NNI-6.30.14-10Q


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 June 30, 2014
 
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 100
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 [X]                                                  Accelerated filer [ ]
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 July 31, 2014, there were 34,807,168 and 11,491,932 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
June 30, 2014


 
 
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)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
As of

As of
 
June 30, 2014

December 31, 2013
Assets:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $52,467 and $55,122, respectively)
$
29,342,430

 
25,907,589

Cash and cash equivalents:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party
29,863

 
8,537

Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party
62,236

 
54,730

Total cash and cash equivalents
92,099

 
63,267

Investments
141,489

 
192,040

Restricted cash and investments
862,034

 
735,123

Restricted cash - due to customers
98,005

 
167,576

Accrued interest receivable
360,075

 
314,553

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,490 and $3,845, respectively)
58,321

 
56,072

Goodwill
126,200

 
117,118

Intangible assets, net
44,849

 
6,132

Property and equipment, net
35,498

 
33,829

Other assets
141,989

 
115,043

Fair value of derivative instruments
68,033

 
62,507

Total assets
$
31,371,022

 
27,770,849

Liabilities:
 

 
 

Bonds and notes payable
$
29,492,560

 
25,955,289

Accrued interest payable
24,339

 
21,725

Other liabilities
160,444

 
164,300

Due to customers
98,005

 
167,576

Fair value of derivative instruments
15,546

 
17,969

Total liabilities
29,790,894

 
26,326,859

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 34,859,786 shares and 34,881,338 shares, respectively
349

 
349

Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,491,932 shares and 11,495,377 shares, respectively
115

 
115

Additional paid-in capital
20,721

 
24,887

Retained earnings
1,552,988

 
1,413,492

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings
5,569

 
4,819

Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,579,742

 
1,443,662

Noncontrolling interest
386

 
328

Total equity
1,580,128

 
1,443,990

Total liabilities and equity
$
31,371,022

 
27,770,849

 
 
 
 
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
29,479,249

 
26,020,629

Restricted cash and investments
859,441

 
732,771

Fair value of derivative instruments
33,797

 
36,834

Other assets
358,646

 
313,748

Bonds and notes payable
(29,778,096
)
 
(26,244,222
)
Other liabilities
(335,992
)
 
(303,142
)
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities
$
617,045

 
556,618


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
 
Six months
 
ended June 30,
 
ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
175,466

 
158,063

 
332,362

 
313,602

Investment interest
1,482

 
1,483

 
3,461

 
3,100

Total interest income
176,948

 
159,546

 
335,823

 
316,702

Interest expense:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest on bonds and notes payable
69,235

 
58,127

 
129,239

 
116,485

Net interest income
107,713

 
101,419

 
206,584

 
200,217

Less provision for loan losses
1,500

 
5,000

 
4,000

 
10,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
106,213

 
96,419

 
202,584

 
190,217

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
66,460

 
60,078

 
131,217

 
115,679

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
21,834

 
18,356

 
47,069

 
41,767

Enrollment services revenue
20,145

 
24,823

 
42,156

 
53,780

Other income
15,315

 
12,288

 
33,446

 
21,704

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
18

 
7,355

 
57

 
8,762

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net
1,570

 
40,188

 
(2,695
)
 
41,260

Total other income
125,342

 
163,088

 
251,250

 
282,952

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
53,888

 
47,432

 
106,372

 
95,337

Cost to provide enrollment services
13,311

 
16,787

 
27,786

 
36,429

Depreciation and amortization
5,214

 
4,320

 
9,997

 
8,697

Other
40,377

 
34,365

 
76,004

 
69,306

Total operating expenses
112,790

 
102,904

 
220,159

 
209,769

Income before income taxes
118,765

 
156,603

 
233,675

 
263,400

Income tax expense
43,078

 
54,746

 
83,689

 
93,193

Net income
75,687

 
101,857

 
149,986

 
170,207

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
693

 
614

 
1,206

 
885

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
74,994

 
101,243

 
148,780

 
169,322

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders -
    basic and diluted
$
1.61

 
2.17

 
3.20

 
3.63

Weighted average common shares outstanding -
    basic and diluted
46,529,377

 
46,626,853

 
46,528,651

 
46,642,356


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three months
 
Six months
 
ended June 30,
 
ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
75,687

 
101,857

 
149,986

 
170,207

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net
5,826

 
(3,335
)
 
9,501

 
1,185

Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses
(1,238
)
 
(559
)
 
(8,311
)
 
(1,516
)
Income tax effect
(1,698
)
 
1,441

 
(440
)
 
115

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
2,890

 
(2,453
)
 
750

 
(216
)
Comprehensive income
78,577

 
99,404

 
150,736

 
169,991

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
693

 
614

 
1,206

 
885

Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
77,884

 
98,790

 
149,530

 
169,106


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
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total equity
 
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of March 31, 2013

 
35,029,341

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
350

 
115

 
27,786

 
1,192,822

 
5,050

 
281

 
1,226,404

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
101,243

 

 
614

 
101,857

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,453
)
 

 
(2,453
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(782
)
 
(782
)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.10 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,649
)
 

 

 
(4,649
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
24,390

 

 

 
1

 

 
694

 

 

 

 
695

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
808

 

 

 

 
808

Repurchase of common stock

 
(65,621
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(2,284
)
 

 

 

 
(2,285
)
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

Balance as of March 31, 2014

 
35,019,924

 
11,491,932

 
$

 
350

 
115

 
27,138

 
1,482,637

 
2,679

 
755

 
1,513,674

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
74,994

 

 
693

 
75,687

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,890

 

 
2,890

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,062
)
 
(1,062
)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.10 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,643
)
 

 

 
(4,643
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
49,802

 

 

 
1

 

 
882

 

 

 

 
883

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,135

 

 

 

 
1,135

Repurchase of common stock

 
(209,940
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(8,434
)
 

 

 

 
(8,436
)
Balance as of June 30, 2014

 
34,859,786

 
11,491,932

 
$

 
349

 
115

 
20,721

 
1,552,988

 
5,569

 
386

 
1,580,128

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
169,322

 

 
885

 
170,207

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(216
)
 

 
(216
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(782
)
 
(782
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.20 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(9,295
)
 

 

 
(9,295
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
150,353

 

 

 
2

 

 
1,967

 

 

 

 
1,969

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,483

 

 

 

 
1,483

Repurchase of common stock

 
(279,156
)
 

 

 
(3
)
 

 
(8,986
)
 

 

 

 
(8,989
)
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

Balance as of December 31, 2013

 
34,881,338

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
349

 
115

 
24,887

 
1,413,492

 
4,819

 
328

 
1,443,990

Issuance of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
201

 
201

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
148,780

 

 
1,206

 
149,986

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
750

 

 
750

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,349
)
 
(1,349
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.20 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(9,284
)
 

 

 
(9,284
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
205,507

 

 

 
2

 

 
3,126

 

 

 

 
3,128

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,010

 

 

 

 
2,010

Repurchase of common stock

 
(230,504
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(9,302
)
 

 

 

 
(9,304
)
Conversion of common stock

 
3,445

 
(3,445
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2014

 
34,859,786

 
11,491,932

 
$

 
349

 
115

 
20,721

 
1,552,988

 
5,569

 
386

 
1,580,128


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Six months
 
ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
148,780

 
169,322

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
1,206

 
885

Net income
149,986

 
170,207

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of acquisitions:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs
49,206

 
39,160

Student loan discount accretion
(21,087
)
 
(17,769
)
Provision for loan losses
4,000

 
10,000

Derivative market value adjustment
(7,950
)
 
(43,729
)
Foreign currency transaction adjustment
(1,798
)
 
(14,072
)
Payments to terminate and/or amend derivative instruments, net of proceeds

 
(3,819
)
Gain on sale of loans

 
(34
)
Gain from debt repurchases
(57
)
 
(8,728
)
 Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net
(8,311
)
 
(1,516
)
Deferred income tax expense
5,653

 
21,244

Non-cash compensation expense
2,082

 
1,558

Other
2,885

 
(27
)
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
(3,567
)
 
10,980

Increase in accounts receivable
(695
)
 
(2,378
)
Decrease in other assets
1,383

 
566

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
1,432

 
(10
)
Decrease in other liabilities
(16,690
)
 
(8,447
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
156,472

 
153,186

Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisitions:
 

 
 

Purchases of student loans and student loan residual interests
(2,843,061
)
 
(1,158,245
)
Purchase of student loans from a related party
(175
)
 

Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
1,712,350

 
1,393,949

Proceeds from sale of student loans
6

 
11,287

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(135,890
)
 
(132,496
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
195,938

 
37,656

Purchases of other investments
(27,011
)
 
(3,893
)
Repayments of notes and other receivables
3,821

 

Purchases of property and equipment, net
(9,022
)
 
(9,558
)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments, net
(27,247
)
 
135,735

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(45,583
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(1,175,874
)
 
274,435

Cash flows from financing activities, net of borrowings assumed:
 

 
 

Payments on bonds and notes payable
(1,821,723
)
 
(3,538,437
)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable
2,901,639

 
3,143,612

Payments of debt issuance costs
(12,241
)
 
(11,485
)
Dividends paid
(9,284
)
 
(9,295
)
Repurchases of common stock
(9,304
)
 
(8,989
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
295

 
303

Issuance of noncontrolling interest
201

 
5

Distribution to noncontrolling interest
(1,349
)
 
(782
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1,048,234

 
(425,068
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
28,832

 
2,553

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
63,267

 
66,031

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
92,099

 
68,584

Cash disbursements made for:
 

 
 

Interest
$
97,668

 
100,292

Income taxes, net of refunds
$
83,706

 
69,866

Noncash activity:
 
 
 
Investing activity - student loans and other assets acquired
$
2,571,997

 
$

Financing activity - borrowings and other liabilities assumed in acquisition of student loans
$
2,444,874

 
$


Supplemental disclosures of noncash operating and investing activities regarding a business combination are contained in note 6.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
(unaudited)

1.    Basis of Financial Reporting

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2014 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 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 six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2014. 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, 2013 (the "2013 Annual Report").

2.    Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
As of
 
June 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Federally insured loans
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
6,479,493

 
6,686,626

Consolidation
23,032,622

 
19,363,577

Total
29,512,115

 
26,050,203

Non-federally insured loans
67,670

 
71,103

 
29,579,785

 
26,121,306

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)
(184,888
)
 
(158,595
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(40,921
)
 
(43,440
)
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans
(11,546
)
 
(11,682
)
 
$
29,342,430

 
25,907,589


(a)
For loans purchased where there is evidence of credit deterioration since the origination of the loan, the Company records a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses, which is non-accretable to interest income. Remaining discounts and premiums for purchased loans are recognized in interest income over the remaining estimated lives of the loans. The Company continues to evaluate credit losses associated with purchased loans based on current information and changes in expectations to determine the need for any additional allowance for loan losses. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $29.9 million and $20.2 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans.

Student Loan Residual Interests

On April 25, 2014, the Company acquired the ownership interest in three Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFEL Program" or "FFELP") student loan securitization trusts giving the Company rights to the residual interest in a total of $2.6 billion of securitized federally insured loans and related assets. The three trusts include loans funded to term with $2.6 billion (par value) of notes payable that carry interest rates on a spread to LIBOR or are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction".






7



The Company has consolidated these trusts on its consolidated balance sheet because management has determined the Company is the primary beneficiary of the trusts. Upon acquisition, the Company recorded all assets and liabilities of the trusts at fair value, resulting in the recognition of a student loan discount of $68.7 million and a notes payable discount of $163.7 million. These discounts will be accreted using the effective interest method over the lives of the underlying assets and liabilities. All other assets acquired and liabilities assumed (restricted cash, accrued interest receivable/payable, and other assets/liabilities) were recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.

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 June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Balance at beginning of period
$
54,628

 
49,409

 
55,122

 
51,902

Provision for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
2,000

 
5,000

 
5,000

 
11,000

Non-federally insured loans
(500
)
 

 
(1,000
)
 
(1,000
)
Total provision for loan losses
1,500

 
5,000

 
4,000

 
10,000

Charge-offs:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
(4,138
)
 
(3,340
)
 
(7,769
)
 
(9,330
)
Non-federally insured loans
(598
)
 
(592
)
 
(1,019
)
 
(1,364
)
Total charge-offs
(4,736
)
 
(3,932
)
 
(8,788
)
 
(10,694
)
Recoveries - non-federally insured loans
339

 
442

 
710

 
810

Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans, net
150

 
275

 
250

 
(1,943
)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans repurchased, net
586

 
417

 
1,173

 
1,536

Balance at end of period
$
52,467

 
51,611

 
52,467

 
51,611

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
$
40,921

 
39,848

 
40,921

 
39,848

Non-federally insured loans
11,546

 
11,763

 
11,546

 
11,763

Total allowance for loan losses
$
52,467

 
51,611

 
52,467

 
51,611


Repurchase Obligations

As of June 30, 2014, the Company had participated a cumulative amount of $117.1 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 days 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 June 30, 2014, the balance of this portfolio was $58.9 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 June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
15,413

 
15,011

 
16,143

 
16,130

Loans repurchased
(586
)
 
(417
)
 
(1,316
)
 
(1,536
)
Ending balance
$
14,827

 
14,594

 
14,827

 
14,594



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 that were delinquent 31 days or greater as of June 30, 2014, December 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013 was 12.6 percent, 12.7 percent, and 27.1 percent, respectively. The table below shows the Company’s federally insured student loan delinquency amounts.

 
As of June 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
As of June 30, 2013
Federally insured loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
3,095,741

 
 
 
$
2,872,505

 
 
 
$
2,983,795

 
 
Loans in forbearance
3,593,891

 
 
 
3,370,025

 
 
 
3,320,101

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
19,164,660

 
84.0
%
 
16,337,922

 
82.5
%
 
15,355,379

 
83.6
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
1,026,046

 
4.5

 
967,318

 
4.9

 
776,577

 
4.2

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
674,918

 
3.0

 
550,333

 
2.8

 
531,339

 
2.9

Loans delinquent 91-120 days
376,068

 
1.5

 
390,791

 
2.0

 
291,732

 
1.6

Loans delinquent 121-270 days
1,133,527

 
5.0

 
1,117,936

 
5.6

 
1,016,571

 
5.5

Loans delinquent 271 days or greater
447,264

 
2.0

 
443,373

 
2.2

 
413,240

 
2.2

Total loans in repayment
22,822,483

 
100.0
%
 
19,807,673

 
100.0
%
 
18,384,838

 
100.0
%
Total federally insured loans
$
29,512,115

 
 

 
$
26,050,203

 
 

 
$
24,688,734

 
 


9



3.    Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
 
As of June 30, 2014
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
26,983,517

 
0.24% - 6.90%
 
5/25/18 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing
1,562,325

 
0.06% - 2.09%
 
5/1/28 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
28,545,842

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,139,750

 
0.15% - 0.25%
 
1/17/16 - 6/11/17
Unsecured line of credit
65,000

 
1.65%
 
6/30/19
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
96,457

 
3.61%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
63,068

 
1.66% - 5.10%
 
10/31/14 - 11/11/15
 
29,910,117

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable
(417,557
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
29,492,560

 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
23,479,893

 
0.25% - 6.90%
 
5/25/18 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing
1,134,250

 
0.07% - 2.17%
 
5/1/28 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
24,614,143

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,396,344

 
0.17% - 0.25%
 
1/17/16 - 6/12/16
Unsecured line of credit
45,000

 
1.67%
 
3/28/18
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
96,457

 
3.62%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
61,401

 
1.67% - 5.10%
 
4/11/14 - 11/11/15
 
26,213,345

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable
(258,056
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
25,955,289

 
 
 
 


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 June 30, 2014, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
 
 
NHELP-III
 
NHELP-II
 
NFSLW-I (a)
 
Total
Maximum financing amount
 
$
750,000

 
500,000

 
500,000

 
1,750,000

Amount outstanding
 
659,668

 
92,803

 
387,279

 
1,139,750

Amount available
 
$
90,332

 
407,197

 
112,721

 
610,250

Expiration of liquidity provisions
 
February 5, 2015

 
September 30, 2014

 
June 11, 2015

 
 
Final maturity date
 
January 17, 2016

 
September 30, 2016

 
June 11, 2017

 
 
Maximum advance rates
 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
92.0 - 98.0%

 
 
Minimum advance rates
 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
84.0 - 90.0%

 
 
Advanced as equity support
 
$
39,496

 
8,264

 
18,870

 
66,630

(a) On April 15, 2014, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.0 billion, change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to June 11, 2015, and change the maturity date to June 11, 2017. As a result of the completion of the 2014-3 asset-backed securitization summarized in the table below, on April 30, 2014, the Company determined that it no longer needed the increased capacity on this warehouse facility, and the $500.0 million temporary increase was terminated on May 22, 2014.
Asset-backed Securitizations

The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
 
 
2014-1
 
2014-2
 
2014-3
 
2014-4
 
2014-5
 
Total
 
 
 
 
Class A-1 notes
 
Class A-2 notes
 
Class A-3 notes
 
2014-2 total
 
 
 
Class A-1 notes
 
Class A-2 notes
 
2014-4 total
 
 
 
 
Date securities issued
 
2/6/14
 
3/12/14
 
3/12/14
 
3/12/14
 
3/12/14
 
4/30/14
 
5/23/14
 
5/23/14
 
5/23/14
 
6/18/14
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
458,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
509,000

 
719,800

 
 
 
 
 
384,500

 
603,000

 
$
2,674,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
445,000

 
191,000

 
222,000

 
84,000

 
497,000

 
700,700

 
267,500

 
107,500

 
375,000

 
587,000

 
2,604,700

Bond discount
 

 

 

 
(535
)
 
(535
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(535
)
Issue price
 
$
445,000

 
191,000

 
222,000

 
83,465

 
496,465

 
700,700

 
267,500

 
107,500

 
375,000

 
587,000

 
2,604,165

Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)
 
0.57
%
 
0.28
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.85
%
 
 
 
0.58
%
 
0.54
%
 
0.95
%
 
 
 
0.55
%
 
 
Final maturity date
 
9/25/41

 
6/25/21

 
3/25/30

 
7/27/37

 
 
 
6/25/41

 
11/27/34

 
11/25/43

 
 
 
7/25/41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class B subordinated notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
13,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,000

 
19,100

 
 
 
 
 
9,500

 
16,000

 
70,100

Bond discount
 
(1,132
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,046
)
 
(1,467
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,138
)
 
(1,232
)
 
(6,015
)
Issue price
 
$
12,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,954

 
17,633

 

 
 
 
8,362

 
14,768

 
64,085

Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)
 
1.50
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.50
%
 
1.50
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.50
%
 
1.50
%
 
 
Final maturity date
 
10/25/47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6/25/41

 
10/25/50

 
 
 
 
 
9/25/51

 
5/25/49

 
 


11



Unsecured Line of Credit

On June 30, 2014, the Company's unsecured line of credit was amended to increase the line of credit from $275.0 million to $350.0 million and extend the maturity date from March 28, 2018 to June 30, 2019. In addition, the amendment revised certain covenants related to maintenance of a minimum consolidated net worth, limitations on recourse indebtedness and liens, and a limitation on the amount of non-federally insured student loans in the Company’s portfolio. As of June 30, 2014, the $350.0 million unsecured line of credit had an outstanding balance of $65.0 million and $285.0 million available for future use.

Debt Repurchases

The Company repurchased $0.2 million (par value) and $56.4 million (par value) of its own asset-backed debt securities during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and recognized gains on such purchases of approximately $18,000 and $7.4 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased $1.6 million (par value) and $69.4 million (par value), respectively, of its own asset-backed debt securities and recognized gains on such purchases of approximately $57,000 and $8.7 million, respectively.

4.   Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's risk management strategy are further described in note 6 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is presented below.

Basis Swaps

The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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").
 
 
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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points.

12



Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
 
As of June 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
$
1,250,000

 
0.67
%
 
$
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

 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
 
$
4,350,000

 
0.81
%
 
$
4,850,000

 
0.81
%

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

The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities ("Hybrid Securities") to a fixed rate.
 
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036
 
$
25,000

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

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, 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.

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


13



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 instrument.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013 (b)
 
2014
 
2013 (b)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes
$
2,751

 
(14,691
)
 
1,798

 
14,072

Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps
(2,999
)
 
14,748

 
(3,037
)
 
(20,096
)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)
$
(248
)
 
57

 
(1,239
)
 
(6,024
)
(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.
(b)
The 2013 operating results include the re-measurement of an additional €420.5 million of student loan asset-backed Euro notes and the change in fair value of a related cross-currency interest rate swap entered into in connection with the issuance of such notes. In November 2013, the principal amount outstanding on the notes was changed to U.S. dollars and the cross-currency interest swap was terminated.
The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swap 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
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
June 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
1:3 basis swaps
$
31,510

 
18,490

 

 

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
2,726

 
7,183

 
10,849

 
15,849

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges

 

 
4,697

 
2,120

Cross-currency interest rate swap
33,797


36,834

 

 

Total
$
68,033

 
62,507

 
15,546

 
17,969


During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company terminated certain derivatives for gross proceeds and payments of $2.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively. There were no derivative terminations during the first six months of 2014.

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:


14



 
 
 
 
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
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of June 30, 2014
 
$
68,033

 
(15,546
)
 
(323
)
 
52,164

Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
62,507

 
(15,437
)
 
(15,959
)
 
31,111


 
 
 
 
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
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of June 30, 2014
 
$
(15,546
)
 
15,546

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
(17,969
)
 
15,437

 
3,630

 
1,098


The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Settlements:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
$
858

 
782

 
1,739

 
1,692

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(6,974
)
 
(8,534
)
 
(13,924
)
 
(16,839
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(256
)
 
(512
)
 
(508
)
 
(1,157
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
158

 
(93
)
 
250

 
(237
)
Total settlements - expense
(6,214
)
 
(8,357
)
 
(12,443
)
 
(16,541
)
Change in fair value:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
11,910

 
9,630

 
13,020

 
11,563

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(2,813
)
 
33,408

 
545

 
42,830

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(1,065
)
 
5,450

 
(2,578
)
 
9,090

Cross-currency interest rate swaps
(2,999
)
 
14,748

 
(3,037
)
 
(20,096
)
Other

 

 

 
342

Total change in fair value - income (expense)
5,033

 
63,236

 
7,950

 
43,729

Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)
2,751

 
(14,691
)
 
1,798

 
14,072

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)
$
1,570

 
40,188

 
(2,695
)
 
41,260



15



5.    Investments

A summary of the Company's investments and restricted investments follows:
 
As of June 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
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)
$
124,556

 
7,090

 
(212
)
 
131,434

 
171,931

 
7,111

 
(1,241
)
 
177,801

Equity securities
1,527

 
1,969

 
(7
)
 
3,489

 
1,502

 
1,783

 
(3
)
 
3,282

Total available-for-sale investments
$
126,083

 
9,059

 
(219
)
 
134,923

 
173,433

 
8,894

 
(1,244
)
 
181,083

Trading investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,566

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,957

Total available-for-sale and trading investments

 

 

 
$
141,489

 
 
 
 
 


 
192,040

Restricted Investments (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,921

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,285

    
(a)
As of June 30, 2014, 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 June 30, 2014, 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.

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 June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Other income
 
$
1,238

 
559

 
8,311

 
1,516

Income tax expense
 
(458
)
 
(207
)
 
(3,075
)
 
(561
)
Net
 
$
780

 
352

 
5,236

 
955


6. Business Combination

The Company uses the acquisition method in accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method, the financial statements reflect the operations of an acquired business starting from the completion of the acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. All contingent consideration is measured at fair value on the acquisition date and included in the consideration transferred in the acquisition. Contingent consideration classified as a liability is remeasured to fair value at each reporting date until the contingency is resolved, and changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

Wilcomp Software, L.P. (d.b.a. RenWeb School Management Software) (“RenWeb”)

On June 3, 2014, the Company purchased 100 percent of the ownership interests of RenWeb. RenWeb provides school information systems for private and faith-based schools that help schools automate administrative processes such as admissions, scheduling, student billing, attendance, and grade book management. The combination of RenWeb’s school administration software and the Company’s tuition management and financial needs assessment services are expected to significantly increase the value of the Company’s offerings in this area, allowing the Company to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions to schools.

The initial consideration paid by the Company for RenWeb was $44.0 million. In addition to the initial purchase price, additional payments are to be paid by the Company to the former owners of RenWeb based on certain operating results and other performance

16



measures of RenWeb as defined in the purchase agreement. The contingent payments, if any, are payable when earned and the potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is between $0 and $4.0 million. Such payments, if any, will be paid no later than January 2017. As of the acquisition date, the Company had accrued $2.3 million as additional consideration, which represents the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement.

The following table summarizes the initial estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The fair values of the assets and liabilities related to RenWeb are subject to refinement as the Company completes its analysis relative to the fair values at the date of acquisition.
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
326

Accounts receivable
 
961

Property and equipment
 
105

Other assets
 
22

Intangible assets
 
37,188

Excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill)
 
9,082

Other liabilities
 
(1,341
)
Net assets acquired
 
$
46,343


The $37.2 million of acquired intangible assets on the date of acquisition had a weighted-average useful life of approximately 18 years. The intangible assets that made up this amount included customer relationships of $25.5 million (20-year useful life), trade name of $6.4 million (20-year useful life), computer software of $4.9 million (5-year useful life), and non-competition agreements of $0.4 million (10-year useful life).
The $9.1 million of goodwill was assigned to the Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies as discussed previously.

The proforma impacts of the acquisition on the Company's historical results prior to the acquisition were not material.

7. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 
Weighted average remaining useful life as of June 30, 2014 (months)
 
As of June 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
 
 
 
Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $21,595 and $19,821, respectively)
223
 
$
29,884

 
6,132

Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $634 and $0, respectively)
47
 
8,231

 

Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $39 and $0, respectively)
239
 
6,383

 

Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $3 and $0, respectively)
119
 
351

 

Total - amortizable intangible assets
192
 
$
44,849

 
6,132







17



The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $1.4 million and $0.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $2.4 million and $1.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of June 30, 2014 the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:

2014 (Q3 - Q4)
$
2,843

2015
6,402

2016
5,982

2017
4,406

2018
4,000

2019 and thereafter
21,216

 
$
44,849


8. Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment was as follows:

 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment Services
 
Asset Generation and Management
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$
8,596

 
58,086

 
8,553

 
41,883

 
117,118

Goodwill acquired during the period

 
9,082

 

 

 
9,082

Balance as of June 30, 2014
$
8,596

 
67,168

 
8,553

 
41,883

 
126,200



18



9.   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 June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
74,263

 
731

 
74,994

 
100,339

 
904

 
101,243

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:


 


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,075,869

 
453,508

 
46,529,377

 
46,210,571

 
416,282

 
46,626,853

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
1.61

 
1.61

 
1.61

 
2.17

 
2.17

 
2.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
147,388

 
1,392

 
148,780

 
167,868

 
1,454

 
169,322

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,093,314

 
435,337

 
46,528,651

 
46,241,277

 
401,079

 
46,642,356

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
3.20

 
3.20

 
3.20

 
3.63

 
3.63

 
3.63


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.


19



10.    Segment Reporting

See note 13 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 
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
$
9

 
3

 

 
12

 
175,562

 
2,036

 
(662
)
 
176,948

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
67,936

 
1,961

 
(662
)
 
69,235

Net interest income
9

 
3

 

 
12

 
107,626

 
75

 

 
107,713

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
1,500

 

 

 
1,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
9

 
3

 

 
12

 
106,126

 
75

 

 
106,213

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
66,460

 

 

 
66,460

 

 

 

 
66,460

Intersegment servicing revenue
13,800

 

 

 
13,800

 

 

 
(13,800
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
21,834

 

 
21,834

 

 

 

 
21,834

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
20,145

 
20,145

 

 

 

 
20,145

Other income

 

 

 

 
4,496

 
10,819

 

 
15,315

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
18

 

 

 
18

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
8,848

 
(1,064
)
 

 
7,784

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(5,958
)
 
(256
)
 

 
(6,214
)
Total other income
80,260

 
21,834

 
20,145

 
122,239

 
7,404

 
9,499

 
(13,800
)
 
125,342

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
33,093

 
11,112

 
4,132

 
48,337

 
570

 
4,981

 

 
53,888

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
13,311

 
13,311

 

 

 

 
13,311

Depreciation and amortization
2,819

 
1,845

 
41

 
4,705

 

 
509

 

 
5,214

Other
19,815

 
2,956

 
1,844

 
24,615

 
8,845

 
6,917

 

 
40,377

Intersegment expenses, net
1,124

 
1,404

 
944

 
3,472

 
13,968

 
(3,640
)
 
(13,800
)
 

Total operating expenses
56,851

 
17,317

 
20,272

 
94,440

 
23,383

 
8,767

 
(13,800
)
 
112,790

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
23,418

 
4,520

 
(127
)
 
27,811

 
90,147

 
807

 

 
118,765

Corporate overhead allocation
(2,060
)
 
(687
)
 
(687
)
 
(3,434
)
 
(1,249
)
 
4,683

 

 

Income before income taxes
21,358

 
3,833

 
(814
)
 
24,377

 
88,898

 
5,490

 

 
118,765

Income tax (expense) benefit
(8,116
)
 
(1,456
)
 
309

 
(9,263
)
 
(33,781
)
 
(34
)
 

 
(43,078
)
Net income
13,242

 
2,377

 
(505
)
 
15,114

 
55,117

 
5,456

 

 
75,687

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
693

 

 
693

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
13,242

 
2,377

 
(505
)
 
15,114

 
55,117

 
4,763

 

 
74,994

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

20



 
Three months ended June 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
$
9

 

 

 
9

 
158,175

 
2,196

 
(834
)
 
159,546

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
56,920

 
2,041

 
(834
)
 
58,127

Net interest income
9

 

 

 
9

 
101,255

 
155

 

 
101,419

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
9

 

 

 
9

 
96,255

 
155

 

 
96,419

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
60,078

 

 

 
60,078

 

 

 

 
60,078

Intersegment servicing revenue
13,903

 

 

 
13,903

 

 

 
(13,903
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
18,356

 

 
18,356

 

 

 

 
18,356

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
24,823

 
24,823

 

 

 

 
24,823

Other income

 

 

 

 
3,030

 
9,258

 

 
12,288

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
7,355

 

 

 
7,355

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
43,096

 
5,449

 

 
48,545

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(7,845
)
 
(512
)
 

 
(8,357
)
Total other income
73,981

 
18,356

 
24,823

 
117,160

 
45,636

 
14,195

 
(13,903
)
 
163,088

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
28,091

 
9,427

 
4,809

 
42,327

 
592

 
4,513

 

 
47,432

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
16,787

 
16,787

 

 

 

 
16,787

Depreciation and amortization
2,731

 
1,132

 
61

 
3,924

 

 
396

 

 
4,320

Other
18,031

 
2,192

 
1,243

 
21,466

 
7,923

 
4,976

 

 
34,365

Intersegment expenses, net
851

 
1,494

 
1,130

 
3,475

 
14,108

 
(3,680
)
 
(13,903
)
 

Total operating expenses
49,704

 
14,245

 
24,030

 
87,979

 
22,623

 
6,205

 
(13,903
)
 
102,904

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
24,286

 
4,111

 
793

 
29,190

 
119,268

 
8,145

 

 
156,603

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,513
)
 
(504
)
 
(504
)
 
(2,521
)
 
(1,081
)
 
3,602

 

 

Income before income taxes
22,773

 
3,607

 
289

 
26,669

 
118,187

 
11,747

 

 
156,603

Income tax (expense) benefit
(8,655
)
 
(1,370
)
 
(109
)
 
(10,134
)
 
(44,911
)
 
299

 

 
(54,746
)
Net income
14,118

 
2,237

 
180

 
16,535

 
73,276

 
12,046

 

 
101,857

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
614

 

 
614

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
14,118

 
2,237

 
180

 
16,535

 
73,276

 
11,432

 

 
101,243

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

21



 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 
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
$
20

 
3

 

 
23

 
332,565

 
4,694

 
(1,459
)
 
335,823

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
127,412

 
3,286

 
(1,459
)
 
129,239

Net interest income
20

 
3

 

 
23

 
205,153

 
1,408

 

 
206,584

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
4,000

 

 

 
4,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
20

 
3

 

 
23

 
201,153

 
1,408

 

 
202,584

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
131,217

 

 

 
131,217

 

 

 

 
131,217

Intersegment servicing revenue
28,021

 

 

 
28,021

 

 

 
(28,021
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
47,069

 

 
47,069

 

 

 

 
47,069

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
42,156

 
42,156

 

 

 

 
42,156

Other income

 

 

 

 
8,660

 
24,786

 

 
33,446

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
57

 

 

 
57

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
12,325

 
(2,577
)
 

 
9,748

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(11,935
)
 
(508
)
 

 
(12,443
)
Total other income
159,238

 
47,069

 
42,156

 
248,463

 
9,107

 
21,701

 
(28,021
)
 
251,250

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
65,400

 
21,139

 
8,512

 
95,051

 
1,179

 
10,142

 

 
106,372

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
27,786

 
27,786

 

 

 

 
27,786

Depreciation and amortization
5,608

 
3,273

 
88

 
8,969

 

 
1,028

 

 
9,997

Other
38,267

 
5,603

 
3,293

 
47,163

 
15,991

 
12,850

 

 
76,004

Intersegment expenses, net
2,207

 
2,824

 
1,950

 
6,981

 
28,339

 
(7,299
)
 
(28,021
)
 

Total operating expenses
111,482

 
32,839

 
41,629

 
185,950

 
45,509

 
16,721

 
(28,021
)
 
220,159

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
47,776

 
14,233

 
527

 
62,536

 
164,751

 
6,388

 

 
233,675

Corporate overhead allocation
(3,920
)
 
(1,307
)
 
(1,307
)
 
(6,534
)
 
(2,578
)
 
9,112

 

 

Income before income taxes
43,856

 
12,926

 
(780
)
 
56,002

 
162,173

 
15,500

 

 
233,675

Income tax (expense) benefit
(16,665
)
 
(4,911
)
 
296

 
(21,280
)
 
(61,625
)
 
(784
)
 

 
(83,689
)
Net income
27,191

 
8,015

 
(484
)
 
34,722

 
100,548

 
14,716

 

 
149,986

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
1,206

 

 
1,206

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
27,191

 
8,015

 
(484
)
 
34,722

 
100,548

 
13,510

 

 
148,780

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

22



 
Six months ended June 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
$
19

 

 

 
19

 
313,829

 
4,507

 
(1,653
)
 
316,702

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
114,402

 
3,736

 
(1,653
)
 
116,485

Net interest income
19

 

 

 
19

 
199,427

 
771

 

 
200,217

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
10,000

 

 

 
10,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
19

 

 

 
19

 
189,427

 
771

 

 
190,217

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
115,679

 

 

 
115,679

 

 

 

 
115,679

Intersegment servicing revenue
28,856

 

 

 
28,856

 

 

 
(28,856
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
41,767

 

 
41,767

 

 

 

 
41,767

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
53,780

 
53,780

 

 

 

 
53,780

Other income

 

 

 

 
7,226

 
14,478

 

 
21,704

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
8,762

 

 

 
8,762

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
48,371

 
9,430

 

 
57,801

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(15,384
)
 
(1,157
)
 

 
(16,541
)
Total other income
144,535

 
41,767

 
53,780

 
240,082

 
48,975

 
22,751

 
(28,856
)
 
282,952

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
56,535

 
18,786

 
10,576

 
85,897

 
1,154

 
8,286

 

 
95,337

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
36,429

 
36,429

 

 

 

 
36,429

Depreciation and amortization
5,520

 
2,270

 
122

 
7,912

 

 
785

 

 
8,697

Other
36,421

 
4,479

 
2,894

 
43,794

 
15,436

 
10,076

 

 
69,306

Intersegment expenses, net
1,786

 
2,919

 
2,279

 
6,984

 
29,250

 
(7,378
)
 
(28,856
)
 

Total operating expenses
100,262

 
28,454

 
52,300

 
181,016

 
45,840

 
11,769

 
(28,856
)
 
209,769

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
44,292

 
13,313

 
1,480

 
59,085

 
192,562

 
11,753

 

 
263,400

Corporate overhead allocation
(2,510
)
 
(836
)
 
(836
)
 
(4,182
)
 
(1,793
)
 
5,975

 

 

Income before income taxes
41,782

 
12,477

 
644

 
54,903

 
190,769

 
17,728

 

 
263,400

Income tax (expense) benefit
(15,878
)
 
(4,741
)
 
(244
)
 
(20,863
)
 
(72,492
)
 
162

 

 
(93,193
)
Net income
25,904

 
7,736

 
400

 
34,040

 
118,277

 
17,890

 

 
170,207

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
885

 

 
885

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
25,904

 
7,736

 
400

 
34,040

 
118,277

 
17,005

 

 
169,322

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11.    Major Customer

The Company is one of four private sector companies awarded a student loan servicing contract by the Department of Education (the "Department") in June 2009 to provide additional servicing capacity for loans owned by the Department, with new loan volume currently being allocated among the four servicers based on certain performance metrics established by the Department. The servicing contract was originally scheduled to expire in June 2014, with a five-year extension at the option of the Department. Effective as of June 17, 2014, the Department exercised its optional ordering period to extend the servicing contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with loan servicing volume under the extended contract remaining subject to task orders issued by the Department. Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $31.0 million and $22.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $60.9 million and $42.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


23



12. Related Party Transactions

The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report.  The following provides an update for a related party transaction that occurred during the first half of 2014.

On January 1, 2014, the Company subparticipated the Company's participation interest in a loan receivable from an unrelated third party to Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), an entity under common control with the Company. As of June 30, 2014, the participated portion of the loan was $1.7 million, with an obligation to fund an additional $1.4 million. As part of this agreement, Union Bank will pay the Company monthly servicing fees equal to 40 basis points on the participated portion of the outstanding principal balance of the loan.
 
13.   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 six months ended June 30, 2014.
 
As of June 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed securities
$

 
137,567

 
137,567

 

 
188,279

 
188,279

Equity securities
3,489

 

 
3,489

 
3,282

 

 
3,282

Debt securities
433

 

 
433

 
479

 

 
479

Total investments
3,922

 
137,567

 
141,489

 
3,761

 
188,279

 
192,040

Fair value of derivative instruments

 
68,033

 
68,033

 

 
62,507

 
62,507

Total assets
$
3,922

 
205,600

 
209,522

 
3,761

 
250,786

 
254,547

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivative instruments
$

 
15,546

 
15,546

 

 
17,969

 
17,969

Total liabilities
$

 
15,546

 
15,546

 

 
17,969

 
17,969


The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
As of June 30, 2014
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
30,629,142

 
29,342,430

 

 

 
30,629,142

Cash and cash equivalents
92,099

 
92,099

 
92,099

 

 

Investments
141,489

 
141,489

 
3,922

 
137,567

 

Restricted cash
855,113

 
855,113

 
855,113

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
98,005

 
98,005

 
98,005

 

 

Restricted investments
6,921

 
6,921

 
6,921

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
360,075

 
360,075

 

 
360,075

 

Derivative instruments
68,033

 
68,033

 

 
68,033

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
29,493,178

 
29,492,560

 

 
29,493,178

 

Accrued interest payable
24,339

 
24,339

 

 
24,339

 

Due to customers
98,005

 
98,005

 
98,005

 

 

Derivative instruments
15,546

 
15,546

 

 
15,546

 


24



 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
26,641,383

 
25,907,589

 

 

 
26,641,383

Cash and cash equivalents
63,267

 
63,267

 
63,267

 

 

Investments
192,040

 
192,040

 
3,761

 
188,279

 

Restricted cash
727,838

 
727,838

 
727,838

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
167,576

 
167,576

 
167,576

 

 

Restricted investments
7,285

 
7,285

 
7,285

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
314,553

 
314,553

 

 
314,553

 

Derivative instruments
62,507

 
62,507

 

 
62,507

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
25,577,250

 
25,955,289

 

 
25,577,250

 

Accrued interest payable
21,725

 
21,725

 

 
21,725

 

Due to customers
167,576

 
167,576

 
167,576

 

 

Derivative instruments
17,969

 
17,969

 

 
17,969

 

 
The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report.

14. 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 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 legal proceedings in which the plaintiffs have made allegations that one or more putative classes should be certified by the applicable court. With respect to the three proceedings discussed below, 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, the Company has entered into agreements in principle to resolve two of the matters for immaterial amounts through a court-approved class-wide settlement, and the Company has been granted a motion for a summary judgment dismissing the case and upon any appeal intends to vigorously contest class certification in the remaining matter. The Company has accrued an immaterial amount related to the legal proceedings described below. However, due to 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.

25




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. On January 23, 2014, Peterson's and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Peterson's 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.

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 case has since been moved to the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of California (the “California District 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 California District 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.

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 "Keating Defendants"), in connection with a lawsuit by Grant Keating in the U.S. Federal 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 Keating 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 Keating 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 Keating Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, and the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. On May 12, 2014, the Ohio District Court granted the Keating Defendants' motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case. On June 12, 2014, the named plaintiff filed a Notice of Intent to Appeal to the Circuit Court of Appeals. As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. The Keating Defendants intend to continue to defend themselves vigorously in this lawsuit.

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 six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. 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 2013 Annual Report.


26



Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This report contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this document.  Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's plans and expectations for future financial condition, results of operations or economic performance, or that address management's plans and objectives for future operations, and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “will,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors that management believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2013 Annual Report and elsewhere in this report, and include such risks and uncertainties as:

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

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

risks from changes in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs and budgets, such as the expected decline over time in FFELP loan interest income and fee-based revenues due to the discontinuation of new FFELP loan originations in 2010 and potential government initiatives or legislative proposals to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program or otherwise allow FFELP loans to be refinanced with Federal Direct Loan Program loans, risks related to reduced government payments to guaranty agencies to rehabilitate defaulted FFELP loans and services in support of those activities, risks related to the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department, which accounted for 23 percent of the Company's fee-based revenue in 2013, and risks related to 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 and uncertainties associated with litigation matters and with maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the Company's businesses, 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 or revise its prior forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, the Company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.


27



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: asset management and finance, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services (education planning). 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 June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
74,994

 
101,243

 
148,780

 
169,322

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(4,826
)
 
(30,098
)
 
(6,044
)
 
(35,837
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
70,168

 
71,145

 
142,736

 
133,485

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
1.61

 
2.17

 
3.20

 
3.63

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(0.10
)
 
(0.64
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(0.77
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
1.51

 
1.53

 
3.07

 
2.86


(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.

Included in net income for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 were gains on the repurchase of the Company's own asset-backed debt securities of $7.4 million ($0.10 per share after tax) and $8.7 million ($0.12 per share after tax), respectively. Excluding these gains, the increase in net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, in the 2014 periods compared with the same periods in 2013 was primarily due to an increase in income from the Company's student loan portfolio, an increase in income from providing investment advisory services through a SEC registered investment advisor subsidiary, and an increase in gains from investment activities. The increase in income from the Company's student loan portfolio in 2014 compared to 2013 was due to an increase in the portfolio from recent acquisitions and a lower provision for loan losses expense recorded in 2014 compared to 2013.

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 June 30, 2014, the Company had a $29.3 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 25 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

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


28



The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in millions).

(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue of $13.8 million and $13.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $28.0 million and $28.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, 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 income of $8.8 million and $43.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and income of $12.3 million and $48.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax, which was income of $5.5 million and $26.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and income of $7.6 million and $30.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of June 30, 2014, the Company was servicing $150.0 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $116.8 billion of loans as of June 30, 2013.

Revenue increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013 due to growth in servicing volume under the Company's contract with the Department, offset partially by a decrease in traditional FFELP servicing revenue. Revenue from the Department servicing contract increased to $31.0 million and $60.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $22.1 million and $42.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2013. As of June 30, 2014, the Company was servicing $123.2 billion of loans for 5.5 million borrowers under this contract.

The servicing contract with the Department was originally scheduled to expire in June 2014, with a five-year extension at the option of the Department.   Effective as of June 17, 2014, the Department exercised its optional ordering period to extend the servicing contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019.  The Company expects the performance metrics to determine loan servicing volume allocation each servicer will receive and the amount servicers may be paid per borrower will change during the extended period of the contract. 

Before tax operating margin was 26.6% and 30.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 27.5% and 28.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Operating margin in this segment will continue to decrease as the volume of loans serviced under the Department servicing contract increases as a percentage of overall volume serviced.


29



Recent federal budget provisions that became effective July 1, 2014 reduced payments by the Department to guaranty agencies for assisting student loan borrowers with the rehabilitation of defaulted loans under FFELP. Rehabilitation collection revenue recognized by the Company was $17.3 million and $13.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $30.7 million and $25.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company anticipates this revenue will be negatively impacted as a result of these federal budget provisions.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

On June 3, 2014, the Company purchased 100 percent of the ownership interests of RenWeb for total consideration of $46.3 million (of which $2.3 million represents the estimated fair value of contingent consideration). RenWeb provides school information systems for private and faith-based schools that currently help over 3,000 schools automate administrative processes such as admissions, scheduling, student billing, attendance, and grade book management. The Company currently offers tuition management and financial needs assessment services to over 6,500 schools. The combination of RenWeb’s school administration software and the Company’s tuition management and financial needs assessment services are expected to significantly increase the value of the Company’s offerings, allowing the Company to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions to over 8,500 school customers in this area. The results of operations of RenWeb are reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. RenWeb's revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 was $14 million.

In addition to the acquisition of RenWeb, revenue increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013 due to increases in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction volume, and new school customers.

Excluding the amortization of intangibles, before tax operating margin was 24.1% for both the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and 32.7% and 33.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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 six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013 due to a decrease in inquiry management and generation 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.

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.

Due to the on-going decrease in school spending on marketing efforts, effective August 29, 2014, the Company will stop providing inquiry generation services. The initial and on-going impact to net income as a result of shutting down the inquiry generation services portion of this segment is expected to be immaterial.

Asset Generation and Management

The Company acquired $5.2 billion of student loans during the first six months of 2014, of which $4.8 billion were purchased in the second quarter. The average loan portfolio balance for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $28.2 billion and $24.8 billion, respectively.

Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.39 billion as of June 30, 2014.

Core student loan spread was 1.46% for the three months ended June 30, 2014, compared to 1.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 1.52% for the three months ended June 30, 2013. The year over year decrease in student loan spread was the result of recent consolidation loan acquisitions, which have lower margins but longer terms. The increase in student loan spread for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was due to an increase in fixed rate floor income. Due to recent loan acquisitions, the Company is earning fixed rate floor income on a larger portfolio.

30




Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company earned $43.6 million and $36.1 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of $7.0 million and $8.5 million of derivative settlements, respectively, used to hedge such loans). As of June 30, 2014, the Company was earning fixed rate floor income on $13.0 billion of student loans.

The provision for loan losses on the Company’s federally insured loans was $2.0 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $5.0 million and $11.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   As the Company’s overall student loan portfolio continues to season with the length of time that loans are in active repayment, credit performance continues to improve.

Corporate Activities

Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, recognized investment advisory revenue of $7.0 million and $6.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $12.2 million and $9.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. WRCM earns annual fees of up to 25 basis points on the outstanding balance of investments and up to 50 percent of the gains from the sale of securities for which it provides advisory services. Due to improvements in the capital markets, the opportunities to earn performance fees on the sale of securities are becoming more limited. As of June 30, 2014, WRCM was managing an investment portfolio of $814.4 million for third-party entities.

The Company had $2.1 million in gains on investments during the three months ended June 30, 2014, compared to a net loss of $0.2 million for the same period in 2013. The Company had gains on investments of $9.3 million and $1.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 36.5% and 35.1% in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 36.0% and 35.5% in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   The lower effective tax rates in 2013 were due to the resolution of certain tax positions which lowered income tax expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2014, the Company had cash and investments of $233.6 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company generated $156.5 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

On June 30, 2014, the Company’s unsecured line of credit was amended to increase the line of credit from $275.0 million to $350.0 million and extend the maturity date from March 28, 2018 to June 30, 2019.  As of June 30, 2014, $65.0 million was outstanding on the line of credit and $285.0 million was available for future use.

During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company repurchased a total of 209,940 shares of Class A common stock for $8.4 million ($40.18 per share).

The Company intends to use its 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 six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013 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.


31



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 10 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.
 
Three months
 
Six months
 
 
 
ended June 30,
 
ended June 30,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Additional information
Loan interest
$
175,466

 
158,063

 
332,362

 
313,602

 
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 decrease in gross variable student loan yield and an increase in consolidation rebate fees.
Investment interest
1,482

 
1,483

 
3,461

 
3,100

 
Includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and investments and funds in asset-backed securitizations.
Total interest income
176,948

 
159,546

 
335,823

 
316,702

 
 
Interest expense
69,235

 
58,127

 
129,239

 
116,485

 
Increase due to an increase in average debt outstanding and an increase in the Company's cost of funds.
Net interest income
107,713

 
101,419

 
206,584

 
200,217

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Less provision for loan losses
1,500

 
5,000

 
4,000

 
10,000

 
Represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio of student loans. See AGM operating segment - results of operations.
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
106,213

 
96,419

 
202,584

 
190,217

 
 
Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
LGS revenue
66,460

 
60,078

 
131,217

 
115,679

 
See LGS operating segment - results of operations.
TPP&CC revenue
21,834

 
18,356

 
47,069

 
41,767

 
See TPP&CC operating segment - results of operations.
NES revenue
20,145

 
24,823

 
42,156

 
53,780

 
See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Other income
15,315

 
12,288

 
33,446

 
21,704

 
See table below for the components of "other income."
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
18

 
7,355

 
57

 
8,762

 
Gains are primarily from the repurchase of the Company's own asset-backed debt securities. Due to improvements in the capital markets, the opportunities for the Company to repurchase debt at less than par are becoming more limited.
Derivative settlements, net
(6,214
)
 
(8,357
)
 
(12,443
)
 
(16,541
)
 
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
7,784

 
48,545

 
9,748

 
57,801

 
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
125,342

 
163,088

 
251,250

 
282,952

 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Salaries and benefits
53,888

 
47,432

 
106,372

 
95,337

 
Increase is due to additional personnel to support increased LGS servicing volume and TPP&CC revenue, partially offset by expense reductions at NES.
Cost to provide enrollment services
13,311

 
16,787

 
27,786

 
36,429

 
See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Depreciation and amortization
5,214

 
4,320

 
9,997

 
8,697

 
 
Other
40,377

 
34,365

 
76,004

 
69,306

 
 
Total operating expenses
112,790

 
102,904

 
220,159

 
209,769

 
 
Income before income taxes
118,765

 
156,603

 
233,675

 
263,400

 
 
Income tax expense
43,078

 
54,746

 
83,689

 
93,193

 
The effective tax rate was 36.5% and 35.1% in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 36.0% and 35.5% in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Net income
75,687

 
101,857

 
149,986

 
170,207

 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
693

 
614

 
1,206

 
885

 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
74,994

 
101,243

 
148,780

 
169,322

 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
74,994

 
101,243

 
148,780

 
169,322

 
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
(7,784
)
 
(48,545
)
 
(9,748
)
 
(57,801
)
 
Tax effect
2,958

 
18,447

 
3,704


21,964

 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
70,168

 
71,145

 
142,736

 
133,485

 

32




The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Additional information
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
58,627

 
58,076

 
113,023

 
113,697

 
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
43,607

 
36,056

 
81,451

 
71,772

 
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
1,482

 
1,483

 
3,461

 
3,100

 
 
Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(256
)
 
(512
)
 
(508
)
 
(1,157
)
 
 
Corporate debt interest expense
(1,961
)
 
(2,041
)
 
(3,286
)
 
(3,736
)
 
Includes interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities and unsecured and secured lines of credit.
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
101,499

 
93,062

 
194,141

 
183,676

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the components of "other income."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Borrower late fee income
$
3,557

 
3,233

 
7,244

 
6,738

Investment advisory fees
7,008

 
6,334

 
12,228

 
9,164

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net
2,081

 
(158
)
 
9,291

 
996

Other
2,669

 
2,879

 
4,683

 
4,806

Other income
$
15,315

 
12,288

 
33,446

 
21,704



33



STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)

Company owned
 
$23,727
 
$22,650
 
$21,237
 
$20,820
 
$20,629
 
$20,715
 
$21,397
 
$21,192
 
$21,110
% of total
 
38.6%
 
29.8%
 
21.8%
 
18.5%
 
17.7%
 
15.3%
 
15.5%
 
14.3%
 
14.1%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
2,804,502

 
3,036,534

 
3,892,929

 
4,261,637

 
4,396,341

 
5,145,901

 
5,305,498

 
5,438,933

 
5,465,395

FFELP servicing:
 
1,912,748

 
1,799,484

 
1,626,146

 
1,586,312

 
1,529,203

 
1,507,452

 
1,462,122

 
1,426,435

 
1,390,541

Private servicing:
 
155,947

 
164,554

 
173,948

 
170,224

 
173,588

 
178,935

 
195,580

 
191,606

 
186,863

Total:
 
4,873,197

 
5,000,572

 
5,693,023

 
6,018,173

 
6,099,132

 
6,832,288

 
6,963,200

 
7,056,974

 
7,042,799

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers:
 
545,456

 
9,566,296

 
6,912,204

 
5,001,695

 
3,218,896

 
1,986,866

 
1,915,203

 
1,796,287

 
1,735,594



34



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Net interest income
$
9

 
9

 
20

 
19

 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
66,460

 
60,078

 
131,217

 
115,679

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Intersegment servicing revenue
13,800

 
13,903

 
28,021

 
28,856

 
Represents revenue earned by the LGS operating segment as a result of servicing loans for the AGM operating segment.
Total other income
80,260

 
73,981

 
159,238

 
144,535

 

Salaries and benefits
33,093

 
28,091

 
65,400

 
56,535

 
Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in volume under the Department servicing contract.
Depreciation and amortization
2,819

 
2,731

 
5,608

 
5,520

 

Other expenses
19,815

 
18,031

 
38,267

 
36,421

 
Increase due to additional servicing volume and collection costs incurred related to rehabilitating defaulted FFELP loans on behalf of guaranty agencies. Collection costs were $6.7 million, $5.8 million, $12.2 million, and $11.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Intersegment expenses, net
1,124

 
851

 
2,207

 
1,786

 

Total operating expenses
56,851

 
49,704

 
111,482

 
100,262

 

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
23,418

 
24,286

 
47,776

 
44,292

 

Corporate overhead allocation
(2,060
)
 
(1,513
)
 
(3,920
)
 
(2,510
)
 

Income before income taxes
21,358

 
22,773

 
43,856

 
41,782

 

Income tax expense
(8,116
)
 
(8,655
)
 
(16,665
)
 
(15,878
)
 

Net income
$
13,242

 
14,118

 
27,191

 
25,904

 

Before tax operating margin
26.6
%
 
30.8
%
 
27.5
%
 
28.9
%
 
Operating margin in this segment will continue to decrease as the volume of loans serviced under the Department servicing contract increases as a percentage of overall volume serviced.



35



The following table summarizes the components of "Loan and guaranty servicing revenue."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Government servicing
$
31,016

 
22,140

 
60,875

 
42,463

 
Increase due to an increase in the number of borrowers serviced under the Department servicing contract.
FFELP servicing
3,116

 
6,200

 
6,532

 
11,522

 
Revenue in the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 included certain non-recurring deconversion fees. Excluding these fees, FFELP servicing revenue decreased. Decrease will continue as third-party customers’ FFELP portfolios run off.
Private servicing
2,562

 
2,437

 
5,046

 
4,657

 
 
FFELP guaranty servicing
2,937

 
3,079

 
6,059

 
6,193

 
Revenue from guaranty servicing will decrease going forward as FFELP portfolios run off and guaranty volume decreases.
FFELP guaranty collection
20,666

 
18,592

 
38,320

 
35,660

 
The Company earns revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. Over time, this FFELP-related revenue source will decrease as FFELP portfolios continue to run off. Also, recent federal budget provisions that became effective July 1, 2014 will reduce payments by the Department to guaranty agencies for assisting student loan borrowers with the rehabilitation of defaulted loans under FFELP. Rehabilitation collection revenue recognized by the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $17.3 million, $13.6 million, $30.7 million, and $25.7 million, respectively. The Company anticipates this revenue will be negatively impacted as a result of these federal budget provisions.
Software services
5,114

 
7,194

 
12,744

 
14,471

 
A contract with a significant remote hosted customer expired in December 2013. Revenue earned from this customer for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was $2.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company settled a billing dispute related to a prior period and recognized revenue of $2.2 million. Excluding these two items, software services revenue increased due to an increase in the number of borrowers from other remote hosted customers.
 Other
1,049

 
436

 
1,641

 
713

 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
$
66,460

 
60,078

 
131,217

 
115,679

 
 


36



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 grant and 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.

As discussed above under "Overview - Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce," on June 3, 2014, the Company purchased RenWeb. The results of operations of RenWeb are reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. RenWeb's revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 was $14 million.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Net interest income
$
3

 

 
3

 

 
 
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
21,834

 
18,356

 
47,069

 
41,767

 
In addition to the acquisition of RenWeb referred to above, the remaining increase was due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction volume, and new school customers.
Salaries and benefits
11,112

 
9,427

 
21,139

 
18,786

 
In addition to the acquisition of RenWeb referred to above, the remaining increase was due to additional personnel to support the increase in payment plans and continued system maintenance and enhancements.
Depreciation and amortization
1,845

 
1,132

 
3,273

 
2,270

 
Increase due to the additional amortization of intangibles from the purchase of RenWeb described above.
Other expenses
2,956

 
2,192

 
5,603

 
4,479

 
In addition to the acquisition of RenWeb referred to above, the remaining increase was due to additional expenses to support the increase in payment plans and continued system maintenance and enhancements.
Intersegment expenses, net
1,404

 
1,494

 
2,824

 
2,919

 
 
Total operating expenses
17,317

 
14,245

 
32,839

 
28,454

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
4,520

 
4,111

 
14,233

 
13,313

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(687
)
 
(504
)
 
(1,307
)
 
(836
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
3,833

 
3,607

 
12,926

 
12,477

 
 
Income tax expense
(1,456
)
 
(1,370
)
 
(4,911
)
 
(4,741
)
 
 
Net income
$
2,377

 
2,237

 
8,015

 
7,736

 
 
Before tax operating margin
17.6
%
 
19.7
%
 
27.5
%
 
29.9
%
 
Excluding the amortization of intangibles, before tax operating margin was 24.1% for both the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and 32.7% and 33.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As discussed previously, 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.


37



ENROLLMENT SERVICES OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Enrollment services revenue
$
20,145

 
24,823

 
42,156

 
53,780

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Salaries and benefits
4,132

 
4,809

 
8,512

 
10,576

 
Decrease due to cost saving measures initiated by the Company in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue.
Cost to provide enrollment services
13,311

 
16,787

 
27,786

 
36,429

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Depreciation and amortization
41

 
61

 
88

 
122

 
 
Other expenses
1,844

 
1,243

 
3,293

 
2,894

 
 
Intersegment expenses, net
944

 
1,130

 
1,950

 
2,279

 
 
Total operating expenses
20,272

 
24,030

 
41,629

 
52,300

 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
(127
)
 
793

 
527

 
1,480

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(687
)
 
(504
)
 
(1,307
)
 
(836
)
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(814
)
 
289

 
(780
)
 
644

 
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
309

 
(109
)
 
296

 
(244
)
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(505
)
 
180

 
(484
)
 
400

 
 
Before tax operating margin
(4.0
)%
 
1.2
%
 
(1.9
)%
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
The following tables summarize the components of "Enrollment services revenue" and "Cost to provide enrollment services."
 
Inquiry management (marketing) (a)
 
Inquiry management (software)
 
Inquiry generation (b)
 
Digital marketing
 
Content solutions (c)
 
Total
 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
Enrollment services revenue
$
12,507

 
945

 
2,513

 
908

 
3,272

 
20,145

Cost to provide enrollment services
10,976

 

 
1,645

 
47

 
643

 
13,311

Gross profit
$
1,531

 
945

 
868

 
861

 
2,629

 
6,834

Gross profit %
12.2%
 

 
34.5%
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2013
Enrollment services revenue
$
15,550

 
914

 
3,878

 
911

 
3,570

 
24,823

Cost to provide enrollment services
13,755

 

 
2,474

 
30

 
528

 
16,787

Gross profit
$
1,795

 
914

 
1,404

 
881

 
3,042

 
8,036

Gross profit %
11.5%
 

 
36.2%
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
Enrollment services revenue
$
26,044

 
2,014

 
5,359

 
1,976

 
6,763

 
42,156

Cost to provide enrollment services
22,929

 

 
3,431

 
135

 
1,291

 
27,786

Gross profit
$
3,115

 
2,014

 
1,928

 
1,841

 
5,472

 
14,370

Gross profit %
12.0%
 
 
 
36.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2013
Enrollment services revenue
$
33,567

 
2,009

 
8,305

 
1,997

 
7,902

 
53,780

Cost to provide enrollment services
29,852

 

 
5,229

 
117

 
1,231

 
36,429

Gross profit
$
3,715

 
2,009

 
3,076

 
1,880

 
6,671

 
17,351

Gross profit %
11.1%
 
 
 
37.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
Inquiry management (marketing) revenue decreased $3.0 million (19.6%) and $7.5 million (22.4%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013, respectively. Revenue from this service has 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.

(b)
Inquiry generation revenue decreased $1.4 million (35.2%) and $2.9 million (35.5%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013, respectively. Effective August 29, 2014, the Company will stop providing inquiry generation services. Revenue from this service has been affected by ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry. In addition, conversion rates on inquiries are down. These items have caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts. The initial and on-going impact to net income as a result of shutting down the inquiry generation services is expected to be immaterial.

(c)
Content solutions revenue decreased $0.3 million (8.3%) and $1.1 million (14.4%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013, respectively, due to the divesture of the Company's list marketing business in March 2013.


38



ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Portfolio

As of June 30, 2014, the Company had a $29.3 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 25 years. For a summary of the Company’s student loan portfolio as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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 June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
25,814,195

 
25,030,597

 
26,121,306

 
24,995,880

Loan acquisitions
4,800,640

 
403,018

 
5,187,898

 
1,146,784

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
(825,365
)
 
(592,099
)
 
(1,374,070
)
 
(1,146,349
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(209,679
)
 
(123,145
)
 
(355,343
)
 
(266,296
)
Loans sold
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
(11,651
)
Ending balance
$
29,579,785

 
24,718,368

 
29,579,785

 
24,718,368

 
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 six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and a summary of the Company's student loan delinquency amounts as of June 30, 2014, December 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

The Company's provision for loan losses and charge-offs of federally insured loans has decreased during the first six months of 2014 as compared to 2013. The Company’s primary driver for loan growth has been acquiring student loan portfolios.  The Company records loans acquired net of any credit exposure through a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses. This credit discount is non-accretable to interest income.   The Company continues to evaluate credit losses associated with purchased loans based on current information and changes in expectations to determine the need for any additional allowance for loan losses.   The recent purchases of large loan portfolios have resulted in an increase in the non-accretable discount balance, but no additional allowance for loan losses associated with these recent loan portfolios has been necessary.   In addition, as the Company’s overall student loan portfolio continues to season with the length of time that loans are in active repayment, credit performance continues to improve.


39



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
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
June 30,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.54
 %
 
2.50
 %
 
2.58
 %
 
2.52
 %
 
2.57
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.82
)
 
(0.80
)
 
(0.77
)
 
(0.81
)
 
(0.77
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
0.06

 
0.05

 
0.03

 
0.06

 
0.03

Variable student loan yield, net
1.78

 
1.75

 
1.84

 
1.77

 
1.83

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(0.95
)
 
(0.92
)
 
(0.91
)
 
(0.94
)
 
(0.91
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
0.01

 
0.02

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.01

Variable student loan spread
0.84

 
0.85

 
0.94

 
0.84

 
0.93

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.62

 
0.59

 
0.58

 
0.61

 
0.58

Core student loan spread
1.46
 %

1.44
 %

1.52
 %
 
1.45
 %
 
1.51
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
28,163,626

 
25,915,053

 
24,798,537

 
27,039,339

 
24,789,981

Average balance of debt outstanding
28,229,140

 
25,826,656

 
24,832,555

 
27,034,535

 
24,828,001


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


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

Variable student loan spread decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 as a result of recent acquisitions of consolidation loans, which have lower margins but longer terms.

40



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
 
Six months ended
 
June 30, 2014
 
March 31,
2014
 
June 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2013
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
50,581

 
44,794

 
44,590

 
95,375

 
88,611

Derivative settlements (a)
(6,974
)
 
(6,950
)
 
(8,534
)
 
(13,924
)
 
(16,839
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
43,607

 
37,844

 
36,056

 
81,451

 
71,772

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

Fixed rate floor income increased during the three months ended June 30, 2014, due to recent purchases of loans earning fixed rate floor income. The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2014 and 2013 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.


41



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
$
106,126

 
96,255

 
201,153

 
189,427

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Other income
4,496

 
3,030

 
8,660

 
7,226

 
The primary component of other income is borrower late fees, which were $3.6 million, $3.2 million, $7.2 million, and $6.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
18

 
7,355

 
57

 
8,762

 
Gains are primarily from the Company repurchasing its own asset-backed debt securities. Due to improvements in the capital markets, the opportunities for the Company to repurchase debt at less than par are becoming more limited.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
8,848

 
43,096

 
12,325

 
48,371

 
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.
Derivative settlements, net
(5,958
)
 
(7,845
)
 
(11,935
)
 
(15,384
)
 
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
7,404

 
45,636

 
9,107

 
48,975

 
 
Salaries and benefits
570

 
592

 
1,179

 
1,154

 
 
Other expenses
8,845

 
7,923

 
15,991

 
15,436

 
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
13,968

 
14,108

 
28,339

 
29,250

 
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 runs off.
Total operating expenses
23,383

 
22,623

 
45,509

 
45,840

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
90,147

 
119,268

 
164,751

 
192,562

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(1,249
)
 
(1,081
)
 
(2,578
)
 
(1,793
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
88,898

 
118,187

 
162,173

 
190,769

 
 
Income tax expense
(33,781
)
 
(44,911
)
 
(61,625
)
 
(72,492
)
 
 
Net income
$
55,117

 
73,276

 
100,548

 
118,277

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
55,117

 
73,276

 
100,548

 
118,277

 
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
(8,848
)
 
(43,096
)
 
(12,325
)
 
(48,371
)
 
Tax effect
3,362

 
16,376

 
4,684

 
18,381

 
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
49,631

 
46,556

 
92,907

 
88,287

 



42



The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Variable interest income, net of settlements on derivatives
$
179,593

 
159,926

 
340,542

 
317,475

 
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
(57,871
)
 
(47,329
)
 
(109,194
)
 
(94,537
)
 
Increase due to an increase in the average consolidation loan balance.
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
4,178

 
1,565

 
7,627

 
3,508

 
Increase due to the Company's purchase of loans at a net discount over the last several years.
Interest on bonds and notes payable
(67,273
)
 
(56,086
)
 
(125,952
)
 
(112,749
)
 
Increase due to an increase in the average debt outstanding, and an increase in the Company's cost of funds.
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
58,627

 
58,076

 
113,023

 
113,697

 
 
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
43,607

 
36,056

 
81,451

 
71,772

 
The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned are due to historically low interest rates.
Investment interest
96

 
112

 
203

 
227

 
 
Intercompany interest
(662
)
 
(834
)
 
(1,459
)
 
(1,653
)
 
 
Provision for loan losses - federally insured
(2,000
)
 
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
 
(11,000
)
 
 
Recovery of loan losses - non-federally insured
500

 

 
1,000

 
1,000

 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
100,168

 
88,410

 
189,218

 
174,043

 
 

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 June 30, 2014, the Company had cash and investments of $233.6 million. In addition, the Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $156.5 million and $387.2 million, respectively.

In addition, the Company has an unsecured line of credit that matures on June 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2014, $65.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $285.0 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 June 30, 2014, the Company holds $92.5 million (par value) of its own asset-backed securities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.


43



The Company intends to use its 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 six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company generated $156.5 million from operating activities, compared to $153.2 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in cash provided by operating activities reflects changes in the adjustments to net income for non-cash depreciation and amortization, non-cash foreign currency transaction adjustments related to the Company's Euro denominated bonds payable, and non-cash fair value adjustments for derivatives. These factors were offset by the lower level of net income in 2014. Accrued interest on loans purchased is included in cash flows from operating activities in the respective period.  Net purchased accrued interest was $43.1 million and $19.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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 used in investing activities and cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. 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 June 30, 2014
 
Carrying
amount
 
Final maturity
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations
$
28,545,842

 
5/25/18 - 8/26/52
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,139,750

 
1/17/16 - 6/11/17
Other borrowings
63,068

 
10/31/14 - 11/11/15
 
$
29,748,660

 
 

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 June 30, 2014, 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 $2.39 billion as detailed below.  The $2.39 billion includes approximately $607.4 million (as of June 30, 2014) 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 June 30, 2014.  As of June 30, 2014, the Company had $28.3 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 96.0 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 funded in its warehouse facilities as of June 30, 2014 or loans acquired subsequent to June 30, 2014.


44



FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast
$2.39 billion
(dollars below 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 $270 million to $330 million.

Interest rates:  The Company funds a large portion 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 $140 million to $180 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 June 30, 2014, 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 $8.1 million. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk."


45



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 June 30, 2014, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities with an aggregate maximum financing amount available of $1.75 billion, of which $1.14 billion was outstanding, and $0.61 billion was available for future use. Of the three 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 June 30, 2014, the Company had $66.6 million advanced as equity support on its FFELP warehouse facilities. For further discussion of the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities outstanding at June 30, 2014, 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 June 30, 2014, $479.4 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 two quarters of 2014, the Company completed five asset-backed securitizations totaling $2.7 billion and on July 31, 2014 the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $573.3 million, including $8.3 million of Class B subordinated debt that was retained at issuance. 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, including additional purchased FFELP loans, and/or existing asset-backed securitizations.  

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 June 30, 2014, 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 June 30, 2014, the fair value of the Company's derivatives which had a negative fair value (a liability in the Company's balance sheet), was $15.5 million, and the Company had no collateral posted to derivative counterparties.

46




Other Debt Facilities

As previously discussed, the Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit with a maturity date of June 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2014, $65.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $285.0 million was available for future use.

The Company has issued Hybrid Securities that have a final maturity of September 15, 2061. The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. As of June 30, 2014, $96.5 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 six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $57,000 from the repurchase of $1.6 million (par value) 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 prices and other potential uses of liquidity. Shares repurchased by the Company during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 are shown below. For additional information see "Stock Repurchases" under Part II, Item 2 of this report.
 
Total shares repurchased
 
Purchase price (in thousands)
 
Average price of shares repurchased (per share)
 
 
 
Quarter ended June 30, 2014
209,940

 
$
8,436

 
$
40.18


As of June 30, 2014, 3,667,817 shares remain authorized for repurchase under the Company's stock repurchase program.

Dividends

On June 13, 2014, the Company paid a second quarter 2014 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 has declared a third quarter 2014 cash dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. The third quarter cash dividend will be paid on September 15, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2014.

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.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit.  The Company has relatively small investments in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit, and currently accounts for these investments using the equity method.  The Company plans to continue using the equity method to account for these investments, thus the adoption of this standard will not have an impact on its financial position or results of operations.


47



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 June 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
Fixed-rate loan assets
$
12,989,719

 
43.9
%
 
$
11,090,583

 
42.5
%
Variable-rate loan assets
16,590,066

 
56.1

 
15,030,723

 
57.5

Total
$
29,579,785

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,121,306

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt instruments
$

 
%
 
$

 
%
Variable-rate debt instruments
29,910,117

 
100.0

 
26,213,345

 
100.0

Total
$
29,910,117

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,213,345

 
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 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.

No variable-rate floor income was earned by the Company during 2013 and 2014. A summary of fixed rate floor income earned by the Company follows.
 
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
50,581

 
44,590

 
95,375

 
88,611

Derivative settlements (a)
(6,974
)
 
(8,534
)
 
(13,924
)
 
(16,839
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
43,607

 
36,056

 
81,451

 
71,772


(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 2014 and 2013 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.


48



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%:


The following table shows the Company’s student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of June 30, 2014. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company purchased certain loan portfolios that contained loans earning fixed rate floor income.
 
 
Borrower/
 
Estimated
 
 
Fixed
 
lender
 
variable
 
 
interest
 
weighted
 
conversion
 
Loan
rate range
 
average yield
 
rate (a)
 
balance
< 3.0%
 
2.87%
 
0.23%
 
$
1,867,914

3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.20%
 
0.56%
 
2,424,505

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
2,303,132

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,755,038

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
1,083,052

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.22%
 
2.58%
 
691,949

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
410,536

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.18%
 
3.54%
 
463,625

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.71%
 
4.07%
 
448,223

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.17%
 
4.53%
 
197,403

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
322,499

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.17%
 
5.53%
 
726,538

> 9.0%
 
9.04%
 
6.40%
 
295,305

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
12,989,719

 
(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of June 30, 2014, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.85% and the short-term interest rate was 15 basis points.


49



The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of June 30, 2014 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
 
$
1,250,000

 
0.67
%
2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
 
$
4,350,000

 
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 June 30, 2014:
Index
 
Frequency of variable resets
 
Assets
 
Debt outstanding that funded student loan assets
1 month LIBOR (a)
 
Daily
 
$
28,513,198

 

3 month Treasury bill
 
Daily
 
998,917

 

3 month LIBOR (a) (b)
 
Quarterly
 

 
17,641,518

1 month LIBOR
 
Monthly
 

 
10,001,667

Auction-rate or remarketing (c)
 
Varies
 

 
1,562,325

Asset-backed commercial paper (d)
 
Varies
 

 
480,082

Other (e)
 
 
 
236,545

 
63,068

 
 
 
 
$
29,748,660

 
29,748,660


(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 June 30, 2014:
 
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 June 30, 2014 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points.
(b)
The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into a derivative instrument (cross-currency interest rate swap) that converts 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.”



50



(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 June 30, 2014, the Company was sponsor for $1.3 billion 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.


51



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.
 
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 June 30, 2014
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(20,253
)
 
(17.1
)%
 
$
(35,131
)
 
(29.6
)%
 
$
(4,380
)
 
(3.7
)%
 
$
(13,141
)
 
(11.2
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
11,825

 
10.0

 
35,474

 
29.9

 
1,907

 
1.6

 
5,722

 
4.8

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(8,428
)
 
(7.1
)%
 
$
343

 
0.3
 %
 
$
(2,473
)
 
(2.1
)%
 
$
(7,419
)
 
(6.4
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.11
)
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
(0.03
)
 
 
 
$
(0.10
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2013
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(17,267
)
 
(11.0
)%
 
$
(30,223
)
 
(19.3
)%
 
$
(4,137
)
 
(2.7
)%
 
$
(12,410
)
 
(8.0
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
17,144

 
10.9

 
51,432

 
32.8

 
1,708

 
1.1

 
5,123

 
3.3

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(123
)
 
(0.1
)%
 
$
21,209

 
13.5
 %
 
$
(2,429
)
 
(1.6
)%
 
$
(7,287
)
 
(4.7
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$

 
 
 
$
0.28

 
 
 
$
(0.03
)
 
 
 
$
(0.10
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(37,187
)
 
(15.9
)%
 
$
(63,774
)
 
(27.3
)%
 
$
(8,456
)
 
(3.6
)%
 
$
(25,369
)
 
(10.9
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
23,784

 
10.2

 
71,351

 
30.5

 
3,793

 
1.6

 
11,381

 
4.9

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(13,403
)
 
(5.7
)%
 
$
7,577

 
3.2
 %
 
$
(4,663
)
 
(2.0
)%
 
$
(13,988
)
 
(6.0
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.18
)
 
 
 
$
0.10

 
 
 
$
(0.06
)
 
 
 
$
(0.19
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2013
Effect on earnings:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(33,686
)
 
(12.8
)%
 
$
(58,041
)
 
(22.0
)%
 
$
(8,627
)
 
(3.3
)%
 
$
(25,880
)
 
(9.8
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
34,404

 
13.1

 
103,212

 
39.1

 
3,190

 
1.2

 
9,571

 
3.6

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
718

 
0.3
 %

$
45,171

 
17.1
 %
 
$
(5,437
)
 
(2.1
)%
 
$
(16,309
)
 
(6.2
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
0.01

 
 
 
$
0.60

 
 
 
$
(0.07
)
 
 
 
$
(0.22
)
 
 
 

52



Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has issued €352.7 million Euro 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 a cross-currency interest rate swap 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 this derivative instrument agreement and the related financial statement impact.

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 14 - 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, 2013 in response to Item 1A of Part I of such Form 10-K.
 

53



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 second quarter of 2014 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)
April 1 - April 30, 2014
 
1,309

 
$
39.88

 

 
3,875,367

May 1 - May 31, 2014
 
98,515

 
39.63

 
98,515

 
3,776,852

June 1 - June 30, 2014
 
110,116

 
40.68

 
109,035

 
3,667,817

Total
 
209,940

 
$
40.18

 
207,550

 
 


(a)
The total number of shares includes: (i) shares repurchased 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 tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations included 1,309 shares, 0 shares, and 1,081 shares in April, May, and June 2014, 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 June 30, 2019, 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.


54



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.



55



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
2.1+
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among Nelnet Finance Corp., Nelnet, Inc. Student Loan Xpress, Inc., and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
2.2+
Loan Sale Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among National Education Loan Network, Inc., Student Loan Xpress, Inc., Fifth Third Bank, Union Bank and Trust Company, and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
2.3+
Loan Sale Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among National Education Loan Network, Inc., CIT Education Loan Trust 2012-1, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, Union Bank and Trust Company, and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
2.4+
Loan Sale Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among National Education Loan Network, Inc., CIT Education Loan Trust 2011-1, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, Union Bank and Trust Company, and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
10.1
Nelnet, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, as amended through May 22, 2014, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 28, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
10.2
Nelnet, Inc. Executive Officers Incentive Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 28, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.

 
 
10.3
Modification of Contract dated effective as of June 17, 2014 for Student Loan Servicing Contract between the United States Department of Education and Nelnet Servicing, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 18, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.

 
 
10.4
Amendment No. 3 dated as of June 30, 2014 to Credit Agreement dated as of February 17, 2012, by and among Nelnet, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent for the Lenders, and various lender parties thereto, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.

 
 
31.1*
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey R. Noordhoek.
 
 
31.2*
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer James D. Kruger.
 
 
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
+ Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, certain schedules and similar attachments to the exhibit have been omitted. The registrant hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or attachment to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. The exhibit is not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, including disclosures regarding any facts and circumstances relating to the registrant or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. The exhibit contains representations and warranties by the registrant and the other parties that were made only for purposes of the agreement set forth in the exhibit and as of specified dates. The representations, warranties, and covenants in the agreement were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties (including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts), and may apply contractual standards of materiality or material adverse effect that generally differ from those applicable to investors. In addition, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties, and covenants may change after the date of the agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the registrant's public disclosures.

56



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:
August 7, 2014
By:
/s/ JEFFREY R. NOORDHOEK
 
 
 
Name:
Jeffrey R. Noordhoek
 
 
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
 
 
 
Name:
James D. Kruger
 
 
 
Title: 
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
 



57