slm-20220126
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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 26, 2022

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 26, 2022, SLM Corporation issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. 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 26, 2022By:/s/ STEVEN J. MCGARRY
Steven J. McGarry
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


                

                            
                    




Document

Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/4b67557511a9eb5cf66a044895269700-smbla03a.jpg
News Release
For Immediate Release

SALLIE MAE REPORTS FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Fourth-Quarter GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $305 Million, $1.04 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2021 GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $1.2 Billion, $3.61 Per Diluted Share

Fourth-Quarter Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $306 Million, $1.05 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2021 Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock
of $1.2 Billion, $3.67 Per Diluted Share

Board of Directors Approves New $1.25 Billion Share Repurchase Program

Enters Agreement to Acquire Nitro College, a Delaware-Based Digital Marketing
and Education Solutions Company


NEWARK, Del., Jan. 26, 2022 - Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM), formally SLM Corporation, today released fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 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. 27, 2022, 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. A live audio webcast of the conference call and presentation slides may be accessed at www.SallieMae.com/investors and the hosting website at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/vvw43zyp

Participants may also register for the earnings conference call at: http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/9479532. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided a dial-in number with a personalized conference code to access the call. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start time.

A replay of the webcast will be available via the company’s investor website approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion.

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/4b67557511a9eb5cf66a044895269700-smbla03a.jpg
Sallie Mae Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2021 Financial Results

Fourth-Quarter GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $305 Million, $1.04 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2021 GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $1.2 Billion, $3.61 Per Diluted Share

Fourth-Quarter Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock of $306 Million, $1.05 Per Diluted Share; Full-Year 2021 Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” Net Income Attributable to Common Stock
of $1.2 Billion, $3.67 Per Diluted Share

Board of Directors Approves New $1.25 Billion Share Repurchase Program

Enters Agreement to Acquire Nitro College, a Delaware-Based Digital Marketing and Education Solutions Company

“With a relentless focus on our core business, we delivered strong results in 2021 and continued our progress on each of our strategic imperatives. We also rigorously managed expenses, executed a capital return program that exceeded original expectations, and improved our earnings outlook throughout the year. That performance allowed us to increase our share repurchase goals and our dividend, further creating shareholder value. We expect that continued focus and execution to drive results in 2022. We continue to challenge ourselves to be creative in pursuing opportunities to reach and assist more students and families and strategically evolve our company. Our acquisition of Nitro College, when completed, will complement our core business, providing innovative and enhanced digital capabilities that meaningfully amplify our efforts to become an education solutions provider that helps students confidently navigate their entire higher education journey.”
Jonathan Witter, CEO, Sallie Mae

Fourth-Quarter 2021 Highlights vs. Fourth-Quarter 2020 Highlights

Continue to Execute on our Core Business Strategy:
GAAP net income of $306 million, down 29%.
Net interest income of $367 million, up less than 1%.
Private education loan originations of $737 million, up 18%.
Sold $1.05 billion in private education loans; there were no loan sales in the year-ago period.
Average private education loans outstanding of $21.3 billion, down 6%.
Average yield on the private education loan portfolio was 8.31%, up 8 basis points.
Private education loan provisions for credit losses, including amounts for unfunded commitments, was a negative provision of $16 million, compared with a negative provision of $317 million.
Private education loans held-for-investment in forbearance were 1.9% of private education loans held-for-investment in repayment and forbearance, down from 4.3%.
Private education loans held-for-investment delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans held-for-investment in repayment were 3.3%, up from 2.8%.
Total operating expenses of $125 million, up from $122 million.

Progress on our Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation:
In the fourth quarter of 2021, issued $500 million of 3.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2026; used portion of net proceeds to redeem $200 million of 5.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2020, issued $500 million of 4.20% unsecured Senior Notes due 2025.
Gain on sale of private education loans of $146 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Repurchased 14 million shares of common stock under share repurchase programs in the fourth quarter of 2021. There were no common stock share repurchases in the year-ago period.
Paid fourth-quarter common stock dividend of $0.11 per share, up from $0.03 per share for the fourth quarter of 2020.




Investor Contact:
Brian Cronin, 302-451-0304
brian.cronin@SallieMae.com
Media Contact:
Rick Castellano, 302-451-2541
rick.castellano@SallieMae.com
1




The following are significant items or events that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2021 or early 2022, as applicable:
Provisions for Credit Losses
    Provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2021 was a $15 million negative provision, compared with a $316 million negative provision in the year-ago quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the provision for credit losses was a negative provision of $15 million primarily due to a $56 million reduction in the allowance for credit losses arising from the sale of $1.05 billion of private education loans during the quarter, and an additional reduction due to improved economic forecasts for the quarter. Offsetting these reductions was an increase to the provision for new originations during the quarter. In the year-ago quarter, the provision for credit losses was favorably affected by a $206 million reversal of provision for credit losses as a result of $3 billion of private education loans transferred to held-for-sale from held-for-investment, a benefit from faster prepayment speeds, and a benefit from improvements in the economic forecasts.

Progress on Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation
    Balance Sheet

    On Nov. 1, 2021, the company issued at par $500 million of 3.125% unsecured Senior Notes due Nov. 2, 2026. The company used a portion of the net proceeds to redeem its outstanding $200 million of 5.125% unsecured Senior Notes due Apr. 5, 2022.
     
    On Nov. 17, 2021, the company sold $1.05 billion of its private education loans, including $985 million of principal and $69 million in capitalized interest, to an unaffiliated third party.

    Share Repurchases
   
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the company repurchased 14 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $263  million, or an average purchase price of $18.52 per share, under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan authorized under its share repurchase programs.

From Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2021, the company has repurchased 146 million shares of common stock under its repurchase programs, which represents a 35% reduction in the total number of shares outstanding on Jan. 1, 2020. The full-year 2021 repurchases were 99 million shares at an average purchase price of $17.37 per share, which is a 26% decrease in shares outstanding since the beginning of 2021. There was $38 million of capacity remaining under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program at Dec. 31, 2021.

Acquisition of Nitro College
    On Jan. 26, 2022, the company signed a definitive agreement with Epic Research LLC to purchase the assets primarily used or held for use of Epic Research Education Services, LLC, which does business as Nitro College (“Nitro”). Nitro provides resources that help students and families evaluate how to responsibly pay for college and manage their financial responsibilities after graduation. Nitro takes pride in equipping college students and their parents with the necessary tools to navigate college financing, manage their debt, and obtain scholarship opportunities. In addition to providing a scholarship finder, Nitro provides FAFSA application support, information on grants, and calculators to help college students determine the potential return on investment from a college degree. The addition of Nitro will support the company’s mission of providing students with the confidence needed to successfully navigate the higher education journey. Strategically, we expect the acquisition of the Nitro assets, including its employees and intellectual property, when complete, to immediately expand the company’s digital marketing capabilities, reduce the cost to acquire customer accounts, and accelerate the company’s progress to become a broader education solutions provider for students before, during, and immediately after college. The company has had a partnership with Nitro since 2017, and it has been a source of private education loan leads during this period. The transaction is subject to customary approvals and closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. Terms of the purchase are not being disclosed, but the purchase price is not material to the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a Stifel Company, served as exclusive financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardell LLP served as legal advisor to Sallie Mae in this transaction.

2022 Share Repurchase Program*
    The company has been authorized to repurchase up to $1.25 billion in common stock under a new share repurchase program, which is effective immediately and expires on Jan. 25, 2024 (the “2022 Share Repurchase Program”). The 2022 Share Repurchase Program is in addition to $26 million of capacity remaining under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program at Jan. 25, 2022. 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 programs or at all.
* See page 6 for a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements.
2





The following provides guidance on the company’s performance in 2022.
Guidance*
   For 2022, the company expects the following:
Full-year diluted Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” per common share of $2.80 - $3.00.**
Full-year Private Education Loan originations year-over-year growth of 8% - 10%.
Full-year total loan portfolio net charge-offs of $255 million - $275 million.
Full-year non-interest expenses of $555 million - $565 million.

* See page 6 for a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements.
** See Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” to GAAP Reconciliation on page 10 for a description of non-GAAP “Core Earnings”. GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. However, this GAAP measure is not accessible on a forward-looking basis because the company is unable to estimate the net impact of derivative accounting and the associated net tax expense (benefit) for future periods.












































3



Quarterly and Full-Year
 Financial Highlights
4Q 20213Q 20214Q 202020212020
Income Statement ($ millions)
Total interest income$458$448$480$1,777$2,022
Total interest expense9190113382542
Net interest income3673583671,3951,480
Less: provisions for credit losses(15)138(316)(33)93
Total non-interest income 153141632331
Total non-interest expenses125141124520564
Income tax expense 10419127380273
Net income306734331,161881
Preferred stock dividends112510
Net income attributable to common stock305724311,156871
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP(1)
13918(8)
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” net income attributable to common stock(1)
306744401,173863
Ending Balances ($ millions)
Private Education Loans held for investment, net$19,625$20,562$18,437$19,625$18,437
FFELP Loans held for investment, net693703735693735
Credit Cards held for investment, net2316112311
Deposits20,82820,89122,66620,82822,666
Key Performance Metrics
Net interest margin5.13%5.03%4.82%4.81%4.81%
Yield - Total interest-earning assets6.40%6.30%6.30%6.13%6.57%
Private Education Loans8.31%8.26%8.23%8.25%8.42%
Credit Cards4.12%6.95%(3.53)%4.67%(6.04)%
Cost of Funds1.36%1.35%1.60%1.42%1.90%
Return on Assets (“ROA”)(2)
4.2%1.0%5.6%3.9%2.8%
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” ROA(3)
4.2%1.0%5.7%4.0%2.8%
Return on Common Equity (“ROCE”)(4)
62.3%14.4%87.3%53.9%45.5%
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” ROCE(5)
62.6%15.0%89.0%54.7%45.1%
Per Common Share
GAAP diluted earnings per common share$1.04$0.24$1.13$3.61$2.25
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share(1)
$1.05$0.24$1.15$3.67$2.23
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (millions)293305381320387


4



Footnotes:

(1) Sallie Mae provides non-GAAP “Core Earnings” because it is one of several measures management uses to evaluate management performance and allocate corporate resources. The difference between non-GAAP “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 non-GAAP “Core Earnings” results. See the Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” to GAAP Reconciliation in this press release for a full reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP “Core Earnings.” Non-GAAP “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 be equal to $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 non-GAAP “Core Earnings” are not defined terms 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 (“Non-GAAP Core Earnings ROA”) as the ratio of (a) non-GAAP “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 (“Non-GAAP Core Earnings ROCE”) as the ratio of (a) non-GAAP “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 2022 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; any estimates related to accounting standard changes; and any estimates related to the impact of credit administration practices changes, including the results of simulations or other behavioral observations. 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, 2020 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Feb. 25, 2021) 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 Item 1A. “Risk Factors — Pandemic Risk” in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020 (filed with the SEC on Feb. 25, 2021), for risks associated with COVID-19. Also, see above for a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements.

















6


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
December 31,December 31,
20212020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$4,334,603 $4,455,292 
Investments:
Trading investments at fair value (cost of $29,049 and $12,551, respectively )37,465 16,923 
Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $2,535,568 and $1,986,957, respectively)2,517,956 1,996,634 
Other investments140,037 80,794 
Total investments2,695,458 2,094,351 
Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $1,165,335 and $1,361,723, respectively)20,341,283 19,183,143 
Loans held for sale— 2,885,640 
Restricted cash210,741 154,417 
Other interest-earning assets9,655 42,874 
Accrued interest receivable1,205,667 1,387,305 
Premises and equipment, net150,516 154,670 
Income taxes receivable, net239,578 374,706 
Tax indemnification receivable8,047 18,492 
Other assets26,351 19,533 
Total assets$29,221,899 $30,770,423 
Liabilities
Deposits$20,828,124 $22,666,039 
Long-term borrowings5,930,990 5,189,217 
Other liabilities313,074 352,332 
Total liabilities27,072,188 28,207,588 
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:
Series B: 2.5 million and 2.5 million shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share251,070 251,070 
Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 432.0 million and 456.7 million shares issued, respectively86,403 91,346 
Additional paid-in capital1,074,384 1,331,247 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $(5,707) and $(10,908), respectively)(17,897)(34,200)
Retained earnings2,817,134 1,722,365 
Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity before treasury stock4,211,094 3,361,828 
Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 153.1 million and 81.4 million shares, respectively(2,061,383)(798,993)
Total equity2,149,711 2,562,835 
Total liabilities and equity$29,221,899 $30,770,423 


7


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Quarters EndedYears Ended
 December 31,December 31,
 2021202020212020
Interest income:
Loans$452,466 $475,725 $1,756,945 $1,989,004 
Investments4,597 2,657 13,859 11,743 
Cash and cash equivalents1,378 1,173 6,040 20,913 
Total interest income458,441 479,555 1,776,844 2,021,660 
Interest expense:
Deposits49,887 74,336 225,370 393,194 
Interest expense on short-term borrowings4,585 3,418 18,945 14,459 
Interest expense on long-term borrowings36,619 35,264 137,763 134,014 
Total interest expense91,091 113,018 382,078 541,667 
Net interest income367,350 366,537 1,394,766 1,479,993 
Less: provisions for credit losses(15,309)(316,372)(32,957)93,133 
Net interest income after provisions for credit losses382,659 682,909 1,427,723 1,386,860 
Non-interest income:
Gains (losses) on sales of loans, net145,535 (247)548,315 238,315 
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net(17)136 144 49,544 
Other income 7,243 1,043 83,990 43,590 
Total non-interest income 152,761 932 632,449 331,449 
Non-interest expenses:
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits57,895 63,084 258,321 282,497 
FDIC assessment fees5,734 4,448 23,368 21,956 
Other operating expenses61,866 54,211 236,964 233,635 
Total operating expenses125,495 121,743 518,653 538,088 
Restructuring expenses— 2,088 1,255 26,215 
Total non-interest expenses125,495 123,831 519,908 564,303 
Income before income tax expense409,925 560,010 1,540,264 1,154,006 
Income tax expense103,660 127,310 379,751 273,316 
Net income306,265 432,700 1,160,513 880,690 
Preferred stock dividends1,177 1,734 4,736 9,734 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$305,088 $430,966 $1,155,777 $870,956 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.06 $1.15 $3.67 $2.27 
Average common shares outstanding287,828 375,120 314,993 383,705 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.04 $1.13 $3.61 $2.25 
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding292,756 380,653 319,912 387,195 
Declared dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$0.11 $0.03 $0.20 $0.12 

8



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

Quarters EndedYears Ended
December 31,December 31,
2021202020212020
Net income$306,265 $432,700 $1,160,513 $880,690 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments(16,350)205 (26,606)7,764 
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges18,737 6,274 48,111 (36,511)
Total unrealized gains (losses)2,387 6,479 21,505 (28,747)
Income tax (expense) benefit(581)(1,738)(5,202)6,914 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit1,806 4,741 16,303 (21,833)
Total comprehensive income$308,071 $437,441 $1,176,816 $858,857 

9



Non-GAAP “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)2021202020212020
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
GAAP net income $306,265 $432,700 $1,160,513 $880,690 
Preferred stock dividends1,177 1,734 4,736 9,734 
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$305,088 $430,966 $1,155,777 $870,956 
Adjustments:
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)
1,833 11,447 23,216 (10,164)
Net tax expense (benefit)(2)
443 2,795 5,615 (2,481)
Total non-GAAP “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP1,390 8,652 17,601 (7,683)
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$306,478 $439,618 $1,173,378 $863,273 
GAAP diluted earnings per common share$1.04 $1.13 $3.61 $2.25 
Derivative adjustments, net of tax0.01 0.02 0.06 (0.02)
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share$1.05 $1.15 $3.67 $2.23 
______
(1) Derivative Accounting: Non-GAAP “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) Non-GAAP “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)2021202020212020
Provisions for credit losses$(15,309)$(316,372)$(32,957)$93,133 
Total portfolio net charge-offs(61,181)(61,198)(200,762)(216,036)

We evaluate management’s performance internally using a measure that starts with non-GAAP “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,
 2021202020212020
(Dollars in thousands)BalanceRateBalanceRateBalanceRateBalanceRate
Average Assets    
Private Education Loans$21,285,836 8.31 %$22,675,980 8.23 %$20,968,061 8.25 %$22,426,216 8.42 %
FFELP Loans701,953 3.46 743,330 3.47 718,186 3.43 757,953 3.76 
Personal Loans— — — — — — 582,552 12.43 
Credit Cards21,396 4.12 11,780 (3.53)14,982 4.67 9,390 (6.04)
Taxable securities2,540,127 0.72 2,058,595 0.50 2,142,025 0.65 1,547,837 0.73 
Cash and other short-term investments3,849,812 0.19 4,798,530 0.13 5,139,731 0.14 5,447,844 0.41 
Total interest-earning assets28,399,124 6.40 %30,288,215 6.30 %28,982,985 6.13 %30,771,792 6.57 %
Non-interest-earning assets578,335 683,472 636,691 236,536 
Total assets$28,977,459 $30,971,687 $29,619,676 $31,008,328 
 
Average Liabilities and Equity
Brokered deposits$10,223,973 1.26 %$11,963,884 1.55 %$11,015,170 1.35 %$12,777,874 1.84 %
Retail and other deposits10,559,488 0.64 10,844,293 1.01 10,540,170 0.70 10,772,161 1.47 
Other interest-bearing liabilities(1)
5,850,024 2.83 5,323,987 2.89 5,390,098 2.94 4,982,771 2.98 
Total interest-bearing liabilities26,633,485 1.36 %28,132,164 1.60 %26,945,438 1.42 %28,532,806 1.90 %
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities149,253 549,591 279,344 234,798 
Equity2,194,721 2,289,932 2,394,894 2,240,724 
Total liabilities and equity$28,977,459 $30,971,687 $29,619,676 $31,008,328 
 
Net interest margin5.13 %4.82 %4.81 %4.81 %

__________

(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)2021202020212020
Numerator:
Net income $306,265 $432,700 $1,160,513 $880,690 
Preferred stock dividends1,177 1,734 4,736 9,734 
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock$305,088 $430,966 $1,155,777 $870,956 
Denominator:
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS287,828 375,120 314,993 383,705 
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)
4,928 5,533 4,919 3,490 
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS292,756 380,653 319,912 387,195 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.06 $1.15 $3.67 $2.27 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation$1.04 $1.13 $3.61 $2.25 

    __________

(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 quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, securities covering 1 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. For the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020, securities covering no shares, respectively, 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, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)FFELP 
Loans
Private
Education
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses
Beginning balance$4,206 $1,209,460 $1,741 $1,215,407 
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
— 39,606 — 39,606 
Provisions:
Provision for current period(57)27,071 614 27,628 
Loan sale reduction to provision— (56,125)— (56,125)
Total provisions(2)
(57)(29,054)614 (28,497)
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs(72)(68,552)(76)(68,700)
Recoveries— 7,517 7,519 
Net charge-offs(72)(61,035)(74)(61,181)
Ending Balance$4,077 $1,158,977 $2,281 $1,165,335 
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $47,712 $— $47,712 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$4,077 $1,111,265 $2,281 $1,117,623 
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $1,057,665 $— $1,057,665 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$695,216 $19,659,198 $25,014 $20,379,428 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(3)
0.05 %1.58 %1.38 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance0.59 %5.59 %9.12 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(3)
0.74 %7.47 %9.12 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized)14.16 4.75 7.71 
Ending total loans, gross$695,216 $20,716,863 $25,014 
Average loans in repayment(3)
$537,621 $15,492,265 $21,469 
Ending loans in repayment(3)
$553,980 $15,511,212 $25,014 
__________

(1)     See “Unfunded Loan Commitments” on page 21 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
(Dollars in thousands)Quarter Ended 
 December 31, 2021
Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses:
Provisions for credit losses$(29,054)
Provisions for unfunded loan commitments13,188 
Total Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses(15,866)
Other impacts to the provisions for credit losses:
FFELP Loans(57)
Credit Cards614 
Total557 
Provisions for credit losses reported in consolidated statements of income$(15,309)


(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, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)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 21 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.


15


Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
(Dollars in thousands)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.
16



 Allowance for Credit Losses
 Year Ended December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)FFELP 
Loans
Private
Education
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses
Beginning balance$4,378 $1,355,844 $1,501 $1,361,723 
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
— 301,655 — 301,655 
Provisions:
Provision for current period20 (233,852)1,124 (232,708)
Loan sale reduction to provision— (66,460)— (66,460)
Loan transfer to held-for-sale— 1,887 — 1,887 
Total provisions(2)
20 (298,425)1,124 (297,281)
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs(321)(229,591)(356)(230,268)
Recoveries— 29,494 12 29,506 
Net charge-offs(321)(200,097)(344)(200,762)
Loan sales— — — — 
Ending Balance$4,077 $1,158,977 $2,281 $1,165,335 
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $47,712 $— $47,712 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$4,077 $1,111,265 $2,281 $1,117,623 
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment$— $1,057,665 $— $1,057,665 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment$695,216 $19,659,198 $25,014 $20,379,428 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(3)
0.06 %1.33 %2.24 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance0.59 %5.59 %9.12 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(3)
0.74 %7.47 %9.12 %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs12.70 5.79 6.63 
Ending total loans, gross$695,216 $20,716,863 $25,014 
Average loans in repayment(3)
$545,689 $15,019,869 $15,343 
Ending loans in repayment(3)
$553,980 $15,511,212 $25,014 
__________

(1)     See “Unfunded Loan Commitments” on page 21 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.


17


Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
(Dollars in thousands)Year Ended 
 December 31, 2021
Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses:
Provisions for credit losses$(298,425)
Provisions for unfunded loan commitments264,324 
Total Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses(34,101)
Other impacts to the provisions for credit losses:
FFELP Loans20 
Credit Cards1,124 
Total1,144 
Provisions for credit losses reported in consolidated statements of income$(32,957)

(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.





















































18


 Allowance for Credit Losses
 Year Ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)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 21 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.

19


Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
(Dollars in thousands)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.








20



Unfunded Loan Commitments
Quarters Ended December 31,
20212020
(Dollars in thousands)AllowanceUnfunded CommitmentsAllowanceUnfunded Commitments
Beginning Balance$99,131 $1,963,592 $114,778 $1,771,127 
Provisions/New commitments - net(1)
14,518 549,052 32,652 527,615 
Other provision items(1,329)— 3,867 — 
Transfer - funded loans(2)
(39,607)(735,668)(41,253)(625,724)
Ending Balance$72,713 $1,776,976 $110,044 $1,673,018 
Years Ended December 31,
20212020
(Dollars in thousands)AllowanceUnfunded CommitmentsAllowanceUnfunded Commitments
Beginning Balance$110,044 $1,673,018 $2,481 $1,910,603 
Day 1 adjustment for the adoption of CECL— — 115,758 — 
Balance at January 1110,044 1,673,018 118,239 1,910,603 
Provisions/New commitments - net(1)
232,822 5,512,841 311,659 5,070,175 
Other provision items31,502 — 954 — 
Transfer - funded loans(2)
(301,655)(5,408,883)(320,808)(5,307,760)
Ending Balance$72,713 $1,776,976 $110,044 $1,673,018 
__________

(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.



21


Private Education Loans Held for Investment - Key Credit Quality Indicators

    
Private Education Loans Held for Investment
 Credit Quality Indicators
December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance(1)
% of Balance
Balance(1)
% of Balance
Cosigners:
With cosigner$18,191,664 88 %$17,378,282 88 %
Without cosigner2,525,199 12 2,351,055 12 
Total$20,716,863 100 %$19,729,337 100 %
FICO at Original Approval(2):
Less than 670$1,525,117 %$1,441,171 %
670-6993,144,099 15 3,031,266 16 
700-7496,800,534 33 6,510,093 33 
Greater than or equal to 7509,247,113 45 8,746,807 44 
Total$20,716,863 100 %$19,729,337 100 %
FICO-Refreshed(2)(3):
Less than 670$2,087,817 10 %$2,199,038 11 %
670-6992,383,369 12 2,289,210 12 
700-7496,172,753 30 5,780,999 29 
Greater than or equal to 75010,072,924 48 9,460,090 48 
Total$20,716,863 100 %$19,729,337 100 %
Seasoning(4):
1-12 payments$4,602,746 22 %$4,498,496 23 %
13-24 payments3,544,689 17 3,346,831 17 
25-36 payments2,524,369 12 2,345,094 12 
37-48 payments1,743,203 1,719,461 
More than 48 payments3,397,442 16 3,040,415 15 
Not yet in repayment4,904,414 25 4,779,040 24 
Total$20,716,863 100 %$19,729,337 100 %
__________

(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 respective fourth-quarter.
(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.
22



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). For the periods presented below, we updated our delinquency bucket periods to conform with the delinquency bucket periods defined by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

 Private Education Loans Held for Investment
December 31,December 31,
 20212020
(Dollars in thousands)Balance%Balance%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)(2)
$4,904,414 $4,779,040 
Loans in forbearance(1)(3)
301,237 645,476 
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status(1):
Loans current
15,005,773 96.7 %13,898,948 97.2 %
Loans delinquent 30-59 days(4)
308,559 2.0 205,528 1.4 
Loans delinquent 60-89 days(4)
116,947 0.8 119,643 0.8 
Loans 90 days or greater past due(4)
79,933 0.5 80,702 0.6 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment15,511,212 100.0 %14,304,821 100.0 %
Total Private Education Loans, gross20,716,863 19,729,337 
Private Education Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)67,488 63,475 
Total Private Education Loans20,784,351 19,792,812 
Private Education Loans allowance for losses(1,158,977)(1,355,844)
Private Education Loans, net$19,625,374 $18,436,968 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment74.9 %72.5 %
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment3.3 %2.8 %
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance1.9 %4.3 %
__________
(1)For some students, going back to school in the fall of 2020 was not an option because of the pandemic, or for other reasons. Therefore, some students took a “gap year” before returning to school in fall of 2021. 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. This program ended in September 2021.
(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.

23




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

December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Total loan portfolio:   
In-school(1)
$3,544,030 $82 $— $3,544,112 
Grace, repayment and other(2)
17,172,833 695,134 25,014 17,892,981 
Total, gross20,716,863 695,216 25,014 21,437,093 
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)67,488 1,815 222 69,525 
Allowance for credit losses(1,158,977)(4,077)(2,281)(1,165,335)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net$19,625,374 $692,954 $22,955 $20,341,283 
 
% of total97 %%— %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.


December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
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 of 2020 was not an option because of the pandemic, or for other reasons. Therefore, some students took a “gap year” before returning to school in fall 2021. 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, were then not required to make any payments. This program ended in September 2021.

(2)At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “grace, repayment and other” category include (a) $147 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers were 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, were not then required to make any payments, and (b) $639 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers were 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.  This program ended in September 2021.

(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.
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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)2021202020212020
Private Education Loans$21,285,836 97 %$22,675,980 97 %$20,968,061 97 %$22,426,216 94 %
FFELP Loans701,953 743,330 718,186 757,953 
Personal Loans— — — — — — 582,552 
Credit Cards21,396 — 11,780 — 14,982 — 9,390 — 
Total portfolio$22,009,185 100 %$23,431,090 100 %$21,701,229 100 %$23,776,111 100 %



Loans Held for Investment Activity


Quarter Ended December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Beginning balance$20,561,961 $703,355 $16,211 $21,281,527 
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate456,861 — — 456,861 
Variable-rate286,933 — 23,839 310,772 
Total acquisitions and originations743,794 — 23,839 767,633 
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization300,267 6,230 (72)306,425 
Sales
(987,798)— — (987,798)
Loan consolidations to third-parties(448,550)(6,711)— (455,261)
Allowance50,484 129 (541)50,072 
Repayments and other(594,784)(10,049)(16,482)(621,315)
Ending balance$19,625,374 $692,954 $22,955 $20,341,283 


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(344,503)(4,584)— (349,087)
Allowance372,967 (15)(116)372,836 
Transfer to loans held for sale(2,885,640)— — (2,885,640)
Repayments and other(576,447)(11,775)(8,364)(596,586)
Ending balance$18,436,968 $735,208 $10,967 $19,183,143 





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Year Ended December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans
Credit
Cards
Total Loans Held for Investment
Beginning balance$18,436,968 $735,208 $10,967 $19,183,143 
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate3,027,440 — — 3,027,440 
Variable-rate2,421,082 — 63,323 2,484,405 
Total acquisitions and originations5,448,522 — 63,323 5,511,845 
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization597,416 27,252 (323)624,345 
Sales
(1,138,726)— — (1,138,726)
Loan consolidations to third-parties(1,583,691)(27,031)— (1,610,722)
Allowance196,868 300 (780)196,388 
Transfer to loans held for sale25,040 — — 25,040 
Repayments and other(2,357,023)(42,775)(50,232)(2,450,030)
Ending balance$19,625,374 $692,954 $22,955 $20,341,283 


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(1,332,802)(21,243)— — (1,354,045)
Allowance79,285 107 36,526 (1,211)114,707 
Transfer to loans held for sale(2,885,640)— — — (2,885,640)
Repayments and other(2,292,484)(52,178)(352,489)(26,588)(2,723,739)
Ending balance$18,436,968 $735,208 $— $10,967 $19,183,143 





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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)2021%2020%
Smart Option - interest only(1)
$138,650 19 %$145,000 23 %
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
236,116 32 175,234 28 
Smart Option - deferred(1)
258,806 35 200,807 32 
Smart Option - principal and interest
1,703 — 1,325 — 
Graduate Loan92,213 13 95,906 15 
Parent Loan9,367 8,709 
Total Private Education Loan originations$736,855 100 %$626,981 100 %
Percentage of loans with a cosigner82.5 %82.6 %
Average FICO at approval(2)
749 751 

 Years Ended 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2021%2020%
Smart Option - interest only(1)
$1,123,624 21 %$1,222,148 23 %
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
1,680,947 31 1,498,578 28 
Smart Option - deferred(1)
1,994,483 36 1,912,978 36 
Smart Option - principal and interest
11,102 — 9,559 — 
Graduate Loan525,050 10 579,451 11 
Parent Loan87,325 98,023 
Total Private Education Loan originations$5,422,531 100 %$5,320,737 100 %
Percentage of loans with a cosigner86.2 %86.0 %
Average FICO at approval(2)
750 749 


__________
(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 2020 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, 2021December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)Amount
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
Amount
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
Money market$10,473,569 0.69 %$10,159,657 0.83 %
Savings959,122 0.43 907,976 0.55 
Certificates of deposit9,394,001 1.20 11,597,266 1.34 
Deposits - interest-bearing$20,826,692 $22,664,899 
        
__________
        (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, 2021:
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,314,657 14.1 %$1,643,132 >7.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,314,657 14.1 %$1,995,232 >8.5 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)$3,410,183 14.5 %$2,464,699 >10.5 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)$3,314,657 11.1 %$1,198,808 >4.0 %
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 %
 
_________    
(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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