Document


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, 2016
 
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, 2016, there were 31,021,028 and 11,476,932 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, 2016


 
 
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, 2016

December 31, 2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $48,753 and $50,498, respectively)
 
$
26,539,604

 
28,324,552

Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party
 
9,225

 
11,379

Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party
 
50,028

 
52,150

Total cash and cash equivalents
 
59,253

 
63,529

Investments and notes receivable
 
285,996

 
303,681

Restricted cash and investments
 
964,799

 
832,624

Restricted cash - due to customers
 
132,018

 
144,771

Accrued interest receivable
 
380,140

 
383,825

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,498 and $2,003, respectively)
 
41,964

 
51,345

Goodwill
 
147,312

 
146,000

Intangible assets, net
 
54,141

 
51,062

Property and equipment, net
 
96,079

 
80,482

Other assets
 
11,084

 
8,583

Fair value of derivative instruments
 
3,408

 
28,690

Total assets
 
$
28,715,798

 
30,419,144

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Bonds and notes payable
 
$
26,399,686

 
28,105,921

Accrued interest payable
 
39,926

 
31,507

Other liabilities
 
136,181

 
169,906

Due to customers
 
132,018

 
144,771

Fair value of derivative instruments
 
101,771

 
74,881

Total liabilities
 
26,809,582

 
28,526,986

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 31,024,230 shares and 32,476,528 shares, respectively
 
310

 
325

Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,476,932 shares
 
115

 
115

Additional paid-in capital
 
4,601

 

Retained earnings
 
1,894,551

 
1,881,708

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings
 
(2,277
)
 
2,284

Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
 
1,897,300

 
1,884,432

Noncontrolling interests
 
8,916

 
7,726

Total equity
 
1,906,216

 
1,892,158

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
28,715,798

 
30,419,144

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
 
$
26,735,698

 
28,499,180

Restricted cash and investments
 
851,389

 
814,294

Accrued interest receivable and other assets
 
380,230

 
384,230

Bonds and notes payable
 
(26,660,478
)
 
(28,405,133
)
Other liabilities
 
(405,832
)
 
(353,607
)
Fair value of derivative instruments, net
 
(44,602
)
 
(64,080
)
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities
 
$
856,405

 
874,884

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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
184,067

 
175,835

 
374,055

 
347,779

Investment interest
2,185

 
1,887

 
4,214

 
4,092

Total interest income
186,252

 
177,722

 
378,269

 
351,871

Interest expense:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest on bonds and notes payable
94,052

 
72,626

 
184,460

 
144,180

Net interest income
92,200

 
105,096

 
193,809

 
207,691

Less provision for loan losses
2,000

 
2,150

 
4,500

 
4,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
90,200

 
102,946

 
189,309

 
203,541

Other income:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,402

 
63,833

 
106,732

 
121,644

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue
30,483

 
27,686

 
69,140

 
62,366

Communications revenue
4,478

 

 
8,824

 

Enrollment services revenue

 
12,680

 
4,326

 
26,053

Other income
9,765

 
11,985

 
23,559

 
23,393

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 
1,515

 
101

 
4,390

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net
(40,702
)
 
6,502

 
(69,392
)
 
3,424

Total other income
58,426

 
124,201

 
143,290

 
241,270

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
60,923

 
58,787

 
124,165

 
119,837

Depreciation and amortization
8,183

 
6,501

 
15,823

 
12,163

Loan servicing fees
7,216

 
7,420

 
14,144

 
15,036

Cost to provide communications services
1,681

 

 
3,384

 

Cost to provide enrollment services

 
10,395

 
3,623

 
21,194

Other expenses
29,409

 
32,725

 
57,783

 
62,826

Total operating expenses
107,412

 
115,828

 
218,922

 
231,056

Income before income taxes
41,214

 
111,319

 
113,677

 
213,755

Income tax expense
15,036

 
40,356

 
39,469

 
77,986

Net income
26,178

 
70,963

 
74,208

 
135,769

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
28

 
54

 
97

 
95

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
26,150

 
70,909

 
74,111

 
135,674

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
0.61

 
1.54

 
1.73

 
2.94

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
42,635,700

 
45,946,415

 
42,861,896

 
46,127,207


 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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
26,178

 
70,963

 
74,208

 
135,769

Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding losses arising during period, net
(6,138
)
 
(436
)
 
(7,648
)
 
(649
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) recognized in net income, net
277

 
(2,093
)
 
409

 
(2,297
)
Income tax effect
2,168

 
940

 
2,678

 
1,094

Total other comprehensive loss
(3,693
)
 
(1,589
)
 
(4,561
)
 
(1,852
)
Comprehensive income
22,485

 
69,374

 
69,647

 
133,917

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
28

 
54

 
97

 
95

Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
22,457

 
69,320

 
69,550

 
133,822


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 (loss) earnings
 
Noncontrolling interests
 
Total equity
 
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of March 31, 2015

 
34,713,065

 
11,486,932

 
$

 
347

 
115

 
13,177

 
1,762,711

 
4,872

 
271

 
1,781,493

Issuance of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
19

 
19

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
70,909

 

 
54

 
70,963

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,589
)
 

 
(1,589
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(44
)
 
(44
)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.10 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,559
)
 

 

 
(4,559
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
9,616

 

 

 

 

 
945

 

 

 

 
945

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,353

 

 

 

 
1,353

Repurchase of common stock

 
(998,210
)
 

 

 
(10
)
 

 
(15,475
)
 
(27,604
)
 

 

 
(43,089
)
Balance as of June 30, 2015

 
33,724,471

 
11,486,932

 
$

 
337

 
115

 

 
1,801,457

 
3,283

 
300

 
1,805,492

Balance as of March 31, 2016

 
31,008,226

 
11,476,932

 
$

 
310

 
115

 
2,913

 
1,873,500

 
1,416

 
8,672

 
1,886,926

Issuance of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
338

 
338

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
26,150

 

 
28

 
26,178

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,693
)
 

 
(3,693
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(122
)
 
(122
)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.12 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(5,099
)
 

 

 
(5,099
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
27,946

 

 

 

 

 
954

 

 

 

 
954

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,133

 

 

 

 
1,133

Repurchase of common stock

 
(11,942
)
 

 

 

 

 
(399
)
 


 

 

 
(399
)
Balance as of June 30, 2016

 
31,024,230

 
11,476,932

 
$

 
310

 
115

 
4,601

 
1,894,551

 
(2,277
)
 
8,916

 
1,906,216

Balance as of December 31, 2014

 
34,756,384

 
11,486,932

 
$

 
348

 
115

 
17,290

 
1,702,560

 
5,135

 
230

 
1,725,678

Issuance of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
19

 
19

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
135,674

 

 
95

 
135,769

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,852
)
 

 
(1,852
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(44
)
 
(44
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.20 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(9,173
)
 

 

 
(9,173
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
142,095

 

 

 
1

 

 
3,411

 

 

 

 
3,412

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,711

 

 

 

 
2,711

Repurchase of common stock

 
(1,174,008
)
 

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(23,412
)
 
(27,604
)
 

 

 
(51,028
)
Balance as of June 30, 2015

 
33,724,471

 
11,486,932

 
$

 
337

 
115

 

 
1,801,457

 
3,283

 
300

 
1,805,492

Balance as of December 31, 2015

 
32,476,528

 
11,476,932

 
$

 
325

 
115

 

 
1,881,708

 
2,284

 
7,726

 
1,892,158

Issuance of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,312

 
1,312

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
74,111

 

 
97

 
74,208

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,561
)
 

 
(4,561
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(219
)
 
(219
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.24 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(10,192
)
 

 

 
(10,192
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
158,743

 

 

 
1

 

 
3,661

 

 

 

 
3,662

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,316

 

 

 

 
2,316

Repurchase of common stock

 
(1,611,041
)
 

 

 
(16
)
 

 
(1,376
)
 
(51,076
)
 

 

 
(52,468
)
Balance as of June 30, 2016

 
31,024,230

 
11,476,932

 
$

 
310

 
115

 
4,601

 
1,894,551

 
(2,277
)
 
8,916

 
1,906,216


 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,
 
2016
 
2015
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
74,111

 
135,674

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
97

 
95

Net income
74,208

 
135,769

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
62,298

 
60,191

Student loan discount accretion
(21,524
)
 
(21,506
)
Provision for loan losses
4,500

 
4,150

Derivative market value adjustment
48,649

 
19,457

Foreign currency transaction adjustment
8,712

 
(33,538
)
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments
3,523

 
51,947

Payment to enter into interest rate caps

 
(585
)
Gain on sale of loans

 
(351
)
Gain from debt repurchases
(101
)
 
(4,039
)
 Loss (gain) from sales of available-for-sale securities, net
409

 
(2,297
)
Payments for purchases of trading securities, net
(235
)
 
(11,697
)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(20,260
)
 
3,119

Other
6,069

 
6,376

Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
3,685

 
(743
)
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
9,462

 
(10,341
)
Increase in other assets
(2,579
)
 
(1,967
)
Increase in accrued interest payable
8,419

 
2,566

Decrease in other liabilities
(10,006
)
 
(4,526
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
175,229

 
191,985

Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisitions:
 

 
 

Purchases of student loans and student loan residual interests
(183,375
)
 
(1,637,650
)
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, and other
1,927,319

 
1,953,437

Proceeds from sale of student loans
44,738

 
3,996

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(51,735
)
 
(5,550
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
58,232

 
47,951

Purchases of investments and issuance of notes receivable
(10,222
)
 
(53,770
)
Proceeds from investments and notes receivable
5,360

 
8,824

Purchases of property and equipment, net
(29,577
)
 
(9,519
)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments, net
(131,325
)
 
16,532

Net cash provided by investing activities
1,629,415

 
324,251

Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Payments on bonds and notes payable
(1,972,880
)
 
(2,629,565
)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable
226,194

 
2,233,630

Payments of debt issuance costs
(1,084
)
 
(8,707
)
Dividends paid
(10,192
)
 
(9,173
)
Repurchases of common stock
(52,468
)
 
(51,028
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
417

 
431

Issuance of noncontrolling interests
1,312

 
19

Distribution to noncontrolling interests
(219
)
 
(44
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(1,808,920
)
 
(464,437
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(4,276
)
 
51,799

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
63,529

 
130,481

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
59,253

 
182,280

 
 
 
 
Cash disbursements made for:
 

 
 

Interest
$
142,446

 
108,436

Income taxes, net of refunds
$
55,988

 
67,211

Noncash activity:
 
 
 
Investing activity - student loans and other assets acquired
$

 
517,845

Financing activity - borrowings and other liabilities assumed in acquisition of student loans
$

 
451,845


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, 2016 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 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, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2016. 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, 2015 (the "2015 Annual Report").

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheet and statements of income have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications are summarized below.

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting guidance regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that entities present debt issuance costs related to a debt liability as a direct deduction from that liability on the balance sheet. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. As a result of this standard, the Company reclassified its debt issuance costs, which were previously included in "other assets" on the consolidated balance sheet, to "bonds and notes payable."

On February 1, 2016, the Company sold 100 percent of the membership interests in Sparkroom LLC, which includes the majority of the Company's inquiry management products and services within Nelnet Enrollment Solutions. The Company retained the digital marketing and content solution products and services under the brand name Peterson's within the Nelnet Enrollment Solutions business, which include test preparation study guides, school directories and databases, career exploration guides, on-line courses, scholarship search and selection data, career planning information and guides, and on-line information about colleges and universities. The Company reclassified the revenue and cost of goods sold attributable to the Peterson's products and services from "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" to "other income" and "other expenses," respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. After this reclassification, "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" include the operating results of the products and services sold as part of the Sparkroom disposition for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income.


7



2.    Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
As of
 
June 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Federally insured loans:
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
5,629,034

 
6,202,064

Consolidation
20,837,356

 
22,086,043

Total
26,466,390

 
28,288,107

Private education loans
288,170

 
267,642

 
26,754,560

 
28,555,749

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)
(166,203
)
 
(180,699
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(33,224
)
 
(35,490
)
Allowance for loan losses – private education loans
(15,529
)
 
(15,008
)
 
$
26,539,604

 
28,324,552


(a)
As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $26.2 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $10.1 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively.

Private Education Loans

In February 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CommonBond, Inc. ("CommonBond"), a student lending company that provides private education loans to graduate students, under which the Company committed to purchase private education loans for a period of 18 months, with the maximum purchase obligation limited to $200.0 million. As of June 30, 2016, the Company had purchased $190.1 million in private education loans from CommonBond and has satisfied its commitment under this agreement.

8




Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient 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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
50,084

 
51,161

 
50,498

 
48,900

Provision for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
2,000

 
2,000

 
4,000

 
4,000

Private education loans

 
150

 
500

 
150

Total provision for loan losses
2,000

 
2,150

 
4,500

 
4,150

Charge-offs:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
(3,217
)
 
(3,259
)
 
(6,266
)
 
(6,408
)
Private education loans
(514
)
 
(446
)
 
(915
)
 
(1,122
)
Total charge-offs
(3,731
)
 
(3,705
)
 
(7,181
)
 
(7,530
)
Recoveries - private education loans
250

 
238

 
526

 
492

Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net
100

 

 
260

 
(230
)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased, net
50

 
180

 
150

 
4,242

Balance at end of period
$
48,753

 
50,024

 
48,753

 
50,024

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
$
33,224

 
36,762

 
33,224

 
36,762

Private education loans
15,529

 
13,262

 
15,529

 
13,262

Total allowance for loan losses
$
48,753

 
50,024

 
48,753

 
50,024


9



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 table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts.

 
As of June 30, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
As of June 30, 2015
Federally insured loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
1,936,064

 
 
 
$
2,292,941

 
 
 
$
2,634,088

 
 
Loans in forbearance
2,672,241

 
 
 
2,979,357

 
 
 
3,118,774

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
18,957,457

 
86.7
%
 
19,447,541

 
84.4
%
 
19,055,994

 
85.2
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
828,885

 
3.8

 
1,028,396

 
4.5

 
950,055

 
4.2

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
482,379

 
2.2

 
566,953

 
2.5

 
612,657

 
2.7

Loans delinquent 91-120 days
320,213

 
1.5

 
415,747

 
1.8

 
355,636

 
1.6

Loans delinquent 121-270 days
918,788

 
4.2

 
1,166,940

 
5.1

 
1,051,843

 
4.7

Loans delinquent 271 days or greater
350,363

 
1.6

 
390,232

 
1.7

 
359,601

 
1.6

Total loans in repayment
21,858,085

 
100.0
%
 
23,015,809

 
100.0
%
 
22,385,786

 
100.0
%
Total federally insured loans
$
26,466,390

 
 

 
$
28,288,107

 
 

 
$
28,138,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private education loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
54,597

 
 
 
$
30,795

 
 
 
$
5,268

 
 
Loans in forbearance
1,610

 
 
 
350

 
 
 
142

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
225,585

 
97.2
%
 
228,464

 
96.7
%
 
161,355

 
95.0
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
1,361

 
0.6

 
1,771

 
0.7

 
1,407

 
0.8

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
929

 
0.4

 
1,283

 
0.5

 
1,647

 
1.0

Loans delinquent 91 days or greater
4,088

 
1.8

 
4,979

 
2.1

 
5,383

 
3.2

Total loans in repayment
231,963

 
100.0
%
 
236,497

 
100.0
%
 
169,792

 
100.0
%
Total private education loans
$
288,170

 
 

 
$
267,642

 
 

 
$
175,202

 
 


10



3.    Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
 
As of June 30, 2016
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
23,418,478

 
0.30% - 6.90%
 
8/26/19 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction
1,158,415

 
1.26% - 2.21%
 
3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
24,576,893

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,811,708

 
0.46% - 0.80%
 
7/9/18 - 4/26/19
Private education loan warehouse facility
221,114

 
0.81%
 
4/28/17
Unsecured line of credit
105,000

 
1.94% - 1.95%
 
10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
57,184

 
4.01%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
93,355

 
1.97% - 3.38%
 
10/31/16 - 12/15/45
 
26,865,254

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net
(465,568
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
26,399,686

 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
25,155,336

 
0.05% - 6.90%
 
8/26/19 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction
1,160,365

 
0.88% - 2.17%
 
3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
26,315,701

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,855,907

 
0.27% - 0.56%
 
4/29/18 - 12/14/18
Private education loan warehouse facility
181,184

 
0.57%
 
12/26/16
Unsecured line of credit
100,000

 
1.79% - 1.92%
 
10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
57,184

 
3.99%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
93,355

 
1.93% - 3.38%
 
10/31/16 - 12/15/45
 
28,603,331

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net
(497,410
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
28,105,921

 
 
 
 


11



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, 2016, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
 
 
NFSLW-I (a)
 
NHELP-II
 
NHELP-III
 
 
Total
Maximum financing amount
 
$
875,000

 
500,000

 
750,000

 
 
2,125,000

Amount outstanding
 
844,087

 
455,049

 
512,572

 
 
1,811,708

Amount available
 
$
30,913

 
44,951

 
237,428

 
 
313,292

Expiration of liquidity provisions
 
July 8, 2016

 
December 16, 2016

 
April 28, 2017

 
 
 
Final maturity date
 
July 9, 2018

 
December 14, 2018

 
April 26, 2019

 
 
 
Maximum advance rates
 
92.0 - 98.0%

 
85.0 - 95.0%

 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
 
 
Minimum advance rates
 
84.0 - 90.0%

 
85.0 - 95.0%

 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
 
 
Advanced as equity support
 
$
36,663

 
38,051

 
30,694

 
 
105,408


(a)
On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million. The maximum financing amount was scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016. On January 26, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the scheduled decrease of the maximum financing amount by $125.0 million to July 8, 2016. On July 7, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to permanently set the maximum financing amount at $875.0 million, and changed the expiration of liquidity provisions to July 10, 2018 and the final maturity date to September 7, 2018.

Private Education Loan Warehouse Facility

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility. As of June 30, 2016, there was $221.1 million outstanding on the facility and $53.9 million was available for future use. The facility has a static advance rate that requires initial equity for loan funding, but does not require increased equity based on market movements. The maximum advance rate on the entire facility is 88 percent and minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, ranged from 64 percent to 99 percent. As of June 30, 2016, $32.0 million was advanced on the facility as equity support. The facility is supported by liquidity provisions, which had an original expiration date of June 24, 2016.
On April 1, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to October 28, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 28, 2017. In addition, the minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, were changed to a range from 61.75 percent to 95.00 percent, and the maximum advance rate on the entire facility remained at 88 percent. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by the amended expiration date of October 28, 2016, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's amended final maturity date of April 28, 2017.
Unsecured Line of Credit

The Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit that has a maturity date of October 30, 2020.  As of June 30, 2016, the unsecured line of credit had an outstanding balance of $105.0 million and $245.0 million was available for future use.



12



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 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is presented below.

Basis Swaps

The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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").
 
 
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Notional amount
2016
 
$
2,000,000

 
$
7,500,000

2028
 
125,000

 

The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was one-month LIBOR plus 9.3 basis points and 10.0 basis points, respectively.
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, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
 
 
2016
 
$
750,000

 
0.72
%
 
$
1,000,000

 
0.76
%
2017
 
1,000,000

 
0.97

 
2,100,000

 
0.84

2018
 
1,600,000

 
1.08

 
1,600,000

 
1.08

2019
 
3,250,000

 
0.97

 
500,000

 
1.12

2020
 
1,500,000

 
1.01

 

 

2025
 
100,000

 
2.32

 
100,000

 
2.32

2026
 
50,000

 
1.52

 

 

 
 
$
8,250,000

 
0.99
%
 
$
5,300,000

 
0.95
%

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

On August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024.


13



Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.66%.

 
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.

Interest Rate Caps

In June 2015, in conjunction with the entry into the $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility, the Company paid $2.9 million for two interest rate cap contracts with a total notional amount of $275.0 million. The first interest rate cap has a notional amount of $125.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 2.50%, and the second interest rate cap has a notional amount of $150.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 4.99%. In the event that the one-month LIBOR rate rises above the applicable strike rate, the Company would receive monthly payments related to the spread difference. Both interest rate cap contracts have a maturity date of July 15, 2020.

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.

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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Re-measurement of Euro Notes
$
9,768

 
(14,671
)
 
(8,712
)
 
33,538

Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap
(12,008
)
 
13,933

 
20,693

 
(35,873
)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)
$
(2,240
)
 
(738
)
 
11,981

 
(2,335
)
(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.
Management has structured the cross-currency interest rate swap to economically hedge the Euro Notes to effectively convert the Euro Notes to U.S. dollars and pay a spread on these notes based on the LIBOR index. However, the cross-currency interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge accounting. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in the fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains and losses between these financial instruments due to the principal and accrued interest on the Euro Notes being re-measured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date, while the cross-currency interest rate swap is measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in the current period earnings.

14



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,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
1:3 basis swaps
$
623

 
724

 
127

 
410

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
27

 
21,408

 
42,791

 
1,175

Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge
986

 
3,257

 

 

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges

 

 
11,660

 
7,646

Interest rate caps
355

 
1,570

 

 

Cross-currency interest rate swap



 
44,957

 
65,650

Other
1,417

 
1,731

 
2,236

 

Total
$
3,408

 
28,690

 
101,771

 
74,881


During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $3.1 billion of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross proceeds of $3.0 million, and a total notional amount of $300.0 million of other basis swaps for gross proceeds of $0.5 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $5.5 billion of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $51.9 million.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:

 
 
 
 
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
 
 
Derivative assets
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement
 
Cash collateral pledged
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of
June 30, 2016
 
$
3,408

 
(3,053
)
 

 
355

Balance as of
December 31, 2015
 
28,690

 
(851
)
 
1,632

 
29,471


 
 
 
 
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/received, net
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of
June 30, 2016
 
$
(101,771
)
 
3,053

 
90,170

 
(8,548
)
Balance as of
December 31, 2015
 
(74,881
)
 
851

 
13,168

 
(60,862
)


15



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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Settlements:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
$
743

 
123

 
414

 
389

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(4,841
)
 
(5,019
)
 
(10,084
)
 
(10,034
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(231
)
 
(253
)
 
(463
)
 
(505
)
Cross-currency interest rate swap
(1,166
)
 
(293
)
 
(1,898
)
 
(507
)
Total settlements - expense
(5,495
)
 
(5,442
)
 
(12,031
)
 
(10,657
)
Change in fair value:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
(586
)
 
1,428

 
183

 
12,398

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(27,276
)
 
7,534

 
(59,985
)
 
2,662

Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge
(856
)
 
1,381

 
(2,272
)
 
470

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(1,464
)
 
2,540

 
(4,014
)
 
1,087

Interest rate caps
(453
)
 
(201
)
 
(1,215
)
 
(201
)
Cross-currency interest rate swap
(12,008
)
 
13,933

 
20,693

 
(35,873
)
Other
(2,332
)
 

 
(2,039
)
 

Total change in fair value - (expense) income
(44,975
)
 
26,615

 
(48,649
)
 
(19,457
)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)
9,768

 
(14,671
)
 
(8,712
)
 
33,538

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)
$
(40,702
)
 
6,502

 
(69,392
)
 
3,424


5.    Investments and Notes Receivable

A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows:
 
As of June 30, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses (a)
 
Fair value
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses
 
Fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments (at fair value):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)
$
133,190

 
1,091

 
(6,432
)
 
127,849

 
139,970

 
3,402

 
(1,362
)
 
142,010

Equity securities
720

 
1,797

 
(69
)
 
2,448

 
846

 
1,686

 
(100
)
 
2,432

Total available-for-sale investments
$
133,910

 
2,888

 
(6,501
)
 
130,297

 
140,816

 
5,088

 
(1,462
)
 
144,442

Trading investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,867

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,045

Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,318

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,905

Total trading investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
11,185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,950

Total available-for-sale and trading investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
141,482

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
155,392

Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Venture capital and funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
65,778

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
63,323

Real estate
 
 
 
 
 
 
48,586

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50,463

Notes receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
17,206

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18,473

Tax liens and affordable housing
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,944

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,030

Total investments and notes receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
285,996

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
303,681

    
(a)
As of June 30, 2016, 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, 2016, 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.

16




6. Business Combination

Allo Communications LLC ("Allo")

On December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 92.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo for total cash consideration of $46.25 million.  On January 1, 2016, the Company sold a 1.0 percent ownership interest in Allo to a non-related third-party for $0.5 million. The remaining 7.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo is owned by members of Allo management, who have the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent (up to 19 percent) of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo.  The additional ownership interest that Allo management has the opportunity to earn are based on their continued employment with Allo. Accordingly, the value associated with the ownership interests issued to these employees of $1.0 million will be recognized by Allo as compensation expense over the performance period.

Allo provides pure fiber optic service to homes and businesses for internet, television, and telephone services.  The acquisition of Allo provides additional diversification of the Company's revenues and cash flows outside of education.  In addition, the acquisition leverages the Company's existing infrastructure, customer service capabilities and call centers, and financial strength and liquidity for continued growth. 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The fair values of the assets and liabilities related to Allo are subject to refinement as the Company completes its analysis relative to the fair values at the date of acquisition. During the first six months of 2016, the Company recognized certain adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2015 that were needed to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The net impact of these adjustments was an increase to goodwill, and the adjustments had no impact on operating results.
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
334

Restricted cash and investments
 
850

Accounts receivable
 
1,935

Property and equipment
 
32,479

Other assets
 
371

Intangible assets
 
11,410

Excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill)
 
21,112

Other liabilities
 
(4,587
)
Bonds and notes payable
 
(13,904
)
Net assets acquired
 
50,000

Minority interest
 
(3,750
)
Total consideration paid by the Company
 
$
46,250


The $11.4 million of acquired intangible assets on the date of acquisition had a weighted-average useful life of approximately 12 years. The intangible assets that made up this amount included customer relationships of $6.3 million (10-year useful life) and a trade name of $5.1 million (15-year useful life).

The $21.1 million of goodwill was assigned to the Communications operating segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to future customers to be generated through the continued expansion of Allo's services in rural markets.

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

Allo recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists between Allo and the customer, (ii) delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or service has been provided to the customer, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenues based on a flat fee, derived principally from internet, television, and telephone services are billed in advance and recognized in subsequent periods when the services are provided. Revenues for usage-based services, such as access charges billed to other telephone carriers for originating and terminating long-distance calls on Allo's network, are billed in arrears. Allo recognizes revenue from these services in the period the services are rendered rather than billed. Earned but unbilled usage-based services are recorded in accounts receivable.


17



7. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets consist of the following:
 
Weighted average remaining useful life as of June 30, 2016 (months)
 
As of
June 30,
2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
 
 
 
Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $5,949 and $4,028, respectively)
171
 
$
30,935

 
27,576

Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $6,820 and $4,397, respectively)
31
 
12,128

 
11,601

Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $1,224 and $795, respectively)
195
 
10,348

 
10,687

Content (net of accumulated amortization of $1,350 and $900, respectively)
6
 
450

 
900

Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $74 and $56, respectively)
95
 
280

 
298

Total - amortizable intangible assets
143
 
$
54,141

 
51,062


The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $2.7 million and $2.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $5.2 million and $4.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of June 30, 2016, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:

2016 (July 1 - December 31)
$
6,328

2017
9,386

2018
8,605

2019
5,147

2020
4,231

2021 and thereafter
20,444

 
$
54,141


The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment was as follows:
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Communications
 
Asset Generation and Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
8,596

 
67,168

 
19,800

 
41,883

 
8,553

 
146,000

Allo purchase price adjustment

 

 
1,312

 

 

 
1,312

Balance as of March 31, 2016
8,596

 
67,168

 
21,112

 
41,883

 
8,553

 
147,312

Allo purchase price adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2016
$
8,596


67,168


21,112


41,883


8,553


147,312



18



8. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:
 
 
 
As of
 
As of
 
Useful life
 
June 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Non-communications:
 
 
 
 
 
Computer equipment and software
1-5 years
 
$
95,113

 
89,093

Office furniture and equipment
3-7 years
 
12,576

 
12,638

Building and building improvements
5-39 years
 
12,244

 
12,239

Transportation equipment
4-10 years
 
3,868

 
3,868

Leasehold improvements
5-20 years
 
3,342

 
3,545

Land
 
827

 
700

Construction in progress
 
9,986

 
1,210

 
 
 
137,956

 
123,293

Accumulated depreciation - non-communications
 
 
84,583

 
77,188

Non-communications, net property and equipment
 
 
53,373

 
46,105

 
 
 
 
 
 
Communications:
 
 
 
 
 
Network plant and fiber
5-15 years
 
26,382

 
25,669

Central office
5-15 years
 
4,376

 
909

Customer located property
5-10 years
 
3,823

 
6,912

Transportation equipment
4-10 years
 
1,296

 
470

Computer equipment and software
1-5 years
 
752

 
74

Other
1-20 years
 
625

 
343

Land
 
70

 

Construction in progress
 
7,192

 

 
 
 
44,516

 
34,377

Accumulated depreciation - communications
 
 
1,810

 

Communications, net property and equipment
 
 
42,706

 
34,377

Total property and equipment, net
 
 
$
96,079

 
80,482


Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 related to property and equipment was $5.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively, and $10.6 million and$7.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

19



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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
25,879

 
271

 
26,150

 
70,146

 
763

 
70,909

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:


 


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
42,193,769

 
441,931

 
42,635,700

 
45,451,888

 
494,527

 
45,946,415

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
0.61

 
0.61

 
0.61

 
1.54

 
1.54

 
1.54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,334

 
777

 
74,111

 
134,227

 
1,447

 
135,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
42,412,287

 
449,609

 
42,861,896

 
45,635,155

 
492,052

 
46,127,207

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
1.73

 
1.73

 
1.73

 
2.94

 
2.94

 
2.94


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.


20



10.    Segment Reporting

See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 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.

Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.
 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Communications
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
22

 
3

 

 
184,966

 
2,064

 
(802
)
 
186,252

Interest expense

 

 
205

 
92,769

 
1,881

 
(802
)
 
94,052

Net interest income
22

 
3

 
(205
)
 
92,197

 
183

 

 
92,200

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 
2,000

 

 

 
2,000

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
22


3

 
(205
)
 
90,197

 
183

 

 
90,200

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,402

 

 

 

 

 

 
54,402

Intersegment servicing revenue
11,408

 

 

 

 

 
(11,408
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
30,483

 

 

 

 

 
30,483

Communications revenue

 

 
4,478

 

 

 

 
4,478

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

 
3,834

 
5,931

 

 
9,765

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 
(31,411
)
 
(3,797
)
 

 
(35,207
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 
(5,264
)
 
(231
)
 

 
(5,495
)
Total other income
65,810

 
30,483

 
4,478

 
(32,841
)
 
1,903

 
(11,408
)
 
58,426

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Salaries and benefits
31,380

 
15,444

 
1,377

 
499

 
12,222

 

 
60,923

Depreciation and amortization
445

 
2,511

 
1,378

 

 
3,848

 

 
8,183

Loan servicing fees

 

 

 
7,216

 

 

 
7,216

Cost to provide communication services

 

 
1,681

 

 

 

 
1,681

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expenses
11,380

 
4,815

 
813

 
1,481

 
10,920

 

 
29,409

Intersegment expenses, net
6,102

 
1,562

 
187

 
11,539

 
(7,981
)
 
(11,408
)
 

Total operating expenses
49,307

 
24,332

 
5,436

 
20,735

 
19,009

 
(11,408
)
 
107,412

Income (loss) before income taxes
16,525

 
6,154

 
(1,163
)
 
36,621

 
(16,923
)
 

 
41,214

Income tax (expense) benefit
(6,280
)
 
(2,338
)
 
442

 
(13,916
)
 
7,057

 

 
(15,036
)
Net income (loss)
10,245

 
3,816

 
(721
)
 
22,705

 
(9,866
)
 

 
26,178

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
28

 

 
28

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
10,245

 
3,816

 
(721
)
 
22,705

 
(9,894
)
 

 
26,150


21



 
Three months ended June 30, 2015 (a)
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
13

 
1

 
176,279

 
1,814

 
(385
)
 
177,722

Interest expense

 

 
71,441

 
1,570

 
(385
)
 
72,626

Net interest income
13

 
1

 
104,838

 
244

 

 
105,096

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
2,150

 

 

 
2,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
13

 
1

 
102,688

 
244

 

 
102,946

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
63,833

 

 

 

 

 
63,833

Intersegment servicing revenue
12,223

 

 

 

 
(12,223
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
27,686

 

 

 

 
27,686

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
12,680

 

 
12,680

Other income

 

 
3,950

 
8,035

 

 
11,985

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
1,041

 
474

 

 
1,515

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
9,404

 
2,540

 

 
11,944

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(5,189
)
 
(253
)
 

 
(5,442
)
Total other income
76,056

 
27,686

 
9,206

 
23,476

 
(12,223
)
 
124,201

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
.

 
 

Salaries and benefits
31,585

 
13,583

 
524

 
13,095

 

 
58,787

Depreciation and amortization
527

 
2,195

 

 
3,779

 

 
6,501

Loan servicing fees

 

 
7,420

 

 

 
7,420

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
10,395

 

 
10,395

Other expenses
15,376

 
4,112

 
1,270

 
11,967

 

 
32,725

Intersegment expenses, net
8,045

 
2,164

 
12,362

 
(10,348
)
 
(12,223
)
 

Total operating expenses
55,533

 
22,054

 
21,576

 
28,888

 
(12,223
)
 
115,828

Income (loss) before income taxes
20,536

 
5,633

 
90,318

 
(5,168
)
 

 
111,319

Income tax (expense) benefit
(7,804
)
 
(2,140
)
 
(34,321
)
 
3,910

 

 
(40,356
)
Net income (loss)
12,732

 
3,493

 
55,997

 
(1,258
)
 

 
70,963

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
54

 

 
54

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
12,732

 
3,493

 
55,997

 
(1,312
)
 

 
70,909


(a)
Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.


22



 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Communications
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
43

 
5

 

 
375,689

 
4,157

 
(1,625
)
 
378,269

Interest expense

 

 
352

 
182,647

 
3,087

 
(1,625
)
 
184,460

Net interest income
43

 
5

 
(352
)
 
193,042

 
1,070

 

 
193,809

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 
4,500

 

 

 
4,500

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses
43

 
5

 
(352
)
 
188,542

 
1,070

 

 
189,309

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
106,732

 

 

 

 

 

 
106,732

Intersegment servicing revenue
23,415

 

 

 

 

 
(23,415
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
69,140

 

 

 

 

 
69,140

Communications revenue

 

 
8,824

 

 

 

 
8,824

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 

 
4,326

 

 
4,326

Other income

 

 

 
8,097

 
15,462

 

 
23,559

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 
101

 

 

 
101

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 
(51,308
)
 
(6,053
)
 

 
(57,361
)
Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 
(11,568
)
 
(463
)
 

 
(12,031
)
Total other income
130,147

 
69,140

 
8,824

 
(54,678
)
 
13,272

 
(23,415
)
 
143,290

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
64,346

 
29,880

 
2,467

 
1,018

 
26,454

 

 
124,165

Depreciation and amortization
883

 
4,782

 
2,507

 

 
7,650

 

 
15,823

Loan servicing fees

 

 

 
14,144

 

 

 
14,144

Cost to provide communication services

 

 
3,384

 

 

 

 
3,384

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 

 
3,623

 

 
3,623

Other expenses
22,850

 
8,973

 
1,566

 
2,997

 
21,397

 

 
57,783

Intersegment expenses, net
12,343

 
3,074

 
331

 
23,646

 
(15,978
)
 
(23,415
)
 

Total operating expenses
100,422

 
46,709

 
10,255

 
41,805

 
43,146

 
(23,415
)
 
218,922

Income (loss) before income taxes
29,768

 
22,436

 
(1,783
)
 
92,059

 
(28,804
)
 

 
113,677

Income tax (expense) benefit
(11,312
)
 
(8,526
)
 
678

 
(34,983
)
 
14,674

 

 
(39,469
)
Net income (loss)
18,456

 
13,910

 
(1,105
)
 
57,076

 
(14,130
)
 

 
74,208

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
97

 

 
97

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
18,456

 
13,910

 
(1,105
)
 
57,076

 
(14,227
)
 

 
74,111


23



 
Six months ended June 30, 2015 (a)
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
20

 
3

 
348,702

 
3,967

 
(821
)
 
351,871

Interest expense

 

 
141,981

 
3,020

 
(821
)
 
144,180

Net interest income
20

 
3

 
206,721

 
947

 

 
207,691

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
4,150

 

 

 
4,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
20

 
3

 
202,571

 
947

 

 
203,541

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
121,644

 

 

 

 

 
121,644

Intersegment servicing revenue
25,094

 

 

 

 
(25,094
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
62,366

 

 

 

 
62,366

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
26,053

 

 
26,053

Other income

 

 
8,526

 
14,867

 

 
23,393

 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
1,392

 
2,998

 

 
4,390

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
12,994

 
1,087

 

 
14,081

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(10,152
)
 
(505
)
 

 
(10,657
)
Total other income
146,738

 
62,366

 
12,760

 
44,500

 
(25,094
)
 
241,270

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
65,288

 
26,904

 
1,065

 
26,580

 

 
119,837

Depreciation and amortization
973

 
4,390

 

 
6,800

 

 
12,163

Loan servicing fees

 

 
15,036

 

 

 
15,036

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
21,194

 

 
21,194

Other expenses
29,976

 
7,914

 
2,407

 
22,529

 

 
62,826

Intersegment expenses, net
14,687

 
4,199

 
25,370

 
(19,162
)
 
(25,094
)
 

Total operating expenses
110,924

 
43,407

 
43,878

 
57,941

 
(25,094
)
 
231,056

Income (loss) before income taxes
35,834

 
18,962

 
171,453

 
(12,494
)
 

 
213,755

Income tax (expense) benefit
(13,617
)
 
(7,206
)
 
(65,152
)
 
7,989

 

 
(77,986
)
Net income (loss)
22,217

 
11,756

 
106,301

 
(4,505
)
 

 
135,769

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
95

 

 
95

Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
22,217

 
11,756

 
106,301

 
(4,600
)
 

 
135,674


(a)
Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.



24


11.    Major Customer
The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department") that currently expires on June 16, 2019. Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $37.1 million and $33.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $72.3 million and $66.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing solution to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016. 

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. ("Great Lakes") submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC ("GreatNet"). The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is currently one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Servicers, or "TIVAS") that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department.

On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected.

12.   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, 2016.
 
As of June 30, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments (available-for-sale and trading):
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed securities
$

 
133,592

 
133,592

 

 
147,925

 
147,925

Equity securities
7,766

 

 
7,766

 
7,337

 

 
7,337

Debt securities
124

 

 
124

 
130

 

 
130

Total investments (available-for-sale and trading)
7,890

 
133,592

 
141,482

 
7,467

 
147,925

 
155,392

Fair value of derivative instruments

 
3,408

 
3,408

 

 
28,690

 
28,690

Total assets
$
7,890

 
137,000

 
144,890

 
7,467

 
176,615

 
184,082

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivative instruments
$

 
101,771

 
101,771

 

 
74,881

 
74,881

Total liabilities
$

 
101,771

 
101,771

 

 
74,881

 
74,881


25




The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
As of June 30, 2016
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
26,875,363

 
26,539,604

 

 

 
26,875,363

Cash and cash equivalents
59,253

 
59,253

 
59,253

 

 

Investments (available-for-sale and trading)
141,482

 
141,482

 
7,890

 
133,592

 

Notes receivable
17,206

 
17,206

 

 
17,206

 

Restricted cash
955,689

 
955,689

 
955,689

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
132,018

 
132,018

 
132,018

 

 

Restricted investments
9,110

 
9,110

 
9,110

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
380,140

 
380,140

 

 
380,140

 

Derivative instruments
3,408

 
3,408

 

 
3,408

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
25,510,394

 
26,399,686

 

 
25,510,394

 

Accrued interest payable
39,926

 
39,926

 

 
39,926

 

Due to customers
132,018

 
132,018

 
132,018

 

 

Derivative instruments
101,771

 
101,771

 

 
101,771

 

 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
28,611,350

 
28,324,552

 

 

 
28,611,350

Cash and cash equivalents
63,529

 
63,529

 
63,529

 

 

Investments (available-for-sale and trading)
155,392

 
155,392

 
7,467

 
147,925

 

Notes receivable
18,067

 
18,473

 

 
18,067

 

Restricted cash
823,450

 
823,450

 
823,450

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
144,771

 
144,771

 
144,771

 

 

Restricted investments
9,174

 
9,174

 
9,174

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
383,825

 
383,825

 

 
383,825

 

Derivative instruments
28,690

 
28,690

 

 
28,690

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
27,150,775

 
28,105,921

 

 
27,150,775

 

Accrued interest payable
31,507

 
31,507

 

 
31,507

 

Due to customers
144,771

 
144,771

 
144,771

 

 

Derivative instruments
74,881

 
74,881

 

 
74,881

 

 
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 2015 Annual Report.


26



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, 2016 and 2015. 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 2015 Annual Report.

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 analysis 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 2015 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 Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP"), risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, uncertainties regarding the expected benefits from purchased securitized and unsecuritized FFELP student loans and initiatives to purchase additional FFELP and private education 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, including adverse changes resulting from slower than expected payments on student loans in FFELP securitization trusts, 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 adverse changes in the Company's volumes allocated under the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department, which accounted for approximately 15 percent of the Company's revenue in 2015, risks related to the Department's initiative to procure a new contract for federal student loan servicing to acquire a single servicing solution to service all loans owned by the Department, including the risk that the Company's joint venture with Great Lakes may not be awarded the contract, and risks related to the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP, Federal Direct Loan Program, and private education 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, including cybersecurity risks related to the potential disclosure of confidential student loan borrower and other customer information;
uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations;

27



the uncertain nature of the expected benefits from the acquisition of Allo Communications LLC and the ability to integrate its communications operations and successfully expand its fiber network in existing service areas and additional communities;
risks and uncertainties related to initiatives to pursue additional strategic investments and acquisitions, including investments and acquisitions that are intended to diversify the Company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses; and
risks and uncertainties associated with litigation matters and with maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the Company's businesses, reputational and other risks, including the risk of increased regulatory costs, resulting from the recent politicization of student loan servicing, 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.
OVERVIEW

The Company is a diverse company with a focus on delivering education-related products and services and student loan asset management. The largest operating businesses engage in student loan servicing, tuition payment processing and school information systems, and communications. A significant portion of the Company's revenue is net interest income earned on a portfolio of federally insured student loans. The Company also makes investments to further diversify the Company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses, including, but not limited to, investments in real estate and start-up ventures.

GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments

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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
26,150

 
70,909

 
74,111

 
135,674

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
35,207

 
(11,944
)
 
57,361

 
(14,081
)
Tax effect (a)
(13,379
)
 
4,539

 
(21,797
)
 
5,351

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (b)
$
47,978

 
63,504

 
109,675

 
126,944

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
0.61

 
1.54

 
1.73

 
2.94

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
0.83

 
(0.26
)
 
1.34

 
(0.31
)
Tax effect (a)
(0.31
)
 
0.10

 
(0.51
)
 
0.12

Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (b)
$
1.13

 
1.38

 
2.56

 
2.75


(a)
The tax effects are calculated by multiplying the derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments by the applicable statutory income tax rate.

(b)
The Company provides additional non-GAAP financial information related to specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results 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 are subject to volatility mostly due to timing and market factors beyond the control of management, and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the Company’s management utilizes operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes when making decisions regarding the Company’s performance and in presentations with credit rating agencies, lenders, and investors. Consequently, the Company reports this non-GAAP information because the Company believes that it provides additional information regarding operational and performance indicators that are closely assessed by management. There is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for the presentation of such non-GAAP information, which is only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information that management utilizes to assess performance.


28



Operating Results

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, 2016, the Company had a $26.5 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")
Communications - referred to as Allo Communications ("Allo")

Other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable are combined and included in Corporate and Other Activities ("Corporate"). Corporate and Other Activities also includes income earned on certain investments and interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions.

Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment and Corporate and Other Activities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions).
(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue 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. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax.

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

A summary of the results and financial highlights for each reportable operating segment and a summary of the Company's liquidity and capital resources follows. See "Results of Operations" for each reportable operating segment and "Liquidity and Capital Resources" under this Item 2 for additional detail.





29



Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of June 30, 2016, the Company was servicing $183.6 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $169.9 billion of loans as of June 30, 2015.

Revenue decreased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 due to a decrease in guaranty servicing and collection revenue. The Company's guaranty servicing and collection revenue was earned from two guaranty clients, and a significant amount of such revenue came from one of those clients. The contract with this client expired on October 31, 2015. FFELP guaranty servicing and collection revenue recognized by the Company from this client for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was $12.6 million and $21.3 million respectively. The other guaranty servicing and collection client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016. After this customer's exit from the FFELP guaranty business effective June 30, 2016, the Company has no remaining guaranty servicing and collection revenue.

Revenue from the government servicing contract increased to $37.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $33.6 million for the same period in 2015, and increased to $72.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $66.0 million for the same period in 2015. This increase was due to the shift in the portfolio of loans serviced to a greater portion of loans in higher paying repayment statuses.

Before tax operating margin was 25.1% and 27.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 22.9% and 24.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This decrease was due to a decrease in guaranty servicing and collection revenue due to the loss of a significant guaranty client discussed above. The Company anticipates that margins will continue to decrease as a result of the loss of its remaining guaranty servicing and collection customer that exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016 as discussed above.

In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing solution to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016. 

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC ("GreatNet"). The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Services, or "TIVAS") that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department. On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 due to increases in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction and payments volume, and new school customers.

Before tax operating margin was 20.2% and 20.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively and 32.5% and 30.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, 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.


30



Communications

On December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 92.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo for total cash consideration of $46.25 million.  On January 1, 2016, the Company sold a 1.0 percent ownership interest in Allo to a non-related third-party for $0.5 million. The remaining 7.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo is owned by members of Allo management, who have the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent (up to 19 percent) of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo.  The Allo assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded by the Company at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, and such assets and liabilities were included in the Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 2015.  However, Allo had no impact on the consolidated statement of income for 2015.  On January 1, 2016, the Company began to reflect the operations of Allo in the consolidated statements of income.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the operating segment recorded a net loss of $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The Company anticipates this operating segment will be dilutive to consolidated earnings in 2016 due to large upfront capital expenditures and associated depreciation and upfront customer acquisition costs.

The Company currently plans to spend a total of approximately $50 million in network capital expenditures during 2016. However, such amount could change based on customer demand for Allo's services. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, Allo's capital expenditures were $12.0 million, including $9.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Asset Generation and Management

Core student loan spread was 1.29% for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 1.41% for the same period in 2015 and 1.34% for the three month period ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in core student loan spread for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was due to a widening in the basis between the asset and debt indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans.

Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned $39.5 million, $45.1 million, $80.1 million, and $91.3 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of derivative settlements of $4.8 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $10.1 million and $10.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, used to hedge such loans). The decrease in fixed rate floor income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 is due to an increase in interest rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $59.3 million. In addition, the Company had a portfolio of available-for-sale and trading investments, consisting primarily of student loan asset-backed securities, with a fair value of $141.5 million as of June 30, 2016.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company generated $175.2 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.37 billion as of June 30, 2016.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of 1,611,041 shares of Class A common stock for $52.5 million ($32.57 per share). In May 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new 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 25, 2019. The five million shares authorized under the new program include the remaining 1,664,223 un-repurchased shares from the prior program, which the new program replaced.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $10.2 million ($0.24 per share), including $5.1 million ($0.12 per share) during the second quarter.




31



The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP and private education loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments; expansion of Allo's telecommunications network; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions. The timing and size of these opportunities will vary and will have a direct impact on the Company's cash and investment balances.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Analysis of the Company's operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 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 their products and services.  The performance of the Company’s portfolio is driven by net interest income (which includes financing costs) and losses related to credit quality of the assets, along with the cost to administer and service the assets and related debt.

The Company operates in 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.

32



 
Three months
 
Six months
 
 
 
ended June 30,
 
ended June 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
Additional information
Loan interest
$
184,067

 
175,835

 
374,055

 
347,779

 
Increase due to an increase in the gross yield earned on the student loan portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of student loans and fixed rate floor income.
Investment interest
2,185

 
1,887

 
4,214

 
4,092

 
Includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and investments and funds in asset-backed securitizations.
Total interest income
186,252

 
177,722

 
378,269

 
351,871

 
 
Interest expense
94,052

 
72,626

 
184,460

 
144,180

 
Increase due primarily to an increase in the Company's cost of funds, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of debt outstanding.
Net interest income
92,200

 
105,096

 
193,809

 
207,691

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Less provision for loan losses
2,000

 
2,150

 
4,500

 
4,150

 
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
90,200

 
102,946

 
189,309

 
203,541

 
 
Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
LGS revenue
54,402

 
63,833

 
106,732

 
121,644

 
See LGS operating segment - results of operations.
TPP&CC revenue
30,483

 
27,686

 
69,140

 
62,366

 
See TPP&CC operating segment - results of operations.
Communications revenue
4,478

 

 
8,824

 

 
See Communications operating segment - results of operations.
Enrollment services revenue

 
12,680

 
4,326

 
26,053

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Other income
9,765

 
11,985

 
23,559

 
23,393

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

 
1,515

 
101

 
4,390

 
Gains are primarily from the Company repurchasing its own debt.
Derivative settlements, net
(5,495
)
 
(5,442
)
 
(12,031
)
 
(10,657
)
 
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
(35,207
)
 
11,944

 
(57,361
)
 
14,081

 
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
58,426

 
124,201

 
143,290

 
241,270

 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Salaries and benefits
60,923

 
58,787

 
124,165

 
119,837

 
Increase was due to additional personnel to support the increase in TPP&CC revenue and the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.
Depreciation and amortization
8,183

 
6,501

 
15,823

 
12,163

 
Increase was due to additional depreciation expense as a result of investments in information technology infrastructure and due to the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.
Loan servicing fees
7,216

 
7,420

 
14,144

 
15,036

 
The Company pays higher third-party servicing fees on delinquent loans. The Company's third-party serviced loan portfolio has fewer delinquent loans in 2016 compared to 2015; therefore, third-party servicing fees have decreased.
Cost to provide communication services
1,681

 

 
3,384

 

 
Represents costs of services and products primarily associated with television programming costs.
Cost to provide enrollment services

 
10,395

 
3,623

 
21,194

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Other
29,409

 
32,725

 
57,783

 
62,826

 
Decrease due to a decrease in collection costs associated with the decrease in FFELP guaranty collection revenue, partially offset by an increase as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.
Total operating expenses
107,412

 
115,828

 
218,922

 
231,056

 
 
Income before income taxes
41,214

 
111,319

 
113,677

 
213,755

 
 
Income tax expense
15,036

 
40,356

 
39,469

 
77,986

 
The effective tax rate was 36.51% and 36.27% in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 34.75% and 36.50% in the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to the resolution of certain tax positions during the first quarter of 2016.
Net income
26,178

 
70,963

 
74,208

 
135,769

 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
28

 
54

 
97

 
95

 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
26,150

 
70,909

 
74,111

 
135,674

 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
26,150

 
70,909

 
74,111

 
135,674

 
See "Overview - GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments" above for additional information about non-GAAP net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
35,207

 
(11,944
)
 
57,361

 
(14,081
)
 
Tax effect
(13,379
)
 
4,539

 
(21,797
)

5,351

 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
47,978

 
63,504

 
109,675

 
126,944

 


33



The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
Additional information
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
47,141

 
54,521

 
100,996

 
105,155

 
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
39,497

 
45,069

 
80,136

 
91,313

 
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
2,185

 
1,887

 
4,214

 
4,092

 
 
Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(231
)
 
(253
)
 
(463
)
 
(506
)
 
 
Corporate debt interest expense
(1,887
)
 
(1,570
)
 
(3,105
)
 
(3,020
)
 
Includes interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities and unsecured and secured lines of credit.
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
86,705

 
99,654

 
181,778

 
197,034

 
 


The following table summarizes the components of "Enrollment services revenue" and "Cost to provide enrollment services."
 
Inquiry management (marketing) (a)
 
Inquiry management (software) (a)
 
Total (a)
 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
Enrollment services revenue
$

 

 

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

Gross profit
$

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2015
Enrollment services revenue
$
11,751

 
929

 
12,680

Cost to provide enrollment services
10,395

 

 
10,395

Gross profit
$
1,356

 
929

 
2,285

Gross profit %
11.5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
Enrollment services revenue
$
4,001

 
325

 
4,326

Cost to provide enrollment services
3,623

 

 
3,623

Gross profit
$
378

 
325

 
703

Gross profit %
9.4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
Enrollment services revenue
$
24,006

 
2,047

 
26,053

Cost to provide enrollment services
21,194

 

 
21,194

Gross profit
$
2,812

 
2,047

 
4,859

Gross profit %
11.7%
 
 
 
 

(a)
On February 1, 2016, the Company sold 100 percent of the membership interests in Sparkroom LLC, which includes the majority of the Company's inquiry management products and services within Nelnet Enrollment Solutions. The Company retained the digital marketing and content solution products and services under the brand name Peterson's within the Nelnet Enrollment Solutions business, which include test preparation study guides, school directories and databases, career exploration guides, on-line courses, scholarship search and selection data, career planning information and guides, and on-line information about colleges and universities. The Company reclassified the revenue and cost of goods sold attributable to the Peterson's products and services from "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" to "other income" and "other expenses," respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. After this reclassification, "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" include the operating results of the products and services sold as part of the Sparkroom disposition for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income.


34



The following table summarizes the components of "other income."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Borrower late fee income
$
3,106

 
3,621

 
6,752

 
7,752

Investment advisory fees
1,014

 
833

 
1,832

 
1,491

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments classified as available-for-sale and trading, net
(112
)
 
1,826

 
1,028

 
2,349

Peterson's revenue (a)
3,246

 
4,481

 
6,527

 
8,971

Other (b)
2,511

 
1,224

 
7,420

 
2,830

Other income
$
9,765

 
11,985

 
23,559

 
23,393


(a)
Represents revenue previously included in "Enrollment services revenue" on the consolidated statements of income. The decrease in revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 was due to the loss of rights to a certain publication.

(b)
The operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2016 includes a gain of approximately $3.0 million related to the Company's sale of Sparkroom, LLC in February 2016.



35



STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)
Company owned
 
$21,397
 
$19,742
 
$19,369
 
$18,934
 
$18,593
 
$18,886
 
$18,433
 
$18,079
% of total
 
15.5%
 
12.2%
 
11.5%
 
11.1%
 
10.6%
 
10.7%
 
10.1%
 
9.8%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
5,305,498

 
5,915,449

 
5,882,446

 
5,817,078

 
5,886,266

 
5,842,163

 
5,786,545

 
5,726,828

FFELP servicing:
 
1,462,122

 
1,397,295

 
1,358,551

 
1,353,785

 
1,339,307

 
1,335,538

 
1,298,407

 
1,296,198

Private servicing:
 
195,580

 
202,529

 
205,926

 
209,854

 
230,403

 
245,737

 
250,666

 
264,827

Total:
 
6,963,200

 
7,515,273

 
7,446,923

 
7,380,717

 
7,455,976

 
7,423,438

 
7,335,618

 
7,287,853

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers:
 
1,915,203

 
1,611,654

 
1,592,813

 
1,559,573

 
1,710,577

 
1,755,341

 
1,796,783

 
1,842,961


Department of Education Student Loan Servicing Contract

The Company's current servicing contract with the Department expires on June 16, 2019. In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing solution to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016.

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet. The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is one of four private sector companies that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department. On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. Navient Corporation and FedLoan Servicing (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency), both existing TIVAS, were also selected to respond to Phase II.

During 2015, approximately 75 percent of new government student loans were allocated for servicing to the four TIVAS, with allocations based on established performance metrics compared among that group. An additional six not-for-profit ("NFP") servicers were allocated a total of approximately 25 percent of new loans for servicing during 2015. On March 2, 2016, the

36



Department announced that, for the period March 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, new student loans will be allocated for servicing among the group of ten TIVAS and NFP servicers on the basis of the currently established performance metrics as compared among all ten loan servicers in that group, pursuant to a provision in the federal budgetary Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016. This change resulted in a decrease in the Company's overall government allocation of new student loans for servicing from 13 percent to 8 percent for the period March 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, and the other TIVAS were similarly affected. However, the Company did and will continue to benefit from the allocation of additional borrowers to the four NFP servicers to which the Company licenses its remote-hosted servicing software.

On July 15, 2016, the Department provided an update on its Direct Loan servicing contract with performance metrics results for the period January 1, 2016 through May 31, 2016 and new volume allocations for its student loan servicers based on these results. The new performance results had the Company ranked fifth among all TIVAS and NFP servicers, which results in the Company being allocated 12 percent of new student loan servicing volume for the period July 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. The Company ranked second among the four TIVAS, with Great Lakes ranking first.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Net interest income
$
22

 
13

 
43

 
20

 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,402

 
63,833

 
106,732

 
121,644

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Intersegment servicing revenue
11,408

 
12,223

 
23,415

 
25,094

 
Represents revenue earned by the LGS operating segment as a result of servicing loans for the AGM operating segment. Decrease was due to portfolio run-off.
Total other income
65,810

 
76,056

 
130,147

 
146,738

 

Salaries and benefits
31,380

 
31,585

 
64,346

 
65,288

 

Depreciation and amortization
445

 
527

 
883

 
973

 

Other expenses
11,380

 
15,376

 
22,850

 
29,976

 
Decrease due primarily to a decrease in collection costs associated with FFELP guaranty collection revenue. Collection costs were $1.7 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively and $3.5 million and $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding collection costs, other expenses were $9.7 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $19.3 million and $19.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See additional information below regarding the decrease in FFELP guaranty collection revenue.
Intersegment expenses, net
6,102

 
8,045

 
12,343

 
14,687

 
Intersegment expenses represent costs for certain corporate activities that are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.
Total operating expenses
49,307

 
55,533

 
100,422

 
110,924

 

Income before income taxes
16,525

 
20,536

 
29,768

 
35,834

 

Income tax expense
(6,280
)
 
(7,804
)
 
(11,312
)
 
(13,617
)
 

Net income
$
10,245

 
12,732

 
18,456

 
22,217

 

Before tax operating margin
25.1
%
 
27.0
%
 
22.9
%
 
24.4
%
 
Decrease in margin is due to a decrease in guaranty servicing and collection revenue due to the loss of a guaranty client as discussed below. The Company anticipates that margins will continue to decrease as a result of the loss of its remaining guaranty servicing and collection customer that exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016 as discussed below.


37



The following table summarizes the components of "Loan and guaranty servicing revenue."
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Government servicing
$
37,063

 
33,633

 
72,294

 
66,041

 
Increase due to the shift in the portfolio of loans serviced to a greater portion of loans in higher paying repayment statuses.
FFELP servicing
3,684

 
3,483

 
7,323

 
7,028

 
Increase due to an increase in third-party servicing volume as a result of conversions to the Company's servicing platform. Over time, FFELP servicing revenue will decrease as third-party customers' FFELP portfolios run off.
Private servicing
3,427

 
2,743

 
6,573

 
5,782

 
Increase due to growth in private loan servicing volume from existing and new clients.
FFELP guaranty servicing
1,161

 
2,416

 
2,345

 
4,897

 
The Company’s guaranty servicing revenue was earned from two guaranty servicing clients.  A contract with one client expired on October 31, 2015, and was not renewed.   Guaranty servicing revenue from this customer was $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The remaining guaranty servicing client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016.   Guaranty servicing revenue from this customer was $1.2 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and $2.3 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  After this customer’s exit from the FFELP guaranty business effective June 30, 2016, the Company has no remaining guaranty servicing revenue.
FFELP guaranty collection
3,424

 
15,840

 
7,211

 
26,745

 
The Company’s guaranty collection revenue was earned from two guaranty collection clients.  A contract with one client expired on October 31, 2015, and was not renewed.   Guaranty collection revenue from this customer was $11.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and $18.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The remaining guaranty servicing client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016.   Guaranty collection revenue from this customer was $3.4 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $7.2 million and $8.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  After this customer’s exit from the FFELP guaranty business effective June 30, 2016, the Company has no remaining guaranty collection revenue.  The Company incurred collection costs that were directly related to guaranty collection revenue.
Software services
4,653

 
4,638

 
9,261

 
9,506

 
The majority of software services revenue relates to providing hosted student loan servicing.
 Other
990

 
1,080

 
1,725

 
1,645

 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
$
54,402

 
63,833

 
106,732

 
121,644

 
 

38



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 as well as online applications and enrollment services.  The Company’s operating expenses do not follow the seasonality of the revenues. This is primarily due to generally fixed year-round personnel costs and seasonal marketing costs. Based on the timing of revenue recognition and when expenses are incurred, revenue and pre-tax operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Net interest income
$
3

 
1

 
5

 
3

 
 
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue
30,483

 
27,686

 
69,140

 
62,366

 
Increase was due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction and payments volume, and new school customers.
Salaries and benefits
15,444

 
13,583

 
29,880

 
26,904

 
Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in payment plans and continued system maintenance and enhancements.
Depreciation and amortization
2,511

 
2,195

 
4,782

 
4,390

 
Other expenses
4,815

 
4,112

 
8,973

 
7,914

 
Intersegment expenses, net
1,562

 
2,164

 
3,074

 
4,199

 
Intersegment expenses represent costs for certain corporate activities that are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.
Total operating expenses
24,332

 
22,054

 
46,709

 
43,407

 
 
Income before income taxes
6,154

 
5,633

 
22,436

 
18,962

 
 
Income tax expense
(2,338
)
 
(2,140
)
 
(8,526
)
 
(7,206
)
 
 
Net income
$
3,816

 
3,493

 
13,910

 
11,756

 
 
Before tax operating margin
20.2
%
 
20.3
%
 
32.5
%
 
30.4
%
 
 


39



COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
Additional information
Interest expense
$
205

 
352

 
 
Communications revenue
4,478

 
8,824

 
Communications revenue is derived primarily from the sale of pure fiber optic services to residential and business customers in Nebraska, including internet, television, and telephone services.
Salaries and benefits
1,377

 
2,467

 
At June 30, 2016, Allo had approximately 170 employees, including part-time employees. Allo also uses temporary employees in the normal course of business. Certain costs qualify for capitalization as Allo builds its network.
Depreciation and amortization
1,378

 
2,507

 
Depreciation reflects the allocation of the costs of Allo's property and equipment over the period in which such assets are used. Amortization reflects the allocation of costs related to intangible assets recorded at fair value as of the date the Company acquired Allo over their estimated useful lives.
Cost to provide communications services
1,681

 
3,384

 
Costs of services and products is primarily associated with television programming costs.
Other expenses
813

 
1,566

 
 
Intersegment expenses, net
187

 
331

 
Intersegment expenses represent costs for certain corporate activities that are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.
Total operating expenses
5,436

 
10,255

 
 
Loss before income taxes
(1,163
)
 
(1,783
)
 
 
Income tax benefit
442

 
678

 
 
Net loss
$
(721
)
 
(1,105
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Information:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(721
)
 
(1,105
)
 
 
Interest expense
205

 
352

 
 
Income tax benefit
(442
)
 
(678
)
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
1,378

 
2,507

 
 
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)
$
420

 
1,076

 
For additional information regarding this non-GAAP measure, see the table immediately below.


40



Certain financial and operating data for Allo is summarized in the tables below.
 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
Residential revenue
$
2,528

 
5,052

Business revenue
1,584

 
3,212

Other revenue
366

 
560

Total revenue
$
4,478

 
8,824

 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(721
)
 
(1,105
)
EBITDA (a)
420

 
1,076

 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
9,160

 
12,037

 
 
 
 
Revenue contribution:

 
 
Internet
37.0
%
 
37.6
%
Telephone
26.6

 
27.2

Television
31.4

 
32.1

Other
5.0

 
3.1

 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

 
As of
June 30, 2016
 
As of
December 31, 2015
Residential customer information:
 
 
 
Households served
8,314

 
7,600

Households passed (b)
22,977

 
21,274

Total households in current markets
137,500

 
137,500


(a)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") is a supplemental non-GAAP performance measure that is frequently used in capital-intensive industries such as telecommunications. Allo's management uses EBITDA to compare Allo's performance to that of its competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure performance from period to period. EBITDA excludes interest expense and income taxes because these items are associated with a company's particular capitalization and tax structures. EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures. The Company reports EBITDA for Allo because the Company believes that it provides useful additional information for investors regarding a key metric used by management to assess Allo's performance, and it provides supplemental information about Allo's operating performance on a more variable cost basis. There are limitations to using EBITDA as a performance measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from Allo's calculations. In addition, EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance, such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA from net income (loss) under GAAP is presented in the table immediately above.
(b)
Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments, and condominiums that Allo already serves and those in which Allo has the capacity to connect to its network distribution system without further material extensions to the transmission lines, but have not been connected.


41



ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Portfolio

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had a $26.5 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 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,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
$
27,743,818

 
28,107,088

 
28,555,749

 
28,223,908

Loan acquisitions
74,969

 
1,228,030

 
185,928

 
2,064,142

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, and other
(737,712
)
 
(690,556
)
 
(1,329,732
)
 
(1,318,916
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(326,515
)
 
(330,712
)
 
(612,647
)
 
(651,288
)
Loans sold

 

 
(44,738
)
 
(3,996
)
Ending balance
$
26,754,560

 
28,313,850

 
26,754,560

 
28,313,850

 
Allowance for Loan Losses 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. 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 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and a summary of the Company's student loan delinquency amounts as of June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015, and June 30, 2015, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

In general, over the last several years, there has been a period over period decrease in the Company's federally insured loan provision for loan losses and charge-offs. 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 federally insured student loan portfolio continues to season with the length of time that loans are in active repayment, credit performance continues to improve.

The Company's provision for loan losses for private education loans increased during the first six months of 2016 compared to 2015 due to the increase in the private education loan balance.


42



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,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
 
June 30,
2015
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2015
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.84
 %
 
2.82
 %
 
2.57
 %
 
2.84
 %
 
2.55
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.83
)
 
(0.83
)
 
(0.83
)
 
(0.83
)
 
(0.84
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
0.06

 
0.06

 
0.04

 
0.06

 
0.05

Variable student loan yield, net
2.07

 
2.05

 
1.78

 
2.07

 
1.76

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(1.35
)
 
(1.27
)
 
(1.01
)
 
(1.32
)
 
(1.00
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
(0.01
)
 
(0.02
)
 

 
(0.01
)
 

Variable student loan spread
0.71

 
0.76

 
0.77

 
0.74

 
0.76

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.58

 
0.58

 
0.64

 
0.58

 
0.65

Core student loan spread
1.29
 %

1.34
 %

1.41
 %
 
1.32
 %
 
1.41
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
27,314,389

 
28,232,489

 
28,297,312

 
27,773,439

 
28,293,366

Average balance of debt outstanding
27,240,061

 
28,099,821

 
28,331,870

 
27,669,813

 
28,395,893


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. See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk,” which provides additional detail on the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding for those assets.


43



Variable student loan spread decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to both the three months ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 due to a widening in the basis between the asset and debt indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans (as reflected in the table above).

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, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
 
June 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2015
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,338

 
45,882

 
50,088

 
90,220

 
101,347

Derivative settlements (a)
(4,841
)
 
(5,243
)
 
(5,019
)
 
(10,084
)
 
(10,034
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
39,497

 
40,639

 
45,069

 
80,136

 
91,313

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.58
%
 
0.58
%
 
0.64
%
 
0.58
%
 
0.65
%
 
(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 2016 and 2015 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. The decrease in fixed rate floor income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 is due to an increase in interest rates. See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate 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.




44



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Additional information
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
$
90,197

 
102,688

 
188,542

 
202,571

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Other income
3,834

 
3,950

 
8,097

 
8,526

 
The primary component of other income is borrower late fees, which were $3.1 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and $6.8 million and $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 
1,041

 
101

 
1,392

 
Gains were primarily from the Company repurchasing its own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
(31,411
)
 
9,404

 
(51,308
)
 
12,994

 
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
(5,264
)
 
(5,189
)
 
(11,568
)
 
(10,152
)
 
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 (expense) income
(32,841
)
 
9,206

 
(54,678
)
 
12,760

 
 
Salaries and benefits
499

 
524

 
1,018

 
1,065

 
 
Loan servicing fees
7,216

 
7,420

 
14,144

 
15,036

 
The Company pays higher third-party servicing fees on delinquent loans. The Company's third-party serviced loan portfolio has fewer delinquent loans in 2016 compared to 2015; therefore, third-party servicing fees have decreased.
Other expenses
1,481

 
1,270

 
2,997

 
2,407

 
 
Intersegment expenses, net
11,539

 
12,362

 
23,646

 
25,370

 
Amounts include fees paid to the LGS operating segment for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio. Decrease due to run off of the portfolio serviced by LGS.
Total operating expenses
20,735

 
21,576

 
41,805

 
43,878

 
 
Income before income taxes
36,621

 
90,318

 
92,059

 
171,453

 
 
Income tax expense
(13,916
)
 
(34,321
)
 
(34,983
)
 
(65,152
)
 
 
Net income
$
22,705

 
55,997

 
57,076

 
106,301

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
22,705

 
55,997

 
57,076

 
106,301

 
See "Overview - GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments" above for additional information about non-GAAP net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments. Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, decreased in 2016 as compared to 2015 due to a decrease in variable student loan spread and fixed rate floor income.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
31,411

 
(9,404
)
 
51,308

 
(12,994
)
 
Tax effect
(11,936
)
 
3,574

 
(19,497
)
 
4,938

 
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
42,180

 
50,167

 
88,887

 
98,245

 



45



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
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Variable interest income, net of settlements on derivatives
$
191,802

 
180,868

 
388,928

 
357,346

 
Increase due to an increase in the gross yield earned on student loans, net of settlements on derivatives, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of student loans.
Consolidation rebate fees
(56,786
)
 
(58,427
)
 
(115,222
)
 
(117,298
)
 
Decrease due to a decrease in the average consolidation loan balance.
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
4,291

 
3,136

 
8,644

 
6,267

 
Increase due to the Company's purchases of loans at a net discount over the last several years.
Interest on bonds and notes payable
(92,166
)
 
(71,056
)
 
(181,354
)
 
(141,160
)
 
Increase due to an increase in cost of funds, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of debt outstanding.
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
47,141

 
54,521

 
100,996

 
105,155

 
 
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
39,497

 
45,069

 
80,136

 
91,313

 
The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned are due to historically low interest rates. Fixed rate floor income has decreased due to the rising interest rate environment.
Investment interest
899

 
444

 
1,634

 
922

 
 
Intercompany interest
(604
)
 
(385
)
 
(1,292
)
 
(821
)
 
 
Provision for loan losses - federally insured
(2,000
)
 
(2,000
)
 
(4,000
)
 
(4,000
)
 
See "Allowance for Loan Losses and Loan Delinquencies" included above under "Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment - Results of Operations."
Provision for loan losses - private education loans

 
(150
)
 
(500
)
 
(150
)
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
84,933

 
97,499

 
176,974

 
192,419

 
 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing and Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segments are non-capital intensive and both produce positive operating cash flows. As such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to these 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 and capital needs to expand Allo's communications network in the Company's Communications operating segment.

Sources of Liquidity

The Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations.  For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $175.2 million and $391.4 million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $59.3 million. The Company also had a portfolio of available-for-sale and trading investments, consisting primarily of student loan asset-backed securities, with a fair value of $141.5 million as of June 30, 2016.

The Company also has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit that matures on October 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2016, $105.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $245.0 million was available for future use.






46



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, 2016, the Company holds $50.8 million (par value) of its own asset-backed securities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP and private education loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments; expansion of Allo's telecommunications network; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions. Dependent upon the timing and size of the opportunities, the Company's cash and investment balances may increase from their current levels.
 
Cash Flows

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company generated $175.2 million from operating activities, compared to $192.0 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities reflects a decrease in net income, change in deferred taxes, and a decrease in proceeds from terminating certain derivative instrument contracts during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. These factors were partially offset by changes in the adjustments to net income for non-cash fair value adjustments for derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments and a decrease in accounts receivable. Accrued interest on loans purchased is included in cash flows from operating activities in the respective period of the purchase.  Net purchased accrued interest was $60.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Net purchased accrued interest for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was not significant.

The primary items included in the statement of cash flows for investing activities are the purchase and repayment of student loans. The primary items included in financing activities are the proceeds from the issuance of and payments on bonds and notes payable used to fund student loans. Cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $1.6 billion and $324.3 million, respectively. Cash used in financing activities was $1.8 billion and $464.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, 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, 2016
 
Carrying
amount
 
Final maturity
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations
$
24,576,893

 
8/26/19 - 8/26/52
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,811,708

 
7/9/18 - 4/26/19
Private education loan warehouse facility
221,114

 
4/28/17
Other borrowings
75,000

 
10/31/16
 
$
26,684,715

 
 

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, 2016, 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 $2.37 billion as detailed below.  The $2.37 billion includes approximately $726.5 million (as of June 30, 2016) 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."


47



The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of June 30, 2016.  As of June 30, 2016, the Company had $24.6 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 93.0 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, 2016 or loans acquired subsequent to June 30, 2016.

FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast
$2.37 billion
(dollars in millions)

The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast.  These assumptions are further discussed below.

Prepayments:  The primary variable in establishing a life of loan estimate is the level and timing of prepayments. Prepayment rates equal the amount of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance, net of scheduled principal payments.  A number of factors can affect estimated prepayment rates, including the level of consolidation activity, borrower default rates, and utilization of FFEL Program debt management options such as income-based repayment, deferments, and forbearance.  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 $260 million to $320 million.

Interest rates:  The Company funds the majority of its student loans with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  Meanwhile, the interest earned on the Company’s student loan assets is indexed primarily to a one-month LIBOR rate.  The different interest rate characteristics of the Company’s loan assets and liabilities funding these assets result in basis risk.  The Company’s cash flow forecast assumes three-month LIBOR will exceed one-month LIBOR by 12 basis points for the life of the portfolio, which approximates the historical relationship between these indices.  If the forecast is computed assuming a spread of 24 basis points between three-month and one-month LIBOR for the life of the portfolio, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $65 million to $105 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, 2016, 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 $42.8 million. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk."



48



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, 2016, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities with an aggregate maximum financing amount available of $2.1 billion, of which $1.8 billion was outstanding, and $0.3 billion was available for additional funding. 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, 2016, the Company had $105.4 million advanced as equity support on these facilities. For further discussion of the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities outstanding at June 30, 2016, 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.

Private Education Loan Warehouse Facility

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility. As of June 30, 2016, there was $221.1 million outstanding on the facility and $53.9 million was available for future use. The facility has a static advance rate that requires initial equity for loan funding, but does not require increased equity based on market movements. The maximum advance rate on the entire facility is 88 percent and minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, ranged from 64 percent to 99 percent. As of June 30, 2016, $32.0 million was advanced on the facility as equity support. The facility is supported by liquidity provisions, which had an original expiration date of June 24, 2016.
On April 1, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to October 28, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 28, 2017. In addition, the minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, were changed to a range from 61.75 percent to 95.00 percent, and the maximum advance rate on the entire facility remained at 88 percent. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by the amended expiration date of October 28, 2016, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's amended final maturity date of April 28, 2017.
Upon termination or expiration of the warehouse facility, 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 Borrowings
The Company has a $75.0 million line of credit, which is collateralized by asset-backed security investments, that expires October 31, 2016. The line of credit has covenants and cross default provisions similar to those under the Company's unsecured line of credit. As of June 30, 2016, $75.0 million was outstanding on this line of credit. Upon termination or expiration of this line of credit, the Company would obtain a replacement facility, 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.

49




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, 2016, $505.6 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 Securities Transactions

The Company, through its subsidiaries, has historically funded student loans by completing asset-backed securitizations. Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have placed numerous tranches of FFELP securitizations by various issuers, including certain tranches of prior FFELP securitizations issued by subsidiaries of the Company, on review for potential downgrade due to principal payments and prepayments on the underlying student loans coming in slower than initial expectations, and the resulting risk that certain principal maturities on those FFELP securitizations may not be met by the final maturity dates, which could result in an event of default under the underlying securitization agreements. Such rating actions have caused the spreads on FFELP securitizations in general to widen and have reduced the liquidity in the secondary market for FFELP securitizations.

In June 2016, Moody’s published an updated methodology for its ratings of FFELP securitizations, and Fitch announced that it was in the final phase of updating its corresponding ratings criteria. In addition, on June 15, 2016, the Company announced the launch of an online investor communication forum that may facilitate the amendment of securitizations to extend the legal final maturity dates. The ultimate impact of these developments on the Company’s current and future securitizations is uncertain. Depending on future rating agency actions and market conditions, the Company currently anticipates continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market for both FFELP and private education loans. Such asset-backed securitization transactions would be used to refinance student loans included in its warehouse facilities, student loans purchased from third parties, and/or student loans in its 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, 2016, 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 and/or a third-party clearinghouse. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company's liquidity and capital resources. As of June 30, 2016, the fair value of the Company's derivatives which had a negative fair value (a liability in the Company's balance sheet), was $101.8 million. As of June 30, 2016, the Company had $110.7 million of collateral deposited with counterparties or a clearinghouse related to these derivatives.

Liquidity Impact Related to the Communications Operating Segment

Allo has made significant investments in its communications network and currently provides fiber directly to homes and businesses in seven Nebraska communities. In November 2015, Allo announced plans to expand its network to make its services available to substantially all commercial and residential premises in Lincoln, Nebraska, and currently plans to expand to additional communities in Nebraska and surrounding states over the next several years. The Company currently plans to spend approximately $50 million in total in network capital expenditures during 2016. However, such amount could change based on customer demand for Allo's services. For the six month period ended June 30, 2016, Allo's capital expenditures were $12.0 million.


50



Other Debt Facilities

As discussed above, the Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit with a maturity date of October 30, 2020.  As of June 30, 2016, the unsecured line of credit had an outstanding balance of $105.0 million and $245.0 million was available for future use. Upon the maturity date in 2020 there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain this line of credit, increase the amount outstanding under the line, or find alternative funding if necessary.

The Company has issued Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities (the "Hybrid Securities") that have a final maturity date of September 15, 2061. The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. As of June 30, 2016, $57.2 million of Hybrid Securities were outstanding.

The Company also has two notes payable, which were each issued by TDP Phase Three, LLC ("TDP") on December 30, 2015 in connection with the development of a commercial building. TDP is an entity established during 2015 for the sole purpose of developing and operating a commercial building. The Company owns 25 percent of TDP. However, because the Company plans to be a tenant in this building once the development is complete, the operating results of TDP are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. As of June 30, 2016, one of the TDP notes has $12.0 million outstanding with a maturity date of March 31, 2023; the other TDP note has $6.4 million outstanding with a maturity date of December 15, 2045. Recourse to the Company on the outstanding balance of these notes is equal to its ownership percentage of TDP.

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. See note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report for information on debt repurchased by the Company during the years 2013 through 2015. No significant debt repurchases have been made by the Company during 2016.

Stock Repurchases

On May 7, 2015, 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, 2018. In May 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new 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 25, 2019. The five million shares authorized under the new program included the remaining 1,664,223 un-repurchased shares from the prior program, which the new program replaced. Under the program, 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 three months ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 are shown below. For additional information on stock repurchases during the second quarter of 2016, 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 March 31, 2016
1,599,099

 
$
52,069

 
32.56

Quarter ended June 30, 2016
11,942

 
399

 
33.45

  Total
1,611,041

 
$
52,468

 
32.57


As of June 30, 2016, 4,992,360 shares remain authorized for repurchase under this stock repurchase program.

Dividends

On June 15, 2016, the Company paid a second quarter 2016 cash dividend on the Company's Class A and Class B common stock of $0.12 per share. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors has declared a third quarter 2016 cash dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of $0.12 per share. The third quarter cash dividend will be paid on September 15, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2016.

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.

51




Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that are material to investors.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance once it becomes effective on January 1, 2018. Early application is permitted beginning January 1, 2017, and the standard allows the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting, and has not yet selected a method of transition.

In January 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, which will change the income statement impact of equity investments, and the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected.   The new guidance requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) and requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments.  This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018.  Early adoption is permitted for the provisions related to the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected.  The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the accounting for leases. The new standard will require most leases where the Company is the lessee to be recognized on the balance sheet, as well as certain changes in the lessor accounting. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019 and will be applied retrospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting.

In June 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments, which will change the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the asset's remaining life. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. Early application is permitted beginning January 1, 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting.


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, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
Fixed-rate loan assets
$
10,010,100

 
37.4
%
 
$
11,229,584

 
39.3
%
Variable-rate loan assets
16,744,460

 
62.6

 
17,326,165

 
60.7

Total
$
26,754,560

 
100.0
%
 
$
28,555,749

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt instruments
$
18,355

 
0.1
%
 
$
18,355

 
0.1
%
Variable-rate debt instruments
26,846,899

 
99.9

 
28,584,976

 
99.9

Total
$
26,865,254

 
100.0
%
 
$
28,603,331

 
100.0
%

52




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 payment ("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 declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, the Company’s 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 2015 and 2016. A summary of fixed rate floor income earned by the Company follows.
 
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,338

 
50,088

 
90,220

 
101,347

Derivative settlements (a)
(4,841
)
 
(5,019
)
 
(10,084
)
 
(10,034
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
39,497

 
45,069

 
80,136

 
91,313


(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 2016 and 2015 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. Fixed rate floor income decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the same periods in 2015 due to an increase in interest rates.

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 special allowance payment 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.


53



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 federally insured student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of June 30, 2016.
Fixed interest rate range
 
Borrower/lender weighted average yield
 
Estimated variable conversion rate (a)
 
Loan balance
3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.28%
 
0.64%
 
$
1,536,726

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
2,212,385

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,639,781

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
997,829

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.22%
 
2.58%
 
627,344

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
439,469

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.19%
 
3.55%
 
510,363

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70%
 
4.06%
 
500,707

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.17%
 
4.53%
 
174,555

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
294,973

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.18%
 
5.54%
 
685,884

> 9.0%
 
9.04%
 
6.40%
 
237,633

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
9,857,649


(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, 2016, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 2.26% and the short-term interest rate was 45 basis points.


54



The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of June 30, 2016 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)
 
 
2016
 
$
750,000

 
0.72
%
2017
 
1,000,000

 
0.97

2018
 
1,600,000

 
1.08

2019
 
3,250,000

 
0.97

2020
 
1,500,000

 
1.01

2025
 
100,000

 
2.32

2026
 
50,000

 
1.52

 
 
$
8,250,000

 
0.99
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
In addition, on August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024.

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, 2016:
Index
 
Frequency of variable resets
 
Assets
 
Funding of student loan assets
1 month LIBOR (a)
 
Daily
 
$
24,356,092

 

3 month H15 financial commercial paper
 
Daily
 
1,339,268

 

3 month Treasury bill
 
Daily
 
771,030

 

3 month LIBOR (a) (b)
 
Quarterly
 

 
14,741,895

1 month LIBOR
 
Monthly
 

 
9,189,155

Auction-rate (c)
 
Varies
 

 
1,158,415

Asset-backed commercial paper (d)
 
Varies
 

 
1,299,136

Other (e)
 
 
 
1,220,030

 
1,297,819

 
 
 
 
$
27,686,420

 
27,686,420


(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 the 1:3 Basis Swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2016.
Maturity
 
Notional amount
2016
 
$
2,000,000

2028
 
125,000


The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of June 30, 2016 was one-month LIBOR plus 9.3 basis points.

(b)
The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into a 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” below.

(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”). As of June 30, 2016, the Company was sponsor for $1.2 billion of Auction Rate Securities. 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

55



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.

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

(e)
Assets include accrued interest receivable and restricted cash and investments.  Funding represents overcollateralization (equity) included in FFELP asset-backed securitizations and warehouse facilities and other liabilities funding student loans and related assets.

56



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, 2016
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(17,682
)
 
(42.9
)%
 
$
(32,373
)
 
(78.6
)%
 
$
(4,075
)
 
(9.9
)%
 
$
(12,226
)
 
(29.6
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
13,542

 
32.9

 
40,625

 
98.6

 
717

 
1.7

 
2,151

 
5.2

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(4,140
)
 
(10.0
)%
 
$
8,252

 
20.0
 %
 
$
(3,358
)
 
(8.2
)%
 
$
(10,075
)
 
(24.4
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.06
)
 
 
 
$
0.12

 
 
 
$
(0.05
)
 
 
 
$
(0.15
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2015
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(19,948
)
 
(17.9
)%
 
$
(35,538
)
 
(31.9
)%
 
$
(4,106
)
 
(3.7
)%
 
$
(12,316
)
 
(11.1
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
8,547

 
7.7

 
25,640

 
23.0

 
1,219

 
1.1

 
3,656

 
3.3

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(11,401
)
 
(10.2
)%
 
$
(9,898
)
 
(8.9
)%
 
$
(2,887
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
$
(8,660
)
 
(7.8
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.15
)
 
 
 
$
(0.13
)
 
 
 
$
(0.04
)
 
 
 
$
(0.12
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(36,040
)
 
(31.7
)%
 
$
(66,023
)
 
(58.1
)%
 
$
(8,248
)
 
(7.3
)%
 
$
(24,745
)
 
(21.8
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
29,250

 
25.7

 
87,750

 
77.2

 
2,340

 
2.1

 
7,020

 
6.2

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(6,790
)
 
(6.0
)%
 
$
21,727

 
19.1
 %
 
$
(5,908
)
 
(5.2
)%
 
$
(17,725
)
 
(15.6
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.10
)
 
 
 
$
0.31

 
 
 
$
(0.09
)
 
 
 
$
(0.26
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
Effect on earnings:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(39,732
)
 
(18.6
)%
 
$
(69,605
)
 
(32.5
)%
 
$
(8,313
)
 
(3.9
)%
 
$
(24,938
)
 
(11.7
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
16,547

 
7.7

 
49,640

 
23.2

 
2,781

 
1.3

 
8,343

 
3.9

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(23,185
)
 
(10.9
)%

$
(19,965
)
 
(9.3
)%
 
$
(5,532
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
$
(16,595
)
 
(7.8
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.31
)
 
 
 
$
(0.26
)
 
 
 
$
(0.08
)
 
 
 
$
(0.23
)
 
 
 

57



Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has 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, the Company is exposed to 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 the cross-currency interest rate swap associated with the Euro Notes 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

There have been no material changes from the information set forth in the Legal Proceedings section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 under Item 3 of Part I of such Form 10-K.

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, 2015 in response to Item 1A of Part I of such Form 10-K.


58



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 2016 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. Certain share repurchases included in the table below were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 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, 2016
 
1,131

 
$
38.40

 

 
1,664,223

May 1 - May 31, 2016
 

 

 

 
5,000,000

June 1 - June 30, 2016
 
10,811

 
32.93

 
7,640

 
4,992,360

Total
 
11,942

 
$
33.45

 
7,640

 
 


(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 1,131 shares, 0 shares, and 3,171 shares in April, May, and June 2016, 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 7, 2015, 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, 2018. On August 4, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in May 2016 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 25, 2019. The five million shares authorized under the new program include the remaining 1,644,223 un-repurchased shares from the prior program, which the new program replaced.

Working capital and dividend restrictions/limitations

The Company’s credit facilities, including its revolving line of credit which is available through October 30, 2020, 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 amount of recourse indebtedness, and the amount of private education loans held by the Company. 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.


59



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

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

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

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

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

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

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
3.1
Articles of Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Nelnet, Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2016 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
3.2*
Composite Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Nelnet, Inc. as amended.
 
 
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

60



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 4, 2016
By:
/s/ JEFFREY R. NOORDHOEK
 
 
 
Name:
Jeffrey R. Noordhoek
 
 
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
 
Date:
August 4, 2016
Name:
James D. Kruger
 
 
 
Title: 
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
 



61