10-Q 1 feb2908_10q.htm FEBRUARY 29, 2008 FORM 10-Q feb2908_10q.htm

N


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

x     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended February 29, 2008
       
OR


o     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From          To
        
Commission File Number 1-7102
        
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE
FINANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

52-0891669
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2201 COOPERATIVE WAY, HERNDON, VA 20171
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code, is 703-709-6700.
             
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨                 Accelerated filer ¨            Non-accelerated filer x            Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ¨  No x.

The Registrant is a cooperative and consequently, does not issue any equity capital stock.

       



 
1

 


PART 1.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements.


         
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
         
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
  (in thousands)
       
  A S S E T S
         

 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
               
Cash and cash equivalents
$
237,741
   
$
304,107
 
               
Restricted cash
 
17,738
     
2,032
 
               
Loans to members
 
18,665,439
     
18,131,873
 
   Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
(497,260
)
   
(561,663
)
          Loans to members, net
 
18,168,179
     
17,570,210
 
               
Accrued interest and other receivables
 
291,732
     
291,637
 
               
Fixed assets, net
 
20,794
     
4,555
 
               
Debt service reserve funds
 
54,993
     
54,993
 
               
Bond issuance costs, net
 
40,074
     
45,611
 
               
Foreclosed assets
 
57,651
     
66,329
 
               
Derivative assets
 
347,857
     
222,774
 
               
Other assets
 
22,919
     
12,933
 
               
 
$
19,259,678
   
$
18,575,181
 
               
See accompanying notes.




 
2

 

NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
        
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
         
L I A B I L I T I E S   A N D   E Q U I T Y
         

 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
                 
Short-term debt
$
6,439,129
   
$
4,427,123
   
                 
Accrued interest payable
 
314,834
     
281,458
   
                 
Long-term debt
 
9,732,902
     
11,295,219
   
                 
Deferred income
 
23,915
     
27,990
   
                 
Guarantee liability
 
13,658
     
18,929
   
                 
Other liabilities
 
38,739
     
27,611
   
                 
Derivative liabilities
 
370,761
     
71,934
   
                 
Subordinated deferrable debt
 
311,440
     
311,440
   
                 
Members' subordinated certificates:
               
     Membership subordinated certificates
 
649,461
     
649,424
   
     Loan and guarantee subordinated certificates
 
771,424
     
732,023
   
            Total members' subordinated certificates
 
1,420,885
     
1,381,447
   
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Minority interest
 
12,086
     
21,989
   
                 
Equity:
               
     Retained equity
 
569,712
     
697,837
   
     Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
11,617
     
12,204
   
            Total equity
 
581,329
     
710,041
   
                 
 
$
19,259,678
   
$
18,575,181
   
                 
See accompanying notes.


 
3

 



NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
        
For the Three and Nine Months Ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007

 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
(As restated)*
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
(As restated)*
                               
Interest income
$
266,576
   
$
264,873
   
$
797,817
   
$
789,806
 
Interest expense
 
(233,468
)
   
(247,441
)
   
(720,810
)
   
(752,036
)
                               
Net interest income
 
33,108
     
17,432
     
77,007
     
37,770
 
                               
Recovery of loan losses
 
33,599
     
-
     
47,900
     
-
 
                               
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
66,707
     
17,432
     
124,907
     
37,770
 
                               
Non-interest income:
                             
     Rental and other income
 
367
     
417
     
1,070
     
1,042
 
     Derivative cash settlements
 
10,463
     
44,442
     
30,299
     
76,190
 
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
2,401
     
1,896
     
6,217
     
7,887
 
                               
Total non-interest income
 
13,231
     
46,755
     
37,586
     
85,119
 
                               
Non-interest expense:
                             
     Salaries and employee benefits
 
(9,398
)
   
(8,461
)
   
(27,049
)
   
(25,222
)
     Other general and administrative expenses
 
(5,862
)
   
(3,177
)
   
(16,278
)
   
(11,921
)
     Recovery of (provision for) guarantee liability
 
1,000
     
-
     
4,300
     
(400
)
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
(5,840
)
   
-
     
(5,840
)
   
-
 
     Derivative forward value
 
(64,266
)
   
(4,189
)
   
(173,278
)
   
(120,779
)
     Foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
1,886
     
-
     
(15,413
)
     Loss on sale of loans
 
(158
)
   
(1,550
)
   
(676
)
   
(1,550
)
                               
Total non-interest expense
 
(84,524
)
   
(15,491
)
   
(218,821
)
   
(175,285
)
                               
(Loss) income prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
(4,586
)
   
48,696
     
(56,328
)
   
(52,396
)
                               
Income taxes
 
2,175
     
(627
)
   
6,186
     
573
 
                               
(Loss) income prior to minority interest
 
(2,411
)
   
48,069
     
(50,142
)
   
(51,823
)
                               
Minority interest
 
2,088
     
566
     
8,211
     
1,244
 
                               
Net (loss) income
$
(323
)
 
$
48,635
   
$
(41,931
)
 
$
(50,579
)
                               
See accompanying notes.
 *See Note 1(j)



 
4

 

NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007

                                 
Patronage Capital
         
Accumulated
                     
Allocated
         
Other
 
Subtotal
             
Members'
 
General
   
         
Comprehensive
 
Retained
 
Membership
 
Unallocated
 
Education
 
Capital
 
Reserve
   
     
Total
 
Income (Loss)
 
Equity
 
Fees
 
Net Income
 
Fund
 
Reserve
 
Fund
 
Other
                                                                     
 
Nine months ended February 29, 2008:
                                                                 
 
  Balance as of May 31, 2007
$
710,041
 
$
12,204
   
$
697,837
 
$
997
   
$
131,528
   
$
1,406
   
$
158,308
   
$
498
   
$
405,100
 
 
  Patronage capital retirement
 
(85,494
)
 
-
     
(85,494
)
 
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(85,494
)
 
  Loss prior to income taxes and
        minority interest
 
(56,328
)
 
-
     
(56,328
)
 
-
     
(56,328
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
  Other comprehensive loss
 
(587
)
 
(587
)
   
-
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
  Income taxes
 
6,186
   
-
     
6,186
   
-
     
6,186
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
  Minority interest
 
8,211
   
-
     
8,211
   
-
     
8,211
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
  Other
 
(700
)
 
-
     
(700
)
 
(3
)
   
-
     
(697
)
   
40
     
-
     
(40
)
 
  Balance as of February 29, 2008
$
581,329
 
$
11,617
   
$
569,712
 
$
994
   
$
89,597
   
$
709
   
$
158,348
   
$
498
   
$
319,566
 
                                                                     
 
Nine months ended February 28, 2007:
                                                                 
 
  Balance as of May 31, 2006
$
784,408
 
$
13,208
   
$
771,200
 
$
994
   
$
225,849
   
$
1,281
   
$
156,844
   
$
497
   
$
385,735
 
 
  Patronage capital retirement
 
(84,247
)
 
              -
     
(84,247
)
 
       -
     
           -
     
         -
     
         -
     
     -
     
(84,247
)
 
  Loss prior to income taxes and
        minority interest (As restated)*
 
(52,396
)
 
             -
     
(52,396
)
 
       -
     
(52,396
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
  Other comprehensive loss
 
     (753
)
 
        (753
)
   
         -
   
       -
     
          -
     
        -
     
        -
     
    -
     
          -
 
 
  Income taxes
 
    573
   
              -
     
573
   
       -
     
573
     
        -
     
        -
     
    -
     
          -
 
 
  Minority interest
 
    1,244
   
               -
     
 1,244
   
        -
     
   1,244
     
         -
     
        -
     
    -
     
          -
 
 
  Other
 
      (590
)
 
              -
     
     (590
)
 
      (1
)
   
     -
     
    (589
)
   
     -
     
     -
     
     -
 
 
  Balance as of February 28, 2007 (As restated)*
$
648,239
 
$
    12,455
   
$
635,784
 
$
993
   
$
175,270
   
$
692
   
$
156,844
   
$
497
   
$
301,488
 
     
See accompanying notes.
   
*See Note 1(j)
   


 
5

 


NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)

For the Nine Months Ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007
 
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
(As restated)*
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
             
     Net loss
$
(41,931
)
 
$
(50,579
)
     Add (deduct):
             
Amortization of deferred income
 
(5,769
)
   
(10,377
)
Amortization of bond issuance costs and deferred charges
 
14,048
     
14,096
 
Depreciation
 
1,698
     
1,643
 
Recovery of loan losses
 
(47,900
)
   
-
 
(Recovery of) provision for guarantee liability
 
(4,300
)
   
400
 
Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
(6,217
)
   
(7,887
)
Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
5,840
     
-
 
Derivative forward value
 
173,278
     
120,779
 
Foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
15,413
 
Loss on sale of loans
 
676
     
1,550
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
             
 
Accrued interest and other receivables
 
(12,684
)
   
(26,057
)
 
Accrued interest payable
 
33,375
     
82,262
 
 
Other
 
2,469
     
(8,871
)
               
     Net cash provided by operating activities
 
112,583
     
132,372
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
             
     Advances made on loans
 
(6,018,988
)
   
(5,245,383
)
     Principal collected on loans
 
5,388,629
     
5,411,973
 
     Net investment in fixed assets
 
(16,426
)
   
(380
)
     Net cash provided by foreclosed assets
 
9,055
     
62,831
 
     Net proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
 
-
     
487
 
     Net proceeds from sale of loans
 
73,972
     
364,100
 
     Change in restricted cash
 
(15,706
)
   
-
 
               
     Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(579,464
)
   
593,628
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
             
     Proceeds from (repayments of) issuances of short-term debt, net
 
347,544
     
(266,334
)
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net
 
1,566,151
     
863,808
 
     Payments for retirement of long-term debt
 
(1,293,720
)
   
(592,485
)
     Payments for retirement of subordinated deferrable debt
 
(175,000
)
   
(150,000
)
     Proceeds from issuance of members' subordinated certificates
 
58,714
     
27,089
 
 Payments for retirement of members' subordinated certificates
 
(16,025
)
   
(27,886
)
 Payments for retirement of patronage capital
 
(77,378
)
   
(74,094
)
 Payments for retirement of RTFC patronage capital
 
(9,771
)
   
(12,414
)
     
             
     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
400,515
     
(232,316
)
               
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(66,366
)
   
493,684
 
BEGINNING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
304,107
     
260,338
 
ENDING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
$
237,741
   
$
754,022
 
               
See accompanying notes.
*See Note 1(j)
 

 
6

 


NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
  
For the Nine Months Ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007
  

   
February 29,
2008
     
February 28,
2007
(As restated)*
   
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Cash paid for interest
$
673,387
   
$
655,678
   
Cash paid for income taxes
 
1,088
     
1,149
   
                 
                 
See accompanying notes.
*See Note 1(j)



 
7

 


NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


(1)
General Information and Accounting Policies

(a)           General Information

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("National Rural" or "the Company") is a private, not-for-profit cooperative association incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia in April 1969.  The principal purpose of National Rural is to provide its members with a source of financing to supplement the loan programs of the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") of the United States Department of Agriculture.  National Rural makes loans to its rural utility system members ("utility members") to enable them to acquire, construct and operate electric distribution, generation, transmission and related facilities.  National Rural also provides its members with credit enhancements in the form of letters of credit and guarantees of debt obligations.  National Rural is exempt from payment of federal income taxes under the provisions of Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.  National Rural is a not-for-profit member-owned finance cooperative, thus its objective is not to maximize its net income, but to offer its members low cost financial products and services consistent with sound financial management.

Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative ("RTFC") was incorporated as a private not-for-profit cooperative association in the state of South Dakota in September 1987.  In February 2005, RTFC reincorporated as a not-for-profit cooperative association in the District of Columbia.  The principal purpose of RTFC is to provide and arrange financing for its rural telecommunications members and their affiliates.  RTFC's results of operations and financial condition are consolidated with those of National Rural in the accompanying financial statements.  RTFC is headquartered with National Rural in Herndon, Virginia.  RTFC is a taxable cooperative that pays income tax based on its net income, excluding net income allocated to its members, as allowed by law under Subchapter T of the Internal Revenue Code.

National Cooperative Services Corporation ("NCSC") was incorporated in 1981 in the District of Columbia as a private non-profit cooperative association.  The principal purpose of NCSC is to provide financing to the for-profit or non-profit entities that are owned, operated or controlled by or provide substantial benefit to, members of National Rural.  NCSC also markets, through its cooperative members, a consumer loan program for home improvements and an affinity credit card program.  NCSC's membership consists of National Rural and distribution systems that are members of National Rural or are eligible for such membership.  NCSC's results of operations and financial condition are consolidated with those of National Rural in the accompanying financial statements.  NCSC is headquartered with National Rural in Herndon, Virginia.  NCSC is a taxable corporation.

The Company's consolidated membership was 1,540 as of February 29, 2008 including 899 utility members, the majority of which are consumer-owned electric cooperatives, 511 telecommunications members, 66 service members and 64 associates in 49 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories.  The utility members included 830 distribution systems and 69 generation and transmission ("power supply") systems.  Memberships among National Rural, RTFC and NCSC have been eliminated in consolidation.  All references to members within this document include members and associates.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (which consist only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the Company's results for the interim periods presented.

These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements, as well as amounts included in the notes thereto, including discussion and disclosure of contingent liabilities.  While the Company uses its best estimates and judgments based on the known facts at the date of the financial statements, actual results could differ from these estimates as future events occur.

The Company does not believe it is vulnerable to the risk of a near term severe impact as a result of any concentrations of its activities.

 
8

 


(b)  
Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of National Rural, RTFC and NCSC and certain entities controlled by National Rural and created to hold foreclosed assets and effect loan securitization transactions, after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions.  Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. ("FIN") 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin ("ARB") No. 51, requires National Rural to consolidate the financial results of RTFC and NCSC.  National Rural is the primary beneficiary of variable interests in RTFC and NCSC due to its exposure to absorbing the majority of expected losses.

National Rural is the sole lender to and manages the lending and financial affairs of RTFC through a management agreement in effect through December 1, 2016.  Under a guarantee agreement, RTFC pays National Rural a fee in exchange for which National Rural reimburses RTFC for loan losses.  All loans that require RTFC board approval also require National Rural approval.  National Rural is not a member of RTFC and does not elect directors to the RTFC board.  RTFC is an associate member of National Rural.

National Rural is the primary source of funding to and manages the lending and financial affairs of NCSC through a management agreement which is automatically renewable on an annual basis unless terminated by either party.  NCSC funds its programs either through loans from National Rural or commercial paper and long-term notes issued by NCSC and guaranteed by National Rural.  In connection with these guarantees, NCSC must pay a guarantee fee and purchase from National Rural interest-bearing subordinated term certificates in proportion to the related guarantee.  Under a guarantee agreement, NCSC pays National Rural a fee in exchange for which National Rural reimburses NCSC for loan losses, excluding losses in the consumer loan program.  All loans that require NCSC board approval also require National Rural approval.  National Rural controls the nomination process for one out of 11 NCSC directors.  The full membership of NCSC elects directors on the basis of one vote for each member.  NCSC is a service organization member of National Rural.

RTFC and NCSC creditors have no recourse against National Rural in the event of default by RTFC and NCSC, unless there is a guarantee agreement under which National Rural has guaranteed NCSC or RTFC debt obligations to a third party.  At February 29, 2008, National Rural had guaranteed $280 million of NCSC debt and derivative instruments with third parties.  The maturities for NCSC debt guaranteed by National Rural run through 2031.  As of February 29, 2008, National Rural's maximum potential exposure totaled $298 million related to guarantees of NCSC debt and derivatives.  Guarantees related to NCSC debt and derivative instruments are not included in Note 12 at February 29, 2008 as the debt and derivatives are reported on the consolidated balance sheet.  At February 29, 2008, National Rural had no guarantees of RTFC debt to third party creditors.  All National Rural loans to RTFC and NCSC are secured by all assets and revenues of RTFC and NCSC.  At February 29, 2008, RTFC had total assets of $1,921 million including loans outstanding to members of $1,727 million and NCSC had total assets of $465 million including loans outstanding of $417 million.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had committed to lend RTFC up to $4 billion of which $2 billion was outstanding at February 29, 2008.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had committed to provide credit to NCSC of up to $1 billion.  At February 29, 2008, National Rural had provided a total of $461 million of credit to NCSC, representing $181 million of outstanding loans and $280 million of credit enhancements.

National Rural established limited liability corporations and partnerships to hold foreclosed assets and effect loan securitization transactions.  National Rural has full ownership and control of all such companies and thus consolidates their financial results.  National Rural presents the companies formed to hold foreclosed assets in one line on the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of operations.  A full consolidation is presented for the company formed to effect loan securitization transactions.

Unless stated otherwise, references to the Company relate to the consolidation of National Rural, RTFC, NCSC and certain entities controlled by National Rural and created to hold foreclosed assets and effect loan securitization transactions.
 
In accordance with ARB 51, the Company presents the amount of subsidiary equity controlled by unrelated parties as minority interest on the consolidated balance sheet and the subsidiary earnings controlled by unrelated parties as minority interest on the consolidated statement of operations
 
(c)           Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents cash and cash equivalents for which use is contractually restricted.  Restricted cash is disclosed separately on the balance sheet. At February 29, 2008, the Company has four different contractual restrictions on the use of certain cash.  Three of the restricted cash accounts totaling $16 million are related to the issuance of the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (“CREBs”) in February 2008.  The fourth restricted cash account represents cash pledged as collateral for collateral trust bonds issued under the Company’s 1972 indenture.  At May 31, 2007, the $2 million of cash pledged as collateral under the 1972 indenture was the only restricted cash, which was classified in other assets due to immateriality.

 
9

 

Restricted cash at February 29, 2008 represents:

·  
cash proceeds from the issuance of CREBs that may only be used for the funding of CREBs loan advances to participating members to reimburse them for costs related to qualifying projects;
·  
cash proceeds from the issuance of CREBs that may only be used to reimburse the Company for the costs of issuing the CREBs;
·  
cash from principal payments from members on CREBs loans that may only be used to make debt service payments to bond investors; and
·  
cash held as collateral for the Company’s collateral trust bonds issued under the 1972 indenture.

The Company uses the proceeds from the issuance of CREBs to make loans to borrowers for the construction, refinancing, and reimbursement of capital expenditures related to qualified projects.  These funds may be invested by the Company.  The interest earned is restricted and may only be used to fund qualifying projects.

The Company also uses the proceeds from the issuance of CREBs to cover all costs associated with the issuance of the CREBs.  These funds are held by the trustee and may only be released to the Company to cover the cost of issuance.  The Company must submit invoices to support the issuance cost for which it is seeking reimbursement.  These funds may be invested by the Company.  The interest earned is restricted and may only be used to cover issuance expenses and to fund qualifying projects.

The Company collects principal and interest payments from borrowers quarterly.  The Company may withdraw the interest collected on CREBs loans at any time.  The principal collected on CREBs loans may only be used to repay principal to bond investors. These funds may be invested by the Company.  The interest earned is not restricted and may be withdrawn by the Company at any time.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, $2 million of cash was pledged to secure the Company’s collateral trust bonds under the 1972 indenture.  This cash is classified in restricted cash because the funds are on deposit with the Company’s collateral trust bond trustee. These funds may be invested by the Company.  The interest earned is not restricted and may be withdrawn by the Company at any time.

The restricted cash may be invested by the Company.  Interest earned on the Company’s restricted cash is not restricted.  Interest earned on restricted cash accounts is presented as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows.  Changes in the principal balances of restricted cash accounts are reported as investing activities in the statement of cash flows.

(d)           Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level estimated by management to adequately provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, which are estimated based upon a review of the loan portfolio, past loss experience, specific problem loans, economic conditions and other pertinent factors which, in management's judgment, deserve current recognition in estimating loan losses. On a quarterly basis, the Company prepares an analysis of the adequacy of the loan loss allowance and makes adjustments to the allowance as necessary.  The allowance is based on estimates and, accordingly, actual loan losses may differ from the allowance amount.

Management makes recommendations of loans to be written off to the board of directors of National Rural.  In making its recommendation to write off all or a portion of a loan balance, management considers various factors including cash flow analysis and collateral securing the borrower's loans.


Activity in the loan loss allowance account is summarized below:

 
For the nine months ended and as of
 
Year ended and as of
(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
   
February 28,
2007
 
May 31,
2007
Balance at beginning of period
$
561,663
   
$
611,443
   
$
611,443
 
Recovery of loan losses
 
(47,900
)
   
-
     
(6,922
)
Write-offs
 
(16,827
)
   
(397
)
   
(44,668
)
Recoveries of prior write-offs
 
324
     
320
     
1,810
 
Balance at end of period
$
497,260
   
$
611,366
   
$
561,663
 


 
10

 

(e)           Interest Income

Interest income includes the following:
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
Interest on long-term fixed rate loans (1)
$
220,117
   
$
208,262
   
$
649,860
   
$
619,889
 
Interest on long-term variable rate loans (1)
 
20,785
     
28,028
     
68,024
     
90,199
 
Interest on short-term loans (1)
 
20,224
     
17,761
     
59,816
     
53,691
 
Interest on investments (2)
 
1,832
     
2,626
     
6,668
     
6,075
 
Conversion fees (3)
 
1,587
     
2,412
     
5,096
     
7,366
 
Make-whole and prepayment fees (4)
 
533
     
3,368
     
2,287
     
4,193
 
Commitment and guarantee fees (5)
 
822
     
1,658
     
3,742
     
7,127
 
Other fees
 
676
     
758
     
2,324
     
1,266
 
     Total interest income
 
$
266,576
   
$
264,873
   
$
797,817
   
$
789,806
 
(1) Represents interest income on loans to members.
(2) Represents interest income on the investment of cash.
(3) Conversion fees are deferred and recognized using the interest method over the remaining original loan interest rate pricing term, except for a small portion of the total fee charged to cover administrative costs related to the conversion which is recognized immediately.
(4) Make-whole and prepayment fees are charged for the early repayment of principal and recognized when collected.
(5) Commitment fees for RTFC loan commitments are, in most cases, refundable on a prorata basis according to the amount of the loan commitment that is advanced.  Such refundable fees are deferred and then recognized on a prorata basis based on the portion of the loan that is not advanced prior to the expiration of the commitment.  Commitment fees on National Rural loan commitments are not refundable and are billed and recognized based on the unused portion of committed lines of credit.  Guarantee fees are charged based on the amount, type and term of the guarantee.  Guarantee fees are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method into interest income over the life of the guarantee.

Deferred income on the consolidated balance sheets is comprised primarily of deferred conversion fees totaling $21 million and $25 million at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.

(f)           Interest Expense

Interest expense includes the following:
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
Interest expense - commercial paper and bid notes  (1)
$
30,639
   
$
38,758
   
$
102,117
   
$
134,760
 
Interest expense - medium-term notes (1)
 
82,555
     
93,876
     
249,422
     
282,050
 
Interest expense - collateral trust bonds (1)
 
61,213
     
56,069
     
189,968
     
156,629
 
Interest expense - subordinated deferrable debt (1)
 
4,916
     
8,153
     
14,747
     
24,936
 
Interest expense - subordinated certificates (1)
 
12,297
     
11,755
     
36,451
     
35,671
 
Interest expense - long-term private debt (1)
 
34,359
     
29,180
     
100,102
     
89,484
 
Debt issuance costs (2)
 
2,328
     
5,230
     
7,625
     
9,332
 
Commitment and guarantee fees (3)
 
4,602
     
3,967
     
13,277
     
11,981
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt (4)
 
-
     
-
     
5,509
     
4,806
 
Other fees
 
559
     
453
     
1,592
     
2,387
 
     Total interest expense
 
$
233,468
   
$
247,441
   
$
720,810
   
$
752,036
 
(1) Represents interest expense and the amortization of discounts on debt.
(2) Includes amortization of all deferred charges related to debt issuance, principally underwriter's fees, legal fees, printing costs and comfort letter fees. Amortization is calculated on the effective interest method.  Also includes issuance costs related to dealer commercial paper.
(3) Includes various fees related to funding activities, including fees paid to banks participating in the Company's revolving credit agreements and fees paid under bond guarantee agreements with RUS as part of the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant ("REDLG") program. Fees are recognized as incurred or amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective agreement.
(4) Represents the loss on the early retirement of debt including the write-off of unamortized discount, premium and issuance costs.

The Company does not include indirect costs, if any, related to funding activities in interest expense.

(g)           Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes the Company's net income, as well as other comprehensive income related to derivatives.  Comprehensive income is calculated as follows:

 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
Net (loss) income
$
(323
)
 
$
48,635
   
$
(41,931
)
 
$
(50,579
)
 
Other comprehensive income:
                               
  Reclassification adjustment for
                               
           realized gain on derivatives
 
(256
)
   
(251
)
   
(587
)
   
(753
)
 
Comprehensive (loss) income
$
(579
)
 
$
48,384
   
$
(42,518
)
 
$
(51,332
)
 

 
11

 


(h)           Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current reporting format.  The May 31, 2007 balance of deferred loan origination costs totaling $4 million was reclassified from other assets to loans to members on the consolidated balance sheet to conform with the February 29, 2008 presentation.  The May 31, 2007 balance of cash held as collateral totaling $2 million was reclassified from other assets to restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet to conform with the February 29, 2008 presentation.

 
(i)           New Accounting Pronouncements

On June 1, 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments – an amendment of SFAS 133 and 140. SFAS 155 permits fair value measurement of any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. SFAS 155 also clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended.  It establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. SFAS 155 also clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 155 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

On June 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets.  SFAS 156 requires the initial measurement of all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities at fair value and permits, but does not require, the subsequent measurement of servicing assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS 156 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 156 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

On June 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS 109.  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The Company’s adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.  The Company classifies interest and penalties assessed as tax expense.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under the standard, fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. SFAS 157 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company's adoption of SFAS 157 as of June 1, 2008 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The fair value option established by SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected should be reported in earnings. The decision to elect the fair value option is determined on an instrument by instrument basis and is irrevocable. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value pursuant to the fair value option should be reported separately in the balance sheet from those instruments measured using other measurement attributes. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  As part of the Company's adoption of SFAS 159 as of June 1, 2008, it does not plan to choose the option to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value and therefore the adoption of SFAS 159 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB 51.  This statement amends ARB 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also amends certain of ARB 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141, Business Combinations.  Noncontrolling interests shall be reclassified to equity, consolidated net income shall be adjusted to include net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and consolidated comprehensive income shall be adjusted to include comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests.  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 160 on June 1, 2009 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 
12

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.  The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 161 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

(j)           Restatement

Subsequent to the issuance of the May 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements, the Company’s management identified an error in the recording of interest expense on foreign denominated debt and the cash settlement income from foreign currency exchange agreements, as well as the related accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable.  The Company was using the agreed upon foreign exchange rate from the foreign currency exchange agreement rather than the average spot foreign currency exchange rate during the income statement period to convert the interest expense on the foreign denominated debt and foreign exchange agreement income to U.S. dollars.  The Company was also using the agreed upon foreign exchange rate from the foreign currency exchange agreement rather than the spot foreign currency exchange rate at the end of the balance sheet period to convert the accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable to U.S. dollars. The interest expense on the foreign denominated debt and the cash settlement income from the foreign currency exchange agreement are equal and offsetting amounts, as the Company uses the amount received under the exchange agreement to pay the interest expense on the foreign denominated debt.  The amounts for the accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable are also offsetting.  As a result of this error, interest expense and cash settlement income were understated by $3 million and $10 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007, respectively.  The Company subtracts the net accrual from the last settlement date on its derivatives at each period end in the calculation of the related fair value, so the error in the calculation of the income receivable on the foreign exchange agreements also impacted the fair value of the derivatives recorded as a derivative asset.  Thus, this correction also impacts the change in the fair value of the derivatives reported in the derivative forward value line on the consolidated statement of operations.  The derivative forward value loss line was understated by $4 million and $11 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007, respectively.  The net income line was overstated by $4 million for the three months ended February 28, 2007 and the net loss line was understated by $11 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2007.  There is no impact on cash flows from operating activities or the total change in cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

A summary of the effects of the restatement on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007 is as follows:

   
For the three months ended February 28, 2007
(in thousands)
 
As previously reported
 
Adjustment
 
As restated
Interest expense
$
(243,969
)
$
(3,472
)
$
(247,441
)
Net interest income
 
20,904
   
(3,472
)
 
17,432
 
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
20,904
   
(3,472
)
 
17,432
 
Derivative cash settlements
 
40,970
   
3,472
   
44,442
 
Total non-interest income
 
43,283
   
3,472
   
46,755
 
Derivative forward value
 
(583
)
 
(3,606
)
 
(4,189
)
Total non-interest expense
 
(11,885
)
 
(3,606
)
 
(15,491
)
Income prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
52,302
   
(3,606
)
 
48,696
 
Income prior to minority interest
 
51,675
   
(3,606
)
 
48,069
 
Net income
 
52,241
   
(3,606
)
 
48,635
 

   
For the nine months ended February 28, 2007
 
(in thousands)
 
As previously reported
 
Adjustment
 
As restated
 
Interest expense
$
(741,685
)
$
(10,351
)
$
(752,036
)
Net interest income
 
48,121
   
(10,351
)
 
37,770
 
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
48,121
   
(10,351
)
 
37,770
 
Derivative cash settlements
 
65,839
   
10,351
   
76,190
 
Total non-interest income
 
74,768
   
10,351
   
85,119
 
Derivative forward value
 
(110,117
)
 
(10,662
)
 
(120,779
)
Total non-interest expense
 
(164,623
)
 
(10,662
)
 
(175,285
)
Loss prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
(41,734
)
 
(10,662
)
 
(52,396
)
Loss prior to minority interest
 
(41,161
)
 
(10,662
)
 
(51,823
)
Net loss
 
(39,917
)
 
(10,662
)
 
(50,579
)

 
13

 

(2)
Loans and Commitments

Loans outstanding to members and unadvanced commitments by loan type and by segment are summarized as follows:

 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
Loans
 
Unadvanced
 
Loans
 
Unadvanced
(in thousands)
Outstanding
 
Commitments (1)
 
Outstanding
 
Commitments (1)
Total by loan type (2):
                             
   Long-term fixed rate loans
$
14,851,196
   
$
-
   
$
14,663,340
   
$
-
 
   Long-term variable rate loans
 
1,978,068
     
5,577,717
     
1,993,534
     
5,703,313
 
   Loans guaranteed by RUS
 
251,135
     
491
     
255,903
     
491
 
   Short-term loans
 
1,580,813
     
7,416,504
     
1,215,430
     
7,200,156
 
Total loans outstanding
 
18,661,212
     
12,994,712
     
18,128,207
     
12,903,960
 
Deferred origination fees
 
4,227
     
-
     
3,666
     
-
 
Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
(497,260
)
   
-
     
(561,663
)
   
-
 
Net loans
$
18,168,179
   
$
12,994,712
   
$
17,570,210
   
$
12,903,960
 
                               
 Total by segment:
                             
National Rural:
                             
   Distribution
$
13,213,526
   
$
9,120,408
   
$
12,827,772
   
$
9,176,686
 
   Power supply
 
3,198,956
     
2,960,783
     
2,858,040
     
2,798,124
 
   Statewide and associate
 
104,258
     
129,415
     
119,478
     
139,156
 
National Rural total
 
16,516,740
     
12,210,606
     
15,805,290
     
12,113,966
 
RTFC
 
1,727,344
     
488,081
     
1,860,379
     
473,762
 
NCSC
 
417,128
     
296,025
     
462,538
     
316,232
 
  Total loans outstanding
$
18,661,212
   
$
12,994,712
   
$
18,128,207
   
$
12,903,960
 


 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
(in thousands)
Loans
 
Unadvanced
 
Loans
 
Unadvanced
Non-performing and restructured loans (2):
Outstanding
 
Commitments (1)
 
Outstanding
 
Commitments (1)
                               
Non-performing loans (3):
                             
RTFC:
                             
     Long-term fixed rate loans
$
219,853
   
$
-
   
$
212,984
   
$
-
 
     Long-term variable rate loans
 
253,480
     
2,160
     
261,081
     
-
 
     Short-term loans
 
31,042
     
-
     
27,799
     
418
 
       Total non-performing loans
$
504,375
   
$
2,160
   
$
501,864
   
$
418
 
                               
Restructured loans (3):
                             
National Rural:
                             
     Long-term fixed rate loans
$
52,420
   
$
-
   
$
52,420
   
$
-
 
     Long-term variable rate loans
 
526,365
     
186,673
     
544,697
     
186,673
 
     Short-term loans
 
-
     
12,500
     
-
     
12,500
 
       National Rural total restructured loans
 
578,785
     
199,173
     
597,117
     
199,173
 
RTFC:
                             
      Long-term fixed rate loans
 
5,710
     
-
     
6,188
     
-
 
        Total restructured loans
 
$
584,495
   
$
199,173
   
$
603,305
   
$
199,173
 
(1) Unadvanced loan commitments include loans for which loan contracts have been approved and executed, but funds have not been advanced.  Additional information may be required to assure that all conditions for advance of funds have been fully met and that there has been no material change in the member's condition as represented in the supporting documents.  Since commitments may expire without being fully drawn upon and a significant amount of the commitments are for standby liquidity purposes, the total unadvanced loan commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Collateral and security requirements for advances on commitments are identical to those on initial loan approval.  As the interest rate on unadvanced commitments is not set, long-term unadvanced loan commitments have been classified in this chart as variable rate unadvanced commitments.  However, at the time of the advance, the borrower may select a fixed or a variable rate.
(2) Included in total by loan type chart above.
(3) Loans are classified as long-term or short-term based on their original maturity.

Loan origination costs are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the interest method, over the life of the loan as a reduction to interest income.
 
Loan Security
The Company evaluates each borrower's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  It is generally the Company's policy to require collateral for long-term loans.  Such collateral usually consists of a first mortgage lien on the borrower's total system, including plant and equipment, and a pledge of future revenues.  The loan and security documents also contain various

 
14

 

provisions with respect to the mortgaging of the borrower's property and debt service coverage ratios, maintenance of adequate insurance coverage as well as certain other restrictive covenants.

The following tables summarize the Company's secured and unsecured loans outstanding by loan program and by segment
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
Total by loan program:
 
Secured
 
%
 
Unsecured
 
%
 
Secured
 
%
 
Unsecured
 
%
 
Long-term fixed rate loans
$
14,430,587
 
97%
$
420,609
 
3%
$
14,180,956
 
97%
$
482,384
 
3%
 
Long-term variable rate loans
 
1,837,562
 
93%
 
140,506
 
7%
 
1,865,821
 
94%
 
127,713
 
6%
 
Loans guaranteed by RUS
 
251,135
 
100%
 
-
 
-
 
255,903
 
100%
 
-
 
-
 
Short-term loans
 
164,613
 
10%
 
1,416,200
 
90%
 
191,231
 
16%
 
1,024,199
 
84%
 
  Total loans
$
16,683,897
 
89%
$
1,977,315
 
11%
$
16,493,911
 
91%
$
1,634,296
 
9%
                                   
 
Total by segment:
                               
 
National Rural
$
14,826,254
 
90%
$
1,690,486
 
10%
$
14,462,448
 
92%
$
1,342,842
 
8%
 
RTFC
 
1,497,634
 
87%
 
229,710
 
13%
 
1,630,079
 
88%
 
230,300
 
12%
 
NCSC
 
360,009
 
86%
 
57,119
 
14%
 
401,384
 
87%
 
61,154
 
13%
 
  Total loans
$
16,683,897
 
89%
$
1,977,315
 
11%
$
16,493,911
 
91%
$
1,634,296
 
9%
 
Pledging of Loans
As of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, distribution system mortgage notes related to outstanding long-term loans totaling $4,593 million and $5,797 million, respectively, and RUS guaranteed loans qualifying as permitted investments totaling $216 million and $219 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure National Rural's collateral trust bonds under the 1994 indenture totaling $4,015 million and $5,020 million, respectively.  Under the 2007 indenture, distribution system mortgage notes related to outstanding long-term loans totaling $935 million as of February 29, 2008 were pledged as collateral to secure National Rural's collateral trust bonds totaling $700 million.  In addition, $2 million of cash was pledged to secure $2 million of collateral trust bonds outstanding under the 1972 indenture at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.

As of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, distribution system mortgage notes totaling $577 million and $592 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure National Rural's notes to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") totaling $500 million.

In addition to the loans pledged as collateral at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had $3,204 million and $2,765 million, respectively, of mortgage notes on deposit with the trustee for the $2.5 billion and $2 billion, respectively, of notes payable to the Federal Financing Bank ("FFB") of the United States Treasury as part of the REDLG program (see Note 6).  The $2.5 billion of notes payable to the FFB contain a rating trigger related to the Company's senior secured credit ratings from Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. A rating trigger event exists if the Company's senior secured debt does not have at least two of the following ratings: (i) A- or higher from Standard & Poor's Corporation, (ii) A3 or higher from Moody's Investors Service, (iii) A- or higher from Fitch Ratings and (iv) an equivalent rating from a successor rating agency to any of the above rating agencies.  If the Company's senior secured credit ratings fall below the levels listed above, the mortgage notes on deposit at that time, which totaled $3,204 million at February 29, 2008, would be pledged as collateral rather than held on deposit.  At February 29, 2008, the Company’s senior secured debt ratings were above the rating trigger threshold.

A total of $1.5 billion of notes payable to the FFB has a second trigger event related to a financial expert to the Company's board of directors.  A rating trigger event will exist if the financial expert position (as defined by Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) remains vacant for more than 90 consecutive days.  If the Company does not satisfy the financial expert rating trigger, the mortgage notes on deposit at that time, which totaled $1,848 million at February 29, 2008, would be pledged as collateral rather than held on deposit.  The financial expert position on National Rural’s board of directors has been filled since March 2007.

(3)           Loan Securitizations

The Company accounts for the sale of loans in securitization transactions according to the provisions of SFAS 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, as amended.  The Company derecognizes financial assets when control has been surrendered.  The Company has no retained interest in securitized loans.  The Company services the loans in return for a market fee and therefore does not record a servicing asset or liability.  The Company recognizes the service fee on an accrual basis over the period for which servicing activity is provided.  Deferred transactions costs and unamortized deferred loan origination costs related to the loans sold are expensed as part of the calculation of the gain or loss on the sale.

 
15

 

On August 10, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to sell $74 million of distribution mortgage loans to Farmer Mac for $74 million.  The distribution mortgage loans were sold at 100% of the outstanding principal balance on that date.  A total of $40 million of the distribution mortgage loans were transferred on August 10, 2007 and the remaining $34 million were transferred on January 2, 2008.  The transaction qualifies for sale treatment under SFAS 140.

The Company recorded a loss on sale of loans totaling $0.7 million related to costs associated with the transaction and unamortized deferred loan origination costs for the loans sold.  The Company does not hold any continuing interest in the loans sold and has no obligation to repurchase loans from the purchaser.  The holders of the certificates of beneficial interest issued by the purchaser have no claim against the Company or any of the Company’s assets in the event of a default on the loans held by the purchaser.

The Company will service the loans for the purchaser in exchange for a fee of 30 basis points of the outstanding loan principal.  The Company considers the 30 basis point fee to be a market fee based on market quotes from other providers.  As a result, the Company has not recorded a servicing asset or liability.  The servicing fee has a payment priority over any other disbursement made by the trust holding the assets.

During the three and nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in servicing fees on all loan securitization transactions.

(4)         Foreclosed Assets

Assets received in satisfaction of loan receivables are recorded at the lower of cost or market and classified on the consolidated balance sheets as foreclosed assets.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the balance of foreclosed assets included real estate developer notes receivable and limited partnership interests in certain real estate developments.

At February 29, 2008, the Company determined that there was a reduction of $6 million to the market value of one of the land development loans held as a foreclosed asset.  The reduction to the market value was primarily as a result of the slow down in lot sales due to residential home market weakness.

The activity for foreclosed assets is summarized below:

 
Nine months ended
 
Year ended
(in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
May 31, 2007
Beginning balance
$
66,329
   
$
120,889
   
$
120,889
 
Results of operations
 
6,217
     
7,887
     
9,758
 
Net cash provided by foreclosed assets
 
(9,055
)
   
(62,831
)
   
(63,831
)
Market adjustment
 
(5,840
)
   
-
     
-
 
Sale of foreclosed assets
 
-
     
(487
)
   
(487
)
     Ending balance of foreclosed assets
$
57,651
   
$
65,458
   
$
66,329
 

(5)         Short-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements

The following is a summary of short-term debt outstanding:
 
(in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
Short-term debt:
             
   Commercial paper sold through dealers, net of discounts
$
1,479,506
   
$
1,017,879
 
   Commercial paper sold directly to members, at par
 
1,113,316
     
1,383,090
 
   Commercial paper sold directly to non-members, at par
 
141,582
     
133,087
 
           Total commercial paper
 
2,734,404
     
2,534,056
 
   Daily liquidity fund sold directly to members, at par
 
297,759
     
250,563
 
   Bank bid notes
 
200,000
     
100,000
 
           Subtotal short-term debt
 
3,232,163
     
2,884,619
 
Long-term debt maturing within one year:
             
    Medium-term notes sold through dealers
 
595,748
     
133,801
 
    Medium-term notes sold to members
 
281,437
     
231,158
 
    Secured collateral trust bonds
 
1,824,993
     
999,560
 
    Secured notes payable
 
500,000
     
-
 
    Subordinated deferrable debt (1)
 
-
     
175,000
 
    Unsecured notes payable
 
4,788
     
2,985
 
           Total long-term debt maturing within one year
 
3,206,966
     
1,542,504
 
Total short-term debt
 
$
6,439,129
   
$
4,427,123
 
(1) Redeemed in June 2007.
               



















 
16

 

National Rural issues commercial paper for periods of one to 270 days.  National Rural also enters into short-term bank bid note agreements, which are unsecured obligations of National Rural and do not require backup bank lines for liquidity purposes.  Bank bid note facilities are uncommitted lines of credit for which National Rural does not pay a fee.  The commitments are generally subject to termination at the discretion of the individual banks.

Revolving Credit Agreements
The following is a summary of the amounts available under the Company's revolving credit agreements:
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
February 29,
2008
   
May 31,
2007
 
Termination
Date
 
Facility fee per
annum (1)
364-day agreement (2)
$
1,125,000
 
$
1,125,000
 
March 14, 2008
 
0.05 of 1%
Five-year agreement
 
1,125,000
   
1,125,000
 
March 16, 2012
 
0.06 of 1%
Five-year agreement
 
1,025,000
   
1,025,000
 
March 22, 2011
 
0.06 of 1%
  Total
 
$
3,275,000
 
$
3,275,000
       
(1) Facility fee determined by National Rural's senior unsecured credit ratings based on the pricing schedules put in place at the initiation of the related agreement.
(2) Any amount outstanding under these agreements may be converted to a one-year term loan at the end of the revolving credit periods.  If converted to a term loan, the fee on the outstanding principal amount of the term loan is 0.10 of 1% per annum.

Upfront fees of between 0.03 and 0.05 of 1% were paid to the banks based on their commitment level to the five-year agreements in place at February 29, 2008, totaling in aggregate $1 million, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreements.  No upfront fees were paid to the banks for their commitment to the 364-day facility.  Each agreement contains a provision under which if borrowings exceed 50% of total commitments, a utilization fee must be paid on the outstanding balance.  The utilization fees are 0.05 of 1% for all three agreements in place at February 29, 2008.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and conditions under its revolving credit agreements in place at that time and there were no borrowings outstanding under such agreements.

For the purpose of calculating the required financial covenants contained in its revolving credit agreements, the Company adjusts net income, senior debt and total equity to exclude the non-cash adjustments related to SFAS 133 and SFAS 52, Foreign Currency Translation.  The adjusted times interest earned ratio ("TIER"), as defined by the agreements, represents the interest expense adjusted to include the derivative cash settlements, plus minority interest net income, plus net income prior to the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and dividing that total by the interest expense adjusted to include the derivative cash settlements.  In addition to the non-cash adjustments related to SFAS 133 and 52, senior debt also excludes RUS guaranteed loans, subordinated deferrable debt, members' subordinated certificates and minority interest.  Total equity is adjusted to include subordinated deferrable debt, members' subordinated certificates and minority interest.  Senior debt includes guarantees; however, it excludes:
·  
guarantees for members where the long-term unsecured debt of the member is rated at least BBB+ by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Baa1 by Moody's Investors Service; and
·  
the payment of principal and interest by the member on the guaranteed indebtedness if covered by insurance or reinsurance provided by an insurer having an insurance financial strength rating of AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation or a financial strength rating of Aaa by Moody's Investors Service.

The following represents the Company's required and actual financial ratios under the revolving credit agreements at or for the periods ended February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007:
 
Actual
 
Requirement
 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
Minimum average adjusted TIER over the six most recent fiscal quarters
1.025
 
1.16
 
1.09
 
Minimum adjusted TIER at fiscal year end (1)
1.05
 
1.12
 
1.12
 
Maximum ratio of senior debt to total equity
 
10.00
 
7.26
 
6.65
 
(1) The Company must meet this requirement in order to retire patronage capital.  The adjusted TIER reported at February 29, 2008 is the amount from the prior year end, the last measurement date for this ratio.

The revolving credit agreements do not contain a material adverse change clause or ratings triggers that limit the banks' obligations to fund under the terms of the agreements, but National Rural must be in compliance with their other requirements, including financial ratios, in order to draw down on the facilities.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the 364-day revolving credit agreement in place at February 29, 2008 totaling $1,125 million was replaced on March 14, 2008 with a new 364-day agreement totaling $1,500 million expiring on March 13, 2009.  Any amount outstanding under the new 364-day agreement may be converted to a one-year term loan at the end of the revolving credit period with a 0.10 of 1% per annum fee on the outstanding principal amount of the term loan.  The facility fee for the 364-day facility is 0.05 of 1% per annum based on the pricing schedule in place at March 14, 2008.  Upfront fees of $147,000 were paid to the banks

 
17

 

based on their commitment level to the 364-day agreement.  The agreement contains a provision under which if borrowings exceed 50% of total commitments, a utilization fee of 0.05 of 1% must be paid on the outstanding balance.  National Rural's five-year agreement totaling $1,025 million is still in effect and expires on March 22, 2011.  National Rural's five-year agreement totaling $1,125 million is still in effect and expires on March 16, 2012.  The total committed credit available under these three current facilities was $3,650 million at March 14, 2008.

(6)         Long-Term Debt

The following is a summary of long-term debt outstanding:

(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
May 31,
2007
Unsecured long-term debt:
             
   Medium-term notes, sold through dealers
$
4,216,284
   
$
4,676,176
 
   Medium-term notes, sold directly to members
 
76,632
     
76,464
 
         Subtotal
 
4,292,916
     
4,752,640
 
   Unamortized discount
 
(5,984
)
   
(7,408
)
         Total unsecured medium-term notes
 
4,286,932
     
4,745,232
 
               
   Unsecured notes payable
 
2,559,612
     
2,032,630
 
Total unsecured long-term debt
 
6,846,544
     
6,777,862
 
               
Secured long-term debt:
             
   Collateral trust bonds
 
2,891,927
     
4,021,953
 
   Unamortized discount
 
(5,569
)
   
(4,596
)
         Total secured collateral trust bonds
 
2,886,358
     
4,017,357
 
               
   Secured notes payable
 
-
     
500,000
 
Total secured long-term debt
 
2,886,358
     
4,517,357
 
         Total long-term debt
$
9,732,902
   
$
11,295,219
 

Medium-term notes are unsecured obligations of National Rural.  Collateral trust bonds are secured by the pledge of mortgage notes or eligible securities in an amount at least equal to the principal balance of the bonds outstanding.  See Note 2 for additional information on the collateral pledged to secure the Company's collateral trust bonds.

Unsecured Notes Payable
At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had outstanding a total of $2.5 billion and $2 billion, respectively, under a bond purchase agreement with the FFB and a bond guarantee agreement with RUS as part of the funding mechanism for the REDLG program.  On August 7, 2007, National Rural received the advance of the remaining $500 million under the REDLG program.  The $500 million advance has a July 2027 maturity date.  As part of the REDLG program, National Rural will pay to RUS a fee of 30 basis points per annum on the total amount borrowed.  At February 29, 2008, the $2.5 billion of unsecured notes payable issued as part of the REDLG program require National Rural to place on deposit mortgage notes in an amount at least equal to the principal balance of the notes outstanding.  See Note 2 for additional information on the mortgage notes held on deposit.

Secured Notes Payable
At May 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding a total of $500 million of 4.656% notes to Farmer Mac due in 2008.  See Note 2 for additional information on the collateral pledged to secure the Company's notes payable.  Based on the July 29, 2008 maturity, this debt was reclassified to short-term debt during the quarter ended August 31, 2007.

(7)         Subordinated Deferrable Debt

The following table is a summary of subordinated deferrable debt outstanding:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
May 31,
2007
6.75% due 2043 (1)
$
125,000
   
$
125,000
 
6.10% due 2044 (2)
 
88,201
     
88,201
 
5.95% due 2045 (3)
 
98,239
     
98,239
 
Total
 
$
311,440
   
$
311,440
 

(1) The 6.75% subordinated deferrable securities due 2043 are callable by the Company at par starting on February 15, 2008.
(2) The 6.10% subordinated deferrable securities due 2044 are callable by the Company at par starting on February 1, 2009.
(3) The 5.95% subordinated deferrable securities due 2045 are callable by the Company at par starting on February 15, 2010.

 
18

 

(8)         Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is neither a dealer nor a trader in derivative financial instruments.  The Company utilizes derivatives such as interest rate and cross currency interest rate exchange agreements to mitigate interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk.

Consistent with SFAS 133, as amended, the Company records derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in the derivative forward value line item of the consolidated statement of operations unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.  Net settlements paid and received for derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest expense.  Net settlements related to derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded as derivative cash settlements in the consolidated statement of operations.  The Company formally documents, designates, and assesses the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.

Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
Generally, the Company's interest rate exchange agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company did not have any interest rate exchange agreements that were accounted for using hedge accounting.

The Company was a party to the following interest rate exchange agreements:

   
Notional Amounts Outstanding
(in thousands)
 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
Pay fixed and receive variable
$
7,700,865
$
7,276,473
Pay variable and receive fixed
 
5,256,440
 
5,256,440
       Total interest rate exchange agreements
$
12,957,305
$
12,532,913

The Company classifies cash activity associated with derivatives as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Interest rate exchange agreements had the following impact on the Company:

   
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
(in thousands)
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007

Statement of Operations Impact
                               
Agreements that do not qualify for hedge accounting:
                               
   Derivative cash settlements
 
$
10,463
   
$
41,527
   
$
30,299
   
$
67,529
 
   Derivative forward value
   
(64,266
)
   
(770
)
   
(173,278
)
   
(127,318
)
        Total (loss) gain on interest rate exchange agreements
 
$
(53,803
)
 
$
40,757
   
$
(142,979
)
 
$
(59,789
)
                                 
Comprehensive Income Impact
                               
  Amortization of transition adjustment
 
$
(256
)
 
$
(251
)
 
$
(587
)
 
$
(753
)
        Total comprehensive loss
 
$
(256
)
 
$
(251
)
 
$
(587
)
 
$
(753
)
                                 

A transition adjustment of $62 million was recorded as an other comprehensive loss on June 1, 2001, the date the Company implemented SFAS 133.  The transition adjustment will be amortized into earnings over the remaining life of the related interest rate exchange agreements.  Approximately $0.8 million of the transition adjustment is expected to be amortized to income over the next twelve months and will continue through April 2029.

Cross Currency Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
There were no cross currency interest rate exchange agreements outstanding at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.  As of February 28, 2007, the Company was a party to cross currency interest rate exchange agreements with a total notional amount of $434 million related to medium-term notes denominated in foreign currencies in which the Company received Euros and paid U.S. dollars.  These cross currency interest rate exchange agreements did not qualify for hedge accounting.  Generally, the Company’s cross currency interest rate exchange agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133.

 
19

 


Cross currency interest rate exchange agreements had the following impact on the Company:

   
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
(in thousands)
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007

Statement of Operations Impact
                               
Agreements that do not qualify for hedge accounting
                               
   Derivative cash settlements
 
$
-
   
$
2,915
   
$
-
   
$
8,661
 
   Derivative forward value
   
-
     
(3,419
)
   
-
     
6,539
 
        Total (loss) gain on interest rate exchange agreements
 
$
-
   
$
(504
)
 
$
-
   
$
15,200
 
                                 
Rating Triggers
The Company has certain interest rate exchange agreements that contain a provision called a rating trigger.  Under a rating trigger, if the credit rating for either counterparty falls to the level specified in the agreement, the other counterparty may, but is not obligated to, terminate the agreement.  If either counterparty terminates the agreement, a net payment may be due from one counterparty to the other based on the fair value of the underlying derivative instrument.  Rating triggers are not separate financial instruments and are not separate derivatives under SFAS 133.  The rating triggers contained in certain of the Company's derivative contracts are based on its senior unsecured credit rating from Standard & Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investors Service.

At February 29, 2008, the Company had the following notional amount and fair values associated with exchange agreements that contain rating triggers.  For the purpose of the presentation, the Company has grouped the rating triggers into two categories, (1) ratings from Moody's Investors Service falls to Baa1 or from Standard & Poor's Corporation falls to BBB+ and (2) ratings from Moody's Investors Service falls below Baa1 or from Standard & Poor's Corporation falls below BBB+.

(in thousands)
   
Notional
Amount
     
Required Company Payment
     
Amount Company Would Collect
     
Net
Total
 
Rating Level:
                               
Fall to Baa1/BBB+
 
$
1,739,419
   
$
 (45,283)
   
$
82,534
   
$
37,251
 
Fall below Baa1/BBB+
   
7,183,620
     
(203,636)
     
136,855
     
(66,781
)
Total
 
$
8,923,039
   
$
(248,919)
   
$
219,389
   
$
(29,530
)
                                 
Additionally, if ratings from Moody's Investors Service fall below Baa2 or from Standard & Poor's Corporation fall below BBB, the Company would be required to pledge collateral equal to the net obligation, or net fair value, of the related exchange agreements due to the affected counterparty, if any.  At February 29, 2008, the net obligation totaled $18 million for the $718 million notional amount of exchange agreements subject to this rating trigger.

(9)         Members' Subordinated Certificates

Membership Subordinated Certificates
National Rural's members are required to purchase membership certificates as a condition of membership.  Such certificates are interest-bearing, unsecured, subordinated debt of National Rural.  Members may purchase the certificates over time as a percentage of the amount they borrow from National Rural.  RTFC and NCSC members are not required to purchase membership certificates as a condition of membership.  National Rural membership certificates typically have an original maturity of 100 years and pay interest at 5% semi-annually.  The weighted average maturity for all membership subordinated certificates outstanding at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 was 68 years and 69 years, respectively.

Loan and Guarantee Subordinated Certificates
Members obtaining long-term loans, certain short-term loans or guarantees are generally required to purchase additional loan or guarantee subordinated certificates with each such loan or guarantee based on the members' debt to equity ratio with National Rural.  These certificates are unsecured, subordinated debt of the Company.

Certificates currently purchased in conjunction with long-term loans are generally non-interest bearing.  National Rural's policy regarding the purchase of loan subordinated certificates requires members with a debt to equity ratio with National Rural in excess of the limit in the policy to purchase a non-amortizing/non-interest bearing subordinated certificate in the amount of 2% for distribution systems and 7% for power supply systems.  National Rural associates and RTFC members are required to purchase loan subordinated certificates of 10% of each long-term loan advance.  For non-standard credit facilities, the borrower is required to purchase interest bearing certificates in amounts determined appropriate by National Rural based on the circumstances of the transaction.

 
20

 

The maturity dates and the interest rates payable on guarantee subordinated certificates purchased in conjunction with National Rural's guarantee program vary in accordance with applicable National Rural policy.  Members may be required to purchase non-interest-bearing debt service reserve subordinated certificates in connection with National Rural's guarantee of long-term tax-exempt bonds (see Note 12).  National Rural pledges proceeds from the sale of such certificates to the debt service reserve fund established in connection with the bond issue and any earnings from the investments of the fund inure solely to the benefit of the members for whom the bonds are issued.  These certificates have varying maturities not exceeding the longest maturity of the guaranteed obligation.

(10)           Minority Interest

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company reported minority interests of $12 million and $22 million, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.  Minority interest represents 100% of RTFC and NCSC equity as the members of RTFC and NCSC own or control 100% of the interest in their respective companies.  
 
During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, NCSC’s net loss of $10.1 million exceeded its equity balance by $1.6 million, which eliminated the minority interest equity in NCSC.  In accordance with ARB 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, National Rural is required to absorb the $1.6 million NCSC excess loss.  NCSC’s losses during the nine months ended February 29, 2008 were primarily due to its $18 million in derivative forward value losses.  NCSC’s equity balance included in minority interest on the consolidated balance sheets was $8.6 million at May 31, 2007.

Minority interest at February 29, 2008 also decreased due to the retirement of $2 million of patronage capital to RTFC members in January 2008.

(11)           Equity

National Rural is required by the District of Columbia cooperative law to have a methodology to allocate its net earnings to its members.  National Rural maintains the current year net earnings as unallocated through the end of its fiscal year.  Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, National Rural's board of directors allocates its net earnings to members in the form of patronage capital and to board approved reserves.  Currently, National Rural has two such board approved reserves, the education fund and the members' capital reserve.  National Rural allocates a small portion, less than 1%, of net earnings annually to the education fund.  The allocation to the education fund must be at least 0.25% of net earnings as required by National Rural's bylaws.  Funds from the education fund are disbursed annually to fund cooperative education in the service territories of each state.  The board of directors determines the amount of net earnings that is allocated to the members' capital reserve, if any.  The members' capital reserve represents earnings that are held by National Rural to increase equity retention.  The net earnings held in the members' capital reserve have not been allocated to any member, but may be allocated to individual members in the future as patronage capital if authorized by National Rural's board of directors.  All remaining net earnings are allocated to National Rural's members in the form of patronage capital.  National Rural bases the amount of net earnings allocated to each member on the members' patronage of the National Rural lending programs in the year that the net earnings were earned.  There is no impact on National Rural's total equity as a result of allocating net earnings to members in the form of patronage capital or to board approved reserves.  National Rural's board of directors has annually voted to retire a portion of the patronage capital allocated to members in prior years.  National Rural's total equity is reduced by the amount of patronage capital retired to members and by amounts disbursed from board approved reserves.  National Rural adjusts the net earnings it allocates to members and board approved reserves to exclude the non-cash impacts of SFAS 133 and 52.

In July 2007, National Rural's board of directors authorized the allocation of the fiscal year 2007 adjusted net earnings as follows: $1 million to the education fund and $104 million to members in the form of patronage capital.  The board of directors also authorized the allocation of $1 million to the members' capital reserve.  In July 2007, National Rural's board of directors authorized the retirement of allocated net earnings totaling $86 million, representing 70% of the fiscal year 2007 allocation and one-ninth of the fiscal years 1991, 1992 and 1993 allocated net earnings.  This amount was returned to members in cash in September 2007.  Future allocations and retirements of net earnings will be made annually as determined by National Rural's board of directors with due regard for National Rural's financial condition.  The board of directors for National Rural has the authority to change the policy for allocating and retiring net earnings at any time, subject to applicable cooperative law.

 
21

 

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, equity included the following components:

 
(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
May 31,
2007
Membership fees
$
994
   
$
997
 
Education fund
 
709
     
1,406
 
Members' capital reserve
 
158,348
     
158,308
 
Allocated net income
 
320,064
     
405,598
 
Unallocated net income (1)
 
113,440
     
(23
)
     Total members' equity
 
593,555
     
566,286
 
Prior years cumulative derivative forward
             
         value and foreign currency adjustments
 
131,551
     
225,849
 
Current period derivative forward value (2)
 
(155,394
)
   
(79,744
)
Current period foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
(14,554
)
     Total retained equity
 
569,712
     
697,837
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
11,617
     
12,204
 
     Total equity
 
$
581,329
   
$
710,041
 
(1) Excludes derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments.  Unallocated net income at February 29, 2008 includes National Rural’s obligation to absorb NCSC losses in excess of their equity balance totaling $1.6 million.
(2) Represents the derivative forward value loss recorded by National Rural for the period.

(12)         Guarantees

The Company guarantees certain contractual obligations of its members so that they may obtain various forms of financing.  With the exception of letters of credit, the underlying obligations may not be accelerated so long as the Company performs under its guarantee. At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company had recorded a guarantee liability totaling $14 million and $19 million, respectively, which represents the contingent and non-contingent exposure related to guarantees of members' debt obligations. The contingent guarantee liability at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 totaled $9 million and $13 million, respectively, based on management's estimate of exposure to losses within the guarantee portfolio. The Company uses factors such as internal risk rating, remaining term of guarantee, corporate bond default probabilities and estimated recovery rates in estimating its contingent exposure.  The remaining balance of the total guarantee liability of $5 million and $6 million, respectively, at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 relates to the Company's non-contingent obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of its guarantees that it has entered into or modified since January 1, 2003 in accordance with FIN No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirement for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34).  The non-contingent obligation is estimated based on guarantee fees collectible over the life of the guarantee.  The fees are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method into interest income over the term of the guarantees.

Activity in the guarantee liability account is summarized below:
   
For the nine months ended
   
Year ended
 
(in thousands)
 
February 29,
2008
   
February 28,
2007
   
May 31,
2007
 
Beginning balance
$
18,929
   
$
16,750
 
$
16,750
 
Net change in non-contingent liability
 
(971
)
   
1,527
   
3,879
 
(Recovery of) provision for contingent guarantee losses
 
(4,300
)
   
400
   
(1,700
)
Ending balance
$
13,658
   
$
18,677
 
$
18,929
 
                     
Liability as a percentage of total guarantees
 
1.29
%
   
1.58
%
 
1.76
%


 
22

 

The following chart summarizes total guarantees by type and segment:

(in thousands)
February 29, 2008
   
May 31, 2007
Total by type:
           
Long-term tax exempt bonds (1)
$
499,605
   
$
526,185
Indemnifications of tax benefit transfers (2)
 
97,393
     
107,741
Letters of credit (3)
 
381,436
     
365,766
Other guarantees (4)
 
80,415
     
74,682
          Total
$
1,058,849
   
$
1,074,374
             
Total by segment:
           
National Rural:
           
     Distribution
$
203,591
   
$
211,320
     Power supply
 
763,226
     
797,009
     Statewide and associate
 
23,655
     
25,359
          National Rural total
 
990,472
     
1,033,688
RTFC
 
260
     
-
NCSC
 
68,117
     
40,686
          Total
 
$
1,058,849
   
$
1,074,374
(1) The maturities for this type of guarantee run through 2037.  National Rural has guaranteed debt issued in connection with the construction or acquisition of pollution control, solid waste disposal, industrial development and electric distribution facilities. National Rural has unconditionally guaranteed to the holders or to trustees for the benefit of holders of these bonds the full principal, premium, if any, and interest on each bond when due.  National Rural has debt service reserve funds in the amount of $55 million at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 on deposit with the bond trustee that can only be used for the purpose of covering any deficiencies in the bond principal, premium or interest payments.  The member systems have agreed to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve funds for certain of these issues of bonds.  In the event of default by a system for non-payment of debt service, National Rural is obligated to pay any required amounts under its guarantees, which will prevent the acceleration of the bond issue.  The system is required to repay, on demand, any amount advanced by National Rural and interest thereon pursuant to the documents evidencing the system's reimbursement obligation.
Of the amounts shown above, $261 million and $277 million as of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively, are adjustable or floating/fixed rate bonds that may be converted to a fixed rate as specified in the indenture for each bond offering.  During the variable rate period (including at the time of conversion to a fixed rate), National Rural has unconditionally agreed to purchase bonds tendered or put for redemption if the remarketing agents have not previously sold such bonds to other purchasers.  National Rural's maximum potential exposure includes guaranteed principal and interest related to the bonds.  In addition to these tax-exempt bonds, National Rural was the guarantor, but not liquidity provider, for $224 million of tax-exempt bonds that were in the auction rate mode at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.  National Rural is unable to determine the maximum amount of interest that it could be required to pay related to the adjustable, floating and auction rate bonds.  As of February 29, 2008, National Rural's maximum potential exposure for the $15 million of fixed rate tax-exempt bonds is $22 million.  Many of these bonds have a call provision that in the event of a default would allow National Rural to trigger the call provision.  This would limit National Rural's exposure to future interest payments on these bonds.  National Rural's maximum potential exposure is secured by a mortgage lien on all of the system's assets and future revenues.  However, if the debt is accelerated because of a determination that the interest thereon is not tax-exempt, the system's obligation to reimburse National Rural for any guarantee payments will be treated as a long-term loan.
(2) The maturities for this type of guarantee run through 2015.  National Rural has unconditionally guaranteed to lessors certain indemnity payments, which may be required to be made by the lessees in connection with tax benefit transfers.  In the event of default by a system for non-payment of indemnity payments, National Rural is obligated to pay any required amounts under its guarantees, which will prevent the acceleration of the indemnity payments.  The member is required to repay any amount advanced by National Rural and interest thereon pursuant to the documents evidencing the system's reimbursement obligation.  The amounts shown represent National Rural's maximum potential exposure for guaranteed indemnity payments.  A member's obligation to reimburse National Rural for any guarantee payments would be treated as a long-term loan to the extent of any cash received by the member at the outset of the transaction.  This amount is secured by a mortgage lien on substantially all of the system's assets and future revenues.  The remainder would be treated as a short-term loan secured by a subordinated mortgage on substantially all of the member's property.  Due to changes in federal tax law, no further guarantees of this nature are anticipated.
(3) The maturities for this type of guarantee run through 2017.  Additionally, letters of credit totaling $6 million at February 29, 2008 have a term of one year and automatically extend for a period of one year unless the Company cancels the agreement within 120 days of maturity (in which case, the beneficiary may draw on the letter of credit).  The Company issues irrevocable letters of credit to support members' obligations to energy marketers and other third parties and to the Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service with issuance fees as may be determined from time to time.  Each letter of credit issued is supported by a reimbursement agreement with the member on whose behalf the letter of credit was issued.  In the event a beneficiary draws on a letter of credit, the agreement generally requires the member to reimburse the Company within one year from the date of the draw.  Interest would accrue from the date of the draw at the line of credit variable rate of interest in effect on such date.  The agreement also requires the member to pay, as applicable, a late payment charge and all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.  As of February 29, 2008, the Company's maximum potential exposure is $381 million, of which $239 million is secured.  When taking into consideration reimbursement obligation agreements that National Rural has in place with other lenders, National Rural's maximum potential exposure related to $49 million of letters of credit would be reduced to $14 million in the event of default.  Security provisions include a mortgage lien on substantially all of the system's assets, future revenues, and the system's commercial paper invested at the Company. In addition to the letters of credit listed in the table, under master letter of credit facilities, the Company may be required to issue up to an additional $402 million in letters of credit to third parties for the benefit of its members at February 29, 2008.  At May 31, 2007, this amount was $339 million.
(4) The maturities for this type of guarantee run through 2025.  National Rural provides other guarantees for its members.  In the event of default by a system for non-payment of the obligation, National Rural must pay any required amounts under its guarantees, which will prevent the acceleration of the obligation.  Such guarantees may be made on a secured or unsecured basis with guarantee fees set to cover National Rural's general and administrative expenses, a provision for losses and a reasonable margin.  The member is required to repay any amount advanced by National Rural and interest thereon pursuant to the documents evidencing the system's reimbursement obligation.  Of National Rural's maximum potential exposure for guaranteed principal and interest totaling $80 million at February 29, 2008, $3 million is secured by a mortgage lien on all of the system's assets and future revenues and the remaining $77 million is unsecured.

National Rural uses the same credit policies and monitoring procedures in providing guarantees as it does for loans and commitments.

 
23

 

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had a total of $219 million and $221 million of guarantees, respectively, representing 21% of total guarantees at each date under which its right of recovery from its members was not secured.

(13)           Restructured /Non-performing Loans and Contingencies

The Company had the following loans outstanding classified as non-performing and restructured:

(in thousands)
   
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
February 28, 2007
Non-performing loans
 
$
504,375
$
501,864
$
541,510
Restructured loans
   
584,495
 
603,305
 
609,570
     Total
 
$
1,088,870
$
1,105,169
$
1,151,080

(a) At February 29, 2008, May 31, 2007 and February 28, 2007, all loans classified as non-performing were on non-accrual status with respect to the recognition of interest income.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, $526 million and $545 million, respectively, of restructured loans were on non-accrual status with respect to the recognition of interest income.  At February 28, 2007, there were $551 million of restructured loans on non-accrual status.  A total of $1 million and $3 million of interest income was accrued on restructured loans during the three and nine months, respectively, ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.

Interest income was reduced as follows as a result of holding loans on non-accrual status:

 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
(in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
                               
Non-performing loans
$
8,166
   
$
10,297
   
$
25,893
   
$
31,200
 
Restructured loans
 
8,168
     
9,828
     
26,479
     
29,640
 
     Total
$
16,334
   
$
20,125
   
$
52,372
   
$
60,840
 
                               

(b) The Company classified $1,083 million and $1,099 million of loans as impaired pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - an Amendment of SFAS 5 and SFAS 15, as amended, at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.  The Company reserved $317 million and $397 million of the loan loss allowance for such impaired loans at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.  The amount included in the loan loss allowance for such loans was based on a comparison of the present value of the expected future cash flow associated with the loan discounted at the original contract interest rate and/or the estimated fair value of the collateral securing the loan to the recorded investment in the loan.  Impaired loans may be on accrual or non-accrual status with respect to the recognition of interest income based on a review of the terms of the restructure agreement and borrower performance.  The Company accrued a total of $1 million and $3 million of interest income on impaired loans for the three and nine months ended February 29, 2008, respectively.  The Company accrued a total of $1 million and $3 million of interest income on impaired loans for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007, respectively.  The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $1,088 million and $1,150 million, respectively.

The Company updates impairment calculations on a quarterly basis.  Since a borrower's original contract rate may include a variable rate component, calculated impairment could vary with changes to the Company's variable rate, independent of a borrower's underlying financial performance or condition.  In addition, the calculated impairment for a borrower will fluctuate based on changes to certain assumptions.  Changes to assumptions include, but are not limited to the following:

·  
court rulings,
·  
changes to collateral values, and
·  
changes to expected future cash flows both as to timing and amount.

(c) At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had a total of $526 million and $545 million, respectively, of restructured loans outstanding to Denton County Electric Cooperative, d/b/a CoServ Electric ("CoServ"), a large electric distribution cooperative located in Denton County, Texas, that provides retail electric service to residential and business customers.  All restructured loans have been on non-accrual status since January 1, 2001.  In addition, a total of $20 million was outstanding under the capital expenditure loan facility which was classified as a performing loan at both February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.  Total loans to CoServ at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 represented 2.8% and 2.9% respectively, of the Company's total loans and guarantees outstanding.

 
24

 

Under the terms of a bankruptcy settlement, National Rural restructured its loans to CoServ.  CoServ is scheduled to make quarterly payments to National Rural through December 2037.  As part of the restructuring, National Rural may be obligated to provide up to $204 million of senior secured capital expenditure loans to CoServ for electric distribution infrastructure through December 2012.  When CoServ requests capital expenditure loans from National Rural, these loans are provided at the standard terms offered to all borrowers and require debt service payments in addition to the quarterly payments that CoServ is required to make to National Rural.  As of February 29, 2008, a total of $20 million was outstanding to CoServ under this loan facility.  To date, CoServ has made all payments required under the restructure agreement and capital expenditure loan facility. Under the terms of the restructure agreement, CoServ has the option to prepay the loan for $415 million plus an interest payment true up on or after December 13, 2007 and for $405 million plus an interest payment true up on or after December 13, 2008.  National Rural has received no notice from CoServ that it intends to prepay the loan.

CoServ and National Rural have no claims related to any of the legal actions asserted prior to or during the bankruptcy proceedings.  National Rural's legal claim against CoServ is limited to CoServ's performance under the terms of the bankruptcy settlement.

Based on its analysis, the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for its exposure to CoServ at February 29, 2008.

(d) VarTec Telecom, Inc. ("VarTec") was a telecommunications company and RTFC borrower located in Dallas, Texas.  The Company was VarTec's principal senior secured creditor.

VarTec and 16 of its U.S.-based affiliates, which were guarantors of VarTec's debt to RTFC, filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on November 1, 2004 in Dallas, Texas.  The cases were converted in 2006 to Chapter 7 proceedings, administered by a Chapter 7 trustee.

Non-performing loans at May 31, 2007 included $9 million to VarTec.  On June 4, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court approval of a settlement of litigation against the Company became final, pursuant to which (a) all claims against the Company were dismissed with prejudice and fully released, (b) a portion of the proceeds from the collateral that had been provisionally applied to the Company’s secured debt was reallocated to VarTec creditors, including the Company, and (c) an administrative debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing facility owed by the VarTec bankruptcy estates to the Company was reduced to $6 million.  The Company’s remaining DIP and unsecured claims will share in further recoveries by the bankruptcy estates.  As a result of the settlement of the litigation, the Company wrote off $44 million of pre-petition debt during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 and wrote off $17 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.

On December 26, 2007, the Company received $3 million, which is a share of the settlement proceeds from the VarTec estates’ litigation against certain former directors and officers.  At February 29, 2008, the Company had a receivable for $3 million, which has a payment priority from the bankruptcy estates; in addition, the Company will share in recoveries that are in excess of the amount required to repay the DIP financing and cover expenses of the estates.

(e) Innovative Communication Corporation ("ICC") is a diversified telecommunications company and RTFC borrower headquartered in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands ("USVI").  In the USVI, through its subsidiary Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation d/b/a Innovative Telephone ("Vitelco"), ICC provides cellular, wireline local and long-distance telephone, cable television, and Internet access services.  Through other subsidiaries, ICC provides telecommunications, cable television, and Internet access services in the eastern and southern Caribbean and mainland France.

As of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, RTFC had $498 million and $493 million, respectively, in loans outstanding to ICC.  Loans outstanding to ICC continue to increase due to accrued legal costs associated with ongoing litigation to recover the outstanding loan balance.  All loans to ICC have been on non-accrual status since February 1, 2005.  ICC has not made debt service payments to the Company since June 2005.

RTFC is the primary secured lender to ICC.  RTFC's collateral for the loans includes (i) a series of mortgages, security agreements, financing statements, pledges and guaranties creating liens in favor of RTFC on substantially all of the assets and voting stock of ICC, (ii) a direct pledge of 100% of the voting stock of ICC's USVI local exchange carrier subsidiary, Vitelco, (iii) secured guaranties, mortgages and direct and indirect stock pledges encumbering the assets and ownership interests in substantially all of ICC's other operating subsidiaries and certain of its parent entities, including ICC's immediate parent, Emerging Communication, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Emcom") and Emcom's parent, Innovative Communication Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("ICC-LLC"), and (iv) a personal guaranty of the loans from ICC's indirect majority shareholder and chairman, Jeffrey Prosser ("Prosser").

Beginning on June 1, 2004, RTFC filed a series of lawsuits against ICC, Prosser and others for failure to comply with the terms of ICC's loan agreement with RTFC dated August 27, 2001 as amended on April 4, 2003 (hereinafter, the "RTFC Lawsuits").  In response to the RTFC Lawsuits, ICC, Vitelco and Prosser denied liability and asserted claims, by way of

 
25

 

counterclaim and by filing its own lawsuits against RTFC, National Rural and certain of RTFC's officers, seeking various remedies, including reformation of the loan agreement, injunctive relief, and damages.  The remedies were based on various theories including a claim that RTFC breached an alleged funding obligation for the settlement of litigation brought by Emcom shareholders (the "Greenlight Entities") against ICC-LLC, ICC and some of ICC's directors, and a claim that Emcom and ICC-LLC were entitled to contribution from RTFC and National Rural in connection with judgments that the Greenlight Entities had been awarded (the "ICC Claims," together with the RTFC Lawsuits, the "Loan Litigation").  Venue of the Loan Litigation ultimately was fixed in the United States District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands.

On February 10, 2006, Greenlight filed petitions for involuntary bankruptcy against Prosser, Emcom and ICC-LLC in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, later transferred to the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands, Bankruptcy Division.  RTFC appeared in the proceedings as a party-in-interest in accordance with the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

On April 26, 2006, RTFC reached a settlement of the Loan Litigation with ICC, Vitelco, ICC-LLC, Emcom, their directors and Prosser, individually.  Under the settlement, RTFC obtained entry of judgments in the District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands against ICC for approximately $525 million and Prosser for approximately $100 million.  RTFC also obtained dismissals with prejudice of all counterclaims, affirmative defenses and other lawsuits alleging wrongful acts by RTFC, certain of its officers, and National Rural. Various parties also reached agreement for ICC to satisfy the RTFC judgments in the third quarter of calendar year 2006, subject to certain terms and conditions, however, on July 31, 2006, certain of the parties obligated to satisfy the RTFC judgments under the agreement filed voluntary bankruptcy proceedings, as described below, in order to obtain additional time to satisfy the judgments.

On July 31, 2006, ICC-LLC, Emcom and Prosser, individually, each filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, now pending  in the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas and St. John, Bankruptcy Division.  Each of the debtors is obligated to RTFC for certain obligations of ICC, including court judgments.  On February 13, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee for the ICC-LLC and Emcom bankruptcy estates and an examiner for Prosser’s bankruptcy estate.

On August 2, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order declaring that the debtors could not satisfy the RTFC judgments at a discount.  Prosser, individually, has filed a notice of appeal of the order; none of the other debtors has sought review of the order.

On September 7, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the Chapter 11 trustee for the Emcom bankruptcy estate to exercise control over the common stock of ICC, including authority to vote the stock to, among other things, facilitate a refinancing or sale of ICC and its assets.

On September 21, 2007, the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands, Bankruptcy Division, in response to an involuntary petition filed by the Greenlight Entities, entered an order for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code thereby placing ICC in its own bankruptcy proceeding.  In response to a motion by RTFC, the Bankruptcy Court ordered appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee on October 3, 2007.  Certain parties have moved for reconsideration of and/or appealed one or more orders of the Bankruptcy Court and have requested a stay pending ruling by the District Court.  RTFC believes both that the moving parties have no standing and that the motions to reconsider and appeal have no merit.  Pending the appeal, the Chapter 11 trustee of ICC has assumed ownership and control of ICC, including its subsidiaries, and has begun to marshal RTFC collateral and other assets for disposition and eventual payment in respect of RTFC’s claims and the claims of other parties-in-interest.  On January 2, 2008, the Chapter 11 trustee of ICC filed a motion seeking authority to sell substantially all of ICC’s assets, including stock in ICC’s operating subsidiaries.  The Court has entered an order approving certain sale motions presented on February 1, 2008.

In response to a motion by the Greenlight Entities, joined by RTFC, the Bankruptcy Court converted Prosser’s individual Chapter 11 bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 liquidation on October 3, 2007.  Prosser has filed a notice of appeal of the conversion order.  RTFC believes that the appeal has no merit.  Pending the appeal, the Chapter 7 trustee has advised that he intends to marshal Prosser’s non-exempt assets for disposition and eventual payment in respect of creditor claims.  On December 3, 2007, the Chapter 7 trustee of Prosser’s estate filed a motion to approve sale procedures and for authority to sell Prosser’s controlling shares in the Virgin Islands Community Bank Corp.  The sale has closed, with net proceeds of approximately $2.2 million.

In most cases, the sale (as part of the reorganization process) of ICC or any of its subsidiaries engaged in a regulated telecommunications or cable television business, or of the regulated assets of ICC or its subsidiaries, will require the prior consent of the respective regulators in the United States (including the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission), the British Virgin Islands, France and its Caribbean territories, and the Netherlands Antilles.  In certain limited cases, only a post-transaction notification will be required.

 
26

 

Based on its analysis, the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for its exposure to ICC at February 29, 2008.

(f) Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc. ("Pioneer") is an electric distribution cooperative located in Greenville, Alabama.  Pioneer had also invested in a propane gas operation, which it has sold.  Pioneer has experienced deterioration in its financial condition as a result of losses in the gas operation.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had a total of $52 million in loans outstanding to Pioneer.  Pioneer was current with respect to all debt service payments at February 29, 2008.  All loans to Pioneer remain on accrual status with respect to the recognition of interest income.  National Rural is the principal creditor to Pioneer.

On March 9, 2006, National Rural and Pioneer agreed on the terms of a debt modification that resulted in the loans being classified as restructured.  Under the amended agreement, National Rural extended the maturity of the outstanding loans and granted a two-year deferral of principal payments.  In addition, National Rural agreed to make available a line of credit for general corporate purposes.  The restructured loans are secured by first liens on substantially all of the assets and revenues of Pioneer.

Based on its analysis, the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for its exposure to Pioneer at February 29, 2008.

(14)
Segment Information

The Company's consolidated financial statements include the financial results of National Rural, RTFC and NCSC.  Financial statements are produced for each of the three companies and are the primary reports that management reviews in evaluating performance.  The National Rural segment includes the consolidation of entities controlled by National Rural and created to hold foreclosed assets and effect loan securitization transactions and intercompany transaction elimination entries.  The segment presentation for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 reflect the operating results of each of the three companies as a separate segment.

National Rural is the sole lender to RTFC and the primary source of funding for NCSC.  NCSC also obtains funding from third parties with a National Rural guarantee.  Thus, National Rural takes all of the risk related to the funding of the loans to RTFC and NCSC, and in return, National Rural earns net interest income on the loans to RTFC and NCSC.

Pursuant to guarantee agreements, National Rural has agreed to indemnify RTFC and NCSC for loan losses, with the exception of the NCSC consumer loan program.  Thus, National Rural maintains the majority of the total consolidated loan loss allowance.  A small loan loss allowance is maintained by NCSC to cover its consumer loan exposure.

 
27

 

The following chart contains the consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and consolidating balance sheet information as of February 29, 2008.
 
(in thousands)
National Rural
 
RTFC
 
NCSC
 
Consolidated
Statement of Operations:
                             
Interest income
$
702,284
   
$
69,152
   
$
26,381
   
$
797,817
 
Interest expense
 
(633,472
)
   
(65,041
)
   
(22,297
)
   
(720,810
)
     Net interest income
 
68,812
     
4,111
     
4,084
     
77,007
 
Recovery of loan losses
 
47,777
     
-
     
123
     
47,900
 
     Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
116,589
     
4,111
     
4,207
     
124,907
 
 
Non-interest income:
                             
     Rental and other income
 
604
     
-
     
466
     
1,070
 
     Derivative cash settlements
 
30,572
     
-
     
(273
)
   
30,299
 
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
6,217
     
-
     
-
     
6,217
 
     Total non-interest income
 
37,393
     
-
     
193
     
37,586
 
 
Non-interest expense:
                             
     General and administrative expenses
 
(36,719
)
   
(3,792
)
   
(2,816
)
   
(43,327
)
     Recovery of guarantee liability
 
4,300
     
-
     
-
     
4,300
 
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
(5,840
)
   
-
     
-
     
(5,840
)
     Derivative forward value
 
(155,395
)
   
-
     
(17,883
)
   
(173,278
)
     Loss on sale of loans
 
(676
)
   
-
     
-
     
(676
)
     Total non-interest expense
 
(194,330
)
   
(3,792
)
   
(20,699
)
   
(218,821
)
   
(Loss) income prior to income taxes and minority
                             
interest
 
(40,348
)
   
319
     
(16,299
)
   
(56,328
)
Income taxes
 
-
     
(1
)
   
6,187
     
6,186
 
     Net (loss) income per segment reporting
$
(40,348
)
 
$
318
   
$
(10,112
)
 
$
(50,142
)
   
Reconciliation of net loss:
                             
Net loss per segment reporting
                       
$
(50,142
)
Minority interest, net of income taxes
                         
8,211
 
Net loss per consolidated statement of operations
                       
$
(41,931
)
   
Assets:
                             
Total loans
$
16,516,740
   
$
1,727,344
   
$
417,128
   
$
18,661,212
 
Deferred origination fees
 
4,227
     
-
     
-
     
4,227
 
   Less:  Allowance for loan losses
 
(496,891
)
   
-
     
(369
)
   
(497,260
)
Loans to members, net
 
16,024,076
     
1,727,344
     
416,759
     
18,168,179
 
Other assets
 
849,970
     
193,518
     
48,011
     
1,091,499
 
     Total assets
$
16,874,046
   
$
1,920,862
   
$
464,770
   
$
19,259,678
 
 

 
28

 

The following chart contains the consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 and consolidating balance sheet information at February 28, 2007.

(in thousands)
National Rural
 
RTFC
 
NCSC
 
Consolidated
 
Statement of Operations:
                               
Interest income
$
685,758
   
$
81,070
   
$
22,978
   
$
789,806
   
Interest expense
 
(656,005
)
   
(76,110
)
   
(19,921
)
   
(752,036
)
 
     Net interest income
 
29,753
     
4,960
     
3,057
     
37,770
   
                                 
Provision for loan losses
 
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
   
                                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
29,753
     
4,960
     
3,057
     
37,770
   
                                 
Non-interest income:
                               
     Rental and other income
 
570
     
-
     
472
     
1,042
   
     Derivative cash settlements
 
75,927
     
-
     
263
     
76,190
   
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
7,887
     
-
     
-
     
7,887
   
          Total non-interest income
 
84,384
     
-
     
735
     
85,119
   
                                 
Non-interest expense:
                               
     General and administrative expenses
 
(30,698
)
   
(4,007
)
   
(2,438
)
   
(37,143
)
 
     Provision for guarantee liability
 
(400
)
   
-
     
-
     
(400
)
 
     Derivative forward value
 
(116,654
)
   
-
     
(4,125
)
   
(120,779
)
 
     Foreign currency adjustments
 
(15,413
)
   
-
     
-
     
(15,413
)
 
     Loss on sale of loans
 
(1,550
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,550
)
 
     Total non-interest expense
 
(164,715
)
   
(4,007
)
   
(6,563
)
   
(175,285
)
 
                                 
(Loss) income prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
 
(50,578
 
)
   
 
953
     
 
(2,771
 
)
   
 
(52,396
 
)
 
Income taxes
 
-
     
(479
)
   
1,052
     
573
   
     Net (loss) income per segment reporting
$
(50,578
)
 
$
474
   
$
(1,719
)
 
$
(51,823
)
 
                                 
Reconciliation of net loss:
                               
Net loss per segment reporting
                       
$
(51,823
)
 
Minority interest
                         
1,244
   
Net loss per consolidated statement of operations
                       
$
(50,579
)
 
                                 
Assets:
                               
Loans to members
$
15,556,390
   
$
1,929,552
   
$
342,646
   
$
17,828,588
   
Deferred origination fees
 
3,353
     
-
     
-
     
3,353
   
   Less:  Allowance for loan losses
 
(610,778
)
   
-
     
(588
)
   
(611,366
)
 
Loans to members, net
 
14,948,965
     
1,929,552
     
342,058
     
17,220,575
   
Other assets
 
1,466,705
     
221,327
     
32,437
     
1,720,469
   
     Total assets
$
16,415,670
   
$
2,150,879
   
$
374,495
   
$
18,941,044
   


 
29

 


The following chart contains the consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended February 29, 2008.

(in thousands)
National Rural
 
RTFC
 
NCSC
 
Consolidated
Statement of Operations:
                             
Interest income
$
236,494
   
$
21,786
   
$
8,296
   
$
266,576
 
Interest expense
 
(206,308
)
   
(20,490
)
   
(6,670
)
   
(233,468
)
     Net interest income
 
30,186
     
1,296
     
1,626
     
33,108
 
                               
Recovery of loan losses
 
33,476
     
-
     
123
     
33,599
 
                               
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
63,662
     
1,296
     
1,749
     
66,707
 
                               
Non-interest income:
                             
     Rental and other income
 
215
     
-
     
152
     
367
 
     Derivative cash settlements
 
10,893
     
-
     
(430
)
   
10,463
 
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
2,401
     
-
     
-
     
2,401
 
     Total non-interest income
 
13,509
     
-
     
(278
)
   
13,231
 
                               
Non-interest expense:
                             
     General and administrative expenses
 
(12,865
)
   
(1,413
)
   
(982
)
   
(15,260
)
 Recovery of guarantee liability
 
1,000
     
-
     
-
     
1,000
 
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
(5,840
)
   
-
     
-
     
(5,840
)
     Derivative forward value
 
(58,048
)
   
-
     
(6,218
)
   
(64,266
)
     Loss on whole loan sale
 
(158
)
   
-
     
-
     
(158
)
     Total non-interest expense
 
(75,911
)
   
(1,413
)
   
(7,200
)
   
(84,524
)
                               
Income (loss) prior to income taxes and minority
interest
 
1,260
     
(117
)
   
(5,729
)
   
(4,586
)
Income taxes
 
-
     
-
     
2,175
     
2,175
 
     Net income (loss) per segment reporting
$
1,260
   
$
(117
)
 
$
(3,554
)
 
$
(2,411
)
                               
Reconciliation of net loss:
                             
Net loss per segment reporting
                       
$
(2,411
)
Minority interest
                         
2,088
 
Net loss per consolidated statement of operations
                       
$
(323
)

The following chart contains the consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended February 28, 2007.

(in thousands)
National Rural
 
RTFC
 
NCSC
 
Consolidated
 
Statement of Operations:
                               
Interest income
$
231,519
   
$
25,668
   
$
7,686
   
$
264,873
   
Interest expense
 
(217,047
)
   
(24,056
)
   
(6,338
)
   
(247,441
)
 
     Net interest income
 
14,472
     
1,612
     
1,348
     
17,432
   
                                 
Provision for loan losses
 
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
   
                                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
14,472
     
1,612
     
1,348
     
17,432
   
                                 
Non-interest income:
                               
     Rental and other income
 
263
     
-
     
154
     
417
   
     Derivative cash settlements
 
44,371
     
-
     
71
     
44,442
   
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
1,896
     
-
     
-
     
1,896
   
          Total non-interest income
 
46,530
     
-
     
225
     
46,755
   
                                 
Non-interest expense:
                               
     General and administrative expenses
 
(9,438
)
   
(1,467
)
   
(733
)
   
(11,638
)
 
     Provision for guarantee liability
 
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
   
     Derivative forward value
 
(3,264
)
   
-
     
(925
)
   
(4,189
)
 
     Foreign currency adjustments
 
1,886
     
-
     
-
     
1,886
   
     Loss on sale of loans
 
(1,550
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,550
)
 
     Total non-interest expense
 
(12,366
)
   
(1,467
)
   
(1,658
)
   
(15,491
)
 
                                 
Income (loss) prior to income taxes and minority
     interest
 
 
48,636
     
 
145
     
 
(85
 
)
   
 
48,696
   
Income taxes
 
-
     
(659
)
   
32
     
(627
)
 
     Net income (loss) per segment reporting
$
48,636
   
$
(514
)
 
$
(53
)
 
$
48,069
   
                                 
Reconciliation of net income:
                               
Net income per segment reporting
                       
$
48,069
   
Minority interest
                         
566
   
Net income per consolidated statement of operations
                       
$
48,635
   


 
30

 

(15)           Subsequent Events

In March 2008, the Company sold to Farmer Mac $400 million of floating rate debt due in 2013 and secured by the pledge of National Rural distribution system mortgage notes.




 
31

 

Item 2.               Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Unless stated otherwise, references to the Company relate to the consolidation of National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("National Rural" or "the Company"), Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative ("RTFC"), National Cooperative Services Corporation ("NCSC") and certain entities controlled by National Rural and created to hold foreclosed assets and effect loan securitization transactions.  The following discussion and analysis is designed to provide a better understanding of the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations and as such should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. National Rural refers to its financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") as "adjusted" throughout this document.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of why the Non-GAAP measures are useful and for a reconciliation to GAAP amounts.

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identified by our use of words such as "intend," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "continue," "potential," "opportunity," and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about loan growth, the adequacy of the loan loss allowance, net income growth, leverage and debt to equity ratios, and borrower financial performance are forward-looking statements.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause future results to vary from current expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, legislative changes, governmental monetary and fiscal policies, changes in tax policies, changes in interest rates, demand for our loan products, changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, and other economic and governmental factors affecting our operations.  Some of these and other factors are discussed in our annual and quarterly reports previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date on which the statement is made.

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, in addition to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007.

Restatement
Subsequent to the issuance of the May 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements, the Company’s management identified an error in the recording of interest expense on foreign denominated debt and the cash settlement income from foreign currency exchange agreements, as well as the related accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable.  The Company was using the agreed upon foreign exchange rate from the foreign currency exchange agreement rather than the average spot foreign currency exchange rate during the income statement period to convert the interest expense on the foreign denominated debt and foreign exchange agreement income to U.S. dollars.  The Company was also using the agreed upon foreign exchange rate from the foreign currency exchange agreement rather than the spot foreign currency exchange rate at the end of the balance sheet period to convert the accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable to U.S. dollars.  The interest expense on the foreign denominated debt and the cash settlement income from the foreign currency exchange agreement are equal and offsetting amounts, as the Company uses the amount received under the exchange agreement to pay the interest expense on the foreign denominated debt.  The amounts for the accrued interest payable and accrued interest receivable are also offsetting.  As a result of this error, interest expense and cash settlement income were understated by $3 million and $10 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007, respectively.  The Company subtracts the net accrual from the last settlement date on its derivatives at each period end in the calculation of the related fair value, so the error in the calculation of the income receivable on the foreign exchange agreements also impacted the fair value of the derivatives recorded as a derivative asset.  Thus, this correction also impacts the change in the fair value of the derivatives reported in the derivative forward value line on the consolidated statement of operations.  The derivative forward value loss line was understated by $4 million and $11 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007, respectively.  The net income line was overstated by $4 million for the three months ended February 28, 2007 and the net loss line was understated by $11 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2007.  There is no impact on cash flows from operating activities or the total change in cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

The Company has revised this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the effects of the restatement.

Overview
In this report the Company will provide analysis on its results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and market risk.  The Company will also provide analysis of trends and significant transactions completed in the period covered by the report.

 
32

 

The Company provides financial products to its rural electric and telecommunications members at a low cost in relation to the financial performance and strength required to maintain strong credit ratings.  The Company's access to the capital markets at levels that allow it to keep cost to the members low is dependent on maintaining strong credit ratings.  See page 57 for detail on the current ratings for the Company's public debt.

Financial Overview
Results of Operations
The Company uses a times interest earned ratio (“TIER”) instead of the dollar amount of net interest income or net income as its primary performance indicator, since its net income in dollar terms is subject to fluctuation as interest rates change.  TIER is a measure of the Company's ability to cover the interest expense on its debt obligations.  TIER is calculated by dividing the sum of interest expense and the net income (loss) prior to the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle by the interest expense.

For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company reported a net loss of $42 million compared to a net loss of $51 million for the prior year period; thus, the TIER calculation for both periods results in a value below 1.00.  For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company reported an adjusted net income of $123 million and adjusted TIER of 1.18, compared to an adjusted net income of $84 million and adjusted TIER of 1.12 for the prior year period.  The $39 million increase in the adjusted net income during the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was primarily due to the recovery of loan losses resulting from the decrease in calculated impairments due to lower variable rates and payments received on impaired loans.  We calculate adjusted net income by excluding the impact of derivatives and foreign currency adjustments and including minority interest.  We calculate adjusted TIER by using adjusted net income and including all derivative cash settlements in the interest expense.   See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information on the adjustments the Company makes to its financial results for the purposes of its own analysis and covenant compliance.

During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company's earnings were impacted by the level of loans on non-accrual status.  Holding loans on non-accrual status resulted in a reduction of $52 million and $61 million to reported interest income for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  During fiscal year 2008, the Company expects the outstanding balance on the current loans on non-accrual status to decrease due to loan write-offs and principal repayments.  The Company wrote off $17 million related to VarTec Telecom, Inc. (“VarTec”) during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.   In addition, it is expected that Denton County Electric Cooperative, Inc. d/b/a CoServ Electric (“CoServ”) will make scheduled quarterly payments totaling $25 million in fiscal year 2008, which will all be applied as a reduction to principal.

The reduction to the amount of loans on non-accrual status should result in an increase to the adjusted net interest income yield over the remainder of fiscal year 2008.  Changes to the Company's variable interest rates may mirror changes to the federal funds rate.  The calculated impairment on the Company's loans increases or decreases with the increases and decreases to the Company's variable interest rates.  Based on the current balance of impaired loans at February 29, 2008, an increase or decrease of 25 basis points to the Company's variable interest rates results in an increase or decrease of approximately $9 million, respectively, to the calculated impairment on loans irrespective of a change in the credit fundamentals of the impaired borrower.  On April 1, 2008, National Rural lowered variable interest rates by 40 basis points which will result in a reduction of approximately $15 million to the calculated impairment on loans.

Financial Condition
At February 29, 2008, the Company's total loans outstanding increased by $533 million or 3% from May 31, 2007.  At February 29, 2008, National Rural loans outstanding increased by $711 million, RTFC loans outstanding decreased by $133 million, and NCSC loans outstanding decreased by $45 million compared to May 31, 2007.  National Rural loans outstanding increased due to net advances of $785 million offset by the sale of $74 million of National Rural distribution loans at par in loan securitization transactions during the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  National Rural expects to continue such loan sales on a periodic basis.  RUS recently suspended a low-interest lending program for rural electric cooperatives seeking federal assistance to build new coal-fired power plants.  The lack of RUS funding for new coal-fired power plants contributed to an increase in National Rural’s power supply loans at February 29, 2008.  See further discussion in “Results of Operations”.

The Company expects that the balance of the loan portfolio will remain relatively stable during the remainder of fiscal year 2008.  Loans from the Federal Financing Bank ("FFB"), a division of the U.S. Treasury Department, with a Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) guarantee, represent a lower cost option for rural electric utilities compared to the Company.  The Company anticipates that the majority of its electric loan growth will come from distribution system borrowers that have fully prepaid their RUS loans and choose not to return to the government loan program, from distribution system borrowers that do not want to wait the 12 to 24 months it may take RUS to fund the loan, and from power supply systems.  The Company anticipates that the RTFC loan balance will continue to slowly decline due to long-term loan amortization, the strong liquidity position of rural telecommunication companies and a general slowdown in merger and acquisition activities.

 
33

 

On December 26, 2007, the President of the United States signed the Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which set the fiscal year 2008 RUS electric and telephone loan program levels.  Electric funding levels for fiscal year 2008 are $6.5 billion for FFB loans and $100 million for five percent loans.  Telephone funding levels for fiscal year 2008 are $145 million for five percent loans, $250 million for FFB loans, $295 million for treasury rate loans and $300 million for broadband loans.

During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, short-term debt increased by $2,012 million and long-term debt decreased by $1,562 million primarily due to an increase of $1,664 million to the amount of long-term debt that will mature in the next twelve months.  Holders of $2,140 million of the Company’s extendible debt elected not to extend the maturity during the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  As a result, $1,845 million of extendible debt was reclassified from long-term debt to short-term debt based on maturity dates ranging from August 2008 through February 2009.  The remaining $295 million of extendible debt will mature in fiscal year 2010.  Additionally, $500 million of secured notes payable was reclassified to short-term debt based on the July 2008 maturity of the debt.

The decrease in long-term debt was offset by the issuance of $700 million of 5.45% collateral trust bonds due 2018 in January 2008 and an additional $500 million borrowed under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (“REDLG”) program in August 2007.

Total equity decreased $129 million from May 31, 2007 to February 29, 2008 due to the board authorized patronage capital retirement totaling $86 million and a net loss of $42 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  Under GAAP, the Company's reported equity balance fluctuates based on the impact of future expected changes to interest rates on the fair value of its interest rate exchange agreements.  As a result, it is difficult to predict the future changes in the Company's reported GAAP equity due to the uncertainty of the movement in future interest rates.  In its internal analysis and for purposes of covenant compliance under its credit agreements, the Company adjusts equity to exclude the non-cash impacts of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities and SFAS 52, Foreign Currency Translation.

Liquidity
At February 29, 2008, the Company had $3,232 million of commercial paper, daily liquidity fund and bank bid notes and $3,207 million of medium-term notes, collateral trust bonds and long-term notes payable scheduled to mature during the next twelve months.  Members held commercial paper (including the daily liquidity fund) which totaled $1,411 million or approximately 47% of the total commercial paper outstanding at February 29, 2008.  Commercial paper issued through dealers and bank bid notes totaled $1,680 million and represented 9% of total debt outstanding at February 29, 2008.  The Company intends to maintain the balance of dealer commercial paper and bank bid notes at 15% or less of total debt outstanding during the remainder of fiscal year 2008.  During the next twelve months, the Company plans to refinance the $3,207 million of medium-term notes, collateral trust bonds and long-term notes payable and fund new loan growth by issuing a combination of commercial paper, medium-term notes, collateral trust bonds and other debt.

National Rural uses member loan repayments, capital market debt issuance, private debt issuance, member investments, and net income to fund its operations.  In addition, the Company maintains both short-term and long-term bank lines in the form of revolving credit agreements with its bank group.  Members pay a small membership fee and are typically required to purchase subordinated certificates as a condition to receiving a long-term loan advance and as a condition of membership.  National Rural has a need for funding to make loan advances to its members, to make interest payments on its public and private debt and to make payments of principal on its maturing debt.  To facilitate open access to the capital markets, National Rural is a regular issuer of debt, maintains strong credit ratings and has shelf registration statements on file with the SEC.  The Company qualifies as a well-known seasoned issuer under SEC rules.

At February 29, 2008, the Company was the guarantor and liquidity provider for $261 million of tax-exempt bonds issued for its member cooperatives.  A total of $133 million of such tax-exempt bonds were in flexible and weekly mode, which reprice every seven to thirty-five days.  A total of $51 million of such tax-exempt bonds reprice semi-annually.  A total of $77 million of such bonds were in unit price mode and reprice approximately every 30 days.  National Rural has not been required to purchase any of the bonds in its role as liquidity provider.  In addition to these tax-exempt bonds, National Rural was the guarantor, but not liquidity provider, for $224 million of tax-exempt bonds that were in the auction rate mode.  National Rural has not been required to perform under the guarantee of its members’ tax-exempt bonds.

New Accounting Pronouncements
On June 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments – an amendment of SFAS 133 and 140. SFAS 155 permits fair value measurement of any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. SFAS 155 also clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133. It establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. SFAS 155 also clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of

 
34

 

subordination are not embedded derivatives. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 155 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

On June 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets.  SFAS 156 requires the initial measurement of all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities at fair value and permits, but does not require, the subsequent measurement of servicing assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS 156 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 156 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

On June 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS 109.  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The Company’s adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under the standard, fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. SFAS 157 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company's adoption of SFAS 157 as of June 1, 2008 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The fair value option established by SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected should be reported in earnings. The decision to elect the fair value option is determined on an instrument by instrument basis and is irrevocable. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value pursuant to the fair value option should be reported separately in the balance sheet from those instruments measured using other measurement attributes. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  As part of the Company's adoption of SFAS 159 as of June 1, 2008, it does not plan to choose the option to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value and therefore the adoption of SFAS 159 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB 51.  This statement amends ARB 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also amends certain of ARB 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141, Business Combinations.  Noncontrolling interests shall be reclassified to equity, consolidated net income shall be adjusted to include net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and consolidated comprehensive income shall be adjusted to include comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests.  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 160 on June 1, 2009 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.  The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 161 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 
35

 


Results of Operations
Nine Months Ended February 29, 2008 versus February 28, 2007
The following chart presents the results of operations for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 versus February 28, 2007.

 
For the nine months ended
   
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
 2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Interest income
$
797,817
   
$
789,806
   
$
8,011
 
Interest expense
 
(720,810
)
   
(752,036
)
   
31,226
 
     Net interest income
 
77,007
     
37,770
     
39,237
 
Recovery of loan losses
 
47,900
     
-
     
47,900
 
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
124,907
     
37,770
     
87,137
 
Non-interest income:
                     
Rental and other income
 
1,070
     
1,042
     
28
 
Derivative cash settlements
 
30,299
     
76,190
     
(45,891
)
Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
6,217
     
7,887
     
(1,670
)
          Total non-interest income
 
37,586
     
85,119
     
(47,533
)
                       
Non-interest expense:
                     
     Salaries and employee benefits
 
(27,049
)
   
(25,222
)
   
(1,827
)
     Other general and administrative expenses
 
(16,278
)
   
(11,921
)
   
(4,357
)
     Recovery of guarantee liability
 
4,300
     
(400
)
   
4,700
 
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
(5,840
)
   
-
     
(5,840
)
     Derivative forward value
 
(173,278
)
   
(120,779
)
   
(52,499
)
     Foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
(15,413
)
   
15,413
 
     Loss on sale of loans
 
(676
)
   
(1,550
)
   
874
 
          Total non-interest expense
 
(218,821
)
   
(175,285
)
   
(43,536
)
                       
Loss prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
(56,328
)
   
(52,396
)
   
(3,932
)
                       
Income taxes
 
6,186
     
573
     
5,613
 
Minority interest, net of income taxes
 
8,211
     
1,244
     
6,967
 
Net loss
$
(41,931
)
 
$
(50,579
)
 
$
8,648
 
                       
TIER (1)
 
-
     
-
         
Adjusted TIER (2)
   
1.18
     
1.12
         
(1) For the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, the Company reported a net loss of $42 million and $51 million, respectively; thus, the TIER calculation results in a value below 1.00.
(2) Adjusted to exclude the impact of the derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments from net income, to include minority interest in net income and to include all derivative cash settlements in the interest expense.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of these adjustments.

 
36

 


The following chart summarizes the Company's operating results expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding.

   
For the nine months ended
   
   
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Interest income
 
5.82
%
   
5.79
%
   
0.03
%
 
Interest expense
 
(5.26
)%
   
(5.51
)%
   
0.25
%
 
     Net interest income
 
0.56
%
   
0.28
%
   
0.28
%
 
Recovery of loan losses
 
0.35
%
   
-
     
0.35
%
 
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
0.91
%
   
0.28
%
   
0.63
%
   
 
Non-interest income:
                     
 
Rental and other income
 
0.01
%
   
0.01
%
   
-
 
 
Derivative cash settlements
 
0.22
%
   
0.55
%
   
(0.33
)%
 
Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
0.04
%
   
0.06
%
   
(0.02
)%
 
Total non-interest income
 
0.27
%
   
0.62
%
   
(0.35
)%
                           
 
Non-interest expense:
                     
 
     Salaries and employee benefits
 
(0.20
)%
   
(0.18
)%
   
(0.02
)%
 
     Other general and administrative expenses
 
(0.12
)%
   
(0.09
)%
   
(0.03
)%
 
     Recovery of guarantee liability
 
0.03
%
   
-
     
0.03
%
 
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
(0.04
)%
   
-
     
(0.04
)%
 
     Derivative forward value
 
(1.26
)%
   
(0.89
)%
   
(0.37
)%
 
     Foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
(0.12
)%
   
0.12
%
 
     Loss on sale of loans
 
-
     
(0.01
)%
   
0.01
%
 
     Total non-interest expense
 
(1.59
)%
   
(1.29
)%
   
(0.30
)%
 
Loss prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
(0.41
)%
   
(0.39
)%
   
(0.02
)%
 
Income taxes
 
0.04
%
   
0.01
%
   
0.03
%
 
Minority interest, net of income taxes
 
0.06
%
   
0.01
%
   
0.05
%
 
     Net loss
 
(0.31
)%
   
(0.37
)%
   
0.06
%
                         
 
     Adjusted net interest income (1)
 
0.78
%
   
0.83
%
   
(0.05
)%
 
     Adjusted loss prior to income taxes and minority interest (2)
 
0.85
%
   
0.62
%
   
0.23
%
     
(1) Adjusted to include derivative cash settlements in the interest expense.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of these adjustments.
(2) Adjusted to exclude derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of these adjustments.

National Rural's net interest income will increase or decrease due to changes in loan volume and the rates that it receives on its loans and pays on its sources of funding.  National Rural's loan volume substantially determines its funding needs. The following Volume Rate Variance Table provides a breakout of the change to interest income, interest expense and net interest income due to changes in loan volume versus changes to interest rates.  For comparability purposes, average daily loan volume is used as the denominator in calculating interest income yield, interest expense rates and net interest income yield.

Management calculates an adjusted net interest expense, which includes all derivative cash settlements.  The following table also includes a breakout of the change to derivative cash settlements due to changes in the average notional amount of its derivative portfolio versus changes to the net difference between the average rate paid and the average rate received. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include all derivative cash settlements in its interest expense.


 
37

 


Volume Rate Variance Table
(Dollar amounts in millions)

   
For the nine months ended
     
   
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
Change due to
 
   
Average
Loan
 Balance
Income / (Cost)
Rate
 
Average
Loan
Balance
Income / (Cost)
Rate
 
Volume (1)
Rate (2)
Total
 
   
Interest income
                                             
   
National Rural
$
15,991
$
702
 
5.85
%
 
$
15,832
$
686
 
5.79
%
 
$
9
 
$
7
 
$
16
 
   
RTFC
 
1,810
 
69
 
5.09
%
   
2,018
 
81
 
5.37
%
   
(8
)
 
(4
)
 
(12
)
   
NCSC
 
453
 
27
 
7.75
%
   
385
 
23
 
7.97
%
   
4
   
-
   
4
 
   
Total
$
18,254
$
798
 
5.82
%
 
$
18,235
$
790
 
5.79
%
 
$
5
 
$
3
 
$
8
 
                                                       
   
Interest expense
                                                 
   
National Rural
$
15,991
$
(633
)
(5.28
)%
 
$
15,832
$
(656
)
(5.54
)%
 
$
(9
)
$
32
 
$
23
 
   
RTFC
 
1,810
 
(65
)
(4.79
)%
   
2,018
 
(76
)
(5.04
)%
   
8
   
3
   
11
 
   
NCSC
 
453
 
(23
)
(6.55
)%
   
385
 
(20
)
(6.91
)%
   
(4
)
 
1
   
(3
)
   
Total
$
18,254
$
(721
)
(5.26
)%
 
$
18,235
$
(752
)
(5.51
)%
 
$
(5
)
$
36
 
$
31
 
                                                       
   
Net interest income
                                             
   
National Rural
$
15,991
$
69
 
0.57
%
 
$
15,832
$
30
 
0.25
%
 
$
-
 
$
39
 
$
39
 
   
RTFC
 
1,810
 
4
 
0.30
%
   
2,018
 
5
 
0.33
%
   
-
   
(1
)
 
(1
)
   
NCSC
 
453
 
4
 
1.20
%
   
385
 
3
 
1.06
%
   
-
   
1
   
1
 
   
Total
$
18,254
$
77
 
0.56
%
 
$
18,235
$
38
 
0.28
%
 
$
-
 
$
39
 
$
39
 
                                                       
   
Derivative cash settlements (3)
                                           
   
National Rural
$
12,888
$
30
 
0.31
%
 
$
12,635
$
76
 
0.80
%
 
$
1
 
$
(47
)
$
(46
)
   
NCSC
 
206
 
-
 
-
     
93
 
-
 
-
     
1
   
(1
)
 
-
 
   
Total
$
13,094
$
30
 
0.31
%
 
$
12,728
$
76
 
0.80
%
 
$
2
 
$
(48
)
$
(46
)
                                                       
   
Adjusted interest expense (4)
                                             
   
Total
$
18,254
$
(691
)
(5.04
)%
 
$
18,235
$
(676
)
(4.96
)%
 
$
(3
)
$
(12
)
$
(15
)
         
(1) Variance due to volume is calculated using the following formula: [(current period average balance - prior year period average balance) x prior year period average rate].
(2) Variance due to rate is calculated using the following formula: [(current period average rate - prior year period average rate) x current period average balance].
(3) For derivative cash settlements, average loan balance represents the average notional amount of derivative contracts outstanding and the rate represents the net difference between the average rate paid and the average rate received for cash settlements during the period.
(4) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include the derivative cash settlements in its interest expense.

Interest Income
Total interest income reported on the consolidated statements of operations and shown in the chart above is summarized as follows by income type and as a percentage of average loans outstanding:
 
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Rate
     
Amount
 
Rate
 
Increase/ (Decrease)
Interest on long-term fixed rate loans (1)
$
649,860
       
$
619,889
     
$
29,971
 
Interest on long-term variable rate loans (1)
 
68,024
         
90,199
       
(22,175
)
Interest on short-term loans (1)
 
59,816
         
53,691
       
6,125
 
     Total interest income on loans
 
777,700
 
5.67
%
   
763,779
 
5.60
%
 
13,921
 
Interest on investments (2)
 
6,668
 
0.05
%
   
6,075
 
0.04
%
 
593
 
Conversion fees (3)
 
5,096
 
0.04
%
   
7,366
 
0.06
%
 
(2,270
)
Make-whole and prepayment fees (4)
 
2,287
 
0.02
%
   
4,193
 
0.03
%
 
(1,906
)
Commitment and guarantee fees (5)
 
3,742
 
0.03
%
   
7,127
 
0.05
%
 
(3,385
)
Other fees
 
2,324
 
0.01
%
   
1,266
 
0.01
%
 
1,058
 
     Total interest income
 
$
797,817
 
5.82
%
 
$
789,806
 
5.79
%
$
8,011
 
 
 
38

 

(1) Represents interest income on loans to members.
(2) Represents interest income on the investment of cash.
(3) Conversion fees are deferred and recognized using the interest method over the remaining original loan interest rate pricing term, except for a small portion of the total fee charged to cover administrative costs related to the conversion which is recognized immediately.
(4) Make-whole and prepayment fees are charged for the early repayment of principal and are recognized when collected.
(5) Commitment fees for RTFC loan commitments are, in most cases, refundable on a prorata basis according to the amount of the loan commitment that is advanced.  Such refundable fees are deferred and then recognized on a prorata basis based on the portion of the loan that is not advanced prior to the expiration of the commitment.  Commitment fees on National Rural loan commitments are not refundable and are billed and recognized based on the unused portion of committed lines of credit.  Guarantee fees are charged based on the amount, type and term of the guarantee.  Guarantee fees are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method into interest income over the life of the guarantee.



The $8 million or 1% increase to the total interest income for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period was due to the repricing of fixed rate loans at higher interest rates and higher loan volume.  Interest rates for approximately $846 million of National Rural long-term fixed rate loans were repriced in January 2007 with 89% selecting a new fixed rate.  The weighted average interest rate of long-term loans subject to repricing in January 2007 was approximately 4.72%, which is significantly lower than the National Rural fixed interest rates available to members at that time of between 6.95% and 7.30% (depending on the term selected).  The repricing of long-term fixed rate loans in January 2008 also had a slight impact on the interest income for the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  Interest rates for approximately $703 million of National Rural long-term fixed rate loans were repriced in January 2008 with 85% selecting a new fixed rate.  The weighted average interest rate of long-term loans subject to repricing in January 2008 was approximately 5.37%, which is lower than the National Rural fixed interest rates available to members at that time of between 5.65% and 7.25% (depending on the term selected).  The increase in National Rural and NCSC loan volume was partly offset by the decrease in RTFC loan volume.

For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company had a reduction to interest income of $52 million due to non-accrual loans compared to a reduction of $61 million for the prior year period.  The impact on National Rural interest income of non-accrual loans was a reduction of $26 million and $30 million, respectively, for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.  The impact on RTFC interest income of non-accrual loans was a reduction of $26 million and $31 million, respectively, for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.  The impact of non-accrual loans on interest income is included in the rate variance in the chart above.

Interest Expense
Total interest expense reported on the consolidated statements of operations and shown in the chart above is summarized as follows by expense type and as a percentage of average loans outstanding:

 
For the nine months ended
 
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Rate
     
Amount
 
Rate
   
Increase/ (Decrease)
Interest expense - commercial paper and bid notes (1)
$
102,117
       
$
134,760
       
$
(32,643
)
Interest expense - medium-term notes (1)
 
249,422
         
282,050
         
(32,628
)
Interest expense - collateral trust bonds (1)
 
189,968
         
156,629
         
33,339
 
Interest expense - subordinated deferrable debt (1)
 
14,747
         
24,936
         
(10,189
)
Interest expense - subordinated certificates (1)
 
36,451
         
35,671
         
780
 
Interest expense - long-term private debt (1)
 
100,102
         
89,484
         
10,618
 
     Total interest expense on debt
 
692,807
 
5.05
%
   
723,530
 
5.30
%
   
(30,723
)
Debt issuance costs (2)
 
7,625
 
0.06
%
   
9,332
 
0.07
%
   
(1,707
)
Commitment and guarantee fees (3)
 
13,277
 
0.10
%
   
11,981
 
0.09
%
   
1,296
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt (4)
 
5,509
 
0.04
%
   
4,806
 
0.03
%
   
703
 
Other fees
 
1,592
 
0.01
%
   
2,387
 
0.02
%
   
(795
)
     Total interest expense
 
$
720,810
 
5.26
%
 
$
752,036
 
5.51
%
 
$
(31,226
)
(1) Represents interest expense and the amortization of discounts on debt.
(2) Includes amortization of all deferred charges related to debt issuance, principally underwriter's fees, legal fees, printing costs and comfort letter fees. Amortization is calculated on the effective interest method.  Also includes issuance costs related to dealer commercial paper.
(3) Includes various fees related to funding activities, including fees paid to banks participating in the Company's revolving credit agreements and fees paid under bond guarantee agreements with RUS as part of the REDLG program.  Fees are recognized as incurred or amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective agreement.
(4) Represents the loss on the early retirement of debt including the write-off of unamortized discount, premium and issuance costs.

The $31 million decrease to total interest expense for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period was due to lower interest expense on commercial paper and variable rate long-term debt as a result of a 225 basis point decrease in the federal funds rate from the rate in effect at February 28, 2007.  The $500 million borrowed under the REDLG program in August 2007 represents a lower cost compared to the Company's other forms of long-term debt as a result of the guarantee of repayment by the RUS.  In addition, the $175 million of 7.40% subordinated deferrable debt redeemed in June

 
39

 

2007 resulted in a 39 basis point decrease in the weighted average cost of subordinated deferrable debt.  The Company redeemed these securities at par and recorded a charge of $6 million in interest expense for the unamortized issuance costs in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.

The adjusted interest expense, which includes all derivative cash settlements, for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 increased by $15 million compared to the prior year period due to the $31 million decrease to interest expense noted above offset by the $46 million decrease in derivative cash settlements described below.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include all derivative cash settlements in its interest expense.

Net Interest Income
The change in the line items described above resulted in an increase in net interest income of $39 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period.  The adjusted net interest income, which includes all derivative cash settlements, for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was $107 million, a decrease of $7 million from the prior year period.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include all derivative cash settlements in its interest expense, and therefore net interest income.

Recovery of Loan Losses
The $48 million recovery for loan losses for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 resulted from the decrease in calculated impairments due to lower variable rates and payments received on impaired loans.

Non-interest Income
Non-interest income decreased by $48 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period primarily due to decreases in cash settlements and income from the operations of foreclosed assets.  The $46 million decrease in cash settlements for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period is primarily due to a $31 million payment received during the prior year period for the termination of two exchange agreements.  Income from the operation of foreclosed assets decreased by $2 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period due to a lower outstanding balance in foreclosed assets.  At February 29, 2008, the foreclosed assets are comprised of real estate developer notes receivable and limited partnership interests in certain real estate developments.

Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense increased by $44 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period.

Salaries and employee benefits increased by $2 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to additional headcount and higher medical insurance rates paid by the Company.  The Company had eight additional employee positions filled at February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period end.

General and administrative expenses increased by $4 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period because of the increased expenditures for the acceleration of information systems projects and the write-off of site work expenses on property the Company had under contract, but the seller was unable to meet the conditions to close the sale.  Increased membership meeting expenses, marketing and audit fees also contributed to the increased general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended February 29, 2008.

The $4 million recovery of guarantee liability was the result of a decrease in the outstanding balance, weighted average maturity and weighted average risk rating of guarantees outstanding.

At February 29, 2008, the Company determined that there was a reduction of $6 million to the market value of one of the land development loans held as a foreclosed asset.  The reduction to the market value was primarily as a result of the slow down in lot sales due to residential home market weakness.

The $52 million increase in the derivative forward value during the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period is due to changes in the estimate of future interest rates over the remaining life of the derivative contracts.

There was no foreign denominated debt outstanding during the nine months ended February 29, 2008, therefore resulting in no foreign currency adjustments compared to $15 million in the prior year period.  During the nine months ended February 28, 2007, the Company had medium-term notes denominated in Euros and Australian dollars totaling $434 million and $282 million, respectively.  As a result of issuing debt in foreign currencies, the Company must adjust the value of the debt reported on the consolidated balance sheets for changes in foreign currency exchange rates since the date of issuance.  To the extent that the current exchange rate is different than the exchange rate at the time of issuance, there will be a change in the value of the foreign denominated debt. The adjustment to the value of the debt is reported on the consolidated statements of operations as

 
40

 

foreign currency adjustments.  At the time of issuance of all foreign denominated debt, the Company enters into a cross currency or cross currency interest rate exchange agreement to fix the exchange rate on all principal and interest payments through maturity.

Minority Interest
During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, NCSC’s net loss exceeded its equity balance by $1.6 million, primarily due to NCSC’s $18 million in derivative forward value losses during the period.  In accordance with Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, National Rural is required to absorb the $1.6 million excess NCSC loss.  Minority interest for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 represents $0.3 million of year-to-date RTFC net income and $8.6 million of the $10.1 million year-to-date NCSC net loss.  Minority interest for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 represents the total year-to-date RTFC and NCSC net income since NCSC losses did not exceed its equity during that period.

Net Loss
The change in the line items described above result in a net loss of $42 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to a net loss of $51 million for the prior year period.  The adjusted net income, which excludes the impact of the derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments and adds back minority interest, was $123 million, compared to $84 million for the prior year period.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the further explanation of the adjustments the Company makes in its financial analysis to net income.

Three Months Ended February 29, 2008 versus February 28, 2007
The following chart presents the results of operations for the three months ended February 29, 2008 versus February 28, 2007.

 
For the three months ended
   
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Interest income
$
266,576
   
$
264,873
   
$
1,703
 
Interest expense
 
(233,468
)
   
(247,441
)
   
13,973
 
     Net interest income
 
33,108
     
17,432
     
15,676
 
Recovery of loan losses
 
33,599
     
-
     
33,599
 
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
 
66,707
     
17,432
     
49,275
 
                       
Non-interest income:
                     
     Rental and other income
 
367
     
417
     
(50
)
     Derivative cash settlements
 
10,463
     
44,442
     
(33,979
)
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
 
2,401
     
1,896
     
505
 
          Total non-interest income
 
13,231
     
46,755
     
(33,524
)
                       
Non-interest expense:
                     
     Salaries and employee benefits
 
(9,398
)
   
(8,461
)
   
(937
)
     Other general and administrative expenses
 
(5,862
)
   
(3,177
)
   
(2,685
)
     Recovery of (provision for) guarantee liability
 
1,000
     
-
     
1,000
 
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
 
(5,840
)
   
-
     
(5,840
)
     Derivative forward value
 
(64,266
)
   
(4,189
)
   
(60,077
)
     Foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
1,886
     
(1,886
)
     Loss on sale of loans
 
(158
)
   
(1,550
)
   
1,392
 
          Total non-interest expense
 
(84,524
)
   
(15,491
)
   
(69,033
)
                       
     Loss prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
(4,586
)
   
48,696
     
(53,282
)
                       
Income taxes
 
2,175
     
(627
)
   
2,802
 
Minority interest, net of income taxes
 
2,088
     
566
     
1,522
 
     Net (loss) income
$
(323
)
 
$
48,635
   
$
(48,958
)
                       
TIER (1)
 
-
     
1.20
         
Adjusted TIER (2)
   
1.28
     
1.25
         
(1) For the three months ended February 29, 2008, the Company reported a loss of $0.3 million; thus, the TIER calculation results in a value below 1.00.
(2) Adjusted to exclude the impact of the derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments from net income, to include minority interest in net income and to include all derivative cash settlements in the interest expense.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of these adjustments.

 
41

 

The following chart summarizes the Company's operating results expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding.

   
For the three months ended
     
   
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Interest income
   
5.77
%
   
5.94
%
   
(0.17
)%
 
Interest expense
   
(5.05
)%
   
(5.55
)%
   
0.50
%
 
     Net interest income
   
0.72
%
   
0.39
%
   
0.33
%
 
Recovery of loan losses
   
0.73
%
   
-
     
0.73
%
 
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses
   
1.45
%
   
0.39
%
   
1.06
%
 
                           
Non-interest income:
                         
     Rental and other income
   
0.01
%
   
-
     
0.01
%
 
     Derivative cash settlements
   
0.22
%
   
1.00
%
   
(0.78
)%
 
     Results of operations of foreclosed assets
   
0.05
%
   
0.05
%
   
-
 
 
          Total non-interest income
   
0.28
%
   
1.05
%
   
(0.77
)%
 
                           
Non-interest expense:
                         
     Salaries and employee benefits
   
(0.20
)%
   
(0.18
)%
   
(0.02
)%
 
     Other general and administrative expenses
   
(0.13
)%
   
(0.07
)%
   
(0.06
)%
 
     Recovery of (provision for) guarantee liability
   
0.02
%
   
-
     
0.02
%
 
     Market adjustment on foreclosed assets
   
(0.13
)%
   
-
     
(0.13
)%
 
     Derivative forward value
   
(1.39
)%
   
(0.10
)%
   
(1.29
)%
 
     Foreign currency adjustments
   
-
     
0.04
%
   
(0.04
)%
 
     Loss on sale of loans
   
-
     
(0.04
)%
   
0.04
%
 
          Total non-interest expense
   
(1.83
)%
   
(0.35
)%
   
(1.48
)%
 
     (Loss) income prior to income taxes and minority interest
   
(0.10
)%
   
1.09
%
   
(1.19
)%
 
                           
Income taxes
   
0.05
%
   
-
     
0.05
%
 
Minority interest, net of income taxes
   
0.04
%
   
-
     
0.04
%
 
     Net (loss) income
   
(0.01
)%
   
1.09
%
   
(1.10
)%
 
                           
     Adjusted net interest income (1)
   
0.94
%
   
1.39
%
   
(0.45
)%
 
     Adjusted income prior to income taxes and minority interest (2)
     
1.29
%
   
1.15
%
   
0.14
%
 
(1) Adjusted to include derivative cash settlements in the interest expense.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of these adjustments.
(2) Adjusted to exclude derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of these adjustments.

National Rural’s net interest income will increase or decrease due to changes in loan volume and the rate that it receives on its loans and pays on its sources of funding, respectively. National Rural’s loan volume substantially determines its funding needs. The following Volume Rate Variance Table provides a breakout of the change to interest income, interest expense and net interest income due to changes in loan volume versus changes to interest rates. The analysis is consistent with the
February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 consolidated statements of operations.  For comparability purposes, average daily loan volume is used as the denominator in calculating interest income yield, interest expense rates and net interest income yield.

Management calculates an adjusted net interest income, which includes all derivative cash settlements in interest expense. The following table also includes a breakout of the change to derivative cash settlements due to changes in the average notional amount of its derivative portfolio versus changes to the net difference between the average rate paid and the average rate received. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include all derivative cash settlements in its interest expense.

 
42

 

 
 
 
 
 
Volume Rate Variance Table
(Dollar amounts in millions)
                     
 
For the three months ended
                 
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
Change due to
 
Average
Loan
Balance
Income / (Cost)
Rate
 
Average
Loan
Balance
Income / (Cost)
Rate
 
Volume (1)
Rate (2)
Total
Interest income
                                             
National Rural
$
16,339
$
236
 
5.81
%
 
$
15,754
$
232
 
5.96
%
 
$
10
 
$
(6
)
$
4
 
RTFC
 
1,769
 
22
 
4.94
%
   
1,966
 
26
 
5.29
%
   
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
NCSC
 
435
 
9
 
7.65
%
   
360
 
7
 
8.67
%
   
2
   
-
   
2
 
Total
$
18,543
$
267
 
5.77
%
 
$
18,080
$
265
 
5.94
%
 
$
10
 
$
(8
)
$
2
 
                                                   
Interest expense
                                                 
National Rural
$
16,339
$
(206
)
(5.06
)%
 
$
15,754
$
(217
)
(5.59
)%
 
$
(10
)
$
21
 
$
11
 
RTFC
 
1,769
 
(20
)
(4.65
)%
   
1,966
 
(24
)
(4.96
)%
   
2
   
2
   
4
 
NCSC
 
435
 
(7
)
(6.15
)%
   
360
 
(6
)
(7.15
)%
   
(2
)
 
1
   
(1
)
Total
$
18,543
$
(233
)
(5.05
)%
 
$
18,080
$
(247
)
(5.55
)%
 
$
(10
)
$
24
 
$
14
 
                                                   
Net interest income
                                             
National Rural
$
16,339
$
30
 
0.75
%
 
$
15,754
$
15
 
0.37
%
 
$
-
 
$
15
 
$
15
 
RTFC
 
1,769
 
2
 
0.29
%
   
1,966
 
2
 
0.33
%
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
NCSC
 
435
 
2
 
1.50
%
   
360
 
1
 
1.52
%
   
-
   
1
   
1
 
Total
$
18,543
$
34
 
0.72
%
 
$
18,080
$
18
 
0.39
%
 
$
-
 
$
16
 
$
16
 
                                                   
Derivative cash settlements (3)
                                           
National Rural
$
13,094
$
10
 
0.32
%
 
$
12,636
$
44
 
1.42
%
 
$
2
 
$
(36
)
$
(34
)
NCSC
 
201
 
-
 
-
     
89
 
-
 
-
     
-
   
-
   
-
 
Total
$
13,295
$
10
 
0.32
%
 
$
12,725
$
44
 
1.42
%
 
$
2
 
$
(36
)
$
(34
)
                                                   
Adjusted interest expense (4)
                                             
Total
$
18,543
$
(223)
 
(4.83
)%
 
$
18,080
$
(203
)
(4.55
)%
 
$
(8
)
$
(12
)
$
(20
)
 
 

(1) Variance due to volume is calculated using the following formula: ((current period average balance - prior year period average balance) x prior year period average rate).
 
 
 
(2) Variance due to rate is calculated using the following formula: ((current period average rate - prior year period average rate) x current period average balance).
(3) For derivative cash settlements, average loan balance represents the average notional amount of derivative contracts outstanding and the rate represents the net difference between the average rate paid and the average rate received for cash settlements during the period.
(4) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include the derivative cash settlements in its interest expense.

Interest Income
Total interest income reported on the consolidated statements of operations and shown in the chart above includes the following as a percentage of average loans outstanding:

   
For the three months ended
     
   
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
Increase/
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
   
Amount
 
Rate
     
Amount
 
Rate
   
(Decrease)
 
Interest on long-term fixed rate loans (1)
 
$
220,117
       
$
208,262
       
$
11,855
   
Interest on long-term variable rate loans (1)
   
20,785
         
28,028
         
(7,243
)
 
Interest on short-term loans (1)
   
20,224
         
17,761
         
2,463
   
     Total interest income on loans
   
261,126
 
5.65
%
   
254,051
 
5.70
%
   
7,075
   
Interest on investments (2)
   
1,832
 
0.04
%
   
2,626
 
0.07
%
   
(794
)
 
Conversion fees (3)
   
1,587
 
0.04
%
   
2,412
 
0.04
%
   
(825
)
 
Make-whole and prepayment fees (4)
   
533
 
0.01
%
   
3,368
 
0.07
%
   
(2,835
)
 
Commitment and guarantee fees (5)
   
822
 
0.02
%
   
1,658
 
0.04
%
   
(836
)
 
Other fees
   
676
 
0.01
%
   
758
 
0.02
%
   
(82
)
 
     Total interest income
   
$
266,576
 
5.77
%
 
$
264,873
 
5.94
%
 
$
1,703
   

 
43

 

(1) Represents interest income on loans to members.
(2) Represents interest income on the investment of cash.
(3) Conversion fees are deferred and recognized using the interest method over the remaining original loan interest rate pricing term, except for a small portion of the total fee charged to cover administrative costs related to the conversion which is recognized immediately.
(4) Make-whole and prepayment fees are charged for the early repayment of principal in full and recognized when collected.
(5) Commitment fees for RTFC loan commitments are, in most cases, refundable on a prorata basis according to the amount of the loan commitment that is advanced.  Such refundable fees are deferred and then recognized on a prorata basis based on the portion of the loan that is not advanced prior to the
expiration of the commitment.  Commitment fees on National Rural loan commitments are not refundable and are billed and recognized based on the unused portion of committed lines of credit.  Guarantee fees are charged based on the amount, type and term of the guarantee.  Guarantee fees are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method into interest income over the life of the guarantee.

The $2 million or 1% increase to the total interest income for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period was due to higher loan volume and fixed rate loans that repriced at higher interest rates offset by lower variable rates.  Interest rates for approximately $703 million of National Rural long-term fixed rate loans were repriced in January 2008 with 85% selecting a new fixed rate.  The weighted average interest rate of long-term loans subject to repricing in January 2008 was approximately 5.37%, which is lower than the National Rural fixed interest rates available to members at that time of between 5.65% and 7.25% (depending on the term selected).  Lower variable rates were the result of the Company decreasing variable interest rates by approximately 200 basis points since February 28, 2007, of which 125 basis points occurred during the three months ended February 29, 2008.

For the quarter ended February 29, 2008, the Company had a reduction to interest income of $16 million due to non-accrual loans compared to a decrease of $20 million for the prior year period.  The impact on National Rural’s interest income of non-accrual loans was a reduction of $8 million for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 as compared to $10 million for the prior year period.  The impact of non-accrual loans on interest income is included in the rate variance in the chart above.  The $4 million decrease in RTFC interest income was due to the reduction in the balance of RTFC loans outstanding.  The impact on RTFC interest income of non-accrual loans was a reduction of $8 million and $10 million, respectively for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.

Interest Expense
Total interest expense reported on the consolidated statements of operations and shown in the chart above includes the following as a percentage of average loans outstanding:

   
For the three months ended
     
   
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
Increase/
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
   
Amount
 
Rate
     
Amount
 
Rate
   
(Decrease)
 
Interest expense - commercial paper and bid notes (1)
 
$
30,639
       
$
38,758
       
$
(8,119
)
 
Interest expense - medium-term notes (1)
   
82,555
         
93,876
         
(11,321
)
 
Interest expense - collateral trust bonds (1)
   
61,213
         
56,069
         
5,144
   
Interest expense - subordinated deferrable debt (1)
   
4,916
         
8,153
         
(3,237
)
 
Interest expense - subordinated certificates (1)
   
12,297
         
11,755
         
542
   
Interest expense - long-term private debt (1)
   
34,359
         
29,180
         
5,179
   
     Total interest expense on debt
   
225,979
 
4.89
%
   
237,791
 
5.33
%
   
(11,812
)
 
Debt issuance costs (2)
   
2,328
 
0.05
%
   
5,230
 
0.12
%
   
(2,902
)
 
Commitment and guarantee fees (3)
   
4,602
 
0.10
%
   
3,967
 
0.09
%
   
635
   
Other fees
   
559
 
0.01
%
   
453
 
0.01
%
   
106
   
     Total interest expense
   
$
233,468
 
5.05
%
 
$
247,441
 
5.55
%
 
$
(13,973
)
 
(1) Represents interest expense and the amortization of discounts on debt.
(2) Includes amortization of all deferred charges related to debt issuance, principally underwriter's fees, legal fees, printing costs and comfort letter fees.
Amortization is calculated on the effective interest method.  Also includes issuance costs related to dealer commercial paper and debt issuance costs fully amortized as part of the early retirement of debt.
(3) Includes various fees related to funding activities, including fees paid to banks participating in the Company's revolving credit agreements and fees paid under bond guarantee agreements with RUS as part of the REDLG program.  Fees are recognized as incurred or amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective agreement.

The $14 million decrease to total interest expense for the three months ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period was primarily due to lower interest expense on commercial paper and variable rate long-term debt as result of a 225 basis point decrease in the federal funds rate from the rate in effect at February 28, 2007.

The adjusted total interest expense, which includes all derivative cash settlements, for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $20 million compared to the prior year period due to the $14 million decrease to interest expense noted above offset by the $34 million decrease in derivative cash settlements described below.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include all derivative cash settlements in its interest expense.

 
44

 

Net Interest Income
The change in the line items described above resulted in an increase in net interest income of $16 million for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period.  The adjusted net interest income, which includes all derivative cash settlements, for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 was $43 million, a decrease of $19 million from the prior year period.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustment the Company makes in its financial analysis to include all derivative cash settlements in its interest expense, and therefore net interest income.

Recovery of Loan Losses
The $34 million recovery for loan losses for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 resulted from the decrease in calculated impairments due to lower variable rates and payments received on impaired loans.

Non-interest Income
Non-interest income decreased by $34 million for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period due primarily to a decrease in cash settlements.  The $34 million decrease in derivative cash settlements for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 is due to a $31 million payment received during the prior year period for the termination of two exchange agreements.

Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense increased by $69 million for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period.

At February 29, 2008, the Company determined that there was a reduction of $6 million to the market value of one of the land development loans held as a foreclosed asset.  The reduction to the market value was primarily as a result of the slow down in lot sales due to residential home market weakness.

The $60 million increase in the derivative forward value expense during the quarter ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year period is due to changes in the estimate of future interest rates over the remaining life of the derivative contracts.

There was no foreign denominated debt outstanding during the quarter ended February 29, 2008, therefore resulting in no foreign currency adjustments compared to $2 million in the prior year period.  During the quarter ended February 28, 2007, the Company had medium-term notes denominated in Euros totaling $434 million.  As a result of issuing debt in foreign currencies, the Company must adjust the value of the debt reported on the consolidated balance sheets for changes in foreign currency exchange rates since the date of issuance.  To the extent that the current exchange rate is different than the exchange rate at the time of issuance, there will be a change in the value of the foreign denominated debt. The adjustment to the value of the debt is reported on the consolidated statements of operations as foreign currency adjustments.  At the time of issuance of all foreign denominated debt, the Company enters into a cross currency or cross currency interest rate exchange agreement to fix the exchange rate on all principal and interest payments through maturity.

Minority Interest
During the three months ended February 29, 2008, NCSC’s net loss exceeded its equity balance by $1.6 million, primarily due to NCSC’s $6 million in derivative forward value losses during the period.  In accordance with ARB 51, National Rural is required to absorb the $1.6 million excess NCSC loss.  Minority interest for the three months ended February 29, 2008 represents $0.1 million of RTFC net loss and $2 million of the $3.6 million NCSC net loss for the period.  Minority interest for the three months ended February 28, 2007 represents the total year-to-date RTFC and NCSC net income since NCSC losses did not exceed its equity during that period.

Net (Loss) Income
The change in the line items described above resulted in a net loss of $0.3 million for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 compared to net income of $49 million for the prior year period.  The adjusted net income, which excludes the impact of the derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments and adds back minority interest, was $62 million compared to $50 million for the prior year period.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation of the adjustments the Company makes in its financial analysis to net income.

 
45

 


Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The following chart provides the calculation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is the same calculation as TIER.  See “Results of Operations” for discussion on TIER and adjustments that the Company makes to the TIER calculation.
 
 
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29,
2008
   
February 28,
2007
   
February 29,
2008
 
February 28,
2007
 
 
(Loss) income prior to cumulative effect of
                         
 
   change in accounting principle
$
(323
)
 
$
48,635
   
$
(41,931
)
 
$
(50,579
)
 
   Add: fixed charges
 
233,468
     
247,441
     
720,810
     
752,036
 
                               
 
Earnings available for fixed charges
$
233,145
   
$
296,076
   
$
678,879
   
$
701,457
 
                                 
 
Total fixed charges:
                             
 
Interest on all debt (including amortization of
                             
 
  discount and issuance costs)
$
233,468
   
$
247,441
   
$
720,810
   
$
752,036
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)
   
-
     
1.20
   
 
-
     
-
 
(1) For the three and nine months ended February 29, 2008, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $0.3 million and $42 million, respectively.  For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $51 million.

Financial Condition
Loan and Guarantee Portfolio Assessment
Loan Programs
Loans to members bear interest at rates determined from time to time by the Company after considering its interest expense, operating expenses, provision for loan losses and the maintenance of reasonable earnings levels.  In keeping with its not-for-profit, cooperative charter, the Company's policy is to set interest rates at the lowest levels it considers to be consistent with sound financial management.

The following chart summarizes loans by type and by segment:
 
Increase/
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
(Decrease)
Loans by type:
                                 
Long-term loans (1):
                                 
   Long-term fixed rate loans
$
15,066,178
   
81%
   
$
14,881,046
 
82%
     
$
185,132
 
   Long-term variable rate loans
 
2,014,221
   
11%
     
2,031,731
 
11%
       
(17,510
)
          Total long-term loans
 
17,080,399
   
92%
     
16,912,777
 
93%
       
167,622
 
Short-term loans (2)
 
1,580,813
   
8%
     
1,215,430
 
7%
       
365,383
 
          Total loans
$
18,661,212
   
100%
   
$
18,128,207
 
100%
     
$
533,005
 
                                   
National Rural:
                                 
   Distribution
$
13,213,526
   
71%
   
$
12,827,772
 
71%
     
$
385,754
 
   Power supply
 
3,198,956
   
17%
     
2,858,040
 
16%
       
340,916
 
   Statewide and associate
 
104,258
   
1%
     
119,478
 
1%
       
(15,220
)
          National Rural total
 
16,516,740
   
89%
     
15,805,290
 
88%
       
711,450
 
RTFC
 
1,727,344
   
9%
     
1,860,379
 
10%
       
(133,035
)
NCSC
 
417,128
   
2%
     
462,538
 
2%
       
(45,410
)
          Total loans
 
$
18,661,212
   
100%
   
$
18,128,207
 
100%
     
$
533,005
 

(1) Includes loans classified as restructured and non-performing and RUS guaranteed loans.
(2) Consists of secured and unsecured short-term loans that are subject to interest rate adjustment monthly or semi-monthly.

The Company's loans outstanding increased by 3% during the nine months ended February 29, 2008. National Rural loans outstanding increased due to net advances of $785 million offset by the sale of $74 million of National Rural distribution loans in loan securitization transactions during the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  Long-term fixed rate loans at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 represented 88% of total long-term loans.  Loans converting from a variable rate to a fixed rate for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 totaled $251 million, which was offset by $223 million of loans that converted from a fixed rate to a variable rate.  This resulted in a net conversion of $28 million from a variable rate to a fixed rate for the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  For the nine months ended February 28, 2007 loans converting from a variable rate to a fixed rate totaled $288 million, which was offset by $165 million of loans that converted from a fixed rate to a variable rate.  This resulted in a net conversion of $123 million from a variable rate to a fixed rate for the nine months ended February 28, 2007.

 
46

 

The following chart summarizes loans and guarantees outstanding by segment:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
National Rural:
                       
   Distribution
$
13,417,117
 
68%
 
$
13,039,092
 
68%
$
378,025
 
   Power supply
 
3,962,182
 
20%
   
3,655,049
 
19%
 
307,133
 
   Statewide and associate
 
127,913
 
1%
   
144,837
 
1%
 
(16,924
)
          National Rural Total
 
17,507,212
 
89%
   
16,838,978
 
88%
 
668,234
 
RTFC
 
1,727,604
 
9%
   
1,860,379
 
10%
 
(132,775
)
NCSC
 
485,245
 
2%
   
503,224
 
2%
 
(17,979
)
          Total
$
19,720,061
 
100%
 
$
19,202,581
 
100%
$
517,480
 

The following table summarizes the RTFC segment loans and guarantees outstanding:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Rural local exchange carriers
$
1,521,369
 
88%
 
$
1,630,246
 
88%
$
(108,877
)
Cable television providers
 
153,840
 
9%
   
154,738
 
8%
 
(898
)
Fiber optic network providers
 
16,772
 
1%
   
37,422
 
2%
 
(20,650
)
Competitive local exchange carriers
 
27,596
 
2%
   
21,039
 
1%
 
6,557
 
Wireless providers
 
3,922
 
-
   
3,609
 
-
 
313
 
Long distance carriers
 
-
 
-
   
9,069
 
1%
 
(9,069
)
Other
 
4,105
 
-
   
4,256
 
-
 
(151
)
          Total
$
1,727,604
 
100%
 
$
1,860,379
 
100%
$
(132,775
)

The Company's members are widely dispersed throughout the United States and its territories, including 49 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, loans outstanding to members in any one state or territory did not exceed 16% and 15%, respectively, of total loans outstanding.

Credit Concentration
National Rural, RTFC and NCSC each have policies that limit the amount of credit that can be extended to individual borrowers or a controlled group of borrowers.  The credit limitation policies set the limit on the total exposure and unsecured exposure to the borrower based on an assessment of the borrower's risk profile and the Company's internal risk rating system.  As a member owned cooperative, the Company makes best efforts to balance meeting the needs of its member/owners and mitigating the risk associated with concentrations of credit exposure.  The respective boards of directors must approve new credit requests from a borrower with a total exposure or unsecured exposure in excess of the limits in the policy.  Management of credit concentrations may include the use of syndicated credit agreements.

Total exposure, as defined by the policy, includes the following:
·  
loans outstanding, excluding loans guaranteed by RUS,
·  
the Company's guarantees of the borrower's obligations,
·  
unadvanced loan commitments,
·  
borrower guarantees to the Company of another borrower's debt, and
·  
other indebtedness of any kind unless guaranteed by the U.S. government.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the total exposure outstanding to any one borrower or controlled group did not exceed 2.9% and 3.0%, respectively, of total loans and guarantees outstanding.  At February 29, 2008, the ten largest borrowers included four distribution systems, four power supply systems and two telecommunications systems.  At May 31, 2007, the ten largest borrowers included six distribution systems, two power supply systems and two telecommunication systems.


 
47

 

The following chart shows the exposure to the ten largest borrowers as a percentage of total exposure by type and by segment:
 
 
  
  
February 29, 2008
  
May 31, 2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Amount
 
% of Total
   
Amount
 
% of Total
Total by type:
                     
  Loans
$
3,370,729
     
$
3,306,986
   
$
63,743
  Guarantees
 
163,940
       
76,867
     
87,073
     Total credit exposure to ten largest borrowers
$
3,534,669
 
18%
 
$
3,383,853
 
18%
$
150,816
                       
Total by segment:
                     
   National Rural
$
2,810,864
     
$
2,691,060
   
$
119,804
   RTFC
 
697,505
       
692,793
     
4,712
   NCSC
 
26,300
       
-
     
26,300
     Total credit exposure to ten largest borrowers
$
3,534,669
 
18%
 
$
3,383,853
 
18%
$
150,816

Security Provisions
Except when providing short-term loans, the Company typically lends to its members on a senior secured basis.  Long-term loans are typically secured on a parity with other secured lenders (primarily RUS), if any, by all assets and revenues of the borrower with exceptions typical in utility mortgages.  Short-term loans are generally unsecured lines of credit.  Guarantee reimbursement obligations are typically secured on a parity with other secured creditors by all assets and revenues of the borrower or by the underlying financed asset.  In addition to the collateral received, borrowers are also required to set rates designed to achieve certain financial ratios.

The following table summarizes the Company's unsecured credit exposure as a percentage of total exposure by type and by segment:

  
  
February 29, 2008
  
May 31, 2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 Amount
 
% of Total
   
Amount
 
% of Total
Total by type:
                       
  Loans
$
1,977,315
     
$
1,634,296
   
$
343,019
 
  Guarantees
 
219,436
       
220,983
     
(1,547
)
     Total unsecured credit exposure
$
2,196,751
 
11%
 
$
1,855,279
 
10%
$
341,472
 
                         
Total by segment:
                       
   National Rural
$
1,909,442
     
$
1,559,097
   
$
350,345
 
   RTFC
 
229,970
       
230,300
     
(330
)
   NCSC
 
57,339
       
65,882
     
(8,543
)
     Total unsecured credit exposure
$
2,196,751
 
11%
 
$
1,855,279
 
10%
$
341,472
 

Non-performing Loans
A borrower is classified as non-performing when any one of the following criteria are met:
·  
principal or interest payments on any loan to the borrower are past due 90 days or more,
·  
as a result of court proceedings, repayment on the original terms is not anticipated, or
·  
for some other reason, management does not expect the timely repayment of principal and interest.

Once a borrower is classified as non-performing, the Company typically places the loan on non-accrual status and reverses all accrued and unpaid interest back to the date of the last payment.  The Company generally applies all cash received during the non-accrual period to the reduction of principal, thereby foregoing interest income recognition.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company had non-performing loans outstanding in the amount of $504 million and $502 million, respectively.  All loans classified as non-performing were on a non-accrual status with respect to the recognition of interest income.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, non-performing loans include $498 million and $493 million, respectively, to Innovative Communication Corporation (“ICC”).  Loans outstanding to ICC continue to increase due to accrued legal costs associated with ongoing litigation to recover the outstanding loan balance.  All loans to ICC have been on non-accrual status since February 1, 2005.  ICC has not made debt service payments to the Company since June 2005.  RTFC is the primary secured lender to ICC.

As part of a settlement agreement, RTFC obtained entry of judgments against ICC for approximately $525 million and ICC's indirect majority shareholder and chairman, Jeffrey Prosser ("Prosser") for approximately $100 million.  RTFC also obtained

 
48

 

dismissals with prejudice of all counterclaims, affirmative defenses and other lawsuits alleging wrongful acts by RTFC, certain of its officers, and National Rural. Various parties also reached agreement for ICC to satisfy the RTFC judgments in the third quarter of calendar year 2006, subject to certain terms and conditions, however, on July 31, 2006, certain of the parties obligated to satisfy the RTFC judgments under the agreement filed voluntary bankruptcy proceedings, as described below, in order to obtain additional time to satisfy the judgments.

On July 31, 2006, ICC's immediate parent, Emerging Communication, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Emcom"), Emcom's parent, Innovative Communication Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("ICC-LLC") and Prosser, individually, each filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, now pending in the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas and St. John, Bankruptcy Division.  Each of the debtors is obligated to RTFC for certain obligations of ICC, including court judgments.  On February 13, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee for the ICC-LLC and Emcom bankruptcy estates and an examiner for Prosser’s bankruptcy estate.

On August 2, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order declaring that the debtors could not satisfy the RTFC judgments at a discount.  Prosser, individually, has filed a notice of appeal of the order; none of the other debtors has sought review of the order.

On September 7, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the Chapter 11 trustee for the Emcom bankruptcy estate to exercise control over the common stock of ICC, including authority to vote the stock to, among other things, facilitate a refinancing or sale of ICC and its assets.

On September 21, 2007, the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands, Bankruptcy Division, in response to an involuntary petition filed by the Greenlight Entities, entered an order for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code thereby placing ICC in its own bankruptcy proceeding.  In response to a motion by RTFC, the Bankruptcy Court ordered appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee for ICC on October 3, 2007.  Certain parties have moved for reconsideration of and/or appealed one or more orders of the Bankruptcy Court and have requested a stay pending ruling by the District Court.  RTFC believes both that the moving parties have no standing and that the motions to reconsider and appeal have no merit.  Pending the appeal, the Chapter 11 trustee of ICC has assumed ownership and control of ICC, including its subsidiaries, and has begun to marshal RTFC collateral and other assets for disposition and eventual payment in respect of RTFC’s claims and the claims of other parties-in-interest.  On January 2, 2008, the Chapter 11 trustee of ICC filed a motion seeking authority to sell substantially all of ICC’s assets, including stock in ICC’s operating subsidiaries.  The Court has entered an order approving certain sale motions presented on February 1, 2008.

In response to a motion by the Greenlight Entities, joined by RTFC, the Bankruptcy Court converted Prosser’s individual Chapter 11 bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 liquidation on October 3, 2007.  Prosser has filed a notice of appeal of the conversion order.  RTFC believes that the appeal has no merit.  Pending the appeal, the Chapter 7 trustee has advised that he intends to marshal Prosser’s non-exempt assets for disposition and eventual payment in respect of creditor claims.  On December 3, 2007, the Chapter 7 trustee of Prosser’s estate filed a motion to approve sale procedures and for authority to sell Prosser’s controlling shares in the Virgin Islands Community Bank Corp.  The sale has closed, with net proceeds of approximately $2.2 million.

In most cases, the sale (as part of the reorganization process) of ICC or any of its subsidiaries engaged in a regulated telecommunications or cable television business, or of the regulated assets of ICC or its subsidiaries, will require the prior consent of the respective regulators in the United States (including the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission), the British Virgin Islands, France and its Caribbean territories, and the Netherlands Antilles.  In certain limited cases, only a post-transaction notification will be required.

For a more detailed description of the contingencies related to the non-performing loans outstanding to ICC, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.  Based on its analysis, the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for its exposure to ICC at February 29, 2008.

VarTec was a telecommunications company and RTFC borrower located in Dallas, Texas.  The Company was VarTec's principal senior secured creditor.

VarTec and 16 of its U.S.-based affiliates, which were guarantors of VarTec's debt to RTFC, filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on November 1, 2004 in Dallas, Texas.  The cases were converted in 2006 to Chapter 7 proceedings, administered by a Chapter 7 trustee.

Non-performing loans at May 31, 2007 included $9 million to VarTec.  On June 4, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court approval of a settlement of litigation against the Company became final, pursuant to which (a) all claims against the Company were

 
49

 

dismissed with prejudice and fully released, (b) a portion of the proceeds from the collateral that had been provisionally applied to the Company’s secured debt was reallocated to VarTec creditors, including the Company, and (c) an administrative debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing facility owed by the VarTec bankruptcy estates to the Company was reduced to $6 million.  The Company’s remaining DIP and unsecured claims will share in further recoveries by the bankruptcy estates.  As a result of the settlement of the litigation, the Company wrote off $44 million of pre-petition debt during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 and wrote off $17 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.

On December 26, 2007, the Company received $3 million, which is a share of the settlement proceeds from the VarTec estates’ litigation against certain former directors and officers.  At February 29, 2008, the Company had a receivable for $3 million, which has a payment priority from the bankruptcy estates; in addition, the Company will share in recoveries that are in excess of the amount required to repay the DIP financing and cover expenses of the estates.

Restructured Loans
Loans classified as restructured are loans for which agreements have been executed that changed the original terms of the loan, generally a change to the originally scheduled cash flows.  The Company will make a determination on each restructured loan with regard to the accrual of interest income on the loan.  The initial decision is based on the terms of the restructure agreement and the anticipated performance of the borrower over the term of the agreement.  The Company will periodically review the decision to accrue or not to accrue interest income on restructured loans based on the borrower's past performance and current financial condition.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, restructured loans totaled $584 million and $603 million, respectively.  A total of $526 million and $545 million of restructured loans were on non-accrual status with respect to the recognition of interest income at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.  At February 28, 2007, there were $551 million of restructured loans on non-accrual status.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company had $526 million and $545 million, respectively, of restructured loans outstanding to CoServ. All restructured CoServ loans have been on non-accrual status since January 1, 2001.  In addition, a total of $20 million was outstanding under the capital expenditure loan facility which was classified as a performing loan at both February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.  Total loans to CoServ at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007 represented 2.8% and 2.9% of the Company's total loans and guarantees outstanding, respectively.

Under the terms of a bankruptcy settlement, National Rural restructured its loans to CoServ.  CoServ is scheduled to make quarterly payments to National Rural through December 2037.  As part of the restructuring, National Rural may be obligated to provide up to $204 million of senior secured capital expenditure loans to CoServ for electric distribution infrastructure through December 2012.  When CoServ requests capital expenditure loans from National Rural, these loans are provided at the standard terms offered to all borrowers and require debt service payments in addition to the quarterly payments that CoServ is required to make to National Rural.  As of February 29, 2008, a total of $20 million was outstanding to CoServ under this loan facility.  To date, CoServ has made all payments required under the restructure agreement and capital expenditure loan facility. Under the terms of the restructure agreement, CoServ has the option to prepay the loan for $415 million plus an interest payment true up on or after December 13, 2007 and for $405 million plus an interest payment true up on or after December 13, 2008.  National Rural has received no notice from CoServ that it intends to prepay the loan.

CoServ and National Rural have no claims related to any of the legal actions asserted prior to or during the bankruptcy proceedings.  National Rural's legal claim against CoServ is limited to CoServ's performance under the terms of the bankruptcy settlement.

Based on its analysis, the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for its exposure to CoServ at February 29, 2008.

Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc. ("Pioneer") is an electric distribution cooperative located in Greenville, Alabama.  Pioneer had also invested in a propane gas operation, which it has sold.  Pioneer had experienced deterioration in its financial condition as a result of losses in the gas operation.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had a total of $52 million in loans outstanding to Pioneer.  Pioneer was current with respect to all debt service payments at February 29, 2008.  National Rural is the principal creditor to Pioneer.

On March 9, 2006, National Rural and Pioneer agreed on the terms of a debt modification that resulted in the loans being classified as restructured.  Under the amended agreement, National Rural extended the maturity of the outstanding loans and granted a two-year deferral of principal payments.  In addition, National Rural agreed to make available a line of credit for general corporate purposes.  The restructured loans are secured by first liens on substantially all of the assets and revenues of Pioneer.  At this time, National Rural plans to maintain the loans to Pioneer on accrual status.

Based on its analysis, the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for its exposure to Pioneer at February 29, 2008.

 
50

 

Loan Impairment
On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews all non-performing and restructured borrowers, as well as certain additional borrowers selected based on known facts and circumstances at the time of the review, to determine if the loans to the borrower are impaired and/or to update the impairment calculation.  The Company calculates an impairment for a borrower based on the expected future cash flow or the fair value of any collateral held by the Company as security for loans to the borrower.  In some cases, to estimate future cash flow, certain assumptions are required regarding, but not limited to, the following:

·  
interest rates,
·  
court rulings,
·  
changes in collateral values,
·  
changes in economic conditions in the area in which the cooperative operates, and
·  
changes to the industry in which the cooperative operates.

As events related to the borrower take place and economic conditions and the Company's assumptions change, the impairment calculations will change.  The loan loss allowance specifically reserved to cover the calculated impairments is adjusted on a quarterly basis based on the most current information available. At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had impaired loans totaling $1,083 million and $1,099 million, respectively.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, National Rural had specifically reserved a total of $317 million and $397 million, respectively, to cover impaired loans.

The following chart presents a summary of non-performing and restructured loans as a percentage of total loans and total loans and guarantees outstanding:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
Non-performing loans
$
504,375
   
$
501,864
 
Percent of loans outstanding
 
2.70
%
   
2.77
%
Percent of loans and guarantees outstanding
 
2.56
%
   
2.61
%
               
Restructured loans
$
584,495
   
$
603,305
 
Percent of loans outstanding
 
3.13
%
   
3.33
%
Percent of loans and guarantees outstanding
 
2.96
%
   
3.14
%
               
Total non-performing and restructured loans
$
1,088,870
   
$
1,105,169
 
Percent of loans outstanding
 
5.83
%
   
6.10
%
Percent of loans and guarantees outstanding
 
5.52
%
   
5.75
%

Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, which are estimated based upon a review of the loan portfolio, past loss experience, specific problem loans, economic conditions and other pertinent factors which, in management's judgment, deserve current recognition in estimating loan losses.  The Company reviews and adjusts the allowance on a quarterly basis to maintain it at a level to cover estimated probable losses in the portfolio.

Management makes recommendations to the board of directors of National Rural regarding write-offs of loan balances.  In making its recommendation to write off all or a portion of a loan balance, management considers various factors including cash flow analysis and the collateral securing the borrower's loans.  Since inception in 1969, write-offs totaled $211 million and recoveries totaled $34 million for a net write-off of $177 million.  For the period from June 1, 2002 to February 29, 2008, write-offs totaled $78 million and recoveries totaled $7 million for a net write-off of $71 million.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover estimated probable portfolio losses.

 
51

 


Activity in the allowance for loan losses is summarized below:

 
For the nine months ended
and as of
 
For the year ended
and as of
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
   
May 31,
   
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2007
   
Beginning balance
$
561,663
 
$
611,443
 
$
611,443
   
Recovery of loan losses
 
(47,900
)
 
-
   
(6,922
)
 
Net write-offs
 
(16,503
)
 
(77
)
 
(42,858
)
 
Ending balance
$
497,260
 
$
611,366
 
$
561,663
   
                     
Loan loss allowance by segment:
                   
    National Rural
$
496,891
 
$
610,778
 
$
561,113
   
    NCSC
 
369
   
588
   
550
   
    Total
$
497,260
 
$
611,366
 
$
561,663
   
                     
As a percentage of total loans outstanding
 
2.66
%
 
3.43
%
 
3.10
%
 
As a percentage of total non-performing loans outstanding
 
98.59
%
 
112.94
%
 
111.95
%
 
As a percentage of total restructured loans outstanding
 
85.08
%
 
100.16
%
 
93.20
%
 

National Rural has agreed to indemnify RTFC and NCSC for loan losses, with the exception of the NCSC consumer loans that are covered by the NCSC loan loss allowance.  Therefore, there is no loan loss allowance required at RTFC and only a small loan loss allowance is required at NCSC to cover the exposure to consumer loans.

The Company's loan loss allowance decreased $64 million from May 31, 2007 to February 29, 2008.  Within National Rural's loan loss allowance at February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year end, there was a decrease in the calculated impairments of $80 million.  The decrease to the calculated impairments was primarily due to a settlement agreement with VarTec resulting in a loan write-off of $17 million, payments received on impaired loans and lower variable interest rates at February 29, 2008 as compared to May 31, 2007.

In addition to the general portfolio reserve, the Company maintains an additional reserve for borrowers with a total exposure in excess of 1.5% of its total loans and guarantees outstanding.  The additional reserve is based on the amount of exposure in excess of 1.5% of the Company's total exposure, and the borrower's internal risk rating.  At February 29, 2008, the Company lowered the total exposure threshold from 1.5% to 1.0%, which provides a better match to the Company’s top ten credit exposures.  At February 29, 2008, the Company increased the reserve for the additional risk related to large exposures by $18 million.

The allowance for all other loans decreased by $2 million.

 
52

 


Liabilities, Minority Interest and Equity
Outstanding Debt
The following chart provides a breakout of debt outstanding:

 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
February 29,
2008
 
May 31,
2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Short-term debt:
                     
     Commercial paper (1)
$
3,032,163
   
$
2,784,619
   
$
247,544
 
     Bank bid notes
 
200,000
     
100,000
     
100,000
 
     Long-term debt with remaining maturities less than one year
 
3,206,966
     
1,367,504
     
1,839,462
 
     Subordinated deferrable debt with remaining maturities less than one year
 
-
     
175,000
     
(175,000
)
Total short-term debt
 
6,439,129
     
 4,427,123
     
2,012,006
 
Long-term debt:
                     
     Collateral trust bonds
 
2,886,358
     
4,017,357
     
(1,130,999
)
     Notes payable
 
2,559,612
     
2,532,630
     
26,982
 
     Medium-term notes
 
4,286,932
     
4,745,232
     
(458,300
)
Total long-term debt
 
9,732,902
     
11,295,219
     
(1,562,317
)
Subordinated deferrable debt
 
311,440
     
311,440
     
-
 
Members' subordinated certificates:
                     
     Membership certificates
 
649,461
     
649,424
     
37
 
     Loan certificates
 
670,113
     
624,888
     
45,225
 
     Guarantee certificates
 
101,311
     
107,135
     
(5,824
)
Total members' subordinated certificates
 
1,420,885
     
1,381,447
     
39,438
 
                       
Total debt outstanding
$
17,904,356
   
$
17,415,229
   
$
489,127
 
                       
Percentage of fixed rate debt (2)
 
84%
     
83%
         
Percentage of variable rate debt (3)
 
16%
     
17%
         
Percentage of long-term debt
 
64%
     
75%
         
Percentage of short-term debt
   
36%
     
25%
         
(1) Includes $298 million and $250 million related to the daily liquidity fund at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.
(2) Includes variable rate debt that has been swapped to a fixed rate less any fixed rate debt that has been swapped to a variable rate.
(3) The rate on commercial paper notes does not change once the note has been issued.  However, the rates on new commercial paper notes change daily and commercial paper notes generally have maturities of less than 90 days.  Therefore, commercial paper notes are considered to be variable rate debt.  Also includes fixed rate debt that has been swapped to a variable rate less any variable rate debt that has been swapped to a fixed rate.

Total debt outstanding at February 29, 2008 increased as compared to May 31, 2007 due primarily to the increase of $533 million loans outstanding.  During the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, $1,595 million of extendible CTBs and $250 million of extendible MTNs were reclassified from long-term debt to short-term debt because investors elected not to extend the maturity of the debt.  In January 2008, the Company issued $700 million of 5.45% collateral trust bonds due February 2018. An additional $500 million was borrowed under FFB loan facilities with bond guarantee agreements with RUS as part of the funding mechanism for the REDLG program in August 2007.

The increase to members' subordinated certificates of $45 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 is primarily due to $60 million of new loan certificates related to the increase in loans outstanding offset by loan prepayments, normal amortization and maturities.

Minority Interest
At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company reported minority interests of $12 million and $22 million, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.  Minority interest represented 100% of RTFC and NCSC equity as the members of RTFC and NCSC own or control 100% of the interest in their respective companies.

During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, NCSC’s net loss of $10.1 million exceeded its equity balance by $1.6 million, which eliminated the minority interest equity in NCSC.  In accordance with ARB 51, National Rural is required to absorb the $1.6 million NCSC excess loss.  NCSC’s losses during the nine months ended February 29, 2008 were primarily due to its $18 million in derivative forward value losses.  Future NCSC earnings will be used to offset NCSC losses absorbed by National Rural.

Minority interest at February 29, 2008 also decreased due to the retirement of $2 million of patronage capital to RTFC members in January 2008.

NCSC’s equity balance included in minority interest on the consolidated balance sheets was $8.6 million at May 31, 2007.

 
53

 

Equity
The following chart provides a breakout of the equity balances:

 
(in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
Membership fees
$
994
   
$
997
   
$
(3
)
Education fund
 
709
     
1,406
     
(697
)
Members' capital reserve
 
158,348
     
158,308
     
40
 
Allocated net income
 
320,064
     
405,598
     
(85,534
)
Unallocated net income (1)
 
113,440
     
(23
)
   
113,463
 
          Total members' equity
 
593,555
     
566,286
     
27,269
 
Prior years cumulative derivative forward
                     
                 value and foreign currency adjustments
 
131,551
     
225,849
     
(94,298
)
Current period derivative forward value (2)
 
(155,394
)
   
(79,744
)
   
(75,650
)
Current period foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
(14,554
)
   
14,554
 
Total retained equity
 
569,712
     
697,837
     
(128,125
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
11,617
     
12,204
     
(587
)
Total equity
 
$
581,329
   
$
710,041
   
$
(128,712
)
(1) Excludes derivative forward value and foreign currency adjustments.  Unallocated net income at February 29, 2008 includes National Rural’s obligation to absorb NCSC losses in excess of their equity balance totaling $1.6 million.
(2) Represents the derivative forward value loss recorded by National Rural for the period.

Applicants are required to pay a one-time fee to become a member. The fee varies from two hundred dollars to one thousand dollars depending on the membership class.  National Rural is required by the District of Columbia cooperative law to have a methodology to allocate its net earnings to its members.  National Rural maintains the current year net earnings as unallocated through the end of its fiscal year.  Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, National Rural's board of directors allocates its net earnings to its members in the form of patronage capital and to board approved reserves.  Currently, National Rural has two such board approved reserves, the education fund and the members' capital reserve.  National Rural adjusts the net earnings it allocates to its members and board approved reserves to exclude the non-cash impacts of SFAS 133 and 52.  National Rural allocates a small portion, less than 1%, of adjusted net earnings annually to the education fund as required by cooperative law.  Funds from the education fund are disbursed annually to the statewide cooperative organizations to fund the teaching of cooperative principles in the service territories of the cooperatives in each state.  The board of directors determines the amount of adjusted net earnings that is allocated to the members' capital reserve, if any.  The members' capital reserve represents earnings that are held by National Rural to increase equity retention.  The earnings held in the members' capital reserve have not been specifically allocated to any member, but may be allocated to individual members in the future as patronage capital if authorized by National Rural's board of directors.  All remaining adjusted net earnings are allocated to National Rural's members in the form of patronage capital.  National Rural bases the amount of adjusted net earnings allocated to each member on the members' patronage of the National Rural lending programs in the year that the adjusted net earnings was earned.  There is no impact on National Rural's total equity as a result of allocating earnings to members in the form of patronage capital or to board approved reserves.  National Rural annually retires a portion of the patronage capital allocated to members in prior years.  National Rural's total equity is reduced by the amount of patronage capital retired to its members and by amounts disbursed from board approved reserves.

At February 29, 2008, total equity decreased by $129 million from May 31, 2007 due to the board authorized patronage capital retirement and a net loss of $42 million.  In July 2007, National Rural's board of directors authorized the retirement of allocated net earnings totaling $86 million, representing 70% of the fiscal year 2007 allocation and one-ninth of the fiscal years 1991, 1992 and 1993 allocated net earnings.  This amount was returned to members in cash in September 2007.

 
54

 
 
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the long-term contractual obligations at February 29, 2008 and the scheduled reductions by fiscal year.
 
(in millions)
                     
More than 5
     
Instrument
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
Years
 
Total
Long-term debt due in less than one year
 
$
84
   
$
3,123
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
3,207
Long-term debt
   
-
     
33
     
1,824
     
539
     
1,546
     
5,791
     
9,733
Subordinated deferrable debt
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
311
     
311
Members' subordinated certificates (1)
   
1
     
10
     
36
     
23
     
9
     
1,061
     
1,140
Operating leases (2)
   
1
     
3
     
2
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6
Contractual interest on long-term debt (3)
   
178
     
623
     
518
     
468
     
421
     
4,566
     
6,774
Total contractual obligations
   
$
264
   
$
3,792
   
$
2,380
   
$
1,030
   
$
1,976
   
$
11,729
   
$
21,171
(1) Excludes loan subordinated certificates totaling $281 million that amortize annually based on the outstanding balance of the related loan.  There are many items that impact the amortization of a loan, such as loan conversions, loan repricing at the end of an interest rate term and prepayments, thus an amortization schedule cannot be maintained for these certificates.  Over the past three years, annual amortization on these certificates has averaged $28 million.  In fiscal year 2007, amortization represented 12% of amortizing loan subordinated certificates outstanding.
(2) Represents the payment obligation related to the Company's lease of office space for its headquarters facility.  In September 2007, the Company exercised the option to extend the lease for an additional one-year period.  Assuming the Company exercises the option to extend the lease for an additional one-year period in fiscal year 2009, the future minimum lease payments for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 would increase to $4 million and $2 million, respectively.
(3) Represents the interest obligation on the Company's debt based on terms and conditions at February 29, 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Obligations
Guarantees
The following chart provides a breakout of guarantees outstanding by type and by segment:

         
Increase/
(in thousands)
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
(Decrease)
Total by type:
                     
Long-term tax-exempt bonds
$
499,605
   
$
526,185
   
$
(26,580
)
Indemnifications of tax benefit transfers
 
97,393
     
107,741
     
(10,348
)
Letters of credit
 
381,436
     
365,766
     
15,670
 
Other guarantees
 
80,415
     
74,682
     
5,733
 
              Total
$
1,058,849
   
$
1,074,374
   
$
(15,525
)
Total by segment:
                     
National Rural
$
990,472
   
$
1,033,688
   
$
(43,216
)
RTFC
 
260
     
-
     
260
 
NCSC
 
68,117
     
40,686
     
27,431
 
  Total
$
1,058,849
   
$
1,074,374
   
$
(15,525
)

The decrease in total guarantees outstanding at February 29, 2008 compared to May 31, 2007 is primarily due to the normal amortization on long-term tax-exempt bonds and tax benefit transfers offset by a $27 million increase to NCSC letters of credit outstanding.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company had recorded a guarantee liability totaling $14 million and $19 million, respectively, which represents the contingent and non-contingent exposure related to guarantees of members' debt obligations.

The following table summarizes the off-balance sheet obligations at February 29, 2008 and the related principal amortization and maturities by fiscal year.

(in thousands)
     
Principal Amortization and Maturities
   
   
Outstanding
                     
Remaining
   
   
Balance
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
Years
   
 
Guarantees (1)
   
$
1,058,849
 
$
11,207
 
$
250,435
 
$
157,296
 
$
146,293
 
$
101,306
 
$
392,312
 
(1) On a total of $261 million of tax-exempt bonds, National Rural has unconditionally agreed to purchase bonds tendered or called for redemption at any time if the remarketing agents have not sold such bonds to other purchasers.

 
55

 


Contingent Off-Balance Sheet Obligations
Unadvanced Loan Commitments
At February 29, 2008, the Company had unadvanced loan commitments totaling $12,995 million, an increase of $91 million compared to the balance of $12,904 million at May 31, 2007.  Unadvanced commitments are loans for which loan contracts have been approved and executed, but funds have not been advanced.  The majority of the short-term unadvanced commitments provide backup liquidity to the Company's borrowers; therefore, it does not anticipate funding most of these commitments.  Approximately 57% and 56% of the outstanding commitments at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively, were for short-term or line of credit loans.  Substantially all above mentioned credit commitments contain material adverse change clauses, thus for a borrower to qualify for the advance of funds, the Company must be satisfied that there has been no material change since the loan was approved.

Unadvanced loan commitments do not represent off-balance sheet liabilities and have not been included in the chart summarizing off-balance sheet obligations above.  The Company has no obligation to advance amounts to a borrower that does not meet the minimum conditions as determined by National Rural's credit underwriting policy in effect at the time the loan was approved.  If there has been a material adverse change in the borrower's financial condition or the borrower has not satisfied other terms in the agreement, the Company generally is not required to advance funds.  Therefore, unadvanced commitments are classified as contingent liabilities.

Ratio Analysis
Leverage Ratio
The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of total liabilities and guarantees outstanding by total equity.  Based on this formula, the leverage ratio at February 29, 2008 was 33.93, an increase from 26.64 at May 31, 2007.  The increase in the leverage ratio is due to a decrease of $129 million in total equity and an increase of $823 million to total liabilities offset by a decrease of $16 million in guarantees as discussed under the Liabilities, Minority Interest and Equity section and the Off-Balance Sheet Obligations section of "Financial Condition".

For the purpose of covenant compliance on its revolving credit agreements and for internal management purposes, the leverage ratio calculation is adjusted to exclude derivative liabilities, debt used to fund RUS guaranteed loans, subordinated deferrable debt and subordinated certificates from liabilities, uses members' equity rather than total equity and adds subordinated deferrable debt, subordinated certificates and minority interest to arrive at adjusted equity.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the adjusted leverage ratio was 7.43 and 6.81, respectively.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of the adjustments the Company makes in its leverage ratio calculation.

The increase in the adjusted leverage ratio is due to a decrease of $118 million in adjusted equity and an increase in adjusted liabilities of $665 million offset by a decrease in guarantees of $16 million as discussed under the Liabilities, Minority Interest and Equity section and the Off-Balance Sheet Obligations section of "Financial Condition".  In addition to the adjustments made to the leverage ratio in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section, guarantees to member systems that have an investment grade rating from Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's Corporation are excluded from the calculation of the leverage ratio under the terms of the revolving credit agreements.

Debt to Equity Ratio
The debt to equity ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of total liabilities outstanding by total equity.  The debt to equity ratio, based on this formula at February 29, 2008 was 32.11, an increase from 25.13 at May 31, 2007.  The increase in the debt to equity ratio is due to the decrease of $129 million to total equity and an increase of $823 million to total liabilities as discussed under the Liabilities, Minority Interest and Equity section of "Financial Condition".

For internal management purposes, the debt to equity ratio calculation is adjusted to exclude derivative liabilities, debt used to fund RUS guaranteed loans, subordinated deferrable debt and subordinated certificates from liabilities, uses members' equity rather than total equity and adds subordinated deferrable debt, subordinated certificates and minority interest to arrive at adjusted equity.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the adjusted debt to equity ratio was 6.98 and 6.37, respectively.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of the adjustments made to the debt to equity ratio calculation.  The increase in the adjusted debt to equity ratio is due to the decrease of $118 million in adjusted equity and an increase of $665 million in adjusted liabilities.

 
56

 


Credit Ratings
The Company's long- and short-term debt and guarantees are rated by three of the major credit rating agencies registered with the SEC, Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Corporation and Fitch Ratings.  The following table presents the Company's credit ratings at February 29, 2008.

 
Moody's Investors
 
Standard & Poor's
   
 
Service
 
Corporation
 
Fitch Ratings
Direct:
                     
Senior secured debt
 
A1
     
A+
     
A+
 
Senior unsecured debt
 
A2
     
A
     
A
 
Subordinated deferrable debt
 
A3
     
BBB+
     
A-
 
Commercial paper
 
P-1
     
A-1
     
F-1
 
                       
Guarantees:
                     
Pooled bonds
 
A1
     
A
     
A
 
Other bonds
 
A2
     
A
     
A
 
Short-term
 
P-1
     
A-1
     
F-1
 

The ratings listed above have the meaning as defined by each of the respective rating agencies, are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating organizations.

At February 29, 2008, Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Fitch Ratings had the Company’s ratings on positive outlook and Moody's Investors Service had the Company's ratings on stable outlook.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following section will discuss the Company's sources and uses of liquidity.  The Company's primary sources of liquidity include capital market debt issuance, private debt issuance, member loan principal repayments, member loan interest payments, a revolving bank line facility and member investments.  The Company's primary uses of liquidity include loan advances, interest payments on debt, principal repayments on debt and patronage capital retirements.  The Company believes that its sources of liquidity are adequate to cover the uses of liquidity.

Sources of Liquidity
Capital Market Debt Issuance
At February 29, 2008, the Company had effective registration statements for the issuance of $2,703 million of medium-term notes and $165 million of subordinated deferrable debt.  The Company qualifies as a well-known seasoned issuer under SEC rules and filed an automatic shelf registration statement for collateral trust bonds in October 2007.  This automatic shelf registration statement is effective for three years for an unlimited amount of collateral trust bonds.   The Company has Board authorization to issue up to $1 billion of commercial paper and $4 billion of medium-term notes in the European market.  The Company also has Board authorization to issue $1.9 billion of medium-term notes in the Australian market.  At February 29, 2008, the Company has not utilized any of the European or Australian market authorizations.  In addition, the Company has a commercial paper program under which it sells commercial paper to investors in the capital markets.  The Company limits the amount of commercial paper that can be sold to the amount of backup liquidity available under the Company's revolving credit agreement.  The Company also obtains short-term funding from the sale of floating rate demand notes under its daily liquidity fund program. The registration statement for the daily liquidity fund program is effective for a three-year period ending April 2010 for a total of $20 billion with a limitation on the aggregate principal amount outstanding at one time of $3 billion.

Private Debt Issuance
Beginning in fiscal year 2006, the Company made use of two sources of private debt issuance.  In July 2005, the Company issued $500 million of notes to Farmer Mac due in July 2008 and secured such issuance with the pledge of loans to distribution systems as collateral.  The Company is also authorized to borrow up to $2.5 billion under FFB loan facilities with bond guarantee agreements with RUS as part of the funding mechanism for the REDLG program, of which $2.5 billion was outstanding at February 29, 2008.  On August 7, 2007, National Rural received the remaining $500 million available under FFB loan facilities, as $2 billion of funding was outstanding at May 31, 2007.  National Rural is required to place on deposit mortgage notes in an amount at least equal to the principal balance of the notes outstanding.

On December 26, 2007, the President of the United States signed the Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which provides an additional $500 million in funding from the FFB with a guarantee of repayment by the RUS as part of the funding mechanism for REDLG.  The Company is not currently eligible to borrow that additional $500 million because of a limitation in current law based on the amount of loans the Company has issued on a concurrent basis with RUS.  If that limitation is removed in future legislation, the Company would be eligible to apply for the additional $500 million.

 
57

 

In March 2008, the Company sold to Farmer Mac $400 million of floating rate debt due in 2013 and secured by the pledge of National Rural distribution system mortgage notes.

Member Loan Repayments
Scheduled repayments on long-term loans are expected to average $950 million a year for fiscal years 2008 to 2012.  There has been significant prepayment activity over the past two fiscal years in the telecommunications loan programs.  It is not anticipated that there will be significant loan prepayments over the next few years.

Member Loan Interest Payments
During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, interest income on the loan portfolio was $778 million, representing an average yield of 5.67% as compared to 5.60% for the nine months ended February 28, 2007.  At February 29, 2008, 81% of the total loans outstanding had a fixed rate of interest and 19% of loans outstanding had a variable rate of interest. At February 29, 2008, a total of 6% of loans outstanding were on a non-accrual basis with respect to the recognition of interest income.

Bank Revolving Credit Facility
The following is a summary of the amounts available under the Company's revolving credit agreements:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
   
February 29, 2008
   
May 31, 2007
   
Termination Date
   
Facility fee per annum (1)
364-day agreement (2)
 
$
1,125,000
 
$
1,125,000
   
March 14, 2008
   
0.05 of 1%
Five-year agreement
   
1,125,000
   
1,125,000
   
March 16, 2012
   
0.06 of 1%
Five-year agreement
   
1,025,000
   
1,025,000
   
March 22, 2011
   
0.06 of 1%
  Total
   
$
3,275,000
 
$
3,275,000
           
(1) Facility fee determined by National Rural's senior unsecured credit ratings based on the pricing schedules put in place at the initiation of the related agreement.
(2) Any amount outstanding under these agreements may be converted to a one-year term loan at the end of the revolving credit periods.  If converted to a term loan, the fee on the outstanding principal amount of the term loan is 0.10 of 1% per annum.

Upfront fees of between 0.03 and 0.05 of 1% were paid to the banks based on their commitment level to the five-year agreements in place at February 29, 2008, totaling in aggregate $1 million, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreements.  No upfront fees were paid to the banks for their commitment to the 364-day facility.  Each agreement contains a provision under which if borrowings exceed 50% of total commitments, a utilization fee must be paid on the outstanding balance.  The utilization fees are 0.05 of 1% for all three agreements in place at February 29, 2008.

Effective February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and conditions under its revolving credit agreements in place at that time and there were no borrowings outstanding under such agreements.

For the purpose of calculating the required financial covenants contained in its revolving credit agreements, the Company adjusts net income, senior debt and total equity to exclude the non-cash adjustments related to SFAS 133 and 52.  The adjusted TIER, as defined by the agreements, represents the interest expense adjusted to include the derivative cash settlements, plus net income prior to the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, plus minority interest net
income and dividing that total by the interest expense adjusted to include the derivative cash settlements.  In addition to the non-cash adjustments related to SFAS 133 and 52, senior debt also excludes RUS guaranteed loans, subordinated deferrable debt, members' subordinated certificates and minority interest.  Total equity is adjusted to include subordinated deferrable debt, members' subordinated certificates and minority interest.  Senior debt includes guarantees; however, it excludes:
·  
guarantees for members where the long-term unsecured debt of the member is rated at least BBB+ by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Baa1 by Moody's Investors Service; and
·  
the payment of principal and interest by the member on the guaranteed indebtedness if covered by insurance or reinsurance provided by an insurer having an insurance financial strength rating of AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation or a financial strength rating of Aaa by Moody's Investors Service.

The following represents the Company's required and actual financial ratios under the revolving credit agreements at or for the periods ended February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007:
 
 
 
Actual
 
Requirement
 
February 29,
2008
 
May 31,
2007
             
Minimum average adjusted TIER over the six most recent fiscal quarters
1.025
 
1.16
 
1.09
             
Minimum adjusted TIER at fiscal year end (1)
1.05
 
1.12
 
1.12
             
Maximum ratio of senior debt to total equity
10.00
 
7.26
 
6.65
   
(1) The Company must meet this requirement in order to retire patronage capital.  The adjusted TIER reported at February 29, 2008 is the amount from the prior year end, the last measurement date for this ratio.

 
58

 

The revolving credit agreements do not contain a material adverse change clause or ratings triggers that limit the banks' obligations to fund under the terms of the agreements, but National Rural must be in compliance with their other requirements, including financial ratios, in order to draw down on the facilities.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the 364-day revolving credit agreement in place at February 29, 2008 totaling $1,125 million was replaced on March 14, 2008 with a new 364-day agreement totaling $1,500 million expiring on March 13, 2009.  Any amount outstanding under the new 364-day agreement may be converted to a one-year term loan at the end of the revolving credit period with a 0.10 of 1% per annum fee on the outstanding principal amount of the term loan.  The facility fee for the 364-day facility is 0.05 of 1% per annum based on the pricing schedule in place at March 14, 2008.  Upfront fees of $147,000 were paid to the banks based on their commitment level to the 364-day agreement.  The agreement contains a provision under which if borrowings exceed 50% of total commitments, a utilization fee of 0.05 of 1% must be paid on the outstanding balance.  National Rural's five-year agreement totaling $1,025 million is still in effect and expires on March 22, 2011.  National Rural's five-year agreement totaling $1,125 million is still in effect and expires on March 16, 2012.  The total committed credit available under these three current facilities was $3,650 million at March 14, 2008.

Member Investments
At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, members funded 19.6% and 20.9%, respectively, of total assets as follows:

 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
 
Increase/
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Amount
 
% of Total (1)
 
Amount
 
% of Total (1)
 
(Decrease)
 
 
Commercial paper (2)
$
1,411,075
   
47%
   
$
1,633,653
 
59%
   
$
(222,578
)
 
Medium-term notes
 
358,069
   
7%
     
307,622
 
6%
     
50,447
 
 
Members' subordinated certificates
 
1,420,885
   
100%
     
1,381,447
 
100%
     
39,438
 
 
Members' equity (3)
 
593,555
   
100%
     
566,286
 
100%
     
27,269
 
 
Total
$
3,783,584
         
$
3,889,008
       
$
(105,424
)
 
Percentage of total assets
 
19.6
%
         
20.9
%
           
 
Percentage of total assets less derivative assets (3)
 
20.0
%
         
21.2
%
           
(1) Represents the percentage of each line item outstanding to National Rural members.
(2) Includes $298 million and $250 million related to the daily liquidity fund at February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.
(3) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of the adjustments made to total capitalization and a breakout of members' equity.

Uses of Liquidity
Loan Advances
Loan advances are the result of new loans approved to members and from the unadvanced portion of loans that were approved prior to February 29, 2008.  At February 29, 2008, the Company had unadvanced loan commitments totaling $12,995 million.  The Company does not expect to advance the full amount of the unadvanced commitments at February 29, 2008.  Unadvanced commitments generally expire within five years of the first advance on a loan and the majority of short-term unadvanced commitments are used as backup liquidity for member operations.  Approximately 57% of the outstanding commitments at February 29, 2008 were for short-term or line of credit loans.  The Company anticipates that over the next twelve months, loan advances will be approximately equal to the scheduled loan repayments.

Interest Expense on Debt
For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, interest expense on debt was $693 million, representing 5.05% of the average loan volume for which the debt was used as funding.  The interest expense on debt represented 5.30% of the average loan volume for which the debt was used as funding for the nine months ended February 28, 2007.  At February 29, 2008, a total of 84% of outstanding debt had a fixed interest rate and 16% of outstanding debt had a variable interest rate.

Principal Repayments on Long-term Debt
The principal amount of medium-term notes, collateral trust bonds, long-term notes payable, subordinated deferrable debt and membership subordinated certificates maturing in each of the five fiscal years following February 29, 2008 and thereafter is as follows:

   
Amount
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
Maturing (1)
2008
$
85
2009
 
3,166
2010
 
1,860
2011
 
562
2012
 
1,555
Thereafter
 
7,163
Total
 
$
14,391
(1) Excludes loan subordinated certificates totaling $281 million that amortize annually based on the outstanding balance of the related loan.  There are many items that impact the amortization of a loan, such as loan conversions, loan repricing at the end of an interest rate term and prepayments thus, an amortization schedule cannot be maintained for these certificates.  Over the past three years, annual amortization on these certificates has averaged $28 million.  In fiscal year 2007, amortization represented 12% of amortizing loan subordinated certificates outstanding.

 
59

 

Patronage Capital Retirements
The Company has made annual retirements of its allocated patronage capital in 27 of the last 28 years.  In July 2007, the National Rural board of directors approved the allocation of a total of $104 million from fiscal year 2007 net earnings to the National Rural members.  In September 2007, National Rural made a cash payment of $86 million to its members as retirement of 70% of the amount allocated for fiscal year 2007 and 1/9th of the amount allocated for fiscal years 1991, 1992 and 1993.

Market Risk

The Company's primary market risks are interest rate risk and liquidity risk.  The Company is also exposed to counterparty risk as a result of entering into interest rate exchange agreements.

Interest Rate Risk
The interest rate risk exposure is related to the funding of the fixed rate loan portfolio.  The Company does not match fund the majority of its fixed rate loans with a specific debt issuance at the time the loans are advanced.  The Company aggregates fixed rate loans until the volume reaches a level that will allow an economically efficient issuance of debt.  The Company uses fixed rate collateral trust bonds, medium-term notes, subordinated deferrable debt, members' subordinated certificates, members' equity and variable rate debt to fund fixed rate loans.  The Company allows borrowers flexibility in the selection of the period for which a fixed interest rate will be in effect.  Long-term loans typically have maturities of up to 35 years.  Borrowers may select fixed interest rates for periods of one year through the life of the loan.  To mitigate interest rate risk in the funding of fixed rate loans, the Company performs a monthly gap analysis, a comparison of fixed rate assets repricing or maturing by year to fixed rate liabilities and members' equity maturing by year (see chart on page 61).  The interest rate risk is deemed minimal on variable rate loans, since the loans may be repriced either monthly or semi-monthly to reflect the cost of the debt used to fund the loans.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, 19%, and 18%, respectively, of loans carried variable interest rates.

Matched Funding Policy
To monitor interest rate risk in the funding of fixed rate loans, the Company performs a monthly gap analysis (see chart on page 61).  It is the Company's funding objective to manage the matched funding of asset and liability repricing terms within a range of 3% of total assets excluding derivative assets.  At February 29, 2008, the Company had $14,851 million of fixed rate assets amortizing or repricing, funded by $14,299 million of fixed rate liabilities maturing during the next 30 years and $424 million of members' equity and members' subordinated certificates, a portion of which does not have a scheduled maturity.  The difference of $128 million, or less than 1% of total assets and total assets excluding derivative assets, represents the fixed rate assets maturing during the next 30 years in excess of the fixed rate debt and equity.  Fixed rate loans are funded with fixed rate collateral trust bonds, medium-term notes, long-term notes payable, subordinated deferrable debt, members' subordinated certificates and members' equity.  With the exception of members' subordinated certificates, which are generally issued at rates below the Company's long-term cost of funding and with extended maturities, and commercial paper, the Company's liabilities have average maturities that closely match the repricing terms (but not the maturities) of its fixed interest rate loans.  The Company also uses commercial paper supported by interest rate exchange agreements to fund its portfolio of fixed rate loans.  Variable rate assets which reprice monthly or semi-monthly are funded with short-term liabilities, primarily commercial paper, collateral trust bonds, long-term notes payable and medium-term notes issued with a fixed rate and swapped to a variable rate, medium-term notes issued at a variable rate, subordinated certificates, members' equity and bank bid notes.  The schedule allows the Company to analyze the impact on the overall adjusted TIER of issuing a certain amount of debt at a fixed rate for various maturities, prior to issuance of the debt.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further explanation and a reconciliation of the adjustments to TIER.

Certain of the Company's collateral trust bonds, subordinated deferrable debt and medium-term notes were issued with early redemption provisions.  To the extent borrowers are allowed to convert their fixed rate loans to a variable interest rate and to the extent it is beneficial, the Company takes advantage of these early redemption provisions.  However, because conversions and prepayments can take place at different intervals from early redemptions, the Company charges conversion fees designed to compensate for any additional interest rate risk it assumes.

 
60

 


The following chart shows the scheduled amortization and repricing of fixed rate assets and liabilities outstanding at February 29, 2008.

INTEREST RATE GAP ANALYSIS
(Fixed Rate Assets/Liabilities)
As of February 29, 2008

 
May 31,
 
June 1,
 
June 1,
 
June 1,
 
June 1,
         
 
2008
 
2008 to
 
2010 to
 
2012 to
 
2017 to
 
Beyond
     
 
or
 
May 31,
 
May 31,
 
May 31,
 
May 31,
 
June 1,
     
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 prior
 
 2010
 
 2012
 
 2017
 
 2027
 
 2027
 
Total
 
Assets:
                                                   
    Amortization and repricing
$
245
 
$
3,617
   
$
3,182
   
$
3,838
   
$
2,801
   
$
1,168
   
$
14,851
 
        Total assets
$
245
 
$
3,617
   
$
3,182
   
$
3,838
   
$
2,801
   
$
1,168
   
$
14,851
 
                                                     
Liabilities and members' equity:
                                                   
    Long-term debt
$
243
 
$
3,312
   
$
3,881
   
$
3,756
   
$
1,625
   
$
254
   
$
13,071
 
    Subordinated certificates
 
6
   
47
     
82
     
70
     
243
     
780
     
1,228
 
    Members' equity (1)
 
13
   
26
     
28
     
121
     
101
     
135
     
424
 
        Total liabilities and members' equity
$
262
 
$
3,385
   
$
3,991
   
$
3,947
   
$
1,969
   
$
1,169
   
$
14,723
 
                                                     
Gap (2)
$
(17
)
$
232
   
$
(809
)
 
$
(109
)
 
$
832
   
$
(1
)
 
$
128
 
Cumulative gap
$
(17
)
$
215
   
$
(594
)
 
$
(703
)
 
$
129
   
$
128
         
Cumulative gap as a % of total assets
 
(0.09
)%
 
1.12
%
   
(3.08
)%
   
(3.65
)%
   
0.67
%
   
0.66
%
       
Cumulative gap as a % of adjusted total assets (3)
 
(0.09
)%
 
1.14
%
   
(3.14
)%
   
(3.72
)%
   
0.68
%
   
0.68
%
       
(1) Includes the portion of the loan loss allowance and subordinated deferrable debt allocated to fund fixed rate assets.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for further explanation of why National Rural uses members’ equity in its analysis of the funding of its loan portfolio.
(2) Assets less liabilities and members’ equity.
(3) Adjusted total assets represents total assets in the consolidated balance sheet less derivative assets.

Use of Derivatives
At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company was a party to interest rate exchange agreements with a total notional amount of $12,957 million and $12,533 million, respectively.  The Company uses interest rate exchange agreements as part of its overall interest rate matching strategy.  Interest rate exchange agreements are used when they provide a lower cost of funding or minimize interest rate risk.  The Company will enter into interest rate exchange agreements only with highly rated financial institutions.  National Rural used interest rate exchange agreements to synthetically change the interest rate from a variable rate to a fixed rate on $7,701 million as of February 29, 2008 and $7,277 million as of May 31, 2007 of debt used to fund long-term fixed rate loans.  Interest rate exchange agreements were used to synthetically change the interest rates from
fixed to variable on $5,256 million of long-term debt as of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.  The Company has not invested in derivative financial instruments for trading purposes in the past and does not anticipate doing so in the future.

At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, there were no foreign currency exchange agreements outstanding.

Counterparty Risk
The Company is exposed to counterparty risk related to the performance of the parties with which it has entered into interest rate exchange agreements.  To mitigate this risk, the Company only enters into these agreements with financial institutions with investment grade ratings.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company was a party to interest rate exchange agreements with notional amounts totaling $12,957 million and $12,533 million, respectively.  To date, the Company has not experienced a failure of a counterparty to perform as required under any of these agreements.  At the time counterparties are selected to participate in the Company's exchange agreements, the counterparty must be a participant in one of its revolving credit agreements.  At February 29, 2008, the Company's interest rate exchange agreement counterparties had credit ratings ranging from AAA to A- as assigned by Standard & Poor's Corporation.

Foreign Currency Risk
The Company may issue commercial paper, medium-term notes or bonds denominated in foreign currencies.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, there was no foreign denominated debt outstanding.  When the Company issues foreign denominated debt, it typically mitigates foreign currency risk by entering into an exchange agreement to lock in the exchange rate for all interest and principal payments through maturity.

Rating Triggers
The Company has certain interest rate exchange agreements that contain a condition that will allow one counterparty to terminate the agreement if the credit rating of the other counterparty drops to a certain level.   This condition is commonly called a rating trigger.  Under the rating trigger, if the credit rating for either counterparty falls to the level specified in the agreement, the other counterparty may, but is not obligated to, terminate the agreement.  If either counterparty terminates

 
61

 

the agreement, a net payment may be due from one counterparty to the other based on the fair value of the underlying derivative instrument.  Rating triggers are not separate financial instruments and are not separate derivatives under SFAS 133.

At February 29, 2008, the Company had the following notional amount and fair values associated with exchange agreements that contain rating triggers.  For the purpose of the presentation, the Company has grouped the rating triggers into two categories, (1) ratings from Moody's Investors Service falls to Baa1 or from Standard & Poor's Corporation falls to BBB+ and (2) ratings from Moody's Investors Service falls below Baa1 or from Standard & Poor's Corporation falls below BBB+.

(in thousands)
   
Notional
Amount
     
Required Company Payment
     
Amount Company Would Collect
     
Net
Total
 
Rating Level:
                               
Fall to Baa1/BBB+
 
$
1,739,419
   
$
 (45,283)
   
$
82,534
   
$
37,251
 
Fall below Baa1/BBB+
   
7,183,620
     
(203,636)
     
136,855
     
(66,781
)
Total
 
$
8,923,039
   
$
(248,919)
   
$
219,389
   
$
(29,530
)
                                 
See chart on page 57 for National Rural's senior unsecured credit ratings as of February 29, 2008.

Additionally, if ratings from Moody's Investors Service fall below Baa2 or from Standard & Poor's Corporation fall below BBB, the Company would be required to pledge collateral equal to the net obligation, or net fair value, of the related exchange agreements, due to the affected counterparty, if any.  At February 29, 2008, the net obligation totaled $18 million for the $718 million notional amount of exchange agreements subject to this rating trigger.

Liquidity Risk
The Company faces liquidity risk in the funding of its loan portfolio and refinancing its maturing obligations.  The Company offers long-term loans with maturities of up to 35 years and line of credit loans that are generally required to be paid down annually.  On long-term loans, the Company offers a variety of interest rate options including the ability to fix the interest rate for terms of one year through maturity.  At February 29, 2008, the Company had a total of $3,207 million of long-term debt maturing during the next twelve months.  The Company funds the loan portfolio with a variety of debt instruments and its members' equity.  The Company typically does not match fund each of its loans with a debt instrument of similar final maturity.  Debt instruments such as subordinated certificates have maturities that vary from the term of the associated loan or guarantee to 100 years and subordinated deferrable debt has been issued with maturities of up to 49 years.

The Company may issue collateral trust bonds and medium-term notes for periods of up to 30 years, but typically issues such debt instruments with maturities of 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years.  Debt instruments such as commercial paper and bank bid notes typically have maturities of 90 days or less. Therefore, the Company is at risk if it is not able to issue new debt instruments to replace debt that matures prior to the maturity of the loans for which they are used as funding.  Factors that mitigate liquidity risk include the Company maintenance of back-up liquidity through revolving credit agreements with domestic and foreign banks and a large volume of scheduled principal repayments received on an annual basis.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company had a total of $3,275 million in revolving credit agreements and bank lines of credit.  Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on March 14, 2008, the Company increased the total of its revolving credit agreements to $3,650 million.  In addition, the Company limits the amount of dealer commercial paper and bank bid notes outstanding in the funding of loans.  The Company's objective is to maintain the amount of dealer commercial paper and bank bid notes outstanding at 15% or less of total debt outstanding.  At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, there was a total of $1,680 million and $1,118 million, respectively, of dealer commercial paper and bank bid notes outstanding, representing 9% and 6%, respectively, of the Company's total debt outstanding.

National Rural continues to see significant investment support from its members with $3.2 billion of commercial paper, daily liquidity fund, medium-term notes and subordinated certificate investments outstanding at February 29, 2008.  The member debt investments represented 18% of the total debt outstanding at February 29, 2008.  In addition, National Rural had a total of $3 billion of privately placed debt outstanding at February 29, 2008, $2.5 billion of which was guaranteed by the U.S. Government under the REDLG program.  National Rural borrowed the remaining $500 million authorized under the REDLG program during the nine months ended February 29, 2008, which limited the amount of long-term public debt required during the period.  The private placements of debt represented 17% of total debt outstanding at February 29, 2008.  National Rural did not experience any difficulty issuing its commercial paper in the capital markets, although there was a slight widening of the spread demanded by investors.  NCSC did experience some issues with the issuance of its commercial paper, which carries a guarantee from National Rural.  Due to the significant increase in spread demanded by investors, NCSC was limited to issuing very short maturities for a period of time during the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  The slightly higher spread paid on dealer commercial paper did not have a significant impact on National Rural's funding cost, as dealer commercial paper has represented 8% or less of total debt during this period.  At the time of this filing, neither National Rural or NCSC are experiencing any difficulties issuing commercial paper and current spreads are consistent with National Rural’s historic trading levels.

 
62

 

National Rural lends only to its electric and telephone utility members and their affiliates and thus, does not have any residential mortgage exposure.  National Rural's loan portfolio is heavily weighted by electric distribution systems, which provide an essential service to their customers in a defined service territory where, in many cases, there is no competition.

Holders of $2,140 million of the Company’s extendible debt elected not to extend the maturity during the nine months ended February 29, 2008.  As a result, $1,845 million of extendible debt was reclassified from long-term debt to short-term debt based on maturity dates ranging from August 2008 through February 2009.  The remaining $295 million of extendible debt will mature in fiscal year 2010.

At February 29, 2008, the Company was the guarantor and liquidity provider for $261 million of tax-exempt bonds issued for its member cooperatives.  A total of $133 million of such tax-exempt bonds were in flexible and weekly mode, which reprice every seven to thirty-five days.  A total of $51 million of such tax-exempt bonds reprice semi-annually.  A total of $77 million of such bonds were in unit price mode and reprice approximately every 30 days.  National Rural has not been required to purchase any of the bonds in its role as liquidity provider.  In addition to these tax-exempt bonds, National Rural was the guarantor, but not liquidity provider, for $224 million of tax-exempt bonds that were in the auction rate mode.  National Rural has not been required to perform under the guarantee of its members’ tax-exempt bonds.

For additional information of risks related to the Company's business, see Item 1A. "Risk Factors".

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company makes certain adjustments to financial measures in assessing its financial performance that are not in accordance with GAAP.  These non-GAAP adjustments fall primarily into two categories:  (1) adjustments related to the calculation of the TIER ratio, and (2) adjustments related to the calculation of leverage and debt to equity ratios.  These adjustments reflect management's perspective on the Company's operations, and in several cases adjustments used to measure covenant compliance under its revolving credit agreements, and thus, the Company believes these are useful financial measures for investors.  The Company refers to its non-GAAP financial measures as "adjusted" throughout this document.

Adjustments to Net Income and the Calculation of the TIER Ratio

The following chart provides a reconciliation between interest expense, net interest income, income prior to income taxes and minority interest, and net income and these financial measures adjusted to exclude the impact of derivatives and foreign currency adjustments and to include minority interest in net income.  Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007 for an explanation of why these adjustments to net income and the calculation of the TIER ratio reflect management's perspective on the Company's operations and why the Company believes these are useful financial measures for investors.

   
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
(in thousands)
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007

                                 
Interest expense
 
$
(233,468
)
 
$
(247,441
)
 
$
(720,810
)
 
$
(752,036
)
Adjusted to include:  Derivative cash settlements
   
10,463
     
44,442
     
30,299
     
76,190
 
Adjusted interest expense
 
$
(223,005
)
 
$
(202,999
)
 
$
(690,511
)
 
$
(675,846
)
                                 

                                 
Net interest income
 
$
33,108
   
$
17,432
   
$
77,007
   
$
37,770
 
Adjusted to include:  Derivative cash settlements
   
10,463
     
44,442
     
30,299
     
76,190
 
Adjusted net interest income
 
$
43,571
   
$
61,874
   
$
107,306
   
$
113,960
 
                                 

                                 
(Loss) income prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
$
(4,586
)
 
$
48,696
   
$
(56,328
)
 
$
(52,396
)
Adjusted to exclude: Derivative forward value
   
64,266
     
4,189
     
173,278
     
120,779
 
Foreign currency adjustments
 
-
     
(1,886
)
   
-
     
15,413
 
Adjusted income prior to income taxes and minority interest
 
$
59,680
   
$
50,999
   
$
116,950
   
$
83,796
 
                                 

                                 
Net (loss) income
 
$
(323
)
 
$
48,635
   
$
(41,931
)
 
$
(50,579
)
Adjusted to include:  Minority interest net income
   
(2,088
)
   
(566
)
   
(8,211
)
   
(1,244
)
Adjusted to exclude: Derivative forward value
   
64,266
     
4,189
     
173,278
     
120,779
 
Foreign currency adjustments
   
-
     
(1,886
)
   
-
     
15,413
 
Adjusted net income
 
$
61,855
   
$
50,372
   
$
123,136
   
$
84,369
 
                                 

63

TIER using GAAP financial measures is calculated as follows:

   
Interest expense + net income prior to cumulative
 
 
TIER =
   effect of change in accounting principle
 
   
Interest expense
 

Adjusted TIER is calculated as follows:

 
Adjusted TIER =
Adjusted interest expense + adjusted net income
 
   
Adjusted interest expense
 

The following chart provides the calculations for TIER and adjusted TIER.

 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
 
February 29, 2008
 
February 28, 2007
TIER (1)
 
-
     
1.20
     
-
     
-
 
Adjusted TIER
   
1.28
     
1.25
     
1.18
     
1.12
 
(1) For the three and nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company reported a net loss of $0.3 million and $42 million, respectively.  For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, the Company reported a net loss of $51 million.  Thus, the TIER calculation for those periods result in a value below 1.00.

Adjustments to the Calculation of Leverage and Debt to Equity Ratios

The following chart provides a reconciliation between the liabilities and equity used to calculate the leverage and debt to equity ratios and these financial measures adjusted to exclude the non-cash impacts of derivatives and foreign currency adjustments, to subtract debt used to fund loans that are guaranteed by RUS from total liabilities, to subtract from total liabilities, and add to total equity, debt with equity characteristics and to include minority interest as equity.  Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007 for an explanation of why these adjustments to the calculation of leverage and debt to equity ratios reflect management's perspective on the Company's operations and why the Company believes these are useful financial measures for investors.

(in thousands)
 
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
Liabilities
 
$
18,666,263
   
$
  17,843,151
 
  Less:
               
Derivative liabilities
   
(370,761
)
   
       (71,934
)
Debt used to fund loans guaranteed by RUS
   
(251,135
)
   
     (255,903
)
Subordinated deferrable debt
   
(311,440
)
   
     (486,440
)
Subordinated certificates
   
(1,420,885
)
   
  (1,381,447
)
Adjusted liabilities
 
$
16,312,042
   
$
  15,647,427
 
                 
Total equity
 
$
581,329
   
$
       710,041
 
  Less:
               
Prior years cumulative derivative forward value and
               
            foreign currency adjustments
   
(131,551
)
   
     (225,849
)
Current period derivative forward value (1)
   
155,394
     
         79,744
 
Current period foreign currency adjustments
   
-
     
         14,554
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
(11,617
)
   
       (12,204
)
Subtotal members' equity
   
593,555
     
       566,286
 
  Plus:
               
Subordinated certificates
   
1,420,885
     
    1,381,447
 
Subordinated deferrable debt
   
311,440
     
       486,440
 
Minority interest
   
12,086
     
         21,989
 
Adjusted equity
 
$
2,337,966
   
$
    2,456,162
 
                 
Guarantees
   
$
1,058,849
   
$
    1,074,374
 
(1) Represents the derivative forward value loss recorded by National Rural for the period.

 
64

 


The leverage and debt to equity ratios using GAAP financial measures are calculated as follows:
 
 
Leverage ratio =
Liabilities + guarantees outstanding
   
Total equity
     
 
Debt to equity ratio =
Liabilities
   
Total equity

   
The adjusted leverage and adjusted debt to equity ratios are calculated as follows:
 
   
   
Adjusted leverage ratio =
Adjusted liabilities + guarantees outstanding
     
Adjusted equity
       
   
Adjusted debt to equity ratio =
Adjusted liabilities
     
Adjusted equity
       

The following chart provides the calculated ratios for leverage and debt to equity, as well as the adjusted ratio calculations.  The adjusted leverage ratio and the adjusted debt to equity ratio are the same calculation except for the addition of guarantees to adjusted liabilities in the adjusted leverage ratio.

   
February 29, 2008
 
May 31, 2007
Leverage ratio
   
33.93
     
26.64
 
Adjusted leverage ratio
   
7.43
     
6.81
 
                 
Debt to equity ratio
   
32.11
     
25.13
 
Adjusted debt to equity ratio
   
6.98
     
6.37
 


Item 3.                Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See Market Risk discussion beginning on page 60.

Item 4.                Controls and Procedures

Senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("the Exchange Act").  At the end of the period covered by this report, based on this evaluation process, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


 
65

 


PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.             Risk Factors

  Refer to Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007 for information regarding factors that could affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.  There have been no changes to the Company's risk factors during the quarter ended February 29, 2008.

Item 6.                 Exhibits

4.5
Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 14, 2008 for $1,500 million expiring on March 13, 2009.
     
4.21
Indenture for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, Tax Credit Series dated as of January 1, 2008, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association.  The Indenture has been omitted and will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
     
4.22
Note Purchase Agreement dated as of March 27, 2008 for $400,000,000 between the Registrant and Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.
     
4.23
Pledge Agreement dated as of March 27, 2008, between the Registrant, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association.
     
4.24
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 27, 2008 between the Registrant and Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.
     
4.25
Variable Rate Senior Note due 2013 dated as of March 27, 2008 from the Registrant to Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.
     
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 
66

 


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE
     FINANCE CORPORATION

/s/ STEVEN L. LILLY
Steven L. Lilly
Chief Financial Officer


/s/ ROBERT E. GEIER
Robert E. Geier
Acting Controller
(Acting Principal Accounting Officer)



April 14, 2008

 
67