UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
þQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019
or
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number: 001-13251
 
SLM Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware52-2013874
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
  
300 Continental Drive, Newark, Delaware19713
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(302) 451-0200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
  þ
 Accelerated filer
  ¨ 
Non-accelerated filer
  ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting company
  ¨
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.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨ No þ 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
Class
Outstanding at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019
Common Stock, $0.20 par value431,889,664432,427,285 shares
 





 




SLM CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX


Part I. Financial Information  
Item 1. 
Item 1. 
Item 2. 43
Item 3. 73
Item 4. 77
PART II. Other Information  
Item 1. 78
Item 1A. 79
Item 2. 80
Item 3. 80
Item 4. 80
Item 5. 80
Item 6. 81




SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 September 30, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $1,247,764
 $1,918,793
 $2,156,257
 $2,559,106
Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $236,018 and $211,406, respectively) 232,549
 208,603
Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $229,919 and $184,701, respectively) 18,040,465
 15,137,922
Restricted cash and investments 66,625
 53,717
Available-for-sale investments at fair value (cost of $211,049 and $182,325, respectively) 207,907
 176,245
Loans held for investment (net of allowance for losses of $358,325 and $341,121, respectively) 23,498,386
 22,270,919
Restricted cash 153,552
 122,789
Other interest-earning assets 31,303
 49,114
 31,921
 27,157
Accrued interest receivable 1,019,735
 766,106
 1,299,496
 1,191,981
Premises and equipment, net 88,975
 87,063
 130,536
 105,504
Income taxes receivable, net 
 41,570
Tax indemnification receivable 214,496
 259,532
 43,124
 39,207
Other assets 74,258
 52,153
 92,446
 103,695
Total assets $21,016,170
 $18,533,003
 $27,613,625
 $26,638,173
        
Liabilities        
Deposits $15,034,052
 $13,435,667
 $19,663,986
 $18,943,158
Short-term borrowings 300,000
 
Long-term borrowings 2,738,662
 2,167,979
 4,476,406
 4,284,304
Income taxes payable, net 96,404
 184,324
 7,011
 
Upromise member accounts 245,094
 256,041
 203,780
 213,104
Other liabilities 180,118
 141,934
 214,908
 224,951
Total liabilities 18,594,330
 16,185,945
 24,566,091
 23,665,517
        
Commitments and contingencies 
 
 
 
        
Equity        
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:        
Series A: 0 and 3.3 million shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $50 per share 
 165,000
Series B: 4 million and 4 million shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share 400,000
 400,000
 400,000
 400,000
Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 442.3 million and 436.6 million shares issued, respectively 88,458
 87,327
Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 453.3 million and 449.9 million shares issued, respectively
 90,666
 89,972
Additional paid-in capital 1,213,198
 1,175,564
 1,290,683
 1,274,635
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $2,720 and $5,364, respectively) (4,417) (8,671)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax expense of $704 and $3,436, respectively) 2,177
 10,623
Retained earnings 824,316
 595,322
 1,480,718
 1,340,017
Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity before treasury stock 2,521,555
 2,414,542
 3,264,244
 3,115,247
Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 10.4 million and 7.7 million shares, respectively (99,715) (67,484)
Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 20.9 million and 14.2 million shares, respectively (216,710) (142,591)
Total equity 2,421,840
 2,347,058
 3,047,534
 2,972,656
Total liabilities and equity $21,016,170
 $18,533,003
 $27,613,625
 $26,638,173

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 September 30, September 30, March 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Interest income:            
Loans $359,610
 $268,341
 $1,021,106
 $765,246
 $553,479
 $430,048
Investments 1,928
 2,193
 6,272
 7,155
 1,421
 1,947
Cash and cash equivalents 4,686
 2,003
 10,429
 4,832
 11,553
 5,236
Total interest income 366,224
 272,537
 1,037,807
 777,233
 566,453
 437,231
Interest expense:            
Deposits 61,890
 38,210
 157,473
 107,633
 125,987
 77,456
Interest expense on short-term borrowings 1,804
 1,604
 4,234
 5,827
 1,165
 2,393
Interest expense on long-term borrowings 20,469
 9,448
 56,070
 17,869
 37,020
 24,768
Total interest expense 84,163
 49,262
 217,777
 131,329
 164,172
 104,617
Net interest income 282,061
 223,275
 820,030
 645,904
 402,281
 332,614
Less: provisions for credit losses 54,930
 41,784
 130,441
 116,179
 63,790
 53,931
Net interest income after provisions for credit losses 227,131
 181,491
 689,589
 529,725
 338,491
 278,683
Non-interest income:            
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net 1,661
 1,368
 (7,326) 3,156
Gains on derivatives and hedging activities, net 2,763
 3,892
Other income 4,455
 21,598
 26,430
 56,309
 13,378
 9,642
Total non-interest income 6,116
 22,966
 19,104
 59,465
 16,141
 13,534
Non-interest expenses:            
Compensation and benefits 51,052
 43,380
 157,523
 138,659
 78,738
 68,317
FDIC assessment fees 7,626
 5,095
 21,477
 13,548
 7,618
 8,796
Other operating expenses 57,464
 51,234
 151,070
 135,164
 53,791
 47,853
Total operating expenses 116,142
 99,709
 330,070
 287,371
Acquired intangible asset amortization expense 117
 226
 351
 747
Total non-interest expenses 116,259
 99,935
 330,421
 288,118
 140,147
 124,966
Income before income tax expense 116,988
 104,522
 378,272
 301,072
 214,485
 167,251
Income tax expense 40,617
 47,557
 136,341
 120,987
 56,296
 40,997
Net income 76,371
 56,965
 241,931
 180,085
 158,189
 126,254
Preferred stock dividends 3,028
 5,316
 12,577
 15,698
 4,468
 3,397
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $73,343
 $51,649
 $229,354
 $164,387
 $153,721
 $122,857
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.53
 $0.38
 $0.35
 $0.28
Average common shares outstanding 431,718
 428,077
 430,958
 427,711
 434,574
 433,952
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.52
 $0.38
 $0.35
 $0.28
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 438,419
 433,523
 438,422
 432,079
 438,248
 438,977
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.03
 $




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 September 30, September 30, March 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Net income $76,371
 $56,965
 $241,931
 $180,085
 $158,189
 $126,254
Other comprehensive income (loss):            
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments 734
 406
 (666) 4,723
 2,938
 (4,127)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges 4,814
 9,324
 7,564
 (23,782) (14,117) 20,290
Total unrealized gains (losses) 5,548
 9,730
 6,898
 (19,059) (11,179) 16,163
Income tax (expense) benefit (2,113) (3,690) (2,644) 7,305
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit 3,435
 6,040
 4,254
 (11,754)
Income tax benefit (expense) 2,733
 (3,902)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax benefit (expense) (8,446) 12,261
Total comprehensive income $79,806
 $63,005
 $246,185
 $168,331
 $149,743
 $138,515

















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


    Common Stock Shares              
  Preferred Stock Shares Issued Treasury Outstanding Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015 7,300,000
 430,677,434
 (4,374,190) 426,303,244
 $565,000
 $86,136
 $1,135,860
 $(16,059) $366,609
 $(41,223) $2,096,323
Net income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 180,085
 
 180,085
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (11,754) 
 
 (11,754)
Total comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 168,331
Cash dividends:                      
Preferred Stock, series A ($.87 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (8,625) 
 (8,625)
Preferred Stock, series B ($.65 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (7,073) 
 (7,073)
Dividend equivalent units related to employee stock-based compensation plans 
 
 
 
 
 
 402
 
 (402)   
Issuance of common shares 
 3,727,574
 
 3,727,574
 
 745
 5,493
 
 
 
 6,238
Tax benefit related to employee stock-based compensation 
 
 
 
 
 
 (2,457) 
 
 
 (2,457)
Stock-based compensation expense 
 
 
 
 
 
 17,950
 
 
 
 17,950
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans 
 
 (1,763,092) (1,763,092) 
 
 
 
 
 (11,191) (11,191)
Balance at September 30, 2016 7,300,000
 434,405,008
 (6,137,282) 428,267,726
 $565,000
 $86,881
 $1,157,248
 $(27,813) $530,594
 $(52,414) $2,259,496



    Common Stock Shares              
  Preferred Stock Shares Issued Treasury Outstanding Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2017 4,000,000
 443,463,587
 (11,087,337) 432,376,250
 $400,000
 $88,693
 $1,222,277
 $2,748
 $868,182
 $(107,644) $2,474,256
Net income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 126,254
 
 126,254
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12,261
 
 
 12,261
Total comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 138,515
Reclassification resulting from the adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 592
 (592) 
 
Cash dividends:                      
Preferred Stock, Series B ($0.83 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (3,397) 
 (3,397)
Issuance of common shares 
 5,559,991
 
 5,559,991
 
 1,112
 15,587
 
 
 
 16,699
Stock-based compensation expense 
 
 
 
 
 
 14,745
 
 
 
 14,745
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans 
 
 (2,740,018) (2,740,018) 
 
 
 
 
 (30,985) (30,985)
Balance at March 31, 2018 4,000,000
 449,023,578
 (13,827,355) 435,196,223
 $400,000
 $89,805
 $1,252,609
 $15,601
 $990,447
 $(138,629) $2,609,833








See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


 
    Common Stock Shares              
  Preferred Stock Shares Issued Treasury Outstanding Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016 7,300,000
 436,632,479
 (7,728,920) 428,903,559
 $565,000
 $87,327
 $1,175,564
 $(8,671) $595,322
 $(67,484) $2,347,058
Net income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 241,931
 
 241,931
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4,254
 
 
 4,254
Total comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 246,185
Cumulative effect of the new stock compensation standard 
 
 
 
 
 
 429
 
 (264) 
 165
Cash dividends:                      
Preferred Stock, series A ($1.74 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (3,961) 
 (3,961)
Preferred Stock, series B ($2.15 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (8,616) 
 (8,616)
Redemption of Series A Preferred Stock (3,300,000) 
 
 
 (165,000) 
 
 
 
 
 (165,000)
Dividend equivalent units related to employee stock-based compensation plans 
 
 
 
 
 
 96
 
 (96) 
 
Issuance of common shares 
 5,652,886
 
 5,652,886
 
 1,131
 15,336
 
 
 
 16,467
Stock-based compensation expense 
 
 
 
 
 
 21,773
 
 
 
 21,773
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans 
 
 (2,666,781) (2,666,781) 
 
 
 
 
 (32,231) (32,231)
Balance at September 30, 2017 4,000,000
 442,285,365
 (10,395,701) 431,889,664
 $400,000
 $88,458
 $1,213,198
 $(4,417) $824,316
 $(99,715) $2,421,840
    Common Stock Shares              
  Preferred Stock Shares Issued Treasury Outstanding Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2018 4,000,000
 449,856,221
 (14,174,733) 435,681,488
 $400,000
 $89,972
 $1,274,635
 $10,623
 $1,340,017
 $(142,591) $2,972,656
Net income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 158,189
 
 158,189
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (8,446) 
 
 (8,446)
Total comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 149,743
Cash dividends:                      
Common Stock ($0.03 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (13,020) 
 (13,020)
Preferred Stock, Series B ($1.12 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (4,468) 
 (4,468)
Issuance of common shares 
 3,470,664
 
 3,470,664
 
 694
 2,157
 
 
 
 2,851
Stock-based compensation expense 
 
 
 
 
 
 13,891
 
 
 
 13,891
Common stock repurchased 
 
 (5,435,476) (5,435,476) 
 
 
 
 
 (60,000) (60,000)
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans 
 
 (1,289,391) (1,289,391) 
 
 
 
 
 (14,119) (14,119)
Balance at March 31, 2019 4,000,000
 453,326,885
 (20,899,600) 432,427,285
 $400,000
 $90,666
 $1,290,683
 $2,177
 $1,480,718
 $(216,710) $3,047,534












See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 September 30, March 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
Operating activities        
Net income $241,931
 $180,085
 $158,189
 $126,254
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:    
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Provisions for credit losses 130,441
 116,179
 63,790
 53,931
Income tax expense 136,341
 118,530
 56,296
 40,997
Amortization of brokered deposit placement fee 6,831
 7,766
 3,555
 2,789
Amortization of ABCP Facility upfront fee 995
 866
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs and fees, net 6,122
 4,304
Amortization of Secured Borrowing Facility upfront fee 277
 301
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs and loan premium/(discounts), net 3,184
 2,607
Net amortization of discount on investments 1,504
 1,387
 189
 475
Loss (income) on tax indemnification receivable 311
 (14,386)
Increase in tax indemnification receivable (3,917) (1,231)
Depreciation of premises and equipment 8,194
 6,896
 3,586
 3,117
Amortization of acquired intangibles 351
 747
Stock-based compensation expense 21,773
 17,950
 13,891
 14,745
Unrealized losses (gains) on derivatives and hedging activities, net 6,931
 (1,881)
Unrealized gains on derivatives and hedging activities, net (4,027) (3,879)
Other adjustments to net income, net 4,601
 2,540
 1,918
 1,855
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Increase in accrued interest receivable (506,451) (430,441) (239,180) (201,776)
Decrease in restricted cash and investments, net 5,701
 1,564
Decrease in other interest-earning assets 17,811
 7,562
Decrease in tax indemnification receivable 44,725
 44,725
Increase in other interest-earning assets (4,764) (10,051)
Increase in other assets (53,276) (22,879) (681) (35,858)
Decrease in income taxes payable, net (217,235) (201,338) (3,947) (1,159)
Increase in accrued interest payable 15,240
 10,202
 7,405
 11,034
(Decrease) increase in payable due to entity that is a subsidiary of Navient (305) 658
Increase in other liabilities 6,143
 7,131
Decrease in other liabilities (39,049) (18,309)
Total adjustments (363,252) (321,918) (141,474) (140,412)
Total net cash used in operating activities (121,321) (141,833)
Total net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 16,715
 (14,158)
Investing activities        
Loans acquired and originated (4,314,711) (4,072,631) (2,253,624) (2,300,135)
Net proceeds from sales of loans held for investment 5,497
 7,912
 
 820
Proceeds from claim payments 34,759
 49,742
 11,587
 12,084
Net decrease in loans held for investment 1,488,087
 953,715
 1,077,273
 735,894
Increase in restricted cash and investments - variable interest entities (18,608) (11,840)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities (55,569) (40,767) (33,483) 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities 29,452
 26,318
 4,570
 10,371
Total net cash used in investing activities (2,831,093) (3,087,551) (1,193,677) (1,540,966)
Financing activities        
Brokered deposit placement fee (9,668) (3,953) (1,498) (7,055)
Net increase in certificates of deposit 1,087,486
 481,623
 404,121
 694,982
Net increase in other deposits 516,343
 961,123
 290,631
 323,614
Issuance costs for collateralized borrowings 
 (1,351)
Borrowings collateralized by loans in securitization trusts - issued 767,245
 1,104,551
 451,128
 667,848
Borrowings collateralized by loans in securitization trusts - repaid (397,106) (106,567) (260,953) (200,247)
Issuance costs for unsecured debt offering (1,057) 
Unsecured debt issued 197,000
 
Borrowings under ABCP Facility 300,000
 376,325
Repayment of borrowings under ABCP Facility 
 (526,500)
Borrowings under Secured Borrowing Facility 
 300,000
Repayment of borrowings under Secured Borrowing Facility 
 (300,000)
Fees paid on Secured Borrowing Facility (1,065) (1,063)
Common stock dividends paid (13,020) 
Preferred stock dividends paid (4,468) (3,397)
Common stock repurchased (60,000) 
Net cash provided by financing activities 804,876
 1,474,682
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (372,086) (80,442)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 2,681,895
 1,636,175
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $2,309,809
 $1,555,733


Fees paid on ABCP Facility (1,281) (1,450)
Redemption of Preferred Stock Series A (165,000) 
Preferred stock dividends paid (12,577) (15,698)
Net cash provided by financing activities 2,281,385
 2,268,103
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (671,029) (961,281)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,918,793
 2,416,219
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $1,247,764
 $1,454,938
Cash disbursements made for:    
Interest $191,488
 $119,812
Income taxes paid $216,321
 $201,218
Income taxes refunded $(986) $(86)
Cash disbursements made for:    
Interest $147,235
 $94,737
Income taxes paid $3,700
 $1,894
Income taxes refunded $(41) $(990)
Reconciliation of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to the Consolidated Balance Sheets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $2,156,257
 $1,435,649
Restricted cash 153,552
 120,084
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $2,309,809
 $1,555,733
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

9




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
   


1. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements of SLM Corporation (“Sallie Mae,” “SLM,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SLM Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries after eliminating the effects of intercompany accounts and transactions. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 20172019 or for any other period. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162018 (the “2016“2018 Form 10-K”).
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries after eliminating the effects of intercompany accounts and transactions.
We consolidate any variable interest entity (“VIE”) where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
AllowanceReclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances for Loan Lossesthe three months ended March 31, 2018, to be consistent with classifications adopted in 2019, which had no effect on net income, total assets or total liabilities.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases,” a comprehensive new lease standard which supersedes previous lease guidance. The standard requires a lessee to recognize in its balance sheet assets and liabilities related to long-term leases that were classified as operating leases under previous guidance. An asset will be recognized related to the right to use the underlying asset and a liability will be recognized related to the obligation to make lease payments over the term of the lease. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding leases. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and requires modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount sufficientadopted this guidance on January 1, 2019. In doing so, we identified and evaluated the related lease contracts and revised our controls and processes to absorb probable losses incurred in our portfolios ataddress the reporting date based on a projectionlease standard. The adoption of estimated probable credit losses incurredthis guidance resulted in the portfolio. Please refer to Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Loan Losses - Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses” in the 2016 Form 10-K forrecognition of less than $34 million of right of use asset and lease liability, which did not have a description of certain information we use in estimating allowance amounts for Private Education Loans (as hereafter defined).
Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”)
Formaterial impact on our TDR portfolio, we estimate an allowance amount sufficient to cover life-of-loan expected losses through an impairment calculation based on the difference between the loan’s basis and the present value of expected future cash flows (which would include life-of-loan default and recovery assumptions) discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Our TDR portfolio is comprised mostly of loans with interest rate reductions and loans with forbearance usage greater than three months, as further described below.
We modify the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such modifications may increase the ability and willingness of a borrower to make payments and thus increase the ultimate overall amount collected on a loan. These modifications generally take the form of a forbearance, a temporary interest rate reduction or an extended repayment plan. We generally consider a loan that is in full principal and interest repayment status which has received more than three months of forbearance in a 24-month period to be a TDR; however, during the first nine months after a loan has entered full principal and interest repayment status, we do not count up to the first six months of forbearance received during that period against the three-month policy limit.consolidated financial statements.

10




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
1.Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 


A loan also becomes a TDR when it is modified to reduce the interest rate on the loan (regardless of when such modification occurs and/or whether such interest rate reduction is temporary). The majority of our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan. Once a loan qualifies for TDR status, it remains a TDR for allowance purposes for the remainder of its life. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, approximately 69 percent of TDRs were classified as such due to their forbearance status.
Derivative Accounting
We account for our derivatives, consisting of interest rate swaps, at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability. Derivative positions are recorded as net positions by counterparty based on master netting arrangements (see Note 6, “Derivative Financial Instruments”), exclusive of accrued interest and cash collateral held or pledged. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and the London Clearing House (“LCH”) made amendments to their respective rules that resulted in the prospective accounting treatment of certain daily payments historically treated as the posting of collateral (variation margin payments) being considered as the legal settlement of the outstanding exposure of the derivative. While the CME rule, which became effective in January 2017, is mandatory, the LCH allows a clearing member institution the option to adopt the rule changes on an individual contract or portfolio basis. As of September 30, 2017, $5.1 billion notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $0.7 billion were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 85.8 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $5.9 billion at September 30, 2017.
Under this new rule, for derivatives cleared through the CME, the net gain (loss) position includes the variation margin amounts as settlement of the derivative and not collateral against the fair value of the derivative. Interest income (expense) related to variation margin on derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments or are designated as fair value relationships is recognized as a gain (loss) rather than as interest income (expense). Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments will be presented as realized gains (losses).
Our LCH clearing member institution has elected not to adopt the new rule change. Therefore, there has been no change to the accounting for the derivatives cleared through the LCH, and variation margin payments required to be exchanged based on the fair value of these derivatives remain accounted for as collateral.
We determine the fair value for our derivative contracts primarily using pricing models that consider current market conditions and the contractual terms of the derivative contracts. These pricing models consider interest rates, time value, forward interest rate curves, and volatility factors. Inputs are generally from active financial markets.
The majority of our derivatives qualify as effective hedges. For these derivatives, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged items (including the hedged risk and method for assessing effectiveness), as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship, is documented.
Each derivative is designated to a specific (or pool of) liability(ies) on the consolidated balance sheets, and is designated as either a “fair value” hedge or a “cash flow” hedge. Fair value hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to the changes in fair value of a fixed-rate liability. For effective fair value hedges, both the hedge and the hedged item (for the risk being hedged) are recorded at fair value with any difference reflecting ineffectiveness recorded immediately in the consolidated statements of income. Cash flow hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to variability in cash flows related to variable-rate deposits. The assessment of the hedge’s effectiveness is performed at inception and on an ongoing basis, using regression testing. For hedges of a pool of liabilities, tests are performed to demonstrate the similarity of individual instruments of the pool. When it is determined that a derivative is not currently an effective hedge, ineffectiveness is recognized for the full change in fair value of the derivative with no offsetting amount from the hedged item since the last time it was effective. If it is also determined the hedge will not be effective in the future, we discontinue the hedge accounting prospectively and begin amortization of any basis adjustments that exist related to the hedged item.

11




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
1.Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize stock-based compensation cost in our consolidated statements of income using the fair value method. Under this method, we determine the fair value of the stock-based compensation at the time of the grant and recognize the resulting compensation expense over the vesting period of the stock-based grant. On January 1, 2017, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB’s”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09 “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This new guidance requires that we record all excess tax benefits/deficiencies related to the settlement of employee stock-based compensation to the income tax expense line item on our consolidated statements of income, under a modified retrospective basis. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded a $7.3 million benefit in income tax expense because of this new standard. We previously recorded the excess tax benefits/deficiencies to the additional paid-in capital line item on our consolidated balance sheets. Under the new guidance, we also elected the option to no longer apply a forfeiture rate to our stock-based compensation expense, but to record forfeitures when they occur, and, as a result, under a modified retrospective basis we recorded a cumulative effect of the new stock compensation standard in total equity of $0.2 million, net of tax, in the first quarter of 2017.
Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
On August 28, 2017,ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “DerivativesNo. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU eliminates the incurred loss threshold for initial recognition of credit impairment in current GAAP and Hedging: Targeted Improvementsreplaces it with the expected loss concept. For all loans carried at amortized cost, we will be required to Accountingmeasure our allowance for Hedging Activities,”loan losses based on our current estimate of all expected credit losses (“CECL”) over the remaining contractual term of the assets. Because it eliminates the incurred loss trigger, the new accounting guidance will require us, upon the origination of a loan, to record an estimate of all expected credit losses on that loan through an immediate charge to earnings. Updates to that estimate each period will be recorded through provision expense. The estimate of loan losses must be based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU does not mandate the use of any specific method for estimating credit loss, permitting companies to use judgment in selecting the approach that is most appropriate in their circumstances. The standard will become effective for us on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted no sooner than January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings will be recorded as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which improves the guidance is effective in an amount necessary to adjust the allowance for loan losses to equal the current estimate of expected losses on financial reportingassets held at that date.
We have evaluated the standard and initiated implementation efforts. We have identified the loss forecasting approach and have built the loss models for our Private Education Loans and our Personal Loans acquired from third-parties. During the remainder of hedging relationships2019, we plan to better portraycomplete our loss models for Personal Loans we originate and credit card receivables and complete the economictesting and validation for all the models to be used to implement CECL. During the second quarter of 2019, we also plan to run our CECL solution in parallel for our Private Education Loan and purchased Personal Loan portfolios to test the implementation of the new solution.
Adoption of the standard will have a material impact on how we record and report our financial condition and results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statementsoperations, and make certain targeted improvements to simplify the applicationon regulatory capital. The extent of the hedge accounting guidance. The guidance expandsimpact upon adoption will likely depend on the ability to hedge nonfinancialcharacteristics of our loan portfolio and financial risk components, reduces complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk, eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness,economic conditions at that date, as well as eases certain hedge effectiveness assessment requirements. The effective date for the standard is January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating if we will adopt this standard prior to its final effective date, and we currently do not expect the adoption to materially affect our consolidated financial statements.forecasted conditions thereafter.





12




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

2. Loans Held for Investment
Loans held for investment consist of Private Education Loans, FFELP Loans and Personal Loans. We use “Private Education Loans” to mean education loans to students or their families that are not made, insured or guaranteed by any state or federal government. Private Education Loans do not include loans insured or guaranteed under the previously existing Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”). We use “Personal Loans” to mean those unsecured loans to individuals that may be used for non-educational purposes. We began to opportunistically acquire Personal Loans in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Our Private Education Loans are made largely to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the amount funded through financial aid, government loans and customers’ resources. Private Education Loans bear the full credit risk of the customer. We manage this risk through risk-performance underwriting strategies and qualified cosigners. Private Education Loans may be fixed rate or may carry a variable interest rate indexed to LIBOR. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2016, 78.22018, 63 percent and 81.467 percent, respectively, of all of our Private Education Loans were indexed to LIBOR. We provide incentives for customers to include a cosigner on the loan, and the vast majority of loans in our portfolio are cosigned. We also provide total cost incentives forencourage customers to make payments while in school.
FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default, subject to a risk sharingrisk-sharing level based on the date of loan disbursement. These insurance obligations are supported by contractual rights against the United States. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, we receive 97 percent reimbursement on all qualifying claims. For loans disbursed after October 1, 1993, and before July 1, 2006, we receive 98 percent reimbursement on all qualifying claims. For loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993, we receive 100 percent reimbursement on all qualifying claims.
In 2016, we began to acquire Personal Loans held for investment are summarized as follows:from a marketplace lender, but discontinued those purchases in July 2018. In 2018, we began to originate and service Personal Loans.
  September 30, December 31,
  2017 2016
Private Education Loans $17,132,907
 $14,251,675
Deferred origination costs 53,501
 44,206
Allowance for loan losses (227,167) (182,472)
Total Private Education Loans, net 16,959,241
 14,113,409
     
FFELP Loans 949,180
 1,010,908
Unamortized acquisition costs, net 2,696
 2,941
Allowance for loan losses (1,352) (2,171)
Total FFELP Loans, net 950,524
 1,011,678
     
Personal Loans 132,100
 12,893
Allowance for loan losses (1,400) (58)
Total Personal Loans, net 130,700
 12,835
     
Loans held for investment, net $18,040,465
 $15,137,922

The estimated weighted average life of education loans in our portfolio was approximately 5.6 years and 6.0 years at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

13




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
2.Loans Held for Investment (Continued) 


Loans held for investment are summarized as follows:
  March 31, December 31,
  2019 2018
Private Education Loans: 
 
Fixed-rate $8,025,846
 $6,759,019
Variable-rate 13,765,776
 13,745,446
Total Private Education Loans, gross 21,791,622
 20,504,465
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 70,858
 68,321
Allowance for loan losses (285,946) (277,943)
Total Private Education Loans, net 21,576,534
 20,294,843
     
FFELP Loans 828,640
 846,487
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 2,323
 2,379
Allowance for loan losses (1,760) (977)
Total FFELP Loans, net 829,203
 847,889
     
Personal Loans (fixed-rate) 1,162,874
 1,190,091
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 394
 297
Allowance for loan losses (70,619) (62,201)
Total Personal Loans, net 1,092,649
 1,128,187
     
Loans held for investment, net $23,498,386
 $22,270,919

The estimated weighted average life of education loans in our portfolio was approximately 5.4 years at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
2.Loans Held for Investment (Continued)



The average balance and the respective weighted average interest rates of loans in our portfolio are summarized as follows:


 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 September 30, March 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
 Average Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Average Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Average Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Average Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate
Private Education Loans $16,228,751
 8.50% $12,881,890
 8.00% $21,732,826
 9.50% $18,659,717
 8.84%
FFELP Loans 960,185
 4.02
 1,049,803
 3.52
 837,950
 4.94
 919,717
 4.25
Personal Loans 86,441
 9.66
 
 
 1,176,466
 11.81
 528,644
 10.64
Total portfolio $17,275,377
   $13,931,693
   $23,747,242
   $20,108,078
  


  Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
  2017 2016
  Average Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Average Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate
Private Education Loans $15,791,557
 8.37% $12,307,932
 8.00%
FFELP Loans 981,106
 3.86
 1,076,394
 3.48
Personal Loans 61,263
 9.44
 
 
Total portfolio $16,833,926
   $13,384,326
  



14




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

3. Allowance for Loan Losses
Our provision for loancredit losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb incurred probable losses in the held-for-investment loan portfolios. The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. We believe the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to cover probable losses incurred in the loan portfolios. We began acquiring Personal Loans in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics
 Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 Total 
FFELP
Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 Total
Allowance for Loan Losses                
Beginning balance $1,606
 $205,024
 $818
 $207,448
 $977
 $277,943
 $62,201
 $341,121
Total provision (73) 53,120
 800
 53,847
 1,017
 41,883
 22,760
 65,660
Net charge-offs: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charge-offs (181) (34,280) (220) (34,681) (234) (39,577) (15,251) (55,062)
Recoveries 
 4,560
 2
 4,562
 
 5,697
 909
 6,606
Net charge-offs (181) (29,720) (218) (30,119) (234) (33,880) (14,342) (48,456)
Loan sales(1)
 
 (1,257) 
 (1,257)
Ending Balance $1,352
 $227,167
 $1,400
 $229,919
 $1,760
 $285,946
 $70,619
 $358,325
Allowance: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $100,999
 $
 $100,999
 $
 $132,442
 $
 $132,442
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $1,352
 $126,168
 $1,400
 $128,920
 $1,760
 $153,504
 $70,619
 $225,883
Loans: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $942,561
 $
 $942,561
 $
 $1,327,668
 $
 $1,327,668
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $949,180
 $16,190,346
 $132,100
 $17,271,626
 $828,640
 $20,463,954
 $1,162,874
 $22,455,468
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 0.10% 1.08% 0.96% 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(1)
 0.14% 0.89% 4.88% 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.14% 1.33% 1.06% 
 0.21% 1.31% 6.07% 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 0.20% 1.99% 1.06% 
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(1)
 0.27% 1.87% 6.07% 
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.87
 1.91
 1.60
 
 1.88
 2.11
 1.23
 
Ending total loans, gross $949,180
 $17,132,907
 $132,100
 
 $828,640
 $21,791,622
 $1,162,874
 
Average loans in repayment(2)
 $734,613
 $10,971,028
 $90,850
 
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 $690,849
 $11,406,581
 $132,100
 
Average loans in repayment(1)
 $650,196
 $15,165,072
 $1,175,356
 
Ending loans in repayment(1)
 $641,658
 $15,310,560
 $1,162,874
 
____________
(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.






SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

  Allowance for Loan Losses
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
  
FFELP
Loans
 
Private Education
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 Total
Allowance for Loan Losses        
Beginning balance $1,132
 $243,715
 $6,628
 $251,475
Total provision 231
 41,870
 13,448
 55,549
Net charge-offs:        
Charge-offs (250) (37,353) (1,200) (38,803)
Recoveries 
 5,087
 31
 5,118
Net charge-offs (250) (32,266) (1,169) (33,685)
Loan sales(1)
 
 (1,216) 
 (1,216)
Ending Balance $1,113
 $252,103
 $18,907
 $272,123
Allowance:        
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $101,824
 $
 $101,824
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $1,113
 $150,279
 $18,907
 $170,299
Loans:        
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $1,043,103
 $
 $1,043,103
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $907,842
 $17,750,909
 $675,656
 $19,334,407
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 0.14% 1.01% 0.88%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.12% 1.34% 2.80%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 0.16% 1.95% 2.80%  
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.11
 1.95
 4.04
  
Ending total loans, gross $907,842
 $18,794,012
 $675,656
  
Average loans in repayment(2)
 $718,311
 $12,747,929
 $531,889
  
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 $702,965
 $12,958,742
 $675,656
  
____________
(1) Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 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




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

  Allowance for Loan Losses
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
  FFELP Loans 
Private Education
Loans
 Total
Allowance for Loan Losses      
Beginning balance $2,297
 $142,628
 $144,925
Total provision 268
 40,502
 40,770
Net charge-offs:      
Charge-offs (356) (22,072) (22,428)
Recoveries 
 2,973
 2,973
Net charge-offs (356) (19,099) (19,455)
Loan sales(1)
 
 (1,401) (1,401)
Ending Balance $2,209
 $162,630
 $164,839
Allowance:      
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $77,521
 $77,521
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $2,209
 $85,109
 $87,318
Loans:      
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $503,632
 $503,632
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $1,033,929
 $13,344,630
 $14,378,559
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 0.18% 0.91%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.21% 1.17%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 0.28% 1.83%  
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.55
 2.13
  
Ending total loans, gross $1,033,929
 $13,848,262
  
Average loans in repayment(2)
 $791,296
 $8,420,625
  
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 $795,665
 $8,905,812
  
____________
(1) Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 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




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

  Allowance for Loan Losses
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
  
FFELP
Loans
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 Total
Allowance for Loan Losses        
Beginning balance $2,171
 $182,472
 $58
 $184,701
Total provision (161) 129,105
 1,580
 130,524
Net charge-offs:        
Charge-offs (658) (93,235) (240) (94,133)
Recoveries 
 12,216
 2
 12,218
Net charge-offs (658) (81,019) (238) (81,915)
Loan sales(1)
 
 (3,391) 
 (3,391)
Ending Balance $1,352
 $227,167
 $1,400
 $229,919
Allowance:        
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $100,999
 $
 $100,999
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $1,352
 $126,168
 $1,400
 $128,920
Loans:        
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $942,561
 $
 $942,561
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $949,180
 $16,190,346
 $132,100
 $17,271,626
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 0.12% 1.02% 0.51%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.14% 1.33% 1.06%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 0.20% 1.99% 1.06%  
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.54
 2.10
 4.41
  
Ending total loans, gross $949,180
 $17,132,907
 $132,100
  
Average loans in repayment(2)
 $752,990
 $10,589,725
 $62,747
  
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 $690,849
 $11,406,581
 $132,100
  
____________
(1) Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 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




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

  Allowance for Loan Losses
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
  FFELP Loans 
Private Education
Loans
 Total
Allowance for Loan Losses      
Beginning balance $3,691
 $108,816
 $112,507
Total provision (396) 116,703
 116,307
Net charge-offs:      
Charge-offs (1,086) (64,979) (66,065)
Recoveries 
 7,098
 7,098
Net charge-offs (1,086) (57,881) (58,967)
Loan sales(1)
 
 (5,008) (5,008)
Ending Balance $2,209
 $162,630
 $164,839
Allowance:      
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $77,521
 $77,521
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $2,209
 $85,109
 $87,318
Loans:      
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment $
 $503,632
 $503,632
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $1,033,929
 $13,344,630
 $14,378,559
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 0.18% 0.97%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 0.21% 1.17%  
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 0.28% 1.83%  
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.53
 2.11
  
Ending total loans, gross $1,033,929
 $13,848,262
  
Average loans in repayment(2)
 $795,452
 $7,952,469
  
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 $795,665
 $8,905,812
  
____________
(1) Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 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




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued) 


Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”)
All of our loans are collectively assessed for impairment, except for loans classified as TDRs (where we conduct individual assessments of impairment). We modify the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such modifications may increase the ability and willingnesscollectability of a borrower to make payments and thus increase the ultimate overall amount collected on a loan. These modifications generally take the form of a forbearance, a temporary interest rate reduction or an extended repayment plan. The majority of our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan. When we give a borrower facing financial difficulty an interest rate reduction, we temporarily reduce the rate to 2.0 percent for a two-year period and, in the vast majority of cases, permanently extend the final maturity of the loan. The combination of these two loan term changes helps reduce the monthly payment due from the borrower and increases the likelihood the borrower will remain current during the interest rate modification period as well as when the loan returns to its original contractual interest rate. At March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, 7.2 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively, of our loans then currently in full principal and interest repayment status were subject to interest rate reductions made under our rate modification program. Once a loan qualifies for TDR status, it remains a TDR for allowance purposes for the remainder of its life. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, approximately 6955 percent and 57 percent, respectively, of TDRs were classified as such due to their forbearance status. For additional information, see Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies —Allowance for Loan Losses,” and Note 6, “Allowance for Loan Losses” in our 20162018 Form 10-K.
Within the Private Education Loan portfolio, loans greater than 90 days past due are considered to be nonperforming. FFELP Loans are at least 97 percent guaranteed as to their principal and accrued interest by the federal government in the event of default and, therefore, we do not deem FFELP Loans as nonperforming from a credit risk perspective at any point in their life cycle prior to claim payment and continue to accrue interest on those loans through the date of claim.
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, all of our TDR loans had a related allowance recorded. The following table provides the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance for our TDR loans.
 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Allowance Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Allowance
            
September 30, 2017      
March 31, 2019      
TDR Loans $957,605
 $942,561
 $100,999
 $1,352,673
 $1,327,668
 $132,442
            
December 31, 2016      
December 31, 2018      
TDR Loans $620,991
 $612,606
 $86,930
 $1,280,713
 $1,257,856
 $120,110

The following table provides the average recorded investment and interest income recognized for our TDR loans.
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
  2017 2016
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
         
TDR Loans $877,011
 $16,517
 $454,395
 $8,116


  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
  2019 2018
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
         
TDR Loans $1,312,729
 $21,566
 $1,032,232
 $17,847

19




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued) 

  Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
  2017 2016
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
         
TDR Loans $772,362
 $43,084
 $373,747
 $20,396

The following table provides information regarding the loan status and aging of TDR loans.

 September 30, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
 Balance % Balance % Balance % Balance %
TDR loans in in-school/grace/deferment(1)
 $49,287
   $24,185
   $77,327
   $69,212
  
TDR loans in forbearance(2)
 118,034
   71,851
   79,410
   69,796
  
TDR loans in repayment(3) and percentage of each status:
                
Loans current 692,282
 89.3% 462,187
 89.5% 1,044,676
 89.2% 994,411
 88.9%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(4)
 43,362
 5.6
 28,452
 5.5
 61,698
 5.3
 63,074
 5.6
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(4)
 25,268
 3.3
 17,326
 3.4
 39,349
 3.4
 36,804
 3.3
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(4)
 14,328
 1.8
 8,605
 1.6
 25,208
 2.1
 24,559
 2.2
Total TDR loans in repayment 775,240
 100.0% 516,570
 100.0% 1,170,931
 100.0% 1,118,848
 100.0%
Total TDR loans, gross $942,561
   $612,606
   $1,327,668
   $1,257,856
  
_____
(1) 
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).
(2) 
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.
(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.
(4) 
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.


20




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued) 


The following table provides the amount of modified loans (which include forbearance and reductions in interest rates) that became TDRs in the periods presented. Additionally, for the periods presented, the table summarizes charge-offs occurring in the TDR portfolio, as well as TDRs for which a payment default occurred in the relevant period presented and within 12 months of the loan first being designated as a TDR. We define payment default as more than 60 days past due for this disclosure.

  Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2017
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
  
Modified Loans(1)
 Charge-offs 
Payment-
Default
 
Modified Loans(1)
 Charge-offs 
Payment-
Default
             
TDR Loans $168,645
 $12,227
 $28,275
 $116,419
 $5,925
 $23,326
  Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2019
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2018
  
Modified Loans(1)
 Charge-offs 
Payment-
Default
 
Modified Loans(1)
 Charge-offs 
Payment-
Default
             
TDR Loans $111,208
 $16,005
 $25,462
 $84,174
 $15,460
 $29,757

  Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
  
Modified Loans(1)
 Charge-offs 
Payment-
Default
 
Modified Loans(1)
 Charge-offs 
Payment-
Default
             
TDR Loans $415,341
 $34,965
 $77,248
 $270,266
 $16,357
 $70,401
_____
(1) 
Represents the principal balance of loans that have been modified during the period and resulted in a TDR.



21




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance forPrivate Education Loan Losses (Continued)


Key Credit Quality Indicators
FFELP Loans are at least 97 percent insured and guaranteed as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default; therefore, there are no key credit quality indicators associated with FFELP Loans.
For Private Education Loans, the key credit quality indicators are FICO scores, the existence of a cosigner, the loan status and loan seasoning. The FICO scores are assessed at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated through the loan’s term. The following table highlights the gross principal balance of our Private Education Loan portfolio stratified by key credit quality indicators.





SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
  Private Education Loans
  Credit Quality Indicators
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Credit Quality Indicators: 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance
         
Cosigners:        
With cosigner $15,395,579
 90% $12,816,512
 90%
Without cosigner 1,737,328
 10
 1,435,163
 10
Total $17,132,907
 100% $14,251,675
 100%
         
FICO at Original Approval(2):
        
Less than 670 $1,119,376
 6% $920,132
 6%
670-699 2,532,389
 15
 2,092,722
 15
700-749 5,605,519
 33
 4,639,958
 33
Greater than or equal to 750 7,875,623
 46
 6,598,863
 46
Total $17,132,907
 100% $14,251,675
 100%
         
Seasoning(3):
        
1-12 payments $4,758,249
 28% $3,737,110
 26%
13-24 payments 3,017,316
 18
 2,841,107
 20
25-36 payments 2,033,608
 12
 1,839,764
 13
37-48 payments 1,105,979
 6
 917,633
 7
More than 48 payments 865,084
 5
 726,106
 5
Not yet in repayment 5,352,671
 31
 4,189,955
 29
Total $17,132,907
 100% $14,251,675
 100%

  Private Education Loans
  Credit Quality Indicators
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Credit Quality Indicators: 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance
         
Cosigners:        
With cosigner $19,531,175
 90% $18,378,398
 90%
Without cosigner 2,260,447
 10
 2,126,067
 10
Total $21,791,622
 100% $20,504,465
 100%
         
FICO at Original Approval(2):
        
Less than 670 $1,517,014
 7% $1,409,789
 7%
670-699 3,306,017
 15
 3,106,983
 15
700-749 7,186,454
 33
 6,759,721
 33
Greater than or equal to 750 9,782,137
 45
 9,227,972
 45
Total $21,791,622
 100% $20,504,465
 100%
         
FICO-Refreshed(2)(3):
        
Less than 670 $2,720,777
 12% $2,416,979
 12%
670-699 2,721,243
 13
 2,504,467
 12
700-749 6,462,874
 30
 6,144,489
 30
Greater than or equal to 750 9,886,728
 45
 9,438,530
 46
Total $21,791,622
 100% $20,504,465
 100%
         
Seasoning(4):
        
1-12 payments $5,451,167
 25% $4,969,334
 24%
13-24 payments 3,543,836
 16
 3,481,235
 17
25-36 payments 2,729,369
 13
 2,741,954
 13
37-48 payments 2,017,498
 9
 1,990,049
 10
More than 48 payments 2,178,899
 10
 2,061,448
 10
Not yet in repayment 5,870,853
 27
 5,260,445
 26
Total $21,791,622
 100% $20,504,465
 100%
______
(1) 
Balance represents gross Private Education Loans.
(2) 
Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.
(3) 
Represents the FICO score updated as of the first-quarter 2019.
(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




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued) 


Private Education Loan Delinquencies

Key Credit Quality Indicators
For Personal Loans, the key credit quality indicators are FICO scores and loan seasoning. The FICO scores are assessed at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated through the loan’s term. The following table highlights the gross principal balance of our Personal Loan portfolio stratified by key credit quality indicators.

  Personal Loans
  Credit Quality Indicators
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Credit Quality Indicators: 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance
         
FICO at Original Approval:        
Less than 670 $10,910
 8% $1,189
 9%
670-699 38,330
 29
 3,139
 24
700-749 60,601
 46
 5,678
 44
Greater than or equal to 750 22,259
 17
 2,888
 23
Total $132,100
 100% $12,894
 100%
         
Seasoning(2):
        
0-12 payments $132,100
 100% $12,894
 100%
13-24 payments 
 
 
 
25-36 payments 
 
 
 
37-48 payments 
 
 
 
More than 48 payments 
 
 
 
Total $132,100
 100% $12,894
 100%
(1)
Balance represents gross Personal Loans.
(2)
Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.




23




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)


The following table provides information regarding the loan status of our Private Education Loans. 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.

 Private Education Loans Private Education Loans
 September 30, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
 Balance % Balance % Balance % Balance %
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
 $5,352,671
   $4,189,955
   $5,870,853
   $5,260,445
  
Loans in forbearance(2)
 373,655
   351,962
   610,209
   577,164
  
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:                
Loans current 11,115,697
 97.4% 9,509,394
 97.9% 14,927,591
 97.5% 14,289,705
 97.4%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
 175,897
 1.6
 124,773
 1.3
 216,295
 1.4
 231,216
 1.6
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
 82,095
 0.7
 51,423
 0.5
 104,199
 0.7
 95,105
 0.7
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
 32,892
 0.3
 24,168
 0.3
 62,475
 0.4
 50,830
 0.3
Total Private Education Loans in repayment 11,406,581
 100.0% 9,709,758
 100.0% 15,310,560
 100.0% 14,666,856
 100.0%
Total Private Education Loans, gross 17,132,907
   14,251,675
   21,791,622
   20,504,465
  
Private Education Loans deferred origination costs 53,501
   44,206
  
Private Education Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 70,858
   68,321
  
Total Private Education Loans 17,186,408
   14,295,881
   21,862,480
   20,572,786
  
Private Education Loans allowance for losses (227,167)   (182,472)   (285,946)   (277,943)  
Private Education Loans, net $16,959,241
   $14,113,409
   $21,576,534
   $20,294,843
  
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment   66.6%   68.1%   70.3%   71.5%
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment   2.6%   2.1%   2.5%   2.6%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance   3.2%   3.5%   3.8%   3.8%
_______
(1)
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).
(2)
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.
(3) 
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.




24




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued) 

Personal Loan Key Credit Quality Indicators
For Personal Loans, the key credit quality indicators are FICO scores, loan seasoning and loan status. The FICO scores are assessed at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated through the loan’s term. The following table highlights the gross principal balance of our Personal Loan portfolio stratified by key credit quality indicators.

  Personal Loans
  Credit Quality Indicators
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Credit Quality Indicators: 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance 
Balance(1)
 % of Balance
         
FICO at Original Approval:        
Less than 670 $71,340
 6% $77,702
 7%
670-699 324,934
 28
 339,053
 28
700-749 551,904
 47
 554,700
 47
Greater than or equal to 750 214,696
 19
 218,636
 18
Total $1,162,874
 100% $1,190,091
 100%
         
Seasoning(2):
        
0-12 payments $832,583
 72% $1,008,758
 85%
13-24 payments 320,058
 27
 181,333
 15
25-36 payments 10,233
 1
 
 
37-48 payments 
 
 
 
More than 48 payments 
 
 
 
Total $1,162,874
 100% $1,190,091
 100%
______
(1)
Balance represents gross Personal Loans.
(2)
Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.



















SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
3.Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

Personal Loan Delinquencies

The following table provides information regarding the loan status of our Personal Loans.

  Personal Loans
  March 31, December 31,
  2019 2018
  Balance % Balance %
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:        
Loans current $1,141,664
 98.2% $1,172,776
 98.5%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(1)
 9,224
 0.8
 6,722
 0.6
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(1)
 5,991
 0.5
 5,416
 0.5
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(1)
 5,995
 0.5
 5,177
 0.4
Total Personal Loans in repayment 1,162,874
 100.0% 1,190,091
 100.0%
Total Personal Loans, gross 1,162,874
   1,190,091
  
Personal Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 394
   297
  
Total Personal Loans 1,163,268
   1,190,388
  
Personal Loans allowance for losses (70,619)   (62,201)  
Personal Loans, net $1,092,649
   $1,128,187
  
Delinquencies as a percentage of Personal Loans in repayment   1.8%   1.5%
_______
(1)
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.


 Accrued Interest Receivable
The following table provides information regarding accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loans. The table also discloses the amount of accrued interest on loans greater than 90 days past due as compared to our allowance for uncollectible interest. The allowance for uncollectible interest exceeds the amount of accrued interest on our 90 days past due Private Education Loan portfolio for all periods presented.
  Private Education Loan
  Accrued Interest Receivable
  Total Interest Receivable Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Allowance for Uncollectible Interest
       
September 30, 2017 $1,008,214
 $1,216
 $5,556
December 31, 2016 $739,847
 $845
 $2,898


  Private Education Loans
  Accrued Interest Receivable
  Total Interest Receivable Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Allowance for Uncollectible Interest
       
March 31, 2019 $1,276,825
 $2,374
 $4,687
December 31, 2018 $1,168,823
 $1,920
 $6,322

 



25




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

4. Deposits

The following table summarizes total deposits at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.2018.
 September 30, December 31,  March 31, December 31, 
 2017 2016  2019 2018 
Deposits - interest bearing $15,033,524
 $13,434,990
  $19,662,290
 $18,942,082
 
Deposits - non-interest bearing 528
 677
  1,696
 1,076
 
Total deposits $15,034,052
 $13,435,667
  $19,663,986
 $18,943,158
 

Our total deposits of $19.7 billion were comprised of $10.6 billion in brokered deposits and $9.1 billion in retail and other deposits at March 31, 2019, compared to total deposits of $18.9 billion, which were comprised of $10.3 billion in brokered deposits and $8.6 billion in retail and other deposits, at December 31, 2018.
Interest bearing deposits as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 consisted of retail and brokered non-maturity savings deposits, retail and brokered non-maturity money market deposits (“MMDAs”) and brokeredretail and retailbrokered certificates of deposit (“CDs”). Interest bearing deposits include deposits from Educational 529 and Health Savings plans that diversify our funding sources and addadditional deposits we consider to be core. These and other large omnibus accounts, aggregating the deposits of many individual depositors, represented $5.5$6.2 billion of our deposit total as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019, compared with $5.9 billion at December 31, 2018.
Some of our deposit products are serviced by third-party providers. Placement fees associated with the brokered CDs are amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method. We recognized placement fee expense of $2.5$4 million and $2.6$3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016, respectively, and placement fee expense of $6.8 million and $7.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2018, respectively. Fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $4.4$1 million and $1.1$7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016, respectively, and fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $9.7 million and $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2018, respectively.
Interest bearing deposits at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 are summarized as follows:
 
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 
 Amount 
Qtr.-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
 Amount 
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
  Amount 
Qtr.-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
 Amount 
Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
 
                  
Money market $7,656,169
 1.72% $7,129,404
 1.22%  $8,974,104
 2.59% $8,687,766
 2.46% 
Savings 824,308
 1.09
 834,521
 0.84
  714,518
 2.03
 702,342
 2.00
 
Certificates of deposit 6,553,047
 1.83
 5,471,065
 1.41
  9,973,668
 2.76
 9,551,974
 2.74
 
Deposits - interest bearing $15,033,524
   $13,434,990
 

  $19,662,290
   $18,942,082
 

 
____________
(1) Includes the effect of interest rate swaps in effective hedge relationships.


 As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2016,2018, there were $422.4$638 million and $304.5$523 million, respectively, of deposits exceeding Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. Accrued interest on deposits was $28.2$57 million and $18.9$53 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively.



26




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

5. Borrowings

Outstanding borrowings consist of unsecured debt and secured borrowings issued through our term asset-backed securitization (“ABS”) program and our Private Education Loan multi-lender secured borrowing facility (the “Secured Borrowing Facility,” which was previously called the asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) funding facility (the “ABCP Facility”)or ABCP Facility). The following table summarizes our borrowings at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.2018.

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total
Unsecured borrowings:                        
Unsecured debt $
 $196,337
 $196,337
 $
 $
 $
Unsecured debt (fixed-rate) $
 $197,551
 $197,551
 $
 $197,348
 $197,348
Total unsecured borrowings 
 196,337
 196,337
 
 
 
 
 197,551
 197,551
 
 197,348
 197,348
Secured borrowings:                        
Private Education Loan term securitizations $
 $2,542,325
 $2,542,325
 $
 $2,167,979
 $2,167,979
ABCP Facility 300,000
 
 300,000
 
 
 
Private Education Loan term securitizations: 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate 
 2,472,933
 2,472,933
 
 2,284,347
 2,284,347
Variable-rate 
 1,805,922
 1,805,922
 
 1,802,609
 1,802,609
Total Private Education Loan term securitizations 
 4,278,855
 4,278,855
 
 4,086,956
 4,086,956
Secured Borrowing Facility 
 
 
 
 
 
Total secured borrowings 300,000
 2,542,325
 2,842,325
 
 2,167,979
 2,167,979
 
 4,278,855
 4,278,855
 
 4,086,956
 4,086,956
Total $300,000
 $2,738,662
 $3,038,662
 $
 $2,167,979
 $2,167,979
 $
 $4,476,406
 $4,476,406
 $
 $4,284,304
 $4,284,304

Short-term Borrowings    
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper FundingSecured Borrowing Facility
On February 25, 2016 and February 22, 2017,20, 2019, we amended and extended the maturity of our ABCP Facility. The amended ABCP Facility is a $750 million facility in which we no longer hold a participation interest. As a result, the full $750 million is available for us to draw.Secured Borrowing Facility. We hold 100 percent of the residual interest in the ABCPSecured Borrowing Facility trust. Under the amended ABCPSecured Borrowing Facility, we incur financing costs of between 0.35 percent and 0.45 percent on unused borrowing capacity and approximately 3‑month3-month LIBOR plus 0.900.85 percent on outstandings. The amended ABCPSecured Borrowing Facility extends the revolving period, during which we may borrow, repay and reborrow funds, until February 22, 2018.19, 2020. The scheduled amortization period, during which amounts outstanding under the ABCPSecured Borrowing Facility must be repaid, ends on February 22, 201919, 2021 (or earlier, if certain material adverse events occur). At September 30, 2017,both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were $300 millionno borrowings outstanding under the ABCPSecured Borrowing Facility. We expect to amend and extend the ABCP Facility on an annual basis.

Long-term Borrowings

Unsecured Debt
27On April 5, 2017, we issued an unsecured debt offering of $200 million of 5.125 percent Senior Notes due April 5, 2022 at par. At March 31, 2019, the outstanding balance was $198 million.





SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
5.Borrowings (Continued)


Long-term Borrowings

Unsecured Debt
On April 5, 2017, we issued an unsecured debt offering of $200 million of 5.125 percent Senior Notes due April 5, 2022 at par.

Secured Financings
On February 8, 2017,March 13, 2019, we executed our $772$453 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2017-A2019-A term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $772$453 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $768$451 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 4.274.26 years and priced at a weighted average LIBOR equivalent cost of 1-month LIBOR plus 0.930.92 percent. At September 30, 2017, $749March 31, 2019, $462 million of our Private Education Loans were encumbered as a resultbecause of this transaction.

Secured Financings at Issuance
Issue Date Issued Total Issued 
Weighted Average Cost of Funds(1)
 
Weighted Average Life
 (in years)
         
Private Education:      
2015-B July 2015 $630,800
 1-month LIBOR plus 1.53% 4.82
Total notes issued in 2015 $630,800
    
         
Total loan and accrued interest amount securitized at inception in 2015 $745,580
    
         
2016-A May 2016 $501,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 1.38% 4.01
2016-B July 2016 607,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 1.36% 4.01
2016-C October 2016 674,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 1.15% 4.27
Total notes issued in 2016 $1,782,000
    
         
Total loan and accrued interest amount securitized at inception in 2016 $2,107,042
    
         
2017-A February 2017 $772,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.93% 4.27
Total notes issued in 2017 $772,000
    
         
Total loan and accrued interest amount securitized at inception in 2017 $856,253
    
Issue Date Issued Total Issued 
Weighted Average Cost of Funds(1)
 
Weighted Average Life
 (in years)
         
Private Education:      
         
2017-A February 2017 $772,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.93% 4.27
2017-B November 2017 676,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.80% 4.07
Total notes issued in 2017 $1,448,000
    
         
Total loan and accrued interest amount securitized at inception in 2017 $1,606,804
    
         
2018-A March 2018 $670,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.78% 4.43
2018-B June 2018 686,500
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.76% 4.40
2018-C September 2018 544,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.77% 4.32
Total notes issued in 2018 $1,900,500
    
         
Total loan and accrued interest amount securitized at inception in 2018 $2,101,644
    
         
2019-A March 2019 453,000
 1-month LIBOR plus 0.92% 4.26
Total notes issued in 2019 $453,000
    
         
Total loan and accrued interest amount securitized at inception in 2019 $498,087
    
____________
(1) Represents LIBOR equivalent cost of funds for floating and fixed rate bonds, excluding issuance costs.


28





SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
5.Borrowings (Continued)

Consolidated Funding Vehicles

We consolidate our financing entities that are VIEs as a result of our being the entities’ primary beneficiary. As a result, these financing VIEs are accounted for as secured borrowings. We consolidate the following financing VIEs as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively:

 September 30, 2017 March 31, 2019
 Debt Outstanding Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding Debt Outstanding Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding
 Short-Term Long-Term Total Loans Restricted Cash 
Other Assets(1)
 Total Short-Term Long-Term Total Loans Restricted Cash 
Other Assets(1)
 Total
Secured borrowings:                            
Private Education Loan term securitizations $
 $2,542,325
 $2,542,325
 $3,067,431
 $57,687
 $229,797
 $3,354,915
 $
 $4,278,855
 $4,278,855
 $5,251,117
 $143,307
 $356,496
 $5,750,920
ABCP Facility 300,000
 
 300,000
 369,780
 5,539
 25,072
 400,391
Secured Borrowing Facility 
 
 
 
 
 943
 943
Total $300,000
 $2,542,325
 $2,842,325
 $3,437,211
 $63,226
 $254,869
 $3,755,306
 $
 $4,278,855
 $4,278,855
 $5,251,117
 $143,307
 $357,439
 $5,751,863

 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2018
 Debt Outstanding Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding Debt Outstanding Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding
 Short-Term Long-Term Total Loans Restricted Cash 
Other
Assets(1)
 Total Short-Term Long-Term Total Loans Restricted Cash 
Other
Assets(1)
 Total
Secured borrowings:                            
Private Education Loan term securitizations $
 $2,167,979
 $2,167,979
 $2,562,156
 $44,617
 $160,783
 $2,767,556
 $
 $4,086,956
 $4,086,956
 $5,030,837
 $113,431
 $326,570
 $5,470,838
ABCP Facility 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Borrowing Facility 
 
 
 
 
 157
 157
Total $
 $2,167,979
 $2,167,979
 $2,562,156
 $44,617
 $160,783
 $2,767,556
 $
 $4,086,956
 $4,086,956
 $5,030,837
 $113,431
 $326,727
 $5,470,995
____
(1) Other assets primarily represent accrued interest receivable.


Other Borrowing Sources
We maintain discretionary uncommitted Federal Funds lines of credit with various correspondent banks, which totaled $125 million at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. The interest rate we are charged on these lines of credit is priced at Fed Funds plus a spread at the time of borrowing and is payable daily. We did not utilize these lines of credit in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or in the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.
We established an account at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”)FRB to meet eligibility requirements for access to the Primary Credit borrowing facility at the FRB’sFederal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) Discount Window (the “Window”). The Primary Credit borrowing facility is a lending program available to depository institutions that are in generally sound financial condition. All borrowings at the Window must be fully collateralized. We can pledge to the FRB asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, as well as FFELP Loans and Private Education Loans, to the FRB as collateral for borrowings at the Window. Generally, collateral value is assigned based on the estimated fair value of the pledged assets. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, the value of our pledged collateral at the FRB totaled $2.5$3.3 billion and $2.6$3.1 billion, respectively. The interest rate charged to us is the discount rate set by the FRB. We did not utilize this facility in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or in the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.

29




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments

Risk Management Strategy

We maintain an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate changes. Our goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity by modifying the repricing frequency and underlying index characteristics of certain balance sheet assets or liabilities, so any adverse impacts related to movements in interest rates are managed within low to moderate limits. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged balance sheet positions will appreciate or depreciate in market value or create variability in cash flows. Income or loss on the derivative instruments linked to the hedged item will generally offset the effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation or volatility in cash flows for the period the item is being hedged. We view this strategy as a prudent management of interest rate risk. Please refer to Note 11,10, “Derivative Financial Instruments” in our 20162018 Form 10-K for a full discussion of our risk management strategy.
Although we use derivatives to reduce the risk of interest rate changes, the use of derivatives does expose us to both market and credit risk. Market risk is the chance of financial loss resulting from changes in interest rates and market liquidity. Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under a contract and it is limited to the loss of the fair value gain in a derivative that the counterparty owes us less collateral held and plus collateral posted. When the fair value of a derivative contract less collateral held and plus collateral posted is negative, we owe the counterparty and, therefore, we have no credit risk exposure to the counterparty; however, the counterparty has exposure to us. We minimize the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with reputable counterparties that are reviewed regularly by our Credit Department. We also maintain a policy of requiring that all derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement. Depending on the nature of the derivative transaction, bilateral collateral arrangements are required as well. When we have more than one outstanding derivative transaction with the counterparty, and there exists legally enforceable netting provisions with the counterparty (i.e., a legal right to offset receivable and payable derivative contracts), the “net” mark-to-market exposure, less collateral held and plus collateral posted, represents exposure with the counterparty. We refer to this as the “net position.” When there is a net negative exposure, we consider our exposure to the counterparty and the net position to be zero.
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) requires all standardized derivatives, including most interest rate swaps, to be submitted for clearing to central counterparties to reduce counterparty risk. Two of the central counterparties we use are the CMEChicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and the LCH. The CME and the LCH made amendments to their respective rules that resulted in the prospective accounting treatment of certain daily variation margin payments being considered as the legal settlement of the outstanding exposure of the derivative instead of the posting of collateral. The CME rule changes, which became effective in January 2017, result in allLondon Clearing House (“LCH”). All variation margin payments on derivatives cleared through the CME beingand LCH are accounted for as legal settlement, while the LCH allows the clearing member institution the option to adopt the rule changes on an individual contract or portfolio basis.settlement. As of September 30, 2017, $5.1March 31, 2019, $5.6 billion notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $0.7$0.6 billion were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 85.890.9 percent and 11.99.1 percent respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $5.9$6.2 billion at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.
Under this new rule, forFor derivatives cleared through the CME and LCH, the net gain (loss) position includes the variation margin amounts as settlement of the derivative and not collateral against the fair value of the derivative. The amount of variation margin included as settlement as of March 31, 2019 was $(33.2) million and $0.3 million for the CME and LCH, respectively. Interest income (expense) related to variation margin on derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments or are designated as fair value relationships is recognized as a gain (loss) rather than as interest income (expense). Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments will be presented as realized gains (losses).
Our LCH clearing member institution has elected not to adopt the new rule change. Therefore, there has been no change to the accounting for the derivatives cleared through the LCH, and variation margin payments required to be exchanged based on the fair value of those derivatives remain accounted for as collateral.

30




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
6.Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)


Our exposure is limited to the value of the derivative contracts in a gain position less any collateral held and plus any collateral posted. When there is a net negative exposure, we consider our exposure to the counterparty to be zero. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, we had a net positive exposure (derivative gain positions to us, less collateral held by us and plus collateral posted with counterparties) related to derivatives of $23.6$30 million and $44.6$27 million, respectively.

Summary of Derivative Financial Statement Impact
The following tables summarize the fair values and notional amounts of all derivative instruments at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, and their impact on earnings and other comprehensive income for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016.2018. Please refer to Note 11,10, “Derivative Financial Instruments” in our 20162018 Form 10-K for a full discussion of cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and trading activities. The net fair value of derivative instruments as of September 30, 2017 was a liability of $8.0 million, compared to the net fair value as of December 31, 2016 liability of $18.1 million. The change





SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in the net fair value reflects a $2.0 million decrease in fair value offset by variation margin amounts of $12.1 million. The net position as of September 30, 2017 was $23.0 million, compared to $30.0 million as of December 31, 2016. The change in the net position reflects a $2.0 million decrease in fair value, $22.6 million decrease in collateral held and pledged (for contracts other than those cleared through the CME), offset by variation margin impacts of $17.6 million.thousands, unless otherwise noted)
6.Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)

Impact of Derivatives on the Consolidated Balance SheetSheets
 Cash Flow Hedges Fair Value Hedges Trading Total Cash Flow Hedges Fair Value Hedges Trading Total
 September 30, 
December
31,
 September 30, December
31,
 September 30, December
31,
 September 30, December
31,
 March 31, 
December
31,
 March 31, December
31,
 March 31, December
31,
 March 31, December
31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Fair Values(1)
Hedged Risk Exposure                Hedged Risk Exposure                
                                
Derivative Assets:(2)
                                
Interest rate swapsInterest rate $636
 $
 $
 $7,808
 $
 $
 $636
 $7,808
Interest rate $2,060
 $
 $
 $2,000
 $
 $90
 $2,060
 $2,090
Derivative Liabilities:(2)
                                
Interest rate swapsInterest rate (7,247) (14,463) (1,168) (10,398) (221) (1,076) (8,636) (25,937)Interest rate 
 (2,032) (3,413) 
 (568) 
 (3,981) (2,032)
Total net derivatives $(6,611) $(14,463) $(1,168) $(2,590) $(221) $(1,076) $(8,000) $(18,129) $2,060
 $(2,032) $(3,413) $2,000
 $(568) $90
 $(1,921) $58
     ___________
(1)Except for instruments cleared through the CME, fairFair values reported are exclusiveinclude variation margin as legal settlement of collateral held and pledged and accrued interest.the derivative contract. Assets and liabilities are presented without consideration of master netting agreements. Derivatives are carried on the balance sheet based on net position by counterparty under master netting agreements and classified in other assets or other liabilities depending on whether in a net positive or negative position. The net position includes the variation margin as legal settlement of the derivative contract for instruments cleared through the CME.

(2)
The following table reconciles gross positions with the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification:
  Other Assets Other Liabilities
  March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Gross position(1)
 $2,060
 $2,090
 $(3,981) $(2,032)
Impact of master netting agreement (1,231) (1,389) 1,231
 1,389
Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements (as carried on balance sheet) 829
 701
 (2,750) (643)
Cash collateral pledged(2)
 31,915
 27,151
 
 
Net position $32,744
 $27,852
 $(2,750) $(643)
__________
(1)Gross position amounts include accrued interest and variation margin as legal settlement of the derivative contract.
(2)Cash collateral pledged excludes amounts that represent legal settlement of the derivative contracts.


  Cash Flow Fair Value Trading Total
  March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Notional Values                
                 
Interest rate swaps $1,248,190
 $1,280,367
 $3,446,489
 $3,137,965
 $1,521,234
 $1,577,978
 $6,215,913
 $5,996,310


31




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
6.Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued) 


As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the following amounts were recorded on the consolidated balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges:
  Other Assets Other Liabilities
  September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Gross position(1)
 $636
 $7,808
 $(8,636) $(25,937)
Impact of master netting agreement (636) (7,808) 636
 7,808
Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements (as carried on balance sheet) 
 
 (8,000) (18,129)
Cash collateral (held) pledged(2)
 
 
 31,003
 48,134
Net position $
 $
 $23,003
 $30,005
__________
(1)Except for instruments cleared with the CME, gross position amounts are exclusive of accrued interest and collateral held and pledged.
(2)Cash collateral (held) pledged excludes amounts that represent legal settlement of the derivative contracts.

Line Item in the Balance Sheet in Which the Hedged Item is Included: Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
  March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
         
Deposits $(3,445,524) $(3,114,304) $(9,784) $14,202


  Cash Flow Fair Value Trading Total
  September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016
Notional Values                
                 
Interest rate swaps $1,440,220
 $1,054,688
 $3,480,365
 $3,628,062
 $966,542
 $494,638
 $5,887,127
 $5,177,388



32




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
6.Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)


Impact of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income

 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
            
Fair Value Hedges            
Interest rate swaps:            
Hedge ineffectiveness realized gains (losses) recorded in earnings(1)
 $2,748
 $3,199
 $(5,130) $2,000
Realized gains (losses) recorded in interest expense 154
 6,944
 7,582
 21,593
Interest recognized on derivatives $(3,827) $5,853
Hedged items recorded in interest expense (23,986) 15,265
Derivatives recorded in interest expense 23,888
 (15,246)
Total $2,902
 $10,143
 $2,452
 $23,593
 $(3,925) $5,872
            
Cash Flow Hedges            
Interest rate swaps:            
Hedge ineffectiveness losses recorded in earnings(1)
 $(1,025) $(843) $(1,172) $(1,524)
Realized losses recorded in interest expense (2,689) (4,381) (8,697) (13,588)
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense $1,296
 $(1,543)
Total $(3,714) $(5,224) $(9,869) $(15,112) $1,296
 $(1,543)
            
Trading            
Interest rate swaps:            
Interest reclassification $185
 $537
 $165
 $1,897
Realized gains (losses) recorded in earnings (247) (1,525) (1,189) 783
Total(1)
 (62) (988) (1,024) 2,680
Change in fair value of future interest payments recorded in earnings $4,202
 $(4,755)
Total $(874) $3,931
 $(8,441) $11,161
 4,202
 (4,755)
Total $1,573
 $(426)

________
(1)Amounts included in “gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.


33




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
6.Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued) 


Impact of Derivatives on the Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
         
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $2,125
 $4,943
 $(1,133) $(37,370)
Less: amount of gain (loss) reclassified in interest expense(1)
 (2,689) (4,381) (8,697) (13,588)
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss) for unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, before income tax benefit (expense) $4,814
 $9,324
 $7,564
 $(23,782)
  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
  2019 2018
     
Amount of gain recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $(12,821) $18,728
Less: amount of loss reclassified in interest expense 1,296
 (1,562)
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss) for unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, before income tax (expense) benefit $(14,117) $20,290
___________
(1) Amounts includedreported in “realized gains (losses) recorded inaccumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense” inexpense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate deposits. During the “Impact of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income” table.next twelve months, we estimate that $3.7 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
Cash Collateral
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, cash collateral held and pledged excludes amounts that represent legal settlement of the derivative contracts held with CME. Cashthe CME and LCH. There was no cash collateral held related to derivative exposure between us and our derivatives counterparties was $0.3 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively. Collateral held is recorded in “Other Liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets. Cash collateral pledged related to derivative exposure between us and our derivatives counterparties was $31.3$32 million and $49.1$27 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively. Collateral pledged is recorded in “Other interest-earning assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.


34




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

7. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock
On May 5, 2017, we redeemed, with the proceeds of our unsecured debt offering, the outstanding 3.3 million shares of our 6.97 percent Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The Series A Preferred Stock was redeemed at a price of $50.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends from May 1, 2017 to, but excluding, the May 5, 2017 redemption date.

Common Stock
The following table summarizes our common share repurchases and issuances.
 
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Shares and per share amounts in actuals) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans(1)(2)
 81,817
 371,165
 2,666,781
 1,763,092
Common stock repurchased under repurchase program(1)
 5,435,476
 
Average purchase price per share(2) $10.93
 $7.22
 $12.09
 $6.35
 $11.04
 $
Common shares issued(3)
 423,112
 561,100
 5,652,886
 3,727,574
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans(3)
 1,289,391
 2,740,018
Average purchase price per share $10.95
 $11.31
Common shares issued(4)
 3,470,664
 5,559,991
             
__________________
(1) 
Common shares purchased under our share repurchase program, of which $140 million remained available as of March 31, 2019.
(2)
Average purchase price per share includes purchase commission costs.
(3)
Comprised of shares withheld from stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.
(2)
At the present time, we do not intend to initiate a publicly announced share repurchase program.
(3)(4) 
Common shares issued under our various compensation and benefit plans.
 

The closing price of our common stock on SeptemberMarch 29, 20172019 was $11.47.$9.91.


Dividend and Share Repurchases


In the three months ended March 31, 2019, we paid a common stock dividend of $0.03 per common share. We did not pay common stock dividends in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Under our share repurchase program, we repurchased 5 million shares of common stock for $60 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Our share repurchase program permits us to repurchase from time to time shares of our common stock up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $200 million and expires on January 22, 2021. In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we only repurchased common stock acquired in connection with taxes withheld resulting from award exercises and vesting under our employee stock-based compensation plans.
35





SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

8. 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.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 September 30, September 30, March 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Numerator:            
Net income $76,371
 $56,965
 $241,931
 $180,085
 $158,189
 $126,254
Preferred stock dividends 3,028
 5,316
 12,577
 15,698
 4,468
 3,397
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $73,343
 $51,649
 $229,354
 $164,387
 $153,721
 $122,857
Denominator:            
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS 431,718
 428,077
 430,958
 427,711
 434,574
 433,952
Effect of dilutive securities:            
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) (1)(2)
 6,701
 5,446
 7,464
 4,368
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) (1)(2)
 3,674
 5,025
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS 438,419
 433,523
 438,422
 432,079
 438,248
 438,977
            
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.53
 $0.38
 $0.35
 $0.28
            
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.52
 $0.38
 $0.35
 $0.28


________________             
(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 three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, securities covering approximately 02 million and 1 million shares, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, securities covering approximately 0 and 1 millionno shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
 


36




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

9. Fair Value Measurements

We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our consolidated financial statements.

We categorize our fair value estimates based on a hierarchical framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. For additional information regarding our policies for determining fair value and the hierarchical framework, see Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurement” in our 20162018 Form 10-K.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, there were no significant transfers of financial instruments between levels or changes in our methodology or assumptions used to value our financial instruments.

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments that are marked to fair value on a recurring basis.

 Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
                                
Assets                                
Available-for-sale investments $
 $232,549
 $
 $232,549
 $
 $208,603
 $
 $208,603
 $
 $207,907
 $
 $207,907
 $
 $176,245
 $
 $176,245
Derivative instruments 
 636
 
 636
 
 7,808
 
 7,808
 
 2,060
 
 2,060
 
 2,090
 
 2,090
Total $
 $233,185
 $
 $233,185
 $
 $216,411
 $
 $216,411
 $
 $209,967
 $
 $209,967
 $
 $178,335
 $
 $178,335
                                
Liabilities                                
Derivative instruments $
 $(8,636) $
 $(8,636) $
 $(25,937) $
 $(25,937) $
 $(3,981) $
 $(3,981) $
 $(2,032) $
 $(2,032)
Total $
 $(8,636) $
 $(8,636) $
 $(25,937) $
 $(25,937) $
 $(3,981) $
 $(3,981) $
 $(2,032) $
 $(2,032)




 

37




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
9.Fair Value Measurements (Continued) 



The following table summarizes the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities, including derivative financial instruments.

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 Difference 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 Difference 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 Difference 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 Difference
Earning assets            
Loans held for investment, net $20,013,518
 $18,040,465
 $1,973,053
 $16,520,786
 $15,137,922
 $1,382,864
Earning assets:            
Loans held for investment, net:            
Private Education Loans $23,854,015
 $21,576,534
 $2,277,481
 $22,313,419
 $20,294,843
 $2,018,576
FFELP Loans 841,070
 829,203
 11,867
 859,185
 847,889
 11,296
Personal Loans 1,137,407
 1,092,649
 44,758
 1,156,531
 1,128,187
 28,344
Cash and cash equivalents 1,247,764
 1,247,764
 
 1,918,793
 1,918,793
 
 2,156,257
 2,156,257
 
 2,559,106
 2,559,106
 
Available-for-sale investments 232,549
 232,549
 
 208,603
 208,603
 
 207,907
 207,907
 
 176,245
 176,245
 
Accrued interest receivable 1,019,735
 1,019,735
 
 766,106
 766,106
 
 1,409,728
 1,299,496
 110,232
 1,285,842
 1,191,981
 93,861
Tax indemnification receivable 214,496
 214,496
 
 259,532
 259,532
 
 43,124
 43,124
 
 39,207
 39,207
 
Derivative instruments 636
 636
 
 7,808
 7,808
 
 2,060
 2,060
 
 2,090
 2,090
 
Total earning assets $22,728,698
 $20,755,645
 $1,973,053
 $19,681,628
 $18,298,764
 $1,382,864
 $29,651,568
 $27,207,230
 $2,444,338
 $28,391,625
 $26,239,548
 $2,152,077
Interest-bearing liabilities            
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Money-market and savings accounts $8,480,477
 $8,480,477
 $
 $7,963,925
 $7,963,925
 $
 $9,690,078
 $9,688,622
 $(1,456) $9,370,957
 $9,390,108
 $19,151
Certificates of deposit 6,569,956
 6,553,047
 (16,909) 5,510,504
 5,471,065
 (39,439) 10,000,546
 9,973,668
 (26,878) 9,513,194
 9,551,974
 38,780
Short-term borrowings 300,000
 300,000
 
 
 
 
Long-term borrowings 2,764,427
 2,738,662
 (25,765) 2,160,105
 2,167,979
 7,874
 4,505,828
 4,476,406
 (29,422) 4,278,931
 4,284,304
 5,373
Accrued interest payable 36,299
 36,299
 
 21,058
 21,058
 
 68,746
 68,746
 
 61,341
 61,341
 
Derivative instruments 8,636
 8,636
 
 25,937
 25,937
 
 3,981
 3,981
 
 2,032
 2,032
 
Total interest-bearing liabilities $18,159,795
 $18,117,121
 $(42,674) $15,681,529
 $15,649,964
 $(31,565) $24,269,179
 $24,211,423
 $(57,756) $23,226,455
 $23,289,759
 $63,304
                        
Excess of net asset fair value over carrying value     $1,930,379
     $1,351,299
     $2,386,582
     $2,215,381

Please refer to Note 15,14, “Fair Value Measurements” in our 20162018 Form 10-K for a full discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.






38




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)


10. Arrangements with Navient Corporation

In connection with the separation of Navient Corporation (“Navient”) from SLM (“the Spin-Off”), we entered into a separation and distribution agreement (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”) and other ancillary agreements with Navient. Please refer to Note 16, “Arrangements with Navient Corporation” in our 2016 Form 10-K for a full discussion of these agreements.

Indemnification Obligations

Navient is responsible for, and has agreed to indemnify us against, all claims, actions, damages, losses or expenses that may arise from the conduct of all activities of pre-Spin-Off SLM Corporation (“pre-Spin-Off SLM”) occurring prior to the Spin-Off other than those specifically excluded in the Separation and Distribution Agreement. Some significant examples of the types of indemnification obligations Navient has under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and related ancillary agreements include:

Navient will indemnify the Company and Sallie Mae Bank, a Utah industrial bank subsidiary of the Company (the “Bank”), for any liabilities, costs or expenses they may incur arising from any action or threatened action related to the servicing, operations and collections activities of pre-Spin-Off SLM and its subsidiaries with respect to Private Education Loans and FFELP Loans that were assets of the Bank or Navient at the time of the Spin-Off; provided that written notice is provided to Navient on or prior to April 30, 2017, the third anniversary date of the Spin-Off. Navient will not indemnify for changes in law or changes in prior existing interpretations of law that occur on or after April 30, 2014.

Pursuant to a tax sharing agreement, Navient has agreed to indemnify us for $283 million in deferred taxes that the Company will be legally responsible for but that relate to gains recognized by the Company’s predecessor on debt repurchases made prior to the Spin-Off. The remaining amount of this indemnification at September 30, 2017 was $73 million. In connection with the Spin-Off, we also recorded a liability related to uncertain tax positions of $27 million for which we are indemnified by Navient. As of September 30, 2017, the remaining balance of the indemnification receivable related to those uncertain tax positions was $26 million. In addition, we believe we are indemnified by Navient for uncertain tax positions relating to historical transactions among entities that are now subsidiaries of Navient that should have been recorded at the time of the Spin-Off. The remaining balance of the indemnification receivable related to those uncertain tax positions was $115 million at September 30, 2017.


39




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

11. Regulatory Capital
    
TheSallie Mae Bank (the “Bank”) is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions.Institutions (the “UDFI”). Failure to meet minimum capital requirements and any applicable buffers can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition. Under the FDIC’s regulations implementing the Basel III capital framework (“U.S. Basel III”) and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital standards that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s regulatory capital amounts and its classification under the prompt corrective action framework are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components of capital, risk weightings and other factors.

TheUnder U.S. Basel III, the Bank is required to report regulatorymaintain minimum risk-based and leverage-based capital and ratios in accordance with U.S. Basel III. Among other things, U.S. Basel III establishesratios. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, the Bank is subject to a fully phased-in Common Equity Tier 1 as a new tier of capital, modifies methods for calculating risk-weighted assets, introduces a new capital conservation buffer (which is being phased in over several years), and revises the capital thresholds of the prompt corrective action framework, including the “well capitalized” standard.

“Well capitalized” regulatory requirements are the quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy. To qualify as “well capitalized,”greater than 2.5 percent. (As of December 31, 2018, the Bank must maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) ofwas subject to a Common Equity Tier 1 Tier 1capital conservation buffer of greater than 1.875 percent.) Failure to maintain the buffer will result in restrictions on the Bank’s ability to make capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, and Total capital to risk-weighted assetspay discretionary bonuses to executive officers. The Bank’s required and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. The followingactual regulatory capital amounts and ratios under U.S. Basel III are based uponshown in the Bank’s assets.following table.

 Actual “Well Capitalized”
Regulatory Requirements
 Actual 
U.S. Basel III
Regulatory Requirements(1)
 AmountRatio Amount Ratio AmountRatio Amount Ratio
As of September 30, 2017:       
As of March 31, 2019:       
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,285,767
11.8% $1,255,438
>6.5% $2,989,525
11.9% $1,757,430
>7.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,285,767
11.8% $1,545,155
>8.0% $2,989,525
11.9% $2,134,022
>8.5%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,517,317
13.0% $1,931,444
>10.0% $3,303,905
13.2% $2,636,145
>10.5%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $2,285,767
11.4% $1,000,262
>5.0% $2,989,525
11.0%
(2) 
$1,085,405
>4.0%
              
As of December 31, 2016:       
As of December 31, 2018:       
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,011,583
12.6% $1,038,638
>6.5% $2,896,091
12.1% $1,528,209
>6.375%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,011,583
12.6% $1,278,323
>8.0% $2,896,091
12.1% $1,887,787
>7.875%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,197,997
13.8% $1,597,904
>10.0% $3,196,279
13.3% $2,367,226
>9.875%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $2,011,583
11.1% $907,565
>5.0% $2,896,091
11.1% $1,039,226
>4.0%

________________             
(1)
Required risk-based capital ratios include the capital conservation buffer.
(2)
The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage ratio exceeds the 5 percent well-capitalized standard for the Tier 1 leverage ratio under the prompt corrective action framework.





SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
10.Regulatory Capital (Continued)

Bank Dividends

The Bank is chartered under the laws of the State of Utah and its deposits are insured by the FDIC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends is subject to the laws of Utah and the regulations of the FDIC. Generally, under Utah’s industrial bank laws and regulations as well as FDIC regulations, the Bank may pay dividends from its net profits without regulatory approval if, following the payment of the dividend, the Bank’s capital and surplus would not be impaired. The Bank paid $85 million in dividends to the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and no dividends for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018. In the future, we expect that the Bank will pay dividends to the Company as may be necessary to enable the Company to pay any declared dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock and September 30, 2016.common stock and to consummate any common share repurchases by the Company under its share repurchase program.

40




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

12.11. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
Commitments
When we approve a Private Education Loan at the beginning of an academic year, that approval may cover the borrowing for the entire academic year. As such, we do not always disburse the full amount of the loan at the time of such approval, but instead have a commitment to fund a portion of the loan at a later date (usually at the start of the second semester or subsequent trimesters). At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had $1.9$0.5 billion of outstanding contractual loan commitments which we expect to fund during the remainder of the 2017/20182018/2019 academic year. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had a $1.6$0.3 million reserve recorded in “Other Liabilities” to cover expected losses that we conclude are probable tomay occur during the one yearone-year loss emergence period on these unfunded commitments.
Regulatory Matters
On May 13, 2014, the Bank reached settlements with (a) the FDIC regarding disclosures and assessments of certain late fees, as well as compliance with the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”) and (b) the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) regarding compliance with the SCRA. In connection with the settlements, the Bank became subject to a Consent Order, Order to Pay Restitution, and Order to Pay Civil Money Penalty dated May 13, 2014 issued by the FDIC (“the FDIC Consent Order”) and a DOJ Consent Order (“the DOJ Consent Order”), which was approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on September 29, 2014. Under the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Navient is responsible for funding all liabilities under the regulatory orders and, as of the date hereof, has funded all liabilities other than fines directly levied against the Bank in connection with these matters which the Bank is required to pay.
On March 27, 2017, the Bank received confirmation from the FDIC that effective March 23, 2017, the FDIC terminated the FDIC Consent Order. The termination was issued with no conditions.
The Bank continues to be in full compliance with the DOJ Consent Order, including policy and procedure updates. Pursuant to the terms of the DOJ Consent Order, the Bank will remain subject to certain DOJ reporting and record-keeping requirements until September 29, 2018.
In May 2014, the Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) as part of the CFPB’s separate investigation relating to customer complaints, fees and charges assessed in connection with the servicing of student loans and related collection practices of pre-Spin-Off SLM by entities now subsidiaries of Navient during a time period prior to the Spin-Off (the “CFPB Investigation”). Two state attorneys general also provided the Bank identical CIDs and other state attorneys general have become involved in the inquiry over time (collectively, the “Multi-State Investigation”). To the extent requested, the Bank has been cooperating fully with the CFPB and the attorneys general conducting the Multi-State Investigation. Given the timeframe covered by the CIDs, the CFPB Investigation and the Multi-State Investigation, and the focus on practices and procedures previously conducted by Navient and its servicing subsidiaries prior to the Spin-Off, Navient is leading the response to these investigations. Consequently, we have no basis from which to estimate either the duration or ultimate outcome of these investigations. Additional lawsuits may arise from the Multi-State Investigation which may or may not name the Company, the Bank or any of their current subsidiaries as parties to these suits. As with the Illinois lawsuit described below, the Bank is not responsible for any of the alleged conduct in the Multi-State Investigation or any claims that may arise from related lawsuits. As contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement relating to, and the structure of, the Spin-Off, Navient is legally responsible for, and has accepted responsibility to indemnify the Company against, all costs, expenses, losses and remediation that may arise from these matters.
With regard to the CFPB Investigation, we note that on January 18, 2017, the CFPB filed a complaint in federal court in Pennsylvania against Navient, along with its subsidiaries, Navient Solutions, Inc. and Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc. The complaint alleges these Navient entities, among other things, engaged in deceptive practices with respect to their historic servicing and debt collection practices. Neither SLM, the Bank, nor any of their current subsidiaries are named in, or otherwise

41




SLM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
12.Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Continued)

a party to, the lawsuit and are not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing. The CFPB’s complaint asserts Navient’s assumption of these liabilities pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
On January 18, 2017, the Illinois Attorney General filed a separate lawsuit in Illinois state court against Navient - its subsidiaries Navient Solutions, Inc., Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc., and General Revenue Corporation - and the Bank arising out of the Multi-State Investigation. On March 20, 2017, the Bank moved to dismiss the Illinois Attorney General action as to the Bank, arguing, among other things, the complaint failed to allege with sufficient particularity or specificity how the Bank was responsible for any of the alleged conduct, most of which predated the Bank’s existence. Following argument on the Bank’s motion on July 18, 2017, the Illinois court took the Bank’s motion under advisement. As of the date of this report, the court has not ruled on the Bank’s motion. As contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement relating to, and the structure of, the Spin-Off, Navient is legally responsible for, has assumed, and has accepted responsibility to indemnify the Company against, all costs, expenses, losses and remediation that may arise from these matters.
To date, two other state attorneys general (Washington and Pennsylvania) have filed suits against Navient and one or more of its current subsidiaries arising out of matters arising from the Multi-State Investigation. Neither SLM, the Bank, nor any of their current subsidiaries are named in, or otherwise a party to, the Washington or Pennsylvania lawsuits, and no claims are asserted against them. Each complaint asserts in its own fashion that Navient assumed responsibility for these matters under the Separation and Distribution Agreement for the alleged conduct in the complaints.
Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are routinely defendants in or parties to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. These actions and proceedings may be based on alleged violations of consumer protection, securities, employment and other laws. In certain of these actions and proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damagedamages may be asserted against us and our subsidiaries.
It is common for the Company, our subsidiaries and affiliates to receive information and document requests and investigative demands from state attorneys general, legislative committees, and administrative agencies. These requests may be for informational or regulatory purposes and may relate to our business practices, the industries in which we operate, or other companies with whom we conduct business. Our practice has been and continues to be to cooperate with these bodies and be responsive to any such requests.
We are required to establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, we do not establish reserves.
Based on current knowledge, management does not believe there are loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending investigations, litigation or regulatory matters for which reserves should be established.


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

The following information is current as of October 18, 2017April 17, 2019 (unless otherwise noted) and should be read in connection with SLM Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162018 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 24, 2017)28, 2019) (the “2016“2018 Form 10-K”), and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Definitions for capitalized terms used in this report not defined herein can be found in the 20162018 Form 10-K.

References in this Form 10-Q to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Sallie Mae,” “SLM” and the “Company” refer to SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires.
    
This report contains “forward-looking” statements and information based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this report. 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, our expectation and ability to pay a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock in the future, subject to the determination by our Board of Directors, and based on an evaluation of our earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions, capital allocation determinations, and other factors, risks and uncertainties. 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 1A1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our 20162018 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the SEC; 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; any adverse outcomes in any significant litigation to which we are a party; credit risk associated with our exposure to third-parties, including counterparties to our 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 itsour funding costs and availability; reductions to itsour credit ratings; failures or breaches of itsour operating systems or infrastructure, including those of third-party vendors; damage to itsour 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 prepayment on the loans that we make;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 management 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or changes in itsour expectations.

We report financial results on a GAAP basis and also providesprovide certain non-GAAP core earnings performance measures. The difference between our “Core Earnings” and GAAP results for the periods presented were the unrealized, mark-to-market gains/losses on derivative contracts (excluding current period accruals on the derivative instruments), net of tax. These are recognized in GAAP, but not in “Core Earnings” results. We provide “Core Earnings” measures because this is what management uses when making management decisions regarding our performance and the allocation of corporate resources. Our “Core Earnings” are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. For additional information, see “Key Financial Measures” and “GAAP Consolidated Earnings Summary - ‘Core Earnings’ ” in this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 for a further discussion and a complete reconciliation between GAAP net income and “Core Earnings.”

Through this discussion and analysis, we intend to provide the reader with some narrative context for how our management views our consolidated financial statements, additional context within which to assess our operating results, and information on the quality and variability of our earnings, liquidity and cash flows.


Selected Financial Information and Ratios
 
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(In thousands, except per share data and percentages)
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
            
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $73,343
 $51,649
 $229,354
 $164,387
 $153,721
 $122,857
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.52
 $0.38
 $0.35
 $0.28
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted earnings per share 438,419
 433,523
 438,422
 432,079
 438,248
 438,977
Return on assets 1.5% 1.4% 1.7% 1.5% 2.4% 2.2%
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio - old method(1)
 40.3% 40.6% 39.4% 40.8%
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio - new method(1)
 40.6% 40.7% 39.0% 40.9%
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio(1)
 33.8% 36.5%
            
Other Operating Statistics            
Ending Private Education Loans, net $16,959,241
 $13,725,959
 $16,959,241
 $13,725,959
 $21,576,534
 $18,600,723
Ending FFELP Loans, net 950,524
 1,034,545
 950,524
 1,034,545
 829,203
 909,295
Ending total education loans, net $17,909,765
 $14,760,504
 $17,909,765
 $14,760,504
 $22,405,737
 $19,510,018
            
Ending Personal Loans, net $1,092,649
 $656,586
    
Average education loans $17,188,936
 $13,931,693
 $16,772,663
 $13,384,326
 $22,570,776
 $19,579,434
        
(1) In the first-quarter 2017, we changed the way we calculate and report our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio. Please refer to “- Overview - Key Financial Measures - Operating Expenses” in this Form 10-Q for further details.
Average Personal Loans $1,176,466
 $528,644
__________    
(1) We calculate and report our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio as the ratio of (a) the total non-interest expense numerator to (b) the net revenue denominator (which consists of the sum of net interest income, before provision for credit losses, and non-interest income, excluding any gains and losses on sales of loans and securities, net and the net impact of derivative accounting as defined in the “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP table set forth in this Form 10-Q). We believe doing so provides useful information to investors because it is a measure used by our management team to monitor our effectiveness in managing operating expenses. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate our ratio. Accordingly, our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.(1) We calculate and report our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio as the ratio of (a) the total non-interest expense numerator to (b) the net revenue denominator (which consists of the sum of net interest income, before provision for credit losses, and non-interest income, excluding any gains and losses on sales of loans and securities, net and the net impact of derivative accounting as defined in the “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP table set forth in this Form 10-Q). We believe doing so provides useful information to investors because it is a measure used by our management team to monitor our effectiveness in managing operating expenses. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate our ratio. Accordingly, our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
 
Overview
The following discussion and analysis presents a review of our business and operations as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.
Key Financial Measures
Our operating results are primarily driven by net interest income from our Private Education Loan portfolio, provision expense for credit losses, and operating expenses. The growth of our business and the strength of our financial condition are primarily driven by our ability to achieve our annual Private Education Loan origination goals while sustaining credit quality and maintaining cost-efficient funding sources to support our originations. A brief summary of our key financial measures (net interest income; loan sales and secured financings, net; allowance for loan losses; charge-offs and delinquencies; operating expenses; “Core Earnings;” Private Education Loan originations; and funding sources) can be found in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 20162018 Form 10-K. As described below, we have recently updated the method of computing of our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio.

Operating Expenses
The cost of operating our business directly affects our profitability. Our operating expenses include those that are directly attributable to running our business, as well as the costs of building out our servicing and origination platforms and strengthening the Company as a stand-alone entity. We will continue to measure our effectiveness in managing operating expenses by monitoring our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio.
In 2016, our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio was calculated for the periods presented as the ratio of (a) the total non-interest expense numerator to (b) the net revenue denominator (which consisted of net interest income, before provision for credit losses, plus non-interest income).
In the first-quarter 2017, we began calculating and reporting our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio as the ratio of (a) the total non-interest expense numerator to (b) the net revenue denominator (which consists of the sum of net interest income, before provision for credit losses, and non-interest income, less the net impact of derivative accounting as defined in our “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP table in “— GAAP Consolidated Earnings Summary — ‘Core Earnings’’’ in this Form 10-Q). We believe this change will improve visibility into our management of operating expenses over time and eliminate the variability in this ratio that may be related to the changes in fair value of our derivative contracts that we consider economic hedges and which do not affect how we manage operating expenses. This change conforms the treatment of our hedging activities in our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio to our non-GAAP “Core Earnings” measure. The impact of this change on the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio reported in each of our prior quarterly and annual periods is immaterial. This ratio provides useful information to investors because it is a measure used by our management team to monitor our effectiveness in managing operating expenses. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from our ratio. Accordingly, our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
2017 Management Objectives
For 2017, we have set out the following major goals for ourselves: (1) prudently grow our Private Education Loan assets and revenues while continuing to diversify the mix of our funding sources; (2) maintain our strong capital position; (3) manage operating expenses while improving efficiency; (4) enhance our customers’ experience by further improving the delivery of our products and services; (5) sustain the consumer protection improvements we have made since the Spin-Off and maintain our strong governance, risk oversight and compliance infrastructure; (6) continue our disciplined expansion of new products to increase the level of engagement we have with our existing customers and attract new customers; and (7) continue to promote a culture centered on our core values (collaboration, mutual respect, honesty, integrity, performance, and accountability), sustained through ongoing employee engagement, recognition, and development and aligned with our mission and business plan for growth. Here is how we plan to achieve these objectives:
Prudently Grow Private Education Loan Assets and Revenues
We continue to pursue managed growth in our Private Education Loan portfolio in 2017 by leveraging our Sallie Mae brand, our relationship with more than two thousand colleges and universities, and our direct consumer marketing efforts. To help facilitate the expected increase in our Private Education Loan originations, we are diversifying the mix of our funding sources in 2017. We are determined to maintain overall credit quality and cosigner rates in our Smart Option Student Loan originations. Originations were 3 percent higher in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the year-ago period. The average FICO scores at approval and the cosigner rates for originations in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were 747 and 88.4 percent, compared with 748 and 89.4 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The growth rate in originations in the first nine months of 2017 was lower than expected and, as a result, we expect total originations of our Private Education Loans to be approximately $4.8 billion in 2017, a 2.9 percent increase from 2016. Based on information currently available to us, we believe these lower than expected originations are likely attributable to moderating enrollment and tuition growth rates, as compared to growth rates of the past decade, as well as increasing family contributions available due to an improving economy and rising asset valuations.

Maintain Our Strong Capital Position
We intend to maintain levels of capital at the Bank that significantly exceed those necessary to be considered “well capitalized” by the FDIC. The Company is a source of strength for the Bank and will obtain or provide additional capital as, and if, necessary to the Bank. We regularly evaluate the quality of assets, stability of earnings, and adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, and we continue to believe our existing capital levels are sufficient to support the Bank’s plan for significant growth over the next several years while remaining “well capitalized.” As our balance sheet has grown in 2017, these ratios have declined but remain significantly in excess of the capital levels required to be considered “well capitalized” by our regulators. As of September 30, 2017, the Bank had a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.8 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.8 percent, a Total risk-based capital ratio of 13.0 percent and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.4 percent, all exceeding the current regulatory guidelines for “well capitalized” institutions by a significant amount. We do not plan to pay a common stock dividend or repurchase shares in 2017 (except to repurchase common stock acquired as a result of taxes withheld in connection with award exercises and vesting under our employee stock-based compensation plans).
On April 5, 2017, we issued our unsecured debt offering of $200 million of 5.125 percent Senior Notes due April 5, 2022 at par. We used the net proceeds from this debt offering to redeem all of our 6.97 percent Series A preferred stock and for general corporate purposes.
Manage Operating Expenses While Improving Efficiency
We will continue to measure our effectiveness in managing operating expenses by monitoring our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio. See “- Key Financial Measures - Operating Expenses” in this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the method for calculating this ratio. This ratio provides useful information to investors because it is a measure used by our management team to monitor our effectiveness in managing operating expenses. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from our ratio. Accordingly, our non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
 The operating efficiency ratio was 40.6 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 40.7 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The operating efficiency ratio was 39.0 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 40.9 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The operating efficiency ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was favorably affected by a $9 million increase in other income due to an increase in the tax indemnification receivable related to uncertain tax positions. The operating efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was also favorably affected by the increase in the tax indemnification receivable described above, as well as a $10 million, one-time gain from the change in reserve estimates for our Upromise rewards program. Excluding these items, the operating efficiency ratio for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 would have been 42.2 percent and 42.0 percent, respectively. The improvement in the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 compared with the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016, respectively, was primarily due to the growth rate in net interest income exceeding the growth rate in our operating expense base for each period.
We expect this ratio to decline steadily over the next several years as the number of loans on which we earn net interest income grows to a level commensurate with our loan origination platform and we control the growth of our expense base.

Enhance Customers’ Experience By Further Improving Delivery of Products and Services
We have made significant improvements in our customers’ experience over the last two years, and we will continue to implement strategies and tactics to fulfill our brand and customer experience visions. In 2017, we enhanced customer communications that include an annual summary during in-school periods, enhanced entering into repayment communication designed to help borrowers transition into their repayment period successfully, and simplified billing statements. We also launched new auto debit functionality online to allow customers to enroll with a designated amount greater than their minimum due so they can pay down loans faster. Additionally, we have provided targeted customer service training to further improve our interactions with our customers. We will continue to focus on initiatives that will further simplify the application, fulfillment and servicing experience for our customers, including:
Creating an integrated online origination and servicing experience with a single point of entry and improved customer messaging;
Providing enhanced functionality to our customers that will give them more flexibility to service their accounts online, via chat and mobile, and over the phone; and
Continuing to support customers throughout the Private Education Loan experience with enhanced communication and tools.
Sustain Consumer Protection Improvements Made Since the Spin-Off and Maintain our Strong Governance, Risk Oversight and Compliance Infrastructure
We have continued to undertake significant work to establish that all customer protection policies, procedures and compliance management systems are sufficient to meet or exceed currently applicable regulatory standards. On March 27, 2017, the Bank received confirmation from the FDIC that effective March 23, 2017, the FDIC terminated the FDIC Consent Order. The termination was issued with no conditions.
In the first quarter of 2017, we also began conducting our own audits of consumer protection processes and procedures, including our compliance management system, using internal audit staff supplemented with staff from the same third-party firm that had conducted the compliance audits since 2014. Our goal is to sustain the improvements implemented to date and consistently comply with or exceed regulatory standards while continuing to improve our customers’ experience and satisfaction levels.
We have continued to advance our overall governance processes, including robust oversight, education, policies and procedures, all supported by strong enterprise risk management, compliance and internal audit functions. 
Continue Disciplined Expansion of New Products to Increase Level of Engagement With Our Existing Customers and Attract New Customers
In 2016, we began to expand the suite of products we provide to customers. We did so by leveraging our core competencies and capabilities, rather than requiring the development or acquisition of new or alternative ones. For example, we leveraged our experience with our Smart Option Student Loan products to launch a Parent Loan program designed for parents who wish to separately finance their children’s education, rather than cosign loans with their children.
In March 2017, through an affiliation with another lender, we launched a credit card program for young professionals. We do not expect this product to have a material impact on 2017 earnings. We are also continuing to develop our infrastructure in 2017 so that in early 2018 we have the capability to originate and service unsecured personal loans to be used for non-educational purposes. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we purchased $135 million in Personal Loans. We will also continue to explore other product opportunities in 2017. In this process, we will place a high premium on designing and launching products that meet the needs of our existing customers, attract new customers, and assist both populations in achieving their financial goals. Any 2017 activity will focus on implementation success. We are not forecasting significant contributions to our originations, revenues or net income from any potential new products in 2017.

Continue to Promote a Culture Centered on Our Core Values (Collaboration, Mutual Respect, Honesty, Integrity, Performance, and Accountability), Sustained Through Ongoing Employee Engagement, Recognition, and Development and Aligned with our Mission and Business Plan for Growth
We promote a culture centered on our core values - collaboration, mutual respect, honesty, integrity, performance, and accountability - as we seek to grow our business. When evaluating employee performance, we will review not only what was accomplished by employees, but whether and how they demonstrated our core values in achieving those accomplishments. We will continue to encourage and enable high performance in a variety of ways, including by encouraging employee engagement, and differentiating, recognizing, and rewarding high performing employees. In addition, we plan to invest in our employees by identifying and providing development opportunities that align with our business plan and support succession plans throughout our organization.
Over the course of 2017, to ensure commitment to our culture and core values, we cascaded level-appropriate goals to employees across the Company. As part of our investment in employee development, we finalized our talent development strategy, and established a roadmap to execute on our key talent priorities. We established leadership panels to steer the development of our competency model and provide input into the design of learning programs to support employee development. We also implemented a pilot management training program to provide entry- to mid-level managers with fundamental education, leadership development, and mentorship opportunities. Moreover, we implemented an enhanced talent assessment process to further evaluate performance and potential and effectively align development plans that support succession management.  We also launched a business knowledge series to provide all employees with opportunities to learn about our business, capabilities as a Company, and our future. We engaged employees to promote wellness across the Company and also launched a financial wellness education platform. We continued to recognize employees with superior performance and commitment to the Company’s values through our quarterly Awards of Excellence Program. We also launched our 2017 Employee Engagement Survey to gather employee input on how we are doing relative to promoting our culture.


GAAP Results of Operations
We present the results of operations below first on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
GAAP Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease) 
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease) 
(In millions, except per share data) 2017 2016 $ % 2017 2016 $ % 2019 2018 $ %
Interest income:                        
Loans $359
 $268
 $91
 34 % $1,021
 $765
 $256
 33 % $553
 $430
 $123
 29 %
Investments 2
 2
 
 
 6
 7
 (1) (14) 1
 2
 (1) (50)
Cash and cash equivalents 5
 2
 3
 150
 10
 5
 5
 100
 12
 5
 7
 140
Total interest income 366
 272
 94
 35
 1,037
 777
 260
 33
 566
 437
 129
 30
Total interest expense 84
 49
 35
 71
 218
 131
 87
 66
 164
 104
 60
 58
Net interest income 282
 223
 59
 26
 819
 646
 174
 27
 402
 333
 70
 21
Less: provisions for credit losses 55
 42
 13
 31
 130
 116
 14
 12
 64
 54
 10
 19
Net interest income after provisions for credit losses 227
 181
 46
 25
 689
 530
 160
 30
 338
 279
 60
 22
Non-interest income:                        
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net 2
 1
 1
 100
 (7) 3
 (10) (333)
Gains on derivatives and hedging activities, net 3
 4
 (1) (25)
Other income 4
 22
 (17) (77) 26
 56
 (30) (54) 13
 9
 4
 44
Total non-interest income 6
 23
 (16) (70) 19
 59
 (40) (68) 16
 13
 3
 23
Non-interest expenses:                        
Total operating expenses 116
 100
 16
 16
 330
 287
 43
 15
Acquired intangible asset amortization expense 
 
 
 
 
 1
 (1) (100)
Total non-interest expenses 116
 100
 16
 16
 330
 288
 42
 15
 140
 125
 15
 12
                
Income before income tax expense 117
 104
 13
 13
 378
 301
 77
 26
 214
 167
 47
 28
Income tax expense 41
 47
 (7) (15) 136
 121
 15
 12
 56
 41
 15
 37
Net income 76
 57
 20
 35
 242
 180
 62
 34
 158
 126
 32
 25
Preferred stock dividends 3
 5
 (2) (40) 13
 16
 (3) (19) 4
 3
 1
 33
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $73
 $52
 $22
 42 % $229
 $164
 $65
 40 % $154
 $123
 $31
 25 %
               
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.05
 42 % $0.53
 $0.38
 $0.15
 39 % $0.35
 $0.28
 $0.07
 25 %
                
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.05
 42 % $0.52
 $0.38
 $0.14
 37 % $0.35
 $0.28
 $0.07
 25 %
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation $0.03
 $
 $0.03
 100 %

 GAAP Consolidated Earnings Summary
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2018
For the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, net income was $76$158 million, or $0.17$0.35 diluted earnings per common share, compared with net income of $57$126 million, or $0.12$0.28 diluted earnings per common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The year-over-year increase in net income increase was affected bydue to a $59$70 million increase in net interest income and a $7$3 million decreaseincrease in non-interest income, tax expense, which waswere offset by a $13$10 million increase in provisions for credit losses, a $17 million decrease in other income, and a $16$15 million increase in total non-interest expenses.expenses and a $15 million increase in income tax expense.
The primary contributors to each of the identified drivers of changes in net income for the current quarter compared with the year-ago quarter are as follows:
Net interest income increased by $59$70 million in the current quarter compared with the year-ago quarter primarily due to a $3.3$3.6 billion increase in average Private Education Loans outstanding.loans outstanding and an 11 basis point increase in net interest margin. Net interest margin increased by 27 basis points primarily as a result of an increase in the ratio of higher yielding Private Education Loans relative to our other interest earning assets, growth in the higher yielding Personal Loan portfolio, and the benefit from an increase in LIBOR rates during 2018, which increased the yield on our variable ratevariable-rate Private Education Loan portfolio more than it increased our cost of funds.funds, and of growth in the higher-yielding Personal Loan portfolio. Cost of funds increased primarily due to the increase in LIBOR rates as well as an increase in the amounta higher percentage of funding from higher-cost, long-termour total interest-bearing liabilities consisting of higher cost other interest-bearing liabilities, which include both our unsecured and secured borrowings.
Provisions for credit losses in the current quarter increased $13$10 million compared with the year-ago quarter. This increase was primarily the result of an additional $2.5 billion of loans being in repaymentgrowth in the third quarter of 2017provision for our Personal Loan portfolio. The provision for Personal Loans grew because the portfolio increased from $676 million at March 31, 2018 to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2019. Provision expenses for our Private Education Loan portfolio remained unchanged compared with the year-ago quarter offset by a benefit from a $9 million reduction in our estimatebecause of expected future netimproved credit losses.performance.
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net, resulted in a net gain of $2decreased $1 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 compared with a net gain of $1 million in the year-ago quarter.
Other income decreased $17in the current quarter increased $4 million from the year-ago quarter primarily due to a $9$4 million increase in the tax indemnification receivable related to uncertain tax positions recorded in the third of quarter 2016, a $4 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable recorded in the third quarter of 2017, and lower fee income related to our Upromise rewards business. Changes in the tax indemnification receivable have an equal and offsetting amount recorded in income tax expense.positions.
Third-quarter 2017 operating expenses and acquired intangible asset amortizationFirst-quarter 2019 non-interest expenses were $116$140 million, compared with $100$125 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in operatingnon-interest expenses was primarily driven by growth in the portfolio and costs related to product diversification. Our non-GAAP efficiency ratio declined to 33.8 percent at March 31, 2019 from 36.5 percent at March 31, 2018. The decline was primarily the result of net interest income increasing 21 percent while non-interest expenses only increased technology costs, FDIC assessment fees, and marketing and personnel costs, largely driven by the growth in our Private Education Loan portfolio, which increased 2412 percent fromcompared to the year-ago quarter.
IncomeFirst-quarter 2019 income tax expense decreased $7was $56 million, compared with $41 million in the year-ago quarter. The effective tax rate decreasedincreased in the third-quarter 2017first-quarter 2019 to 34.726.2 percent from 45.524.5 percent in the year-ago quarter. The changegrowth in the effective tax rate was primarily as a result of a reduction in state taxes and the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions. The rate in the third quarter of 2016 was negatively affecteddriven by a $9$4 million increase in the reserve for indemnified uncertain tax positions. The changes due to indemnified uncertain tax positions had no impact on earnings per share as we recorded a matching offset in other income related to the tax indemnification.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net incomeThis amount was $242 million, or $0.52 diluted earnings per common share, compared with net income of $180 million, or $0.38 diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The year-over-year net income increase was affected by a $174 million increase in net interest income, which wasfully offset by a $14 millioncorresponding increase in provisions for credit losses, a $30 million decreaseour indemnification receivable, which was recorded in other income, a $42 million increase in total non-interest expenses, a $15 million increase in incomeincome. Absent this item, the effective tax expense, and a $10 million reduction in our derivatives and hedging activities.
The primary contributors to each of the identified drivers of changes in net income for the first nine months of 2017 compared with the year-ago period are as follows:
Net interest income increased by $174 million in the first nine months compared with the year-ago period primarily due to a $3.5 billion increase in average Private Education Loans outstanding. Net interest margin increased by 17 basis pointsrate would have been 24.9 percent.

primarily as a result of an increase in the ratio of higher yielding Private Education Loans relative to our other interest earning assets, growth in the higher yielding Personal Loan portfolio, and the benefit from increases in LIBOR rates which increased the yield on our variable rate Private Education Loan portfolio more than it increased our cost of funds. Cost of funds increased due to the increase in LIBOR rates, as well as an increase in the amount of funding from higher-cost, long-term secured borrowings.
Provisions for credit losses increased $14 million compared with the year-ago period. This increase was primarily the result of an additional $2.5 billion of loans being in repayment in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the year-ago period, offset by a benefit from a reduction in our estimate of expected future net credit losses.
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net, resulted in a net loss of $7 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared with a net gain of $3 million in the year-ago period. The primary factors affecting the change were interest rates and whether derivatives qualified for hedge accounting treatment.
Other income decreased $30 million primarily due to a $10 million change in reserve estimates related to our Upromise rewards business that was recorded in the first quarter of 2016, a $9 million increase in the tax indemnification receivable related to uncertain tax positions recorded in the third quarter of 2016, a $4 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable recorded in the third quarter of 2017, and lower fee income related to our Upromise rewards business. Changes in the tax indemnification receivable have an equal and offsetting amount recorded in income tax expense.
Operating expenses and acquired intangible asset amortization expenses in the first nine months of 2017 were $330 million, compared with $288 million in the year-ago period. The increase in operating expenses was primarily the result of increased technology costs, FDIC assessment fees, marketing, servicing, and personnel costs, largely driven by growth in our loan portfolio.
Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2017 increased $15 million compared with the year-ago period. The effective tax rate decreased in the first nine months of 2017 to 36.0 percent from 40.2 percent in the year-ago period. The change was primarily due to the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions and a $6 million benefit recorded in the first quarter of 2017 related to the new stock compensation accounting standard, which changed the treatment of excess tax benefits/deficiencies related to the settlement of employee stock-based awards. In addition, in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded an additional $9 million of expense related to uncertain tax positions.
Core EarningsEarnings”
We prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP. However, we also produce and report our after-tax earnings on a separate basis that we refer to as “Core Earnings.” While pre-Spin-Off SLM also reported a metric by that name, what we now report and what we describe below is significantly different and should not be compared to any Core Earnings reported by pre-Spin-Off SLM. The difference between our “Core Earnings” and GAAP results for periods presented generally is driven by the unrealized, mark-to-market gains (losses) on derivatives contracts recognized in GAAP, but not in “Core Earnings.”
“Core Earnings” recognizes the difference in accounting treatment based upon whether a derivative qualifies for hedge accounting treatment and eliminates the earnings impact associated with hedge ineffectiveness and derivatives we use as an economic hedge but which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. We enter into derivative instruments to economically hedge interest rate and cash flow risk associated with our portfolio. We believe that our derivatives are effective economic hedges, and as such, are a critical element of our interest rate risk management strategy. Those derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting treatment have their related cash flows recorded in interest income or interest expense along with the hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness related to these derivatives is recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net.” Some of our derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and the stand-alone derivative must be marked-to-fair value in the income statement with no consideration for the corresponding change in fair value of the hedged item. These gains and losses, recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net,” are primarily caused by interest rate volatility and changing credit spreads during the period as well as the volume and term of derivatives not receiving hedge accounting treatment. Cash flows on derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are not recorded in interest income and interest expense; they are recorded in non-interest income: “Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net.”
TheIn the third-quarter 2018, we changed our definition of “Core Earnings” to no longer exclude ineffectiveness related to derivative instruments that are receiving hedge accounting treatment. As such, the only adjustments required to reconcile from our “Core Earnings” results to our GAAP results of operations, net of tax, relate to differing treatments for our derivative instruments used to hedge our economic risks that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment ortreatment. For periods beginning July 1, 2018, the amount recorded in “Gains on derivatives and hedging activities, net” includes (a) the accrual of the current payment on the interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment but resultand (b) the change in ineffectiveness, netfair values related to future expected cash flows for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. For purposes of tax. The“Core Earnings”, we are including in GAAP earnings the current period accrual amounts (interest reclassification) on the swaps and excluding the change in fair values for those derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting treatment. “Core Earnings” is meant to represent what earnings would have been had these derivatives qualified for hedge accounting and there was no ineffectiveness.
For periods prior to July 1, 2018, the amount

recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” includes (a) the accrual of the current payment on thethose interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, (b) the change in fair values related to future expected cash flows for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and (c) ineffectiveness on derivatives that receive hedge accounting treatment. For purposes of “Core Earnings”, in those periods prior to July 1, 2018, we are including in GAAP earnings the current period accrual amounts (interest reclassification) on the swaps and excluding the remaining ineffectiveness (and change in fair values for those derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting treatment). “Core Earnings” in those periods is meant to represent what earnings would have been had these derivatives qualified for hedge accounting and there was no ineffectiveness.
Core Earnings” are not a substitute for reported results under GAAP. We provide a “Core Earnings” basis of presentation because (i) earnings per share computed on a “Core Earnings” basis is one of several measures we utilize in establishing management incentive compensation and (ii) we believe it better reflects the financial results for derivatives that are economic hedges of interest rate risk, but which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
GAAP provides a uniform, comprehensive basis of accounting. Our “Core Earnings” basis of presentation differs from GAAP in the way it treats derivatives as described above.

The following table shows the amount in “Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” that relates to the interest reclassification on the derivative contracts.
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016
         
Hedge ineffectiveness gains (losses) $1,723
 $2,356
 $(6,302) $476
Unrealized (losses) gains on instruments not in a hedging relationship (247) (1,525) (1,189) 783
Interest reclassification 185
 537
 165
 1,897
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net $1,661
 $1,368
 $(7,326) $3,156
  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2019 2018
     
Hedge ineffectiveness gains prior to adoption of ASU No. 2017-12 $
 $8,537
Unrealized gains (losses) on instruments not in a hedging relationship 4,202
 (4,755)
Interest reclassification (1,439) 110
Gains on derivatives and hedging activities, net $2,763
 $3,892


The following table reflects adjustments associated with our derivative activities.
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
            
Core Earningsadjustments to GAAP:
            
            
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation $76,371
 $56,965
 $241,931
 $180,085
GAAP net income $158,189
 $126,254
Preferred stock dividends 3,028
 5,316
 12,577
 15,698
 4,468
 3,397
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $73,343
 $51,649
 $229,354
 $164,387
 $153,721
 $122,857
            
Adjustments:            
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)
 (1,475) (831) 7,491
 (1,259) (4,202) (3,782)
Net tax effect(2)
 (563) (320) 2,861
 (483) (1,027) (919)
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP (912) (511) 4,630
 (776) (3,175) (2,863)
            
“Core Earnings” attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $72,431
 $51,138
 $233,984
 $163,611
 $150,546
 $119,994
            
GAAP diluted earnings per common share $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.52
 $0.38
 $0.35
 $0.28
Derivative adjustments, net of tax 
 
 0.01
 
 (0.01) (0.01)
“Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share $0.17
 $0.12
 $0.53
 $0.38
 $0.34
 $0.27
______
(1) Derivative Accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses caused by the mark-to-market valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP, as well asbut include current period accruals on the derivative instruments. For periods prior to July 1, 2018, “Core Earnings” also exclude the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are a result of ineffectiveness recognized related to effective hedges under GAAP, (but include current period accruals on the derivative instruments), net of tax. 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 the Bank where the derivative instruments are held.

Financial Condition
Average Balance Sheets - GAAP
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.  
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended March 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands) Balance Rate Balance Rate Balance Rate Balance Rate Balance Rate Balance Rate
Average Assets                        
Private Education Loans $16,228,751
 8.50% $12,881,890
 8.00% $15,791,557
 8.37% $12,307,932
 8.00% $21,732,826
 9.50% $18,659,717
 8.84%
FFELP Loans 960,185
 4.02
 1,049,803
 3.52
 981,106
 3.86
 1,076,394
 3.48
 837,950
 4.94
 919,717
 4.25
Personal and other loans 86,441
 9.66
 593
 3.43
 61,547
 9.41
 314
 4.04
Personal Loans 1,176,466
 11.81
 528,644
 10.64
Taxable securities 316,444
 2.42
 388,886
 2.24
 330,256
 2.54
 383,844
 2.49
 188,538
 3.05
 296,512
 2.65
Cash and other short-term investments 1,548,215
 1.20
 1,599,320
 0.50
 1,403,702
 1.00
 1,299,894
 0.50
 2,033,492
 2.31
 1,451,437
 1.47
Total interest-earning assets 19,140,036
 7.59% 15,920,492
 6.81% 18,568,168
 7.47% 15,068,378
 6.89% 25,969,272
 8.85% 21,856,027
 8.11%
                        
Non-interest-earning assets 1,120,714
   800,567
   1,028,235
   757,336
   1,164,857
   1,111,430
  
                        
Total assets $20,260,750
   $16,721,059
   $19,596,403
   $15,825,714
   $27,134,129
   $22,967,457
  
                        
Average Liabilities and Equity                        
Brokered deposits $7,270,750
 1.92% $7,311,591
 1.32% $6,989,486
 1.70% $7,104,453
 1.31% $10,540,219
 2.72% $8,673,261
 2.04%
Retail and other deposits 7,054,553
 1.49
 5,091,021
 1.08
 6,800,832
 1.35
 4,805,039
 1.05
 8,915,526
 2.51
 7,727,564
 1.77
Other interest-bearing liabilities(1)
 2,964,696
 2.99
 1,602,760
 2.78
 2,822,009
 2.86
 1,231,972
 2.62
 4,270,252
 3.63
 3,461,050
 3.18
Total interest-bearing liabilities 17,289,999
 1.93% 14,005,372
 1.40% 16,612,327
 1.75% 13,141,464
 1.33% 23,725,997
 2.81% 19,861,875
 2.14%
                        
Non-interest-bearing liabilities 597,075
   488,198
   603,160
   510,652
   395,974
   561,546
  
Equity 2,373,676
   2,227,489
   2,380,916
   2,173,598
   3,012,158
   2,544,036
  
Total liabilities and equity $20,260,750
   $16,721,059
   $19,596,403
   $15,825,714
   $27,134,129
   $22,967,457
  
                        
Net interest margin   5.85%   5.58%   5.90%   5.73%   6.28%   6.17%
 

_________________
(1) 
Includes the average balance of our unsecured borrowing, as well as secured borrowings and amortization expense of transaction costs related to our ABCPterm asset-backed securitizations and our Secured Borrowing Facility.





Rate/Volume Analysis - GAAP

The following rate/volume analysis shows the relative contribution of changes in interest rates and asset volumes.
 
(Dollars in thousands) Increase 
Change Due To(1)
 Increase 
Change Due To(1)
Rate 
 Volume
Rate 
 Volume
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 vs. 2016      
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 vs. 2018      
Interest income $93,687
 $33,644
 $60,043
 $129,222
 $41,914
 $87,308
Interest expense 34,901
 21,524
 13,377
 59,555
 36,758
 22,797
Net interest income $58,786
 $11,147
 $47,639
 $69,667
 $6,047
 $63,620
      
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 vs. 2016      
Interest income $260,574
 $69,747
 $190,827
Interest expense 86,448
 46,935
 39,513
Net interest income $174,126
 $20,714
 $153,412
 
_________________
(1) 
Changes in income and expense due to both rate and volume have been allocated in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. The changes in income and expense are calculated independently for each line in the table. The totals for the rate and volume columns are not the sum of the individual lines.

Summary of Our Loan Portfolio
Ending Loan Balances, net
 
 September 30, 2017 March 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands) 
Private
Education
Loans 
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
 FFELP
Loans
 Personal
Loans
 Total
Portfolio
Total loan portfolio:                
In-school(1)
 $3,641,923
 $384
 $
 $3,642,307
 $4,515,470
 $155
 $
 $4,515,625
Grace, repayment and other(2)
 13,490,984
 948,796
 132,100
 14,571,880
 17,276,152
 828,485
 1,162,874
 19,267,511
Total, gross 17,132,907
 949,180
 132,100
 18,214,187
 21,791,622
 828,640
 1,162,874
 23,783,136
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium 53,501
 2,696
 
 56,197
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 70,858
 2,323
 394
 73,575
Allowance for loan losses (227,167) (1,352) (1,400) (229,919) (285,946) (1,760) (70,619) (358,325)
Total loan portfolio $16,959,241
 $950,524
 $130,700
 $18,040,465
Total loan portfolio, net $21,576,534
 $829,203
 $1,092,649
 $23,498,386
                
% of total 94% 5% 1% 100% 92% 3% 5% 100%
____________ 
(1)  Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loan.
(2)  Includes loans in deferment or forbearance.
(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, 2016 December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands) 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 Private
Education
Loans
 FFELP
Loans
 Personal
Loans
 Total
Portfolio
Total loan portfolio:                
In-school(1)
 $3,371,870
 $377
 $
 $3,372,247
 $4,037,125
 $163
 $
 $4,037,288
Grace, repayment and other(2)
 10,879,805
 1,010,531
 12,893
 11,903,229
 16,467,340
 846,324
 1,190,091
 18,503,755
Total, gross 14,251,675
 1,010,908
 12,893
 15,275,476
 20,504,465
 846,487
 1,190,091
 22,541,043
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium 44,206
 2,941
   47,147
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 68,321
 2,379
 297
 70,997
Allowance for loan losses (182,472) (2,171) (58) (184,701) (277,943) (977) (62,201) (341,121)
Total loan portfolio $14,113,409
 $1,011,678
 $12,835
 $15,137,922
Total loan portfolio, net $20,294,843
 $847,889
 $1,128,187
 $22,270,919
                
% of total 93% 7% % 100% 91% 4% 5% 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.
(1)  Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loan.
(2)  Includes loans in deferment or forbearance.



Average Loan Balances (net of unamortized premium/discount)

 
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Private Education Loans $16,228,751
 94% $12,881,890
 92% $15,791,557
 94% $12,307,932
 92% $21,732,826
 92% $18,659,717
 93%
FFELP Loans 960,185
 6
 1,049,803
 8
 981,106
 6
 1,076,394
 8
 837,950
 3
 919,717
 4
Personal Loans 86,441
 
 
 
 61,263
 
 
 
 1,176,466
 5
 528,644
 3
Total portfolio $17,275,377
 100% $13,931,693
 100% $16,833,926
 100% $13,384,326
 100% $23,747,242
 100% $20,108,078
 100%




Loan Activity
 
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands) 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
  Private
Education
Loans
 FFELP
Loans
 Personal
Loans
 Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $15,523,338
 $968,398
 $68,690
 $16,560,426
 $20,294,843
 $847,889
 $1,128,187
 $22,270,919
Acquisitions and originations 1,896,620
 
 70,748
 1,967,368
Acquisitions and originations:       

Fixed-rate 1,443,953
 
 120,890
 1,564,843
Variable-rate 688,781
 
 
 688,781
Total acquisitions and originations 2,132,734
 
 120,890
 2,253,624
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 77,510
 8,732
 
 86,242
 121,105
 7,432
 (58) 128,479
Sales (2,025) 
 
 (2,025) 
 
 
 
Loan consolidations to third parties (144,028) (9,526) 
 (153,554)
Loan consolidations to third-parties (386,149) (8,031) 
 (394,180)
Allowance (8,003) (783) (8,418) (17,204)
Repayments and other (392,174) (17,080) (8,738) (417,992) (577,996) (17,304) (147,952) (743,252)
Ending balance $16,959,241
 $950,524
 $130,700
 $18,040,465
 $21,576,534
 $829,203
 $1,092,649
 $23,498,386

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands) 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 Private
Education
Loans
 FFELP
Loans
 Personal
Loans
 Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $12,183,293
 $1,062,133
 $13,245,426
 $17,244,830
 $929,159
 $393,652
 $18,567,641
Acquisitions and originations 1,838,076
 
 1,838,076
Acquisitions and originations:       

Fixed-rate 941,444
 
 327,181
 1,268,625
Variable-rate 1,031,510
 
 
 1,031,510
Total acquisitions and originations 1,972,954
 
 327,181
 2,300,135
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 57,315
 8,158
 65,473
 95,398
 7,777
 
 103,175
Sales (2,176) 
 (2,176) (2,036) 
 
 (2,036)
Loan consolidations to third parties (65,161) (11,847) (77,008)
Loan consolidations to third-parties (223,751) (7,429) 
 (231,180)
Allowance (8,388) 19
 (12,279) (20,648)
Repayments and other (285,388) (23,899) (309,287) (478,284) (20,231) (51,968) (550,483)
Ending balance $13,725,959
 $1,034,545
 $14,760,504
 $18,600,723
 $909,295
 $656,586
 $20,166,604


  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands) 
 Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Personal
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $14,113,409
 $1,011,678
 $12,835
 $15,137,922
Acquisitions and originations 4,180,209
 
 134,502
 4,314,711
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 221,437
 25,255
 
 246,692
Sales (5,497) 
 
 (5,497)
Loan consolidations to third parties (408,198) (30,164) 
 (438,362)
Repayments and other (1,142,119) (56,245) (16,637) (1,215,001)
Ending balance $16,959,241
 $950,524
 $130,700
 $18,040,465

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(Dollars in thousands) 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $10,515,505
 $1,115,086
 $11,630,591
Acquisitions and originations 4,072,631
 
 4,072,631
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 158,111
 26,873
 184,984
Sales (7,912) 
 (7,912)
Loan consolidations to third parties (173,142) (34,896) (208,038)
Repayments and other (839,234) (72,518) (911,752)
Ending balance $13,725,959
 $1,034,545
 $14,760,504

“Loan consolidations to third parties”third-parties” and “Repayments and other” are both significantly affected by the volume of loans in our portfolio in full principal and interest repayment status. Loans in full principal and interest repayment status in our Private Education Loan portfolio at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 increased by 4824 percent compared with September 30, 2016,March 31, 2018, and now total 3241 percent of our Private Education Loan portfolio.

In the second quarter of 2017, we improved our methodology for identifying “Loan consolidations to third parties” for Private Education Loans. This improvement in methodology resulted in certain loans previously included in “Repayments and other” in the first quarter of 2017, three months ended September 30, 2016 and nine months ended September 30, 2016, being re-classified as “Loan consolidations to third parties.” Therefore, for these periods, we have updated the “Loan consolidations to third parties” and “Repayments and other” line items to reflect this re-allocation. For these periods, the sum of the “Loan consolidations to third parties” and “Repayment and other” line items did not change.portfolio at March 31, 2019.

“Loan consolidations to third parties”third-parties” for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 total 2.64.4 percent of our Private Education Loan portfolio in full principal and interest repayment status at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, or 0.91.8 percent of our total loanPrivate Education Loan portfolio at September 30, 2017 (which percentages are unchanged from the corresponding percentages for the three months ended June 30, 2017),March 31, 2019, compared with the year-ago period of 1.83.1 percent of our Private Education Loan portfolio in full principal and interest repayment status, or 0.51.2 percent of our total Private Education Loan portfolio, respectively. Historical experience has shown that loan consolidation activity is heightened in the period when the loan initially enters full principal and interest repayment status and then subsides over time.

The “Repayments and other” category includes all scheduled repayments, as well as voluntary prepayments, made on loans in repayment (including loans in full principal and interest repayment status) and also includes charge-offs. Consequently,

this category can be significantly affected by the volume of loans in repayment. The increase in the volume of loans in

repayment accounts for the vast majority of the aggregate increase in loan consolidations, scheduled repayments, unscheduled prepayments and capitalized interest set forth above.

In the second quarter of 2017, we increased our life of loan voluntary constant prepayment rate expectation to 6.0 percent from 5.1 percent, which contributed to a lowering of the weighted average life on our Private Education Loan portfolio from 5.7 years to 5.5 years, as of June 30, 2017, reflecting the increased repayment activity and portfolio seasoning as, increasingly, more significant portions of our Private Education Loan portfolio enter full principal and interest repayment status. The significant portion of our Private Education Loan portfolio that is not yet in full principal and interest repayment status and for which principal payments are not yet required continues generating capitalized interest. There was no change to our life of loan voluntary constant prepayment rate expectation in the third quarter of 2017 and the weighted average life on our Private Education Loan portfolio was 5.6 years as of September 30, 2017.
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.
 
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 % 2016 % 2019 % 2018 %
Smart Option - interest only(1)
 $467,785
 25% $468,237
 26% $480,712
 23% $445,720
 23%
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
 555,945
 29
 542,504
 30
 594,461
 28
 517,847
 26
Smart Option - deferred(1)
 827,607
 44
 795,305
 43
 819,793
 38
 797,425
 40
Smart Option - principal and interest 3,204
 
 4,306
 
 3,958
 
 2,268
 
Graduate Loan 181,678
 9
 172,612
 9
Parent Loan 33,724
 2
 20,968
 1
 50,466
 2
 36,297
 2
Total Private Education Loan originations $1,888,265
 100% $1,831,320
 100% $2,131,068
 100% $1,972,169

100%
                
Percentage of loans with a cosigner 89%   90%   88.6%   89.3%  
Average FICO at approval(2)
 747
   749
   747
   746
  
      
  Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 % 2016 %
Smart Option - interest only(1)
 $1,057,895
 25% $1,033,009
 25%
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
 1,194,522
 29
 1,225,650
 30
Smart Option - deferred(1)
 1,841,865
 44
 1,770,804
 44
Smart Option - principal and interest 6,901
 
 6,634
 
Parent Loan 65,073
 2
 22,478
 1
Total Private Education Loan originations $4,166,256
 100% $4,058,575
 100%
         
Percentage of loans with a cosigner 88%   89%  
Average FICO at approval(2)
 747
   748
  
     _____________
(1) Interest only, fixed pay and deferred describe the payment option while in school or in grace period.
(2) Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.




Allowance for Loan Losses

Education Loan Allowance for Loan Losses Activity
  
 Three Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended March 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands) 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 Personal Loans 
Total
Portfolio
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 Personal Loans 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $205,024
 $1,606
 $206,630
 $142,628
 $2,297
 $144,925
 $277,943
 $977
 $62,201
 $341,121
 $243,715
 $1,132
 $6,628
 $251,475
Less:                            
Charge-offs (34,280) (181) (34,461) (22,072) (356) (22,428) (39,577) (234) (15,251) (55,062) (37,353) (250) (1,200) (38,803)
Loan sales(1)
 (1,257) 
 (1,257) (1,401) 
 (1,401) 
 
 
 
 (1,216) 
 
 (1,216)
Plus:                            
Recoveries 4,560
 
 4,560
 2,973
 
 2,973
 5,697
 
 909
 6,606
 5,087
 
 31
 5,118
Provision for loan losses 53,120
 (73) 53,047
 40,502
 268
 40,770
 41,883
 1,017
 22,760
 65,660
 41,870
 231
 13,448
 55,549
Ending balance $227,167
 $1,352
 $228,519
 $162,630
 $2,209
 $164,839
 $285,946
 $1,760
 $70,619
 $358,325
 $252,103
 $1,113
 $18,907
 $272,123
                            
Troubled debt restructurings(2)
 $942,561
 $
 $942,561
 $503,632
 $
 $503,632
 $1,327,668
 $
 $
 $1,327,668
 $1,043,103
 $
 $
 $1,043,103
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2017 2016
(Dollars in thousands) 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
 
Private
Education
Loans
 
FFELP
Loans
 
Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $182,472
 $2,171
 $184,643
 $108,816
 $3,691
 $112,507
Less:            
Charge-offs (93,235) (658) (93,893) (64,979) (1,086) (66,065)
Loan sales(1)
 (3,391) 
 (3,391) (5,008) 
 (5,008)
Plus:            
Recoveries 12,216
 
 12,216
 7,098
 
 7,098
Provision for loan losses 129,105
 (161) 128,944
 116,703
 (396) 116,307
Ending balance $227,167
 $1,352
 $228,519
 $162,630
 $2,209
 $164,839
             
Troubled debt restructurings(2)
 $942,561
 $
 $942,561
 $503,632
 $
 $503,632

_________
(1) 
Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 
Represents the unpaid principal balance of loans classified as troubled debt restructurings.



Private Education Loan Allowance for Loan Losses
In establishing the allowance for Private Education Loan losses as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we considered several factors with respect to our Private Education Loan portfolio, in particular, credit quality and delinquency, forbearance and charge-off trends.
Private Education Loans in full principal and interest repayment status were 3241 percent of our total Private Education Loan portfolio at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, compared with 2738 percent at September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018.
For a more detailed discussion of our policy for determining the collectability of Private Education Loans and maintaining our allowance for Private Education Loan losses, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Allowance for Loan Losses” in the 20162018 Form 10-K.

The table below presents our Private Education Loan delinquency trends. 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.

 Private Education Loans Private Education Loans
 September 30, March 31,
 2017 2016 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands) Balance % Balance % Balance % Balance %
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
 $5,352,671
   $4,662,941
   $5,870,853
   $5,369,984
  
Loans in forbearance(2)
 373,655
   279,509
   610,209
   465,286
  
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:                
Loans current 11,115,697
 97.4% 8,724,365
 98.0% 14,927,591
 97.5% 12,635,627
 97.5%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
 175,897
 1.6
 108,591
 1.2
 216,295
 1.4
 179,989
 1.4
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
 82,095
 0.7
 51,029
 0.6
 104,199
 0.7
 95,974
 0.7
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
 32,892
 0.3
 21,827
 0.2
 62,475
 0.4
 47,152
 0.4
Total Private Education Loans in repayment 11,406,581
 100.0% 8,905,812
 100.0% 15,310,560
 100.0% 12,958,742
 100.0%
Total Private Education Loans, gross 17,132,907
   13,848,262
   21,791,622
   18,794,012
  
Private Education Loan deferred origination costs 53,501
   40,327
  
Private Education Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 70,858
   58,814
  
Total Private Education Loans 17,186,408
   13,888,589
   21,862,480
   18,852,826
  
Private Education Loan allowance for losses (227,167)   (162,630)  
Total Private Education Loans, net $16,959,241
   $13,725,959
  
Private Education Loans allowance for losses (285,946)   (252,103)  
Private Education Loans, net $21,576,534
   $18,600,723
  
                
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment   66.6%   64.3%   70.3%   69.0%
                
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment   2.6%   2.0%   2.5%   2.5%
                
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance   3.2%   3.0%   3.8%   3.5%
________
(1) 
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 theirthe loans (e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation).
(2) 
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.
(3) 
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.




Changes in Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for Private Education Loan losses.
 
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Allowance at beginning of period $205,024
 $142,628
 $182,472
 $108,816
Provision for Private Education Loan losses 53,120
 40,502
 129,105
 116,703
Beginning balance $277,943
 $243,715
Total provision 41,883
 41,870
Net charge-offs:            
Charge-offs (34,280) (22,072) (93,235) (64,979) (39,577) (37,353)
Recoveries 4,560
 2,973
 12,216
 7,098
 5,697
 5,087
Net charge-offs (29,720) (19,099) (81,019) (57,881) (33,880) (32,266)
Loan sales(1)
 (1,257) (1,401) (3,391) (5,008) 
 (1,216)
Allowance at end of period $227,167
 $162,630
 $227,167
 $162,630
 $285,946
 $252,103
            
Allowance as a percentage of ending total loans 1.33% 1.17% 1.33% 1.17%
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment(2)
 1.99% 1.83% 1.99% 1.83%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance 1.31% 1.34%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment(2)
 1.87% 1.95%
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs (annualized) 1.91
 2.13
 2.10
 2.11
 2.11
 1.95
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)(2)
 1.08% 0.91% 1.02% 0.97% 0.89% 1.01%
Delinquencies as a percentage of ending loans in repayment(2)
 2.55% 2.04% 2.55% 2.04% 2.50% 2.49%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment and forbearance(2)
 3.17% 3.04% 3.17% 3.04% 3.83% 3.47%
Ending total loans, gross $17,132,907
 $13,848,262
 $17,132,907
 $13,848,262
 $21,791,622
 $18,794,012
Average loans in repayment(2)
 $10,971,028
 $8,420,625
 $10,589,725
 $7,952,469
 $15,165,072
 $12,747,929
Ending loans in repayment(2)
 $11,406,581
 $8,905,812
 $11,406,581
 $8,905,812
 $15,310,560
 $12,958,742
     _______
(1) 
Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(2) 
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.
 
As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most significant of these metrics considered are the allowance coverage of net charge-offs ratio; the allowance as a percentage of ending total loans and of ending loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages. The allowance as a percentage of ending total loans and of ending loans in repayment increased at September 30, 2017 compared with September 30, 2016 because of an increase in our TDRs (for which we hold a life-of-loan allowance) and an increase in the percentage of loans in full principal and interest repayment status.

Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool
We modify the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such modifications will increase the collectability of the loan. These modifications generally take the form of a forbearance, a temporary interest rate reduction or an extended repayment plan. The majority of our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan.
Forbearance involves granting the customer a temporary cessation of payments (or temporary acceptance of smaller than scheduled payments) for a specified period of time. Using forbearance extends the original term of the loan. Forbearance does not grant any reduction in the total repayment obligation (principal or interest). While a loan is in forbearance status, interest continues to accrue and is capitalized to principal when the loan re-enters repayment status. Our forbearance policies include limits on the number of forbearance months granted consecutively and the total number of forbearance months granted over the life of the loan. We grant forbearance in our servicing centers if a borrower who is current requests it for increments of three months at a time, for up to 12 months. Forbearance as a collection tool is used most effectively when applied based on a customer’s unique situation, including historical information and judgments. We leverage updated customer information and other decision support tools to best determine who will be granted forbearance based on our expectations as to a customer’s ability and willingness to repay their obligation. This strategy is aimed at mitigating the overall risk of the portfolio as well as encouraging cash resolution of delinquent loans. In some instances, we require good faith payments before granting forbearance. Exceptions to forbearance policies are permitted when such exceptions are judged to increase the likelihood of collection of the loan.
Forbearance may be granted to customers who are exiting their grace period to provide additional time to obtain employment and income to support their obligations, or to current customers who are faced with a hardship and request forbearance time to provide temporary payment relief. In these circumstances, a customer’s loan is placed into a forbearance status in limited monthly increments and is reflected in the forbearance status at month-end during this time. At the end of their granted forbearance period, the customer will enter repayment status as current and is expected to begin making scheduled monthly payments on a go-forward basis.
Forbearance may also be granted to customers who are delinquent in their payments. If specific requirements are met, the forbearance can cure the delinquency and the customer is returned to a current repayment status. In more limited instances, delinquent customers will also be granted additional forbearance time. We review our forbearance policies and practices from time to time and update them as circumstances warrant.
When we give a borrower facing financial difficulty an interest rate reduction, we temporarily reduce the rate to 2.0 percent for a two-year period and, in the vast majority of cases, permanently extend the final maturity of the loan. The combination of these two loan term changes helps reduce the monthly payment due from the borrower and increases the likelihood the borrower will remain current during the interest rate modification period as well as when the loan returns to its original contractual interest rate. At March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, 7.2 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively, of our loans then currently in full principal and interest repayment status were subject to interest rate reductions made under our rate modification program.
The tables below show the composition and status of the Private Education Loan portfolio aged by number of months in active repayment status (months for which a scheduled monthly payment was due). Active repayment status includes 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. Our experience shows that the percentage of loans in forbearance status decreases the longer the loans have been in active repayment status. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, loans in forbearance status as a percentage of total loans in repayment and forbearance were 2.42.7 percent for Private Education Loans that have been in active repayment status for fewer than 25 months. Approximately 7671 percent of our Private Education Loans in forbearance status have been in active repayment status fewer than 25 months.


(Dollars in millions)
September 30, 2017
 Private Education Loans Monthly Scheduled Payments Due 
Not Yet in
Repayment
 Total
0 to 12 13 to 24 25 to 36 37 to 48 More than 48 
(Dollars in millions)
March 31, 2019
 Private Education Loans Monthly Scheduled Payments Due 
Not Yet in
Repayment
 Total
0 to 12 13 to 24 25 to 36 37 to 48 More than 48 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $5,353
 $5,353
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $5,871
 $5,871
Loans in forbearance 218
 65
 45
 25
 21
 
 374
 351
 83
 71
 53
 52
 
 610
Loans in repayment - current 4,395
 2,893
 1,948
 1,058
 822
 
 11,116
 4,935
 3,391
 2,600
 1,924
 2,079
 
 14,929
Loans in repayment - delinquent 31-60 days 87
 37
 25
 13
 14
 
 176
 89
 40
 34
 24
 29
 
 216
Loans in repayment - delinquent 61-90 days 43
 16
 11
 7
 5
 
 82
 46
 19
 15
 11
 13
 
 104
Loans in repayment - delinquent greater than 90 days 15
 6
 5
 3
 3
 
 32
 30
 11
 9
 6
 6
 
 62
Total $4,758
 $3,017
 $2,034
 $1,106
 $865
 $5,353
 17,133
 $5,451
 $3,544
 $2,729
 $2,018
 $2,179
 $5,871
 21,792
Unamortized discount             53
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)             71
Allowance for loan losses             (227)             (286)
Total Private Education Loans, net             $16,959
             $21,577
                            
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of total Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance 1.85% 0.55% 0.38% 0.21% 0.18% % 3.17% 2.20% 0.52% 0.45% 0.33% 0.33% % 3.83%
 

(Dollars in millions)
September 30, 2016
 Private Education Loans Monthly Scheduled Payments Due 
Not Yet in
Repayment
 Total
0 to 12 13 to 24 25 to 36 37 to 48 More than 48 
(Dollars in millions)
March 31, 2018
 Private Education Loans Monthly Scheduled Payments Due 
Not Yet in
Repayment
 Total
0 to 12 13 to 24 25 to 36 37 to 48 More than 48 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $4,663
 $4,663
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $5,370
 $5,370
Loans in forbearance 172
 46
 31
 17
 14
 
 280
 273
 68
 55
 37
 32
 
 465
Loans in repayment - current 4,040
 2,314
 1,303
 601
 466
 
 8,724
 4,326
 3,131
 2,390
 1,516
 1,273
 
 12,636
Loans in repayment - delinquent 31-60 days 56
 23
 15
 8
 7
 
 109
 78
 36
 29
 18
 19
 
 180
Loans in repayment - delinquent 61-90 days 28
 10
 6
 2
 4
 
 50
 51
 15
 13
 8
 9
 
 96
Loans in repayment - delinquent greater than 90 days 11
 5
 3
 2
 1
 
 22
 26
 7
 6
 4
 4
 
 47
Total $4,307
 $2,398
 $1,358
 $630
 $492
 $4,663
 13,848
 $4,754
 $3,257
 $2,493
 $1,583
 $1,337
 $5,370
 18,794
Unamortized discount             41
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount)             59
Allowance for loan losses             (163)             (252)
Total Private Education Loans, net             $13,726
             $18,601
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of total Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance 1.87% 0.50% 0.34% 0.18% 0.15% % 3.04% 2.03% 0.51% 0.41% 0.28% 0.24% % 3.47%



Private Education Loan Types
The following table provides information regarding the loans in repayment balance and total loan balance by Private Education Loan product type at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.2018.
 
 September 30, 2017 March 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands) 
Signature and
Other
 Parent Loan Smart Option 
Career
Training
 Total 
Signature and
Other
 Parent Loan Smart Option 
Career
Training
 Total
$ in repayment(1)
 $196,563
 $85,655
 $11,109,644
 $14,719
 $11,406,581
 $380,750
 $214,476
 $14,703,422
 $11,912
 $15,310,560
$ in total $355,389
 $86,809
 $16,675,410
 $15,299
 $17,132,907
 $627,350
 $216,840
 $20,934,993
 $12,439
 $21,791,622
 
 
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands) 
Signature and
Other
 Parent Loan Smart Option 
Career
Training
 Total 
Signature and
Other
 Parent Loan Smart Option 
Career
Training
 Total
$ in repayment(1)
 $164,725
 $29,212
 $9,501,040
 $14,781
 $9,709,758
 $297,844
 $175,885
 $14,180,350
 $12,777
 $14,666,856
$ in total $334,512
 $29,430
 $13,872,378
 $15,355
 $14,251,675
 $512,259
 $177,750
 $19,801,184
 $13,272
 $20,504,465
_______
(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.

Accrued Interest Receivable
The following table provides information regarding accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loans. The table also discloses the amount of accrued interest on loans greater than 90 days past due as compared to our allowance for uncollectible interest. The allowance for uncollectible interest exceeds the amount of accrued interest on our 90 days past due portfolio for all periods presented.
 
 
  Private Education Loan
  
Accrued Interest Receivable 
(Dollars in thousands) Total Interest Receivable 
Greater Than
90 Days
Past Due
 
Allowance for
Uncollectible
Interest
September 30, 2017 $1,008,214
 $1,216
 $5,556
December 31, 2016 $739,847
 $845
 $2,898
September 30, 2016 $773,967
 $803
 $3,562
  Private Education Loans
  
Accrued Interest Receivable 
(Dollars in thousands) Total Interest Receivable 
Greater Than
90 Days
Past Due
 
Allowance for
Uncollectible
Interest
March 31, 2019 $1,276,825
 $2,374
 $4,687
December 31, 2018 $1,168,823
 $1,920
 $6,322
March 31, 2018 $1,045,577
 $1,783
 $4,694
 

Personal Loan Delinquencies

The following table provides information regarding the loan status of our Personal Loans.
  Personal Loans
  March 31,
  2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands) Balance % Balance %
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:        
Loans current $1,141,664
 98.2% $672,762
 99.6%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(1)
 9,224
 0.8
 1,463
 0.2
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(1)
 5,991
 0.5
 865
 0.1
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(1)
 5,995
 0.5
 566
 0.1
Total Personal Loans in repayment 1,162,874
 100.0% 675,656
 100.0%
Total Personal Loans, gross 1,162,874
   675,656
  
Personal Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 394
   (163)  
Total Personal Loans 1,163,268
   675,493
  
Personal Loans allowance for losses (70,619)   (18,907)  
Personal Loans, net $1,092,649
   $656,586
  
Delinquencies as a percentage of Personal Loans in repayment   1.8%   0.4%
_______
(1)
The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Funding and Liquidity Risk Management
Our primary liquidity needs include our ongoing ability to fund our businesses throughout market cycles, including during periods of financial stress, our ongoing ability to fund originations of Private Education Loans and Personal Loans and servicing our Bank deposits. To achieve these objectives, we analyze and monitor our liquidity needs, maintain excess liquidity and access diverse funding sources, such as deposits at the Bank, issuance of secured debt primarily through asset-backed securitizations and other financing facilities. It is our policy to manage operations so liquidity needs are fully satisfied through normal operations to avoid unplanned asset sales under emergency conditions. Our liquidity management is governed by policies approved by our Board of Directors. Oversight of these policies is performed in the Asset and Liability Committee, a management-level committee.
These policies take into account the volatility of cash flow forecasts, expected maturities, anticipated loan demand and a variety of other factors to establish minimum liquidity guidelines.
Key risks associated with our liquidity relate to our ability to access the capital markets and the markets for bank deposits at reasonable rates. This ability may be affected by our performance, competitive pressures, the macroeconomic environment and the impact they have on the availability of funding sources in the marketplace.
Sources of Liquidity and Available Capacity
Ending Balances
 
(Dollars in thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Sources of primary liquidity:        
Unrestricted cash and liquid investments:        
Holding Company and other non-bank subsidiaries $27,119
 $18,133
 $26,328
 $25,990
Sallie Mae Bank(1)
 1,220,645
 1,900,660
 2,129,929
 2,533,116
Available-for-sale investments 232,549
 208,603
 207,907
 176,245
Total unrestricted cash and liquid investments $1,480,313
 $2,127,396
 $2,364,164
 $2,735,351
____
(1) This amount will be used primarily to originate Private Education Loans and Personal Loans at the Bank.

Average Balances
 
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2019 2018
Sources of primary liquidity:            
Unrestricted cash and liquid investments:            
Holding Company and other non-bank subsidiaries $27,625
 $22,233
 $26,138
 $19,242
 $25,968
 $19,125
Sallie Mae Bank(1)
 1,418,109
 1,538,485
 1,265,542
 1,247,498
 1,838,484
 1,302,703
Available-for-sale investments 234,169
 209,496
 222,459
 203,986
 188,310
 238,281
Total unrestricted cash and liquid investments $1,679,903
 $1,770,214
 $1,514,139
 $1,470,726
 $2,052,762
 $1,560,109
____
____
(1) This amount will be used primarily to originate Private Education Loans and Personal Loans at the Bank.

Deposits

The following table summarizes total deposits.
 September 30, December 31, March 31, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 2019 2018
Deposits - interest bearing $15,033,524
 $13,434,990
 $19,662,290
 $18,942,082
Deposits - non-interest bearing 528
 677
 1,696
 1,076
Total deposits $15,034,052
 $13,435,667
 $19,663,986
 $18,943,158

Our total deposits of $15.0$19.7 billion were comprised of $7.7$10.6 billion in brokered deposits and $7.3$9.1 billion in retail and other deposits at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, compared to total deposits of $13.4$18.9 billion, which were comprised of $7.1$10.3 billion in brokered deposits and $6.3$8.6 billion in retail and other deposits, at December 31, 2016.2018.
Interest bearing deposits as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 consisted of retail and brokered non-maturity savings deposits, retail and brokered non-maturity MMDAs and brokeredretail and retailbrokered CDs. Interest bearing deposits include deposits from Educational 529 and Health Savings plans that diversify our funding sources and addadditional deposits we consider to be core. These and other large omnibus accounts, aggregating the deposits of many individual depositors, represented $5.5$6.2 billion of our deposit total as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019, compared with $5.9 billion at December 31, 2018.
Some of our deposit products are serviced by third-party providers. Placement fees associated with the brokered CDs are amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method. We recognized placement fee expense of $2.5$4 million and $2.6$3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016, respectively, and placement fee expense of $6.8 million and $7.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2018, respectively. Fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $4.4$1 million and $1.1$7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016, respectively, and fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $9.7 million and $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2018, respectively.
Interest bearing deposits at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 are summarized as follows:
 
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 
(Dollars in thousands) Amount 
Qtr.-End
Weighted
Average
Stated Rate(1)
 Amount 
Year-End
Weighted
Average
Stated Rate(1)
  Amount 
Qtr.-End
Weighted
Average
Stated Rate(1)
 Amount 
Year-End
Weighted
Average
Stated Rate(1)
 
                  
Money market $7,656,169
 1.72% $7,129,404
 1.22%  $8,974,104
 2.59% $8,687,766
 2.46% 
Savings 824,308
 1.09
 834,521
 0.84
  714,518
 2.03
 702,342
 2.00
 
Certificates of deposit 6,553,047
 1.83
 5,471,065
 1.41
  9,973,668
 2.76
 9,551,974
 2.74
 
Deposits - interest bearing $15,033,524
   $13,434,990
 

  $19,662,290
   $18,942,082
 

 
____________
(1) Includes the effect of interest rate swaps in effective hedge relationships.


The increase in rates paid on our interest bearing deposits was generally the result of increases in short-term market interest rates since December 31, 2016.

As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2016,2018, there were $422.4$638 million and $304.5$523 million, respectively, of deposits exceeding FDIC insurance limits. Accrued interest on deposits was $28.2$57 million and $18.9$53 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively.



Counterparty Exposure
Counterparty exposure related to financial instruments arises from the risk that a lending, investment or derivative counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to us.
Excess cash is generally invested with the FRB on an overnight basis or in the FRB’s Term Deposit Facility, minimizing counterparty exposure on cash balances.
Our investment portfolio is primarily comprised of a small portfolio of mortgage-backed securities issued by government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises that are purchased to meet Community Reinvestment Act targets. Additionally, our investing activity is governed by Board-approved limits on the amount that is allowed to be invested with any one issuer based on the credit rating of the issuer, further minimizing our counterparty exposure. Counterparty credit risk is considered when valuing investments and considering impairment.
Related to derivative transactions, protection against counterparty risk is generally provided by International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Credit Support Annexes (“CSAs”), or clearinghouses for over-the-counter derivatives. CSAs require a counterparty to post collateral if a potential default would expose the other party to a loss. All derivative contracts entered into by the Bank are covered under CSAs or clearinghouse agreements and require collateral to be exchanged based on the net fair value of derivatives with each counterparty. Our exposure is limited to the value of the derivative contracts in a gain position, less any collateral held by us and plus collateral posted with the counterparty.
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act requires all standardized derivatives, including most interest rate swaps, to be submitted for clearing to central counterparties to reduce counterparty risk. TheTwo of the central counterparties we use are the CME and the LCH made amendments to their respective rules that resulted in the prospective accounting treatment of certain daily variation margin payments being considered as the legal settlement of the outstanding exposure of the derivative instead of the posting of collateral. The CME rule changes, which became effective in January 2017, result in allLCH. All variation margin payments on derivatives cleared through the CME beingand LCH are accounted for as legal settlement, while the LCH allows the clearing member institution the option to adopt the rule changes on an individual contract or portfolio basis.settlement. As of September 30, 2017, $5.1March 31, 2019, $5.6 billion notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $0.7$0.6 billion were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 85.890.9 percent and 11.99.1 percent, respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $5.9$6.2 billion at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.
Under this new rule, forFor derivatives cleared through the CME and LCH, the net gain (loss) position includes the variation margin amounts as settlement of the derivative and not collateral against the fair value of the derivative. The amount of variation margin included as settlement as of March 31, 2019 was $(33.2) million and $0.3 million for the CME and LCH, respectively. Interest income (expense) related to variation margin on derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments or are designated as fair value relationships is recognized as a gain (loss) rather than as interest income (expense). Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments will be presented as realized gains (losses).
Our LCH clearing member institution has elected not to adopt the new rule change. Therefore, there has been no change to the accounting for the derivatives cleared through the LCH, and variation margin payments required to be exchanged based on the fair value of those derivatives remain accounted for as collateral.
Our exposure is limited to the value of the derivative contracts in a gain position less any collateral held and plus any collateral posted. When there is a net negative exposure, we consider our exposure to the counterparty to be zero. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, we had a net positive exposure (derivative gain positions to us, less collateral held by us and plus collateral posted with counterparties) related to derivatives of $23.6$30 million and $44.6$27 million, respectively.
We have liquidity exposure related to collateral movements between us and our derivative counterparties. Movements in the value of the derivatives, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates, may require us to return cash collateral held or may require us to access primary liquidity to post collateral to counterparties.
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, LCH was not rated by any of the major rating agencies. However, all derivative counterparties are evaluated internally for credit worthiness. LCH has been deemed by management to have strong liquidity and robust capital levels as of our most recent credit review and has been assigned our strongest risk rating.


The table below highlights exposure related to our derivative counterparties as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.

(Dollars in thousands) 
SLM Corporation
and Sallie Mae Bank
Contracts
 
SLM Corporation
and Sallie Mae Bank
Contracts
Total exposure, net of collateral $23,606
 $29,995
Exposure to counterparties with credit ratings, net of collateral $9,785
 $21,683
Percent of exposure to counterparties with credit ratings below S&P AA- or Moody’s Aa3 6.11% %
Percent of exposure to counterparties with credit ratings below S&P A- or Moody’s A3 2.16% %

Regulatory Capital
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federalthe FDIC and state banking authorities.the UDFI. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements and any applicable buffers can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our business, results of operationoperations and financial condition. Under the FDIC’s regulations implementing the U. SU.S. Basel III capital framework and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital standards that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s regulatory capital amounts and its classification under the prompt corrective action framework are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components of capital, risk weightings and other factors.
“Well capitalized” regulatory requirements are the quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy. To qualify as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and Total capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. The following capital amounts and ratios are based upon the Bank’s assets.
  Actual “Well Capitalized” Regulatory Requirements
(Dollars in thousands) AmountRatio Amount Ratio
As of September 30, 2017       
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,285,767
11.8% $1,255,438
>6.5%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,285,767
11.8% $1,545,155
>8.0%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,517,317
13.0% $1,931,444
>10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $2,285,767
11.4% $1,000,262
>5.0%
        
As of December 31, 2016:       
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,011,583
12.6% $1,038,638
>6.5%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,011,583
12.6% $1,278,323
>8.0%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,197,997
13.8% $1,597,904
>10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $2,011,583
11.1% $907,565
>5.0%

 Capital Management
The Bank seeksintends to remain “well capitalized”maintain at all times with sufficientregulatory capital levels that meet both the minimum levels required under U.S. Basel III (including applicable buffers) and the levels necessary to be considered “well capitalized” under the FDIC’s prompt corrective action framework, in order to support asset growth and operating needs, address unexpected credit risks and to protect the interests of depositors and the FDIC-administered Deposit Insurance Fund. The Bank is required by its regulators, the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC, to comply with mandated capital ratios. We intend to maintain levels of capital at the Bank that significantly exceed the levels of capital necessary to be considered “well capitalized”Fund administered by the FDIC. The Company is a source of strength forBank’s Capital Policy requires management to monitor these capital standards and the Bank and will provide additional capital if necessary.Bank’s compliance with them. The Board of Directors and management periodically evaluate the quality of assets, the stability of earnings, and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses for the Bank. The Company is a source of strength for the Bank and will provide additional capital if necessary.
We currently believe that current and projected capital levels are appropriate for 2017.the remainder of 2019. As of March 31, 2019, the Bank’s risk-based and leverage capital ratios exceed the required minimum ratios and the applicable buffers under the fully phased-in U.S. Basel III standards as well as the “well capitalized” standards under the prompt corrective action framework. As our balance sheet continues to grow in 2017,2019, these ratios will decline but willbe stable as we now expect to generate earnings and capital sufficient to cover growth in our risk-weighted assets and remain significantly in excess of thethese regulatory capital levels required to be considered “well capitalized” by our regulators. We do not plan to pay dividends on our common stock. We do not intend to initiate share repurchase programs to return capital to shareholders. We only expect to repurchase common stock acquired in connection with taxes withheld as a result of award exercises and vesting under our employee stock-based compensation plans. Our Board of Directors will periodically reconsider these matters.standards for 2019.
TheUnder U.S. Basel III, the Bank is required to comply with U.S. Basel III, which is aimed at increasing both the quantity and quality of regulatory capital and, among other things, establishes Common Equity Tier 1 as a new tier of capital and modifies methods for calculating risk-weighted assets. Certain aspects of U.S. Basel III, including new deductions from and adjustments to regulatory capital and a new capital conservation buffer, are being phased in over several years. The Bank’s Capital Policy requires management to monitor the new capital standards. The Bank is subject tomaintain the following minimum regulatory capital ratios under U.S. Basel III:ratios: a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0 percent, a Total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0 percent, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0 percent. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, the Bank is subject to a fully phased-in Common Equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of greater than 2.5 percent. (As of December 31, 2018, the Bank was subject to a Common Equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer which will be phased in over three years beginning January 1, 2016: 0.625 percent of risk-weighted assets for 2016, 1.25 percent for 2017, and 1.875 percent for 2018, with the fully phased-in level of greater than 2.5 percent effective as of January 1, 2019.1.875 percent.) Failure to maintain the buffer will result in restrictions on the Bank’s ability to make capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers. Including the buffer, by January 1, 2019, the Bank will be

The Bank’s required to maintain the following minimumand actual regulatory capital ratios: a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of greater than 7.0 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of greater than 8.5 percentamounts and a Total risk-based capital ratio of greater than 10.5 percent.
U.S. Basel III also revised the capital thresholds for the prompt corrective action framework for insured depository institutions. To qualify as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, a Total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent.
As of September 30, 2017, the Bank had a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.8 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.8 percent, a Total risk-based capital ratio of 13.0 percent and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.4 percent, which are each in excess of the current “well capitalized” standard for insured depository institutions. If calculated today based on the fully phased-in U.S. Basel III standards, our ratios would also exceed the capital levels required under U.S. Basel III andare shown in the “well capitalized” standard.following table.
  Actual 
U.S. Basel III
Regulatory Requirements(1)
  AmountRatio Amount Ratio
As of March 31, 2019:       
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,989,525
11.9% $1,757,430
>7.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,989,525
11.9% $2,134,022
>8.5%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $3,303,905
13.2% $2,636,145
>10.5%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $2,989,525
11.0%
(2) 
$1,085,405
>4.0%
        
As of December 31, 2018:       
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,896,091
12.1% $1,528,209
>6.375%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $2,896,091
12.1% $1,887,787
>7.875%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $3,196,279
13.3% $2,367,226
>9.875%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $2,896,091
11.1% $1,039,226
>4.0%
________________             
(1)
Required risk-based capital ratios include the capital conservation buffer.
(2)
The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage ratio exceeds the 5 percent well-capitalized standard for the Tier 1 leverage ratio under the prompt corrective action framework.
Dividends

The Bank is chartered under the laws of the State of Utah and its deposits are insured by the FDIC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends is subject to the laws of Utah and the regulations of the FDIC. Generally, under Utah’s industrial bank laws and regulations as well as FDIC regulations, the Bank may pay dividends to the Company from its net profits without regulatory approval if, following the payment of the dividend, the Bank’s capital and surplus would not be impaired. The Bank paid $85 million in dividends to the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and no dividends for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016. ForMarch 31, 2018. In the foreseeable future, we expect that the Bank to onlywill pay dividends to the Company as may be necessary to provide for regularly scheduledenable the Company to pay any declared dividends payable on the Company’sits Series B Preferred Stock.

Stock and common stock and to consummate any common share repurchases by the Company under its share repurchase program.
Borrowings

Outstanding borrowings consist of unsecured debt and secured borrowings issued through our term ABS program and our ABCPSecured Borrowing Facility. The issuing entities for those secured borrowings are VIEs and are consolidated for accounting purposes. The following table summarizes our borrowings at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5, “Borrowings.”


 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total
Unsecured borrowings:                        
Unsecured debt $
 $196,337
 $196,337
 $
 $
 $
Unsecured debt (fixed-rate) $
 $197,551
 $197,551
 $
 $197,348
 $197,348
Total unsecured borrowings 
 196,337
 196,337
 
 
 
 
 197,551
 197,551
 
 197,348
 197,348
Secured borrowings:                        
Private Education Loan term securitizations $
 $2,542,325
 $2,542,325
 $
 $2,167,979
 $2,167,979
ABCP Facility 300,000
 
 300,000
 
 
 
Private Education Loan term securitizations: 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate 
 2,472,933
 2,472,933
 
 2,284,347
 2,284,347
Variable-rate 
 1,805,922
 1,805,922
 
 1,802,609
 1,802,609
Total Private Education Loan term securitizations 
 4,278,855
 4,278,855
 
 4,086,956
 4,086,956
Secured Borrowing Facility 
 
 
 
 
 
Total secured borrowings 300,000
 2,542,325
 2,842,325
 
 2,167,979
 2,167,979
 
 4,278,855
 4,278,855
 
 4,086,956
 4,086,956
Total $300,000
 $2,738,662
 $3,038,662
 $
 $2,167,979
 $2,167,979
 $
 $4,476,406
 $4,476,406
 $
 $4,284,304
 $4,284,304

Other Borrowing Sources
On April 5, 2017, we issued our unsecured debt offering of $200 million of 5.125 percent Senior Notes due April 5, 2022 at par. We used the net proceeds from this debt offering to redeem all of our 6.97 percent Series A preferred stock and for general corporate purposes.
Borrowed Funds
The Bank maintainsmaintain discretionary uncommitted Federal Funds lines of credit with various correspondent banks, which totaled $125 million at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. The interest rate we are charged to the Bank on these lines of credit is priced at Fed Funds plus a spread at the time of borrowing and is payable daily. The BankWe did not utilize these lines of credit in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or in the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.
The BankWe established an account at the FRB to meet eligibility requirements for access to the Primary Credit borrowing facility at the FRB’s Window. The Primary Credit borrowing facility is a lending program available to depository institutions that are in generally sound financial condition. All borrowings at the Window must be fully collateralized. We can pledge to the FRB asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, as well as FFELP Loans and Private Education Loans, to the FRB as collateral for borrowings at the Window. Generally, collateral value is assigned based on the estimated fair value of the pledged assets. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, the value of our pledged collateral at the FRB totaled $2.5$3.3 billion and $2.6$3.1 billion, respectively. The interest rate charged to us is the discount rate set by the FRB. We did not utilize this facility in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or in the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.
Contractual Loan Commitments
When we approve a Private Education Loan at the beginning of an academic year, that approval may cover the borrowing for the entire academic year. As such, we do not always disburse the full amount of the loan at the time of such approval, but instead have a commitment to fund a portion of the loan at a later date (usually at the start of the second semester or subsequent trimesters). At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had $1.9$0.5 billion of outstanding contractual loan commitments which we expect to fund during the remainder of the 2017/20182018/2019 academic year. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had a $1.6$0.3 million reserve recorded in “Other Liabilities” to cover expected losses that may occur during the one yearone-year loss emergence period on these unfunded commitments.

 Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations addresses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. A discussion of our critical accounting policies, which include allowance for loan losses, fair value measurement,derivative accounting, and transfers of financial assets and the VIE consolidation model, and derivative accounting, can be found in our 20162018 Form 10-K. There were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies during the third quarter of 2017. However, related to derivative accounting, in the first quarter of 2017 we changed the accounting treatment of variation margin payments as a result of changes to the rules of certain of our central clearing parties, as described below.ended March 31, 2019.
Derivative Accounting
The most significant judgments related to derivative accounting are: (1) concluding the derivative is an effective hedge and qualifies for hedge accounting and (2) determining the fair value of certain derivatives and hedged items. To qualify for hedge accounting, a derivative must be a highly effective hedge upon designation and on an ongoing basis. There are no “bright line” tests on what is considered a highly effective hedge. We use a historical regression analysis to prove ongoing and prospective hedge effectiveness. Although some of our valuations are more judgmental than others, we compare the fair values of our derivatives that we calculate to those fair values provided by our counterparties on a monthly basis. We view this as a critical control which helps validate these judgments. Any significant differences with our counterparties are identified and resolved appropriately.
The CME and the LCH made amendments to their respective rules that resulted in the prospective accounting treatment of certain daily variation margin payments being considered as the legal settlement of the outstanding exposure of the derivative instead of the posting of collateral. The CME rule changes, which became effective in January 2017, result in all variation margin payments on derivatives cleared through the CME being accounted for as legal settlement, while the LCH allows the clearing member institution the option to adopt the rule changes on an individual contract or portfolio basis. As of September 30, 2017, $5.1 billion notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $0.7 billion were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 85.8 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $5.9 billion at September 30, 2017.
Under this new rule, for derivatives cleared through the CME, the net gain (loss) position includes the variation margin amounts as settlement of the derivative and not collateral against the fair value of the derivative. Interest income (expense) related to variation margin on derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments or are designated as fair value relationships is recognized as a gain (loss) rather than as interest income (expense). Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments will be presented as realized gains (losses).
Our LCH clearing member institution has elected not to adopt the new rule change. Therefore, there has been no change to the accounting for the derivatives cleared through the LCH, and variation margin payments required to be exchanged based on the fair value of those derivatives remain accounted for as collateral.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
Our interest rate risk management program seeks to manage and control interest rate risk, thereby reducing our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and achieving consistent and acceptable levels of profit in any rate environment and sustainable growth in net interest income over the long term. We evaluate and monitor interest rate risk through two primary methods:
Earnings at Risk (“EAR”), which measures the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on net interest income; and
Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”), which measures the sensitivity or change in the economic value of equity to changes in interest rates.
A number of potential interest rate scenarios are simulated using our asset liability management system. The Bank is the primary source of interest rate risk within the Company. At present, a significant portion of the majority ofBank’s earning assets on the Bank’s balance sheet are priced off of 1-month LIBOR. Therefore, 1-month LIBOR is considered a core rate in our interest rate risk analysis. Other interest rate changes are correlated to changes in 1-month LIBOR withfor analytic purposes, to achieve a parallel yield curve shock for most rates. Some rates are shocked at higher or lower correlations based on historical relationships. In addition, key rates may beare modeled with a floor, which indicates how low each specific rate is likely to move in practice. Rates are adjusted up or down via a set of scenarios that includes both rate shocks and ramps. Rate shocks represent an immediate and sustained change in 1-month LIBOR, pluswith the resulting changes in other indices correlated accordingly. Interest rate ramps represent a linear changeincrease in 1-month LIBOR over the course of 12 months, pluswith the resulting changes in other indices correlated accordingly.
The following table summarizestables summarize the potential effect on earnings over the next 24 months and the potential effect on market values of balance sheet assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by management assuming a hypothetical increase or decrease in market interest rates of 100 basis points and a hypothetical increase in market interest rates of 300 basis points while funding spreads remain constant. The EVE sensitivity is applied only to financial assets and liabilities, including hedging instruments, that existed at the balance sheet date, and does not take into account new assets, liabilities, commitments or hedging instruments that may arise in the future.
With recent increases in the level of interest rates, it became possible in the first quarter of 2017 to measure meaningfully the impact of a downward rate shock of 100 basis points. As the results of this interest rate scenario project a more negative impact to both earnings and to the economic value of equity than the upward shock of 100 basis points, the results of the downward rate shock of 100 basis points have been reflected in the table below. At today’s levels of interest rates, a 300 basis point downward rate shock does not provide a meaningful indication of interest rate sensitivity. These results indicate a market risk profile that has changed slightly from the prior year’s EAR results. The EVE analysis indicates a change in the direction of rate sensitivity, due primarily to a balance sheet mix change toward more fixed-rate Private Education Loans. This leads the overall change in value in response to an upward rate shock to have a minor negative impact on EVE. The baseline valuation of equity showed a higher relative value in 2018 and a lower relative valuation in 2019, due to the significant changes in the shape of the yield curve used for discounting purposes between the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. Both EAR and EVE analyses continue to indicate a relatively low level of interest rate sensitivity.
September 30,March 31,
2017 20162019 2018
+300
Basis Points
 
+100
Basis Points
 
-100
Basis Points
 
+300
Basis Points
 
+100
Basis Points
+300
Basis Points
 
+100
Basis Points
 
-100
Basis Points
 
+300
Basis Points
 
+100
Basis Points
 
-100
Basis Points
                
EAR - Shock+9.3% +3.0% -2.9% +7.2% +2.3%+6.0% +1.9% -1.9% +7.0% +2.3% -2.6%
EAR - Ramp+5.8% +2.6% -2.0% +5.0% +1.6%+6.3% +2.2% -1.7% +5.1% +1.7% -2.0%
EVE+2.3% +0.5% -0.3% -1.0% -0.6%-1.3% -0.6% +0.7% +2.6% +0.9% -2.0%
            
The EVE results in the table above reflect a change in the calculation of the 2019 and 2018 rate sensitivities. A modification of the discounting methodology resulted in a higher baseline EVE measurement, which results in lower sensitivities. The actual dollar changes in EVE in response to interest rate shocks has changed only slightly. Prior to the change

in calculation, the EVE sensitivities at December 31, 2018 were +4.5 percent for “+300 basis points”, +1.3 percent for “+100 basis points” and -3.0 percent for “-100 basis points.”
A primary objective in our funding is to manage our sensitivity to changing interest rates by generally funding our assets with liabilities of similar interest rate repricing characteristics. This funding objective is frequently obtained through the use of derivatives. Uncertainty in loan repayment cash flows and the pricing behavior of our non-maturity retail deposits pose challenges in achieving our interest rate risk objectives. In addition to these considerations, we can have a mismatch in the index (including the frequency of reset) of floating rate debt versus floating rate assets.

As part of its suite of financial products, the Bank offers fixed-rate Private Education Loans. As with other Private Education Loans, the term to maturity is lengthy, and the customer has the option to repay the loan faster than the promissory note requires. Asset securitization and fixed-rate CDs provide intermediate to long-term fixed-rate funding for some of these assets. Additionally, a portion of the fixed-rate loans have been hedged with derivatives, which have been used to convert a portion of variable ratevariable-rate funding to fixed-rate to match the anticipated cash flows of these loans. Any unhedged position arising from the fixed-rate loan portfolio is monitored and modeled to ensure that the interest rate risk does not cause the Company to exceed its policy limits for earnings at risk or for the value of equity at risk.
In the preceding tables, the interest rate sensitivity analysis reflects the heavy balance sheet mix of fully variable LIBOR-based loans, which exceeds the mix of fully variable funding, which includes brokered CDs that have been converted to LIBOR through derivative transactions. The analysis does not anticipate that retail MMDAs or retail savings balances, while relatively sensitive to interest rate changes, will reprice to the full extent of interest rate shocks or ramps. Also considered is (i) the impact of FFELP loans, which receive floor income in low interest rate environments, and will therefore not reprice fully with interest rate shocks and (ii) the impact of fixed-rate loans that have not been fully match-funded through derivative transactions and fixed-rate funding from CDs and asset securitization. An additional consideration which does not impact the results for the third quarter, is the implementation of a loan cap of 25 percent on variable ratevariable-rate loans originated on and after September 25, 2016. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, there were $3.3$10.5 billion of loans with 25 percent interest rate caps on the balance sheet. The overall slightlyless asset-sensitive position will generally cause netat the end of the first quarter of 2019 results in a more balanced interest income to increase somewhat when interest rates rise, and decrease somewhat when interest rates fall. However, thisrate risk profile, leaving the Bank positioned more defensively against potential rate decreases. This sensitivity position will fluctuate somewhat during the year, depending on the funding mix in place at the time of the analysis.
Although we believe that these measurements provide an estimate of our interest rate sensitivity, they do not account for potential changes in credit quality, balance sheet mix and size of our balance sheet. They also do not account for other business developments that could affect net income, or for management actions that could affect net income or could be taken to change our risk profile. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that actual results would not differ materially from the estimated outcomes of our simulations. Further, such simulations do not represent our current view of expected future interest rate movements.


Asset and Liability Funding Gap
The table below presents our assets and liabilities (funding) arranged by underlying indices as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. In the following GAAP presentation, the funding gap only includes derivatives that qualify as effective hedges (those derivatives which are reflected in net interest income, as opposed to those reflected in the “gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” line on the consolidated statements of income). The difference between the asset and the funding is the funding gap for the specified index. This represents at a high level our exposure to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk, which is the risk that the different indices may reset at different frequencies or may not move in the same direction or at the same magnitude. (Note that all fixed-rate assets and liabilities are aggregated into one line item, which does not capture the differences in time due to maturity.)


(Dollars in millions)
Index
 
Frequency of
Variable
Resets
 Assets 
Funding (1) 
 
Funding
Gap
 
Frequency of
Variable
Resets
 Assets 
Funding (1) 
 
Funding
Gap
Fed Funds Effective Rate daily/weekly/monthly $
 $415.8
 $(415.8)
3-month Treasury bill weekly $142.7
 $
 $142.7
 weekly 121.3
 
 121.3
Prime monthly 5.2
 
 5.2
 monthly 2.1
 
 2.1
3-month LIBOR quarterly 
 399.2
 (399.2) quarterly 
 400.0
 (400.0)
1-month LIBOR monthly 13,394.0
 7,972.1
 5,421.9
 monthly 13,763.6
 8,393.4
 5,370.2
1-month LIBOR daily 806.5
 
 806.5
 daily 707.3
 
 707.3
Non-Discrete reset(2)
 daily/weekly 1,314.4
 3,186.9
 (1,872.5) daily/weekly 2,309.9
 3,578.4
 (1,268.5)
Fixed Rate(3)
   5,347.7
 9,452.3
 (4,104.6)
Fixed-Rate(3)
   10,709.4
 14,826.0
 (4,116.6)
Total   $21,010.5
 $21,010.5
 $
   $27,613.6
 $27,613.6
 $
          ______________________
(1) 
Funding (by index) includes the impact of all derivatives that qualify as effective hedges.
(2) 
Assets include restricted and unrestricted cash equivalents and other overnight type instruments. Funding includes liquid retail deposits and the obligation to return cash collateral held related to derivatives exposures.
(3) 
Assets include receivables and other assets (including premiums and reserves). Funding includes unswapped time deposits, liquid MMDAs swapped to fixed ratesfixed-rates and stockholders' equity.

The “Funding Gap” in the above table shows primarily mismatches in the 1-month LIBOR, fixed-rate and Non-Discrete reset categories. As changesChanges in 1-month andthe Fed Funds Effective Rate, 3-month LIBOR and 1-Month LIBOR daily categories are generally quite highly correlated, the minor funding gap associated with 3-month LIBOR is expected to partiallyand should offset the 1-month LIBOR gaps.each other relatively effectively. We consider the overall risk to be moderate since the funding in the Non-Discrete bucket is our liquid retail portfolio, for which we have significant flexibilitythe rates offered are quite highly correlated to reprice at any time, andchanges in the 1-month LIBOR on a monthly basis. The funding in the fixed-rate bucket includes $2.0$2.6 billion of equity $0.5and $0.4 billion of non-interest bearing liabilitiesliabilities. In addition, as of March 31, 2019, a block of fixed-rate funding has been placed on the balance sheet that will mature coincident with an anticipated ABS issuance providing both fixed and $0.7 billion of shorter-term fixed rate CDs whose maturities will coincide with anticipated replacements by long-term funding in the second quarter of 2018, facilitating efficient liquidity and market risk management.variable-rate debt.
We use interest rate swaps and other derivatives to achieve our risk management objectives. Our asset liability management strategy is to match assets with debt (in combination with derivatives) that have the same underlying index and reset frequency or have interest rate characteristics that we believe are highly correlated. The use of funding with index types and reset frequencies that are different from our assets exposes us to interest rate risk in the form of basis and repricing risk. This could result in our cost of funds not moving in the same direction or with the same magnitude as the yield on our assets. While we believe this risk is low, as all of these indices are short-term with rate movements that are highly correlated over a long period of time, market disruptions (which have occurred in recent years) can lead to a temporary divergence between indices, resulting in a negative impact to our earnings.


Weighted Average Life
The following table reflects the weighted average lives of our earning assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.
 
 Weighted
 Average
(Averages in Years)Life
Earning assets 
Education loans5.555.39
Personal loans1.441.37
Cash and investments0.960.55
Total earning assets5.164.74
  
Deposits 
Short-term deposits0.060.61
Long-term deposits2.402.81
Total deposits0.601.13
  
Borrowings 
Short-term borrowings(1)
1.29
Long-term borrowings4.174.10
Total borrowings3.894.10

____

(1)
Weighted average life of short-term borrowings assumes full contractual term for repayment through February 22, 2019.


Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
Regulatory Update
On May 13, 2014, the Bank reached settlements with (a) the FDIC regarding disclosures and assessments of certain late fees, as well as compliance with the SCRA, and (b) the DOJ regarding compliance with the SCRA. In connection with the settlements, the Bank became subject to the FDIC Consent Order and the DOJ Consent Order, which was approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on September 29, 2014. Under the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Navient is responsible for funding all liabilities under the regulatory orders and, as of the date hereof, has funded all liabilities other than fines directly levied against the BankFor information, see Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” in connection with these matters which the Bank is required to pay.
On March 27, 2017, the Bank received confirmation from the FDIC that effective March 23, 2017, the FDIC terminated the FDIC Consent Order. The termination was issued with no conditions.
The Bank continues to be in full compliance with the DOJ Consent Order, including policy and procedure updates. Pursuant to the terms of the DOJ Consent Order, the Bank will remain subject to certain DOJ reporting and record-keeping requirements until September 29, 2018.
In May 2014, the Bank received a CID from the CFPB as part of the CFPB’s separate investigation relating to customer complaints, fees and charges assessed in connection with the servicing of student loans and related collection practices of pre-Spin-Off SLM by entities now subsidiaries of Navient during a time period prior to the Spin-Off (the “CFPB Investigation”). Two state attorneys general also provided the Bank identical CIDs and other state attorneys general have become involved in the inquiry over time (collectively, the “Multi-State Investigation”). To the extent requested, the Bank has been cooperating fully with the CFPB and the attorneys general conducting the Multi-State Investigation. Given the timeframe covered by the CIDs, the CFPB Investigation and the Multi-State Investigation, and the focus on practices and procedures previously conducted by Navient and its servicing subsidiaries prior to the Spin-Off, Navient is leading the response to these investigations. Consequently, we have no basis from which to estimate either the duration or ultimate outcome of these investigations. Additional lawsuits may arise from the Multi-State Investigation which may or may not name the Company, the Bank or any of their current subsidiaries as parties to these suits. As with the Illinois lawsuit described below, the Bank is not responsible for any of the alleged conduct in the Multi-State Investigation or any claims that may arise from related lawsuits. As contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement relating to, and the structure of, the Spin-Off, Navient is legally responsible for, and has accepted responsibility to indemnify the Company against, all costs, expenses, losses and remediation that may arise from these matters.
With regard to the CFPB Investigation, we note that on January 18, 2017, the CFPB filed a complaint in federal court in Pennsylvania against Navient, along with its subsidiaries, Navient Solutions, Inc. and Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc. The complaint alleges these Navient entities, among other things, engaged in deceptive practices with respect to their historic servicing and debt collection practices. Neither SLM, the Bank, nor any of their current subsidiaries are named in, or otherwise a party to, the lawsuit and are not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing. The CFPB’s complaint asserts Navient’s assumption of these liabilities pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
On July 10, 2017, the CFPB released its final rule imposing limitations on the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses and prohibiting the use of class action waivers in various consumer financial products, including private education loans. The rule also provides for the reporting of arbitration proceedings to the CFPB and for related record keeping requirements. The rule will be applicable to all agreements for consumer financial products entered into 240 days or more after publication of the rule.  Consequently, our existing student loan portfolio is not impacted. We will be taking steps to revise our promissory notes to comply with the rule. As a consequence of the rule, in coming years we may experience a possible increase in litigation defense costs and settlements.2018 Form 10-K.

Legal Proceedings
We and our subsidiaries and affiliates are subject to various claims, lawsuits and other actions that arise in the normal course of business. It is common for the Company, our subsidiaries and affiliates to receive information and document requests and investigative demands from state attorneys general, legislative committees and administrative agencies. These requests may be for informational or regulatory purposes and may relate to our business practices, the industries in which we operate, or other companies with whom we conduct business. Our practice has been and continues to be to cooperate with these bodies and be responsive to any such requests.
Pursuant to the terms of the Spin-Off and applicable law, Navient assumed responsibility for all liabilities (whether accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether known or unknown) arising out of or resulting from the conduct of pre-Spin-Off SLM and its subsidiaries’ businesses prior to the Spin-Off, other than certain specifically identified liabilities relating to the conduct of our consumer banking business. Nonetheless, given the prior usage of the Sallie Mae and SLM names by entities now owned by Navient, we and our subsidiaries may from time to time be improperly named as defendants in legal proceedings where the allegations at issue are the legal responsibility of Navient. Most of these legal proceedings involve matters that arose in whole or in part in the ordinary course of business of pre-Spin-Off SLM. Likewise, as the period of time since the Spin-Off increases, so does the likelihood any allegations that may be made may be in part for our own actions in a post-Spin-Off time period and in part for Navient’s conduct in a pre-Spin-Off time period. We will not be providing information on these ordinary course of business proceedings unless there are material issues of fact or disagreement with Navient as to the bases of the proceedings or responsibility therefor that we believe could have a material, adverse impact on our business, assets, financial condition, liquidity or outlook if not resolved in our favor.
On January 18, 2017, the Illinois Attorney General filed a separate lawsuit in Illinois state court against Navient - its subsidiaries Navient Solutions, Inc., Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc., and General Revenue Corporation - and the Bank arising out of the Multi-State Investigation. On March 20, 2017, the Bank moved to dismiss the Illinois Attorney General action as to the Bank, arguing, among other things, the complaint failed to allege with sufficient particularity or specificity how the Bank was responsible for any of the alleged conduct, most of which predated the Bank’s existence. Following argument on the Bank’s motion on July 18, 2017, the Illinois court took the Bank’s motion under advisement. As of the date of this report, the court has not ruled on the Bank’s motion. As contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement relating to, and the structure of, the Spin-Off, Navient is legally responsible for, has assumed, and has accepted responsibility to indemnify the Company against, all costs, expenses, losses and remediation that may arise from these matters.
To date, two other state attorneys general (Washington and Pennsylvania) have filed suits against Navient and one or more of its current subsidiaries arising out of matters arising from the Multi-State Investigation. Neither SLM, the Bank, nor any of their current subsidiaries are named in, or otherwise a party to, the Washington or Pennsylvania lawsuits, and no claims are asserted against them. Each complaint asserts in its own fashion that Navient assumed responsibility for these matters under the Separation and Distribution Agreement for the alleged conduct in the complaints.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business activities involve a variety of risks. Readers should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our 20162018 Form 10-K.


Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchases
The following table provides information relating to our purchase of shares of our common stock in the three months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average Price
Paid per
Share 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(2)  
 
Approximate Dollar
Value
of Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased  Under
Publicly Announced
Plans or
Programs(2)
Period:       
July 1 - July 31, 20179
 $11.21
 
 
August 1 - August 31, 201764
 $10.92
 
 
September - September 30, 20179
 $10.73
 
 
Total third-quarter 201782
 $10.93
 
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average Price
Paid per
Share 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(2)  
 
Approximate Dollar
Value
of Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased  Under
Publicly Announced
Plans or
Programs(2)
Period:       
January 1 - January 31, 2019683
 $10.80
 
 $200,000
February 1 - February 28, 20194,082
 $11.15
 3,499
 $161,000
March 1 - March 31, 20191,960
 $10.83
 1,936
 $140,000
Total first-quarter 20196,725
 $11.02
 5,435
  
_________
(1) 
AllThe total number of shares purchased areincludes: (i) shares purchased under the stock repurchase program discussed herein, and (ii) shares of our common stock tendered to us to satisfy the exercise price in connection with cashless exercises of stock options, and tax withholding obligations in connection with exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units and restrictedperformance stock units.
(2) 
At the present time, the Company doesIn January 2019, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock up to an aggregate repurchase price not have a publicly announcedto exceed $200 million. The share repurchase plan or program.program expires on January 22, 2021.

The closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on SeptemberMarch 29, 20172019 was $11.47.$9.91.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Nothing to report.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.



Item 5.Other Information
Nothing to report.

Item 6.Exhibits
The following exhibits are furnished or filed, as applicable:
12.1
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
  
31.1
  
31.2
  
32.1
  
32.2
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.
  
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
  
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
  
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
  
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
  
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
  
SLM CORPORATION
(Registrant)
  
By:
/S/ STEVEN J. MCGARRY
 
Steven J. McGarry
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
Date: October 18, 2017April 17, 2019


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