slm-20210127
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UNITED STATES
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): January 27, 2021

SLM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-13251
52-2013874
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
300 Continental Drive
Newark,
Delaware
19713
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 451-0200
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $.20 per shareSLMThe NASDAQ Global Select Market
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $.20 per shareSLMBPThe NASDAQ Global Select Market

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:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

ITEM 2.02    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

On January 27, 2021, SLM Corporation issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
The press release at Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

ITEM 9.01    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
 99.1*
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL)

*Furnished herewith.









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 hereunto duly authorized.

                        
 SLM CORPORATION
Date: January 27, 2021By:/s/ STEVEN J. MCGARRY
Steven J. McGarry
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


                

                            
                    




Document

Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/8c20280c8dca94ddc949e647093f9ccc-smbla031.jpg
News Release
For Immediate Release

SALLIE MAE REPORTS FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2020 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Fourth-Quarter GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $431 Million, $1.13 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2020 GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $871 Million, $2.25 Per Diluted Share

Fourth-Quarter “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of
$440 Million, $1.15 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2020 “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $863 Million, $2.23 Per Diluted Share

Board of Directors Approves New $1.25 Billion Share Repurchase Program;
January 2021 Sale of $3 Billion of Private Education Loans
Supports Capital Return Program in 2021


NEWARK, Del., Jan. 27, 2021 - Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM), formally SLM Corporation, today released fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 financial results. Highlights of those results are included in the attached supplement. Complete financial results are available at www.SallieMae.com/investors.

Sallie Mae will host an earnings conference call tomorrow, Jan. 28, 2021, at 8 a.m. ET. Executives will be on hand to discuss various highlights of the quarter and to answer questions related to Sallie Mae’s performance. To participate, dial 877-356-5689 (USA and Canada) or 706-679-0623 (international) and use access code 7273338 starting at 7:45 a.m. ET. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion and will remain available through Feb. 11, 2021, by dialing 855-859-2056 (USA and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) with access code 7273338.

A live audio webcast of the conference call and presentation slides may be accessed at www.SallieMae.com/investors.

Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to support access to college and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, happen. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
Contacts:
Media
Rick Castellano, 302-451-2541, rick.castellano@SallieMae.com

Investors
Brian Cronin, 302-451-0304, brian.cronin@SallieMae.com




https://cdn.kscope.io/8c20280c8dca94ddc949e647093f9ccc-smbla031.jpg
Sallie Mae Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2020 Financial Results

Fourth-Quarter GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $431 Million, $1.13 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2020 GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $871 Million, $2.25 Per Diluted Share

Fourth-Quarter “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $440 Million, $1.15 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2020 “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $863 Million, $2.23 Per Diluted Share

Board of Directors Approves New $1.25 Billion Share Repurchase Program;
January 2021 Sale of $3 Billion of Private Education Loans Supports Capital Return Program in 2021


“To say 2020 was an unprecedented year is an understatement. We were tested as individuals and as a nation, but we’ve persevered with resilience and resolve. At Sallie Mae, we faced challenges as well but in the face of adversity and uncertainty we continued to deliver for our customers. It’s a testament to our team members, their adaptability to an ever-changing environment, and more broadly, the strength of our core business.

Last year, we helped more than 420,000 students and families pay for college, originating $5.3 billion in high-quality, responsibly underwritten private student loans. In the heat of the pandemic, there was great uncertainty regarding its effect on our portfolio, highlighted by the number of customers utilizing our disaster forbearance. We are pleased, however, that as the economy and employment market for college graduates have begun to recover, our credit performance trends are normalizing more quickly than the economy as a whole, and the majority of our customers are back to making regular payments. In addition, our ability to sell loans at a premium early in 2020 provided the means to repurchase 14% of our outstanding shares since the beginning of the year.

Looking to 2021, we remain aligned and focused on our strategic imperatives that will drive our performance this year and beyond. We continue to make progress on the balance sheet composition and our capital priorities, which will help create shareholder value this year. We are off to a fast start, selling $3 billion in loans at higher premiums than in 2020. We will use the proceeds of this sale to support our capital return programs for 2021, further demonstrating our commitment to providing shareholder value.”
Jonathan Witter, CEO, Sallie Mae

Fourth-Quarter 2020 Highlights vs. Fourth-Quarter 2019 Highlights

Net interest income of $367 million, down 13%.
Private education loan originations of $627 million, down 13%.
Average private education loans outstanding of $22.7 billion, down 2%.
Average yield on the private education loan portfolio was 8.23%, down 89 basis points.
Private education loan provisions for credit losses was $(353) million, down from $82 million.
Reserve release of $206 million as a result of transferring $2.9 billion of loans to held-for-sale in Dec. 2020, in anticipation of Jan. 2021 sale; equivalent to $0.41 diluted earnings per common share for the full-year 2020.
Private education loans held-for investment in forbearance were 4.3% of private education loans held-for investment in repayment and forbearance, up from 4.1%.
Private education loans held-for-investment delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans held-for-investment in repayment were 2.8%, unchanged from prior-year period.
Issued $500 million of 4.20% unsecured senior notes due 2025.
Repurchased 1,489,304 shares of Series B preferred stock through a cash tender offer.
Paid fourth-quarter common stock dividend of $0.03 per share, unchanged from prior-year period.


Investor Contact:
Brian Cronin, 302-451-0304
brian.cronin@SallieMae.com
Media Contact:
Rick Castellano, 302-451-2541
rick.castellano@SallieMae.com








The following are significant items or events that occurred in the fourth-quarter 2020 or early 2021, as applicable:

Provisions for Credit Losses and Impact of COVID-19
   Improving economic forecasts and re-classification of $2.9 billion of loans from held-for-investment to held-for-sale resulted in downward adjustments to the provisions for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2020.

   The fourth quarter of 2020 saw a rapid economic recovery from the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2020, the company considered the current economic forecasts as well as how the continuing significant uncertainty may affect future unemployment rates and the economy in estimating the company’s allowance for credit losses. While we remain cautious about the near-term economic forecasts, we changed the economic scenarios used in determining the allowance for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2020 to a more balanced formula from the scenarios used in the third quarter of 2020.

   Provisions for credit losses in the current quarter decreased by $414 million compared with the year-ago quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the provisions for credit losses were affected primarily by a benefit of $31 million from improvements in the economic forecasts used compared to the third quarter of 2020, a benefit of $77 million from faster prepayment speeds, and a $206 million reversal of provisions for credit losses as a result of $2.9 billion of loans being transferred to held-for-sale from held-for-investment at the end of 2020. (See below for additional details). The benefit from faster prepayment speeds reflected actual loan prepayment speeds being higher than what our models were predicting due to the significant amount of COVID-19 related government stimulus. As COVID-19 continues to impact the economy, the company could continue to experience significant changes in its allowance for credit losses in 2021. See “Information on COVID-19 Impact on Sallie Mae” on page 6 below.


Progress on Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation
   The company continues to focus on optimizing its capital structure and appropriate capital allocation to create shareholder value.

Fourth-Quarter 2020
    On Oct. 29, 2020, the company issued at par $500 million of 4.20% unsecured Senior Notes due Oct. 29, 2025.
     
     In October 2020, the company initiated a cash tender offer to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its Series B preferred stock. On Nov. 30, 2020, the company accepted for purchase 1,489,304 shares of the Series B preferred stock at a purchase price of $45 per share plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $68 million, generating additional equity.

First-Quarter 2021
    On Jan. 8, 2021, the company sold $3 billion of its private education loans, including $2.8 billion of principal, $185 million in capitalized interest and $15 million in accrued interest, to an unaffiliated third party. At Dec. 31, 2020, the company reversed $206 million through the provisions for credit losses for the allowance related to these loans, when the loans were transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale.

    On Jan. 26, 2021, the company completed its $525 million accelerated share repurchase agreement (which was entered into on March 10, 2020). Upon final settlement on January 28, 2021, the company will receive an additional 13 million shares of common stock, and, in total, the company will have repurchased 58 million shares of common stock under the accelerated share repurchase agreement at an average price per share of $9.01.


2021 Share Repurchase Program*
   The company has been authorized to repurchase up to $1.25 billion in common stock in 2021, under a new share repurchase program, which is effective immediately and expires on Jan. 26, 2023. Repurchases may occur from time to time and through a variety of methods, including tender offers, open market repurchases, repurchases effected through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, negotiated block purchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, or other similar transactions. The timing and volume of any repurchases will be subject to market conditions, and there can be no guarantee that the company will repurchase up to the limit of the program or at all.
* See page 6 for a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements.












The following provides guidance on the company’s performance in 2021.

Guidance*
   For 2021, the company expects the following:
Full-year diluted GAAP earnings per common share of $2.20 - $2.40.
Full-year Private Education Loan originations year-over-year growth of 6% - 7%.
Full-year total loan portfolio net charge-offs of $260 million - $280 million.
Full-year non-interest expenses of $525 million - $535 million.

* See page 6 for a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements.



















































Quarterly and Full Year
Financial Highlights

4Q 20203Q 20204Q 201920202019
Income Statement ($ millions)
Total interest income$480$482$600$2,022$2,331
Total interest expense113118181542708
Net interest income3673654191,4801,623
Less: provisions for credit losses(316)(4)9893354
Total non-interest income (loss)110(4)33149
Total non-interest expenses124152142564574
Income tax expense 1275535273165
Net income433171141881578
Preferred stock dividends2241017
Net income attributable to common stock431169137871561
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP(1)
9104(8)(15)
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock(1)
440179142863547
Ending Balances ($ millions)
Private Education Loans held for investment, net$18,437$20,956$22,897$18,437$22,897
FFELP Loans held for investment, net735743784735784
Personal Loans held for investment, net984984
Credit Cards held for investment, net11114114
Deposits22,66623,11024,28422,66624,284
-Brokered11,89012,13813,80911,89013,809
-Retail and other10,77610,97210,47510,77610,475
Key Performance Metrics
Net interest margin4.82%4.79%5.41%4.81%5.76%
Yield - Total interest-earning assets6.30%6.34%7.75%6.57%8.27%
-Private Education Loans8.23%8.24%9.12%8.42%9.32%
-Personal Loans—%12.86%12.39%12.43%12.09%
Cost of Funds1.60%1.66%2.52%1.90%2.72%
Return on Assets (“ROA”)(2)
5.6%2.2%1.8%2.8%2.0%
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” ROA(3)
5.7%2.4%1.8%2.8%1.9%
Return on Common Equity (“ROCE”)(4)
87.3%40.9%19.2%45.5%20.7%
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” ROCE(5)
89.0%43.0%19.8%45.1%20.1%
Per Common Share
GAAP diluted earnings per common share$1.13$0.45$0.32$2.25$1.30
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share(1)
$1.15$0.47$0.33$2.23$1.27
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (millions)381378425387431






Footnotes:

(1) Sallie Mae provides a non-GAAP measure called “Core Earnings” because it is one of several measures management uses to evaluate management performance and allocate corporate resources. The difference between “Core Earnings” and GAAP net income is driven by mark-to-fair value unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts recognized in GAAP, but not in “Core Earnings” results. See the “Core Earnings” to GAAP Reconciliation in this press release for a full reconciliation of GAAP and “Core Earnings.” “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses caused by the mark-to-fair value valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP, but include current period accruals on the derivative instruments. Under GAAP, for our derivatives held to maturity, the cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract will equal $0. Management believes the company’s derivatives are effective economic hedges, and, as such, they are a critical element of the company’s interest rate risk management strategy. Our “Core Earnings” is not a defined term within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

(2) We calculate and report our Return on Assets (“ROA”) as the ratio of (a) GAAP net income numerator (annualized) to (b) the GAAP total average assets denominator.

(3) We calculate and report our non-GAAP “Core Earnings” Return on Assets (“Core Earnings ROA”) as the ratio of (a) “Core Earnings” net income numerator (annualized) to (b) the GAAP total average assets denominator.

(4) We calculate and report our Return on Common Equity (“ROCE”) as the ratio of (a) GAAP net income attributable to common stock numerator (annualized) to (b) the net denominator, which consists of GAAP total average equity less total average preferred stock.

(5) We calculate and report our non-GAAP “Core Earnings” Return on Common Equity (“Core Earnings ROCE”) as the ratio of (a) “Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock numerator (annualized) to (b) the net denominator, which consists of GAAP total average equity less total average preferred stock.










***


























5





This press release contains “forward-looking statements” and information based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this release. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs, opinions, or expectations and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements. This includes, but is not limited to: statements regarding future developments surrounding COVID-19 or any other pandemic, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 or any other pandemic on the company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or cash flows; the company’s expectation and ability to pay a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock in the future, subject to the determination by the company’s Board of Directors, and based on an evaluation of the company’s earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions, capital allocation determinations, and other factors, risks, and uncertainties; the company’s 2021 guidance; the company’s three-year horizon outlook; the company’s expectation and ability to execute loan sales and share repurchases; the company’s projections regarding originations, net charge-offs, non-interest expenses, earnings, balance sheet position, and other metrics; and any estimates related to accounting standard changes. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Feb. 28, 2020) and subsequent filings with the SEC; the societal, business, and legislative/regulatory impact of pandemics and other public heath crises; increases in financing costs; limits on liquidity; increases in costs associated with compliance with laws and regulations; failure to comply with consumer protection, banking and other laws; changes in accounting standards and the impact of related changes in significant accounting estimates, including any regarding the measurement of our allowance for credit losses and the related provision expense; any adverse outcomes in any significant litigation to which the company is a party; credit risk associated with the company’s exposure to third parties, including counterparties to the company’s derivative transactions; and changes in the terms of education loans and the educational credit marketplace (including changes resulting from new laws and the implementation of existing laws). We could also be affected by, among other things: changes in our funding costs and availability; reductions to our credit ratings; cybersecurity incidents, cyberattacks, and other failures or breaches of our operating systems or infrastructure, including those of third-party vendors; damage to our reputation; risks associated with restructuring initiatives, including failures to successfully implement cost-cutting programs and the adverse effects of such initiatives on our business; changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of lenders, educational institutions, students, and their families; changes in law and regulations with respect to the student lending business and financial institutions generally; changes in banking rules and regulations, including increased capital requirements; increased competition from banks and other consumer lenders; the creditworthiness of our customers; changes in the general interest rate environment, including the rate relationships among relevant money-market instruments and those of our earning assets versus our funding arrangements; rates of prepayments on the loans that we own; changes in general economic conditions and our ability to successfully effectuate any acquisitions; and other strategic initiatives. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements also requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions, including estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates or assumptions may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this release. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or changes in our expectations.



Information on COVID-19 Impact on Sallie Mae
The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented and has had a significant impact on the economic environment globally and in the United States. There is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the length and breadth of the impact to the U.S. economy and, consequently, on the company. Please refer to Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors — COVID-19 Pandemic” in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 (filed with the SEC on April 22, 2020), for risks associated with COVID-19. Also, see above for a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 (filed with the SEC on Feb. 28, 2020) and subsequent filings with the SEC.












6


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
December 31,December 31,
20202019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$4,455,292 $5,563,877 
Investments:
Trading investments at fair value (cost of $12,551)16,923 — 
Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $1,986,957 and $485,756, respectively)1,996,634 487,669 
Other investments80,794 84,420 
Total investments2,094,351 572,089 
Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $1,361,723 and $441,912, respectively)19,183,143 24,667,792 
Loans held for sale2,885,640 — 
Restricted cash154,417 156,883 
Other interest-earning assets42,874 52,564 
Accrued interest receivable1,387,305 1,392,725 
Premises and equipment, net154,670 134,749 
Income taxes receivable, net374,706 88,844 
Tax indemnification receivable18,492 27,558 
Other assets19,533 29,398 
Total assets$30,770,423 $32,686,479 
Liabilities
Deposits$22,666,039 $24,283,983 
Short-term borrowings— 289,230 
Long-term borrowings5,189,217 4,354,037 
Upromise member accounts— 192,662 
Other liabilities352,332 254,731 
Total liabilities28,207,588 29,374,643 
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:
Series B: 2.5 million and 4.0 million shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share251,070 400,000 
Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 456.7 million and 453.6 million shares issued, respectively91,346 90,720 
Additional paid-in capital1,331,247 1,307,630 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $(10,908) and $(3,995), respectively)(34,200)(12,367)
Retained earnings1,722,365 1,850,512 
Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity before treasury stock3,361,828 3,636,495 
Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 81.4 million and 32.5 million shares, respectively(798,993)(324,659)
Total equity2,562,835 3,311,836 
Total liabilities and equity$30,770,423 $32,686,479 

7



SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Quarters EndedYears Ended
 December 31,December 31,
 2020201920202019
Interest income:
Loans$475,725 $577,087 $1,989,004 $2,249,169 
Investments2,657 2,335 11,743 7,607 
Cash and cash equivalents1,173 21,044 20,913 74,256 
Total interest income479,555 600,466 2,021,660 2,331,032 
Interest expense:
Deposits74,336 141,769 393,194 547,746 
Interest expense on short-term borrowings3,418 2,493 14,459 6,193 
Interest expense on long-term borrowings35,264 37,103 134,014 153,778 
Total interest expense113,018 181,365 541,667 707,717 
Net interest income366,537 419,101 1,479,993 1,623,315 
Less: provisions for credit losses(316,372)97,558 93,133 354,249 
Net interest income after provisions for credit losses682,909 321,543 1,386,860 1,269,066 
Non-interest income (loss):
Gains (losses) on sales of loans, net(247)— 238,315 — 
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net136 (3,635)49,544 17,825 
Other income (loss)1,043 (211)43,590 31,102 
Total non-interest income (loss)932 (3,846)331,449 48,927 
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits63,084 68,016 282,497 278,229 
FDIC assessment fees4,448 9,064 21,956 32,852 
Other operating expenses54,211 64,599 233,635 263,172 
Total operating expenses121,743 141,679 538,088 574,253 
Restructuring expenses2,088 — 26,215 — 
Total non-interest expenses123,831 141,679 564,303 574,253 
Income before income tax expense560,010 176,018 1,154,006 743,740 
Income tax expense127,310 34,666 273,316 165,464 
Net income432,700 141,352 880,690 578,276 
Preferred stock dividends1,734 3,885 9,734 16,837 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$430,966 $137,467 $870,956 $561,439 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.15 $0.33 $2.27 $1.31 
Average common shares outstanding375,120 421,346 383,705 427,292 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.13 $0.32 $2.25 $1.30 
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding380,653 425,042 387,195 430,674 
Declared dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$0.03 $0.03 $0.12 $0.12 

8



SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

Quarters EndedYears Ended
December 31,December 31,
2020201920202019
Net income$432,700 $141,352 $880,690 $578,276 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments205 547 7,764 7,993 
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges6,274 9,799 (36,511)(38,414)
Total unrealized gains (losses)6,479 10,346 (28,747)(30,421)
Income tax (expense) benefit(1,738)(2,530)6,914 7,431 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit4,741 7,816 (21,833)(22,990)
Total comprehensive income$437,441 $149,168 $858,857 $555,286 

9



“Core Earnings” to GAAP Reconciliation

The following table reflects adjustments associated with our derivative activities.
Quarters EndedYears Ended
December 31,December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)2020201920202019
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
GAAP net income $432,700 $141,352 $880,690 $578,276 
Preferred stock dividends1,734 3,885 9,734 16,837 
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$430,966 $137,467 $870,956 $561,439 
Adjustments:
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)
11,447 5,818 (10,164)(19,469)
Net tax expense (benefit)(2)
2,795 1,422 (2,481)(4,758)
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP8,652 4,396 (7,683)(14,711)
“Core Earnings” attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$439,618 $141,863 $863,273 $546,728 
GAAP diluted earnings per common share$1.13 $0.32 $2.25 $1.30 
Derivative adjustments, net of tax0.02 0.01 (0.02)(0.03)
“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share$1.15 $0.33 $2.23 $1.27 
______
(1) Derivative Accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses caused by the mark-to-fair value valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP, but include current period accruals on the derivative instruments. Under GAAP, for our derivatives held to maturity, the cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract will equal $0.

(2) “Core Earnings” tax rate is based on the effective tax rate at Sallie Mae Bank, where the derivative instruments are held.


The following table reflects our provisions for credit losses and total portfolio net charge-offs:
Quarters EndedYears Ended
December 31,December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
Provisions for credit losses$(316,372)$97,558 $93,133 $354,249 
Total portfolio net charge-offs(61,198)(69,539)(216,036)(253,143)

In 2020, we began to evaluate management’s performance internally using a measure that starts with “Core Earnings” net income as disclosed above for a period, and further adjusting it by increasing it by the impact of GAAP provisions for credit losses and decreasing it by the total portfolio net charge-offs recorded in that period, net of the tax impact of these adjustments.



10



Average Balance Sheets
The following table reflects the rates earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities and reflects our net interest margin on a consolidated basis.  
        
 Quarters Ended December 31,Years Ended December 31,
 2020201920202019
(Dollars in thousands)BalanceRateBalanceRateBalanceRateBalanceRate
Average Assets    
Private Education Loans$22,675,980 8.23 %$23,202,502 9.12 %$22,426,216 8.42 %$22,225,473 9.32 %
FFELP Loans743,330 3.47 791,430 4.64 757,953 3.76 814,198 4.79 
Personal Loans— — 1,108,960 12.39 582,552 12.43 1,141,503 12.09 
Taxable securities2,058,595 0.50 456,106 2.06 1,547,837 0.73 324,849 2.35 
Cash and other short-term investments4,810,310 0.12 5,191,653 1.61 5,457,234 0.40 3,693,245 2.01 
Total interest-earning assets30,288,215 6.30 %30,750,651 7.75 %30,771,792 6.57 %28,199,268 8.27 %
Non-interest-earning assets683,472 1,371,139 236,536 1,318,290 
Total assets$30,971,687 $32,121,790 $31,008,328 $29,517,558 
 
Average Liabilities and Equity
Brokered deposits$11,963,884 1.55 %$13,331,782 2.48 %$12,777,874 1.84 %$11,760,646 2.66 %
Retail and other deposits10,844,293 1.01 10,315,056 2.25 10,772,161 1.47 9,588,747 2.44 
Other interest-bearing liabilities(1)
5,323,987 2.89 4,877,868 3.22 4,982,771 2.98 4,658,075 3.43 
Total interest-bearing liabilities28,132,164 1.60 %28,524,706 2.52 %28,532,806 1.90 %26,007,468 2.72 %
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities549,591 355,351 234,798 392,173 
Equity2,289,932 3,241,733 2,240,724 3,117,917 
Total liabilities and equity$30,971,687 $32,121,790 $31,008,328 $29,517,558 
 
Net interest margin4.82 %5.41 %4.81 %5.76 %
______
(1)     Includes the average balance of our unsecured borrowings, as well as secured borrowings and amortization expense of transaction costs related to our term asset-backed securitizations and our Secured Borrowing Facility.

11



Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations follows.


Quarters EndedYears Ended
 December 31, December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)2020201920202019
Numerator:
Net income $432,700 $141,352 $880,690 $578,276 
Preferred stock dividends1,734 3,885 9,734 16,837 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$430,966 $137,467 $870,956 $561,439 
Denominator:
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS375,120 421,346 383,705 427,292 
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) (1)(2)
5,533 3,696 3,490 3,382 
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS380,653 425,042 387,195 430,674 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.15 $0.33 $2.27 $1.31 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.13 $0.32 $2.25 $1.30 

    __________

(1)     Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method.
(2)  For the quarters and years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, securities covering no shares were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

12



Allowance for Credit Losses Metrics

 Allowance for Credit Losses
 Quarter Ended December 31, 2020
FFELP 
Loans
Private
Education
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses
Beginning balance$4,363 $1,728,811 $1,385 $1,734,559 
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
— 41,253 — 41,253 
Provisions:
Provision for current period135 (147,494)137 (147,222)
Loan transfer to held-for-sale— (205,669)— (205,669)
Total provisions(2)
135 (353,163)137 (352,891)
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs(120)(66,780)(23)(66,923)
Recoveries— 5,723 5,725 
Net charge-offs(120)(61,057)(21)(61,198)
Ending Balance$4,378 $1,355,844 $1,501 $1,361,723 
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $104,265 $— $104,265 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$4,378 $1,251,579 $1,501 $1,257,458 
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $1,274,590 $— $1,274,590 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$737,593 $18,454,747 $12,238 $19,204,578 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(3)
0.09 %1.52 %0.71 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance0.59 %6.87 %12.27 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(3)
0.76 %9.48 %12.27 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)9.12 5.55 17.87 
Ending total loans, gross$737,593 $19,729,337 $12,238 
Average loans in repayment(3)
$561,150 $16,058,960 $11,817 
Ending loans in repayment(3)
$573,361 $14,304,821 $12,238 
________
(1) See “Unfunded Loan Commitments” on page 19 for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.

(2) Below is a reconciliation of the provisions for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of income. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded loan commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.


13


Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
Quarter Ended 
 December 31, 2020
Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses:
Provisions for credit losses$(353,163)
Provisions for unfunded loan commitments36,519 
Total Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses(316,644)
Other impacts to the provisions for credit losses:
FFELP Loans135 
Credit Cards137 
Total272 
Provisions for credit losses reported in consolidated statements of income$(316,372)


(3) Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

14




 Allowance for Credit Losses
 Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)FFELP
Loans
Private Education
Loans
Personal
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses
Beginning balance$1,689 $342,544 $70,173 $— $414,406 
Total provisions158 82,281 14,503 103 97,045 
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs(214)(57,621)(20,362)(1)(78,198)
Recoveries— 7,096 1,563 — 8,659 
Net charge-offs(214)(50,525)(18,799)(1)(69,539)
Ending Balance$1,633 $374,300 $65,877 $102 $441,912 
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $186,697 $— $— $186,697 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$1,633 $187,603 $65,877 $102 $255,215 
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $1,581,966 $— $— $1,581,966 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$783,306 $21,607,625 $1,049,007 $3,884 $23,443,822 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(1)
0.14 %1.24 %6.82 %0.17 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance0.21 %1.61 %6.28 %2.63 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(1)
0.26 %2.23 %6.28 %2.63 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)1.91 1.85 0.88 25.50 
Ending total loans, gross$783,306 $23,189,591 $1,049,007 $3,884 
Average loans in repayment(1)
$617,406 $16,359,538 $1,102,953 $2,373 
Ending loans in repayment(1)
$617,646 $16,787,670 $1,049,007 $3,884 


____________

(1) Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

15




 Allowance for Credit Losses
 Year Ended December 31, 2020
FFELP 
Loans
Private
Education
Loans
Personal
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses
Beginning balance$1,633 $374,300 $65,877 $102 $441,912 
Day 1 adjustment for the adoption of CECL2,852 1,060,830 79,183 188 1,143,053 
Balance on January 1, 20204,485 1,435,130 145,060 290 1,584,965 
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
— 320,808 — — 320,808 
Provisions:
Provision for current period412 148,673 40,485 1,328 190,898 
Loan sale reduction to provision— (161,793)(42,916)— (204,709)
Loan transfer to held-for-sale— (205,669)— — (205,669)
Total provisions(2)
412 (218,789)(2,431)1,328 (219,480)
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs(519)(205,326)(39,079)(119)(245,043)
Recoveries— 24,021 4,984 29,007 
Net charge-offs(519)(181,305)(34,095)(117)(216,036)
Loan sales— — (108,534)— (108,534)
Ending Balance$4,378 $1,355,844 $— $1,501 $1,361,723 
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $104,265 $— $— $104,265 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$4,378 $1,251,579 $— $1,501 $1,257,458 
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $1,274,590 $— $— $1,274,590 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$737,593 $18,454,747 $— $12,238 $19,204,578 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(3)
0.09 %1.17 %— %1.26 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance0.59 %6.87 %— %12.27 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(3)
0.76 %9.48 %— %12.27 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs8.44 7.48 — 12.83 
Ending total loans, gross$737,593 $19,729,337 $— $12,238 
Average loans in repayment(3)
$549,584 $15,518,851 $— $9,286 
Ending loans in repayment(3)
$573,361 $14,304,821 $— $12,238 

________
(1) See “Unfunded Loan Commitments” on page 19 for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.

(2) Below is a reconciliation of the provisions for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of income. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded loan commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.


16


Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2020
Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses:
Provisions for credit losses$(218,789)
Provisions for unfunded loan commitments312,613 
Total Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses93,824 
Other impacts to the provisions for credit losses:
Personal Loans(2,431)
FFELP Loans412 
Credit Cards1,328 
Total(691)
Provisions for credit losses reported in consolidated statements of income$93,133 


(3) Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.
17



 Allowance for Credit Losses
 Year Ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)FFELP
Loans
Private Education
Loans
Personal
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses
Beginning balance$977 $277,943 $62,201 $— $341,121 
Total provisions1,478 279,570 72,783 103 353,934 
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs(822)(208,978)(74,313)(1)(284,114)
Recoveries— 25,765 5,206 — 30,971 
Net charge-offs(822)(183,213)(69,107)(1)(253,143)
Ending Balance$1,633 $374,300 $65,877 $102 $441,912 
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $186,697 $— $— $186,697 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$1,633 $187,603 $65,877 $102 $255,215 
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $1,581,966 $— $— $1,581,966 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$783,306 $21,607,625 $1,049,007 $3,884 $23,443,822 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(1)
0.13 %1.17 %6.07 %0.13 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance0.21 %1.61 %6.28 %2.63 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(1)
0.26 %2.23 %6.28 %2.63 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs1.99 2.04 0.95 102.00 
Ending total loans, gross$783,306 $23,189,591 $1,049,007 $3,884 
Average loans in repayment(1)
$631,029 $15,605,927 $1,138,887 $786 
Ending loans in repayment(1)
$617,646 $16,787,670 $1,049,007 $3,884 
________
(1)Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.







18



Unfunded Loan Commitments

Quarters Ended December 31,
20202019
(Dollars in thousands)AllowanceUnfunded CommitmentsAllowanceUnfunded Commitments
Beginning Balance$114,778 $1,771,127 $1,967 $2,234,110 
Provisions/New commitments - net(1)
36,519 527,615 1,017 391,118 
Transfer - funded loans(2)
(41,253)(625,724)(503)(714,625)
Ending Balance$110,044 $1,673,018 $2,481 $1,910,603 

Years Ended December 31,
20202019
(Dollars in thousands)AllowanceUnfunded CommitmentsAllowanceUnfunded Commitments
Beginning Balance$2,481 $1,910,603 $2,165 $2,010,744 
Day 1 adjustment for the adoption of CECL115,758 — — — 
Balance at January 1, 2020118,239 1,910,603 2,165 2,010,744 
Provisions/New commitments - net(1)
312,613 5,070,175 6,533 5,513,790 
Transfer - funded loans(2)
(320,808)(5,307,760)(6,217)(5,613,931)
Ending Balance$110,044 $1,673,018 $2,481 $1,910,603 
________________             
(1)     Net of expirations of commitments unused.

(2)     When a loan commitment is funded, its related liability for credit losses (which originally was recorded as a provision for unfunded loan commitments) is transferred to the allowance for credit losses.



19


Private Education Loans Held for Investment - Key Credit Quality Indicators

    
Private Education Loans Held for Investment
 Credit Quality Indicators
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance(1)
% of Balance
Balance(1)
% of Balance
Cosigners:
With cosigner$17,378,282 88 %$20,709,636 89 %
Without cosigner2,351,055 12 2,479,955 11 
Total$19,729,337 100 %$23,189,591 100 %
FICO at Original Approval(2):
Less than 670$1,441,171 %$1,665,589 %
670-6993,031,266 16 3,570,025 16 
700-7496,510,093 33 7,670,748 33 
Greater than or equal to 7508,746,807 44 10,283,229 44 
Total$19,729,337 100 %$23,189,591 100 %
FICO-Refreshed(2)(3):
Less than 670$2,199,038 11 %$2,979,437 13 %
670-6992,289,210 12 2,883,122 13 
700-7495,780,999 29 6,806,602 29 
Greater than or equal to 7509,460,090 48 10,520,430 45 
Total$19,729,337 100 %$23,189,591 100 %
Seasoning(4):
1-12 payments$4,498,496 23 %$5,351,702 23 %
13-24 payments3,346,831 17 4,004,151 17 
25-36 payments2,345,094 12 2,902,365 12 
37-48 payments1,719,461 2,213,944 10 
More than 48 payments3,040,415 15 3,030,024 13 
Not yet in repayment4,779,040 24 5,687,405 25 
Total$19,729,337 100 %$23,189,591 100 %
    ______
(1)Balance represents gross Private Education Loans held for investment.
(2)Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.
(3)Represents the FICO score updated as of the fourth-quarter 2020.
(4)Number of months in active repayment (whether interest only payment, fixed payment, or full principal and interest payment status) for which a scheduled payment was due.
20



Delinquencies - Private Education Loans Held for Investment

The following table provides information regarding the loan status of our Private Education Loans held for investment. Loans in repayment include loans making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but for purposes of the following table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
 Private Education Loans Held for Investment
December 31,December 31,
 20202019
(Dollars in thousands)Balance%Balance%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)(2)
$4,779,040 $5,687,405 
Loans in forbearance(1)(3)
645,476 714,516 
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status(1):
Loans current
13,898,948 97.2 %16,315,651 97.2 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(4)
205,528 1.4 288,051 1.7 
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(4)
119,643 0.8 121,302 0.7 
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(4)
80,702 0.6 62,666 0.4 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment14,304,821 100.0 %16,787,670 100.0 %
Total Private Education Loans, gross19,729,337 23,189,591 
Private Education Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)63,475 81,224 
Total Private Education Loans19,792,812 23,270,815 
Private Education Loans allowance for losses(1,355,844)(374,300)
Private Education Loans, net$18,436,968 $22,896,515 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment72.5 %72.4 %
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment2.8 %2.8 %
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance4.3 %4.1 %
_______
(1)For some students, going back to school in the fall was not an option because of the pandemic, or for other reasons. Therefore, some students are taking a “gap year” before returning to school. In 2020, for those students that had unexpectedly separated from school, we provided an extension of time through fall 2021 to re-enroll, before beginning their grace period that occurs prior to entering full principal and interest payments. At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “in-school/grace/deferment” category above include $401 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers did not return to school in the fall of 2020 and who received such extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period. At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “in forbearance” category above include $30 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers did not return to school in the fall of 2020 and who received such extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period. At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “in repayment” category above include $609 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers did not return to school in the fall of 2020 and who received such extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period.
(2)Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans (e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation).
(3)Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
(4)The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.

21




Summary of Our Loans Held for Investment Portfolio
Ending Loans Held for Investment Balances, net


December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment Portfolio
Total loan portfolio:   
In-school(1)
$3,582,394 $81 $— $3,582,475 
Grace, repayment and other(2)(3)
16,146,943 737,512 12,238 16,896,693 
Total, gross19,729,337 737,593 12,238 20,479,168 
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)63,475 1,993 230 65,698 
Allowance for credit losses(1,355,844)(4,378)(1,501)(1,361,723)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net$18,436,968 $735,208 $10,967 $19,183,143 
 
% of total96 %%— %100 %
_______

(1)Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loans. For some students, going back to school in the fall was not an option because of the pandemic, or for other reasons. Therefore, some students are taking a “gap year” before returning to school. In 2020, for those students that had unexpectedly separated from school, we provided an extension of time through fall 2021 to re-enroll, before beginning their grace period that occurs prior to entering full principal and interest payments. At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “in-school” category include $254 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers did not return to school in the fall of 2020 and who received such extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period and, therefore, currently are not required to make any payments.  

(2)At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “grace, repayment and other” category include (a) $147 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers are in a grace or deferred status and who did not return to school in the fall of 2020, who received such extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period and, therefore, currently are not required to make any payments and, (b) $639 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers are in a forbearance or repayment status and who did not return to school in the fall of 2020 and who received such extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period.  

(3)Includes loans in deferment or forbearance. Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Personal
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment Portfolio
Total loan portfolio:   
In-school(1)
$4,288,239 $81 $— $— $4,288,320 
Grace, repayment and other(2)
18,901,352 783,225 1,049,007 3,884 20,737,468 
Total, gross23,189,591 783,306 1,049,007 3,884 25,025,788 
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)81,224 2,143 513 36 83,916 
Allowance for credit losses(374,300)(1,633)(65,877)(102)(441,912)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net$22,896,515 $783,816 $983,643 $3,818 $24,667,792 
    
% of total93 %%%— %100 %

_______
(1) Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loans.
(2) Includes loans in deferment or forbearance. Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period.

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Average Loans Held for Investment Balances (net of unamortized premium/discount)

Quarters Ended
December 31,
Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
Private Education Loans$22,675,980 97 %$23,202,502 93 %$22,426,216 94 %$22,225,473 92 %
FFELP Loans743,330 791,430 757,953 814,198 
Personal Loans— — 1,108,960 582,552 1,141,503 
Total portfolio$23,419,310 100 %$25,102,892 100 %$23,766,721 100 %$24,181,174 100 %



Loans Held for Investment Activity



Quarter Ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Beginning balance$20,955,922 $743,220 $10,629 $21,709,771 
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate297,202 — — 297,202 
Variable-rate335,707 — 9,070 344,777 
Total acquisitions and originations632,909 — 9,070 641,979 
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization281,760 8,362 (252)289,870 
Loan consolidations to third-parties(397,787)(4,584)— (402,371)
Allowance372,967 (15)(116)372,836 
Transfer to loans held for sale(2,885,640)— — (2,885,640)
Repayments and other(523,163)(11,775)(8,364)(543,302)
Ending balance$18,436,968 $735,208 $10,967 $19,183,143 



Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Personal
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Beginning balance$22,855,728 $798,682 $1,062,254 $1,143 $24,717,807 
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate449,271 — 73,601 — 522,872 
Variable-rate273,315 — — 4,407 277,722 
Total acquisitions and originations722,586 — 73,601 4,407 800,594 
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization352,034 6,832 (102)— 358,764 
Loan consolidations to third-parties(466,152)(5,519)— — (471,671)
Allowance(31,756)56 4,296 (102)(27,506)
Repayments and other(535,925)(16,235)(156,406)(1,630)(710,196)
Ending balance$22,896,515 $783,816 $983,643 $3,818 $24,667,792 




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Year Ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Personal LoansCredit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Beginning balance$22,896,515 $783,816 $983,643 $3,818 $24,667,792 
Day 1 CECL Adjustment to Allowance(1,060,830)(2,852)(79,183)(188)(1,143,053)
Balance on January 1, 202021,835,685 780,964 904,460 3,630 23,524,739 
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate2,903,258 — 41 — 2,903,299 
Variable-rate2,439,029 — — 35,955 2,474,984 
Total acquisitions and originations5,342,287 — 41 35,955 5,378,283 
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization616,115 27,558 (253)(819)642,601 
Sales
(2,925,478)— (588,285)— (3,513,763)
Loan consolidations to third-parties(1,482,971)(21,243)— — (1,504,214)
Allowance79,285 107 36,526 (1,211)114,707 
Transfer to loans held for sale(2,885,640)— — — (2,885,640)
Repayments and other(2,142,315)(52,178)(352,489)(26,588)(2,573,570)
Ending balance$18,436,968 $735,208 $— $10,967 $19,183,143 



Year Ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Personal
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Beginning balance$20,294,843 $847,889 $1,128,187 $— $22,270,919 
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate3,784,860 — 480,398 — 4,265,258 
Variable-rate1,866,914 — — 5,933 1,872,847 
Total acquisitions and originations5,651,774 — 480,398 5,933 6,138,105 
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization722,153 28,258 (323)— 750,088 
Loan consolidations to third-parties(1,512,279)(27,461)— — (1,539,740)
Allowance(96,357)(656)(3,676)(102)(100,791)
Repayments and other(2,163,619)(64,214)(620,943)(2,013)(2,850,789)
Ending balance$22,896,515 $783,816 $983,643 $3,818 $24,667,792 



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Private Education Loan Originations
The following table summarizes our Private Education Loan originations. Originations represent loans that were funded or acquired during the period presented.
        
 Quarters Ended 
 December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2020%2019%
Smart Option - interest only(1)
$145,000 23 %$158,611 22 %
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
175,234 28 193,667 27 
Smart Option - deferred(1)
200,807 32 244,555 34 
Smart Option - principal and interest
1,325 — 1,325 — 
Graduate Loan95,906 15 106,233 15 
Parent Loan8,709 12,180 
Total Private Education Loan originations$626,981 100 %$716,571 100 %
Percentage of loans with a cosigner82.6 %83.2 %
Average FICO at approval(2)
751 745 

        
 Years Ended 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2020%2019%
Smart Option - interest only(1)
$1,222,148 23 %$1,234,246 22 %
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
1,498,578 28 1,560,496 28 
Smart Option - deferred(1)
1,912,978 36 2,082,147 37 
Smart Option - principal and interest
9,559 — 9,806 — 
Graduate Loan579,451 11 622,181 11 
Parent Loan98,023 115,910 
Total Private Education Loan originations$5,320,737 100 %$5,624,786 100 %
Percentage of loans with a cosigner86.0 %86.6 %
Average FICO at approval(2)
749 746 

_______
(1)      Interest only, fixed pay and deferred describe the payment option while in school or in grace period. See Item 1. “Business - Our Business - Private Education Loans” in the 2019 Form 10-K for a further discussion.

(2)    Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.

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Deposits
Interest-bearing deposits are summarized as follows:
        
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)Amount
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
Amount
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
Money market$10,159,657 0.83 %$9,616,547 2.04 %
Savings907,976 0.55 718,616 1.71 
Certificates of deposit11,597,266 1.34 13,947,743 2.44 
Deposits - interest-bearing$22,664,899 $24,282,906 
        _____
        (1) Includes the effect of interest rate swaps in effective hedge relationships.


Regulatory Capital

Sallie Mae Bank’s required and actual regulatory capital amounts and ratios under U.S. Basel III are shown in the following table.
 Actual
U.S. Basel III Minimum Requirements Plus Buffer(1)(2)
(Dollars in thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatio
As of December 31, 2020:
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,579,005 14.0 %$1,794,780 >7.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,579,005 14.0 %$2,179,375 >8.5 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,849,820 15.0 %$2,692,169 >10.5 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)$3,579,005 11.3 %$1,264,424 >4.0 %
As of December 31, 2019:
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,264,309 12.2 %$1,876,050 >7.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,264,309 12.2 %$2,278,060 >8.5 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,600,668 13.4 %$2,814,074 >10.5 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)$3,264,309 10.2 %$1,282,642 >4.0 %
________________ 
            
(1)     Reflects the U.S. Basel III minimum required ratio plus the applicable capital conservation buffer.

(2)    The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios also exceeded all applicable standards for the Bank to qualify as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework.


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