Form 8-K
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2008
SLM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
DELAWARE   File No. 001-13251   52-2013874
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)       Identification No.)
12061 Bluemont Way, Reston, Virginia 20190
(Address if principal executive offices)(zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 810-3000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 


 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
     On October 22, 2008, SLM Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release with respect to its earnings for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Supplemental Financial Information Release for the Third Quarter 2008 is available on the Company’s web site at www.salliemae.com/about/investors/stockholderinfo/earningsinfo. Presentation slides used during the Company’s investor conference call, set for October, 23, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. EDT., may be accessed at www.salliemae.com/about/investors/stockholderinfo/webcast no later than the starting time of the conference call.

2


 

SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  SLM CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ JOHN F. REMONDI   
    Name:   John F. Remondi   
    Title:   Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer  
 
Dated: October 22, 2008

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SLM CORPORATION
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
No.   Description
99.1
  Press Release dated October 22, 2008

4

Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1
(SALLIEMAE NEWS RELEASE)
         
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  Media Contact:   Investor Contacts:
 
  Tom Joyce   Steve McGarry
 
  703/984-5610   703/984-6746
 
  Martha Holler   Joe Fisher
 
  703/984-5178   703/984-5755
SALLIE MAE REPORTS THIRD-QUARTER 2008 RESULTS
RESTON, Va., Oct. 22, 2008 — SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, today reported that, despite dislocation in the credit markets during the 2008 third quarter, its core student loan businesses were profitable, and its total managed student loan portfolio performed within expectations. The company’s managed student loan portfolio totaled $177.7 billion at Sept. 30, 2008, compared to $159.8 billion one year ago.
     Private loan delinquencies increased during the quarter primarily as a result of seasonal factors and the continued weakening of the U.S. economy. To reflect a more conservative outlook over this year and next, Sallie Mae increased its provisions for loan losses.
     For the 2008 third quarter, “core earnings” net income totaled $117 million, or $.19 diluted earnings per share. These results include the after-tax effects of restructuring-related expenses of $7 million ($.02 diluted loss per share), purchased-paper business losses of $147 million ($.31 diluted loss per share), and a reduction of premium expense on student loans as a result of prepayment assumption changes of $74 million ($.16 diluted earnings per share). For the 2007 third quarter, “core earnings” net income totaled $259 million, or $.59 diluted earnings per share.
     Sallie Mae had a third-quarter 2008 GAAP net loss of $159 million, or $.40 diluted loss per share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $344 million, or $.85 diluted loss per share, in the 2007 third quarter. The third-quarter 2008 GAAP results include the net impact of a $201 million unrealized, mark-to-market, pre-tax loss on certain derivative contracts that are recognized in GAAP, but not in “core earnings,” results.
     In addition to presenting certain “core earnings” performance measures, Sallie Mae reports financial results on a GAAP basis. The company’s management, equity investors, credit rating agencies and debt capital providers use “core earnings” measures to monitor the company’s business performance. Both a description of the “core earnings” treatment and a full reconciliation to the GAAP income statement can be found at: http://www.salliemae.com/about/investors/stockholderinfo/earningsinfo/, click on the Third Quarter 2008 Supplemental Earnings Disclosure.
 

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     “In the midst of this extraordinary financial crisis, we helped 1.5 million students get the loans they needed to attend college this fall,” said Albert L. Lord, vice chairman and CEO. “Thanks to the actions earlier this year by Congress and the Administration, we have been able to meet our commitment to make federal loans available to every student at every school in the nation.”
     The company received $3.6 billion in funding advances from the U.S. Department of Education during the third-quarter 2008 under its new program to provide liquidity for new federal student loans. Early in the quarter, the company completed $6.7 billion in federal student loan term, asset-backed securitization transactions. During the 2008 third quarter, Sallie Mae reduced the commitments under asset-backed commercial paper facilities to $28 billion from $34 billion. The company is confident in its ability to extend these facilities beyond their February 2009 maturity.
     Student loans originated through Sallie Mae’s internal brands, the largest segment of total student loan originations, were $6.8 billion in the third-quarter 2008, up 17 percent from the year-ago quarter’s $5.8 billion. The volume of federal student loans originated by the company’s internal brands during the 2008 third quarter grew 51 percent from the year-ago period. Sallie Mae expects its internal lending brands to represent the overwhelming majority of total student loan originations in the future.
     Total student loan originations were $7.7 billion in the 2008 third quarter, compared to $8.9 billion in the year-ago period. The decrease was driven by a shift from purchasing to servicing external lender partners’ loans and the effect of tightening private loan underwriting criteria.
     The company’s Third Quarter 2008 Supplemental Earnings Disclosure is available on the company’s Web site at www.salliemae.com/about/investors/stockholderinfo/earningsinfo. Presentation slides used during the company’s investor conference call may be accessed at www.salliemae.com/about/investors/stockholderinfo/webcast no later than the starting time of the conference call.
***
     The company will host an earnings conference call tomorrow, Oct. 23 at 8 a.m. EDT. Sallie Mae executives will be on hand to discuss various highlights of the quarter and to answer questions related to the company’s performance. Individuals interested in participating should call the following number tomorrow, Oct. 23 2008, starting at 7:45 a.m. EDT: (877) 356-5689 (USA and Canada) or (706) 679-0623 (International) and use access code 66263819. The conference call will be replayed continuously beginning at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, and concluding at midnight on Nov. 6, 2008. To access the replay, please dial (800) 642-1687 (USA and Canada) or dial (706) 645-9291 (International) and use access code 66263819. In addition, there will be a live audio Web cast of the conference call, which may be accessed at www.salliemae.com. A replay will be available 30 to 45 minutes after the live broadcast.
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this release. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, among others, changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace arising from the implementation of applicable laws and regulations, and from changes in such laws and regulations, adverse results in legal disputes, changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of educational institutions, students and their families, limited liquidity, increased financing costs and changes in the general interest rate environment. For more information, see the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the forward-looking
 

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statements contained in the company’s Supplemental Financial Information Third Quarter 2008. All information in this release is as of Oct. 22, 2008. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.
***
SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the nation’s leading provider of saving- and paying-for-college programs. The company manages nearly $178 billion in education loans and serves 10 million student and parent customers. Through its Upromise affiliates, the company also manages more than $19 billion in 529 college-savings plans, and is a major, private source of college funding contributions in America with 9.5 million members and $450 million in member rewards. Sallie Mae and its subsidiaries offer debt management services as well as business and technical products to a range of business clients, including higher education institutions, student loan guarantors and state and federal agencies. More information is available at www.salliemae.com. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
###
 

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SLM CORPORATION
 
Supplemental Earnings Disclosure
 
September 30, 2008
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Nine months ended  
    September 30,
    June 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2008     2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND RATIOS
                                       
GAAP Basis
                                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (159 )   $ 266     $ (344 )   $ 3     $ 739  
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (.40 )   $ .50     $ (.85 )   $ (.17 )   $ 1.69  
Return on assets
    (.43 )%     .74 %     (1.05 )%     .01 %     .82 %
“Core Earnings” Basis(1)
                                       
“Core Earnings” net income
  $ 117     $ 156     $ 259     $ 461     $ 699  
“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
  $ .19     $ .27     $ .59     $ .81     $ 1.58  
“Core Earnings” return on assets
    .25 %     .34 %     .59 %     .33 %     .56 %
                                         
OTHER OPERATING STATISTICS
                                       
Average on-balance sheet student loans
  $ 138,606     $ 133,748     $ 114,571     $ 133,915     $ 108,360  
Average off-balance sheet student loans
    36,864       38,175       41,526       38,064       43,195  
                                         
Average Managed student loans
  $ 175,470     $ 171,923     $ 156,097     $ 171,979     $ 151,555  
                                         
Ending on-balance sheet student loans, net
  $ 141,328     $ 134,289     $ 119,155                  
Ending off-balance sheet student loans, net
    36,362       37,615       40,604                  
                                         
Ending Managed student loans, net
  $ 177,690     $ 171,904     $ 159,759                  
                                         
Ending Managed FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net
  $ 56,608     $ 51,622     $ 44,270                  
Ending Managed FFELP Consolidation Loans, net
    88,282       89,213       88,070                  
Ending Managed Private Education Loans, net
    32,800       31,069       27,419                  
                                         
Ending Managed student loans, net
  $ 177,690     $ 171,904     $ 159,759                  
                                         
 
 
(1) See explanation of “Core Earnings” performance measures under “Reconciliation of ‘Core Earnings’ Net Income to GAAP Net Income.”


 

SLM CORPORATION
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                         
    September 30,
    June 30,
    September 30,
 
    2008     2008     2007  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
 
Assets
                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans (net of allowance for losses of $75,290; $56,882; and $30,655, respectively)
  $ 48,924,938     $ 43,146,711     $ 34,108,560  
FFELP Consolidation Loans (net of allowance for losses of $47,965; $40,811; and $26,809, respectively)
    72,565,628       73,171,342       71,370,681  
Private Education Loans (net of allowance for losses of $1,012,839; $970,150; and $454,100, respectively)
    19,837,425       17,970,556       13,675,571  
Other loans (net of allowance for losses of $53,189; $46,794; and $21,738, respectively)
    769,923       902,684       1,193,405  
Cash and investments
    5,013,583       7,912,882       12,040,001  
Restricted cash and investments
    3,897,417       3,701,454       4,999,369  
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
    2,323,419       2,544,517       3,238,637  
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net
    1,259,541       1,304,941       1,354,141  
Other assets
    10,399,220       12,907,154       8,835,025  
                         
Total assets
  $ 164,991,094     $ 163,562,241     $ 150,815,390  
                         
Liabilities
                       
ED Participation Program facility
  $ 3,554,618     $     $  
Bank deposits
    744,086       616,795       186,666  
Other short-term borrowings
    33,968,849       36,574,961       32,821,708  
                         
Total short-term borrowings
    38,267,553       37,191,756       33,008,374  
Long-term borrowings
    118,069,878       117,920,836       108,860,988  
Other liabilities
    3,297,998       2,905,165       3,934,267  
                         
Total liabilities
    159,635,429       158,017,757       145,803,629  
                         
Commitments and contingencies
                       
Minority interest in subsidiaries
    8,541       9,480       10,054  
Stockholders’ equity
                       
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized:
                       
Series A: 3,300; 3,300; and 3,300 shares, respectively, issued at stated value of $50 per share
    165,000       165,000       165,000  
Series B: 4,000; 4,000; and 4,000 shares, respectively, issued at stated value of $100 per share
    400,000       400,000       400,000  
Series C: 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock: 1,150; 1,150; and 0 shares, respectively, issued at liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
    1,149,770       1,150,000        
Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 1,125,000 shares authorized: 534,420; 534,010; and 439,660 shares, respectively, issued
    106,884       106,802       87,932  
Additional paid-in capital
    4,665,614       4,637,731       2,847,748  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
    46,687       61,994       245,352  
Retained earnings
    669,509       855,527       2,437,639  
                         
Stockholders’ equity before treasury stock
    7,203,464       7,377,054       6,183,671  
Common stock held in treasury: 66,952; 66,445; and 25,544 shares, respectively
    1,856,340       1,842,050       1,181,964  
                         
Total stockholders’ equity
    5,347,124       5,535,004       5,001,707  
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 164,991,094     $ 163,562,241     $ 150,815,390  
                         


2


 

SLM CORPORATION
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Nine months ended  
    September 30,
    June 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2008     2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                       
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 516,116     $ 497,598     $ 545,618     $ 1,478,190     $ 1,507,680  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    830,566       769,664       1,145,473       2,436,886       3,247,573  
Private Education Loans
    445,572       409,323       392,737       1,298,417       1,060,509  
Other loans
    19,874       21,355       25,990       64,573       80,416  
Cash and investments
    57,154       70,521       211,303       251,491       466,731  
                                         
Total interest income
    1,869,282       1,768,461       2,321,121       5,529,557       6,362,909  
Total interest expense
    1,394,533       1,365,918       1,879,811       4,375,896       5,109,130  
                                         
Net interest income
    474,749       402,543       441,310       1,153,661       1,253,779  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    186,909       143,015       142,600       467,235       441,130  
                                         
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses
    287,840       259,528       298,710       686,426       812,649  
                                         
Other income (loss):
                                       
Gains on student loan securitizations
                            367,300  
Servicing and securitization revenue
    64,990       1,630       28,883       174,262       413,808  
Losses on sales of loans and securities, net
    (43,899 )     (43,583 )     (25,163 )     (122,148 )     (67,051 )
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
    (241,757 )     362,043       (487,478 )     (152,510 )     (22,881 )
Contingency fee revenue
    89,418       83,790       76,306       258,514       243,865  
Collections revenue (loss)
    (170,692 )     26,365       52,788       (87,088 )     195,442  
Guarantor servicing fees
    36,848       23,663       45,935       95,164       115,449  
Other
    93,096       108,728       106,684       295,357       292,121  
                                         
Total other income (loss)
    (171,996 )     562,636       (202,045 )     461,551       1,538,053  
Expenses:
                                       
Restructuring expenses
    10,508       46,740             77,926        
Operating expenses
    367,152       353,688       355,899       1,076,488       1,110,873  
                                         
Total expenses
    377,660       400,428       355,899       1,154,414       1,110,873  
                                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    (261,816 )     421,736       (259,234 )     (6,437 )     1,239,829  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (103,819 )     153,074       84,449       (13,233 )     499,187  
                                         
Income (loss) before minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    (157,997 )     268,662       (343,683 )     6,796       740,642  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    544       2,926       77       3,405       1,778  
                                         
Net income (loss)
    (158,541 )     265,736       (343,760 )     3,391       738,864  
Preferred stock dividends
    27,474       27,391       9,274       83,890       27,523  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to common stock
  $ (186,015 )   $ 238,345     $ (353,034 )   $ (80,499 )   $ 711,341  
                                         
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (.40 )   $ .51     $ (.85 )   $ (.17 )   $ 1.73  
                                         
Average common shares outstanding
    466,646       466,649       412,944       466,625       411,958  
                                         
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (.40 )   $ .50     $ (.85 )   $ (.17 )   $ 1.69  
                                         
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    466,646       517,954       412,944       466,625       420,305  
                                         
Dividends per common share
  $     $     $     $     $ .25  
                                         


3


 

SLM CORPORATION
 
Segment and “Core Earnings”
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
(In thousands)
 
                                                 
    Quarter ended September 30, 2008  
          Asset
                         
          Performance
    Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     Group     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments     GAAP  
    (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 611,786     $     $     $ 611,786     $ (95,670 )   $ 516,116  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    995,102                   995,102       (164,536 )     830,566  
Private Education Loans
    678,293                   678,293       (232,721 )     445,572  
Other loans
    19,874                   19,874             19,874  
Cash and investments
    61,731             6,829       68,560       (11,406 )     57,154  
                                                 
Total interest income
    2,366,786             6,829       2,373,615       (504,333 )     1,869,282  
Total interest expense
    1,651,071       5,984       4,472       1,661,527       (266,994 )     1,394,533  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    715,715       (5,984 )     2,357       712,088       (237,339 )     474,749  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    263,019                   263,019       (76,110 )     186,909  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    452,696       (5,984 )     2,357       449,069       (161,229 )     287,840  
Contingency fee revenue
          89,418             89,418             89,418  
Collections revenue (loss)
          (168,689 )           (168,689 )     (2,003 )     (170,692 )
Guarantor servicing fees
                36,848       36,848             36,848  
Other income (loss)
    55,315             50,661       105,976       (233,546 )     (127,570 )
                                                 
Total other income (loss)
    55,315       (79,271 )     87,509       63,553       (235,549 )     (171,996 )
Restructuring expenses
    (236 )     4,177       6,567       10,508             10,508  
Operating expenses
    141,797       105,748       69,161       316,706       50,446       367,152  
                                                 
Total expenses
    141,561       109,925       75,728       327,214       50,446       377,660  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    366,450       (195,180 )     14,138       185,408       (447,224 )     (261,816 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    134,440       (71,756 )     5,198       67,882       (171,701 )     (103,819 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          544             544             544  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 232,010     $ (123,968 )   $ 8,940     $ 116,982     $ (275,523 )   $ (158,541 )
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.


4


 

SLM CORPORATION
 
Segment and “Core Earnings”
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
(In thousands)
 
                                                 
    Quarter ended June 30, 2008  
          Asset
                         
          Performance
    Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     Group     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments     GAAP  
    (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 524,022     $     $     $ 524,022     $ (26,424 )   $ 497,598  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    907,669                   907,669       (138,005 )     769,664  
Private Education Loans
    665,452                   665,452       (256,129 )     409,323  
Other loans
    21,355                   21,355             21,355  
Cash and investments
    80,445             4,902       85,347       (14,826 )     70,521  
                                                 
Total interest income
    2,198,943             4,902       2,203,845       (435,384 )     1,768,461  
Total interest expense
    1,604,872       6,933       5,074       1,616,879       (250,961 )     1,365,918  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    594,071       (6,933 )     (172 )     586,966       (184,423 )     402,543  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    192,181                   192,181       (49,166 )     143,015  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    401,890       (6,933 )     (172 )     394,785       (135,257 )     259,528  
Contingency fee revenue
          83,790             83,790             83,790  
Collections revenue
          27,517             27,517       (1,152 )     26,365  
Guarantor servicing fees
                23,663       23,663             23,663  
Other income
    61,898             45,587       107,485       321,333       428,818  
                                                 
Total other income
    61,898       111,307       69,250       242,455       320,181       562,636  
Restructuring expenses
    30,947       5,174       10,619       46,740             46,740  
Operating expenses
    154,505       110,340       73,871       338,716       14,972       353,688  
                                                 
Total expenses
    185,452       115,514       84,490       385,456       14,972       400,428  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    278,336       (11,140 )     (15,412 )     251,784       169,952       421,736  
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    102,917       (4,050 )     (5,651 )     93,216       59,858       153,074  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          2,926             2,926             2,926  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 175,419     $ (10,016 )   $ (9,761 )   $ 155,642     $ 110,094     $ 265,736  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.


5


 

 
SLM CORPORATION
 
Segment and “Core Earnings”
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
(In thousands)
 
                                                 
    Quarter ended September 30, 2007  
          Asset
                         
          Performance
    Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     Group     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments     GAAP  
    (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 729,255     $     $     $ 729,255     $ (183,637 )   $ 545,618  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    1,445,108                   1,445,108       (299,635 )     1,145,473  
Private Education Loans
    753,295                   753,295       (360,558 )     392,737  
Other loans
    25,990                   25,990             25,990  
Cash and investments
    250,463             6,039       256,502       (45,199 )     211,303  
                                                 
Total interest income
    3,204,111             6,039       3,210,150       (889,029 )     2,321,121  
Total interest expense
    2,533,909       6,632       5,282       2,545,823       (666,012 )     1,879,811  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    670,202       (6,632 )     757       664,327       (223,017 )     441,310  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    199,591                   199,591       (56,991 )     142,600  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    470,611       (6,632 )     757       464,736       (166,026 )     298,710  
Contingency fee revenue
          76,306             76,306             76,306  
Collections revenue
          52,534             52,534       254       52,788  
Guarantor servicing fees
                45,935       45,935             45,935  
Other income (loss)
    45,745             62,843       108,588       (485,662 )     (377,074 )
                                                 
Total other income (loss)
    45,745       128,840       108,778       283,363       (485,408 )     (202,045 )
Restructuring expenses
                                   
Operating expenses
    163,855       94,625       78,882       337,362       18,537       355,899  
                                                 
Total expenses
    163,855       94,625       78,882       337,362       18,537       355,899  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    352,501       27,583       30,653       410,737       (669,971 )     (259,234 )
Income tax expense(1)
    130,425       10,206       11,342       151,973       (67,524 )     84,449  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          77             77             77  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 222,076     $ 17,300     $ 19,311     $ 258,687     $ (602,447 )   $ (343,760 )
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
 


6


 

 
SLM CORPORATION
 
Segment and “Core Earnings”
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
(In thousands)
 
                                                 
    Nine months ended September 30, 2008  
          Asset
                         
          Performance
    Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     Group     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments     GAAP  
    (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 1,630,190     $     $     $ 1,630,190     $ (152,000 )   $ 1,478,190  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    2,891,257                   2,891,257       (454,371 )     2,436,886  
Private Education Loans
    2,093,066                   2,093,066       (794,649 )     1,298,417  
Other loans
    64,573                   64,573             64,573  
Cash and investments
    284,078             17,998       302,076       (50,585 )     251,491  
                                                 
Total interest income
    6,963,164             17,998       6,981,162       (1,451,605 )     5,529,557  
Total interest expense
    5,080,414       19,757       14,748       5,114,919       (739,023 )     4,375,896  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    1,882,750       (19,757 )     3,250       1,866,243       (712,582 )     1,153,661  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    636,521                   636,521       (169,286 )     467,235  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    1,246,229       (19,757 )     3,250       1,229,722       (543,296 )     686,426  
Contingency fee revenue
          258,514             258,514             258,514  
Collections revenue (loss)
          (84,811 )           (84,811 )     (2,277 )     (87,088 )
Guarantor servicing fees
                95,164       95,164             95,164  
Other income
    161,558             146,889       308,447       (113,486 )     194,961  
                                                 
Total other income
    161,558       173,703       242,053       577,314       (115,763 )     461,551  
Restructuring expenses
    46,261       9,785       21,880       77,926             77,926  
Operating expenses
    459,938       322,230       212,687       994,855       81,633       1,076,488  
                                                 
Total expenses
    506,199       332,015       234,567       1,072,781       81,633       1,154,414  
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    901,588       (178,069 )     10,736       734,255       (740,692 )     (6,437 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    331,424       (65,458 )     3,946       269,912       (283,145 )     (13,233 )
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          3,405             3,405             3,405  
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 570,164     $ (116,016 )   $ 6,790     $ 460,938     $ (457,547 )   $ 3,391  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.

7


 

SLM CORPORATION
 
Segment and “Core Earnings”
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
                                                 
    Nine months ended September 30, 2007  
          Asset
                         
          Performance
    Corporate
    Total “Core
          Total
 
    Lending     Group     and Other     Earnings”     Adjustments     GAAP  
    (unaudited)  
 
Interest income:
                                               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 2,143,232     $     $     $ 2,143,232     $ (635,552 )   $ 1,507,680  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    4,167,358                   4,167,358       (919,785 )     3,247,573  
Private Education Loans
    2,103,378                   2,103,378       (1,042,869 )     1,060,509  
Other loans
    80,416                   80,416             80,416  
Cash and investments
    594,784             15,371       610,155       (143,424 )     466,731  
                                                 
Total interest income
    9,089,168             15,371       9,104,539       (2,741,630 )     6,362,909  
Total interest expense
    7,125,486       19,931       16,275       7,161,692       (2,052,562 )     5,109,130  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss)
    1,963,682       (19,931 )     (904 )     1,942,847       (689,068 )     1,253,779  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    644,502             606       645,108       (203,978 )     441,130  
                                                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    1,319,180       (19,931 )     (1,510 )     1,297,739       (485,090 )     812,649  
Contingency fee revenue
          243,865             243,865             243,865  
Collections revenue
          195,268             195,268       174       195,442  
Guarantor servicing fees
                115,449       115,449             115,449  
Other income
    149,621             162,301       311,922       671,375       983,297  
                                                 
Total other income
    149,621       439,133       277,750       866,504       671,549       1,538,053  
Restructuring expenses
                                   
Operating expenses
    517,068       284,180       250,819       1,052,067       58,806       1,110,873  
                                                 
Total expenses
    517,068       284,180       250,819       1,052,067       58,806       1,110,873  
                                                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    951,733       135,022       25,421       1,112,176       127,653       1,239,829  
Income tax expense(1)
    352,141       49,958       9,406       411,505       87,682       499,187  
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
          1,778             1,778             1,778  
                                                 
Net income
  $ 599,592     $ 83,286     $ 16,015     $ 698,893     $ 39,971     $ 738,864  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.


8


 

 
SLM CORPORATION
 
Reconciliation of “Core Earnings” Net Income to GAAP Net Income
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                         
    Quarters ended     Nine months ended  
    September 30,
    June 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2008     2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
 
“Core Earnings” net income(A)
  $ 116,982     $ 155,642     $ 258,687     $ 460,938     $ 698,893  
“Core Earnings” adjustments:
                                       
Net impact of securitization accounting
    (148,121 )     (246,506 )     (157,050 )     (473,773 )     249,364  
Net impact of derivative accounting
    (205,991 )     450,609       (453,949 )     (118,750 )     55,891  
Net impact of Floor Income
    (42,721 )     (18,809 )     (40,390 )     (67,107 )     (118,657 )
Net impact of acquired intangibles
    (50,391 )     (15,342 )     (18,582 )     (81,062 )     (58,945 )
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments before income taxes and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries
    (447,224 )     169,952       (669,971 )     (740,692 )     127,653  
Net tax effect(B)
    171,701       (59,858 )     67,524       283,145       (87,682 )
                                         
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments
    (275,523 )     110,094       (602,447 )     (457,547 )     39,971  
                                         
GAAP net income (loss)
  $ (158,541 )   $ 265,736     $ (343,760 )   $ 3,391     $ 738,864  
                                         
GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (.40 )   $ .50     $ (.85 )   $ (.17 )   $ 1.69  
                                         
                                         
                                       
(A)  “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share
  $ .19     $ .27     $ .59     $ .81     $ 1.58  
                                         
 
(B) Such tax effect is based upon the Company’s “Core Earnings” effective tax rate. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the “Core Earnings” effective tax rate is different than GAAP primarily from the exclusion of the permanent income tax impact of the equity forward contracts. The Company settled all of its equity forward contracts in January 2008.
 
“Core Earnings”
 
In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In addition to evaluating the Company’s GAAP-based financial information, management evaluates the Company’s business segments on a basis that, as allowed under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” differs from GAAP. We refer to management’s basis of evaluating our segment results as “Core Earnings” presentations for each business segment and we refer to this information in our presentations with credit rating agencies and lenders. While “Core Earnings” are not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, we rely on “Core Earnings” to manage each operating segment because we believe these measures provide additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management.
 
Our “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income as described below. Unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting and as a result, our management reporting is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution. Our operating segments are defined by products and services or by types of customers, and reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. Intersegment revenues and expenses are netted within the appropriate financial statement line items consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management. Changes in


9


 

management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information.
 
Limitations of “Core Earnings”
 
While GAAP provides a uniform, comprehensive basis of accounting, for the reasons described above, management believes that “Core Earnings” are an important additional tool for providing a more complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations. Nevertheless, “Core Earnings” are subject to certain general and specific limitations that investors should carefully consider. For example, as stated above, unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. Our “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Unlike GAAP, “Core Earnings” reflect only current period adjustments to GAAP. Accordingly, the Company’s “Core Earnings” presentation does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting. Investors, therefore, may not compare our Company’s performance with that of other financial services companies based upon “Core Earnings.” “Core Earnings” results are only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely used by management, the Company’s board of directors, rating agencies and lenders to assess performance.
 
Other limitations arise from the specific adjustments that management makes to GAAP results to derive “Core Earnings” results. For example, in reversing the unrealized gains and losses that result from SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment,” as well as on derivatives that do qualify but are in part ineffective because they are not perfect hedges, we focus on the long-term economic effectiveness of those instruments relative to the underlying hedged item and isolate the effects of interest rate volatility, changing credit spreads and changes in our stock price on the fair value of such instruments during the period. Under GAAP, the effects of these factors on the fair value of the derivative instruments (but not on the underlying hedged item) tend to show more volatility in the short term. While presentation of our results on a “Core Earnings” basis provides important information regarding the performance of our Managed loan portfolio, a limitation of this presentation is that we present the ongoing spread income on loans that have been sold to a trust we manage. While we believe that our “Core Earnings” presentation presents the economic substance of our Managed loan portfolio, it understates earnings volatility from securitization gains. Our “Core Earnings” results exclude certain Floor Income, which is cash income, from our reported results and therefore may understate earnings in certain periods. Management’s financial planning and valuation of operating results, however, does not take into account Floor Income because of its inherent uncertainty, except when it is economically hedged through Floor Income Contracts.
 
Pre-Tax Differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP
 
Our “Core Earnings” are the primary financial performance measures used by management to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. Accordingly, financial information is reported to management on a “Core Earnings” basis by reportable segment, as these are the measures used regularly by our chief operating decision makers. Our “Core Earnings” are used in developing our financial plans, tracking results, and establishing corporate performance targets. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the Company’s core business activities. “Core Earnings” net income reflects only current period adjustments to GAAP net income, as described in the more detailed discussion of the differences between “Core Earnings” and GAAP that follows, which includes further detail on each specific adjustment required to reconcile our “Core Earnings” segment presentation to our GAAP earnings.
 
  1)  Securitization Accounting: Under GAAP, certain securitization transactions in our Lending operating segment are accounted for as sales of assets. Under “Core Earnings” for the Lending operating segment, we present all securitization transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis as long-term non-recourse financings. The upfront “gains” on sale from securitization transactions, as well as ongoing “servicing and securitization revenue” presented in accordance with GAAP, are excluded from “Core Earnings” and are replaced by interest income, provisions for loan losses, and interest expense as


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  earned or incurred on the securitization loans. We also exclude transactions with our off-balance sheet trusts from “Core Earnings” as they are considered intercompany transactions on a “Core Earnings” basis.
 
  2)  Derivative Accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses that are caused primarily by the one-sided mark-to-market derivative valuations prescribed by SFAS No. 133 on derivatives that do not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP. These unrealized gains and losses occur in our Lending operating segment, and occurred in our Corporate and Other reportable segment related to equity forward contracts for the year-ago quarters. In our “Core Earnings” presentation, we recognize the economic effect of these hedges, which generally results in any cash paid or received being recognized ratably as an expense or revenue over the hedged item’s life. “Core Earnings” also exclude the gain or loss on equity forward contracts that under SFAS No. 133, are required to be accounted for as derivatives and are marked to market through earnings. The Company settled all of its equity forward contracts in January 2008.
 
  3)  Floor Income: The timing and amount (if any) of Floor Income earned in our Lending operating segment is uncertain and in excess of expected spreads. Therefore, we exclude such income from “Core Earnings” when it is not economically hedged. We employ derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts and futures, to economically hedge Floor Income. As discussed above in “Derivative Accounting,” these derivatives do not qualify as effective accounting hedges, and therefore, under GAAP, are marked to market through the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line in the consolidated statement of income with no offsetting gain or loss recorded for the economically hedged items. For “Core Earnings,” we reverse the fair value adjustments on the Floor Income Contracts and futures economically hedging Floor Income and include the amortization of net premiums received in income.
 
  4)  Acquired Intangibles: Our “Core Earnings” exclude goodwill and intangible impairment and the amortization of acquired intangibles.


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