EX-99.2 3 w23279exv99w2.htm EX-99.2 exv99w2
 

Exhibit 99.2
 
SLM CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SECOND QUARTER 2006
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated)
 
The following supplemental information should be read in connection with SLM Corporation’s (the “Company”) press release of second quarter 2006 earnings, dated July 20, 2006.
 
This Supplemental Financial Information release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this document. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend” and “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace arising from the implementation of applicable laws and regulations and from changes in these laws and regulations, which may reduce the volume, average term and yields on student loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”) or result in loans being originated or refinanced under non-FFELP programs or may affect the terms upon which banks and others agree to sell FFELP loans to SLM Corporation, more commonly known as Sallie Mae, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “the Company”). In addition, a larger than expected increase in third party consolidations of our FFELP loans could materially adversely affect our results of operations. The Company could also be affected by changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of lenders, educational institutions, students and their families; incorrect estimates or assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements; changes in the composition of our Managed FFELP and Private Education Loan portfolios; a significant decrease in our common stock price, which may result in counterparties terminating equity forward positions with us, which, in turn, could have a materially dilutive effect on our common stock; changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization markets for education loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to initiate, purchase or carry education loans; losses from loan defaults; changes in prepayment rates and credit spreads; and changes in the demand for debt management services and new laws or changes in existing laws that govern debt management services.
 
Definitions for capitalized terms in this document can be found in the Company’s 2005 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2006.
 
Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2005, to be consistent with classifications adopted for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following table presents the statements of income for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
Statements of Income
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 337     $ 299     $ 239     $ 635     $ 429  
Consolidation Loans
    841       821       554       1,663       1,063  
Private Education Loans
    234       241       127       475       257  
Other loans
    24       23       20       47       40  
Cash and investments
    125       96       54       221       116  
                                         
Total interest income
    1,561       1,480       994       3,041       1,905  
Interest expense
    1,204       1,093       664       2,296       1,228  
                                         
Net interest income
    357       387       330       745       677  
Less: provisions for losses
    68       60       79       128       126  
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    289       327       251       617       551  
                                         
Other income:
                                       
Gains on student loan securitizations
    671       30       262       701       312  
Servicing and securitization revenue
    83       99       150       182       293  
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
    123       (87 )     (106 )     36       (140 )
Guarantor servicing fees
    33       27       26       60       58  
Debt management fees
    90       92       82       182       168  
Collections revenue
    67       56       42       124       77  
Other
    67       69       56       135       118  
                                         
Total other income
    1,134       286       512       1,420       886  
Operating expenses
    316       323       288       640       550  
                                         
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    1,107       290       475       1,397       887  
Income taxes(1)
    382       137       176       519       363  
                                         
Income before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    725       153       299       878       524  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    1       1       2       3       4  
                                         
Net income
    724       152       297       875       520  
Preferred stock dividends
    9       9       4       17       7  
                                         
Net income attributable to common stock
  $ 715     $ 143     $ 293     $ 858     $ 513  
                                         
Diluted earnings per common share(2)
  $ 1.61     $ .34     $ .66     $ 1.96     $ 1.15  
                                         
 
 
(1) Income tax expense includes the permanent tax impact of excluding gains and losses from equity forward contracts from taxable income.
 
                                                 
(2) Impact of Co-Cos on GAAP diluted earnings per common share
  $ (.08 )   $ (A)   $ (.02 )   $ (.07 )   $ (.04 )        
                                                 
 
(A) There is no impact from Co-Cos on diluted earnings per common share because the effect of the assumed conversion is antidilutive.


2


 

Earnings Release Summary
 
The following table summarizes GAAP income statement items disclosed separately in the Company’s press releases of earnings or the Company’s quarterly earnings conference calls for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Reported net income attributable to common stock
  $ 714,991     $ 143,300     $ 292,607     $ 858,291     $ 513,116  
Income (expense) items disclosed separately (tax effected):
                                       
Non-recurring Special Allowance Payment (“SAP”)
    6,428                   6,428        
Update of Borrower Benefits estimates
          6,610       4,683       6,610       4,683  
Change in Private Education Loan allowance estimates
                (34,005 )           (34,005 )
CLC lawsuit settlement charge
                (8,820 )           (8,820 )
                                         
Total income/(expense) items disclosed separately (tax effected)
    6,428       6,610       (38,142 )     13,038       (38,142 )
                                         
Net income attributable to common stock before the impact of items disclosed separately
  $ 708,563     $ 136,690     $ 330,749     $ 845,253     $ 551,258  
                                         
Co-Cos after-tax expense
  $ 16,460     $ (A)   $ 10,297     $ 31,277     $ 18,916  
                                         
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    454,314       422,974 (A)     461,900       453,803       462,454  
                                         
 
 
(A) There is no impact from Co-Cos on diluted earnings per common share because the effect of the assumed conversion is antidilutive.
 
The following table summarizes “Core Earnings” income statement items disclosed separately in the Company’s press releases of earnings or the Company’s quarterly earnings conference calls for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. See “BUSINESS SEGMENTS” for a discussion of “Core Earnings” and a reconciliation of “Core Earnings” net income to GAAP net income.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock
  $ 310,963     $ 278,580     $ 274,918     $ 589,543     $ 528,502  
Income (expense) items disclosed separately (tax effected):
                                       
Non-recurring SAP
    11,343                   11,343        
Update of Borrower Benefits estimates
          9,339       8,254       9,339       8,254  
Change in Private Education Loan allowance estimates
                2,264             2,264  
CLC lawsuit settlement charge
                (8,820 )           (8,820 )
                                         
Total income/(expense) items disclosed separately (tax effected)
    11,343       9,339       1,698       20,682       1,698  
                                         
“Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock before the impact of items disclosed separately
  $ 299,620     $ 269,241     $ 273,220     $ 568,861     $ 526,804  
                                         
Co-Cos after-tax expense
  $ 16,460     $ 14,817     $ 10,297     $ 31,277     $ 18,916  
                                         
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    454,314       453,286       461,900       453,803       462,454  
                                         


3


 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense
 
During the first quarter of 2006, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB’s”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), “Share Based Payment,” which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share based payments to employees to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. For the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, reported net income attributable to common stock included $9 million and $11 million, respectively, related to stock option compensation expense, net of related tax effects. The following table is a pro forma presentation of our results had SFAS No. 123(R) been in effect for all periods presented.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Reported net income attributable to common stock
  $ 714,991     $ 143,300     $ 292,607     $ 858,291     $ 513,116  
Less: Pro forma stock-based compensation expense, net of related tax effects
                (7,633 )           (17,413 )
                                         
Pro forma net income attributable to common stock
  $ 714,991     $ 143,300     $ 284,974     $ 858,291     $ 495,703  
                                         
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 1.61     $ .34     $ .66     $ 1.96     $ 1.15  
                                         
Pro forma diluted earnings per common share
  $ 1.61     $ .34     $ .64     $ 1.96     $ 1.11  
                                         
 
For the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, “Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock included $9 million and $11 million, respectively, related to stock option compensation expense, net of related tax effects. The following table is a pro forma presentation of our “Core Earnings” results had SFAS No. 123(R) been in effect for all periods presented (see “BUSINESS SEGMENTS” for a discussion of “Core Earnings” and a reconciliation of “Core Earnings” net income to GAAP net income).
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
(in thousands)
  2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock
  $ 310,963     $ 278,580     $ 274,918     $ 589,543     $ 528,502  
Less: Pro forma stock-based compensation expense, net of related tax effects
                (7,633 )           (17,413 )
                                         
Pro forma “Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock
  $ 310,963     $ 278,580     $ 267,285     $ 589,543     $ 511,089  
                                         
“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
  $ .72     $ .65     $ .62     $ 1.37     $ 1.18  
                                         
Pro forma “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
  $ .72     $ .65     $ .60     $ 1.37     $ 1.14  
                                         
 
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Consolidated Earnings Summary
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2006, net income was $724 million ($1.61 diluted earnings per common share), a 376 percent increase from the $152 million in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Second quarter 2006 pre-tax income of $1.1 billion was a 282 percent increase from the $290 million in net income earned in the first quarter of 2006. The larger percentage increase in quarter-over-quarter, after-tax net income versus pre-tax net income is driven by the permanent impact of


4


 

excluding non-taxable gains and losses on equity forward contracts in the Company’s stock from taxable income. Under SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity,” we are required to mark the equity forward contracts to market each quarter and recognize the change in their value in income. Conversely, these unrealized gains and losses are not recognized on a tax basis. In the second quarter of 2006, the unrealized gain on our outstanding equity forward contracts was $39 million, an increase of $161 million versus the unrealized loss of $122 million recognized in the first quarter of 2006. Excluding these gains and losses from taxable income reduced the effective tax rate from 47 percent in the first quarter of 2006 to 35 percent in the second quarter of 2006.
 
When comparing the pre-tax results of the second quarter to the first quarter, there were several factors contributing to the increase, the two largest of which were a $210 million increase in the net gains and losses on derivative and hedging activities, and an increase in securitization gains of $641 million. The increase in securitization gains can primarily be attributed to two Private Education Loan securitizations in the second quarter of 2006, which had a pre-tax gain of $648 million or 16 percent of the amount securitized, versus no such Private Education Loan gains in the first quarter of 2006. Private Education Loan securitizations generally have significantly higher gains as a percentage of assets securitized due to the higher earning spreads on those loans. The net gains and losses on derivative and hedging activities primarily relate to the unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on our derivatives that do not receive hedge accounting treatment, with the greatest impact in the second quarter coming from the $161 million change in the mark-to-market of our equity forward contracts caused by the quarter-over-quarter increase in the stock price of SLM Corporation.
 
Also in the second quarter, we recorded impairment losses in servicing and securitization income to our Retained Interests in securitizations of $91 million versus $52 million in the first quarter. These impairments were primarily the result of continued high Consolidation Loan activity and an impairment of the Embedded Floor Income included in the Retained Interest primarily due to higher interest rates. The increase in impairment losses was the major factor in the $16 million decrease in servicing and securitization revenue.
 
Net interest income decreased by $31 million or 8 percent versus the prior quarter due to a 15 basis point decrease in the net interest margin. The decrease in net interest margin is due to an 8 basis point decrease in the on-balance sheet student loan spread, caused primarily by higher Consolidation Loan activity and higher interest rates, which reduced Floor Income. The net interest margin was also negatively impacted by the build-up in funding in anticipation of record Consolidation Loan activity as borrowers locked in lower rates before the interest rate reset on FFELP Stafford loans.
 
During the second quarter we acquired $7.9 billion in student loans, including $1.7 billion in Private Education Loans. In the first quarter of 2006, we acquired $8.6 billion in student loans, of which $2.0 billion were Private Education Loans. In the second quarter of 2006, we originated $3.2 billion of student loans through our Preferred Channel compared to $7.6 billion originated in the first quarter of 2006. Within our Preferred Channel, $1.8 billion or 55 percent were originated under Sallie Mae owned brands.
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2006, net income of $724 million ($1.61 diluted earnings per share) was a 144 percent increase from net income of $297 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Second quarter 2006 pre-tax income of $1.1 billion was a 133 percent increase from $475 million earned in the second quarter of 2005. The larger percentage increase in year-over-year, after-tax net income versus pre-tax net income is driven by fluctuations in the unrealized gains and losses on equity forward contracts as described above, which decreased the effective tax rate from 37 percent in the second quarter of 2005 to 35 percent in the second quarter of 2006. In the second quarter of 2006, the unrealized gain on our outstanding equity forward contracts was $39 million versus an unrealized gain of $10 million in the second quarter of 2005, both of which were caused by an increase in the Company’s stock price over each period.
 
There were several factors that contributed to the increase in the pre-tax results of the second quarter of 2006 versus the year-ago quarter, the two largest of which were a $229 million increase in the net gain on derivative and hedging activities, and an increase in securitization gains of $409 million. As discussed above,


5


 

securitization gains in the second quarter of 2006 of $671 million were largely driven by the two Private Education Loan securitizations totaling $4 billion of student loans. In the second quarter of 2005, there was only one Private Education Loan securitization totaling $1.5 billion of student loans. The increase in net gains and losses on derivative and hedging activities primarily relates to an unrealized gain for the second quarter of 2006 versus an unrealized loss in the year-ago quarter on Floor Income Contracts. The unrealized gain in the second quarter of 2006 was due to rising forward interest rates. In the year-ago quarter, forward interest rates fell resulting in an unrealized loss.
 
We incurred impairment losses in the second quarter of 2006 to our Retained Interests in securitizations of $91 million versus $15 million in the year-ago quarter. The 2006 losses were primarily the result of the combined high level of Consolidation Loan activity and the impairment of Embedded Floor Income as a result of higher interest rates. The increase in year-over-year impairment losses was the major driver of the $67 million decrease in servicing and securitization revenue.
 
Net interest income increased by $26 million or 8 percent year-over-year due to the 18 percent increase in average interest earning assets, offset by a 15 basis point decrease in the net interest margin. The year-over-year decrease in the net interest margin is due to the build-up in funding in anticipation of record Consolidation Loan activity as borrowers locked in lower rates before the interest rate reset on FFELP Stafford Loans. The net interest margin was also negatively impacted by a 4 basis point decrease in the on-balance sheet student loan spread, which was primarily due to lower Floor Income.
 
In the second quarter of 2006, fee and other income and collections revenue totaled $257 million, an increase of 25 percent over the year-ago quarter. This increase was primarily driven by the $25 million or 60 percent increase in collections revenue.
 
Our Managed student loan portfolio grew by $13.6 billion, from $116.5 billion at June 30, 2005 to $130.1 billion at June 30, 2006. This growth was fueled by the acquisition of $7.9 billion of student loans, including $1.7 billion in Private Education Loans, in the quarter ended June 30, 2006, versus $7.8 billion acquired in the year-ago quarter, of which $1.3 billion were Private Education Loans. In the quarter ended June 30, 2006, we originated $3.2 billion of student loans through our Preferred Channel, an increase of 14 percent over the $2.8 billion originated in the year-ago quarter.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, our net income increased by 68 percent to $875 million ($1.96 diluted earnings per share) from net income of $520 million ($1.15 diluted earnings per share) in 2005. Pre-tax income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 increased by 57 percent to $1.4 billion versus $887 million in the first six months of 2005. The larger percentage increase in year-over-year net income versus pre-tax income is primarily due to the decrease in the effective tax rate from 41 percent in the six months ended June 30, 2005 to 37 percent in the six months ended June 30, 2006, caused by the decrease in unrealized losses on equity forward contracts as described above. In the six months ended June 30, 2006, we recognized unrealized losses on our outstanding equity forward contracts of $83 million versus unrealized losses of $98 million in the first six months of 2005.
 
The increase in pre-tax income is primarily due to a $389 million increase in securitization gains in the six months ended June 30, 2006. The securitization gains in the first half of 2006 were primarily driven by the two second quarter Private Education Loan securitizations referenced above. In the year-ago period, there was only one Private Education Loan securitization that had a pre-tax gain of $231 million or 15 percent of the amount securitized.
 
The year-over-year results were negatively impacted by impairments of our Retained Interests in securitizations of $143 million in the first half of 2006 versus $24 million for the six months ended 2005. These impairments were the primary reason for the $111 million year-over-year decrease in servicing and securitization revenue.
 
The $176 million increase in the gain on derivative and hedging activities primarily relates to unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivatives that do not receive hedge accounting treatment. For the six months


6


 

ended June 30, 2006, realized losses decreased by $127 million versus the first six months of 2005. The majority of these losses related to net settlements on Floor Income Contracts, which were offset by Floor Income earned on student loans. Unrealized derivative gains are primarily due to the effect of higher forward interest rates on the liability for outstanding Floor Income Contracts. Forward interest rates increased during the first half of 2006 and 2005; however, during the first half of 2006, the increase in forward interest rates was greater, resulting in greater unrealized gains for the first half of 2006. These gains were partially offset by unrealized losses on basis swaps economically hedging on inflation-indexed debt.
 
Our Managed student loan portfolio grew by $13.6 billion, from $116.5 billion at June 30, 2005 to $130.1 billion at June 30, 2006. This growth was fueled by the acquisition of $16.5 billion of student loans, including $3.6 billion in Private Education Loans, in the six months ended June 30, 2006, a 7 percent increase over the $15.3 billion acquired in the year-ago period, of which $2.6 billion were Private Education Loans. In the six months ended June 30, 2006, we originated $10.8 billion of student loans through our Preferred Channel, an increase of 13 percent over the $9.5 billion originated in the year-ago period.
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income
 
The amounts in the following table are adjusted for the impact of certain tax-exempt and tax-advantaged investments based on the marginal federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Interest income:
                                       
Student loans
  $ 1,412     $ 1,361     $ 920     $ 2,773     $ 1,749  
Other loans
    24       23       20       47       40  
Cash and investments
    125       96       54       221       116  
Taxable equivalent adjustment
    1       1       1       1       2  
                                         
Total taxable equivalent interest income
    1,562       1,481       995       3,042       1,907  
Interest expense
    1,204       1,093       664       2,296       1,228  
                                         
Taxable equivalent net interest income
  $ 358     $ 388     $ 331     $ 746     $ 679  
                                         
 
Average Balance Sheets
 
The following table reflects the rates earned on interest earning assets and paid on interest bearing liabilities for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                                 
    Quarters ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
 
Average Assets
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 20,562       6.58 %   $ 19,522       6.20 %   $ 20,673       4.63 %
Consolidation Loans
    52,201       6.47       54,312       6.13       43,531       5.11  
Private Education Loans
    7,961       11.77       9,016       10.86       6,376       7.98  
Other loans
    1,090       8.72       1,172       8.14       1,051       7.83  
Cash and investments
    8,867       5.67       7,042       5.52       5,206       4.24  
                                                 
Total interest earning assets
    90,681       6.91 %     91,064       6.59 %     76,837       5.20 %
                                                 
Non-interest earning assets
    8,648               7,963               6,627          
                                                 
Total assets
  $ 99,329             $ 99,027             $ 83,464          
                                                 


7


 

                                                 
    Quarters ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
 
Average Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 4,393       5.07 %   $ 4,174       4.78 %   $ 5,308       3.63 %
Long-term borrowings
    87,364       5.27       87,327       4.85       71,673       3.45  
                                                 
Total interest bearing liabilities
    91,757       5.26 %     91,501       4.84 %     76,981       3.46 %
                                                 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
    3,501               3,703               3,309          
Stockholders’ equity
    4,071               3,823               3,174          
                                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 99,329             $ 99,027             $ 83,464          
                                                 
Net interest margin
            1.58 %             1.73 %             1.73 %
                                                 
 
                                 
    Six months ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2005  
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
 
Average Assets
                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 20,045       6.39 %   $ 19,604       4.42 %
Consolidation Loans
    53,251       6.30       43,204       4.96  
Private Education Loans
    8,485       11.29       6,321       8.18  
Other loans
    1,131       8.42       1,074       7.74  
Cash and investments
    7,959       5.61       6,473       3.65  
                                 
Total interest earning assets
    90,871       6.75 %     76,676       5.02 %
                                 
Non-interest earning assets
    8,307               6,507          
                                 
Total assets
  $ 99,178             $ 83,183          
                                 
Average Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 4,284       4.93 %   $ 4,388       3.59 %
Long-term borrowings
    87,346       5.06       72,461       3.20  
                                 
Total interest bearing liabilities
    91,630       5.05 %     76,849       3.22 %
                                 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
    3,600               3,267          
Stockholders’ equity
    3,948               3,067          
                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 99,178             $ 83,183          
                                 
Net interest margin
            1.65 %             1.78 %
                                 
 
The decrease in the net interest margin for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 versus the year-ago periods is primarily due to fluctuations in the student loan spread as discussed under “Student Loans—Student Loan Spread Analysis—On-Balance Sheet,” and to the build-up of funding in anticipation of record Consolidation Loan activity as a result of borrowers locking in lower rates before the July 1 reset on FFELP Stafford loans.
 
Student Loans
 
For both federally insured and Private Education Loans, we account for premiums paid, discounts received and certain origination costs incurred on the origination and acquisition of student loans in accordance with SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases.” The unamortized portion of the premiums and discounts is included in the carrying value of the student loan on the consolidated balance sheet. We recognize income on our student loan portfolio based on the expected yield of the student loan after giving effect to the amortization of purchase premiums and the accretion of student loan discounts, as well as interest rate

8


 

reductions and rebates expected to be earned through Borrower Benefits programs. Discounts on Private Education Loans are deferred and accreted to income over the lives of the student loans. In the table below, this accretion of discounts is netted with the amortization of the premiums.
 
Student Loan Spread
 
An important performance measure closely monitored by management is the student loan spread. The student loan spread is the difference between the income earned on the student loan assets and the interest paid on the debt funding those assets. A number of factors can affect the overall student loan spread such as:
 
  •  the mix of student loans in the portfolio, with Consolidation Loans having the lowest spread and Private Education Loans having the highest spread;
 
  •  the premiums paid, borrower fees charged and capitalized costs incurred to acquire student loans which impact the spread through subsequent amortization;
 
  •  the type and level of Borrower Benefits programs for which the student loans are eligible;
 
  •  the level of Floor Income and, when considering the “Core Earnings” spread, the amount of Floor Income-eligible loans that have been hedged through Floor Income Contracts; and
 
  •  funding and hedging costs.
 
The student loan spread is highly susceptible to liquidity, funding and interest rate risk. These risks are discussed separately in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K at “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” and in the “RISK FACTORS” discussion.
 
Student Loan Spread Analysis—On-Balance Sheet
 
The following table analyzes the reported earnings from student loans on-balance sheet. For an analysis of our student loan spread for the entire portfolio of Managed student loans on a similar basis to the on-balance sheet analysis, see “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT—Student Loan Spread Analysis—‘Core Earnings’ Basis.”
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
On-Balance Sheet
                                       
Student loan yield, before Floor Income
    7.92 %     7.51 %     5.79 %     7.71 %     5.68 %
Gross Floor Income
    .04       .07       .32       .05       .36  
Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees
    (.67 )     (.68 )     (.63 )     (.67 )     (.65 )
Borrower Benefits
    (.11 )     (.11 )     (.11 )     (.11 )     (.14 )
Premium and discount amortization
    (.16 )     (.12 )     (.15 )     (.14 )     (.15 )
                                         
Student loan net yield
    7.02       6.67       5.22       6.84       5.10  
Student loan cost of funds
    (5.27 )     (4.84 )     (3.43 )     (5.05 )     (3.19 )
                                         
Student loan spread
    1.75 %     1.83 %     1.79 %     1.79 %     1.91 %
                                         
Average Balances
                                       
On-balance sheet student loans
  $ 80,724     $ 82,850     $ 70,580     $ 81,781     $ 69,129  
                                         
 
Discussion of Student Loan Spread—Effects of Floor Income and Derivative Accounting
 
One of the primary drivers of fluctuations in our on-balance sheet student loan spread is the level of gross Floor Income (Floor Income earned before payments on Floor Income Contracts) earned in the period. For the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June, 30, 2005, we earned gross Floor Income of $8 million (4 basis points), $14 million (7 basis points) and $56 million (32 basis points), respectively. The


9


 

reduction in gross Floor Income is primarily due to the increase in short-term interest rates. We believe that we have economically hedged most of the Floor Income through the sale of Floor Income Contracts, under which we receive an upfront fee and agree to pay the counterparty the Floor Income earned on a notional amount of student loans. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and as a result the payments on the Floor Income Contracts are included on the income statement with “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” rather than in student loan interest income. Payments on Floor Income Contracts associated with on-balance sheet student loans for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 totaled $8 million (4 basis points), $14 million (7 basis points) and $52 million (30 basis points), respectively.
 
In addition to Floor Income Contracts, we also extensively use basis swaps to manage our basis risk associated with interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities. These swaps generally do not qualify as accounting hedges and are likewise required to be accounted for in the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line on the income statement. As a result, they are not considered in the calculation of the cost of funds in the above table.
 
Discussion of Student Loan Spread—Effects of Significant Events in the Quarters Presented
 
The second quarter 2006 spread includes $10 million or 5 basis points of income associated with non-recurring SAP that we accrued on PLUS loans as a result of program changes effected by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (“Reconciliation Legislation”).
 
In the second quarters of 2006 and 2005, the increase in premium amortization is largely due to the write-off of unamortized premiums on loans consolidated with third parties. In addition, in the second quarter of 2006, we increased the Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”) for our FFELP Stafford loan portfolio in response to the increased rate of loan prepayments occurring through consolidation.
 
In the first quarter of 2006, we updated our assumptions for the qualification for Borrower Benefits to reflect trends in borrower behavior versus qualification requirements, which resulted in a reduction of our liability for Borrower Benefits of $10 million or 5 basis points. In addition, in the second quarter of 2005, we revised our estimates regarding the qualification for Borrower Benefits which resulted in a reduction of the liability for Borrower Benefits of $7 million or 4 basis points.
 
In the second quarter of 2005, we reduced student loan interest income by $14 million or 9 basis points to reflect a revision of our estimates pertaining to our non-accrual policy for interest income.
 
In both the second quarters of 2006 and 2005, there was an increase in Consolidation Loan activity as FFELP Stafford borrowers locked in lower interest rates by consolidating their loans prior to the July 1 interest rate reset for FFELP Stafford loans. In addition, reconsolidation of Consolidation Loans through the Direct Loan Program continued in the second quarter of 2006 from the backlog of processing applications after the March 31, 2006 prohibition (see “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT—Student Loan Activity” for further discussion). The increase in consolidations resulted in an increase in student loan premium write-offs for both FFELP Stafford and Consolidation Loans consolidated with third parties in the second quarter. Loans lost through consolidation benefit the student loan spread to a lesser extent through the write-off of the Borrower Benefits liability associated with these loans. Furthermore, in both the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, we accrued a net write-off to our Borrower Benefits liability for loans whose consolidation applications had been received but not yet processed by June 30, 2006, resulting in reductions to Borrower Benefits expense.
 
Discussion of Student Loan Spread—Other Quarter-over-Quarter Fluctuations
 
After giving effect to the items discussed above, the decrease in the second quarter of 2006 on-balance sheet spread as compared to the first quarter of 2006 was due primarily to the decrease in the average balance of higher yielding Private Education Loans. The average balance of on-balance sheet Private Education Loans in the second quarter of 2006 decreased 12 percent from the average balance in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of securitizing $4 billion in Private Education Loans in the second quarter of 2006. When compared to the prior year, the 2006 student loan spread benefited from the 25 percent increase in the average balance of


10


 

Private Education Loans, which now constitutes 10 percent of the total average balance of on-balance sheet student loans versus 9 percent in the prior year. Also, the portfolio of on-balance sheet Private Education Loans in the second quarter of 2006 had higher average spreads than the on-balance sheet Private Education Loans in the second quarter of 2005.
 
On-Balance Sheet Floor Income
 
For on-balance sheet student loans, gross Floor Income is included in student loan income whereas payments on Floor Income Contracts are included in the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line in other income. The following table summarizes the components of Floor Income from on-balance sheet student loans, net of payments under Floor Income Contracts, for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                                                         
    Quarters ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Fixed
    Variable
          Fixed
    Variable
          Fixed
    Variable
       
    borrower
    borrower
          borrower
    borrower
          borrower
    borrower
       
    rate     rate     Total     rate     rate     Total     rate     rate     Total  
 
Floor Income:
                                                                       
Gross Floor Income
  $ 8     $  —     $ 8     $ 14     $     $ 14     $ 56     $  —     $ 56  
Payments on Floor Income Contracts
    (8 )           (8 )     (14 )           (14 )     (52 )           (52 )
                                                                         
Net Floor Income
  $  —     $     $  —     $  —     $  —     $     $ 4     $     $ 4  
                                                                         
Net Floor Income in basis points
                                        2             2  
                                                                         
 
                                                 
    Six months ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2005  
    Fixed
    Variable
          Fixed
    Variable
       
    borrower
    borrower
          borrower
    borrower
       
    Rate     Rate     Total     Rate     Rate     Total  
 
Floor Income:
                                               
Gross Floor Income
  $ 22     $  —     $ 22     $ 122     $  —     $ 122  
Payments on Floor Income Contracts
    (22 )           (22 )     (112 )           (112 )
                                                 
Net Floor Income
  $     $     $     $ 10     $     $ 10  
                                                 
Net Floor Income in basis points
                      3             3  
                                                 
 
The decrease in the second quarter 2006 net Floor Income versus the year-ago quarter is primarily due to an increase in short-term interest rates.


11


 

SECURITIZATION PROGRAM
 
Securitization Activity
 
The following table summarizes our securitization activity for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                                                                                 
    Quarters ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
    Gain
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
    Gain
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
    Gain
 
    Transactions     Securitized     Gain     %     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     %     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     %  
 
FFELP Stafford/PLUS loans
        $     $       %     2     $ 5,004     $ 17       .3 %         $     $       %
Consolidation Loans
    1       2,500       23       .9       1       3,002       13       .4       2       4,011       31       .8  
Private Education Loans
    2       4,000       648       16.2                               1       1,505       231       15.3  
                                                                                                 
Total securitizations—sales
    3       6,500     $ 671       10.3 %     3       8,006     $ 30       .4 %     3       5,516     $ 262       4.7 %
                                                                                                 
Asset-backed commercial paper
                                                                                   
Consolidation Loans(1)
    1       3,001                                                   1       2,226                  
                                                                                                 
Total securitizations—financings
    1       3,001                                                   1       2,226                  
                                                                                                 
Total securitizations
    4     $ 9,501                       3     $ 8,006                       4     $ 7,742                  
                                                                                                 
 
                                                                 
    Six months ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2005  
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
    Gain
    No. of
    Amount
    Pre-Tax
    Gain
 
    Transactions     Securitized     Gain     %     Transactions     Securitized     Gain     %  
 
FFELP Stafford/PLUS loans
    2     $ 5,004     $ 17       .3 %     2     $ 3,530     $ 50       1.4 %
Consolidation Loans
    2       5,502       36       .7       2       4,011       31       .8  
Private Education Loans
    2       4,000       648       16.2       1       1,505       231       15.3  
                                                                 
Total securitizations— sales
    6       14,506     $ 701       4.8 %     5       9,046     $ 312       3.4 %
                                                                 
Asset-backed commercial paper
                                                       
Consolidation Loans(1)
    1       3,001                       1       2,226                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations— financings
    1       3,001                       1       2,226                  
                                                                 
Total securitizations
    7     $ 17,507                       6     $ 11,272                  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) In certain Consolidation Loan securitization structures, we hold certain rights that can affect the remarketing of certain bonds, such that these securitizations did not qualify as qualifying special purpose entities (“QSPEs”). Accordingly, they are accounted for on-balance sheet as variable interest entities (“VIEs”).
 
The decrease in the FFELP Stafford/PLUS gain as a percentage of loans securitized from 1.4 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2005 to 0.3 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2006 is primarily due to: 1) an increase in the CPR assumption to account for continued high levels of Consolidation Loan activity; 2) an increase in the discount rate to reflect higher long term interest rates; 3) the re-introduction of Risk Sharing with the Reconciliation Legislation reauthorizing the student loan programs of the Higher Education Act; and 4) an increase in the amount of student loan premiums included in the carrying value of the loans sold. The higher premiums on these loans were primarily due to the allocation of the purchase price to student loan portfolios acquired through the acquisitions of several companies in the student loan industry. Higher premiums were also due to loans acquired through zero-fee lending and the school-as-lender channel.
 
Servicing and Securitization Revenue
 
Servicing and securitization revenue, the ongoing revenue from securitized loan pools accounted for off-balance sheet as QSPEs, includes the interest earned on the Residual Interest and the revenue we receive for servicing the loans in the securitization trusts. Interest income recognized on the Residual Interest is based on our anticipated yield determined by estimating future cash flows each quarter.


12


 

The following table summarizes the components of servicing and securitization revenue for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Servicing revenue
  $ 88     $ 79     $ 86     $ 168     $ 171  
Securitization revenue, before net Embedded Floor Income and impairment
    84       69       72       153       135  
                                         
Servicing and securitization revenue, before net Embedded Floor Income and impairment
    172       148       158       321       306  
Embedded Floor Income
    4       7       24       10       50  
Less: Floor Income previously recognized in gain calculation
    (2 )     (4 )     (17 )     (6 )     (39 )
                                         
Net Embedded Floor Income
    2       3       7       4       11  
                                         
Servicing and securitization revenue, before impairment
    174       151       165       325       317  
Retained Interest impairment
    (91 )     (52 )     (15 )     (143 )     (24 )
                                         
Total servicing and securitization revenue
  $ 83     $ 99     $ 150     $ 182     $ 293  
                                         
Average off-balance sheet student loans
  $ 47,716     $ 42,069     $ 43,791     $ 44,909     $ 42,846  
                                         
Average balance of Retained Interest
  $ 3,004     $ 2,501     $ 2,576     $ 2,754     $ 2,448  
                                         
Servicing and securitization revenue as a percentage of the average balance of off-balance sheet student loans (annualized)
    .70 %     .95 %     1.37 %     .82 %     1.38 %
                                         
 
Servicing and securitization revenue is primarily driven by the average balance of off-balance sheet student loans and the amount of and the difference in the timing of Embedded Floor Income recognition on off-balance sheet student loans. The increase in securitization revenue, before net Embedded Floor Income and impairment, from the first quarter of 2006 to the second quarter of 2006 is primarily due to (1) a full quarter of earnings from three off-balance sheet securitizations in the first quarter and (2) a Private Education Loan securitization settling early in the second quarter that has significantly higher ongoing revenue than FFELP Stafford/PLUS and Consolidation Loan securitizations.
 
Servicing and securitization revenue can also be negatively impacted by impairments of the value of our Retained Interest, caused primarily by the effect of higher than expected Consolidation Loan activity on FFELP Stafford/PLUS student loan securitizations and the effect of market interest rates on the Embedded Floor Income included in the Retained Interest. The majority of the consolidations bring the loans back on-balance sheet so for those loans we retain the value of the asset on-balance sheet versus in the trust. For the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2005, we recorded impairments to the Retained Interests of $91 million, $52 million and $15 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we recorded impairments of $143 million and $24, respectively. These impairment charges were primarily the result of FFELP Stafford loans prepaying faster than projected through loan consolidation ($92 million and $20 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively), and the effect of market interest rates on the Embedded Floor Income which is part of the Retained Interest ($51 million and $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively). The impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2006 also reflects the increase in our CPR assumption for the remainder of 2006 from 20 percent to 40 percent for the third quarter and 30 percent for the fourth quarter, to account for the surge in Consolidation Loan applications received in the second quarter that will be processed in the third and fourth quarters of 2006. The level and timing of Consolidation Loan activity is highly volatile, and in response we continue to revise our estimates of the effects of Consolidation Loan activity on our Retained Interests and it


13


 

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


14


 

In the first quarter of 2006, the Company changed its method for allocating certain Corporate and Other expenses to the other business segments. All periods presented have been updated to reflect the new allocation methodology.
 
                                                 
    Quarter ended June 30, 2006  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     DMO     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(3)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 719     $     $     $ 719     $ (382 )   $ 337  
Consolidation Loans
    1,114                   1,114       (273 )     841  
Private Education Loans
    485                   485       (251 )     234  
Other loans
    24                   24             24  
Cash and investments
    170             1       171       (46 )     125  
                                                 
Total interest income
    2,512             1       2,513       (952 )     1,561  
Total interest expense
    1,904       5       1       1,910       (706 )     1,204  
                                                 
Net interest income
    608       (5 )           603       (246 )     357  
Less: provisions for losses
    60                   60       8       68  
                                                 
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    548       (5 )           543       (254 )     289  
Fee income
          90       33       123             123  
Collections revenue
          67             67             67  
Other income
    51             24       75       869       944  
Operating expenses(1)
    163       85       50       298       18       316  
                                                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    436       67       7       510       597       1,107  
Income tax expense(2)
    161       26       2       189       193       382  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          1             1             1  
                                                 
Net income
  $ 275     $ 40     $ 5     $ 320     $ 404     $ 724  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Operating expenses for the Lending, DMO, and Corporate and Other Business segments include $8 million, $2 million, and $4 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense due to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006.
 
(2) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
 
(3) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Quarter ended June 30, 2006  
    Net impact of
    Net impact of
          Amortization
       
    securitization
    derivative
    Net impact of
    of acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  accounting     accounting     Floor Income     intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income
  $ (236 )   $ 42     $ (52 )   $       (246 )
Less: provisions for losses
    8                         8  
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    (244 )     42       (52 )           (254 )
Fee income
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Other income
    746       123                   869  
Operating expenses
                      18       18  
                                         
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 502     $ 165     $ (52 )   $ (18 )     597  
                                         
Income tax expense
                                    193  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ 404  
                                         
 


15


 

                                                 
    Quarter ended March 31, 2006  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     DMO     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(3)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 650     $     $     $ 650     $ (351 )   $ 299  
Consolidation Loans
    1,028                   1,028       (207 )     821  
Private Education Loans
    429                   429       (188 )     241  
Other loans
    23                   23             23  
Cash and investments
    131             1       132       (36 )     96  
                                                 
Total interest income
    2,261             1       2,262       (782 )     1,480  
Total interest expense
    1,660       5       1       1,666       (573 )     1,093  
                                                 
Net interest income
    601       (5 )           596       (209 )     387  
Less: provisions for losses
    75                   75       (15 )     60  
                                                 
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    526       (5 )           521       (194 )     327  
Fee income
          92       27       119             119  
Collections revenue
          56             56             56  
Other income
    40             30       70       41       111  
Operating expenses(1)
    161       89       59       309       14       323  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    405       54       (2 )     457       (167 )     290  
Income tax expense (benefit)(2)
    150       20       (1 )     169       (32 )     137  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          1             1             1  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 255     $ 33     $ (1 )   $ 287     $ (135 )   $ 152  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Operating expenses for the Lending, DMO, and Corporate and Other Business segments include $10 million, $3 million, and $5 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense due to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006.
 
(2) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
 
(3) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Quarter ended March 31, 2006  
    Net impact of
    Net impact of
          Amortization
       
    securitization
    derivative
    Net impact of
    of acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  accounting     accounting     Floor Income     intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income
  $ (205 )   $ 48     $ (52 )   $     $ (209 )
Less: provisions for losses
    (15 )                       (15 )
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    (190 )     48       (52 )           (194 )
Fee income
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Other income
    128       (87 )                 41  
Operating expenses
                      14       14  
                                         
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ (62 )   $ (39 )   $ (52 )   $ (14 )     (167 )
                                         
Income tax expense (benefit)
                                    (32 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ (135 )
                                         
 

16


 

                                                 
    Quarter ended June 30, 2005  
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     DMO     and Other     Earning”‘     Adjustments(2)     GAAP  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 582     $     $     $ 582     $ (343 )   $ 239  
Consolidation Loans
    667                   667       (113 )     554  
Private Education Loans
    247                   247       (120 )     127  
Other loans
    20                   20             20  
Cash and investments
    77             1       78       (24 )     54  
                                                 
Total interest income
    1,593             1       1,594       (600 )     994  
Total interest expense
    1,073       4       1       1,078       (414 )     664  
                                                 
Net interest income
    520       (4 )           516       (186 )     330  
Less: provisions for losses
    14                   14       65       79  
                                                 
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    506       (4 )           502       (251 )     251  
Fee income
          82       26       108             108  
Collections revenue
          42             42             42  
Other income
    36             29       65       297       362  
Operating expenses
    141       67       63       271       17       288  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    401       53       (8 )     446       29       475  
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    148       20       (3 )     165       11       176  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    1       1             2             2  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 252     $ 32     $ (5 )   $ 279     $ 18     $ 297  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
 
(2) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                         
    Quarter ended June 30, 2005  
    Net impact of
    Net impact of
          Amortization
       
    securitization
    derivative
    Net impact of
    of acquired
       
(Dollars in millions)
  accounting     accounting     Floor Income     intangibles     Total  
 
Net interest income
  $ (230 )   $ 95     $ (51 )   $     $ (186 )
Less: provisions for losses
    65                         65  
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    (295 )     95       (51 )           (251 )
Fee income
                             
Collections revenue
                             
Other income
    403       (106 )                 297  
Operating expenses
    1                   16       17  
                                         
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 107     $ (11 )   $ (51 )   $ (16 )     29  
                                         
Income tax expense
                                    11  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                     
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ 18  
                                         
 

17


 

                                                         
    Six months ended June 30, 2006        
                Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
       
    Lending     DMO     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(3)     GAAP        
 
Interest income:
                                                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,369     $     $     $ 1,369     $ (734 )   $ 635          
Consolidation Loans
    2,142                   2,142       (479 )     1,663          
Private Education Loans
    914                   914       (439 )     475          
Other loans
    47                   47             47          
Cash and investments
    300             2       302       (81 )     221          
                                                         
Total interest income
    4,772             2       4,774       (1,733 )     3,041          
Total interest expense
    3,562       11       3       3,576       (1,280 )     2,296          
                                                         
Net interest income
    1,210       (11 )     (1 )     1,198       (453 )     745          
Less: provisions for losses
    135                   135       (7 )     128          
                                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    1,075       (11 )     (1 )     1,063       (446 )     617          
Fee income
          182       60       242             242          
Collections revenue
          124             124             124          
Other income
    92             55       147       907       1,054          
Operating expenses(1)
    324       175       109       608       32       640          
                                                         
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    843       120       5       968       429       1,397          
Income tax expense(2)
    312       44       2       358       161       519          
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          3             3             3          
                                                         
Net income
  $ 531     $ 73     $ 3     $ 607     $ 268     $ 875          
                                                         
 
 
(1) Operating expenses for the Lending, DMO, and Corporate and Other Business segments include $18 million, $5 million, and $9 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense due to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006.
 
(2) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
 
(3) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                                 
    Six months ended June 30, 2006        
    Net impact of
    Net impact of
    Net impact of
    Amortization
             
    securitization
    derivative
    Floor
    of acquired
             
(Dollars in millions)
  accounting     accounting     Income     intangibles     Total        
 
Net interest income
  $ (438 )   $ 90     $ (105 )   $       (453 )        
Less: provisions for losses
    (7 )                       (7 )        
                                                 
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    (431 )     90       (105 )           (446 )        
Fee income
                                     
Collections revenue
                                     
Other income
    871       36                   907          
Operating expenses
                      32       32          
                                                 
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 440     $ 126     $ (105 )   $ (32 )     429          
                                                 
Income tax expense
                                    161          
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                             
                                                 
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ 268          
                                                 
 

18


 

                                                         
    Six months ended June 30, 2005        
                Corporate
    Total ‘‘Core
          Total
       
    Lending     DMO     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments(2)     GAAP        
 
Interest income:
                                                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,092     $     $     $ 1,092     $ (663 )   $ 429          
Consolidation Loans
    1,248                   1,248       (185 )     1,063          
Private Education Loans
    474                   474       (217 )     257          
Other loans
    40                   40             40          
Cash and investments
    156             2       158       (42 )     116          
                                                         
Total interest income
    3,010             2       3,012       (1,107 )     1,905          
Total interest expense
    1,991       8       3       2,002       (774 )     1,228          
                                                         
Net interest income
    1,019       (8 )     (1 )     1,010       (333 )     677          
Less: provisions for losses
    69                   69       57       126          
                                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    950       (8 )     (1 )     941       (390 )     551          
Fee income
          168       58       226             226          
Collections revenue
          77             77             77          
Other income
    72             61       133       450       583          
Operating expenses
    275       132       114       521       29       550          
                                                         
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    747       105       4       856       31       887          
Income tax expense(1)
    277       39       1       317       46       363          
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    2       2             4             4          
                                                         
Net income
  $ 468     $ 64     $ 3     $ 535     $ (15 )   $ 520          
                                                         
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
 
(2) “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
 
                                                 
    Six months ended June 30, 2005        
    Net impact of
    Net impact of
          Amortization of
             
    securitization
    derivative
    Net impact of
    acquired
             
(Dollars in millions)
  accounting     accounting     Floor Income     intangibles     Total        
 
Net interest income
  $ (458 )   $ 219     $ (94 )   $     $ (333 )        
Less: provisions for losses
    57                         57          
                                                 
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    (515 )     219       (94 )           (390 )        
Fee income
                                     
Collections revenue
                                     
Other income
    590       (140 )                 450          
Operating expenses
                      29       29          
                                                 
Total pre-tax “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
  $ 75     $ 79     $ (94 )   $ (29 )     31          
                                                 
Income tax expense
                                    46          
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                                             
                                                 
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP
                                  $ (15 )        
                                                 

19


 

Reconciliation of “Core Earnings” Net Income to GAAP Net Income
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” net income(1)
  $ 320     $ 287     $ 279     $ 607     $ 535  
“Core Earnings” adjustments:
                                       
Net impact of securitization accounting
    502       (62 )     107       440       75  
Net impact of derivative accounting
    165       (39 )     (11 )     126       79  
Net impact of Floor Income
    (52 )     (52 )     (51 )     (105 )     (94 )
Amortization of acquired intangibles
    (18 )     (14 )     (16 )     (32 )     (29 )
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments before income taxes
    597       (167 )     29       429       31  
Net tax effect(2)
    (193 )     32       (11 )     (161 )     (46 )
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments
    404       (135 )     18       268       (15 )
                                         
GAAP net income
  $ 724     $ 152     $ 297     $ 875     $ 520  
                                         
GAAP diluted earnings per common share
  $ 1.61     $ .34     $ .66     $ 1.96     $ 1.15  
                                         
                                       
(1) “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
  $ .72     $ .65     $ .62     $ 1.37     $ 1.18  
                                         
 
(2) Such tax effect is based upon the Company’s “Core Earnings” effective tax rate for the year. The net tax effect results primarily from the exclusion of the permanent income tax impact of the equity forward contracts.
 
Limitations of “Core Earnings”
 
While GAAP provides a uniform, comprehensive basis of accounting, for the reasons described above, management believes that “Core Earnings” are an important additional tool for providing a more complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations. Nevertheless, “Core Earnings” are subject to certain general and specific limitations that investors should carefully consider. For example, as stated above, unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. Our “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Unlike GAAP, “Core Earnings” reflect only current period adjustments to GAAP. Accordingly, the Company’s “Core Earnings” presentation does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting. Investors, therefore, may not compare our Company’s performance with that of other financial services companies based upon “Core Earnings.” “Core Earnings” results are only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely used by management, the Company’s board of directors, rating agencies and lenders to assess performance.
 
Other limitations arise from the specific adjustments that management makes to GAAP results to derive “Core Earnings” results. For example, in reversing the unrealized gains and losses that result from SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment,” as well as on derivatives that do qualify but are in part ineffective because they are not perfect hedges, we focus on the long-term economic effectiveness of those instruments relative to the underlying hedged item and isolate the effects of interest rate volatility, changing credit spreads and changes in our stock price on the fair value of such instruments during the period. Under GAAP, the effects of these factors on the fair value of the derivative instruments (but not on the underlying hedged item) tend to show more volatility in the short term. While our presentation of our results on a “Core Earnings” basis provides important information regarding the performance of our Managed portfolio, a limitation of this presentation is that we are presenting the ongoing spread income on loans that have been sold to a trust managed by us. While we believe that our “Core Earnings” presentation presents the economic substance of our Managed loan portfolio, it understates earnings volatility from securitization gains. Our “Core Earnings” results exclude certain Floor Income, which is real cash income, from our reported results and therefore may understate earnings in certain periods. Management’s financial planning and valuation of operating results, however, does


20


 

not take into account Floor Income because of its inherent uncertainty, except when it is economically hedged through Floor Income Contracts.
 
Pre-tax Differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP
 
Our “Core Earnings” are the primary financial performance measures used by management to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. Accordingly, financial information is reported to management on a “Core Earnings” basis by reportable segment, as these are the measures used regularly by our chief operating decision maker. Our “Core Earnings” are used in developing our financial plans and tracking results, and also in establishing corporate performance targets and determining incentive compensation. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the Company’s core business activities. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income, as described in the more detailed discussion of the differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP that follows, which includes further detail on each specific adjustments required to reconcile our “Core Earnings” segment presentation to our GAAP earnings.
 
1) Securitization: Under GAAP, certain securitization transactions in our Lending operating segment are accounted for as sales of assets. Under “Core Earnings” for the Lending operating segment, we present all securitization transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis as long-term non-recourse financings. The upfront “gains” on sale from securitization transactions as well as ongoing “servicing and securitization revenue” presented in accordance with GAAP are excluded from “Core Earnings” and are replaced by the interest income, provisions for loan losses, and interest expense as they are earned or incurred on the securitization loans. We also exclude transactions with our off-balance sheet trusts from “Core Earnings” as they are considered intercompany transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis.
 
The following table summarizes the securitization adjustments in our Lending business segment for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” securitization adjustments:
                                       
Net interest income on securitized loans, after provisions for losses
  $ (242 )   $ (189 )   $ (295 )   $ (430 )   $ (515 )
Gains on student loan securitizations
    671       30       262       701       312  
Servicing and securitization revenue
    83       99       150       182       293  
Intercompany transactions with off-balance sheet trusts
    (10 )     (2 )     (10 )     (13 )     (15 )
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” securitization adjustments
  $ 502     $ (62 )   $ 107     $ 440     $ 75  
                                         
 
2) Derivative Accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses arising primarily in our Lending operating segment, and to a lesser degree in our Corporate and Other reportable segment, that are caused primarily by the one-sided mark-to-market derivative valuations prescribed by SFAS No. 133 on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP. Under “Core Earnings,” we recognize the economic effect of these hedges, which generally results in any cash paid or received being recognized ratably as an expense or revenue over the hedged item’s life. “Core Earnings” also exclude the gain or loss on equity forward contracts that under SFAS No. 133, are required to be accounted for as derivatives and are marked-to-market through earnings.
 
SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria, as specified by SFAS No. 133, are met. We believe that our derivatives are effective economic hedges, and as such, are a critical element of our interest rate risk management strategy. However, some of our derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts, certain Eurodollar futures contracts and certain basis swaps and equity forward contracts (discussed in detail below), do not


21


 

qualify for “hedge treatment” as defined by SFAS No. 133, and the stand-alone derivative must be marked-to-market in the income statement with no consideration for the corresponding change in fair value of the hedged item. The gains and losses described in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” are primarily caused by interest rate volatility, changing credit spreads and changes in our stock price during the period as well as the volume and term of derivatives not receiving hedge treatment.
 
Our Floor Income Contracts are written options that must meet more stringent requirements than other hedging relationships to achieve hedge effectiveness under SFAS No. 133. Specifically, our Floor Income Contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment because the paydown of principal of the student loans underlying the Floor Income embedded in those student loans does not exactly match the change in the notional amount of our written Floor Income Contracts. Under SFAS No. 133, the upfront payment is deemed a liability and changes in fair value are recorded through income throughout the life of the contract. The change in the value of Floor Income Contracts is primarily caused by changing interest rates that cause the amount of Floor Income earned on the underlying student loans and paid to the counterparties to vary. This is economically offset by the change in value of the student loan portfolio, including our Retained Interests, earning Floor Income but that offsetting change in value is not recognized under SFAS No. 133. We believe the Floor Income Contracts are economic hedges because they effectively fix the amount of Floor Income earned over the contract period, thus eliminating the timing and uncertainty that changes in interest rates can have on Floor Income for that period. Prior to SFAS No. 133, we accounted for Floor Income Contracts as hedges and amortized the upfront cash compensation ratably over the lives of the contracts.
 
Basis swaps are used to convert floating rate debt from one floating interest rate index to another to better match the interest rate characteristics of the assets financed by that debt. We primarily use basis swaps to change the index of our floating rate debt to better match the cash flows of our student loan assets that are primarily indexed to a commercial paper, Prime or Treasury bill index. SFAS No. 133 requires that when using basis swaps, the change in the cash flows of the hedge effectively offset both the change in the cash flows of the asset and the change in the cash flows of the liability. Our basis swaps hedge variable interest rate risk, however they do not meet this effectiveness test because our FFELP student loans can earn at either a variable or a fixed interest rate depending on market interest rates. We also have basis swaps that do not meet the SFAS No. 133 effectiveness test that economically hedge off-balance sheet instruments. As a result, under GAAP these swaps are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in the income statement.
 
Generally, a decrease in current interest rates and the respective forward interest rate curves results in an unrealized loss related to our written Floor Income Contracts which is offset by an increase in the value of the economically hedged student loans. This increase is not recognized in income. We will experience unrealized gains/losses related to our basis swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.
 
Under SFAS No. 150, equity forward contracts that allow a net settlement option either in cash or the Company’s stock are required to be accounted for as derivatives in accordance with SFAS No. 133. As a result, we account for our equity forward contracts as derivatives in accordance with SFAS No. 133 and mark them to market through earnings. They do not qualify as effective SFAS No. 133 hedges, as a requirement to achieve hedge accounting is the hedged item must impact net income and the settlement of these contracts through the purchase of our own stock does not impact net income.
 
The table below quantifies the adjustments for derivative accounting under SFAS No. 133 on our net income for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2005, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, when compared with the accounting principles employed in all years prior to the SFAS No. 133 implementation.
 


22


 

                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” derivative adjustments:
                                       
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net, included in other income(1)
  $ 123     $ (87 )   $ (106 )   $ 36     $ (140 )
Less: Realized losses on derivative and hedging activities, net(1)
    41       48       94       89       216  
                                         
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
    164       (39 )     (12 )     125       76  
Other pre-SFAS No. 133 accounting adjustments
    1             1       1       3  
                                         
Total net impact of SFAS No. 133 derivative accounting
  $ 165     $ (39 )   $ (11 )   $ 126     $ 79  
                                         
 
 
(1) See “Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative and Hedging Activities” below for a detailed breakdown of the components of realized losses on derivative and hedging activities.
 
Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative and Hedging Activities
 
SFAS No. 133 requires net settlement income/expense on derivatives and realized gains/losses related to derivative dispositions (collectively referred to as “realized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities”) that do not qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133 to be recorded in a separate income statement line item below net interest income. The table below summarizes the realized losses on derivative and hedging activities, and the associated reclassification on a “Core Earnings” basis for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Reclassification of realized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities:
                                       
Net settlement expense on Floor Income Contracts reclassified to net interest income
  $ (12 )   $ (21 )   $ (77 )   $ (33 )   $ (165 )
Net settlement expense on interest rate swaps reclassified to net interest income
    (29 )     (27 )     (17 )     (56 )     (46 )
Net realized losses on closed Eurodollar futures contracts and terminated derivative contracts reclassified to other income
                            (5 )
                                         
Total reclassifications of realized losses on derivative and hedging activities
    (41 )     (48 )     (94 )     (89 )     (216 )
Add: Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net(1)
    164       (39 )     (12 )     125       76  
                                         
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
  $ 123     $ (87 )   $ (106 )   $ 36     $ (140 )
                                         
 
 
(1) “Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” is comprised of the following unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses):
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Floor Income Contracts
  $ 88     $ 144     $ (146 )   $ 232     $ 122  
Equity forward contracts
    39       (122 )     10       (83 )     (98 )
Basis swaps
    14       (82 )     127       (68 )     67  
Other
    23       21       (3 )     44       (15 )
                                         
Total unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
  $ 164     $ (39 )   $ (12 )   $ 125     $ 76  
                                         

23


 

3) Floor Income: The timing and amount (if any) of Floor Income earned in our Lending operating segment is uncertain and in excess of expected spreads. Therefore, we exclude such income from “Core Earnings” when it is not economically hedged. We employ derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts and futures, to economically hedge Floor Income. As discussed above in “Derivative Accounting,” these derivatives do not qualify as effective accounting hedges, and therefore, under GAAP, they are marked-to-market through the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line on the income statement with no offsetting gain or loss recorded for the economically hedged items. For “Core Earnings,” we reverse the fair value adjustments on the Floor Income Contracts and futures economically hedging Floor Income and include the amortization of net premiums received (net of Eurodollar futures contracts’ realized gains or losses) in income.
 
The following table summarizes the Floor Income adjustments in our Lending business segment for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” Floor Income adjustments:
                                       
Floor Income earned on Managed loans, net of payments on Floor Income Contracts
  $     $     $ 6     $     $ 17  
Amortization of net premiums on Floor Income Contracts and futures in net interest income
    (52 )     (52 )     (57 )     (105 )     (111 )
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” Floor Income adjustments
  $ (52 )   $ (52 )   $ (51 )   $ (105 )   $ (94 )
                                         
 
4) Other items: We exclude certain amortization of acquired intangibles. For the three months ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, amortization of acquired intangibles totaled $18 million, $14 million, $16 million, $32 million and $29 million, respectively.
 
LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
In our Lending business segment, we originate and acquire federally guaranteed student loans, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”), and Private Education Loans, which are not federally guaranteed. The majority of our Private Education Loans is made in conjunction with a FFELP Stafford loan and as a result is marketed through the same marketing channels as FFELP Stafford loans. While FFELP student loans and Private Education Loans have different overall risk profiles due to the federal guarantee of the FFELP student loans, they share many of the same characteristics such as similar repayment terms, the same marketing channel and sales force, and are originated and serviced on the same servicing platform. Finally, where possible, the borrower receives a single bill for both the federally guaranteed and privately underwritten loans.


24


 

The following table includes “Core Earnings” results for our Lending business segment.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    Mar. 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” interest income:
                                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 719     $ 650     $ 582     $ 1,369     $ 1,092  
Consolidation Loans
    1,114       1,028       667       2,142       1,248  
Private Education Loans
    485       429       247       914       474  
Other loans
    24       23       20       47       40  
Cash and investments
    170       131       77       300       156  
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” interest income
    2,512       2,261       1,593       4,772       3,010  
Total “Core Earnings” interest expense
    1,904       1,660       1,073       3,562       1,991  
                                         
Net “Core Earnings” interest income
    608       601       520       1,210       1,019  
Less: provisions for losses
    60       75       14       135       69  
                                         
Net “Core Earnings” interest income after provisions for losses
    548       526       506       1,075       950  
Other income
    51       40       36       92       72  
Operating expenses
    163       161       141       324       275  
                                         
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    436       405       401       843       747  
Income taxes
    161       150       148       312       277  
                                         
Income before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    275       255       253       531       470  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
                1             2  
                                         
“Core Earnings” net income
  $ 275     $ 255     $ 252     $ 531     $ 468  
                                         


25


 

Summary of our Managed Student Loan Portfolio
 
The following tables summarize the components of our Managed student loan portfolio and show the changing composition of our portfolio.
 
Ending Balances (net of allowance for loan losses):
 
                                         
    June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
  $ 7,469     $     $ 7,469     $ 2,487     $ 9,956  
Grace and repayment
    13,512       53,264       66,776       4,894       71,670  
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, gross
    20,981       53,264       74,245       7,381       81,626  
On-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    417       801       1,218       (296 )     922  
On-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (7 )     (10 )     (17 )     (252 )     (269 )
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, net
    21,391       54,055       75,446       6,833       82,279  
                                         
Off-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
    2,812             2,812       3,954       6,766  
Grace and repayment
    17,412       14,746       32,158       8,602       40,760  
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, gross
    20,224       14,746       34,970       12,556       47,526  
Off-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    323       397       720       (274 )     446  
Off-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (12 )     (3 )     (15 )     (92 )     (107 )
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, net
    20,535       15,140       35,675       12,190       47,865  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 41,926     $ 69,195     $ 111,121     $ 19,023     $ 130,144  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    28 %     72 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    38 %     62 %     100 %                
% of total
    32 %     53 %     85 %     15 %     100 %
 
                                         
    March 31, 2006  
    FFELP
                Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
  $ 7,518     $     $ 7,518     $ 4,713     $ 12,231  
Grace and repayment
    11,015       52,654       63,669       5,170       68,839  
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, gross
    18,533       52,654       71,187       9,883       81,070  
On-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    356       807       1,163       (340 )     823  
On-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (6 )     (10 )     (16 )     (232 )     (248 )
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, net
    18,883       53,451       72,334       9,311       81,645  
                                         
Off-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
    4,631             4,631       2,342       6,973  
Grace and repayment
    18,473       12,857       31,330       6,494       37,824  
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, gross
    23,104       12,857       35,961       8,836       44,797  
Off-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    364       357       721       (188 )     533  
Off-balance sheet allowance for losses
    (11 )     (3 )     (14 )     (91 )     (105 )
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, net
    23,457       13,211       36,668       8,557       45,225  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 42,340     $ 66,662     $ 109,002     $ 17,868     $ 126,870  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    26 %     74 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    39 %     61 %     100 %                
% of total
    33 %     53 %     86 %     14 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.


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Ending Balances (net of allowance for loan losses):
 
                                         
    June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Private
       
    Stafford and
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
  $ 6,822     $     $ 6,822     $ 2,449     $ 9,271  
Grace and repayment
    14,868       43,962       58,830       4,126       62,956  
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, gross
    21,690       43,962       65,652       6,575       72,227  
On-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    403       684       1,087       (250 )     837  
On-balance sheet allowance for losses
          (5 )     (5 )     (228 )     (233 )
                                         
Total on-balance sheet, net
    22,093       44,641       66,734       6,097       72,831  
                                         
Off-balance sheet:
                                       
In-school
    3,467             3,467       1,987       5,454  
Grace and repayment
    21,212       10,990       32,202       5,647       37,849  
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, gross
    24,679       10,990       35,669       7,634       43,303  
Off-balance sheet unamortized premium/(discount)
    354       244       598       (141 )     457  
Off-balance sheet allowance for losses
                      (91 )     (91 )
                                         
Total off-balance sheet, net
    25,033       11,234       36,267       7,402       43,669  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 47,126     $ 55,875     $ 103,001     $ 13,499     $ 116,500  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    33 %     67 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    46 %     54 %     100 %                
% of total
    40 %     48 %     88 %     12 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
Average Balances:
 
                                         
    Quarter ended June 30, 2006  
                      Private
       
    FFELP Stafford
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    and Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 20,562     $ 52,201     $ 72,763     $ 7,961     $ 80,724  
Off-balance sheet
    22,065       14,881       36,946       10,770       47,716  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 42,627     $ 67,082     $ 109,709     $ 18,731     $ 128,440  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    28 %     72 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    39 %     61 %     100 %                
% of Total
    33 %     52 %     85 %     15 %     100 %
 
                                         
    Quarter ended March 31, 2006  
                      Private
       
    FFELP Stafford
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    and Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 19,522     $ 54,312     $ 73,834     $ 9,016     $ 82,850  
Off-balance sheet
    21,784       11,636       33,420       8,649       42,069  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 41,306     $ 65,948     $ 107,254     $ 17,665     $ 124,919  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    26 %     74 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    39 %     61 %     100 %                
% of Total
    33 %     53 %     86 %     14 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.


27


 

Average Balances:
 
                                         
    Quarter ended June 30, 2005  
                      Private
       
    FFELP Stafford
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    and Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 20,673     $ 43,531     $ 64,204     $ 6,376     $ 70,580  
Off-balance sheet
    26,912       9,819       36,731       7,060       43,791  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 47,585     $ 53,350     $ 100,935     $ 13,436     $ 114,371  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    32 %     68 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    47 %     53 %     100 %                
% of Total
    41 %     47 %     88 %     12 %     100 %
 
                                         
    Six months ended June 30, 2006  
                      Private
       
    FFELP Stafford
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    and Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 20,045     $ 53,251     $ 73,296     $ 8,485     $ 81,781  
Off-balance sheet
    21,926       13,267       35,193       9,716       44,909  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 41,971     $ 66,518     $ 108,489     $ 18,201     $ 126,690  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    27 %     73 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    39 %     61 %     100 %                
% of Total
    33 %     53 %     86 %     14 %     100 %
 
                                         
    Six months ended June 30, 2005  
                      Private
       
    FFELP Stafford
    Consolidation
          Education
       
    and Other(1)     Loans     Total FFELP     Loans     Total  
 
On-balance sheet
  $ 19,603     $ 43,205     $ 62,808     $ 6,321     $ 69,129  
Off-balance sheet
    27,578       8,661       36,239       6,607       42,846  
                                         
Total Managed
  $ 47,181     $ 51,866     $ 99,047     $ 12,928     $ 111,975  
                                         
% of on-balance sheet FFELP
    31 %     69 %     100 %                
% of Managed FFELP
    48 %     52 %     100 %                
% of Total
    42 %     46 %     88 %     12 %     100 %
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
Student Loan Spread Analysis — “Core Earnings” Basis
 
The following table analyzes the earnings from our portfolio of Managed student loans on a “Core Earnings” basis (see “BUSINESS SEGMENTS — Pre-tax Differences between ‘Core Earnings’ and GAAP”). The “Core Earnings” Basis Student Loan Spread Analysis presentation and certain components used in the calculation differ from the On-Balance Sheet Student Loan Spread Analysis presentation. The “Core Earnings” basis presentation, when compared to our on-balance sheet presentation, is different in that it:
 
  •  includes the net interest margin related to our off-balance sheet student loan securitization trusts. This includes any related fees or costs such as the Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees, premium/discount amortization and Borrower Benefits yield adjustments;
 
  •  includes the reclassification of certain derivative net settlement amounts. The net settlements on certain derivatives that do not qualify as SFAS No. 133 hedges and are recorded as part of the unrealized gain on derivative and hedging activities for GAAP purposes are reclassified to the line item on the income statement that such derivative is economically hedging for the “Core Earnings” basis presentation. For our “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread, this would primarily include: (a) reclassifying the net settlement amounts related to our written Floor Income Contracts to student loan interest income and


28


 

  (b) reclassifying the net settlement amounts related to certain of our basis swaps to debt interest expense;
 
  •  excludes unhedged Floor Income earned on the Managed student loan portfolio; and
 
  •  includes the amortization of upfront payments on Floor Income Contracts in student loan income that we believe are economically hedging the Floor Income.
 
As discussed above, these differences result in the “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread not being a GAAP-basis presentation. Management relies on this measure to manage our Lending business segment. Specifically, management uses the “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread to evaluate the overall economic effect that certain factors have on all student loans either on- or off-balance sheet. These factors include the overall mix of student loans in our portfolio, acquisition costs, Borrower Benefits program costs, Floor Income and funding and hedging costs. Management believes that it is important to evaluate all of these factors on a Managed Basis to gain additional information about the economic effect of these factors on all student loans under management. Management believes that this additional information assists us in making strategic decisions about the Company’s business model for the Lending business segment, including among other factors, how we acquire or originate student loans, how we fund acquisitions and originations, what Borrower Benefits we offer and what type of loans we purchase or originate. While management believes that the “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread is an important tool for evaluating the Company’s performance for the reasons described above, it is subject to certain general and specific limitations that investors should carefully consider. See “BUSINESS SEGMENTS — Limitations of ‘Core Earnings.’ ” One specific limitation is that the “Core Earnings” basis student loan spread includes the spread on loans that we have sold to securitization trusts.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
“Core Earnings” basis student loan yield
    8.04 %     7.60 %     5.92 %     7.82 %     5.79 %
Consolidation Loan Rebate Fees
    (.54 )     (.55 )     (.48 )     (.54 )     (.48 )
Borrower Benefits
    (.07 )     (.07 )     (.04 )     (.07 )     (.07 )
Premium and discount amortization
    (.19 )     (.14 )     (.16 )     (.17 )     (.17 )
                                         
“Core Earnings” basis student loan net yield
    7.24       6.84       5.24       7.04       5.07  
“Core Earnings” basis student loan cost of funds
    (5.38 )     (4.97 )     (3.50 )     (5.18 )     (3.30 )
                                         
“Core Earnings” basis student loan spread
    1.86 %     1.87 %     1.74 %     1.86 %     1.77 %
                                         
Average Balances
                                       
On-balance sheet student loans
  $ 80,724     $ 82,850     $ 70,580     $ 81,781     $ 69,129  
Off-balance sheet student loans
    47,716       42,069       43,791       44,909       42,846  
                                         
Managed student loans
  $ 128,440     $ 124,919     $ 114,371     $ 126,690     $ 111,975  
                                         
 
Discussion of “Core Earnings” Basis Student Loan Spread — Effects of Significant Events in the Quarters Presented
 
The second quarter 2006 spread includes $18 million or 6 basis points of income associated with non-recurring SAP that we accrued on PLUS loans in connection with the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005.
 
In the second quarters of 2006 and 2005, the increase in premium amortization is largely due to the write-off of unamortized premiums on loans consolidated with third parties. In addition, in the second quarter of 2006, we increased the CPR for our FFELP Stafford Loan portfolio in response to the increased rate of loan prepayments occurring through consolidation.
 
In the first quarter of 2006, we updated our assumptions for the qualification for Borrower Benefits to reflect trends in borrower behavior versus qualification requirements. These updates resulted in a reduction of


29


 

our liability for Borrower Benefits of $15 million or 5 basis points. In addition, in the second quarter of 2005, we revised our estimates regarding the qualification for Borrower Benefits which resulted in a reduction of the liability for Borrower Benefits of $13 million or 5 basis points.
 
In the second quarter of 2005, we reduced student loan interest income by $16 million or 6 basis points to reflect a revision of our estimates pertaining to our non-accrual policy for interest income.
 
In both the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, there was an increase in Consolidation Loan activity as FFELP Stafford borrowers locked in lower interest rates by consolidating their loans prior to the July 1 interest rate reset for FFELP Stafford loans. In addition, reconsolidation of Consolidation Loans through the Direct Loan Program continued in the second quarter of 2006 from the backlog of processing applications after the March 31, 2006 prohibition (see “LENDING BUSINESS SEGMENT — Student Loan Activity” for further discussion). The increase in consolidations resulted in an increase in student loan premium write-offs for both FFELP Stafford and Consolidation Loans consolidated with third parties in the second quarter. Loans lost through consolidation benefit the student spread to a lesser extent through the write-off of the Borrower Benefits liability associated with these loans. Furthermore, in both the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, we accrued a net write-off to our Borrower Benefits liability for loans whose consolidation applications had been received but not yet processed by June 30, 2006, resulting in reductions to Borrower Benefits expense.
 
Discussion of “Core Earnings” Basis Student Loan Spread — Other Quarter-over-Quarter Fluctuations
 
The average balance of Managed Private Education Loans now represents 15 percent of the average Managed student loan portfolio, up from 14 percent and 12 percent in the first quarter of 2006 and the second quarter of 2005, respectively. Private Education Loans are subject to credit risk and therefore earn higher spreads, which averaged 5.07 percent, 4.87 percent and 4.57 percent for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2005, respectively, for the Managed Private Education Loan portfolio, excluding the effect of non-recurring items. The spread for the Managed guaranteed student loan portfolio was 1.24 percent, 1.31 percent and 1.38 percent for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, respectively, excluding the effect of non-recurring items.
 
Private Education Loans
 
All Private Education Loans are initially acquired on-balance sheet. When we securitize Private Education Loans, we no longer own the loans and they are accounted for off-balance sheet. For our Managed presentation in the table below, we reduce the on-balance sheet allowance for amounts previously provided and then provide for these loans in the off-balance sheet section with the total of both on and off-balance sheet residing in the Managed presentation.
 
When Private Education Loans in the majority of our securitized trusts become 180 days delinquent, we typically exercise our contingent call option to repurchase these loans at par value out of the trust and record a loss for the difference in the par value paid and the fair market value of the loan at the time of purchase. If these loans reach the 212-day delinquency, a charge-off for the remaining balance of the loan is triggered. On a Managed Basis, the losses recorded under GAAP for loans repurchased at day 180 are reversed and the full amount is charged-off at day 212.
 
The off-balance sheet allowance is increasing as more loans are securitized but is lower than the on-balance sheet percentage when measured as a percentage of ending loans in repayment because of the different mix of loans on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet, as described above. Additionally, a larger percentage of the off-balance sheet loan borrowers are still in-school status and not required to make payments on their loans. Once repayment begins, the allowance requirements increase to reflect the increased risk of loss as loans enter repayment.


30


 

Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
 
The following tables summarize changes in the allowance for Private Education Loan losses for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                                                         
    Activity in Allowance for Private Education Loans  
    On-Balance Sheet     Off-Balance Sheet     Managed Basis  
    Quarters ended     Quarters ended     Quarters ended  
    June 30,
    Mar. 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    Mar. 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    Mar. 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2006     2005     2006     2006     2005  
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 232     $ 204     $ 191     $ 91     $ 78     $ 150     $ 323     $ 282     $ 341  
Provision for Private Education Loan losses
    62       54       36       (7 )     14       (4 )     55       68       32  
Change in estimate
                40                   (60 )                 (20 )
                                                                         
Total provision
    62       54       76       (7 )     14       (64 )     55       68       12  
Charge-offs
    (36 )     (32 )     (38 )     (4 )     (1 )     (1 )     (40 )     (33 )     (39 )
Recoveries
    6       6       5                         6       6       5  
                                                                         
Net charge-offs
    (30 )     (26 )     (33 )     (4 )     (1 )     (1 )     (34 )     (27 )     (34 )
                                                                         
Balance before securitization of Private Education Loans
    264       232       234       80       91       85       344       323       319  
Reduction for securitization of Private Education Loans
    (12 )           (6 )     12             6                    
                                                                         
Allowance at end of period
  $ 252     $ 232     $ 228     $ 92     $ 91     $ 91     $ 344     $ 323     $ 319  
                                                                         
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    3.13 %     2.83 %     4.33 %     .32 %     .01 %     .13 %     1.52 %     1.27 %     2.04 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    3.55 %     2.43 %     3.61 %     .75 %     1.06 %     1.21 %     1.78 %     1.78 %     2.31 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    6.66 %     5.96 %     7.41 %     1.61 %     1.99 %     2.32 %     3.62 %     3.81 %     4.56 %
Average coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
    2.09       2.17       1.73       5.63       326.22       19.64       2.52       3.02       2.34  
Average total loans
  $ 7,961     $ 9,016     $ 6,376     $ 10,770     $ 8,649     $ 7,060     $ 18,731     $ 17,665     $ 13,436  
Ending total loans
  $ 7,085     $ 9,543     $ 6,325     $ 12,282     $ 8,648     $ 7,493     $ 19,367     $ 18,191     $ 13,818  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 3,838     $ 3,780     $ 3,042     $ 5,163     $ 4,624     $ 3,655     $ 9,001     $ 8,404     $ 6,697  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 3,777     $ 3,898     $ 3,078     $ 5,731     $ 4,596     $ 3,926     $ 9,508     $ 8,494     $ 7,004  
 


31


 

                                                 
    Activity in Allowance for Private Education Loans  
    On-balance sheet     Off-balance sheet     Managed Basis  
    Six months ended     Six months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2005     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 204     $ 172     $ 78     $ 143     $ 282     $ 315  
Provision for Private Education Loan losses
    116       79       6       4       122       83  
Change in estimate
          40             (60 )           (20 )
                                                 
Total provision
    116       119       6       (56 )     122       63  
Charge-offs
    (69 )     (66 )     (4 )     (2 )     (73 )     (68 )
Recoveries
    13       9                   13       9  
                                                 
Net charge-offs
    (56 )     (57 )     (4 )     (2 )     (60 )     (59 )
                                                 
Balance before securitization of Private Education Loans
    264       234       80       85       344       319  
Reduction for securitization of Private Education Loans
    (12 )     (6 )     12       6              
                                                 
Allowance at end of period
  $ 252     $ 228     $ 92     $ 91     $ 344     $ 319  
                                                 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    3.05 %     3.86 %     .16 %     .14 %     1.37 %     1.81 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    3.55 %     3.61 %     .75 %     1.21 %     1.78 %     2.31 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    6.66 %     7.41 %     1.61 %     2.32 %     3.62 %     4.56 %
Average coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)
    2.22       2.00       11.01       18.32       2.82       2.68  
Average total loans
  $ 8,485     $ 6,321     $ 9,716     $ 6,607     $ 18,201     $ 12,928  
Ending total loans
  $ 7,085     $ 6,325     $ 12,282     $ 7,493     $ 19,367     $ 13,818  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 3,720     $ 2,960     $ 5,191     $ 3,639     $ 8,911     $ 6,599  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 3,777     $ 3,078     $ 5,731     $ 3,926     $ 9,508     $ 7,004  
 
The decrease in the provision in the second quarter of 2006 versus the first quarter of 2006 is primarily driven by the seasonality of loans entering repayment. The majority of loans typically enter repayment in the second and fourth quarters. This increase in loans entering repayment often leads to a near-term increase in early-stage delinquencies, or forbearance usage in the first and third quarters with some spillover effect in the fourth quarter for the affected borrowers. This in turn, leads to higher provisions for those quarters. Therefore, all other factors being equal, the provision for loan losses in the second quarter will be lower.

32


 

Delinquencies
 
The tables below present our Private Education Loan delinquency trends as of June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005. Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact earnings through increased servicing and collection costs in the event the delinquent accounts charge off.
 
                                                 
    On-Balance Sheet Private Education
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 3,305             $ 5,573             $ 3,307          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    299               412               190          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    3,353       88.8 %     3,487       89.4 %     2,756       89.5 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    176       4.7       170       4.4       133       4.4  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    100       2.6       106       2.7       69       2.2  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    148       3.9       135       3.5       120       3.9  
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    3,777       100 %     3,898       100 %     3,078       100 %
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    7,381               9,883               6,575          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (296 )             (340 )             (250 )        
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    7,085               9,543               6,325          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (252 )             (232 )             (228 )        
                                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 6,833             $ 9,311             $ 6,097          
                                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    51.2 %             39.4 %             46.8 %        
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    11.2 %             10.6 %             10.5 %        
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Off-Balance Sheet Private Education
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 6,074             $ 3,456             $ 3,308          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    751               784               400          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    5,483       95.7 %     4,389       95.5 %     3,749       95.5 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    151       2.6       106       2.3       96       2.4  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    50       .9       46       1.0       35       1.0  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    47       .8       55       1.2       46       1.1  
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    5,731       100 %     4,596       100 %     3,926       100 %
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    12,556               8,836               7,634          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (274 )             (188 )             (141 )        
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    12,282               8,648               7,493          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (92 )             (91 )             (91 )        
                                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 12,190             $ 8,557             $ 7,402          
                                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    45.6 %             52.0 %             51.4 %        
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    4.3 %             4.5 %             4.5 %        
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who still may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers who have requested extension of grace period or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with the established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
 
(3) The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.


33


 

                                                 
    Managed Basis Private Education
 
    Loan Delinquencies  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 9,379             $ 9,029             $ 6,615          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    1,050               1,196               590          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    8,836       92.9 %     7,876       92.7 %     6,505       92.9 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    327       3.4       276       3.3       229       3.2  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    150       1.6       152       1.8       104       1.5  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    195       2.1       190       2.2       166       2.4  
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    9,508       100 %     8,494       100 %     7,004       100 %
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    19,937               18,719               14,209          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (570 )             (528 )             (391 )        
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    19,367               18,191               13,818          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (344 )             (323 )             (319 )        
                                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 19,023             $ 17,868             $ 13,499          
                                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    47.7 %             45.4 %             49.3 %        
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
    7.1 %             7.3 %             7.1 %        
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who still may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers who have requested extension of grace period or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with the established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
 
(3) The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
 
Forbearance — Managed Basis Private Education Loans
 
Private Education Loans are made to parent and student borrowers by our lender partners in accordance with our underwriting policies. These loans generally supplement federally guaranteed student loans, which are subject to federal lending caps. Private Education Loans are not guaranteed or insured against any loss of principal or interest. Traditional student borrowers use the proceeds of these loans to obtain higher education, which increases the likelihood of obtaining employment at higher income levels than would be available without the additional education. As a result, the borrowers’ repayment capability improves between the time the loan is made and the time they enter the post-education work force. We generally allow the loan repayment period on traditional Private Education Loans, except those generated by our SLM Financial subsidiary, to begin six to nine months after the student leaves school. This provides the borrower time to obtain a job to service his or her debt. For borrowers that need more time or experience other hardships, we permit additional delays in payment or partial payments (both referred to as forbearances) when we believe additional time will improve the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Forbearance is also granted to borrowers who may experience temporary hardship after entering repayment, when we believe that it will increase the likelihood of ultimate collection of the loan. Such forbearance is only granted within established guidelines and is closely monitored for compliance. Our policy does not grant any reduction in the repayment obligation (principal or interest) but does allow the borrower to stop or reduce monthly payments for an agreed period of time. When a loan that was delinquent prior to receiving forbearance ends forbearance and re-enters repayment, that loan is returned to current status.
 
Forbearance is used most heavily immediately after the loan enters repayment. As indicated in the tables below showing the composition and status of the Managed Private Education Loan portfolio by number of months aged from the first date of repayment, the percentage of loans in forbearance decreases the longer the loans have been in repayment. At June 30, 2006, loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment


34


 

and forbearance was 12.3 percent for loans that have been in repayment one to twenty-four months. The percentage declined to 4.4 percent for loans that have been in repayment more than 48 months. Approximately 74 percent of our Managed Private Education Loans in forbearance have been in repayment less than 24 months. These borrowers are essentially extending their grace period as they transition to the workforce. Forbearance continues to be a positive collection tool for the Private Education Loans as we believe it can provide the borrower with sufficient time to obtain employment and income to support his or her obligation. We consider the potential impact of forbearance in the determination of the loan loss reserves.
 
The tables below show the composition and status of the Private Education Loan portfolio by number of months aged from the first date of repayment:
 
                                         
    Months since entering repayment  
                      After
       
    1 to 24
    25 to 48
    More than
    June 30,
       
June 30, 2006
  months     months     48 months     2006(1)     Total  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
  $     $     $     $ 9,379     $ 9,379  
Loans in forbearance
    776       194       80             1,050  
Loans in repayment — current
    5,184       2,024       1,628             8,836  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 31-60 days
    180       87       60             327  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 61-90 days
    90       37       23             150  
Loans in repayment — delinquent greater than 90 days
    101       60       34             195  
                                         
Total
  $ 6,331     $ 2,402     $ 1,825     $ 9,379       19,937  
                                         
Unamortized discount
                                    (570 )
Allowance for loan losses
                                    (344 )
                                         
Total Managed Private Education Loans, net
                                  $ 19,023  
                                         
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
    12.3 %     8.1 %     4.4 %     %     9.9 %
                                         
 
                                         
    Months since entering repayment  
                      After
       
    1 to 24
    25 to 48
    More than
    March 31,
       
March 31, 2006
  months     months     48 months     2006(1)     Total  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
  $     $     $     $ 9,029     $ 9,029  
Loans in forbearance
    940       180       76             1,196  
Loans in repayment — current
    4,535       1,845       1,496             7,876  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 31-60 days
    153       70       53             276  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 61-90 days
    94       35       23             152  
Loans in repayment — delinquent greater than 90 days
    109       51       30             190  
                                         
Total
  $ 5,831     $ 2,181     $ 1,678     $ 9,029       18,719  
                                         
Unamortized discount
                                    (528 )
Allowance for loan losses
                                    (323 )
                                         
Total Managed Private Education Loans, net
                                  $ 17,868  
                                         
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
    16.1 %     8.3 %     4.5 %     %     12.3 %
                                         
 
 
(1) Includes all loans in-school/grace/deferment.


35


 

                                         
    Months since entering repayment  
                      After
       
    1 to 24
    25 to 48
    More than
    June 30,
       
June 30, 2005
  months     months     48 months     2005(1)     Total  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
  $     $     $     $ 6,615     $ 6,615  
Loans in forbearance
    437       106       47             590  
Loans in repayment — current
    3,728       1,515       1,262             6,505  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 31-60 days
    120       65       44             229  
Loans in repayment — delinquent 61-90 days
    57       30       17             104  
Loans in repayment — delinquent greater than 90 days
    80       55       31             166  
                                         
Total
  $ 4,422     $ 1,771     $ 1,401     $ 6,615       14,209  
                                         
Unamortized discount
                                    (391 )
Allowance for loan losses
                                    (319 )
                                         
Total Managed Private Education Loans, net
                                  $ 13,499  
                                         
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
    9.9 %     6.0 %     3.4 %     %     7.8 %
                                         
 
 
(1) Includes all loans in-school/grace/deferment.
 
The decrease in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance in the second quarter of 2006 is due to seasonality.
 
The table below stratifies the portfolio of Managed Private Education Loans in forbearance by the cumulative number of months the borrower has used forbearance as of the dates indicated. As detailed in the table below, 8 percent of loans currently in forbearance have deferred their loan repayment more than 24 months, which is 2 percent higher versus the prior quarter and equivalent to the year-ago period.
 
                                                 
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
    Forbearance
    % of
    Forbearance
    % of
    Forbearance
    % of
 
    Balance     Total     Balance     Total     Balance     Total  
 
Cumulative number of months borrower has used forbearance
                                               
Up to 12 months
  $ 753       72 %   $ 901       76 %   $ 426       72 %
13 to 24 months
    214       20       220       18       117       20  
25 to 36 months
    57       5       51       4       32       5  
More than 36 months
    26       3       24       2       15       3  
                                                 
Total
  $ 1,050       100 %   $ 1,196       100 %   $ 590       100 %
                                                 
 
Total Loan Net Charge-offs
 
The following tables summarize the total loan net charge-offs on both an on-balance sheet basis and a Managed Basis for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
Total on-balance sheet loan net charge-offs
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 30     $ 26     $ 33     $ 56     $ 57  
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
    1       1       1       2       2  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    1       1       1       2       2  
                                         
Total on-balance sheet loan net charge-offs
  $ 32     $ 28     $ 35     $ 60     $ 61  
                                         


36


 

Total Managed loan net charge-offs
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 34     $ 27     $ 34     $ 60     $ 59  
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
    1       1       1       2       2  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    1       1       1       2       2  
                                         
Total Managed loan net charge-offs
  $ 36     $ 29     $ 36     $ 64     $ 63  
                                         
 
Student Loan Premiums as a Percentage of Principal
 
The following table presents student loan premiums paid as a percentage of the principal balance of student loans acquired for the respective periods.
 
                                                                                 
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30, 2006     March 31, 2006     June 30, 2005     June 30, 2006     June 30, 2005  
    Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate  
 
Student loan premiums paid:
                                                                               
Sallie Mae brands
  $ 1,671       .77 %   $ 3,304       .50 %   $ 991       .26 %   $ 4,975       .59 %   $ 3,294       .28 %
Lender partners
    4,225       1.64       3,592       2.00       4,701       1.61       7,817       1.80       8,043       1.70  
                                                                                 
Total Preferred Channel
    5,896       1.39       6,896       1.28       5,692       1.38       12,792       1.33       11,337       1.29  
Other purchases(1)
    493       4.23       175       1.97       641       3.66       668       3.64       1,146       3.47  
                                                                                 
Subtotal base purchases
    6,389       1.61       7,071       1.30       6,333       1.61       13,460       1.45       12,483       1.49  
Consolidations
    853       3.37       897       1.98       926       2.79       1,750       2.66       1,839       2.38  
                                                                                 
Total
  $ 7,242       1.82 %   $ 7,968       1.37 %   $ 7,259       1.76 %   $ 15,210       1.58 %   $ 14,322       1.60 %
                                                                                 
 
 
(1) Primarily includes spot purchases, other commitment clients, and subsidiary acquisitions.
 
The increase in premiums paid as a percentage of principal balance for Sallie Mae brands is primarily due to the increase in loans where we pay the origination fee on behalf of borrowers, a practice we call zero fee lending. The borrower origination fee will be gradually phased out by the Reconciliation Legislation from 2007 to 2010. We include in Consolidation Loan premiums the 50 basis point Consolidation Loan fee paid on each FFELP Stafford loan that we consolidate, including loans that are already in our portfolio. The Consolidation Loan premium paid percentage is calculated on only consolidation volume that is incremental to our portfolio. This percentage is largely driven by the mix of FFELP Stafford loans consolidated in this quarter.


37


 

Student Loan Activity
 
The following tables summarize the activity in our on-balance sheet, off-balance sheet and Managed portfolios of FFELP student loans and Private Education Loans and highlight the effects of Consolidation Loan activity on our FFELP portfolios.
 
                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Three months ended June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total On-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 18,883     $ 53,451     $ 72,334     $ 9,311     $ 81,645  
Acquisitions
    4,821       426       5,247       1,547       6,794  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          845       845       8       853  
Internal Consolidations
    (1,588 )     3,474       1,886       20       1,906  
Consolidations to third parties
    (386 )     (835 )     (1,221 )     (4 )     (1,225 )
New securitizations
          (2,532 )     (2,532 )     (3,729 )     (6,261 )
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (339 )     (774 )     (1,113 )     (320 )     (1,433 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 21,391     $ 54,055     $ 75,446     $ 6,833     $ 82,279  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Three months ended June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total Off-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 23,457     $ 13,211     $ 36,668     $ 8,557     $ 45,225  
Acquisitions
    120       60       180       107       287  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
                             
Internal Consolidations
    (1,711 )     (175 )     (1,886 )     (20 )     (1,906 )
Consolidations to third parties
    (436 )     (278 )     (714 )     (5 )     (719 )
New securitizations
          2,532       2,532       3,729       6,261  
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (895 )     (210 )     (1,105 )     (178 )     (1,283 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 20,535     $ 15,140     $ 35,675     $ 12,190     $ 47,865  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Three months ended June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
       
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Total Managed
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Basis Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 42,340     $ 66,662     $ 109,002     $ 17,868     $ 126,870  
Acquisitions
    4,941       486       5,427       1,654       7,081  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          845       845       8       853  
Internal Consolidations
    (3,299 )     3,299                    
Consolidations to third parties
    (822 )     (1,113 )     (1,935 )     (9 )     (1,944 )
New securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,234 )     (984 )     (2,218 )     (498 )     (2,716 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 41,926     $ 69,195     $ 111,121     $ 19,023     $ 130,144  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.


38


 

                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Three months ended March 31, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total On-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 19,988     $ 54,859     $ 74,847     $ 7,757     $ 82,604  
Acquisitions
    5,274       275       5,549       1,892       7,441  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          896       896       1       897  
Internal Consolidations
    (784 )     1,623       839             839  
Consolidations to third parties
    (307 )     (572 )     (879 )     (4 )     (883 )
New securitizations
    (5,034 )     (3,039 )     (8,073 )           (8,073 )
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (254 )     (591 )     (845 )     (335 )     (1,180 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 18,883     $ 53,451     $ 72,334     $ 9,311     $ 81,645  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Three months ended March 31, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total Off-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 20,670     $ 10,575     $ 31,245     $ 8,680     $ 39,925  
Acquisitions
    88       58       146       67       213  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
                             
Internal Consolidations
    (741 )     (98 )     (839 )           (839 )
Consolidations to third parties
    (428 )     (178 )     (606 )     (5 )     (611 )
New securitizations
    5,034       3,039       8,073             8,073  
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,166 )     (185 )     (1,351 )     (185 )     (1,536 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 23,457     $ 13,211     $ 36,668     $ 8,557     $ 45,225  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Three months ended March 31, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
       
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Total Managed
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Basis Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 40,658     $ 65,434     $ 106,092     $ 16,437     $ 122,529  
Acquisitions
    5,362       333       5,695       1,959       7,654  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          896       896       1       897  
Internal Consolidations
    (1,525 )     1,525                    
Consolidations to third parties
    (735 )     (750 )     (1,485 )     (9 )     (1,494 )
New securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,420 )     (776 )     (2,196 )     (520 )     (2,716 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 42,340     $ 66,662     $ 109,002     $ 17,868     $ 126,870  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 


39


 

                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Three months ended June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total On-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 18,933     $ 44,446     $ 63,379     $ 6,527     $ 69,906  
Acquisitions
    5,188       251       5,439       1,215       6,654  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          926       926             926  
Internal Consolidations
    (1,335 )     3,653       2,318             2,318  
Consolidations to third parties
    (182 )     (165 )     (347 )     (2 )     (349 )
New securitizations
            (4,045 )     (4,045 )     (1,407 )     (5,452 )
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (511 )     (425 )     (936 )     (236 )     (1,172 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 22,093     $ 44,641     $ 66,734     $ 6,097     $ 72,831  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Three months ended June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total Off-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 28,392     $ 7,410     $ 35,802     $ 5,991     $ 41,793  
Acquisitions
    97       49       146       60       206  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
                             
Internal Consolidations
    (2,318 )           (2,318 )           (2,318 )
Consolidations to third parties
    (326 )     (64 )     (390 )     (4 )     (394 )
New securitizations
            4,045       4,045       1,407       5,452  
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (812 )     (206 )     (1,018 )     (52 )     (1,070 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 25,033     $ 11,234     $ 36,267     $ 7,402     $ 43,669  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Three months ended June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
       
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Total Managed
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Basis Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 47,325     $ 51,856     $ 99,181     $ 12,518     $ 111,699  
Acquisitions
    5,285       300       5,585       1,275       6,860  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          926       926             926  
Internal Consolidations
    (3,653 )     3,653                    
Consolidations to third parties
    (508 )     (229 )     (737 )     (6 )     (743 )
New securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (1,323 )     (631 )     (1,954 )     (288 )     (2,242 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 47,126     $ 55,875     $ 103,001     $ 13,499     $ 116,500  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 

40


 

                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Six months ended June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total On-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 19,988     $ 54,859     $ 74,847     $ 7,757     $ 82,604  
Acquisitions
    10,095       701       10,796       3,439       14,235  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          1,741       1,741       9       1,750  
Internal Consolidations
    (2,372 )     5,097       2,725       20       2,745  
Consolidations to third parties
    (693 )     (1,407 )     (2,100 )     (8 )     (2,108 )
New securitizations
    (5,034 )     (5,571 )     (10,605 )     (3,729 )     (14,334 )
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (593 )     (1,365 )     (1,958 )     (655 )     (2,613 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 21,391     $ 54,055     $ 75,446     $ 6,833     $ 82,279  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Six months ended June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total Off-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 20,670     $ 10,575     $ 31,245     $ 8,680     $ 39,925  
Acquisitions
    208       118       326       174       500  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
                             
Internal Consolidations
    (2,452 )     (273 )     (2,725 )     (20 )     (2,745 )
Consolidations to third parties
    (864 )     (456 )     (1,320 )     (10 )     (1,330 )
New securitizations
    5,034       5,571       10,605       3,729       14,334  
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (2,061 )     (395 )     (2,456 )     (363 )     (2,819 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 20,535     $ 15,140     $ 35,675     $ 12,190     $ 47,865  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Six months ended June 30, 2006  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
       
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Total Managed
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Basis Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 40,658     $ 65,434     $ 106,092     $ 16,437     $ 122,529  
Acquisitions
    10,303       819       11,122       3,613       14,735  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          1,741       1,741       9       1,750  
Internal Consolidations
    (4,824 )     4,824                    
Consolidations to third parties
    (1,557 )     (1,863 )     (3,420 )     (18 )     (3,438 )
New securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (2,654 )     (1,760 )     (4,414 )     (1,018 )     (5,432 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 41,926     $ 69,195     $ 111,121     $ 19,023     $ 130,144  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.

41


 

                                         
    On-Balance Sheet
 
    Six months ended June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total On-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 18,965     $ 41,596     $ 60,561     $ 5,420     $ 65,981  
Acquisitions
    10,027       567       10,594       2,544       13,138  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          1,839       1,839             1,839  
Internal Consolidations
    (2,052 )     5,849       3,797       (1 )     3,796  
Consolidations to third parties
    (332 )     (249 )     (581 )     (4 )     (585 )
New securitizations
    (3,542 )     (4,044 )     (7,586 )     (1,407 )     (8,993 )
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (973 )     (917 )     (1,890 )     (455 )     (2,345 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 22,093     $ 44,641     $ 66,734     $ 6,097     $ 72,831  
                                         
 
                                         
    Off-Balance Sheet
 
    Six months ended June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
    Total Off-
 
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Balance Sheet
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 27,825     $ 7,570     $ 35,395     $ 6,062     $ 41,457  
Acquisitions
    162       90       252       106       358  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
                             
Internal Consolidations
    (3,789 )     (8 )     (3,797 )           (3,797 )
Consolidations to third parties
    (642 )     (91 )     (733 )     (8 )     (741 )
New securitizations
    3,542       4,044       7,586       1,407       8,993  
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (2,065 )     (371 )     (2,436 )     (165 )     (2,601 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 25,033     $ 11,234     $ 36,267     $ 7,402     $ 43,669  
                                         
 
                                         
    Managed Portfolio
 
    Six months ended June 30, 2005  
    FFELP
                Total
       
    Stafford
                Private
       
    and
    Consolidation
    Total
    Education
    Total Managed
 
    Other(1)     Loans     FFELP     Loans     Basis Portfolio  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 46,790     $ 49,166     $ 95,956     $ 11,482     $ 107,438  
Acquisitions
    10,189       657       10,846       2,650       13,496  
Incremental Consolidations from third parties
          1,839       1,839             1,839  
Internal Consolidations
    (5,841 )     5,841             (1 )     (1 )
Consolidations to third parties
    (974 )     (340 )     (1,314 )     (12 )     (1,326 )
New securitizations
                             
Repayments/claims/resales/other
    (3,038 )     (1,288 )     (4,326 )     (620 )     (4,946 )
                                         
Ending balance
  $ 47,126     $ 55,875     $ 103,001     $ 13,499     $ 116,500  
                                         
 
 
(1) FFELP category is primarily Stafford loans and also includes PLUS and HEAL loans.
 
The increase in consolidations to third parties from 2005 to 2006 is primarily due to some FFELP lenders reconsolidating Consolidation Loans using the Direct Lending program as a pass-through entity to circumvent the statutory prohibition on the reconsolidation of Consolidation Loans. On March 17, 2006, ED issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that prohibited this “two-step” process unless the FFELP consolidation borrower applied for a Direct Loan consolidation by March 31, 2006. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2006, there was a temporary increase in the reconsolidation of Consolidation Loans to process the back log of FDLP applications. By the end of the quarter, consolidation activity had returned to recent historical levels. The


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Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 restricted further reconsolidation; as of July 1, 2006, borrowers with a FFELP consolidation loan may only reconsolidate with the FDLP if they are delinquent, referred to the guaranty agency for default aversion activity, and enter into the income contingent repayment program (‘‘ICR”) in the FDLP.
 
Other Income — Lending Business Segment
 
The following table summarizes the components of other income for our Lending business segment for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Late fees
  $ 26     $ 25     $ 24     $ 51     $ 44  
Gains on sales of mortgages and other loan fees
    4       3       4       7       8  
Other
    21       12       8       34       20  
                                         
Total other income
  $ 51     $ 40     $ 36     $ 92     $ 72  
                                         
 
Operating Expenses — Lending Business Segment
 
Operating expenses for our Lending business segment include costs incurred to service our Managed student loan portfolio and acquire student loans, as well as other general and administrative expenses. The first and second quarter 2006 operating expenses for the Lending business segment also include $10 million and $8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense, due to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) (see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Stock-Based Compensation Expense”).
 
DEBT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS (“DMO”) BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
The following table includes “Core Earnings” results for our DMO business segment.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Total interest income
  $     $     $     $     $  
Total interest expense
    5       5       4       11       8  
                                         
Net interest income
    (5 )     (5 )     (4 )     (11 )     (8 )
Less: provisions for losses
                             
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
    (5 )     (5 )     (4 )     (11 )     (8 )
Fee income
    90       92       82       182       168  
Collections revenue
    67       56       42       124       77  
                                         
Total other income
    157       148       124       306       245  
Operating expenses
    85       89       67       175       132  
                                         
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    67       54       53       120       105  
Income taxes
    26       20       20       44       39  
                                         
Income before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    41       34       33       76       66  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    1       1       1       3       2  
                                         
“Core Earnings” net income
  $ 40     $ 33     $ 32     $ 73     $ 64  
                                         


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DMO Revenue by Product
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Purchased paper collections revenue
  $ 67     $ 56     $ 42     $ 124     $ 78  
Contingency:
                                       
Student loans
    69       70       63       139       129  
Other
    9       10       9       19       18  
                                         
Total contingency
    78       80       72       158       147  
Other
    12       12       10       24       20  
                                         
Total
  $ 157     $ 148     $ 124     $ 306     $ 245  
                                         
USA Funds(1)
  $ 46     $ 46     $ 43     $ 92     $ 89  
                                         
% of total DMO revenue
    29 %     31 %     35 %     30 %     36 %
                                         
 
 
  (1)   United Student Aid Funds, Inc. (“USA Funds”)
 
Total DMO revenue increased by $9 million in the second quarter of 2006 versus the first quarter of 2006. The $33 million, or 27 percent, increase in DMO revenue for the second quarter of 2006 compared to the second quarter of 2005 can be attributed to the year-over-year growth in the purchased paper business of Arrow Financial Services and to revenue generated by GRP Financial Services (acquired in August 2005). The year-over-year growth in contingency fee revenue was primarily driven by the growth in guaranty agency collections.
 
Purchased Paper — Non-Mortgage
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Face value of purchases
  $ 461     $ 530     $ 444     $ 992     $ 1,416  
Purchase price
    41       34       41       75       65  
% of face value purchased
    8.9 %     6.4 %     9.2 %     7.6 %     4.6 %
Gross Cash Collections (“GCC”)
  $ 93     $ 89     $ 61     $ 182     $ 118  
Collections revenue
    54       49       42       103       77  
% of GCC
    58 %     55 %     69 %     56 %     66 %
Carrying value of purchases
  $ 152     $ 146     $ 79     $ 152     $ 79  
 
The amount of face value of purchases in any quarter is a function of a combination of factors including the amount of receivables available for purchase in the marketplace, average age of each portfolio, the asset class of the receivables, and competition in the marketplace. As a result, the percentage of face value purchased will vary from quarter to quarter. The decrease in collections revenue as a percentage of GCC versus the prior year can primarily be attributed to the increase in new portfolio purchases in the second half of 2005. Typically, revenue recognition based on a portfolio’s effective interest rate is a lower percentage of cash collections in the early stages of servicing a portfolio.


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Purchased Paper — Mortgage/Properties
 
                         
    Quarters ended(1)     Six months ended(1)  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2006  
 
Face value of purchases
  $ 191     $ 132     $ 323  
Collections revenue
    13       8       21  
Collateral value of purchases
    212       151       362  
Purchase price
    160       113       273  
% of collateral value
    76 %     75 %     76 %
Carrying value of purchases
  $ 453     $ 355     $ 453  
 
 
  (1)  GRP was purchased in August 2005. Prior to this acquisition, the Company was not in the mortgage purchased paper business.
 
The purchase price for sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans is generally determined as a percentage of the underlying collateral. Fluctuations in the purchase price as a percentage of collateral value can be caused by a number of factors including the percentage of second mortgages in the portfolio and the level of private mortgage insurance associated with particular assets.
 
Contingency Inventory
 
The following table presents the outstanding inventory of receivables serviced through our DMO business.
 
                         
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005  
 
Contingency:
                       
Contingency — Student loans
  $ 7,174     $ 7,614     $ 7,307  
Contingency — Other
    2,594       2,461       2,028  
                         
Total
  $ 9,768     $ 10,075     $ 9,335  
                         
 
Operating Expenses — DMO Business Segment
 
Operating expenses for our DMO business segment decreased by $4 million, or 4 percent, to $85 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 versus the prior quarter, and increased by $18 million or 27 percent versus the year-ago quarter. The increase in operating expenses versus the year-ago quarter was primarily due to increased expenses for outsourced collections and recovery costs associated with large fourth quarter portfolio purchases. The increases in DMO contingency fee expenses are consistent with the growth in revenue and accounts serviced, as a high percentage of DMO expenses are variable.
 
The first and second quarter of 2006 operating expenses for the DMO business segment also include $3 million and $2 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense, due to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) (see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Stock-Based Compensation Expense”).


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CORPORATE AND OTHER BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
The following table includes “Core Earnings” results for our Corporate and Other business segment.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Total interest income
  $ 1     $ 1     $ 1     $ 2     $ 2  
Total interest expense
    1       1       1       3       3  
                                         
Net interest income
                      (1 )     (1 )
Less: provisions for losses
                             
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for losses
                      (1 )     (1 )
Fee income
    33       27       26       60       58  
Other income
    24       30       29       55       61  
                                         
Total other income
    57       57       55       115       119  
Operating expenses
    50       59       63       109       114  
                                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    7       (2 )     (8 )     5       4  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    2       (1 )     (3 )     2       1  
                                         
“Core Earnings” net income (loss)
  $ 5     $ (1 )   $ (5 )   $ 3     $ 3  
                                         
 
Fee and Other Income — Corporate and Other Business Segment
 
The following table summarizes the components of fee and other income for our Corporate and Other business segment for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005 and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,
    March 31,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Guarantor servicing fees
  $ 33     $ 27     $ 26     $ 60     $ 58  
Loan servicing fees
    7       8       12       15       25  
Other
    17       22       17       40       36  
                                         
Total fee and other income
  $ 57     $ 57     $ 55     $ 115     $ 119  
                                         
 
The increase in guarantor servicing fees versus the prior and year-ago quarter is due to a $10 million increase in account maintenance fees caused by a negotiated settlement with USA Funds such that USA Funds was able to cover the previous shortfall caused by the cap on payments from ED to guarantors in fiscal year 2006. This cap is removed by legislation reauthorizing the student loan programs of the Higher Education Act that will not go into effect before October 1, 2006.
 
USA Funds, the nation’s largest guarantee agency, accounted for 85 percent, 82 percent and 86 percent, respectively, of guarantor servicing fees and 37 percent, 34 percent and 33 percent, respectively, of revenues associated with other products and services for the quarters ended June 30, 2006, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2005.


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Operating Expenses — Corporate and Other Business Segment
 
Operating expenses for our Corporate and Other business segment include direct costs incurred to service loans for unrelated third parties and to perform guarantor servicing on behalf of guarantor agencies, as well as information technology expenses related to these functions. First and second quarter 2006 operating expenses for our Corporate and Other business segment also include $5 million and $4 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense, due to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) (see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Stock-Based Compensation Expense”).


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