and TPP&CC revenue were partially offset by expense reductions at NES.
Cost to provide enrollment services
14,668

 
20,151

 
51,097

 
62,203

 
See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Depreciation and amortization
4,340

 
8,402

 
13,037

 
24,764

 
Decrease is due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in 2012.
Other
39,887

 
29,989

 
109,193

 
93,160

 
Increase is due to an increase in (i) third party loan servicing fees incurred by AGM as volume at third parties has grown with recent loan purchases, (ii) costs incurred by LGS to support increased servicing volume; and (iii) collection costs incurred by LGS related to getting defaulted FFELP loans current on behalf of guaranty agencies.
Total operating expenses
107,607

 
104,937

 
317,376

 
324,320

 
 
Income before income taxes
93,490

 
58,822

 
356,890

 
181,753

 
 
Income tax expense
30,444

 
21,870

 
123,637

 
59,978

 
Effective tax rate: Q3 2013 - 32.6%; Q3 2012 - 37.2%; YTD 2013 34.8%; YTD 2012 - 33.0%. During the third quarter of 2013, income tax expense was reduced by $4.1 million due to the resolution of certain tax positions. During the second quarter of 2012, state income tax laws were enacted that reduced the Company's income tax expense during the second quarter by $4.6 million.
Net income
63,046

 
36,952

 
233,253

 
121,775

 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
216

 
124

 
1,101

 
412

 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
62,830

 
36,828

 
232,152

 
121,363

 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
62,830

 
36,828

 
232,152

 
121,363

 
The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results. The Company believes the point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivatives and Euro-denominated bonds that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. These items are excluded here for comparability purposes.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
9,960

 
26,224

 
(47,841
)
 
61,163

 
Tax effect
(3,785
)
 
(9,965
)

18,180


(23,242
)
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
69,005

 
53,087

 
202,491

 
159,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

32




The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
Additional information
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
59,100

 
47,543

 
172,797

 
142,484

 
Represents the yield the Company receives on its student loan portfolio less the cost of funding these loans. Variable student loan spread is also impacted by the amortization/accretion of loan premiums and discounts, the 1.05% per year consolidation loan rebate fee paid to the Department, and yield adjustments from borrower benefit programs. See AGM operating segment - results of operations.
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
37,810

 
34,736

 
109,582

 
109,812

 
The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rates, generating fixed rate floor income. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk" for additional information.
Investment interest
1,562

 
1,140

 
4,662

 
3,290

 
 
Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(256
)
 
(732
)
 
(1,413
)
 
(1,480
)
 
 
Corporate debt interest expense
18

 
(2,472
)
 
(3,718
)
 
(6,327
)
 
Includes interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities and unsecured and secured lines of credit. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company reversed $1.3 million of interest expense related to the resolution of certain tax positions.
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
98,234

 
80,215

 
281,910

 
247,779

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the components of "other income."
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Borrower late fee income
$
2,927

 
3,586

 
9,665

 
10,665

Investment advisory fees
2,352

 
2,639

 
11,516

 
8,793

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net
1,096

 
3,993

 
2,002

 
5,830

Other
2,238

 
2,481

 
7,134

 
7,165

Other income
$
8,613

 
12,699

 
30,317

 
32,453



33



STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)
Company owned
 
$23,139
 
$23,727
 
$22,650
 
$22,277
 
$21,926
 
$21,504
 
$21,237
 
$20,820
 
$20,629
 
$20,715
% of total
 
61.6%
 
38.6%
 
29.8%
 
27.1%
 
25.6%
 
23.2%
 
21.8%
 
18.5%
 
17.7%
 
15.3%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
441,913

 
2,804,502

 
3,036,534

 
3,096,026

 
3,137,583

 
3,588,412

 
3,892,929

 
4,261,637

 
4,396,341

 
5,145,901

FFELP servicing:
 
2,311,558

 
1,912,748

 
1,799,484

 
1,779,245

 
1,724,087

 
1,659,020

 
1,626,146

 
1,586,312

 
1,529,203

 
1,507,452

Private servicing:
 
152,200

 
155,947

 
164,554

 
163,135

 
161,763

 
175,070

 
173,948

 
170,224

 
173,588

 
178,935

Total:
 
2,905,671
 
4,873,197

 
5,000,572

 
5,038,406

 
5,023,433

 
5,422,502

 
5,693,023

 
6,018,173

 
6,099,132

 
6,832,288

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers:
 
684,996

 
545,456

 
9,566,296

 
8,645,463

 
7,909,300

 
7,505,693

 
6,912,204

 
5,001,695

 
3,218,896

 
1,986,866


In June 2009, the Company was one of four private sector companies awarded a student loan servicing contract by the Department. The Department ranks the performance of its servicers quarterly based on five performance metrics to determine the loan servicing volume allocation each servicer will receive in the following contract year. Based on these performance metrics, the Company achieved the first place ranking for the 2013-2014 contract year; as a result, the Company is being allocated 30 percent of new loan volume originated by the Department during the fifth year of the servicing contract. The Department has projected that it will originate new loans for approximately 3.1 million borrowers in total during the fifth year of this contract. The contract expires in June 2014, with a five-year extension at the option of the Department. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.


34



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Additional information
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Net interest income
$
10

 
12

 
29

 
44

 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,582

 
53,285

 
180,261

 
155,164

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Intersegment servicing revenue
13,519

 
15,855

 
42,375

 
49,210

 
Represents revenue earned by the LGS operating segment as a result of servicing loans for the AGM operating segment.
Total other income
78,101

 
69,140

 
222,636

 
204,374

 

Salaries and benefits
29,719

 
27,716

 
86,254

 
85,663

 
Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in volume under the government servicing contract.
Depreciation and amortization
2,677

 
4,691

 
8,197

 
13,629

 
Intangible assets were fully amortized during 2012. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively.
Other expenses
19,752

 
16,775

 
56,173

 
52,980

 
Increase due to additional servicing volume and collection costs incurred related to getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies.
Intersegment expenses, net
1,457

 
1,262

 
3,243

 
3,832

 

Total operating expenses
53,605

 
50,444

 
153,867

 
156,104

 

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
24,506

 
18,708

 
68,798

 
48,314

 

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,822
)
 
(1,337
)
 
(4,332
)
 
(4,115
)
 

Income before income taxes
22,684

 
17,371

 
64,466

 
44,199

 

Income tax expense
(8,620
)
 
(6,601
)
 
(24,498
)
 
(16,796
)
 

Net income
$
14,064

 
10,770

 
39,968

 
27,403

 

Before tax operating margin
29.0
%
 
25.1
%
 
29.0
%
 
21.6
%
 
 

The following table summarizes the components of "Loan and guaranty servicing revenue."
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Additional information
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
FFELP servicing
$
4,688

 
5,848

 
16,210

 
18,442

 
Decrease will continue as third-party customers' FFELP portfolios run off.
Private servicing
2,410

 
2,305

 
7,067

 
6,846

 
 
Government servicing
25,963

 
19,140

 
68,425

 
50,063

 
Increase due to an increase in the number of borrowers serviced under the government servicing contract.
FFELP guaranty collection
18,639

 
14,032

 
54,299

 
43,594

 
The Company earns revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. This revenue has increased based on an increase in defaulted loan volume. However, over time, this FFELP-related revenue source will decrease as FFELP portfolios continue to run off.
FFELP guaranty servicing
3,027

 
3,216

 
9,220

 
10,212

 
Decrease will continue as FFELP portfolios run off and guaranty volume decreases.
Software services
9,389

 
8,515

 
23,861

 
25,108

 

A contract with a significant remote hosted customer expires in December 2013. The number of remote hosted borrowers and related revenue decreased from this customer in 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 as this customer's loan volume is transferred to other servicers. The Company is receiving a portion of these transfers, which has increased the number of full-service borrowers under the Department's servicing contract. Revenue earned from this customer for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $6.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively. Excluding revenue from this customer, software services revenue increased due to an increase in the number of borrowers from other remote hosted customers.
 Other
466

 
229

 
1,179

 
899

 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
$
64,582

 
53,285

 
180,261

 
155,164

 
 



35



TUITION PAYMENT PROCESSING AND CAMPUS COMMERCE OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This segment of the Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations which correspond, or are related to, the traditional school year. Tuition management revenue is recognized over the course of the academic term, but the peak operational activities take place in summer and early fall. Higher amounts of revenue are typically recognized during the first quarter due to fees related to financial aid applications.  The Company’s operating expenses do not follow the seasonality of the revenues. This is primarily due to generally fixed year-round personnel costs and seasonal marketing costs. Based on the timing of revenue recognition and when expenses are incurred, revenue and pre-tax operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Additional information
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Net interest income
$

 
3

 

 
8

 
 
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
19,927

 
17,928

 
61,694

 
56,675

 
Increase due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customers, and new school customers.
Salaries and benefits
9,229

 
8,578

 
28,015

 
25,771

 
Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in payment plans and customers.
Depreciation and amortization
1,117

 
1,703

 
3,387

 
5,174

 
Certain intangible assets were fully amortized at the end of 2012. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.8 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $2.5 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Other expenses
1,908

 
2,285

 
6,387

 
7,557

 
Implementation of electronic communications and processes has resulted in reductions in paper forms and freight which have decreased expenses.
Intersegment expenses, net
1,431

 
1,379

 
4,350

 
4,042

 
 
Total operating expenses
13,685

 
13,945

 
42,139

 
42,544

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
6,242

 
3,986

 
19,555

 
14,139

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(607
)
 
(446
)
 
(1,443
)
 
(1,372
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
5,635

 
3,540

 
18,112

 
12,767

 
 
Income tax expense
(2,141
)
 
(1,345
)
 
(6,882
)
 
(4,851
)
 
 
Net income
$
3,494

 
2,195

 
11,230

 
7,916

 
 
Before tax operating margin
28.2
%
 
19.7
%
 
29.4
%
 
22.5
%
 
 


36



ENROLLMENT SERVICES OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Additional information
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Enrollment services revenue
$
22,563

 
30,661

 
76,343

 
92,035

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Salaries and benefits
4,491

 
5,147

 
15,067

 
17,587

 
Decrease due to cost saving measures initiated by the Company in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue.
Cost to provide enrollment services
14,668

 
20,151

 
51,097

 
62,203

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Depreciation and amortization
57

 
1,633

 
179

 
4,867

 
Intangible assets were fully amortized in 2012. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
Other expenses
1,556

 
1,782

 
4,450

 
5,483

 
Decrease is due to cost saving measures initiated by the Company in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue.
Intersegment expenses, net
1,139

 
1,000

 
3,418

 
2,824

 
 
Total operating expenses
21,911

 
29,713

 
74,211

 
92,964

 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
652

 
948

 
2,132

 
(929
)
 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(607
)
 
(446
)
 
(1,443
)
 
(1,372
)
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
45

 
502

 
689

 
(2,301
)
 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
(17
)
 
(191
)
 
(261
)
 
874

 
 
Net income (loss)
$
28

 
311

 
428

 
(1,427
)
 
 
Before tax operating margin
0.2
%
 
1.6
%
 
0.9
%
 
(2.5
)%
 
 
 
The following tables summarize the components of "Enrollment services revenue" and "Cost to provide enrollment services."
 
Three months ended September 30, 2013
 
Inquiry generation (a)
 
Inquiry management (agency) (a)
 
Inquiry management (software)
 
Digital marketing
 
Content solutions (b)
 
Total
Enrollment services revenue
$
3,186

 
13,386

 
988

 
1,016

 
3,987

 
22,563

Cost to provide enrollment services
2,183

 
11,750

 

 
53

 
682

 
14,668

Gross profit
$
1,003

 
1,636

 
988

 
963

 
3,305

 
7,895

Gross profit %
31.5%
 
12.2%
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2012
Enrollment services revenue
$
4,479

 
18,595

 
1,116

 
1,177

 
5,294

 
30,661

Cost to provide enrollment services
2,692

 
16,646

 

 
57

 
756

 
20,151

Gross profit
$
1,787

 
1,949

 
1,116

 
1,120

 
4,538

 
10,510

Gross profit %
39.9%
 
10.5%
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Enrollment services revenue
$
11,492

 
46,953

 
2,997

 
3,014

 
11,887

 
76,343

Cost to provide enrollment services
7,412

 
41,602

 

 
170

 
1,913

 
51,097

Gross profit
$
4,080

 
5,351

 
2,997

 
2,844

 
9,974

 
25,246

Gross profit %
35.5%
 
11.4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Enrollment services revenue
$
13,880

 
57,668

 
3,233

 
3,424

 
13,830

 
92,035

Cost to provide enrollment services
8,252

 
51,753

 

 
140

 
2,058

 
62,203

Gross profit
$
5,628

 
5,915

 
3,233

 
3,284

 
11,772

 
29,832

Gross profit %
40.5%
 
10.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
Inquiry generation revenue decreased $1.3 million (28.9%) and $2.4 million (17.2%) and inquiry management (agency) revenue decreased $5.2 million (28.0%) and $10.7 million (18.6%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012. Revenues from these services have been affected by the ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts. Additionally, clients are shifting marketing budgets to more efficient or lower cost channels, which has caused a reduction in volume. The decrease in inquiry generation gross profit margin is due to increased costs for higher quality sources and a shift in revenue from higher profit margin clients to clients with lower profit margins.

(b)
Content solutions revenue decreased $1.3 million (24.7%) and $1.9 million (14.0%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012 due to the divesture of the Company's list marketing business during 2013.


37



ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Portfolio

For a summary of the Company’s student loan portfolio as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.
 
Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Beginning balance
$
24,718,368

 
23,582,595

 
24,995,880

 
24,359,625

Loan acquisitions
1,053,972

 
152,016

 
2,200,756

 
898,606

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
(750,422
)
 
(466,355
)
 
(1,896,771
)
 
(1,345,883
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(134,578
)
 
(590,148
)
 
(400,874
)
 
(1,172,316
)
Loans sold

 
(33,228
)
 
(11,651
)
 
(95,152
)
Ending balance
$
24,887,340

 
22,644,880

 
24,887,340

 
22,644,880


On October 31, 2013, the Company purchased a student loan securitization trust, giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $1.6 billion of FFELP student loans. The trust includes student loans funded to term with notes payable. The student loans and debt within the trust will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses, Loan Repurchase Obligations, and Loan Delinquencies

The Company maintains an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans, which results in periodic expense provisions for loan losses. In addition, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase certain non-federally insured loans subject to participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent, and the Company has also retained credit risk related to certain non-federally insured loans sold and will pay cash to purchase back any of these loans which become 60 days delinquent. Further, delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  

For a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses and accrual related to the Company's loan repurchase obligations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and a summary of the Company's student loan delinquency amounts as of September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.


38



Student Loan Spread Analysis

The following table analyzes the student loan spread on the Company’s portfolio of student loans, which represents the spread between the yield earned on student loan assets and the costs of the liabilities and derivative instruments used to fund the assets.
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2013
 
June 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.58
 %
 
2.58
 %
 
2.65
 %
 
2.57
 %
 
2.63
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.76
)
 
(0.77
)
 
(0.75
)
 
(0.77
)
 
(0.75
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
0.02

 
0.03

 

 
0.03

 
(0.01
)
Variable student loan yield, net
1.84

 
1.84

 
1.90

 
1.83

 
1.87

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(0.89
)
 
(0.91
)
 
(1.08
)
 
(0.90
)
 
(1.10
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.02

 
0.01

 
0.04

Variable student loan spread
0.96

 
0.94

 
0.84

 
0.94

 
0.81

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.61

 
0.58

 
0.60

 
0.59

 
0.62

Core student loan spread
1.57
 %

1.52
 %

1.44
 %
 
1.53
 %
 
1.43
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
24,491,516

 
24,798,537

 
23,028,904

 
24,690,493

 
23,670,300

Average balance of debt outstanding
24,470,096

 
24,832,555

 
23,467,899

 
24,707,389

 
23,883,140




A trend analysis of the Company's core and variable student loan spreads is summarized below.

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


39



Variable student loan spread increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 as a result of the tightening of the Asset/Liability Base Rate Spread as reflected in the previous table.

The primary difference between variable student loan spread and core student loan spread is fixed rate floor income.  A summary of fixed rate floor income and its contribution to core student loan spread follows:
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30,
2013
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,988

 
44,590

 
40,331

 
133,599

 
122,049

Derivative settlements (a)
(7,178
)
 
(8,534
)
 
(5,595
)
 
(24,017
)
 
(12,237
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
37,810

 
36,056

 
34,736

 
109,582

 
109,812

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.61
%
 
0.58
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.59
%
 
0.62
%
 
(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2013 and 2012 are due to historically low interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.  See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” which provides additional detail on the Company’s portfolio earning fixed rate floor income and the derivatives used by the Company to hedge these loans.


40



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Additional information
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
$
97,693

 
80,832

 
287,120

 
237,738

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Other income
3,981

 
5,834

 
11,207

 
14,415

 
The primary component of other income is borrower late fees, which have decreased slightly year over year. Net realized and unrealized gains from investments have also decreased in 2013 compared to 2012.
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
2,138

 
195

 
10,900

 
1,130

 
Gain is primarily from the Company repurchasing its own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
(12,660
)
 
(30,694
)
 
35,711

 
(62,351
)
 
 
Derivative settlements, net
(6,432
)
 
(4,319
)
 
(21,816
)
 
(5,431
)
 
The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income as reflected in the table below.
Total other income
(12,973
)
 
(28,984
)
 
36,002

 
(52,237
)
 
 
Salaries and benefits
555

 
462

 
1,709

 
1,723

 
 
Other expenses
7,939

 
3,451

 
23,375

 
10,203

 
Increase due to higher third party servicing fees related to a significant amount of recent loan purchases being serviced at third parties.
Intersegment expenses, net
13,705

 
16,064

 
42,955

 
49,842

 
Amount includes fees paid to the LGS operating segment for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio.  Such amounts have decreased as the AGM portfolio serviced by LGS has run off.
Total operating expenses
22,199

 
19,977

 
68,039

 
61,768

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
62,521

 
31,871

 
255,083

 
123,733

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(1,302
)
 
(909
)
 
(3,095
)
 
(3,701
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
61,219

 
30,962

 
251,988

 
120,032

 
 
Income tax expense
(23,263
)
 
(11,765
)
 
(95,755
)
 
(45,610
)
 
 
Net income
$
37,956

 
19,197

 
156,233

 
74,422

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
37,956

 
19,197

 
156,233

 
74,422

 
The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results. The Company believes the point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivatives and Euro-denominated bonds that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. These items are excluded here for comparability purposes.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
12,660

 
30,694

 
(35,711
)
 
62,351

 
Tax effect
(4,811
)
 
(11,664
)
 
13,570

 
(23,693
)
 
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
45,805

 
38,227

 
134,092

 
113,080

 



41



The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Additional information
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Variable interest income, net of settlements on derivatives
$
159,917

 
154,821

 
477,391

 
473,905

 
Increase due to an increase in the average student loan portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in the yield earned on student loans, net of settlements on derivatives.
Consolidation rebate fees
(46,886
)
 
(43,348
)
 
(141,423
)
 
(132,827
)
 
Increase due to an increase in the average consolidation loan balance.
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
1,402

 
(6,292
)
 
4,910

 
(21,181
)
 
Increase due to the Company's ongoing purchases of loans at a net discount, including $3.0 billion of loans purchased during the fourth quarter of 2012.
Interest on bonds and notes payable
(55,333
)
 
(57,638
)
 
(168,081
)
 
(177,413
)
 
Decrease due to a decrease in the Company’s cost of funds, partially offset by an increase in average debt outstanding.
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
59,100

 
47,543

 
172,797

 
142,484

 
 
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
37,810

 
34,736

 
109,582

 
109,812

 
The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned are due to historically low interest rates.
Investment interest
118

 
133

 
345

 
838

 
 
Intercompany interest
(767
)
 
(899
)
 
(2,420
)
 
(2,827
)
 
 
Provision for loan losses - federally insured
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
 
(16,000
)
 
(18,000
)
 
 
Provision for loan losses - nonfederally insured

 

 
1,000

 

 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
91,261

 
76,513

 
265,304

 
232,307

 
 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s fee generating businesses are non-capital intensive and all produce positive operating cash flows. As such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to the fee-based segments and any liquidity or capital needs are satisfied using cash flow from operations. Therefore, the Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion is concentrated on the Company’s liquidity and capital needs to meet existing debt obligations in the Asset Generation and Management operating segment.

Sources of Liquidity Currently Available

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and investments of $284.1 million. In addition, the Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $202.6 million.

On March 28, 2013, the Company amended its unsecured line of credit to increase the line of credit to $275.0 million and extend the maturity date from February 17, 2016 to March 28, 2018. As of September 30, 2013, $75.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use.

As part of the Company’s asset-backed securitizations, the Company has purchased certain of the Class B subordinated note tranches. In addition, the Company has repurchased certain of its own asset-backed securities (bonds and notes payable) in the secondary market.  For accounting purposes, these notes are effectively retired and are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  However, these securities are legally outstanding at the trust level and the Company could sell these notes to third parties or redeem the notes at par as cash is generated by the trust estate.  Upon a sale of these notes to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale. As of September 30, 2013, the Company holds $216.4 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed securities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.


42



The Company intends to use its strong liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP student loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments, including continued investments in its core business areas of asset management and finance, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions.

Cash Flows

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company generated $202.6 million from operating activities, compared to $260.6 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities reflects the higher level of net income in 2013, which was more than offset by the impacts of changes in non-cash fair value adjustments for derivative and foreign currency transactions, together with an increase in operating outflows for the purchase of loans held for sale in 2013 and an increase in income tax payments.

The primary items included in the statement of cash flows for investing activities are the purchase and repayment of student loans. The primary items included in financing activities are the proceeds from the issuance of and payments on bonds and notes payable used to fund student loans. Cash provided by investing activities and cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $93.9 million and $311.2 million, respectively, and $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Investing and financing activities are further addressed in the discussion that follows.

Liquidity Needs and Sources of Liquidity Available to Satisfy Debt Obligations Secured by Student Loan Assets and Related Collateral

The following table shows the Company's debt obligations outstanding that are secured by student loan assets and related collateral.
 
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
Carrying
amount
 
Final maturity
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations
$
23,523,022

 
11/25/15 - 8/26/52
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,277,650

 
1/17/16 - 6/12/16
Other borrowings
61,828

 
11/14/13 - 11/11/15
 
$
24,862,500

 
 

Bonds and Notes Issued in Asset-backed Securitizations

The majority of the Company’s portfolio of student loans is funded in asset-backed securitizations that are structured to substantially match the maturity of the funded assets, thereby minimizing liquidity risk. In addition, due to (i) the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, and (ii) the servicing and administration fees the Company earns from these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

As of September 30, 2013, based on cash flow models developed to reflect management’s current estimate of, among other factors, prepayments, defaults, deferment, forbearance, and interest rates, the Company currently expects future undiscounted cash flows from its portfolio to be approximately $2.10 billion as detailed below.  The $2.10 billion includes approximately $495.2 million (as of September 30, 2013) of overcollateralization included in the asset-backed securitizations.  These excess net asset positions are reflected variously in the following balances in the consolidated balance sheet:  "student loans receivable," "restricted cash and investments," and "accrued interest receivable."

The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of September 30, 2013.  As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $23.5 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 94.7 percent of its total FFELP student loan portfolio. The forecasted cash flow does not include cash flows that the Company expects to receive related to loans currently funded in its warehouse facilities or loans acquired subsequent to September 30, 2013.


43



FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast
$2.10 billion
(dollars in millions)
The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast.  These assumptions are further discussed below.

Prepayments:  The primary variable in establishing a life of loan estimate is the level and timing of prepayments. Prepayment rates equal the amount of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance, net of scheduled principal payments.  A number of factors can affect estimated prepayment rates, including the level of consolidation activity and default rates.  Should any of these factors change, management may revise its assumptions, which in turn would impact the projected future cash flow. The Company’s cash flow forecast above assumes prepayment rates that are generally consistent with those utilized in the Company’s recent asset-backed securitization transactions. If management used a prepayment rate assumption two times greater than what was used to forecast the cash flow, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $210 million to $270 million.

Interest rates:  The Company funds the majority of its student loans with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  Meanwhile, the interest earned on the Company’s student loan assets is indexed primarily to a one-month LIBOR rate.  The different interest rate characteristics of the Company’s loan assets and liabilities funding these assets result in basis risk.  The Company’s cash flow forecast assumes three-month LIBOR will exceed one-month LIBOR by 12 basis points for the life of the portfolio, which approximates the historical relationship between these indices.  If the forecast is computed assuming a spread of 24 basis points between three-month and one-month LIBOR for the life of the portfolio, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $110 million to $150 million.

The Company uses the current forward interest rate yield curve to forecast cash flows.  A change in the forward interest rate curve would impact the future cash flows generated from the portfolio.  An increase in future interest rates will reduce the amount of fixed rate floor income the Company is currently receiving.  The Company attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in short-term rates by hedging interest rate risks. As of September 30, 2013, the net fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives used to hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income was a net liability of $12.2 million. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk."


44



FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had four FFELP warehouse facilities with an aggregate maximum financing amount available of $2.3 billion, of which $1.3 billion was outstanding and $1.0 billion was available for additional funding. On October 1, 2013, the Company terminated its NHELP-I warehouse facility. As a result, the Company's aggregate maximum financing amount was reduced to $1.8 billion. There were no amounts outstanding on the NHELP-I warehouse facility as of September 30, 2013, and all loans previously financed in this facility were financed in other warehouse facilities during the third quarter of 2013. Of the remaining facilities, one facility provides for formula-based advance rates, depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of the principal and interest of loans financed. The advance rate for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The other two FFELP warehouse facilities have static advance rates that require initial equity for loan funding, but do not require increased equity based on market movements. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $82.4 million advanced as equity support on its FFELP warehouse facilities. For further discussion of the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities outstanding at September 30, 2013, see note 3 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Upon termination or expiration of the warehouse facilities, the Company would expect to access the securitization market, obtain replacement warehouse facilities, use operating cash, consider the sale of assets, or transfer collateral to satisfy any remaining obligations.

Other Uses of Liquidity

Effective July 1, 2010, no new loan originations can be made under the FFEL Program and all new federal loan originations must be made through the Federal Direct Loan Program.  As a result, the Company no longer originates new FFELP loans, but continues to acquire FFELP loan portfolios from third parties and believes additional loan purchase opportunities exist.

The Company plans to fund future FFELP student loan acquisitions using current cash and investments; using its Union Bank participation agreement (as described below); using its FFELP warehouse facilities (as described above); and continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market.

Union Bank Participation Agreement

The Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans. As of September 30, 2013, $441.5 million of loans were subject to outstanding participation interests held by Union Bank, as trustee, under this agreement. The agreement automatically renews annually and is terminable by either party upon five business days notice. This agreement provides beneficiaries of Union Bank’s grantor trusts with access to investments in interests in student loans, while providing liquidity to the Company.  The Company can participate loans to Union Bank to the extent of availability under the grantor trusts, up to $750 million or an amount in excess of $750 million if mutually agreed to by both parties.  Loans participated under this agreement have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales.  Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Asset-backed Securitization Transactions

During the first nine months of 2013, the Company completed five asset-backed securitizations totaling $3.2 billion. Depending on market conditions, the Company anticipates continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market.  Asset-backed securitization transactions would be used to refinance student loans included in the FFELP warehouse facilities and/or existing asset-backed securitizations.  


45



Liquidity Impact Related to Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage interest rate sensitivity. By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to market risk which could impact its liquidity. Based on the derivative portfolio outstanding as of September 30, 2013, the Company does not currently anticipate any movement in interest rates having a material impact on its capital or liquidity profile, nor does the Company expect that any movement in interest rates would have a material impact on its ability to meet potential collateral deposits with its counterparties. However, if interest rates move materially and negatively impact the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio or if the Company enters into additional derivatives for which the fair value becomes negative, the Company could be required to deposit additional collateral with its derivative instrument counterparties. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company's liquidity and capital resources. As of September 30, 2013, the fair value of the Company's derivatives which had a negative fair value (a liability in the Company's balance sheet), was $21.5 million, and the Company had $4.0 million posted as collateral to derivative counterparties.

Other Debt Facilities

As previously discussed, the Company has a $275.0 million unsecured line of credit with a maturity date of March 28, 2018. As of September 30, 2013, $75.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use.

The Company has issued Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities ("Hybrid Securities") that have a final maturity of September 15, 2061. The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. As of September 30, 2013, $99.2 million of Hybrid Securities were outstanding.

Debt Repurchases

Due to the Company's positive liquidity position and opportunities in the capital markets, the Company has repurchased its own debt over the last several years, and may continue to do so in the future. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized a gain of $2.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, from the repurchase of $15.4 million (face amount) and $84.7 million (face amount), respectively, of its own asset-backed debt securities.

Stock Repurchases

The Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2015. Shares may be repurchased from time to time depending on various factors, including share price and other potential uses of liquidity.

For the three month period ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased 111,220 shares for $4.0 million (at an average price of $36.19 per share). Included in the shares repurchased in the third quarter 2013 were 107,614 shares that had been issued to the Company’s 401(k) plan and allocated to employee participant accounts pursuant to the plan’s provisions for Company matching contributions in shares of Company stock. Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2013, shares of the Company's Class A common stock are no longer an eligible investment alternative for the Company's matching contributions under the plan, and after this purchase, no shares of the Company's Class A common stock are held in the Company's 401(k) plan. Certain other share repurchases during the quarter were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of September 30, 2013, 3,875,367 shares remain authorized for purchase under the Company's repurchase program.

Dividends

On September 13, 2013, the Company paid a third quarter 2013 cash dividend on the Company's Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter cash dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. The fourth quarter cash dividend will be paid on December 16, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2013.

The Company currently plans to continue making regular quarterly dividend payments, subject to future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors.  In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to the terms of the Company’s outstanding Hybrid Securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.

46




RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2013, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which requires new asset and liability offsetting disclosures for derivatives, repurchase agreements, and security lending transactions to the extent that they are: (1) offset in the financial statements; or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.  The Company does not have any repurchase agreements subject to ASU No. 2013-1 and does not participate in security lending transactions. The Company records the fair value of its derivatives gross in its consolidated balance sheets; however, certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The new asset and liability offsetting disclosures required by this ASU are included in note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

In February 2013, the FASB amended the Accounting Standards Codification related to comprehensive income.  This amendment requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications (by component) out of accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition, this amendment requires companies to present the related line item effect of significant reclassifications on the statement where income is presented.  The Company adopted the provisions of this amendment during the first quarter 2013, which affects only the display of information and does not change existing recognition and measurement requirements in the consolidated financial statements.  The information required by this amendment is included in note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report. 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
(All dollars are in thousands, except share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s primary market risk exposure arises from fluctuations in its borrowing and lending rates, the spread between which could impact the Company due to shifts in market interest rates.

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan assets and debt instruments by interest rate characteristics:
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of December 31, 2012
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
Fixed-rate loan assets
$
11,154,855

 
44.9
%
 
$
11,271,233

 
45.1
%
Variable-rate loan assets
13,704,005

 
55.1

 
13,724,647

 
54.9

Total
$
24,858,860

 
100.0
%
 
$
24,995,880

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt instruments
$

 
%
 
$

 
%
Variable-rate debt instruments
25,036,732

 
100.0

 
25,270,865

 
100.0

Total
$
25,036,732

 
100.0
%
 
$
25,270,865

 
100.0
%

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the SAP formula set by the Department. The SAP rate is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that depends on loan type, origination date, and repayment status. The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with variable rate debt. In low and/or certain declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, these student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to reflect the low and/or declining interest rates. In these interest rate environments, the Company may earn additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.

Depending on the type of loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to an annual 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, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income, and for those loans where the borrower rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn floor income to the next reset date, which the Company refers to as variable rate floor income. All FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006 effectively earn at the SAP rate, since lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income for those loans to the Department.


47



No variable-rate floor income was earned by the Company during 2012 and 2013. A summary of fixed rate floor income earned by the Company follows.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,988

 
40,331

 
133,599

 
122,049

Derivative settlements (a)
(7,178
)
 
(5,595
)
 
(24,017
)
 
(12,237
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
37,810

 
34,736

 
109,582

 
109,812


(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2013 and 2012 are due to historically low interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.

Absent the use of derivative instruments, a rise in interest rates may reduce the amount of floor income received and this may have an impact on earnings due to interest margin compression caused by increasing financing costs, until such time as the federally insured loans earn interest at a variable rate in accordance with their SAP formulas. In higher interest rate environments, where the interest rate rises above the borrower rate and fixed rate loans effectively become variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

The following graph depicts fixed rate floor income for a borrower with a fixed rate of 6.75% and a SAP rate of 2.64%:



48



The following table shows the Company’s student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of September 30, 2013:
 
 
Borrower/
 
Estimated
 
 
Fixed
 
lender
 
variable
 
 
interest
 
weighted
 
conversion
 
Loan
rate range
 
average yield
 
rate (a)
 
balance
< 3.0%
 
2.87
%
 
0.23
%
 
$
1,772,119

3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.20
%
 
0.56
%
 
2,135,186

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65
%
 
1.01
%
 
1,944,371

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20
%
 
1.56
%
 
1,464,833

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72
%
 
2.08
%
 
842,142

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.24
%
 
2.60
%
 
570,042

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67
%
 
3.03
%
 
346,790

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.18
%
 
3.54
%
 
401,362

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70
%
 
4.06
%
 
365,898

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.16
%
 
4.52
%
 
150,648

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71
%
 
5.07
%
 
256,097

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.17
%
 
5.53
%
 
603,732

> 9.0%
 
9.04
%
 
6.40
%
 
301,635

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
11,154,855

 
(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of September 30, 2013, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.82% and the short-term interest rate was 19 basis points.

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of September 30, 2013 used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
2014
 
$
1,750,000

 
0.71
%
2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
 
$
4,850,000

 
0.81
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
The Company is also exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk because the interest rate characteristics of the Company’s assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets. The following table presents the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding for those assets arranged by underlying indices as of September 30, 2013:
Index
 
Frequency of variable resets
 
Assets
 
Debt outstanding that funded student loan assets
1 month LIBOR (a)
 
Daily
 
$
23,746,273

 

3 month Treasury bill
 
Daily
 
1,046,304

 

3 month LIBOR (a) (b)
 
Quarterly
 

 
15,207,762

1 month LIBOR
 
Monthly
 

 
8,062,530

Auction-rate or remarketing (c)
 
Varies
 

 
890,500

Asset-backed commercial paper (d)
 
Varies
 

 
639,880

Other (e)
 
 
 
69,923

 
61,828

 
 
 
 
$
24,862,500

 
24,862,500



49



(a)
The Company has certain basis swaps outstanding in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps"). The Company entered into these derivative instruments to better match the interest rate characteristics on its student loan assets and the debt funding such assets. The following table summarizes these derivatives as of September 30, 2013:
 
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
2021
 
 
$
250,000

 
2022
 
 
1,900,000

 
2023
 
 
3,650,000

 
2024
 
 
250,000

 
2026
 
 
800,000

 
2028
 
 
100,000

 
2036
 
 
700,000

 
2039
(a)
 
150,000

 
2040
(b)
 
200,000

 
 
 
 
$
8,000,000

(c)
(a)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.
(b)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.
(c)
The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 0.0 basis points.
(b)
The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into derivative instruments (cross-currency interest rate swaps) that convert the EURIBOR index to three-month LIBOR. As a result, these notes are reflected in the three-month LIBOR category in the above table. See “Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.”

(c)
The interest rates on certain of the Company's asset-backed securities are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" (“Auction Rate Securities”) or through a remarketing utilizing remarketing agents (“Variable Rate Demand Notes”). As of September 30, 2013, the Company was sponsor for $671.3 million of Auction Rate Securities and $219.2 million of Variable Rate Demand Notes.

Since February 2008, problems in the auction rate securities market as a whole have led to failures of the auctions pursuant to which the Company's Auction Rate Securities' interest rates are set. As a result, the Auction Rate Securities generally pay interest to the holder at a maximum rate as defined by the indenture. While these rates will vary, they will generally be based on a spread to LIBOR or Treasury Securities, or the Net Loan Rate as defined in the financing documents.

For Variable Rate Demand Notes, the remarketing agents set the price, which is then offered to investors. If there are insufficient potential bid orders to purchase all of the notes offered for sale, the Variable Rate Demand Notes will generally pay interest to the holder at a rate as defined in the indenture.

(d)
The interest rates on certain of the Company's warehouse facilities are indexed to asset-backed commercial paper rates.

(e)
Assets include restricted cash and investments and other assets.  Debt outstanding includes other debt obligations secured by student loan assets and related collateral.

Sensitivity Analysis

The following tables summarize the effect on the Company’s earnings, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by the Company assuming hypothetical increases in interest rates of 100 basis points and 300 basis points while funding spreads remain constant. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed assuming the funding index increases 10 basis points and 30 basis points while holding the asset index constant, if the funding index is different than the asset index. The sensitivity analysis was performed on the Company’s variable rate assets (including loans earning fixed rate floor income) and liabilities. The analysis includes the effects of the Company’s interest rate and basis swaps in existence during these periods.




50



 
Interest rates
 
Asset and funding index mismatches
 
Change from increase of 100 basis points
 
Change from increase of 300 basis points
 
Increase of 10 basis points
 
Increase of 30 basis points
 
 
 
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Three months ended September 30, 2013
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(17,720
)
 
(19.1
)%
 
$
(31,517
)
 
(33.7
)%
 
$
(4,021
)
 
(4.3
)%
 
$
(12,063
)
 
(12.9
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
13,495

 
14.4

 
40,484

 
43.3

 
1,755

 
1.9

 
5,266

 
5.6

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(4,225
)
 
(4.7
)%
 
$
8,967

 
9.6
 %
 
$
(2,266
)
 
(2.4
)%
 
$
(6,797
)
 
(7.3
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.06
)
 
 
 
$
0.12

 
 
 
$
(0.03
)
 
 
 
$
(0.09
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2012
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(16,272
)
 
(27.6
)%
 
$
(28,968
)
 
(49.3
)%
 
$
(5,899
)
 
(10.0
)%
 
$
(17,697
)
 
(30.1
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
14,308

 
24.3

 
42,925

 
73.0

 
542

 
0.9

 
1,626

 
2.8

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(1,964
)
 
(3.3
)%
 
$
13,957

 
23.7
 %
 
$
(5,357
)
 
(9.1
)%
 
$
(16,071
)
 
(27.3
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.03
)
 
 
 
$
0.18

 
 
 
$
(0.07
)
 
 
 
$
(0.21
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(51,406
)
 
(14.4
)%
 
$
(89,558
)
 
(25.1
)%
 
$
(12,648
)
 
(3.6
)%
 
$
(37,943
)
 
(10.7
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
47,899

 
13.4

 
143,696

 
40.3

 
4,945

 
1.4

 
14,836

 
4.2

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(3,507
)
 
(1.0
)%
 
$
54,138

 
15.2
 %
 
$
(7,703
)
 
(2.2
)%
 
$
(23,107
)
 
(6.5
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.05
)
 
 
 
$
0.72

 
 
 
$
(0.10
)
 
 
 
$
(0.31
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Effect on earnings:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(48,817
)
 
(26.9
)%
 
$
(85,859
)
 
(47.2
)%
 
$
(17,881
)
 
(9.8
)%
 
$
(53,642
)
 
(29.5
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
29,619

 
16.3

 
88,858

 
48.8

 
1,078

 
0.6

 
3,234

 
1.8

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(19,198
)
 
(10.6
)%

$
2,999

 
1.6
 %
 
$
(16,803
)
 
(9.2
)%
 
$
(50,408
)
 
(27.7
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.25
)
 
 
 
$
0.04

 
 
 
$
(0.22
)
 
 
 
$
(0.66
)
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has issued a total of 773.2 million Euro-denominated notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result, the Company is exposed to the market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The Company has entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. See note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information, including a summary of the terms of these derivative instrument agreements and the related financial statement impact.


51



Financial Statement Impact – Derivatives and Foreign Currency Transaction Adjustments

For a table summarizing the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income, including the components of "derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" included in the consolidated statements of income, see note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under supervision and with the participation of certain members of the Company’s management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, the Company completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 12 - Legal Proceedings, of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 in response to Item 1A of Part I of such Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the repurchases of Class A common stock during the third quarter of 2013 by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Period
 
Total number of shares purchased (a)
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (b)
 
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (b)
July 1 - July 31, 2013
 
110,667

 
$
36.18

 
110,041

 
3,875,367

August 1 - August 31, 2013
 
106

 
36.87

 

 
3,875,367

September 1 - September 30, 2013
 
447

 
38.43

 

 
3,875,367

Total
 
111,220

 
$
36.19

 
110,041

 
 


(a)
The total number of shares includes: (i) shares purchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program discussed in footnote (b) below; and (ii) shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted shares. Shares of Class A common stock purchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program included 107,614 shares in July 2013, that had been issued to the Company’s 401(k) plan and allocated to employee participant accounts pursuant to the plan’s provisions for Company matching contributions in shares of Company stock, and were purchased

52



by the Company from the plan. Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2013, shares of the Company's Class A common stock are no longer an eligible investment alternative for the Company's matching contributions under the plan. As a result of the Company's purchase of 401(k) shares in July, there are no shares of the Company's Class A common stock held in the Company's 401(k) plan. Shares of Class A common stock tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations included 626 shares, 106 shares, and 447 shares in July, August, and September 2013, respectively.  Unless otherwise indicated, shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations were purchased at the closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of vesting.

(b)
On May 9, 2012, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2015.  Certain share repurchases included in the table above were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Working capital and dividend restrictions/limitations

The Company’s credit facilities, including its revolving line of credit which is available through March 28, 2018, impose restrictions with respect to the Company’s minimum consolidated net worth, the ratio of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, the indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries, and the ratio of non-FFELP loans to all loans in the Company's portfolio. In addition, trust indentures and other financing agreements governing debt issued by the Company's education lending subsidiaries may have general limitations on the amounts of funds that can be transferred to the Company by its subsidiaries through cash dividends.

The supplemental indenture for the Company’s Hybrid Securities issued in September 2006 provides that so long as any Hybrid Securities remain outstanding, if the Company gives notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing, then the Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment regarding, any of the Company’s capital stock.

except as required in connection with the repayment of principal, and except for any partial payments of deferred interest that may be made through the alternative payment mechanism described in the Hybrid Securities indenture, make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase, or redeem any of the Company’s debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Hybrid Securities.

make any guarantee payments regarding any guarantee by the Company of the subordinated debt securities of any of the Company’s subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities.

In addition, if any deferral period lasts longer than one year, the limitation on the Company’s ability to redeem or repurchase any of its securities that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities will continue until the first anniversary of the date on which all deferred interest has been paid or canceled.

If the Company is involved in a business combination where immediately after its consummation more than 50% of the surviving entity’s voting stock is owned by the shareholders of the other party to the business combination, then the immediately preceding sentence will not apply to any deferral period that is terminated on the next interest payment date following the date of consummation of the business combination.

However, at any time, including during a deferral period, the Company will be permitted to:

pay dividends or distributions in additional shares of the Company’s capital stock.

declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or issue stock under such a plan, or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to such a plan.

purchase common stock for issuance pursuant to any employee benefit plans.


53



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 
10.1*
Consulting and Services Agreement made and entered into as of May 1, 2013, by and between Nelnet, Inc., and Union Bank and Trust Company.
 
 
10.2*
Amended and Restated Consulting and Services Agreement made and entered into as of October 1, 2013, by and between Nelnet, Inc. and Union Bank and Trust Company.
 
 
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Michael S. Dunlap pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Terry J. Heimes pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32**
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
*   Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith



54



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
NELNET, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
/s/ MICHAEL S. DUNLAP
 
 
 
Name:
Michael S. Dunlap
 
 
 
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ TERRY J. HEIMES
 
 
 
Name:
Terry J. Heimes
 
 
 
Title: 
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
 



55