EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1032033
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1032033_10-K_2024_0001628280-24-006382.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Our Company Mission
SLM Corporation, more commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the premier financial brand in higher education. As an education solutions company, our mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journeys. We support students and families navigating to, through, and immediately after higher education. We simplify the college planning process and advance higher education access and completion by providing free tools, resources, scholarships, and responsible financing options.
We believe education, in all forms, is the foundation for success, an equalizer of opportunities, and a proven pathway to economic mobility. Higher education increases lifetime wages and enables economic mobility. For example, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics confirms those with bachelor’s degrees earn 68 percent more than those with a high school diploma.1 Those with advanced degrees earn an even greater percentage than those with a high school diploma.1 This effect is multigenerational, as children of parents who are college educated are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than students whose parents did not go to college. Most would agree our society prospers and becomes more economically inclusive when each of its members is provided access to post-secondary education.2 Education represents a transformative investment in one’s future that yields our country’s next nurses, teachers, engineers, business leaders, and more.
Our History
While the Sallie Mae name has existed for more than 50 years, the company that operates as Sallie Mae today, SLM Corporation, was formed in late 2013 and includes its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sallie Mae Bank, an industrial bank established in 2005 (the “Bank”). On April 30, 2014, we legally separated (the “Spin-Off”) from another public company that is now named Navient Corporation (“Navient”), which is in the education loan management, servicing, asset recovery, and consolidation loan business. Navient retained all assets and liabilities generated prior to the Spin-Off other than those explicitly retained by us pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement executed in connection with the Spin-Off (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”). We are a consumer banking business and did not retain any assets or liabilities generated prior to the Spin-Off other than those explicitly retained by us pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement. We sometimes refer to the company that existed prior to the Spin-Off as “pre-Spin-Off SLM.”
Our principal executive offices are located at 300 Continental Drive, Newark, Delaware 19713. Additionally, we have offices in New Castle, Delaware; Salt Lake City, Utah; Indianapolis, Indiana; Newton, Massachusetts; and Sterling, Virginia. Our telephone number is (302) 451-0200.
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1 “Education pays, 2022,” Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023.
2 https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/education-pays
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 3
Our Business
Our business is focused and aligned to strategic imperatives that set the foundation for our continued success. Our focus remains on maximizing the profitability and growth of our core private student loan business, while harnessing and optimizing the power of our brand and attractive client base. In addition, we continue to seek to better inform the external narrative about student lending and Sallie Mae. We also strive to maintain a rigorous and predictable capital allocation and return program to create shareholder value. We are focused on driving a mission-led culture that continues to make Sallie Mae a great place to work. We also continue to strengthen our risk and compliance functions, enhance and build upon our risk management framework, and assess and monitor enterprise-wide risk.
Private Education Loans
Our primary business is to originate and service high-quality Private Education Loans. “Private Education Loans” are education loans for students or their families that are not made, insured, or guaranteed by any state or federal government. We also offer a range of deposit products insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). We serve more families than any other private student loan lender. We originated approximately $6.4 billion of Private Education Loans in 2023, an increase of 7 percent from the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, we had $19.8 billion of Private Education Loans held for investment, net, outstanding.
Our Private Education Loans serve primarily to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the amount funded through family income and savings, scholarships and grants, and federal financial aid. We also extend Private Education Loans as an alternative to similar federal education loan products where we believe our rates are competitive.
Our primary Private Education Loan product is the Smart Option Student Loan, which emphasizes in-school payment features that can produce shorter terms and reduce customers’ total finance charges. Customers generally elect one of three Smart Option repayment types at the time of loan origination. The first two, interest only and fixed payment options, require monthly payments while the student is in school and during the grace period thereafter, and accounted for approximately half of the Private Education Loans the Bank originated during 2023. The third repayment option is the more traditional deferred Private Education Loan product where customers are not required to make payments while the student is in school and during the grace period after separation from school. (The grace period for a Smart Option Student Loan generally runs for six months after the borrower separates from school, but can run for up to 36 months for a small subset of graduate loans.) Lower interest rates on the interest only and fixed payment options encourage customers to elect those options, which help customers reduce their total loan cost compared with the traditional deferred option loan. Approximately half of our customers elect the in-school repayment option. Making payments while in school helps customers become accustomed to making on-time regular loan payments. We offer both variable-rate and fixed-rate loans.
We also offer six loan products for specific graduate programs of study. These include the Sallie Mae Law School Loan, the Sallie Mae MBA Loan, the Sallie Mae Graduate School Loan for Health Professions, the Sallie Mae Medical School Loan, the Sallie Mae Dental School Loan, and the Sallie Mae Graduate School Loan. These products were designed to address the specific needs of graduate students, such as extended grace periods for medical students.
We regularly review and update the terms of our Private Education Loan products. As a holder of Private Education Loans, we bear the full credit risk of the customers. We manage this risk by underwriting and pricing based on customized credit scoring criteria and the addition of qualified cosigners. For Private Education Loans originated during the year ended December 31, 2023, our average FICO scores (representing the higher credit scores of the cosigners or borrowers) at the time of original approval were 748, and approximately 87.5 percent of those loans were cosigned. In addition, for all loans other than Bar Study loans and Residency and Relocation loans, we require school certification of both the need for, and the amount of, every Private Education Loan we originate (to prevent unnecessary borrowing beyond a school’s cost of attendance), and we disburse the loan proceeds directly to the higher education institutions to ensure loan proceeds are applied directly to the student’s education expenses.
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The core of our marketing strategy is to promote our products on campuses through financial aid offices as well as through online and direct marketing to students and families. Our on-campus efforts with approximately 2,100 higher education institutions are actively managed by our relationship management team, the largest in the industry, which has become a trusted resource for financial aid offices.
Our loans are high credit quality and the overwhelming majority of our customers manage their payments with great success. Private Education Loans in repayment include loans on which customers 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. At December 31, 2023, 3.9 percent of Private Education Loans (held for investment) in repayment were 30 days or more delinquent, and Private Education Loans (held for investment) in forbearance were 2.1 percent of loans in repayment and forbearance. In 2023, Private Education Loan net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment were 2.44 percent.
Sallie Mae Bank
The Bank, which is regulated by the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (the “UDFI”), the FDIC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), offers traditional savings products, such as high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit (“CDs”), originates Private Education Loans, and manages a loan portfolio that also includes loans insured or guaranteed under the previously existing Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP Loans”). At December 31, 2023, the Bank had total assets of $29.1 billion, including $19.8 billion of Private Education Loans (held for investment), net, and $534 million of FFELP Loans (held for investment), and total deposits of $21.9 billion.
Our ability to obtain deposit funding and offer competitive interest rates on deposits will be necessary to sustain our Private Education Loan originations and achieve other business goals. Our ability to obtain such funding is dependent, in part, on the capital levels of the Bank and its compliance with other applicable regulatory requirements. At the time of this filing, there are no regulatory restrictions on our ability to obtain deposit funding or the interest rates we offer other than those restrictions generally applicable to all FDIC-insured banks of similar charter and size. We maintained our diversified funding base by raising $1.1 billion in term funding collateralized by pools of Private Education Loans in the long-term asset-backed securities (“ABS”) market in 2023. This brought our total ABS funding outstanding at December 31, 2023 to $4.2 billion, or 21 percent of our total Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio. We plan to continue to use ABS funding, market conditions permitting. This helps us better match-fund our assets and avoids excessive reliance on deposit funding.
See the subsection titled “Regulation of Sallie Mae Bank” under “Supervision and Regulation” for additional details about the Bank.
SmartyPig
Our SmartyPig™ product is a free, FDIC-insured, online, goal-based savings account that helps consumers save for long- and short-term goals. Its tiered interest rates reward consumers for growing their savings. At December 31, 2023, we had $329 million in SmartyPig deposits.
Credit Cards
In May 2023, we sold our portfolio of credit card loans (“Credit Cards”) to a third party. This transaction qualified for sale treatment and removed the balance of the loans from our balance sheet on the settlement date. We recorded a loss of $4 million related to the sale in the second quarter of 2023.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 5
Our Lending Philosophy
Sallie Mae is committed to responsible lending and encourages responsible borrowing by advising students and families to follow this three-step approach to paying for higher education:
Start with money you won’t have to pay back. Supplement savings and income by maximizing scholarships, grants, and work-study.
Explore federal student loans. Explore federal student loan options by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”).
Consider a responsible private student loan. Fill the gap between available resources and any remaining costs of higher education.
The best interests of our customers are front-and-center and integral to our responsible lending philosophy. We reward financial responsibility, emphasize building good credit, and provide flexible repayment terms to help customers manage and eliminate debt. We also embed customer protections in our products. To ensure applicants borrow only what they need to cover their school’s cost of attendance, we actively engage with schools and require school certification before we disburse a Private Education Loan (except for Bar Study loans and Residency and Relocation loans). To help applicants understand their loan and its terms, we provide multiple, customized disclosures explaining the applicant’s interest rate, whether the interest rate is fixed or variable, and the loan’s total cost under the available repayment options. Our Private Education Loans generally feature (i) no origination fees and no prepayment penalties, (ii) an interest rate reduction for those who enroll in and make monthly payments through auto debit, (iii) free access to quarterly FICO credit scores to help customers monitor their credit health, (iv) a choice of repayment options, (v) a choice of either a variable or fixed interest rate, and (vi) loan forgiveness in the case of death or permanent disability of the student borrower.
Our Approach to Assisting Students and Families Borrowing and Repaying Private Education Loans
Approximately half of our Private Education Loan customers elect an in-school repayment option. By making in-school payments, customers learn to establish good repayment patterns, reduce their total loan cost, and graduate with less debt. We send monthly communications to customers while they are in school, even if they have no monthly payments scheduled, to keep them informed and encourage them to reduce the amount they will owe when they leave school.
Some customers transitioning from school to the work force may require more time before they are financially capable of making full payments of principal and interest. Sallie Mae created a Graduated Repayment Period program (the “GRP”) to assist borrowers with additional payment flexibility, allowing eligible customers to make interest-only payments instead of full principal and interest payments for a period of 12 months if they elect within a specified time frame to participate in the GRP. The time frame for electing to participate in the GRP begins six months before expiration of a borrower’s grace period and extends until 12 months after the expiration of the grace period. The 12-month interest-only payments under the GRP begin upon expiration of a borrower’s grace period or election of the GRP, whichever is later.
Our experience has taught us the successful transition from school to full principal and interest repayment status involves making and carrying out a financial plan. As customers approach the principal and interest repayment period on their loans, Sallie Mae engages with them and communicates what to expect during the transition. In addition, SallieMae.com provides educational content for customers on how to organize loans, set up a monthly budget, and understand repayment obligations. Examples are provided to help explain how payments are applied and allocated, and how the accrued interest on alternative repayment programs could affect the cost of customers’ loans. The site also provides important information on benefits available to servicemembers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (the “SCRA”).
After graduation, a student borrower may apply for the cosigner to be released from the loan. This option is available after 12 principal and interest payments are made and the student borrower demonstrates an ability to assume sole responsibility for repayment of the loan. In the event of a cosigner’s death, the student borrower automatically continues as the sole individual on the loan with the same terms.
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If a customer’s account becomes delinquent, our collection teams work with the customer and/or the cosigner to understand their ability to make ongoing payments. If the customer is in financial hardship, we work with the customer and/or cosigner and identify any available alternative arrangements designed to reduce monthly payment obligations. These can include extended repayment schedules, temporary interest rate reductions, in some cases permanent interest rate reductions, and, if appropriate, short-term hardship forbearance. These arrangements are suited to the customer’s individual circumstances and ability to make payments. When we grant forbearance, we counsel customers on the effect forbearance will have on their loan balance. See Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Allowance for Credit Losses - Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool” for additional information about our credit administration practices.
Customer Service
We perform the origination, servicing, and collections activities for all of our Private Education Loans with dedicated representatives assisting customers with various needs, including the military personnel customers who may be eligible for military benefits. We expect the Bank or affiliates of the Bank to retain servicing of all Private Education Loans the Bank originates, regardless of whether the loans are held, sold, or securitized.
Over the past few years, we have implemented several improvements in our ability to interact with our loan customers, including:
•an integrated platform with customer-centric capabilities that allows self-service and empowers our servicing and collections agents, thus streamlining our processes and providing efficiencies;
•an on-line chat function for application support and customer service related inquires;
•a mobile application accessible through smart phones; and
•expansion of customer surveys to gain feedback on areas for improvement within our originations, servicing, and collections functions.
Customer Success
We continue to adapt our business to best serve the needs of families who see us as a trusted advisor and partner. We are strongly invested in our customers’ success. Of total customers, approximately 96 percent of loans in repayment are in good standing, and, on average, fewer than 3 percent of loans default annually.
In 2022, we acquired the assets of Epic Research Education Services, LLC, which did business as Nitro College (“Nitro”). Nitro provides resources that help students and families evaluate how to responsibly pay for college and manage their financial responsibilities after graduation.
The acquisition of Nitro enhanced future strategic growth opportunities and expanded our digital marketing capabilities, reduced the cost to acquire customer accounts, and accelerated our progress to become a broader education solutions provider helping students to, through, and immediately after higher education. In 2024, we plan to transition the related Nitro branding to the Sallie and Sallie Mae brands and platforms.
In 2023, we completed the acquisition of several key assets of Scholly, Inc. (“Scholly”), which is engaged in the business of operating as a scholarship publishing and servicing platform, comprised of websites and mobile application search products that offer custom recommendations for post-secondary scholarships for students, their families, and others as well as related services for scholarship providers. The addition of Scholly assets supports our mission of providing students with the confidence needed to successfully navigate the higher education journey.
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Key Drivers of Private Education Loan Market Growth
The size of the Private Education Loan market is based primarily on three factors: college enrollment levels, the costs of attending college, and the availability of funds from the federal government to pay for a college education. The amounts students and their families can contribute toward college costs and the availability of scholarships and institutional grants are also important. If the cost of education increases at a pace exceeding the sum of family income, savings, federal lending, and scholarships, more students and families can be expected to rely on Private Education Loans. If enrollment levels or college costs decline, or the availability of federal education loans, grants, or subsidies and scholarships significantly increases, Private Education Loan demand could decrease.
We focus primarily on students attending public and private not-for-profit four-year degree granting institutions. We lend to some students attending two-year and for-profit schools. Due to the low cost of two-year programs, federal grant and loan programs are typically sufficient for the funding needs of these students. Approximately 16 percent or $997 million of our 2023 Private Education Loan originations were for students attending for-profit schools. The for-profit schools where we continue to do business are primarily focused on career training and health care fields. We expect students who attend and complete programs at for-profit schools to support the same repayment performance as students who attend and graduate from public and private not-for-profit four-year degree granting institutions.
Our competitors1 in the Private Education Loan market include large banks such as Citizens Financial Group, Inc. and PNC Bank, as well as a number of smaller specialty finance companies such as Sofi Technologies, Inc. and College Ave, and members of the Education Finance Council. We compete based on our products, originations capability, price, and customer service.
Enrollment
We expect enrollment to remain relatively flat over the next several years.
Enrollment at Four-Year Degree Granting Institutions2
(in millions)
•According to the U.S. Department of Education’s projections, the enrollment in four-year degree granting institutions is projected to remain relatively flat from 2022 to 2031.2
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1Source: Enterval LLC 2023 Q3 Private Student Loan Report, November 2023. www.enterval.com
2Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Enrollment in Degree-Granting Institutions Projection Model, through 2031. These are the most recent sources available to us for this information.
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Tuition Rates
•Average published tuition and fees (exclusive of room and board) at four-year public and private not-for-profit institutions increased at compound annual growth rates of 1.9 percent and 3.0 percent, respectively, from AYs 2019-2020 through 2023-2024. Average published tuition and fees at public and private four-year not-for-profit institutions grew 2.2 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively, between AYs 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 and 2.5 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively, between AYs 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.3
Published Tuition and Fees3
(Dollars in actuals)
3 Source: The College Board-Trends in College Pricing 2023. © 2023 The College Board. www.collegeboard.org. The College Board restates its data annually, which may cause previously reported results to vary.
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Sources of Funding
Private Education Loan originations were an estimated $11 billion in AY 2022-2023, and increase of $1 billion from AY 2021 - 2022.4
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4 Source: The College Board-Trends in Student Aid 2023© 2022 The College Board. www.collegeboard.org. Enterval LLC. www.enterval.com. Funding sources in current dollars and include federal and private student loan data. 2023 Private Education Loan market trends and College Board-Trends in Student Aid 2023 © 2023 data, and Enterval report. Other sources for the size of the Private Education Loan market exist and may cite the size of the market differently. The College Board restates its data annually, which may cause previously reported results to vary. We rely on publicly available sources for market estimates, because we believe it provides a more appropriate basis for comparison of the performance of our business.
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•We estimate total spending on higher education was $485 billion in AY 2022-2023, up from $457 billion in AY 2018-2019. Private Education Loan originations increased $2 million from the year-ago period to an estimated $15 billion in AY 2022-2023, and represent just 3.1 percent of total spending on higher education. Modest growth in total spending can lead to meaningful increases in Private Education Loans in the absence of growth in other sources of funding.5
•Over the AYs 2018-2023 period, increases in total spending have been absorbed primarily through increased family contributions. If household finances continue to improve, we would expect this trend to continue.
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5 Source: Total post-secondary education spending is estimated by Sallie Mae determining the full-time equivalents for both graduates and undergraduates and multiplying by the estimated total per person cost of attendance for each school type. In doing so, we utilize information from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics to 2030 (NCES 2023, October 2023), The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), College Board -Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2023. © 2023 The College Board, www.collegeboard.org, and Company analysis. Other sources for these data points also exist publicly and may vary from our computed estimates. NCES, IPEDS, and College Board restate their data annually, which may cause previous reports to vary. We have also recalculated figures in our Company analysis to standardize all costs of attendance to dollars not adjusted for inflation. This has a minimal impact on historically-stated numbers.
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Supervision and Regulation
Overview
We are subject to extensive regulation, examination, and supervision by various federal, state, and local authorities. The more significant aspects of the laws and regulations that apply to us and our subsidiaries are described below. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the applicable statutes, legislation, regulations, and policies, as they may be amended, and as interpreted and applied, by federal, state, and local agencies.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was adopted to reform and strengthen regulation and supervision of the U.S. financial services industry. It contains comprehensive provisions to govern the practices and oversight of financial institutions and other participants in the financial markets. It mandates significant regulations, additional requirements, and oversight on almost every aspect of the U.S. financial services industry, including increased capital and liquidity requirements, limits on leverage, and enhanced supervisory authority. It requires the issuance of many regulations, which will take effect over several years.
Additionally, states are taking an increased interest in directly regulating the conduct and practices of student loan lenders and servicers. Some states have enacted legislation creating specialized offices within state government to oversee the student loan origination and servicing industry operating within those states, as well as to set minimum standards governing the practices of student loan lenders and servicers. This represents a significant change from the past in which states generally did not issue laws and regulations tailored specifically to the student loan origination and servicing industry.
Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations
Our origination, servicing, first-party collection, and deposit taking activities subject us to federal and state consumer protection, privacy, and related laws and regulations. Some of the more significant laws and regulations applicable to our business include:
•various state and federal laws governing unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices;
•various state laws and regulations imposing specific, mandated standards and requirements on the conduct and practices of student loan lenders and servicers;
•the federal Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z, which govern disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
•the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Regulation V, which govern the use and provision of information to consumer reporting agencies;
•the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, which prohibit creditor practices that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, and other prohibited factors in extending credit;
•the SCRA, which applies to all debts incurred prior to commencement of active military service (including education loans) and limits the amount of interest, including fees, that may be charged;
•the Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD, which mandate certain disclosures related to consumer deposit accounts;
•the Expedited Funds Availability Act, Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act and Regulation CC issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), which relate to the availability of deposit funds to consumers;
•the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain the confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with federal government requests for and subpoenas of financial records;
•the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, which govern automated transfers of funds and consumers’ rights related thereto;
•the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which governs communication methods that may be used to contact customers;
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•the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which governs the ability of financial institutions to disclose nonpublic information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties; and
•the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act, which govern transparency and disclosure obligations regarding personal information of residents of the State of California.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The CFPB has broad authority to promulgate regulations under federal consumer financial protection laws and to directly or indirectly enforce those laws, including providing regulatory oversight of the private education loan industry, and to examine financial institutions for compliance. It is authorized to collect fines and order consumer restitution in the event of violations, engage in consumer financial education, track consumer complaints, request data, and promote the availability of financial services to underserved consumers and communities. It has authority to prevent unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices by issuing regulations or by using its enforcement authority without first issuing regulations. The CFPB has been active in its supervision, examination, and enforcement of financial services companies, notably bringing enforcement actions, imposing fines, and mandating large refunds to customers of several large banking institutions. The CFPB is the Bank’s primary consumer compliance supervisor with compliance examination authority and primary consumer protection enforcement authority. The UDFI and FDIC remain the prudential regulatory authorities with respect to the Bank’s financial strength.
The Private Education Loan Ombudsman within the CFPB is authorized to receive and attempt to informally resolve inquiries about private education loans. The Private Education Loan Ombudsman is required by law to report to Congress annually on the trends and issues identified through this process. The CFPB continues to take an active interest in the student loan industry, undertaking a number of initiatives related to the private education loan market and student loan servicing. In early February 2020, the CFPB entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Education (the “CFPB/DOE MOU”) in order to better serve student loan borrowers. Under the agreement, the agencies share complaint information from borrowers and meet quarterly to discuss, among other things, the nature of complaints received and available information about the resolution of complaints.
Regulation of Sallie Mae Bank
The Bank was chartered in 2005 and is a Utah industrial bank regulated by the FDIC, the UDFI, and the CFPB. We are not a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act and therefore are not subject to the federal regulations applicable to bank holding companies. However, we and our non-bank subsidiaries are subject to regulation and oversight as institution-affiliated parties. The following discussion sets forth some of the elements of the bank regulatory framework applicable to us, the Bank, and our other non-bank subsidiaries.
General
The Bank is currently subject to prudential regulation and examination by the FDIC and the UDFI, and consumer compliance regulation and examination by the CFPB. Numerous other federal and state laws and regulations govern almost all aspects of the operations of the Bank and, to some degree, our operations and those of our non-bank subsidiaries as institution-affiliated parties.
Actions by Federal and State Regulators
Under federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the safety and soundness of insured depository institutions, the UDFI and the FDIC have the authority to compel or restrict certain actions of the Bank if it is determined to lack sufficient capital or other resources, or is otherwise operating in a manner deemed to be inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices. Under this authority, the Bank’s regulators can require it to enter into informal or formal supervisory agreements, including board resolutions, memoranda of understanding, written agreements, and consent or cease and desist orders, pursuant to which the Bank would be required to take identified corrective actions to address cited concerns and refrain from taking certain actions.
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Enforcement Powers of Regulators
As “institution-affiliated parties” of the Bank, we, our non-bank subsidiaries, and our management, employees, agents, independent contractors, and consultants are subject to potential civil and criminal penalties for violations of law, regulations, or written orders of a government agency. Violations can include failure to timely file required reports, filing false or misleading information, or submitting inaccurate reports. Civil penalties may be as high as $1,000,000 per day for such violations, and criminal penalties for some financial institution crimes may include imprisonment for 20 years. Regulators have flexibility to commence enforcement actions against institutions and institution-affiliated parties, and the FDIC has the authority to terminate deposit insurance. When issued by a banking agency, cease and desist and similar orders may, among other things, require affirmative action to correct any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including by compelling restitution, reimbursement, indemnifications, or guarantees against loss. A financial institution may also be ordered to restrict its growth, dispose of certain assets, rescind agreements or contracts, or take other actions determined to be appropriate by the ordering agency. The federal banking regulators also may remove a director or officer from an insured depository institution (or bar them from the industry) if a violation is willful or reckless.
In May 2014, the Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand (“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”). To the extent requested, the Bank has been cooperating fully with the CFPB. Given the timeframe covered by the CID and the CFPB 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 this 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.
Pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and as contemplated by the structure of the Spin-Off, Navient is legally obligated to indemnify the Bank against all claims, actions, damages, losses, or expenses that may arise from the conduct of all activities of pre-Spin-Off SLM occurring prior to the Spin-Off, except for certain liabilities related to the conduct of the pre-Spin-Off consumer banking business that were specifically assumed by the Bank (and as to which the Bank is obligated to indemnify Navient). Navient has acknowledged its indemnification obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, in connection with the previously disclosed investigation matters and the now resolved multistate litigation. Navient has informed the Bank, however, that it believes the Bank may be responsible to indemnify Navient against certain potential liabilities arising from the above-described lawsuits under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and/or a separate loan servicing agreement between the parties, and has suggested that the parties defer further discussion regarding indemnification obligations, and reimbursement of ongoing legal costs, in connection with the lawsuits. The Bank disagrees with Navient’s position and the Bank has reiterated to Navient that Navient is responsible for promptly indemnifying the Bank against all liabilities arising out of the conduct of pre-Spin-Off SLM that are at issue.
Standards for Safety and Soundness
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the federal banking regulatory agencies such as the FDIC to prescribe, by regulation or guidance, operational and managerial standards for all insured depository institutions, such as the Bank, relating to internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, and asset quality. The agencies also must prescribe standards for earnings and stock valuation, as well as standards for compensation, fees, and benefits. The federal banking regulators have implemented these required standards through regulations and interagency guidance designed to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. Under the regulations, if a regulator determines a bank fails to meet any prescribed standards, the regulator may require the bank to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance, consistent with deadlines for the submission and review of such safety and soundness compliance plans.
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Dividends and Share Repurchase Programs
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 Company relies on dividends from the Bank, as necessary, to enable the Company to pay any declared dividends and other payments and consummate share repurchases, as described herein.
The Company pays quarterly cash dividends on its outstanding Floating-Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) when, as, and if declared by its Board of Directors, in the Board’s discretion. In January 2019, the Company initiated a new policy to pay a regular, quarterly cash dividend on its common stock as well, beginning in the first quarter of 2019, and its Board of Directors approved a common stock share repurchase program.
Common stock dividend declarations are subject to determination by, and the discretion of, the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company may change its common stock dividend policy at any time.
The January 23, 2019 share repurchase program (the “2019 Share Repurchase Program”), which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 22, 2021, permitted the Company to repurchase from time to time shares of its common stock up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $200 million. We utilized all capacity under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program, having repurchased 17 million shares of common stock for $167 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 3 million shares of common stock for $33 million in the year ended December 31, 2020.
The January 22, 2020 share repurchase program (the “2020 Share Repurchase Program”), which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 21, 2022, permitted the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $600 million.
Under the authority of the 2020 Share Repurchase Program, on March 10, 2020, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR”) with a third-party financial institution under which we paid $525 million for an upfront delivery of our common stock and a forward agreement. On March 11, 2020, the third-party financial institution delivered to us approximately 45 million shares. The final total actual number of shares of common stock delivered to us pursuant to the forward agreement was based upon the Rule 10b-18 volume-weighted average price at which the shares of our common stock traded during the regular trading sessions on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during the term of the ASR. The transactions were accounted for as equity transactions and were included in treasury stock when the shares were received, at which time there was an immediate reduction in the weighted average common shares calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share. On January 26, 2021, we completed the ASR and upon final settlement on January 28, 2021, we received an additional 13 million shares. In total, we repurchased 58 million shares under the ASR at an average price per share of $9.01. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 14, “Stockholders’ Equity.”
Under the 2020 Share Repurchase Program, we repurchased an additional 4 million shares of common stock for $75 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. We have utilized all capacity under the 2020 Share Repurchase Program.
On January 27, 2021, the Company announced another share repurchase program (the “2021 Share Repurchase Program”), which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 26, 2023, and originally permitted the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $1.25 billion.
On February 2, 2021, under the auspices of the 2021 Share Repurchase Program, we announced the commencement of a “modified Dutch Auction” tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase up to $1 billion in aggregate purchase price of our outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.20 per share. Pursuant to the Tender Offer, we repurchased 28.5 million shares at a price of $16.50 per share. The purchase of shares settled on March 16, 2021, for an aggregate cost of approximately $472 million, including fees and expenses related to the Tender Offer. We cancelled the 28.5 million shares purchased in connection with the Tender Offer.
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In October 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $250 million increase in the amount of common stock that could be repurchased under our 2021 Share Repurchase Program, which expired on January 26, 2023. This was in addition to the original $1.25 billion of authorization announced on January 27, 2021, for a total 2021 Share Repurchase Program authorization of $1.5 billion. Of the total $1.5 billion 2021 Share Repurchase Program authorization, we repurchased 81.1 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $18.07, for $1.46 billion in the year ended December 31, 2021. (Those amounts include the shares repurchased under the Tender Offer described above.) We also repurchased 2.0 million shares of common stock under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program for $38 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. We have utilized all capacity under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program.
On January 26, 2022, we announced another share repurchase program (the “2022 Share Repurchase Program”), which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 25, 2024, and permitted us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $1.25 billion. Under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program, we repurchased 38.2 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $17.52, for $669 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 and repurchased 22.3 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $15.64, for $349 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. There was $236 million of capacity remaining under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program at December 31, 2023. Any capacity remaining unused under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program on January 25, 2024 expired on that date pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Share Repurchase Program.
On January 24, 2024, we announced a new share repurchase program (the “2024 Share Repurchase Program”), which became effective on January 26, 2024 and expires on February 6, 2026, and permits us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $650 million.
Under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, repurchases may occur from time to time and through a variety of methods, including open market repurchases, repurchases effected through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, negotiated block purchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, tender offers, or other similar transactions. The timing and volume of any repurchases will be subject to market conditions, and there can be no guarantee that the Company will repurchase up to the limit of the 2024 Share Repurchase Program or at all.
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 common stock and to consummate any common share repurchases by the Company under the share repurchase programs. The Bank declared $550 million, $700 million, and $1.4 billion in dividends for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, with the proceeds primarily used to fund share repurchase programs and stock dividends.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and the UDFI. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial position. 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 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.
The Bank is subject to the following minimum capital ratios under U.S. Basel III: 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, the Bank is subject to a Common Equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of greater than 2.5 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, the Bank is required to maintain the following capital ratios under U.S. Basel III in order to avoid such restrictions: 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 percent, and a Total risk-based capital ratio of greater than 10.5 percent.
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To qualify as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework for insured depository institutions, 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.
In July 2023, the federal banking agencies proposed a rule to implement significant changes to the U.S. Basel III regulatory capital requirements. The proposed changes to the regulatory capital requirements generally would amend or introduce approaches and methodologies that would apply to banking organizations with total consolidated assets of $100 billion or more or to banking organizations with significant trading activity. The proposed rule therefore would not affect the Bank’s capital requirements or the calculation of its capital ratios.
Under regulations issued by the FDIC and other federal banking agencies, banking organizations that adopted the current expected credit losses accounting standard (“CECL”) during the 2020 calendar year, including the Bank, could elect to delay for two years, and then phase in over the following three years, the effects on regulatory capital of CECL relative to the incurred loss methodology. The Bank elected to use this option. Therefore, the regulatory capital impact of the Bank’s transition adjustments recorded on January 1, 2020 from the adoption of CECL, and 25 percent of the ongoing impact of CECL on the Bank’s allowance for credit losses, retained earnings, and average total consolidated assets, each as reported for regulatory capital purposes (collectively, the “adjusted transition amounts”), were deferred for the two-year period ending January 1, 2022. On January 1, 2022, 25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts was phased in for regulatory capital purposes. On January 1, 2023, an additional 25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts was phased in for regulatory capital purposes. On January 1 of 2024 and 2025, the adjusted transition amounts will continue to be phased in for regulatory capital purposes at a rate of 25 percent per year, with the phased-in amounts included in regulatory capital at the beginning of each year. The Bank’s January 1, 2020 CECL transition amounts increased our allowance for credit losses by $1.1 billion, increased the liability representing our off-balance sheet exposure for unfunded commitments by $116 million, and increased our deferred tax asset by $306 million, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced retained earnings by $953 million. This transition adjustment was inclusive of qualitative adjustments incorporated into our CECL allowance as necessary, to address any limitations in the models used.
At December 31, 2023, the adjusted transition amounts that were deferred and are being phased in for regulatory capital purposes are as follows:
Adjusted Transition Amounts Phase-In Amounts for the Year Ended Phase-In Amounts for the Year Ended Remaining Adjusted Transition Amounts to be Phased-In
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2023
Retained earnings $ 836,351 $ (209,088) $ (209,088) $ 418,175
Allowance for credit losses 1,038,145 (259,536) (259,536) 519,073
Liability for unfunded commitments 104,377 (26,094) (26,094) 52,189
Deferred tax asset 306,171 (76,542) (76,542) 153,087
Stress Testing Requirements
The Bank is not currently subject to stress testing requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act. However, under regulatory guidance, the Bank still conducts annual capital stress tests, the results of which it presents to its prudential regulators - the FDIC and the UDFI - for their review. The Bank also conducts quarterly liquidity stress tests to evaluate the adequacy of its liquidity sources under various stress scenarios and provides the results to its Board of Directors. These results are submitted to the Bank’s prudential regulators at their request.
Deposit Insurance and Assessments
Deposits at the Bank are insured up to the applicable legal limits by the FDIC-administered Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”), which is funded primarily by quarterly assessments on insured banks. An insured bank’s
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 17
assessment is calculated by multiplying its assessment rate by its assessment base. A bank’s assessment base and assessment rate are determined each quarter.
The Bank’s insurance assessment base currently is its average consolidated total assets minus its average tangible equity during the assessment period. The Bank’s assessment rate is determined by the FDIC using a number of factors, including the results of supervisory evaluations, the Bank’s capital ratios and its financial condition, as well as the risk posed by the Bank to the DIF. Assessment rates for insured banks also are subject to adjustment depending on a number of factors, including significant holdings of brokered deposits in certain instances and the issuance or holding of certain types of debt.
Deposits
With respect to brokered deposits, an insured depository institution must be well capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework in order to accept, renew, or roll over such deposits without FDIC clearance. An adequately capitalized insured depository institution must obtain a waiver from the FDIC to accept, renew, or roll over brokered deposits. Undercapitalized insured depository institutions generally may not accept, renew, or roll over brokered deposits. For more information on the Bank’s deposits, see Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Key Financial Measures - Funding Sources.”
Regulatory Examinations
The Bank currently undergoes regular on-site examinations by the Bank’s regulators, who examine for adherence to a range of legal and regulatory compliance responsibilities. A regulator conducting an examination has unfettered access to the books and records of the examined institution. The results of the examination are confidential. The cost of examinations may be assessed against the examined institution as the agency deems necessary or appropriate.
Source of Strength
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, we are required to serve as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank in circumstances when we might not do so absent the statutory requirement. Any loan by us to the Bank would be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain other indebtedness of the Bank.
Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”) requires the FDIC to evaluate the record of the Bank in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution. These evaluations are considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could result in additional requirements and limitations on the Bank. The Bank has received a CRA rating of Outstanding.
Privacy Laws
The federal banking regulators, as required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), have adopted regulations that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. Financial institutions are required to disclose to consumers their policies for collecting and protecting confidential customer information. Customers generally may prevent financial institutions from sharing nonpublic personal information with nonaffiliated third parties, with some exceptions. Financial institutions generally may not disclose certain consumer or account information to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing, or other marketing. The privacy regulations also restrict information sharing among affiliates for marketing purposes and govern the use and provision of information to consumer reporting agencies. Federal and state banking agencies have prescribed standards for maintaining the security and confidentiality of consumer information, and the Bank is subject to such standards, as well as certain federal and state laws or standards for notifying consumers in the event of a security breach. In addition, we must comply with increasingly complex and rigorous data privacy and data security laws and regulatory standards enacted to protect business and personal data. These laws impose additional obligations on companies regarding the handling of personal data and provide certain individual privacy rights to persons whose data is stored and shared. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulatory standards could subject us to legal and reputational risk. For example,
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California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), which became effective on January 1, 2020, and the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”), which expands upon the CCPA and brought additional compliance obligations with respect to certain processing of personal information of California residents once it came into effect in most material respects on January 1, 2023. The CCPA and CCRA apply to for-profit businesses that conduct business in California and meet certain revenue or data collection thresholds. The CCPA and CCRA contain several exemptions, including an exemption applicable to information that is collected, processed, sold, or disclosed pursuant to the GLBA. However, the definition of personal information is expanded under the California statutes to apply to certain data beyond the scope of the GLBA exemption. Additionally, numerous other states have enacted or are in the process of enacting state-level data privacy and security laws and regulations relating to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, security, and other processing of personal information. Misuse of or failure to secure certain personal information could result in violation of data privacy laws and regulations, proceedings against the Company by governmental entities or others, damage to our reputation and credibility, and could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If other states in the U.S. adopt similar laws or if a comprehensive federal data privacy law is enacted, we may expend considerable additional resources to meet these requirements and the overall risk to the Company could incrementally increase depending upon the reach and application of any such laws.
State Regulation of Student Loan Lenders and Servicers
In certain states, laws regulating the conduct of student loan lenders and servicers may apply to and impact the origination and servicing practices of the Bank. While these state laws vary in content, they generally include components relating to licensure and oversight by state authorities and the creation of specialized student loan ombudsman offices to oversee the student loan industry operating within these states. These laws may also include requirements pertaining to payment processing, customer communications, the handling of customer inquiries and complaints, information concerning loan repayment options, access to borrower account records, the processing of disability applications and borrower requests to remove cosigners from loans, and debt collection, among other requirements. Notably, these laws often include provisions for enforcement of alleged violations by state regulators as well as private litigation by aggrieved consumers.
Other Sources of Regulation
Many other aspects of our businesses are subject to federal and state regulation and administrative oversight. Some of the most significant of these are described below.
Oversight of Derivatives
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act requires all standardized derivatives, including most interest rate swaps, to be submitted for clearing to central intermediaries to reduce counterparty risk. Two of the central intermediaries we use are the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the “CME”) and the London Clearing House (the “LCH”). All variation margin payments on derivatives cleared through the CME and LCH are required to be accounted for as legal settlement. As of December 31, 2023, $1.8 billion notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $0.1 billion were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 92.6 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $1.9 billion at December 31, 2023. 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.
Credit Risk Retention
The Dodd-Frank risk retention rules generally require sponsors of ABS, such as Sallie Mae, to retain an economic interest in an ABS transaction that represents at least five percent of the credit risk of the assets being securitized. We early adopted the Dodd-Frank risk retention rules beginning with our 2016-A securitization transaction completed in May 2016. For our 2016-A transaction and subsequent securitizations that are treated as on-balance sheet, we comply with the Dodd-Frank risk retention rules by retaining (for a requisite period of time) an “eligible horizontal residual interest” comprised of residual certificates representing at least five percent of the fair value of all ABS interests issued in the securitization transaction, determined as of the date of transfer. With any securitizations that are treated as off-balance sheet, including any loan sale transactions structured as securitizations, we comply with the Dodd-Frank risk retention rules by retaining (for a requisite period) an “eligible vertical interest” comprised of a five percent interest in each class of ABS interests issued in any such transaction;
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for future off-balance securitizations, we may also comply with the Dodd-Frank risk retention rules by retaining (for a requisite period) a single interest entitling the holder to five percent of any amounts payable by the trustee in respect of each interest issued by the issuing trust.
Anti-Money Laundering, the USA PATRIOT Act, and U.S. Economic Sanctions
The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”), which amended the Bank Secrecy Act, substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties, and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued and, in some cases, proposed a number of regulations that apply various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions such as the Bank. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate internal policies, procedures, and controls to detect, prevent, and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. In addition, U.S. law generally prohibits or substantially restricts U.S. persons from doing business with countries designated by the U.S. Department of State as state sponsors of terrorism. Under U.S. law, there are similar prohibitions or restrictions with countries subject to other U.S. economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or other agencies. We maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with relevant U.S. laws and regulations applicable to U.S. persons.
Volcker Rule
In December 2013, the U.S. banking agencies, the SEC, and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued final rules to implement the “Volcker Rule” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The rules prohibit insured depository institutions and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and from investing in, sponsoring, or having certain financial relationships with, certain private funds. These prohibitions are subject to a number of important exclusions and exemptions that, for example, permit insured depository institutions and their affiliates to trade for risk-mitigating hedging and liquidity management, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. The Volcker Rule does not have a meaningful effect on our current operations or those of our subsidiaries, as we do not materially engage in the businesses prohibited by the Volcker Rule.
Human Capital Resources and Talent Development
We believe in a just and inclusive, values-based, mission-led culture that inspires commitment and drives performance. Our human capital strategy is focused on the attraction, development, empowerment, recognition, and rewarding of team members as they bring our mission to life.
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 1,740 team members, all located in the United States. We believe an engaged workforce leads to a more innovative, productive, and profitable company. For this reason, we measure employee engagement through culture surveys. These culture surveys provide insights we use to create an environment in which team members thrive and bring their full selves to work.
We strive to create a diverse culture of inclusion - an environment that encourages and reinforces mutual trust, makes it safe to express thoughts, ideas and concerns, and connects and embraces diverse backgrounds and perspectives to power and fuel our mission. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce can lead to a more effective company.
We are focused on providing a total compensation package that enables us to attract, motivate, and retain the best possible talent to help drive our business forward. We believe in paying competitive market wages, and our benefits package includes Company contributions to the 401(k), educational assistance to our team members and their dependents, flexible work arrangements, and other comprehensive health and welfare programs.
We have made significant investments in learning and talent development, and provide team members with the tools and resources necessary to support their success and drive performance of the Company.
Our team members are involved in the communities in which they live and work through the Sallie Mae Employee Volunteer Program and the Sallie Mae Employee Matching Gift Program. In 2023, our team members donated approximately 3,700 hours through our community engagement programs. We also provide matching gifts for team members to support their interests and needs and those of their communities.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS
Below is a summary of the principal factors that make an investment in our securities risky. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of the risks summarized in this risk factor summary, and other risks that we face, can be found below and should be carefully considered, together with other information in this Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC, before making an investment decision regarding our stock.
•Our product offerings are primarily concentrated in loan products for higher education and deposit products for online depositors. Such concentrations and the competitive environment for those products subject us to risks that could adversely affect our financial position.
•Consumer access to alternative means of financing the costs of education and other factors may reduce demand for, or adversely affect our ability to retain, Private Education Loans, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
•Consolidation or refinancing of existing Private Education Loans could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
•Defaults on our loans, particularly Private Education Loans, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
•Our allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses, and we may be required to materially increase our allowance, which may adversely affect our capital, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
•We are subject to the creditworthiness of third parties other than borrowers and exposure to those third parties could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
•The levels of or changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, regulatory capital, and/or liquidity.
•The interest rate and maturity characteristics of our earning assets do not fully match the interest rate and maturity characteristics of our funding arrangements. We are also subject to repayment and prepayment risks. These can increase uncertainty and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
•Our use of derivatives to manage interest rate sensitivity exposes us to credit and market risk that could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.
•The discontinuance of LIBOR could adversely affect our business and financial results.
•Our ability to achieve our business goals will be heavily reliant on our ability to obtain deposits, obtain funding through asset-backed securitizations, and sell loans at attractive prices to help fund any share repurchase programs that may be authorized from time to time. An inability to effectively manage our liquidity could have a material adverse effect on us.
•In structuring and facilitating securitizations or sales of Private Education Loans, administering securitization trusts, or servicing loans we have securitized or sold, we may incur liabilities to transaction parties. If those liabilities are significant, they could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
•Adverse developments, and/or a continuation of recent turmoil, in the financial services industry could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
•The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements, and failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material adverse effect on us.
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•Unfavorable results from the periodic stress scenarios we model under regulatory guidance may adversely affect our business and result in regulatory action that could adversely affect us.
•Changes in accounting standards, or incorrect estimates and assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, could adversely affect us.
•We operate in a highly regulated environment and the laws and regulations that govern our operations, or changes in these laws and regulations, or our failure to comply with them, may adversely affect us.
•Failure to comply with consumer protection, privacy, data protection, or cybersecurity laws and requirements could subject us to civil and criminal penalties or litigation, including class actions, and have a material adverse effect on our business.
•Our framework for managing risks, including model risk and data governance risk, may not be effective in mitigating our risk of loss and, if the framework is ineffective, could have a material adverse effect on us.
•Proposals of federal and state governments, or of various political candidates, affecting the student loan industry in particular subject us to political risk and could have a material adverse impact on us.
•We are subject to reputational risk, including risk arising from environmental, social, and governance matters or other areas or events, which could damage our brand and have a material adverse impact on us.
•Failure or significant interruption of our operating systems or infrastructure or the inability to adapt to changes could disrupt our business, cause significant losses, result in regulatory action or litigation, or damage our reputation.
•We could lose market share if we are not able to keep pace with rapid changes in technology.
•We depend on secure information technology and a breach of those systems or those of third-party vendors could materially adversely affect us and lead to significant financial, legal, and reputational exposure.
•We depend significantly on third parties for a wide array of our operations and customer services and key components of our information technology infrastructure, and a breach of security or service levels, or violation of law by one of these third parties, could disrupt our business.
•We may face risks from our operations related to litigation or regulatory or supervisory actions that could result in significant legal expenses and settlement or damage awards.
•Our internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls, as well as other internal controls, may be ineffective, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or results of operations.
•Our business operations and those of our third-party vendors may be adversely impacted by unpredictable catastrophic events.
•New lines of business and our ability to successfully make acquisitions are subject to significant risks.
•Because of Navient’s indemnification obligations, we have significant exposures to risks related to its creditworthiness.
•The holders of our preferred stock have rights that are senior to those of our common shareholders.
•We may be limited in our ability to receive dividends from the Bank, pay dividends on and repurchase our common stock, and make payments on our corporate debt.
•Our business could be negatively affected if we are unable to attract, retain, and motivate skilled employees.
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RISK FACTORS
We face many risks and uncertainties, any one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition (including capital and liquidity), results of operations, cash flows, and/or stock price. We describe certain of these risk and uncertainties in this section, although we may be adversely affected by other risks or uncertainties that (i) are presently not known to us, (ii) we have failed to identify or appreciate, or (iii) we currently consider immaterial. These Risk Factors, together with other information in this Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC, should be carefully considered before making an investment decision regarding our stock.
CONCENTRATION RISK
Our product offerings are primarily concentrated in loan products for higher education and deposit products for online depositors. Such concentrations and the competitive environment for those products subject us to risks that could adversely affect our financial position.
At December 31, 2023, approximately 72 percent of our total assets, and 84 percent of our total assets excluding cash and cash equivalents, were comprised of Private Education Loans. This concentration poses the risk that any disruption, dislocation, significant adverse legislative or regulatory change, or other negative event or trend in the Private Education Loan market, the overall education loan market, or the overall economic environment, including an inflationary and rising or high interest rate environment or a recession in the U.S., could disproportionately and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We face competition in the Private Education Loan market from a variety of players. We compete with banks and other consumer lending institutions, many of whom have strong consumer brand name recognition, greater financial resources, and greater diversification in their mix of assets, which can enable them to be more competitive in their products and offerings, particularly in uncertain or challenging economic times. We also compete with financial technology (“FinTech”) companies, many of whom have lower return hurdles than more traditional consumer lending institutions. The use of marketplace lending sites is growing in popularity in the student loan sector. This market channel may erode our more traditional lending channels and increase our cost to originate Private Education Loans. Moreover, we expect that our competition will increase as various lending institutions and other competitors, including Navient, through its Earnest subsidiary, enter or re-enter the Private Education Loan market. We compete based on our brand products, origination capability, and customer service. To the extent our competitors compete more aggressively or effectively, we could lose market share to them and/or our existing loans could be subject to consolidation or refinancing risk.
In addition to competition from private industry players, the federal government, through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (the “DSLP”), poses significant competition to our Private Education Loan products. The availability and terms of loans the government originates or guarantees affect the demand for Private Education Loans because students and their families often rely on Private Education Loans to bridge the gap between available funds, including family savings, scholarships, grants, and federal and state loans, and the costs of post-secondary education. The federal government currently places both annual and aggregate limits on the amount of federal loans any student can receive and determines the criteria for student eligibility. Parents and graduate students may obtain additional federal education loans through other programs, such as the Parent Plus and Graduate Plus programs, without any aggregate limits other than the difference between the cost of education and the amount of other financial aid received by a student. These federal education lending programs are generally adjusted in connection with funding authorizations from the U.S. Congress for programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the “HEA”). The HEA’s reauthorization is currently pending in the U.S. Congress. Reauthorization, as well as measures to provide relief for borrowers of student loans in general, could provide a legislative vehicle for changes to student loan programs. Possible components that could impact the Private Education Loan market and our business include changes to federal education loan limits and/or payment requirements, private loan refinancing programs, or Private Education Loan forgiveness. Other components of any legislation also could have a negative impact on our business and financial condition. See “- POLITICAL/REPUTATIONAL RISK.”
We also face substantial competition for our online deposit products. We expect to compete based primarily on a combination of reputation, rate, and availability of information about our deposit products. Our competitors, many of whom have greater financial resources or lower costs than we do, may be more effective in attracting new deposits and retaining existing deposits such as by offering more competitive rates, dedicating more resources for advertising, or engaging in more effective forms of marketing. For instance, our new depositor acquisition marketing is partly dependent on search engines, as well as bank deposit information aggregators, to direct a significant amount of traffic to our website via organic ranking and paid search advertising. Our bank competitors’ paid search activities, such as pay per click marketing, may result in their sites receiving higher search results than ours, thus
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leading to significant increases in the cost of such depositor acquisition for us. In addition, changes to search engines and deposit information aggregators’ methodologies and business practices could result in a decline in our new deposit growth or existing customer retention. Increased competition for deposits could cause our cost of funds to increase, which could negatively impact our loan pricing and net interest margin. See also “- LIQUIDITY RISK.”
Consumer access to alternative means of financing the costs of education and other factors may reduce demand for, or adversely affect our ability to retain, Private Education Loans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
The demand for Private Education Loans could weaken if families and student borrowers use other vehicles to bridge the gap between available funds and costs of post-secondary education. These vehicles include, among others:
•Home equity loans or other borrowings available to families to finance their education costs;
•Pre-paid tuition plans, which allow students to pay tuition at today’s rates to cover tuition costs in the future;
•Section 529 plans, which include both pre-paid tuition plans and college savings plans that allow a family to save funds on a tax-advantaged basis;
•Education IRAs, now known as Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, under which a holder can make annual contributions for education savings;
•Government education loan programs such as the DSLP; and
•Direct loans from colleges and universities, as well as income sharing agreements offered by schools and facilitated by private companies.
In addition, our ability to grow Private Education Loan originations and retain assets at our planned levels could be negatively affected if:
•demographic trends in the United States result in a decrease in college-age individuals;
•demand for higher education decreases (which can occur, among other times, during periods of strong employment in the United States and/or when fewer employers require college degrees for their employees);
•the cost of attendance of higher education decreases;
•consumers increase their targeted savings for higher education;
•prepayment rates on our Private Education Loans increase or accelerate due to greater market liquidity, availability of alternative means of financing, improved household incomes, increasing consumer confidence, and/or various other factors;
•macroeconomic factors (including, without limitation, high unemployment) cause loan applicants or borrowers to be unable to meet our credit standards or repay credit obligations;
•there is broader public resistance to increasing higher education costs; or
•proposals for new federal and state education spending described below in “-POLITICAL/REPUTATIONAL RISK” gain broader appeal or momentum.
Consolidation or refinancing of existing Private Education Loans could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
We believe the design of our Private Education Loan products, with emphasis on rigorous underwriting, credit-worthy cosigners and variable or fixed interest rates, creates sustainable, competitive loan products. However, increasing amounts of private education consolidation loans at interest rates below those of our existing portfolio - whether from private sources (including FinTech companies) or otherwise - can contribute to an increase in the prepayment rates of our existing Private Education Loans and, if prolonged and continuous, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows. Increases in consolidation loans may result from competition as well as legislative or regulatory changes, as there has been, and there may be continue to be, an increase in the number of lenders offering consolidation or refinancing products as well as proposed legislation designed to promote federal financing for consolidation or refinancing of existing loans.
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CREDIT RISK
Defaults on our loans, particularly Private Education Loans, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
We bear the full credit exposure on our Private Education Loans, which are unsecured loans. If those loans were to default at rates much higher than anticipated or at speeds faster than anticipated, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows could be adversely affected. Delinquencies are an important indicator of the potential future credit performance of our loan portfolios. Many factors can have an impact on borrower delinquencies, including, without limitation, economic conditions (including inflationary, rising or high interest rate, and recessionary environments), changes in interest rates, personal circumstances and hardships, risk characteristics such as school type, loan status, loan seasoning, underwriting criteria, presence of a cosigner, changes made in credit administration practices from time to time, changes in loan underwriting criteria made from time to time, legislative, regulatory and operational changes, servicing and collections staffing challenges, other operational challenges we may encounter, the cessation by the federal government in 2023 of its payment suspension program (initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic) for borrowers of federal student loans, the invalidation or failure of the Biden Administration’s effort to forgive federal student loan indebtedness for certain borrowers, and unforeseen events or trends.
Rising unemployment rates and the failure of our in-school borrowers to graduate are two of the most significant macroeconomic factors that could increase loan delinquencies, defaults, and loan modifications, or otherwise negatively affect performance of our existing education loan portfolios, as such factors may cause borrowers and cosigners to experience trouble repaying credit obligations or meeting our credit standards. The impact of these factors may be heightened in rising or high interest rate environments when interest rates rise causing payments on variable-rate loans to increase. See Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Allowance for Credit Losses - Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool” for a discussion of how items such as changes in credit administration practices can impact the timing and level of delinquencies and defaults on our loans. As part of our underwriting process, we rely heavily upon information supplied by applicants and third parties. If any of this information is intentionally or negligently misrepresented, or is inaccurate, and is not detected by us before completing the transaction, or changes after we collect the information, we may experience increased credit risk. Higher credit-related losses and weaker credit quality negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and limit funding options, which could also adversely impact our liquidity position. Our Private Education Loan (held for investment) delinquencies (loans greater than 30 days past due), as a percentage of Private Education Loans (held for investment) in repayment, were 3.90 percent at December 31, 2023.
Our allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses, and we may be required to materially increase our allowance, which may adversely affect our capital, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
We are required to measure our allowance for credit losses based on our estimate of all current expected credit losses over the remaining contractual term of our assets. The CECL standard resulted in a significant change in how we recognize credit losses and has had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and capital levels. The evaluation of our allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be subject to significant changes. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on historical information, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts to estimate the expected loss over the life of the loan. (This differs significantly from the “incurred loss” model, which was in effect prior to our adoption of CECL and delayed recognition until it was probable a loss had been incurred.) Our models take into account historical loss experience in various economic conditions to estimate expected future losses based upon future economic forecasts over a period of time (“reasonable and supportable period”), at which point we immediately revert our forecasted economic factors to long-term historical loss conditions. Defaults can be higher than anticipated due to a variety of factors, and our models may not accurately estimate future loan loss performance. The models used in calculating our CECL estimates include forecasts of future economic conditions, the weighting of economic forecasts, prepayment speeds, and recovery rates. If these forecasts prove to be inaccurate, or our models were not designed properly, our allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover future losses, which could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations, and capital levels. In addition, the amount of losses recorded under CECL is very sensitive to the inputs described above. As such, changes to these inputs could significantly change the amount of allowance necessary, which could have a negative impact on our financial results and capital levels. Additionally, regulatory agencies may periodically review our allowance for credit losses, including our methodology and models used in calculating the allowance, and could
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insist on an increase in the allowance or recognition of additional charge-offs based on judgments different than those used by our management. If these differences in judgment are significant, our allowance could increase significantly and result in sizable decreases in our net income and capital. See Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Allowance for Credit Losses” for further details regarding our allowance for credit losses.
We are subject to the creditworthiness of third parties other than borrowers and exposure to those third parties could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
We are also subject to the creditworthiness of third parties, including various lending, securitization, investment, and derivative counterparties. Our overall counterparty exposure is more fully discussed in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Counterparty Exposure.” If our counterparties are unable to perform their obligations, or the ability of our counterparties to perform their obligations becomes impaired or less certain, the obligations of our counterparties to us or our investments in any counterparties or their securities could become impaired, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The levels of or changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, regulatory capital, and/or liquidity.
We are highly dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on earning assets (such as loans and investments) and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is significantly affected by market rates of interest, which in turn are influenced by monetary and fiscal policies of governmental agencies, general economic conditions, conditions in the capital markets, the political and regulatory environments, business and consumer sentiment, competitive pressures, and expectations about the future. We may be adversely affected by policies or events that have the effect of flattening or inverting the yield curve (that is, the difference between long-term and short-term interest rates), compressing interest rates on our earnings assets closer to interest rates on our deposits and borrowings, increasing the volatility of market rates of interest, or changing the spreads among different interest rate indices. Changes in interest rate levels also can lead to other adverse impacts, such as reducing the demand for or increasing the prepayment speeds of our Private Education Loans, increasing the delinquencies or defaults of our borrowers or other counterparties, reducing the value of our assets, or increasing our liabilities. Many of these adverse impacts can occur in an inflationary and rising interest rate environment. These adverse impacts may materially adversely affect our operations, our regulatory capital and liquidity position, the credit performance of our Private Education Loans and other assets, the number of borrowers seeking payment relief, our results of operations and financial condition, and/or our cash flows. The level of and changes in market rates of interest and, as a result, these risks and uncertainties, are beyond our control.
The interest rate and maturity characteristics of our earning assets do not fully match the interest rate and maturity characteristics of our funding arrangements, which may negatively impact the level of our net interest income. We are also subject to repayment and prepayment risks, which can increase uncertainty as we manage our interest rate risk and can adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
Net interest income is the primary source of cash flow generated by our loan portfolios. Interest earned on our Private Education Loans and FFELP Loans is either fixed-rate or indexed to a short-term variable rate, and these loans are originated with relatively long repayment periods. ABS funding closely mirrors the expected maturities of our education loans and provides a combination of fixed and variable-rate funding. Deposits are issued with both fixed and variable rates, and the average term is typically shorter than the expected term of our combined loan portfolios.
The different interest rate and maturity characteristics of our loan portfolios and the liabilities funding those portfolios result in fluctuations in our net interest income. In certain interest rate environments, this mismatch may reduce our net interest margin (the interest yield earned on our portfolio less the rate paid on our interest-bearing liabilities) and net interest income. While we actively monitor and manage mismatches in the interest rate and maturity characteristics of our assets and liabilities, using derivative transactions where necessary to avoid excessive levels of repricing and refunding risk, it is not possible to hedge all of our exposure to such risks. While the assets, liabilities, and related hedging derivative contract re-pricing indices are typically highly correlated, there
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can be no assurance that the historically high correlation will not be disrupted by capital market dislocations or other factors outside our control. In these circumstances, our earnings could be materially adversely affected.
We are also subject to risks associated with changes in repayment and prepayment rates on Private Education Loans, which can increase uncertainty as we manage our interest rate risk. Consolidations and refinancings contribute to increased prepayment rates. In addition, increases in employment levels, wages, family income, alternative sources of financing, and government support for student loan borrowers or the forgiveness for certain borrowers of federal student loan indebtedness, may also contribute to higher-than-expected prepayment rates, which can adversely affect our interest rate and repricing risk and our financial condition and results of operations.
Our use of derivatives to manage interest rate sensitivity exposes us to credit and market risk that could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.
We maintain an overall interest rate strategy that uses derivatives to reduce the economic effect of interest rate changes. Developing an effective hedging strategy for dealing with movements in interest rates is complex, and no strategy can completely avoid the risks associated with these fluctuations. For example, our education loan portfolios remain subject to prepayment risk that could cause them to be under- or over-hedged, which could result in material losses. In addition, some of our interest rate risk management activities expose us to mark-to-market losses if interest rates move in a materially different way than was expected when we entered into the related derivative contracts.
Our use of derivatives also exposes us to market risk and credit risk. Market risk is the chance of financial loss resulting from changes in interest rates and market liquidity. Some of the interest rate swaps we use to economically hedge interest rate risk between our assets and liabilities do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Therefore, the change in fair value, called the “mark-to-market,” of the swaps that do not qualify as accounting hedges is included in our statement of income. A decline in the fair value of those derivatives could have a material adverse effect on our reported earnings. Also, see “- We are subject to the creditworthiness of third parties other than borrowers and exposure to those third parties could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.”
The discontinuance of LIBOR could adversely affect our business and financial results.
Following announcements by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “UKFCA”), which regulates LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate, and ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, publication of 1-week and 2-month USD LIBOR and all tenors for other currencies ceased after December 31, 2021. Publication of the remaining USD settings ceased after June 30, 2023.
The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (the “ARRC”), a group of market participants that includes both banks and a number of non-banks, was convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2014 to identify alternative reference rates to LIBOR. In 2017, the ARRC identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is a rate based on overnight U.S. Treasury repurchase agreement transactions, as its recommended alternative to USD LIBOR.
In 2020, we began accepting certain deposits based on SOFR. In the second quarter of 2021, we began issuing variable-rate Private Education Loans that are indexed to SOFR. In 2022, we began issuing ABS that are indexed to SOFR and renewed our education loan-backed multi-lender secured borrowing facility (the “Secured Borrowing Facility”) with an index based on SOFR. In 2023, we transitioned to SOFR (plus the applicable spread adjustment) the remainder of our assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items referencing LIBOR on their respective first repricing dates after June 30, 2023. In some instances, we relied on safe harbors provided by federal legislation to transition obligations from LIBOR to SOFR because the obligations did not have fallback provisions for alternative reference rates. Although we relied on those safe harbors in certain instances, the safe harbors are untested. We could still be exposed to risks associated with disputes and litigation with customers, counterparties, and other market participants in connection with implementing replacement rates for LIBOR. Also, the replacement of LIBOR could adversely affect the value of and return on certain of our financial assets, the value of certain of our liabilities, and could result in changes to our various risk exposures. These uncertainties could adversely impact our funding costs and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position, and/or cash flows. See Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - LIBOR Transition” for further details.
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LIQUIDITY RISK
Our ability to achieve our business goals will be heavily reliant on our ability to obtain deposits, obtain funding through asset-backed securitizations, and sell loans at attractive prices to help fund any share repurchase programs that may be authorized from time to time. An inability to effectively manage our liquidity could negatively impact our ability to fund our business obligations and opportunities, which could lead to regulatory scrutiny and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
We must effectively manage the liquidity risk inherent in our business. We require liquidity to meet cash requirements for such things as day-to-day operating expenses, funding of our Private Education Loan originations, deposit withdrawals and maturities, payment of any declared dividends on our preferred stock and common stock, payment of our debt service, and payment for any shares of common stock or preferred stock acquired under any stock repurchase program or otherwise. Our primary sources of liquidity and funding are customer deposits, payments received on Private Education Loans and FFELP Loans that we hold, and proceeds from loan sales and securitization transactions. We may maintain too much liquidity, which can be costly, or we may be too illiquid, which could result in financial distress during times of economic stress or capital market disruptions.
We fund Private Education Loan originations through asset-backed securitizations and deposits raised by the Bank, including term and liquid brokered and retail deposits, as well as Educational 529 and Health Savings Account deposits, and with proceeds received from loan sales. Assets funded through deposits result in refinancing risk because the average term of the deposits is shorter than the expected term of the Private Education Loan assets we originate. The significant competition for deposits from other banking organizations that are also seeking stable deposits to support their funding needs may affect deposit renewal rates, costs, or availability. At December 31, 2023, our brokered deposits totaled $10.3 billion, which represented 47 percent of our total deposits. Brokered deposits may be more price sensitive than other types of deposits and may become less available if alternative investments offer higher returns. In addition, our ability to maintain existing balances of all deposit types or obtain additional deposits of any type may be affected by factors, including those beyond our control, such as a rising stock market, more attractive returns on alternative investments, perceptions about our existing and future financial strength, quality of deposit servicing or online banking generally, changes in monetary or fiscal policies that influence deposit or other rates, general economic conditions, including high unemployment and decreased savings rates, and adverse developments in the financial services industry generally. See also “- Adverse developments, and/or a continuation of recent turmoil, in the financial services industry could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.” Also, our ability to maintain our current level of deposits or grow our deposit base could be affected by regulatory restrictions, including the possible imposition by our regulators of prior approval requirements or restrictions on our offered rates, brokered deposit growth, or other areas.
Our success also depends on our ability to structure Private Education Loan securitizations or execute other secured funding transactions. Several factors may have a material adverse effect on both our ability to obtain such funding and the time it takes us to structure and execute these transactions, including the following:
•Persistent and prolonged disruption or volatility in the capital markets (which could occur as a result of, among other things, general economic conditions, a government debt default, or a government shutdown) or in the education loan ABS sector specifically;
•Degradation of the credit quality or performance of the Private Education Loans we sell or finance through securitization trusts, or adverse rating agency assumptions, rating actions, or conclusions with respect to those trusts or the education loan-backed securitization trusts sponsored by other issuers;
•A material breach of our obligations to purchasers of our Private Education Loans, including securitization trusts;
•The timing, pricing, and size of education loan asset-backed securitizations other parties issue, or the adverse performance of, or other problems with, such securitizations;
•Challenges to the enforceability of Private Education Loans based on violations of, or changes to, federal or state consumer protection or licensing laws and related regulations, or imposition of penalties or liabilities on assignees of Private Education Loans for violation of such laws and regulations; and
•Our inability to structure and gain market acceptance for new product features or services to meet new demands of ABS investors, rating agencies, or credit facility providers.
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If we require funding beyond that which we may be able to obtain through deposits and proceeds from ABS transactions at attractive prices, we may need to raise additional liquidity through other forms of secured and unsecured debt financing, which, in turn, could increase our funding costs and reduce our net interest margin. Future downgrades to our credit ratings, or to the credit ratings of our subsidiaries or to the securities issued in our securitization transactions, also could result in higher funding costs and reduce our net interest margin.
Our ability to sell loans at attractive prices, as well as the timing and volume of any sales, will be subject to market conditions, and there can be no guarantee that we will be able to effectuate planned or unplanned loan sales at the prices, times, or volumes we desire, or at all. If we are unable to effectuate loan sales at the prices, times, and volumes we desire, we may not be able to fund share repurchase programs that are authorized from time to time, originate Private Education Loans in the volumes we desire, meet other obligations, or achieve other business goals.
We currently maintain sufficient risk-based capital through adequate retention and reinvestment of earnings from operations. If our business objectives require capital above and beyond what we generate through retained earnings, we may need to raise capital for our business by issuing additional equity to investors. Several factors, some of which may be beyond our control, may have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise funding at any given time through any of the channels described above in this Risk Factor in the amounts, at the rates, or within the timeframes we desire or need. If this occurs, our business, results of operations, financial position, and/or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
We conduct quarterly liquidity stress tests to evaluate the adequacy of our liquidity sources under several stress scenarios, including a severely adverse macroeconomic scenario. The results of these scenarios may lead management to determine, or our regulators to demand, that higher levels of liquidity be maintained at significant incremental expense to the Bank.
In structuring and facilitating securitizations or sales of Private Education Loans, administering securitization trusts, or servicing loans we have securitized or sold, we may incur liabilities to transaction parties. If those liabilities are significant, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
Under applicable state and federal securities laws, if investors incur losses as a result of purchasing ABS issued in connection with our securitization transactions, we could be deemed responsible and could be liable to investors for damages. We could also be liable to investors or other parties for certain updated performance information that we may provide subsequent to the original issuances. If we fail to cause the securitization trusts or other transaction parties to disclose adequately all material information regarding an investment in any securities, if we or the trusts make statements that are misleading in any material respect in information delivered to investors in any securities, if we breach any representations or warranties made in connection with securitization of the loans, or if we breach any other duties as the administrator or servicer of the securitization trusts, it is possible we could be sued and ultimately held liable to an investor or other transaction party. In transactions involving the sale of loans in non-securitized form where we remain the servicer of the loans, it is possible we could be sued and ultimately held liable to the purchaser of the loans or another transaction party for breaches of representations or warranties or breaches of servicing covenants. If any of those liabilities are significant, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
Adverse developments, and/or a continuation of recent turmoil, in the financial services industry could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In 2023, several financial services institutions failed or required outside liquidity support. For example, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were put into FDIC receivership in March 2023 and First Republic Bank was put into FDIC receivership in May 2023. The impact of this situation led to risk of additional stress to the financial services industry generally as a result of increased lack of confidence in the financial sector. Although we currently do not anticipate liquidity constraints of the kind that caused certain other financial services institutions to fail or require external support, unanticipated deposit withdrawals due to market distress or otherwise or our inability to access other sources of liquidity, whether due to capital markets dislocations or otherwise, could result in constraints on our liquidity and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The financial system is highly interrelated, and we have exposure to, and routinely execute transactions with, a variety of financial institutions. If any of these financial institutions or participants were to become or be perceived
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as unstable, or enter conservatorship, receivership, or bankruptcy, the consequences could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
CAPITAL RISK
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and the UDFI. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and/or financial condition.
Under 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 capital adequacy 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.
If the Bank fails to satisfy regulatory risk-based or leverage capital requirements, it would be subject to serious regulatory consequences, including restrictions on the ability to make dividend payments or share repurchases, that could prevent us from successfully executing our business plan and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position, and/or cash flows. See Item 1. “Business - Supervision and Regulation - Regulation of Sallie Mae Bank - Regulatory Capital Requirements.”
Unfavorable results from the periodic stress scenarios we model under regulatory guidance may adversely affect our business and result in regulatory action that could adversely affect our cost of capital and liquidity position.
Pursuant to regulatory guidance, the Bank conducts annual capital stress tests, modeling a systemic stress scenario. In addition, the Bank may model company-specific stress scenarios from time to time. In 2023, the Bank conducted its annual capital stress tests and the results of these tests were presented to and reviewed by the Bank’s senior management, the Bank’s Board of Directors, and the Board’s Financial Risk Committee. In addition, the Bank made the results of the stress tests (its current business forecast) available to its prudential regulators - the FDIC and the UDFI. Generally, the stress test results include certain measures that evaluate the Bank’s ability to absorb losses in severely adverse economic and financial conditions. On the basis of a stress analysis, senior management may elect to adjust its business plans or capital targets to reduce risks identified by the analysis. Our regulators may also require the Bank to raise additional capital or take other actions, or may impose restrictions on our business, based on the results of the stress tests. We may not be able to raise additional capital if required to do so or may not be able to do so on terms that are advantageous to us. Any such capital raises, if required, may also be dilutive to our existing stockholders. Our regulators may also update their supervisory expectations applicable to the Bank’s stress tests, which could change how the Bank conducts stress tests or how senior management uses the results of the stress tests to inform business plans and capital targets.
Changes in accounting standards, or incorrect estimates and assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, could adversely affect our capital levels, results of operation, and/or financial condition.
We are subject to the requirements of entities that set and interpret the accounting standards governing the preparation of our financial statements and other financial reports. These entities, which include the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), the SEC, and banking regulators, may add new requirements or change their interpretations of how those standards should be applied. Changes in our accounting policies or in accounting standards could materially affect how we report our financial condition and/or results of operations. As a result of changes to financial accounting or reporting standards, whether promulgated or required by the FASB or other regulators, we could be required to change certain of the assumptions or estimates we have previously used in preparing our financial statements, which could negatively impact how we record and report our financial condition, results of operations, and capital levels.
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make critical accounting estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses during the reporting periods. Incorrect estimates and assumptions by us in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements could adversely affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. If we make
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incorrect assumptions or estimates, we may under- or overstate reported financial results, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or capital levels. For additional information on the key areas for which assumptions and estimates are used in preparing our financial statements, see Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies.”
REGULATORY RISK
We operate in a highly regulated environment and the laws and regulations that govern our operations, or changes in these laws and regulations, or our failure to comply with them, may adversely affect us.
We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision that govern almost all aspects of our operations. Intended to protect clients, depositors, the DIF, and the overall financial system, these laws, regulations, and supervisory actions may, among other matters:
•increase minimum capital requirements;
•reclassify the types of assets we hold for regulatory capital purposes, including for risk-weightings;
•limit the rates of growth of our business;
•impose limitations on the business activities in which we can engage;
•limit the dividends or distributions the Bank can pay to us;
•limit share repurchases;
•restrict the payment of discretionary bonuses to executive officers;
•restrict the ability of institutions to guarantee our debt;
•limit proprietary trading and investments in certain private funds;
•impose certain specific accounting requirements on us that may be more restrictive;
•result in changes from time to time in our practices, policies, procedures, and personnel in various areas of our business (including, without limitation, practices and policies regarding the dischargeability of certain Private Education Loans in the event of a borrower’s bankruptcy);
•enhance restrictions regarding money laundering and the financing of terrorism;
•enhance requirements related to risk management and corporate governance; and
•result in greater or earlier charges to earnings or reductions in our capital.
The FDIC has the authority to limit the Bank’s annual total balance sheet growth, but no such limitations were imposed in recent years. There can be no assurance that limitations will not be imposed in the future, however.
Compliance with laws and regulations can be difficult and costly, and changes to laws and regulations, as well as increased intensity in supervision, often impose additional costs and could result in additional charge-offs. In recent years, there has been an increase in the scope of the laws and regulations and the intensity of the supervision to which we are subject, as well as an increase in regulatory enforcement and fines across the banking and financial services sector. The scope of regulation and the intensity of supervision will likely continue to become higher in the future, which could increase our costs and levels of charge-offs, require increased management attention, and adversely impact our results of operations.
In connection with their continuous supervision and examinations of us, the FDIC, the UDFI, the CFPB, or other regulatory agencies may require changes in our business or operations. Such a requirement may be judicially enforceable or impractical for us to contest, and we could become subject to formal or informal enforcement and other supervisory actions, including memoranda of understanding, written agreements, cease-and-desist orders, and prompt-corrective-action or safety-and-soundness directives. Supervisory actions could entail significant restrictions on our existing business, our ability to develop new business, our flexibility in conducting operations, and our ability to pay dividends or utilize capital. Enforcement and other supervisory actions also can result in the imposition of civil monetary penalties or injunctions, related litigation by private plaintiffs, damage to our reputation, and a loss of customer or investor confidence. We could be required as well to dispose of specified assets and liabilities or to increase our level of charge-offs within a prescribed period of time. As a result, any enforcement or
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 31
other supervisory action could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Restrictions or limitations on our operations, or other directives, imposed by our regulators may be confidential and thus, in some instances, we may not be permitted to publicly disclose the actions.
In addition, changes in the regulatory and supervisory environments could adversely affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways, including by limiting the types of financial services and products we may offer, enhancing the ability of others to offer more competitive financial services and products, restricting our ability to make acquisitions or pursue other profitable opportunities, and negatively impacting our financial condition and results of operations. Changes in the prevailing interpretations of federal or state laws and related regulations could also invalidate or call into question the legality of certain of our services and business practices.
Our failure to comply with the laws, regulations, and supervisory actions to which we are subject, even if the failure is inadvertent or reflects a difference in interpretation, could subject us to fines, other penalties, and restrictions on our business activities, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, capital base, and/or the price of our securities.
Failure to comply with consumer protection, privacy, data protection, or cybersecurity laws and requirements could subject us to civil and criminal penalties or litigation, including class actions, and have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to a broad range of federal and state consumer protection laws applicable to our lending and retail banking activities, including laws governing fair lending, unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices, service member protections, interest rates and loan fees, disclosures of loan terms, marketing, servicing, and collections.
The CFPB is the Bank’s primary consumer compliance supervisor, with exclusive authority to conduct examinations for the purposes of assessing compliance with the requirements of federal consumer financial laws and with primary consumer compliance enforcement authority. CFPB jurisdiction, regulation, and supervision could increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities. The CFPB/ DOE MOU could lead to additional complaints received by the CFPB regarding us, which could lead to additional scrutiny of us and increase our costs. Consent orders, decrees, or settlements entered into with governmental agencies may also increase our compliance costs or restrict certain of our activities.
The CFPB and the FDIC issued guidance to supervised banks with respect to increased responsibilities to supervise the activities of service providers to ensure compliance with federal consumer protection laws. The issuance of regulatory guidance and the enforcement of the enhanced vendor management standards via examination and investigation of us or any third party with whom we do business may increase our costs, require increased management attention, and adversely impact our operations. In the event we should fail to meet the heightened standards for management of service providers, we could be subject to supervisory orders to cease and desist, civil monetary penalties, or other actions due to claimed noncompliance, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and/or cash flows.
We are also subject to a dynamically changing landscape of privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity laws, regulations, and requirements. Various federal and state regulators, including governmental agencies, have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws and regulations regarding the use and disclosure of personal information and data privacy and security. This patchwork of legislation and regulation may lead to conflicts or differing views of privacy rights. As an example, certain state laws regarding personal information may be broader in scope or more stringent than federal laws or the laws of other states regarding personal information. See Item 1. “Business - Supervision and Regulation -Regulation of Sallie Mae Bank - Privacy Laws” for additional information.
Further, we make public statements about our use, collection, disclosure, and other processing of personal information through our privacy policies, information provided on our website, and press statements. Although we endeavor to comply with our public statements and documentation, we may at times fail to do so or be alleged to have failed to do so. The publication of our privacy policies and other statements that provide assurances about privacy, data protection, and data security can subject us to potential regulatory or legal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair, or misrepresentative of our actual practices.
Violations of federal or state consumer protection, privacy, data protection, or cybersecurity laws or related regulations may expose us to litigation, administrative fines, penalties, and restitution. Compliance with laws and
32 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
regulations can be difficult and costly, and changes to laws and regulations, as well as increased intensity in compliance and supervision activities, often impose additional compliance costs and may constrain the marketing and origination of Private Education Loans or other products, adversely affect the collection of balances due on the loan assets held by us or by securitization trusts, adversely affect the execution of strategic initiatives, or otherwise adversely affect our business.
From time to time, we may use artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and similar tools to collect, aggregate, and analyze data in connection with our business. The regulatory framework for such technology continues to evolve and remains uncertain and could affect our operations and the way in which we use such technology. Additionally, we could incur significant costs to comply with such evolving framework, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our framework for managing risks, including model risk and data governance risk, may not be effective in mitigating our risk of loss and, if the framework is ineffective, could have a material adverse effect on us and our business.
Our risk management framework seeks to mitigate risk and appropriately balance risk and return. We continue to evolve our risk management framework to consider changes in business and regulatory expectations and to refine established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor, test, control, report, escalate, and mitigate the types of risk to which we are subject. We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure through a framework of policies, procedures, limits, and reporting requirements.
We also rely on quantitative models to measure and manage risks and estimate certain financial values. Models may be used in such processes as product pricing, extending credit, measuring interest rate and other market risk, estimating losses, calculating and assessing capital levels, estimating the value of financial instruments and balance sheet items, and various other processes. If the models that we use to measure and/or mitigate these risks and values are poorly designed, based upon incorrect or incomplete information, poorly implemented, or are otherwise inadequate, or our governance surrounding the management of data we use in our models and other aspects of our business is poorly designed or implemented, or otherwise is inadequate, our business decisions may be adversely affected, we may provide inaccurate information to the public or regulators, and/or we may incur increased losses.
In addition, there may be existing or developing risks that we have not appropriately anticipated, identified, or mitigated. If our risk management framework does not effectively identify or mitigate our risks, we could suffer unexpected losses and our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. An ineffective risk-management framework or function also could give rise to enforcement and other supervisory actions, damage our reputation, and result in litigation.
POLITICAL/REPUTATIONAL RISK
Proposals of federal and state governments, or of various political candidates, affecting the student loan industry in particular, such as proposals for new federal education spending designed to make higher education “free” or substantially so regardless of financial need, or to create new federally funded programs to refinance private student loans, or to require private student loan lenders to reform loan agreements to provide for income-driven repayment plans and other payment plans, subject us to political risk and could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or cash flows.
We operate in an environment of heightened political and regulatory scrutiny of education loan lending, servicing, and originations. The rising cost of higher education, questions regarding the quality of education provided, particularly among for-profit institutions, and the increasing amount of student loan debt outstanding in the United States have prompted this heightened and ongoing scrutiny. This environment could lead to further proposals by political candidates and state and federal legislators and regulators, and to the enactment of laws and regulations, applicable to, or limiting, our business. For instance, over the last several years, numerous proposals for new federal spending have been discussed by political candidates and/or introduced by legislators to make higher education “free” or substantially so. Some proposals have included the potential forgiveness of substantial amounts of existing outstanding student loan indebtedness. Also, various states have proposed and/or enacted legislation providing for “free” or “substantially free” higher education to residents of the state having incomes below a certain level and who attend publicly-funded universities in the state. Moreover, a number of bills have been introduced in the United States Congress in the past to promote federal financing for consolidation or refinancing of
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 33
existing student loans. The regulatory environment at the state level has shifted such that many states recently have enacted new legislation specifically restricting the conduct and practices of student loan servicers. The enactment of any proposed legislation or policies like those described above, even if they do not apply specifically to Private Education Loans, could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or cash flows. In addition, the continued ongoing publicity regarding these various proposals, even if they are not enacted, could negatively impact the market price of our common stock.
We are subject to reputational risk, including risk arising from environmental, social, and governance matters or other areas or events, which could damage our brand and have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or cash flows.
Our brand is very important to us and our business. Our reputation as an originator, servicer, seller, and securitizer of high-quality Private Education Loans and as a depository for online deposits is very dependent upon how our customers, our regulators, legislators, the education community, our employees, and the broader market perceive our business practices, financial heath, and integrity, and the business practices, financial health, and integrity of the overall student loan market, other loan markets, or the market for online deposits, as applicable. Negative publicity, including as a result of our culture, actual or alleged conduct by us, our employees, or our vendors, or public opinion of the student loan industry or other relevant industries generally, could damage our reputation and business and adversely impact the price of our common stock or other securities.
Environmental, social, and governance matters, or “ESG,” include, but are not limited to, climate risk, hiring practices, the diversity of our work force, community impact issues, and our overall governance environment. We may be exposed to negative publicity based on the identity and activities of those with whom we do business and the public’s view of our approach and performance, and that of our business partners, regarding ESG matters. Such negative publicity could damage our relationships and reputation with our existing and prospective customers and third parties with whom we do business, have an adverse effect on our ability to attract and retain customers and employees, and have a negative impact on the demand for and market price of our securities. Stakeholders’ expectations regarding ESG practices are diverse and rapidly changing, and we may not be able to align our ESG practices with such evolving expectations within the timeframes expected by stakeholders or without incurring significant costs.
Additionally, as described above, proposals of political candidates, administrations, or legislators that may affect the financial industry, or the student loan industry in particular, could damage our reputation and business and adversely impact the price of our common stock.
Any internal, market, or other developments, including those relating to our competitors or our business, that result in a negative impact on our brand or reputation or the reputation of the student loan industry or other relevant industries could have an adverse effect on our ability to originate, service, sell, securitize, and retain Private Education Loans or other loans, as applicable, result in greater regulatory, legislative, and media scrutiny, increase our risk of litigation and regulatory sanctions or other actions, and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or results of operations.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Failure or significant interruption of our operating systems or infrastructure or the inability to adapt to changes could disrupt our business, cause significant losses, result in regulatory action or litigation, or damage our reputation.
Our business is dependent on our ability to process and monitor large numbers of transactions in compliance with legal and regulatory standards and our product specifications. As processing demands change and our loan portfolios grow in both volume and differing terms and conditions, developing and maintaining our operating systems and infrastructure become increasingly challenging. There is no assurance we can adequately or efficiently develop, maintain, or acquire access to such systems and infrastructure.
Our loan originations and deposits and the servicing, financial, accounting, data processing, communications, or other operating systems, processes, and facilities that support them may fail to operate properly, become disabled as a result of events beyond our control, or be unable to be rapidly configured to timely address regulatory changes or other business requirements, in each case potentially adversely affecting our ability to process these transactions adequately. Any such failure could adversely affect our ability to service our customers, result in financial loss or liability to our customers and investors, disrupt our business, result in regulatory action or litigation,
34 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
or cause reputational damage. Despite the plans we have in place from time to time, our ability to operate may be adversely affected by a disruption in the infrastructure that supports our businesses. Notwithstanding our efforts to maintain business continuity, a disruptive event impacting our processing locations, a failure to adequately anticipate the level of staffing or effort needed to efficiently and effectively communicate with and service our customers or to service and collect on our loans, or another similar operational event could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
Our business processes are becoming increasingly dependent upon technological advancement, and we could lose market share if we are not able to keep pace with rapid changes in technology.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to underwrite and approve loans, process loan applications and payments, and provide other customer services, in a safe, automated manner with high-quality service standards. The volume of loan originations we are able to process is reliant on the systems and processes we have implemented and developed. These systems and processes are becoming increasingly dependent upon technological advancement, such as the ability to process loans and payments over the internet or mobile applications, accept electronic signatures, and provide initial decisions instantly. Our future success also depends, in part, on our ability to develop and implement technology solutions that keep pace with continuing changes in technology, industry standards, and client preferences, including FinTech developments. We may not be successful in anticipating or responding to these developments in a timely manner. We have made, and need to continue to make, investments in our technology platform to provide competitive products and services and to reduce the number of manual processes we employ. We may be required to expend significant funds to develop or acquire new technologies. If competitors introduce products, services, and systems that are better than ours or that are more cost-effective or that gain greater market acceptance, we could lose market share. Any one of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business reputation and ability to obtain and retain clients and, therefore, could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
We depend on secure information technology and a breach of those systems or those of third-party vendors could result in significant losses, unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information, and reputational damage, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations and could lead to significant financial, legal, and reputational exposure.
Our operations rely on the secure collection, processing, storage, and transmission of personal, confidential, and other information in a significant number of customer transactions on a continuous basis through our computer systems and networks and those of our third-party service providers. Information security risks for financial institutions and third-party service providers have increased in recent years and continue to evolve in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and other external parties, including foreign state-sponsored actors. These parties also may fraudulently induce employees, customers, and others who use our or our service providers’ systems or have access to our or our customers’ data, to gain access to our and our customers’ data or our assets.
We and our service providers face constant threats to our systems and data and from time to time experience cyberattacks and other security incidents. While we have not been materially impacted by cyber incidents, we continue to evolve our security controls to improve our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to the continually changing threats, and we may be required to expend significant additional resources in the future to enhance our security controls in response to new or more sophisticated threats, as well as new regulations related to cybersecurity. Additionally, while we and our third-party service providers commit resources to the design, implementation, maintenance, security, and monitoring of our networks and systems, there is no guarantee that our security controls, or those of our third-party service providers, will protect against all threats.
Despite the measures we and our third-party service providers implement to protect our systems and our or our customers’ data, we may not be able to anticipate, prevent, or detect cyberattacks, particularly because the techniques used by attackers change frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because cyberattacks can originate from a wide variety of sources, including third parties who are or may be involved in organized crime or linked to terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. Such third parties may seek to gain unauthorized access to our systems either directly or using equipment or security passwords belonging to employees, customers, third-party service providers, or other users of our systems or those of our third-party service providers. Or, they may seek to disrupt or disable our or our service providers’ services through attacks such as denial-of-service and ransomware attacks. In addition, we or our service providers may be unable to identify, or may be significantly
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 35
delayed in identifying, cyberattacks and incidents due to the increasing use of techniques and tools that are designed to circumvent controls, to avoid detection, and to remove or obfuscate forensic artifacts. As a result, our computer systems, software, and networks, as well as those of third-party vendors we utilize, may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, malware attacks, and other events that could have a security impact beyond our control. We also routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential, and proprietary information, some through third parties, which may be vulnerable to interception, misuse, or mishandling. This risk may be heightened by our hybrid work environment, which may lead to unanticipated issues arising from handling personal, confidential, and other information from a less efficient work-from-home environment.
If one or more of such events occur, personal, confidential, and other information processed by, stored in, or transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or those of third-party vendors, could be compromised or could cause interruptions or malfunctions in our or our customers’ or service providers’ operations that could result in significant losses, loss of business by us and loss of confidence in us, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation, regulatory exposures, and harm to our reputation and brand. In addition, we may be required to expend significant resources to modify our protective measures, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event, and implement mitigation and remediation measures. We also may be subject to fines, penalties, litigation (including securities fraud class action lawsuits) and regulatory investigation costs and settlements and other financial losses. If one or more of such events occur, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.
While we seek to mitigate cyber and related risks associated with outsourcing to third-party service providers, including through our vendor management processes, both operational and technological cyber risks remain, and certain risks are beyond our security and control systems. Cyberattacks targeted at our service providers or in other areas of our business chain may result in unauthorized interception, misuse, mishandling, access, acquisition, loss, or destruction of our or our customers’ data, or other cyber incidents that may affect the availability of our services, and impose costs and other liabilities that significantly and adversely affect us in the ways discussed above.
While we maintain insurance coverage that may apply to various cybersecurity risks and liabilities, there is no guarantee that any or all costs or losses incurred would be partially or fully covered.
We depend significantly on third parties for a wide array of our operations and customer services and key components of our information technology infrastructure, and a breach of security or service levels, or violation of law by one of these third parties, could disrupt our business or provide our competitors with an opportunity to enhance their position at our expense.
We depend significantly on third parties for a wide array of our operations and customer services and key components of our information technology and security infrastructures. Third-party vendors are significantly involved in aspects of our servicing for Private Education Loans, FFELP Loans, Bank deposit-taking activities, payroll software and systems development, data center and operations, including the timely and secure transmission of information across our data communication network, and for “cloud” computing services and other telecommunications, email, processing, storage, remittance, and technology-related services in connection with our business. If a service provider fails to provide the services we require or expect, or fails to meet applicable regulatory or contractual requirements, such as service levels, protection of our customers’ personal and confidential information, or compliance with applicable laws, that failure could negatively impact our business by adversely affecting our ability to process customers’ transactions in a timely and accurate manner, otherwise hampering our ability to serve our customers and investors, or subjecting us to litigation and regulatory risk for matters as diverse as poor vendor oversight, improper release or protection of personal information, or release of incorrect information. Such a failure could adversely affect the perception of the reliability of our networks and services, and the quality of our brand, and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
We may face risks from our operations related to litigation or regulatory or supervisory actions that could result in significant legal expenses and settlement or damage awards.
Defending against litigation or regulatory or supervisory actions may require significant attention and resources of management and, regardless of the outcome, such actions could result in significant expenses. If we are a party to material litigation or regulatory or supervisory actions and if the defenses we assert are ultimately unsuccessful, or if we are unable to achieve a favorable outcome, we could be liable for large damages, penalties,
36 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
or other costs or charge-offs and that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and/or financial condition.
Our internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls, as well as other internal controls, may be ineffective, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or results of operations.
Our management is responsible for maintaining, regularly assessing and, as necessary, making changes to our internal controls over financial reporting and our disclosure controls. Nevertheless, our internal controls over financial reporting and our disclosure controls can provide only reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Any failure or circumvention of our internal controls over financial reporting or our disclosure controls, failure to comply with rules and regulations related to such controls, or failure to make sound and appropriate application of the criteria established in the framework set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or results of operations.
Other internal controls, including fraud detection and controls, and corporate governance procedures also are based on the assumption that they can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances the objectives of the controls and procedures are met. Any failure or circumvention of controls and procedures, including as a result of human error, malfeasance of employees or third parties, or other misconduct by employees or third parties, can result in legal risk and reputational harm and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Our business operations and those of our third-party vendors may be adversely impacted by political events, terrorism, cyberattacks, public health issues (including pandemics), natural disasters, severe weather, climate change, infrastructure failure or outages, labor disputes, business interruptions, and other unpredictable catastrophic events.
Our business operations and those of our third-party vendors are subject to interruption by, among other things, geopolitical events, terrorism, cyberattacks, public health issues (including pandemics), natural disasters, severe weather, climate change, infrastructure failure or outages, labor disputes, and other unpredictable catastrophic events, which could decrease demand for our products and services or make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver a satisfactory experience to our customers.
Any of the unpredictable catastrophic events discussed above could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of our borrowers and cosigners to repay their outstanding loans, cause significant property damage, and result in loss of revenue and/or cause us to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.
The current and anticipated effects of climate change are creating an increasing level of concern for the state of the global environment. As a result, political and social attention to the issue of climate change has increased. In recent years, governments across the world have entered into international agreements to attempt to reduce global temperatures, in part by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The United States Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state regulatory agencies have continued to propose and advance numerous legislative and regulatory initiatives seeking to mitigate the effects of climate change. Such initiatives have been pursued with rigor under the current presidential administration. In October 2023, the FDIC finalized principles for climate risk management by “large financial institutions.” Although the Bank currently does not meet the definition of a “large financial institution” with over $100 billion in total consolidated assets, if it were ever to become subject to those principles in the future, such measures could result in the implementation of significant operational changes and increased costs. We also might voluntarily choose to follow some of the principles for climate risk management in the future. Required or voluntary compliance with such principles could lead us to expend significant capital and incur compliance, operating, maintenance, and remediation costs. Given the lack of empirical data on the credit and other financial risks posed by climate change, it is impossible to predict how climate change may impact our financial condition and operations.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 37
New lines of business or new products and services may subject us to additional risks. Additionally, our ability to successfully make acquisitions is subject to significant risks, including the risk that governmental authorities may not provide any requisite approvals, the risk that integrating acquisitions may be more difficult, costly, or time consuming than expected, and the risk that the value of acquisitions may be less than anticipated.
From time to time, we may implement or acquire new lines of business or offer new products and services, or enter into new business arrangements with third-party service providers, alternative payment providers, or other industry participants. We may face compliance and regulatory risks in each of those cases. We also may from time to time seek to acquire other financial services companies or businesses that complement our business strategy. These acquisitions may be subject to regulatory approval in some instances, and no assurance can be provided that we will be able to obtain that approval in a timely manner or at all or that approval may not be subject to burdensome conditions. Even if we are able to obtain any required regulatory approval, the failure of other closing conditions to be satisfied or waived could delay the completion of an acquisition for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring altogether. Any failure or delay in closing an acquisition could adversely affect our reputation, business, and performance.
Acquisitions and/or implementation of new lines of business, products, or services involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including inaccurate financial and operational assumptions, incomplete or failed due diligence, lower-than-expected performance, higher-than-expected costs, difficulties related to integration, diversion of management’s attention from other business activities, adverse market or other reactions, changes in relationships with customers or counterparties, the potential loss of key personnel, and the possibility of litigation and other disputes. An acquisition also could be dilutive to our existing stockholders if we were to issue common stock to fully or partially pay or fund the purchase price. Moreover, we may not be successful in identifying appropriate acquisition candidates, integrating acquired businesses or companies, or realizing expected value from acquisitions or new lines of business, products, or services. Significant competition exists for valuable acquisition targets, and we may not be able to acquire other businesses or companies on attractive terms. No assurance can be given that we will pursue future acquisitions, and our ability to grow and successfully compete may be impaired if we choose not to pursue or are unable to successfully make acquisitions or implement new lines of business, products, or services.
RISKS RELATED TO SPIN-OFF
Because of Navient’s indemnification obligations, we have exposures to risks related to its creditworthiness. If we are unable to obtain indemnification payments from Navient, we could experience higher-than-expected costs and operating expenses and our results of operations, cash flows, and/or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and as contemplated by the structure of the Spin-Off, Navient is legally obligated to indemnify the Bank against all claims, actions, damages, losses, or expenses that may arise from the conduct of all activities of pre-Spin-Off SLM occurring prior to the Spin-Off, except for certain liabilities specifically assumed by the Bank in the agreement as to which the Bank would be obligated to indemnify Navient. The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides specific processes and procedures pursuant to which we may submit claims for indemnification to Navient. If for any reason Navient is unable or unwilling to pay claims made against it, our costs, operating expenses, cash flows, and/or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected over time.
GENERAL RISKS
The holders of our preferred stock have rights that are senior to those of our common shareholders.
At December 31, 2023, we had issued and outstanding 2.5 million shares of our Series B Preferred Stock. Our Series B Preferred Stock is senior to our shares of common stock in right of payment of dividends and other distributions. Generally, we must be current on dividends payable to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock before any dividends can be paid on our common stock. We also must comply with certain provisions that are protective of the Series B Preferred Stock in order to effectuate any repurchases under our common stock share repurchase program. In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution, or liquidation, the holders of our Series B Preferred Stock must be satisfied before any distributions can be made to our common shareholders.
38 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
We may be limited in our ability to receive dividends from the Bank, pay dividends on and repurchase our common stock, and make payments on our corporate debt.
The declaration and payment of future common stock dividends, as well as the amount thereof, are subject to determination by, and the discretion of, our Board of Directors. In addition, we may change our policy regarding the payment of dividends and reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in the future, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our share repurchase programs permit us to repurchase from time to time shares of our common stock up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed the authorized limits described in this Form 10-K. We may not be able to sell loans at prices, in volumes, or on a schedule, that will provide us with sufficient funds to effect share repurchases under our share repurchase programs. Additionally, we may pause or discontinue our share repurchase programs for other reasons, such as legal or regulatory considerations, or because we decide to allocate available funds for other corporate priorities. The timing and volume of any repurchases will be subject to market conditions, and there can be no guarantee that we will repurchase up to the limit of any program or at all, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We are dependent on funds obtained from the Bank to fund corporate debt payments, dividend payments, and any share repurchases. Regulatory and other legal restrictions may limit our ability to transfer funds freely, either to or from our subsidiaries. In particular, the Bank is subject to laws and regulations that authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds to us, or that prohibit such transfers altogether in certain circumstances. These laws, regulations, and rules may hinder our ability to access funds that we may need to make payments in respect of our stock or to satisfy our other responsibilities. The FDIC has the authority to prohibit or limit the payment of dividends by the Bank and SLM Corporation.
Our business could be negatively affected if we are unable to attract, retain, and motivate skilled employees.
Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to retain key senior leaders and to attract and retain skilled employees and subject matter experts. We depend on our senior leaders and skilled employees and subject matter experts to oversee initiatives across the enterprise and execute on our business plans in an efficient and effective manner. Competition for such senior leaders and employees, and the cost associated with attracting and retaining them, is high. Recent scrutiny of compensation in the financial services industry has introduced additional challenges in this area. Our ability to attract and retain qualified employees also is affected by perceptions of our culture and management, our profile in the regions where we have offices, and the professional opportunities we offer. We rely upon our senior leaders not only for business success, but also to lead with integrity. To the extent our senior leaders behave in a manner that does not comport with our values, the consequences to our brand and reputation could be severe and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to attract, develop, and retain talented senior leadership and employees, or to implement appropriate succession plans for our senior leadership and subject matter experts, our business could be negatively affected.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 39

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
The following table lists the principal facility owned by us as of December 31, 2023:
Location Function Approximate
Square Feet
Newark, DE Headquarters 160,000
The following table lists the principal facilities leased by us as of December 31, 2023:
Location Function Approximate
Square Feet
Indianapolis, IN Administrative Offices 115,000
New Castle, DE Loan Servicing Center 125,000
Sterling, VA Administrative Offices 27,000
Newton, MA Administrative Offices 14,000
Salt Lake City, UT Sallie Mae Bank 17,000
The facility that we own is not encumbered by a mortgage. We believe that our headquarters, loan servicing centers, data center, back-up facility, and data management and collection centers are generally adequate to meet our long-term lending and business goals. Our headquarters are currently located in owned space at 300 Continental Drive, Newark, Delaware, 19713.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 41

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. 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 Separation and Distribution Agreement, and as contemplated by the structure of the Spin-Off, Navient is legally obligated to indemnify the Bank against all claims, actions, damages, losses, or expenses that may arise from the conduct of all activities of pre-Spin-Off SLM occurring prior to the Spin-Off, except for certain liabilities related to the conduct of the pre-Spin-Off consumer banking business that were specifically assumed by the Bank (and as to which the Bank is obligated to indemnify Navient). Navient has acknowledged its indemnification obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, in connection with the previously disclosed investigation matters and the now resolved multistate litigation. Navient has informed the Bank, however, that it believes the Bank may be responsible to indemnify Navient against certain potential liabilities arising from the above-described lawsuits under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and/or a separate loan servicing agreement between the parties, and has suggested that the parties defer further discussion regarding indemnification obligations, and reimbursement of ongoing legal costs, in connection with the lawsuits. The Bank disagrees with Navient’s position and the Bank has reiterated to Navient that Navient is responsible for promptly indemnifying the Bank against all liabilities arising out of the conduct of pre-Spin-Off SLM that are at issue.
Regulatory Update
In May 2014, the Bank received a CID from the CFPB as part of the CFPB Investigation. To the extent requested, the Bank has been cooperating fully with the CFPB. Given the timeframe covered by the CID and the CFPB 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 this 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.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
N/A
42 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
PART II.

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is listed and has traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol SLM since December 12, 2011. As of January 31, 2024, there were 220,349,715 shares of our common stock outstanding and 246 holders of record.
We paid quarterly cash dividends on our common stock of $0.11 per share for each quarter of 2023 and 2022. We paid quarterly cash dividends on our common stock of $0.03 per share for the first, second, and third quarters of 2021, respectively, and $0.11 per share for the fourth quarter of 2021. Common stock dividend declarations are subject to determination by, and the discretion of, our Board of Directors. We may change our common stock dividend policy at any time.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information relating to our purchase of shares of our common stock in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
(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)(3)
Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares That May Yet Be
Purchased Under Publicly Announced Plans or
Programs
at December 31, 2023(2)
Period:
October 1 - October 31, 2023 3 $ 12.86 - $326,000
November 1 - November 30, 2023 4,230 $ 14.95 4,229 $264,000
December 1 - December 31, 2023 1,730 $ 16.63 1,723 $236,000
Total fourth-quarter 2023 5,963 $ 15.43 5,952
(1)The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased under the stock repurchase programs 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 performance stock units.
(2)In the first quarter of 2022, we utilized all capacity then remaining under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program. As of December 31, 2023, we had $236 million of capacity remaining under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program.
(3)In the fourth quarter of 2023, we repurchased 6.0 million common shares under our 10b5-1 trading plans. See Note 14, “Stockholders’ Equity” to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for further discussion.
The closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on December 29, 2023 was $19.12.
The 2019 Share Repurchase Program expired on January 22, 2021 and permitted us to repurchase from time to time shares of our common stock up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $200 million. We utilized all capacity under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program, having repurchased 3 million shares of common stock for $33 million in the year ended December 31, 2020.
The 2020 Share Repurchase Program expired on January 21, 2022 and permitted us to repurchase shares of common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $600 million.
Under the authority of the 2020 Share Repurchase Program, on March 10, 2020, we entered into an ASR with a third-party financial institution under which we paid $525 million for an upfront delivery of our common stock and a forward agreement. On March 11, 2020, the third-party financial institution delivered to us approximately 44.9 million shares. The final total actual number of shares of common stock delivered to us pursuant to the forward agreement was based generally upon a volume-weighted average price at which the shares of our common stock traded during the regular trading sessions on Nasdaq during the term of the ASR. The transactions were accounted for as equity transactions and were included in treasury stock when the shares were received, at which time there was an immediate reduction in the weighted average common shares calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 43
On January 26, 2021, we completed the ASR and upon final settlement on January 28, 2021, we received an additional 13 million shares. In total, we repurchased 58 million shares under the ASR at an average price per share of $9.01. Under the 2020 Share Repurchase Program, we also repurchased an additional 4 million shares of common stock for $75 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. We have utilized all capacity under the 2020 Share Repurchase Program.
On January 27, 2021, we announced the 2021 Share Repurchase Program, which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 26, 2023, and originally permitted us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $1.25 billion.
In October 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $250 million increase in the amount of common stock that could be repurchased under our 2021 Share Repurchase Program, which expired on January 26, 2023. This was in addition to the original $1.25 billion of authorization announced on January 27, 2021, for a total 2021 Share Repurchase Program authorization of $1.5 billion. Of the total $1.5 billion 2021 Share Repurchase Program authorization, we repurchased 81.1 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $18.07, for $1.46 billion in the year ended December 31, 2021. (Those amounts include the shares repurchased under the Tender Offer described below.) We also repurchased 2.0 million shares of common stock under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program for $38 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. We have utilized all capacity under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program.
On January 26, 2022, we announced the 2022 Share Repurchase Program, which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 25, 2024, and permitted us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $1.25 billion. Under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program, we repurchased 22.3 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $15.64, for $349 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, and we repurchased 38.2 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $17.52, for $669 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. There was $236 million of capacity remaining under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program at December 31, 2023. Any capacity remaining unused under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program on January 25, 2024 expired on that date pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Share Repurchase Program.
On January 24, 2024, we announced the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, which became effective on January 26, 2024 and expires on February 6, 2026, and permits us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $650 million.
Under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, repurchases may occur from time to time and through a variety of methods, including open market repurchases, repurchases effected through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, negotiated block purchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, tender offers, or other similar transactions. The timing and volume of any repurchases will be subject to market conditions, and there can be no guarantee that the Company will repurchase up to the limit of the 2024 Share Repurchase Program or at all.
Common Stock Tender Offer
On February 2, 2021, under the auspices of the 2021 Share Repurchase Program, we announced the commencement of the Tender Offer to purchase up to $1 billion in aggregate purchase price of our outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.20 per share. Pursuant to the Tender Offer, we repurchased 28.5 million shares at a price of $16.50 per share. The purchase of shares settled on March 16, 2021, for an aggregate cost of approximately $472 million, including fees and expenses related to the Tender Offer. We cancelled the 28.5 million shares purchased in connection with the Tender Offer. This cancellation decreased the balances of common stock by $6 million and of additional paid-in capital by $466 million, respectively.
Share Repurchases under our Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we repurchased 22 million, 40 million, and 57 million shares, respectively, of our common stock at a total cost of $349 million, $708 million, and $1.1 billion, respectively, under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans authorized under our share repurchase programs.
In addition to any repurchases that we may make under the share repurchase programs, we expect 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.
44 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Stock Performance
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total returns of SLM Corporation, the S&P Supercomposite Consumer Finance Sub-Industry Index, and the S&P 400 Regional Bank Sub-Industry Index.
This graph assumes $100 was invested in the stock or the relevant index on December 31, 2018, and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends through December 31, 2023.
Five-Year Cumulative Total Stockholder Return
Company/Index 12/31/18 12/31/19 12/31/20 12/31/21 12/31/22 12/31/23
SLM Corporation $100.0 $108.6 $153.0 $245.6 $212.5 $252.2
S&P Supercomposite Consumer Finance Sub-Industry Index 100.0 135.0 136.1 185.9 149.7 192.4
S&P 400 Regional Bank Sub-Industry Index 100.0 124.6 113.9 161.3 154.6 153.2
Source: Bloomberg Total Return Analysis
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 45

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following table sets forth our selected financial and other operating information. The selected financial data in the table is derived from our consolidated financial statements. The data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes, and Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Operating Data:
Net interest income $ 1,562 $ 1,489 $ 1,395 $ 1,480 $ 1,623
Non-interest income 247 335 632 331 49
Total revenue 1,809 1,824 2,027 1,811 1,672
Net income $ 581 $ 469 $ 1,161 $ 881 $ 578
Basic earnings per common share $ 2.44 $ 1.78 $ 3.67 $ 2.27 $ 1.31
Diluted earnings per common share $ 2.41 $ 1.76 $ 3.61 $ 2.25 $ 1.30
Dividends per common share(1)
$ 0.44 $ 0.44 $ 0.20 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
Return on common stockholders’ equity 36 % 25 % 54 % 45 % 21 %
Net interest margin 5.50 5.31 4.81 4.81 5.76
Return on assets 2.03 1.64 3.92 2.84 1.96
Dividend payout ratio 18 25 6 5 9
Average equity/average assets 6.37 7.19 8.09 7.23 10.56
Balance Sheet Data:
Total education loans held for investment portfolio, net $ 20,306 $ 19,627 $ 20,318 $ 19,172 $ 23,680
Total assets 29,169 28,811 29,222 30,770 32,686
Total deposits 21,653 21,448 20,828 22,666 24,284
Total borrowings 5,228 5,235 5,931 5,189 4,643
Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity 1,881 1,727 2,150 2,563 3,312
Book value per common share 7.40 6.13 6.81 6.16 6.91
(1) Common stock dividend declarations are subject to determination by, and the discretion of, our Board of Directors. We may change our common stock dividend policy at any time.
46 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis also contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the disclosures and information contained in “Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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.
Impact of COVID-19 on Sallie Mae
The COVID-19 crisis was unprecedented and has had a significant impact on the economic environment globally and in the U.S. On April 10, 2023, President Biden signed into law a joint resolution that immediately terminated the COVID-19 national emergency. On June 3, 2023, President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, and as a result, the U.S. Department of Education announced the end of its COVID-19 student loan forbearance program. Beginning on September 1, 2023, interest accrual on federal student loans resumed and in October 2023, payments by federal student loan borrowers resumed. There still remains some uncertainty as to the length and breadth of the COVID-19 impact to the U.S. economy and, consequently, on us.
Overview
The following discussion and analysis presents a review of our business and operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Key Financial Measures
Set forth below are brief summaries of our key financial measures. Our operating results are primarily driven by net interest income from our Private Education Loan portfolio, gains and losses on loan sales, 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.
Net Interest Income
Most of our earnings are generated from the interest income earned on assets in our education loan portfolios, net of the interest expense we pay on the funding for those loans. We report these earnings as net interest income. We also often refer to the net interest margin, which is the net interest yield earned on our interest-earning assets less the rate paid on our related interest-bearing liabilities. The majority of our interest income comes from our Private Education Loan portfolio. FFELP Loans have a lower net interest yield and carry lower risk than Private Education Loans, as a result of the federal government guarantee supporting FFELP Loans.
Loan Sales and Secured Financings
We may sell loans to third parties through whole loan sales, securitizations, or other similar transactions. We typically retain servicing of loans subsequent to their sale and earn revenue for this servicing at prevailing market rates for such services. Selling loans removes the loan assets from our balance sheet and helps us manage our asset growth, capital, and liquidity needs. Alternatively, we may use loans as collateral in connection with the creation of asset-backed securitizations or secured funding facilities structured as financings. These types of transactions may provide us long-term financing, but they do not remove loan assets from our balance sheet, nor do they generate gains on sales of loans, net. Consequently, our operating results may be significantly affected by whether we choose to sell loans and recognize current gains on sale or continue to hold or finance loans, thereby retaining some or all the net interest income from those loans. In 2023, we recognized $164 million in gains from the sale of approximately $3.15 billion of our Private Education Loans, including $2.93 billion of principal and $226 million in capitalized interest, to an unaffiliated third party. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5, “Loans Held for Investment.”
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 47
Allowance for Credit Losses
Management estimates and maintains an allowance for credit losses for the lifetime expected credit losses on loans in our portfolios, as well as for future loan commitments, at the reporting date. See “ - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Allowance for Credit Losses.” Allowances for credit losses are an important indicator of management’s perspective on the future performance of a loan portfolio. Each quarter, management makes an adjustment to the allowance for credit losses to reflect its most up-to-date estimate of future losses by recording a charge against quarterly revenues known as provision expense. As they occur, actual loan charge-offs and recoveries are then charged or credited, respectively, against the allowance for credit losses rather than against earnings.
The allowance for credit losses and provision expense rise in periods of high loan origination, when future charge-offs are expected to increase, and fall when future charge-offs are expected to decline. We bear the full credit exposure on our Private Education Loans. Losses on our Private Education Loans are affected by risk characteristics such as loan status (in-school, grace, forbearance, repayment, and delinquency), loan seasoning (number of months in active repayment), underwriting criteria (e.g., credit scores), presence of a cosigner, servicing and collections practices, and the current economic environment. See “CREDIT RISK - Defaults on our loans, particularly Private Education Loans, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows.” in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for additional information. Losses typically emerge once a borrower separates from school and enters full principal and interest repayment after the borrower’s grace period (six months, typically) ends. As a larger proportion of our Private Education Loan portfolio enters full principal and interest repayment in the coming years, we would expect the amount of charge-offs to increase.
Our allowance for credit losses for FFELP Loans and related periodic provision expense are small because we generally bear a maximum of three percent loss exposure due to the federal guarantee on such loans. We maintain an allowance for credit losses for our FFELP Loans at a level sufficient to cover lifetime expected credit losses.
Charge-Offs and Delinquencies
Delinquencies are another important indicator of potential future credit performance. Private Education Loans are charged off at the end of the month in which they reach 120 days delinquent or otherwise when the loans are classified as a loss by us or our regulator. Charge-off data provides relevant information with respect to the actual performance of a loan portfolio over time. Management focuses on delinquencies as well as the progression of loans from early to late stage delinquency as a key metric in estimating the allowance for credit losses and tailoring its future collections strategies. We sell a segment of defaulted loans immediately after charge-off, and use in-house collectors and third-party collectors to collect on retained defaulted loans.
Operating Expenses
The cost of operating our business directly affects our profitability. We strive to manage growth in our business in a prudent fashion by focusing on investments to improve efficiency. We monitor and report internally various metrics, including cost to acquire and cost to service our loans (which include both owned and serviced loans), among others. The cost to acquire is affected by such variables as technology, personnel, and marketing costs. Servicing expenses primarily include compensation and benefit expenses related to our collections, customer support, and payment processing employees, and technology costs and other expenses associated with facilitating and servicing borrowers. Costs to service can vary period to period based upon seasonality and borrower payment status. The cost to service a delinquent borrower is significantly higher than the cost to service a current or in-school borrower.
Private Education Loan Originations
Private Education Loans are the principal asset on our balance sheet, and the amount of new Private Education Loan originations we generate each year is a key indicator of the trajectory of our business, including our future earnings and asset growth.
Funding Sources
Deposits
We utilize brokered, retail, and other core deposits to meet funding needs and enhance our liquidity position. These deposits can be term or liquid deposits. Our term brokered deposits have terms from three months to ten years. Retail deposits are sourced through a direct banking platform and serve as an important source of diversified funding. Brokered deposits are sourced through a network of brokers and provide a stable source of funding. In addition, we accept certain
48 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
deposits considered non-brokered that are held in large accounts structured to allow FDIC insurance to flow through to underlying individual depositors. We diversify our funding sources with deposits from Educational 529 savings plans and Health Savings plans. These and other large omnibus accounts, aggregating the deposits of many individual depositors, represented $7.6 billion of our deposit totals as of December 31, 2023.
Loan Securitizations
We have diversified our funding sources by issuing term ABS and by entering into the Secured Borrowing Facility. Term ABS financing provides long-term funding for our Private Education Loan portfolio at attractive interest rates and at terms that effectively match the average life of the assets. Loans associated with these transactions will remain on our balance sheet if we retain the residual interest in the related trusts. The Secured Borrowing Facility provides an extremely flexible source of funds that can be drawn upon on short notice to meet funding needs within the Bank. Borrowings under our Secured Borrowing Facility are accounted for as secured financings.
LIBOR Transition
Following announcements by the UKFCA, which regulates LIBOR, and ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, publication of 1-week and 2-month USD LIBOR and all tenors for other currencies ceased after December 31, 2021. Publication of the remaining USD settings ceased after June 30, 2023 (the “LIBOR Cessation Date”).
In 2020, we launched a formal cross-functional replacement project with the goal of ensuring a smooth transition to a replacement index for our LIBOR-based assets and obligations with minimal negative impact on our customers, investors, and the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. In 2020, we began accepting certain deposits based on SOFR. In the second quarter of 2021, we began issuing variable-rate Private Education Loans that are indexed to SOFR. In May 2022, we renewed the Secured Borrowing Facility with an index based on SOFR and, in the third quarter of 2022, we began issuing ABS that are indexed to SOFR. In the second quarter of 2023, our derivatives were transitioned by the CME and LCH into instruments on which the LIBOR coupon remained in effect until the first repricing date after the LIBOR Cessation Date.
In the third quarter of 2023, all our remaining assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items referencing LIBOR transitioned to reference SOFR plus the applicable spread adjustment on their respective first repricing dates after the LIBOR Cessation Date. These items were comprised of Private Education Loans originated before April 2021, deposits, variable-rate ABS, derivatives, as well as our Series B Preferred Stock.
Approximately $76 million of our variable-rate ABS (those issued before November 2017) did not have fallback provisions for an alternative reference rate and we relied upon the safe harbors provided by federal legislation to transition these ABS rates from LIBOR to SOFR.
See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors - INTEREST RATE RISK” in this Form 10-K for additional discussion regarding the risks associated with the transition from LIBOR.
Strategic Imperatives
To further focus our business and increase shareholder value, we continue to advance our strategic imperatives. Our focus remains on maximizing the profitability and growth of our core private student loan business, while harnessing and optimizing the power of our brand and attractive client base. In addition, we continue to seek to better inform the external narrative about student lending and Sallie Mae. We also strive to maintain a rigorous and predictable capital allocation and return program to create shareholder value. We are focused on driving a mission-led culture that continues to make Sallie Mae a great place to work. We also continue to strengthen our risk and compliance functions, enhance and build upon our risk management framework, and assess and monitor enterprise-wide risk.
During 2023, we made the following progress on the above corporate strategic imperatives.
Acquisition of Scholly
On July 21, 2023, we completed the previously announced acquisition of several key assets of Scholly, which is engaged in the business of operating as a scholarship publishing and servicing platform, comprised of websites and mobile application search products that offer custom recommendations for post-secondary scholarships for students, their families, and others as well as related services for scholarship providers. The addition of Scholly assets will support our mission of providing students with the confidence needed to successfully navigate the higher education journey. For additional information on this transaction, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Business Combinations,” and Note 10, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets” in this Form 10-K.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 49
2023-A Securitization
On March 15, 2023, we executed our $579 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2023-A term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $579 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $572 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 5.06 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.53 percent.
2023-C Securitization
On August 16, 2023, we executed our $568 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2023-C term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $568 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $568 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 4.93 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.69 percent.
2023 Loan Sales and 2023-B and 2023-D Transactions
In 2023, we recognized $164 million in gains from the sale of approximately $3.15 billion of our Private Education Loans, including $2.93 billion of principal and $226 million in capitalized interest, to an unaffliated third party. The transactions qualified for sale treatment and removed the balance of the loans from our balance sheet on the respective settlement dates. We remained the servicer of these loans pursuant to applicable servicing agreements executed in connection with the sales. For additional information regarding these transactions, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5, “Loans Held for Investment” and Note 12, “Borrowings - Unconsolidated VIEs” in this Form 10-K.
Secured Borrowing Facility
On May 16, 2023, we amended our Secured Borrowing Facility to extend the maturity of the facility. The amount that can be borrowed under the facility is $2 billion. We hold 100 percent of the residual interest in the Secured Borrowing Facility trust. Under the Secured Borrowing Facility, we incur financing costs on unused borrowing capacity and on outstanding advances. The amended Secured Borrowing Facility extended the revolving period, during which we may borrow, repay, and reborrow funds, until May 15, 2024. The scheduled amortization period, during which amounts outstanding under the Secured Borrowing Facility must be repaid, ends on May 15, 2025 (or earlier, if certain material adverse events occur).
Sale of Credit Card Loan Portfolio
In May 2023, we sold our Credit Card loan portfolio to a third party. This transaction qualified for sale treatment and removed the balance of the loans from our balance sheet on the settlement date. We recorded a loss of $4 million related to the sale in the second quarter of 2023.
Share Repurchases under our Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased 22 million shares of our common stock at a total cost of $349 million under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans authorized under our share repurchase programs.
See “Item 1. Business - Human Capital Resources and Talent Development” for a discussion regarding our mission-led culture.
50 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Results of Operations
We present the results of operations below on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income
Years ended December 31,
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Increase (Decrease)
2023 vs. 2022 2022 vs. 2021
2023 2022 2021 $ % $ %
Interest income:
Loans $ 2,327 $ 1,915 $ 1,757 $ 412 22 % $ 158 9 %
Investments 51 35 14 16 46 21 150
Cash and cash equivalents 214 82 6 132 161 76 1,267
Total interest income 2,592 2,032 1,777 560 28 255 14
Total interest expense 1,030 543 382 487 90 161 42
Net interest income 1,562 1,489 1,395 73 5 94 7
Less: provisions for credit losses 345 633 (33) (288) (45) 666 2,018
Net interest income after provisions for credit losses 1,217 855 1,428 362 42 (573) (40)
Non-interest income:
Gains on sales of loans, net 160 328 548 (168) (51) (220) (40)
Gains (losses) on securities, net 3 (60) 39 63 105 (99) (254)
Other income 84 67 45 17 25 22 49
Total non-interest income 247 335 632 (88) (26) (297) (47)
Non-interest expenses:
Total operating expenses 619 551 519 68 12 32 6
Acquired intangible assets impairment and amortization expense 66 8 - 58 725 8 100
Restructuring expenses - - 1 - - (1) (100)
Total non-interest expenses 685 559 520 126 23 39 8
Income before income tax expense 778 631 1,540 147 23 (909) (59)
Income tax expense 197 162 380 35 22 (218) (57)
Net income 581 469 1,160 112 24 (691) (60)
Preferred stock dividends 18 9 4 9 100 5 125
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ 564 $ 460 $ 1,156 $ 104 23 % $ (696) (60) %
Basic earnings per common share $ 2.44 $ 1.78 $ 3.67 $ 0.66 37 % $ (1.89) (51) %
Diluted earnings per common share $ 2.41 $ 1.76 $ 3.61 $ 0.65 37 % $ (1.85) (51) %
Declared dividends per common share $ 0.44 $ 0.44 $ 0.20 $ - - % $ 0.24 120 %
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 51
GAAP Consolidated Earnings Summary
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income was $581 million, or $2.41 diluted earnings per common share, compared with net income of $469 million, or $1.76 diluted earnings per common share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to less provisions for credit losses and an increase in total net interest income and other income, which were offset by decreases in gains on sales of loans, net, and higher operating expenses.
The primary contributors to each of the identified drivers of change in net income for the current year period compared with the year-ago period are as follows:
•Net interest income in 2023 increased by $73 million compared with the year-ago period primarily due to a $375 million increase in average Private Education Loans and FFELP Loans outstanding and a 19-basis point increase in our net interest margin. Our net interest margin increased in the current period from the year-ago period because of the dramatic increase in interest rates over the past year. When interest rates rise, the yield on our interest-earning assets typically increases faster than our cost of funds. As such, as rates increased in 2023, we saw our net interest margin increase.
•Provision for credit losses in 2023 was $345 million, compared with $633 million in the year-ago period. During 2023, the provision for credit losses was primarily affected by new loan commitments, net of expired commitments, slower prepayment rates, management overlays, and changes in economic outlook, which were partially offset by $205 million in negative provisions recorded as a result of the approximately $3.15 billion in Private Education Loan sales during 2023 and an increase in recovery rates (as a result of the change in our defaulted loan recovery process). In the year-ago period, the provision for credit losses was primarily affected by new loan commitments made during the period, slower than expected prepayment rates, and additional management overlays, which were partially offset by negative provisions recorded related to $3.34 billion in Private Education Loans sold in 2022 and the adoption of a new loss model that included a reduction in the long-term estimate of losses after the reasonable and supportable period. Management overlays increased in 2022 due to several factors, including additional provisions for our expectation of higher future loan losses related to the previously announced credit administration practices changes we implemented in 2021, “gap year” loans, a shortage and lack of tenured collections staff, and other operational challenges we experienced in 2022.
•Gains on sales of loans, net, were $160 million in 2023, compared with $328 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in gains on sales of loans was primarily the result of selling approximately $3.15 billion of Private Education Loans in 2023, compared with the sale of approximately $3.34 billion of Private Education Loans in the year-ago period, and lower sales premiums received in 2023 compared to the year-ago period, which were attributable to higher interest rates in 2023. We also sold our Credit Card loan portfolio in May 2023 and recorded a $4 million loss on the sale in 2023.
•Gains (losses) on securities, net, were $3 million in gains in 2023, compared with a net loss of $60 million in the year-ago period. The gains on securities, net, in 2023 were related to the changes in mark-to-fair value of our trading investments. During 2022, we determined that an investment in non-marketable equity securities was impaired. As such, we wrote down the value by $60 million in 2022 based upon an estimate of the value of these securities.
•Other income was $84 million in 2023, compared with $67 million in the year-ago period. The increase in other income compared with the year-ago period was primarily the result of a $13 million increase in third-party servicing fees from the year-ago period and a $2 million increase in Private Education Loan late fees compared with the year-ago period.
•For the year ended December 31, 2023, total operating expenses were $619 million, compared with $551 million in the year-ago period. The increase in total operating expenses was primarily driven by higher personnel costs, initiative spending, and higher FDIC assessment fees, which were partially offset by lower Credit Card portfolio expenses as a result of the sale of the portfolio.
•In 2023, we recorded $66 million in impairment and amortization of acquired intangible assets, compared with $8 million in the year-ago period. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we recorded an impairment of $56 million as a result of a write-down of the value of the Nitro trade name and trademarks intangible assets. This write-down occurred because we plan to discontinue the use of the Nitro trade name and trademarks in 2024 and transition the related branding to the Sallie and Sallie Mae brands and platforms. In 2023, we recorded $10 million in amortization expense of acquired intangible assets, compared to $8 million in the year-ago period. The increase
52 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
in amortization expense is related to our acquisition of several key assets of Scholly in the third quarter of 2023. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 10, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets” in this Form 10-K.
•Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $197 million, compared with $162 million in the year-ago period. The effective tax rate decreased in 2023 to 25.3 percent from 25.6 percent in the year-ago period. The decrease in the effective rate for 2023 was primarily attributable to an increase in tax credits utilized in the year.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2021
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net income was $469 million, or $1.76 diluted earnings per common share,
compared with net income of $1.16 billion, or $3.61 diluted earnings per common share, for the year ended December 31,
2021. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to higher provisions for credit losses, decreases in gains on
sales of loans, net, and other income, and higher operating expenses, which were offset by an increase in total net
interest income.
The primary contributors to each of the identified drivers of change in net income for 2022 compared with 2021 are as follows:
•Net interest income in 2022 increased by $94 million compared with 2021 primarily due to a 50-basis point increase in our net interest margin, which more than offset a $922 million reduction in average interest-earning assets. Our net interest margin increased in 2022 from 2021 because of a combination of factors, including an $855 million reduction in low-yielding average cash and other short-term investments, and a $367 million increase in average taxable securities. Historically, the yields on interest-earnings assets reprice more quickly than our cost of funds. As such, as rates increased in 2022, the yields on our interest-earning assets increased 111 basis points, while the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities only increased 63 basis points, compared with 2021. The higher level of cash and other short-term investments in 2021 was primarily the result of $4.2 billion in Private Education Loan sales that occurred in 2021.
•Provision for credit losses in 2022 was $633 million, compared with a negative provision of $33 million in 2021. During 2022, the provision for credit losses was primarily affected by new loan commitments made during the period, slower prepayment rates, and additional management overlays, which were partially offset by negative provisions recorded related to $3.34 billion in Private Education Loans sold in 2022, and the adoption of a new loss model that included a reduction in the long-term estimate of losses after the reasonable and supportable period. Management overlays increased in 2022 due to several factors, including additional provisions for our expectation of higher future loan losses related to the previously announced credit administration practices changes we implemented in 2021, “gap year” loans, a shortage and lack of tenured collections staff, and other operational challenges we experienced in 2022. “Gap year” loans refer to loans to borrowers who took a “gap year” during the COVID-19 pandemic and entered full principal and interest repayment status starting in late 2021 and early 2022. Losses on these “gap year” loans were higher than expected and contributed to the higher provision expense recorded in 2022 to cover the higher-than-expected losses. In 2021, the provision for credit losses was favorably affected by improved economic forecasts in 2021 and faster prepayments speeds. In addition, during the first quarter of 2021, we increased our estimates of future prepayment speeds during both the two-year reasonable and supportable period as well as the remaining term of the underlying loans. The faster estimated prepayment speeds reflected the significant improvement in economic forecasts as well as the implementation of an updated prepayment speed model in the first quarter of 2021.
•Gains on sales of loans, net, were $328 million in 2022, compared with $548 million in 2021. Higher interest rates in 2022 compared with 2021 resulted in the amount the buyers were willing to pay on our loans in 2022 to decrease compared with 2021. The decrease in gains on sales of loans, net, also was the result of $90 million less in Private Education Loan sales in 2022 when compared with 2021.
•Gains (losses) on securities, net, was a loss of $60 million in 2022, compared with a gain of $39 million in 2021. During 2022, we determined that an investment in non-marketable equity securities was impaired. As such, we wrote down the value based upon an estimate of the value of these securities. The gain recorded in 2021 was primarily the result of a $35 million increase in the valuation of the same non-marketable securities.
•Other income was $67 million in 2022, compared with $45 million in 2021. Other income in 2021 was negatively affected by a $5 million reduction in the tax indemnification receivable related to uncertain tax positions and by a $3 million loss from fees related to the redemption of $200 million of our 5.125 percent unsecured senior notes
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 53
due in April 2022. Also, in the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a $10 million increase in third-party servicing fees and a $4 million increase in Private Education Loan late fees versus 2021.
•For the year ended December 31, 2022, total operating expenses were $551 million, compared with $519 million in 2021. The increase in total operating expenses was primarily driven by transaction costs related to our acquisition of Nitro, higher personnel costs, and initiative spending.
•In 2022, we recorded $8 million in amortization of acquired intangible assets related to our acquisition of Nitro in the first quarter of 2022. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 10, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets” in this Form 10-K.
•Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $162 million, compared with $380 million in 2021. The effective tax rate increased in 2022 to 25.6 percent from 24.7 percent in 2021. The increase in the effective rate for 2022 was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance against future tax benefits, and lower-than-expected tax credits in 2022.
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings”
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 non-GAAP “Core Earnings.” The difference between our non-GAAP “Core Earnings” and GAAP results for periods presented generally is driven by the unrealized, mark-to-fair value gains (losses) on derivative contracts recognized in GAAP, but not in non-GAAP “Core Earnings.”
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” recognizes the difference in accounting treatment based upon whether a derivative qualifies 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. 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.”
The adjustments required to reconcile from our non-GAAP “Core Earnings” results to our GAAP results of operations, net of tax, relate to differing treatments for those derivative instruments used to hedge our economic risks that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The amount recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net” includes (i) the accrual of the current payment on the interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, and (ii) the change in fair values related to future expected cash flows for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. For purposes of non-GAAP “Core Earnings,” we include in GAAP earnings the current period accrual amounts (interest reclassification) on the swaps and exclude the change in fair values for those derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting treatment. Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” is meant to represent what earnings would have been had these derivatives qualified for hedge accounting and there was no ineffectiveness.
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” are not a substitute for reported results under GAAP. We provide a non-GAAP “Core Earnings” basis of presentation because (i) earnings per share computed on a non-GAAP “Core Earnings” basis is one of several measures we utilize to evaluate management performance and allocate corporate resources, 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 non-GAAP “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. There were no gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities in the year ended December 31, 2023.
54 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Unrealized gains (losses) on instruments not in a hedging relationship $ - $ (248) $ (23,216)
Interest reclassification - 243 23,360
Gains on derivatives and hedging activities, net $ - $ (5) $ 144
The following table reflects adjustments associated with our derivative activities.
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2023 2022 2021
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
GAAP net income $ 581,391 $ 469,014 $ 1,160,513
Preferred stock dividends 17,705 9,029 4,736
GAAP net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ 563,686 $ 459,985 $ 1,155,777
Adjustments:
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)
- 248 23,216
Net tax expense(2)
- 60 5,615
Total non-GAAP “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP - 188 17,601
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ 563,686 $ 460,173 $ 1,173,378
GAAP diluted earnings per common share $ 2.41 $ 1.76 $ 3.61
Derivative adjustments, net of tax - - 0.06
Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” diluted earnings per common share $ 2.41 $ 1.76 $ 3.67
(1) Derivative Accounting: Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses caused by the mark-to-fair value valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP, but include current period accruals on the derivative instruments. Under GAAP, for our derivatives held to maturity, the cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract will equal $0.
(2) Non-GAAP “Core Earnings” tax rate is based on the effective tax rate at the Bank, where the derivative instruments are held.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 55
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.
Years ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Balance
Rate
Balance
Rate
Balance
Rate
Average Assets
Private Education Loans $ 21,039,701 10.86 % $ 20,576,737 9.14 % $ 20,968,061 8.25 %
FFELP Loans 574,218 7.19 662,194 4.62 718,186 3.43
Credit Cards 11,096 14.02 28,547 5.10 14,982 4.67
Taxable securities 2,543,586 2.00 2,509,215 1.41 2,142,025 0.65
Cash and other short-term investments 4,215,164 5.09 4,284,442 1.93 5,139,731 0.14
Total interest-earning assets 28,383,765 9.13 % 28,061,135 7.24 % 28,982,985 6.13 %
Non-interest-earning assets 301,749 605,447 636,691
Total assets $ 28,685,514 $ 28,666,582 $ 29,619,676
Average Liabilities and Equity
Brokered deposits $ 9,803,802 3.29 % $ 9,871,787 1.95 % $ 11,015,170 1.35 %
Retail and other deposits 11,605,215 4.40 11,109,675 1.65 10,540,170 0.70
Other interest-bearing liabilities(1)
5,366,365 3.66 5,517,489 3.03 5,390,098 2.94
Total interest-bearing liabilities 26,775,382 3.85 % 26,498,951 2.05 % 26,945,438 1.42 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities 83,895 107,611 279,344
Equity 1,826,237 2,060,020 2,394,894
Total liabilities and equity $ 28,685,514 $ 28,666,582 $ 29,619,676
Net interest margin 5.50 % 5.31 % 4.81 %
(1) Includes the average balance of our unsecured borrowings, as well as secured borrowings and amortization expense of transaction costs related to our term asset-backed securitizations and our Secured Borrowing Facility.
56 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Rate/Volume Analysis - GAAP
The following rate/volume analysis shows the relative contribution of changes in interest rates and asset volumes.
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) Increase
(Decrease) Change Due To(1)
Rate
Volume
2023 vs. 2022
Interest income $ 560,723 $ 537,107 $ 23,616
Interest expense 487,291 481,570 5,721
Net interest income $ 73,432 $ 56,165 $ 17,267
2022 vs. 2021
Interest income $ 254,736 $ 312,781 $ (58,045)
Interest expense 160,721 167,154 (6,433)
Net interest income $ 94,015 $ 139,455 $ (45,440)
(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 Loans Held for Investment Portfolio
Ending Loans Held for Investment Balances, net
As of December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans Total Loans
Held for
Investment
Total loan portfolio:
In-school(1)
$ 3,997,092 $ 57 $ 3,997,149
Grace, repayment and other(2)
17,028,752 537,344 17,566,096
Total, gross 21,025,844 537,401 21,563,245
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 81,554 1,330 82,884
Allowance for credit losses (1,335,105) (4,667) (1,339,772)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net $ 19,772,293 $ 534,064 $ 20,306,357
% of total 97 % 3 % 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 (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 57
As of December 31, 2022
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans Total Loans
Held for
Investment
Total loan portfolio:
In-school(1)
$ 3,659,323 $ 57 $ 3,659,380
Grace, repayment and other(2)
16,644,365 608,993 17,253,358
Total, gross 20,303,688 609,050 20,912,738
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 69,656 1,549 71,205
Allowance for credit losses (1,353,631) (3,444) (1,357,075)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net $ 19,019,713 $ 607,155 $ 19,626,868
% of total 97 % 3 % 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 (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
As of December 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans Credit
Cards Total Loans Held for Investment
Total loan portfolio:
In-school(1)
$ 3,544,030 $ 82 $ - $ 3,544,112
Grace, repayment and other(2)
17,172,833 695,134 25,014 17,892,981
Total, gross 20,716,863 695,216 25,014 21,437,093
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 67,488 1,815 222 69,525
Allowance for credit losses (1,158,977) (4,077) (2,281) (1,165,335)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net $ 19,625,374 $ 692,954 $ 22,955 $ 20,341,283
% of total 97 % 3 % - % 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 (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
58 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
As of December 31, 2020
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans Credit
Cards Total Loans Held for Investment
Total loan portfolio:
In-school(1)
$ 3,582,394 $ 81 $ - $ 3,582,475
Grace, repayment and other(2)(3)
16,146,943 737,512 12,238 16,896,693
Total, gross 19,729,337 737,593 12,238 20,479,168
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 63,475 1,993 230 65,698
Allowance for credit losses (1,355,844) (4,378) (1,501) (1,361,723)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net $ 18,436,968 $ 735,208 $ 10,967 $ 19,183,143
% of total 96 % 4 % - % 100 %
(1) Loans for customers still attending school and who are not yet required to make payments on the loans. At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “in-school” category include $254 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers did not return to school in the fall of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other reasons, and who received an extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period and, therefore, were then not required to make any payments. For further discussion, see “- Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool .”
(2) At December 31, 2020, the loans in the “grace, repayment and other” category include (a) $147 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers were in a grace or deferred status and who did not return to school in the fall of 2020, who received an extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period and, therefore, were not then required to make any payments, and (b) $639 million of Private Education Loans whose borrowers were in a forbearance or repayment status and who did not return to school in the fall of 2020 and who then received an extension of time from us to re-enroll before beginning their grace period. For further discussion, see “- Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool .”
(3) Includes loans in deferment or forbearance. Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
As of December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans
FFELP
Loans Personal
Loans Credit
Cards Total Loans
Held for
Investment
Total loan portfolio:
In-school(1)
$ 4,288,239 $ 81 $ - $ - $ 4,288,320
Grace, repayment and other(2)
18,901,352 783,225 1,049,007 3,884 20,737,468
Total, gross 23,189,591 783,306 1,049,007 3,884 25,025,788
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 81,224 2,143 513 36 83,916
Allowance for credit losses (374,300) (1,633) (65,877) (102) (441,912)
Total loans held for investment portfolio, net $ 22,896,515 $ 783,816 $ 983,643 $ 3,818 $ 24,667,792
% of total 93 % 3 % 4 % - % 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 (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 59
Average Loans Held for Investment Balances (net of unamortized premium/discount)
Years Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Private Education Loans $ 21,039,701 97 % $ 20,576,737 97 % $ 20,968,061 97 %
FFELP Loans 574,218 3 662,194 3 718,186 3
Credit Cards(1)
- - - - 14,982 -
Total portfolio $ 21,613,919 100 % $ 21,238,931 100 % $ 21,701,229 100 %
(1) Credit Card loans were transferred to loans held-for-sale at September 30, 2022 and subsequently sold in May 2023.
Loans Held for Investment, Net - Activity
Year Ended December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Total Loans
Held for Investment, net
Beginning balance $ 19,019,713 $ 607,155 $ 19,626,868
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate 5,760,434 - 5,760,434
Variable-rate 665,987 - 665,987
Total acquisitions and originations 6,426,421 - 6,426,421
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 597,480 22,584 620,064
Sales
(2,938,616) - (2,938,616)
Loan consolidations to third parties (975,889) (32,855) (1,008,744)
Allowance 18,526 (1,223) 17,303
Repayments and other (2,375,342) (61,597) (2,436,939)
Ending balance $ 19,772,293 $ 534,064 $ 20,306,357
Year Ended December 31, 2022
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Credit
Cards Total Loans
Held for
Investment, net
Beginning balance $ 19,625,374 $ 692,954 $ 22,955 $ 20,341,283
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate 4,189,269 - - 4,189,269
Variable-rate 1,809,301 - 82,819 1,892,120
Total acquisitions and originations 5,998,570 - 82,819 6,081,389
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 550,474 24,642 (195) 574,921
Sales
(3,136,302) - - (3,136,302)
Loan consolidations to third parties (1,384,950) (61,529) - (1,446,479)
Allowance (194,654) 633 2,281 (191,740)
Transfer to loans held-for-sale - - (28,905) (28,905)
Repayments and other (2,438,799) (49,545) (78,955) (2,567,299)
Ending balance $ 19,019,713 $ 607,155 $ - $ 19,626,868
60 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Year Ended December 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Credit
Cards Total Loans
Held for
Investment, net
Beginning balance $ 18,436,968 $ 735,208 $ 10,967 $ 19,183,143
Acquisitions and originations:
Fixed-rate 3,027,440 - - 3,027,440
Variable-rate 2,421,082 - 63,323 2,484,405
Total acquisitions and originations 5,448,522 - 63,323 5,511,845
Capitalized interest and deferred origination cost premium amortization 597,416 27,252 (323) 624,345
Sales
(1,138,726) - - (1,138,726)
Loan consolidations to third parties (1,583,691) (27,031) - (1,610,722)
Allowance 196,868 300 (780) 196,388
Transfer from loans held-for-sale 25,040 - - 25,040
Repayments and other (2,357,023) (42,775) (50,232) (2,450,030)
Ending balance $ 19,625,374 $ 692,954 $ 22,955 $ 20,341,283
“Loan consolidations to third parties” and “Repayments and other” are both significantly affected by the volume of loans in our held for investment portfolio in full principal and interest repayment status. The amount of loans in full principal and interest repayment status in our Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio at December 31, 2023 decreased by 0.6 percent compared with December 31, 2022, and now totals 43 percent of our Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio at December 31, 2023. The balance of loans held for investment in full principal and interest repayment status was affected in 2023 and 2022 by loan sales.
“Loan consolidations to third parties” for the year ended December 31, 2023 total 11.5 percent of our Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio in full principal and interest repayment status at December 31, 2023, or 4.9 percent of our total Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio at December 31, 2023, compared with the year-ago period of 16.2 percent of our Private Education Loan held for investment portfolio in full principal and interest repayment status, or 7.3 percent of our total Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio, respectively. The
decrease in consolidations is attributable to higher interest rates in 2023 that made it less competitive for consolidators.
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.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 61
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.
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 % 2022 % 2021 %
Smart Option - interest only(1)
$ 1,166,442 18 % $ 1,146,365 19 % $ 1,128,176 21 %
Smart Option - fixed pay(1)
2,121,112 33 1,950,048 33 1,685,519 31
Smart Option - deferred(1)
2,584,545 41 2,330,719 39 1,996,461 36
Graduate Loan(2)
511,193 8 516,877 8 525,050 10
Parent Loan(3)
38 - 30,515 1 87,325 2
Total Private Education Loan originations $ 6,383,330 100 % $ 5,974,524 100 % $ 5,422,531 100 %
Percentage of loans with a cosigner 87.5 % 86.0 % 86.2 %
Average FICO at approval(4)
748 747 750
(1) Interest only, fixed pay and deferred describe the payment option while in school or in grace period. See Item 1. “Business - Our Business - Private Education Loans” for a further discussion.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Graduate Loan originations include $29.4 million of Smart Option Loans where the student was in a graduate status. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Graduate Loan originations include $1.8 million of Parent Loans and $29.1 million of Smart Option Loans where the student was in a graduate status. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Graduate Loan originations include $5.8 million of Parent Loans and $24.4 million of Smart Option Loans where the student was in a graduate status.
(3) In December 2021, we discontinued offering our Parent Loan product. Applications for those loans received before the offering termination date were processed, and final disbursements under those loans occurred in February 2023.
(4) Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.
Private Education Loan Maturities
The following table summarizes the remaining maturities of our Private Education Loan portfolio.
As of December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands) One year or less After one year to five years After five years to 15 years After 15 years Total
Fixed-rate $ 7,781 $ 332,489 $ 7,197,507 $ 6,448,014 $ 13,985,791
Variable-rate 23,535 620,602 4,602,806 1,793,110 7,040,053
Total Private Education Loans, gross $ 31,316 $ 953,091 $ 11,800,313 $ 8,241,124 $ 21,025,844
62 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses Activity
Years Ended
December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022
Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Total
Portfolio Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Credit
Cards Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $ 1,353,631 $ 3,444 $ 1,357,075 $ 1,158,977 $ 4,077 $ 2,281 $ 1,165,335
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
320,237 - 320,237 344,310 - - 344,310
Less:
Charge-offs
(420,095) (1,001) (421,096) (427,416) (613) (3,215) (431,244)
Plus:
Recoveries 46,368 - 46,368 41,737 - 5 41,742
Provisions for credit losses:
Provision, current period 240,347 2,224 242,571 410,254 (20) 3,301 413,535
Loan sale reduction to provision (205,383) - (205,383) (174,231) - - (174,231)
Loans transferred (to) from held-for-sale - - - - - (2,372) (2,372)
Total provisions for credit losses(2)
34,964 2,224 37,188 236,023 (20) 929 236,932
Ending balance $ 1,335,105 $ 4,667 $ 1,339,772 $ 1,353,631 $ 3,444 $ - $ 1,357,075
(1) See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-K for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.
(2) For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, below is a reconciliation of the provision for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of income. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022
Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses:
Provisions for loan losses $ 34,964 $ 236,023
Provisions for unfunded loan commitments 308,275 396,521
Total Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses 343,239 632,544
Other impacts to the provisions for credit losses:
FFELP Loans 2,224 (20)
Credit Cards - 929
Total 2,224 909
Provisions for credit losses reported in consolidated statements of income $ 345,463 $ 633,453
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 63
2021 2020
Years Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Credit Cards Total
Portfolio Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Personal Loans Credit Cards Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $ 1,355,844 $ 4,378 $ 1,501 $ 1,361,723 $ 374,300 $ 1,633 $ 65,877 $ 102 $ 441,912
Day 1 adjustment for adoption of CECL - - - - 1,060,830 2,852 79,183 188 1,143,053
Balance at January 1 1,355,844 4,378 1,501 1,361,723 1,435,130 4,485 145,060 290 1,584,965
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
301,655 - - 301,655 320,808 - - - 320,808
Less:
Charge-offs
(229,591) (321) (356) (230,268) (205,326) (519) (39,079) (119) (245,043)
Loan sales(2)
- - - - - - (108,534) - (108,534)
Plus:
Recoveries 29,494 - 12 29,506 24,021 - 4,984 2 29,007
Provisions for credit losses:
Provision, current period (233,852) 20 1,124 (232,708) 148,673 412 40,485 1,328 190,898
Loan sale reduction to provision (66,460) - - (66,460) (161,793) - (42,916) - (204,709)
Loans transferred (to) from held-for-sale 1,887 - - 1,887 (205,669) - - - (205,669)
Total provisions for credit losses(3)
(298,425) 20 1,124 (297,281) (218,789) 412 (2,431) 1,328 (219,480)
Ending balance $ 1,158,977 $ 4,077 $ 2,281 $ 1,165,335 $ 1,355,844 $ 4,378 $ - $ 1,501 $ 1,361,723
(1) See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-K for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.
(2) Represents fair value adjustments on loans sold.
(3) For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, below is a reconciliation of the provision for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of income. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Provisions for Credit Losses Reconciliation
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2021 2020
Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses:
Provisions for loan losses $ (298,425) $ (218,789)
Provisions for unfunded loan commitments 264,324 312,613
Total Private Education Loan provisions for credit losses (34,101) 93,824
Other impacts to the provisions for credit losses:
Personal Loans - (2,431)
FFELP Loans 20 412
Credit Cards 1,124 1,328
Total 1,144 (691)
Provisions for credit losses reported in consolidated statements of income $ (32,957) 93,133
64 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) Private
Education
Loans FFELP
Loans Personal Loans Credit
Cards Total
Portfolio
Beginning balance $ 277,943 $ 977 $ 62,201 $ - $ 341,121
Less:
Charge-offs
(208,978) (822) (74,313) (1) (284,114)
Plus:
Recoveries 25,765 - 5,206 - 30,971
Total provisions for credit losses 279,570 1,478 72,783 103 353,934
Ending balance $ 374,300 $ 1,633 $ 65,877 $ 102 $ 441,912
Private Education Loan Allowance for Credit Losses
In establishing the allowance for Private Education Loan losses as of December 31, 2023, we considered several factors with respect to our Private Education Loan held for investment portfolio, in particular, credit quality and delinquency, forbearance, and charge-off trends.
Private Education Loans held for investment in full principal and interest repayment status were 43 percent of our total Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio at December 31, 2023, compared with 45 percent at December 31, 2022.
For a more detailed discussion of our policy for determining the collectability of Private Education Loans and maintaining our allowance for Private Education Loans, see “-Allowance for Credit Losses,” “- Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Allowance for Credit Losses,” and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5, “Loans Held for Investment - Certain Collection Tools - Private Education Loans” in this Form 10-K.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 65
The table below presents our Private Education Loans held for investment portfolio 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 (but, for purposes of the following table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
Private Education Loans Held for Investment 2023 2022 2021
As of December 31, (dollars in thousands) Balance % Balance % Balance %
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
$ 5,291,991 $ 4,895,053 $ 4,904,414
Loans in forbearance(2)
324,039 279,085 301,237
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
Loans current 14,809,271 96.1 % 14,559,347 96.2 % 15,005,773 96.7 %
Loans delinquent 30-59 days(3)
298,751 1.9 287,308 1.9 308,559 2.0
Loans delinquent 60-89 days(3)
151,017 1.0 147,505 1.0 116,947 0.8
Loans 90 days or greater past due(3)
150,775 1.0 135,390 0.9 79,933 0.5
Total Private Education Loans in repayment 15,409,814 100.0 % 15,129,550 100.0 % 15,511,212 100.0 %
Total Private Education Loans, gross 21,025,844 20,303,688 20,716,863
Private Education Loans deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 81,554 69,656 67,488
Total Private Education Loans 21,107,398 20,373,344 20,784,351
Private Education Loans allowance for losses (1,335,105) (1,353,631) (1,158,977)
Private Education Loans, net $ 19,772,293 $ 19,019,713 $ 19,625,374
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment 73.3 % 74.5 % 74.9 %
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment 3.9 % 3.8 % 3.3 %
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance 2.1 % 1.8 % 1.9 %
(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.
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans (held for investment) in repayment increased to 3.9 percent at December 31, 2023 from 3.8 percent at December 31, 2022, and the forbearance rate increased to 2.1 percent at December 31, 2023 from 1.8 percent at December 31, 2022. The increase in delinquencies in 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily attributable to new loan modification programs initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023 that require borrowers to remain in their respective delinquency buckets until three consecutive payments are made under the modified loan terms before being brought current. The increase in delinquencies and reduction in forbearance at December 31, 2022, compared with 2021, were due to a combination of factors, including our new credit administration practices changes that imposed additional requirements for those borrowers requesting forbearance, operational challenges in 2022, including a shortage and lack of tenured collections staff, and the cessation of the use of disaster forbearance related to COVID-19. We stopped providing COVID-19 related disaster forbearances in June 2021. See additional discussion in “- Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool.”
66 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for Private Education Loan (held for investment) losses.
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 1,353,631 $ 1,158,977 $ 1,355,844 $ 374,300 $ 277,943
Day 1 adjustment for adoption of CECL - - - 1,060,830 -
Balance at January 1 1,353,631 1,158,977 1,355,844 1,435,130 277,943
Transfer from unfunded commitment liability(1)
320,237 344,310 301,655 320,808 -
Provision for credit losses:
Provision, current period 240,347 410,254 (233,852) 148,673 279,570
Loan sale reduction to provision (205,383) (174,231) (66,460) (161,793) -
Loans transferred (to) from held-for-sale - - 1,887 (205,669) -
Total provision 34,964 236,023 (298,425) (218,789) 279,570
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs (420,095) (427,416) (229,591) (205,326) (208,978)
Recoveries 46,368 41,737 29,494 24,021 25,765
Net charge-offs (373,727) (385,679) (200,097) (181,305) (183,213)
Ending Balance $ 1,335,105 $ 1,353,631 $ 1,158,977 $ 1,355,844 $ 374,300
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance and accrued interest to be capitalized(2)
6.01 % 6.37 % 5.35 % 6.55 % - %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment and accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment(2)(3)(4)
8.43 % 8.76 % 7.32 % 9.28 % - %
Allowance coverage of net charge-offs 3.57 3.51 5.79 7.48 2.04
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment(3)
2.44 % 2.55 % 1.33 % 1.17 % 1.17 %
Delinquencies as a percentage of ending loans in repayment(3)
3.90 % 3.77 % 3.26 % 2.84 % 2.81 %
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment and forbearance(3)
2.06 % 1.81 % 1.91 % 4.32 % 4.08 %
Ending total loans, gross $ 21,025,844 $ 20,303,688 $ 20,716,863 $ 19,729,337 $ 23,189,591
Average loans in repayment(3)
$ 15,310,934 $ 15,103,123 $ 15,019,869 $ 15,518,851 $ 15,605,927
Ending loans in repayment(3)
$ 15,409,814 $ 15,129,550 $ 15,511,212 $ 14,304,821 $ 16,787,670
Accrued interest to be capitalized(2)
$ 1,203,357 $ 936,837 $ 947,391 $ 973,201 $ -
Accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment(2)(4)
$ 435,807 $ 324,384 $ 312,537 $ 308,655 $ -
(1) See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-K for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.
(2) Related metrics and ending balances for the year ended December 31, 2019 are not available, as CECL had not yet been adopted, and the allowance for credit losses only covered expected losses over the next twelve months.
(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 (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
(4) Accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment includes interest on loans that are in repayment but have not yet entered into full principal and interest payment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, does not include interest on those loans while they are in forbearance).
As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for credit 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 accrued interest to be capitalized and of ending loans in repayment and accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages.
Charge-offs decreased in the year ending December 31, 2023 compared with the year-ago period because of a combination of factors, including improved staffing levels and new loan modification programs. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we charged off $13 million of delinquent loans that had received certain grants of forbearance under previous credit administration practices (which have been discontinued) and which were classified as a loss and charged off prior to their reaching 120 days delinquent. Also contributing to the increase in the full-year 2022 charge-offs compared with 2021 were $59 million in losses on loans whose borrowers took a “gap year” during the pandemic. “Gap year” loans refer to loans to
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 67
borrowers who took a “gap year” during the COVID-19 pandemic and entered full principal and interest repayment status starting in late 2021 and early 2022. Losses on these “gap year” loans were higher than expected and contributed to the higher charge-offs in 2022.
Use of Forbearance and Rate Modifications as a Private Education Loan Collection Tool
We adjust the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such changes will help our customers manage their student loan obligations and achieve better student outcomes, and increase the collectability of the loans. These changes generally take the form of a temporary forbearance of payments, a temporary or permanent interest rate reduction, a temporary or permanent interest rate reduction with a permanent extension of the loan term, and/or a short-term extended repayment alternative. Forbearance is granted prospectively for borrowers who are current in their payments and may be granted retroactively for certain delinquent borrowers.
Forbearance allows a borrower to not make scheduled payments for a specified period of time. Using forbearance extends the original term of the loan by the term of forbearance taken. Forbearance does not grant any reduction in the total principal or interest repayment obligation. While a loan is in forbearance status, interest continues to accrue and is capitalized (added to principal) at the end of the forbearance. Interest will not capitalize at the end of certain types of forbearance, such as disaster forbearance, however.
We grant forbearance through our servicing centers to borrowers who are current in their payments and through our collections centers to certain borrowers who are delinquent. Our forbearance policies and practices vary depending upon whether a borrower is current or delinquent at the time forbearance is requested, generally with stricter payment requirements for delinquent borrowers. We view the population of borrowers that use forbearance positively because the borrowers are either proactively reaching out to us to obtain assistance in managing their obligations or are working with our collections center to bring their loans current.
Forbearance may be granted through our servicing centers to customers who are exiting their grace period, and to other customers who are current in their payments, 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 the forbearance period, the customer will enter repayment status as current and is expected to begin making scheduled monthly payments.
Forbearance may also be granted through our collections centers to customers who are delinquent in their payments. If specific payment requirements are met, the forbearance can cure the delinquency and the customer is returned to a current repayment status. Forbearance as a collection tool is used most effectively when applying historical experience and our judgment to a customer’s unique situation. 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 assisting customers while mitigating the risks of delinquency and default as well as encouraging resolution of delinquent loans. In most instances, we require one payment, as an indication of a customer’s willingness and ability to repay, before granting forbearance to delinquent borrowers.
Historically, we have utilized disaster forbearance to assist borrowers affected by material events, typically federally-declared disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We typically grant disaster forbearance to affected borrowers in increments of up to three months at a time, but the disaster forbearance granted generally does not apply toward the 12-month forbearance limit described below.
Management continually monitors our credit administration practices and may periodically modify these practices based upon performance, industry conventions, and/or regulatory feedback. In light of these considerations, we previously announced certain changes to our credit administration practices, including the imposition of limits on the number of forbearance months granted consecutively and the number of times certain extended or reduced repayment alternatives may be granted.
Currently, we generally grant forbearance in increments of one to two months at a time, for up to 12 months over the life of the loan, although disaster forbearance and certain assistance we grant to borrowers who are still in school do not apply toward the 12-month limit. We also currently require 12 months of positive payment performance by a borrower (meaning the borrower must make payment in a cumulative amount equivalent to 12 monthly required payments under the loan) between successive grants of forbearance and between forbearance grants and certain other repayment alternatives. This required period of positive payment performance does not apply, however, to forbearances granted during the first six months following a borrower’s grace period and is not required for a borrower to receive a contractual interest rate reduction. In addition, we currently limit the participation of delinquent borrowers in certain short-term extended or interest-only repayment alternatives to once in 12 months and twice in five years. We also now count the
68 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
number of months a borrower receives a short-term extended repayment alternative toward the 12-month forbearance limit described above.
We also offer rate and term modifications to customers experiencing more severe hardship. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we developed additional modification programs tailored to the financial condition of individual borrowers. Pursuant to these additional modification programs, for our borrowers experiencing the most severe financial conditions, we currently may reduce the contractual interest rate on a loan to as low as 2.0 percent for the remaining life of the loan and also permanently extend the final maturity of the loan. Other borrowers experiencing severe hardship may not require as much assistance, however, given their circumstances. In those instances, we may reduce the contractual interest rate on a loan to a rate greater than 2.0 percent, and up to 8.0 percent, for a temporary period of two to four years, and in some instances may also permanently extend the final maturity of the loan.
When we give a borrower facing financial difficulty an interest rate reduction under our programs, we evaluate their ability to pay and provide customized repayment terms based upon their financial condition. As part of demonstrating the ability and willingness to pay, the customer must make three consecutive monthly payments at the reduced payment to qualify for the program. We believe by tailoring the modification programs to the borrower’s current financial condition and not having a one size fits all approach, we increase the likelihood the borrower will be able to make the modified payments and avoid default. This approach of giving different interest rate reductions to different borrowers experiencing more severe hardship also helps us better manage the overall assistance we provide to borrowers. We currently limit the granting of a permanent extension of the final maturity date of a loan under our loan modification programs to one time over the life of the loan. We also currently permit two consecutive rate reductions so long as the borrower qualifies and makes three consecutive monthly payments at the reduced payment in connection with each rate reduction. We also now limit the number of interest rate reductions to twice over the life of the loan.
While there are limitations to our estimate of the future impact of the various credit administration practices changes we have implemented, we expect that the credit administration practices described above, including the changes we implemented in 2021, will accelerate periodic defaults and will increase periodic defaults in our Private Education Loan held for investment portfolio. For 2021, we increased our allowance for credit losses as a result of the new credit administration practices. In 2022, we further increased our allowance for credit losses to reflect higher expected future periodic defaults in both the near term (reasonable and supportable period) and long term. This change reflected our estimate that the elevated default rates experienced in the latter half of 2022 that continued into 2023 would eventually decline over time. Among the measures that we have implemented and may modify further and expect may partly offset or moderate any acceleration of or increase in defaults will be greater focus on the risk assessment process to ensure borrowers are mapped to the appropriate program, better utilization of existing loss mitigation programs (e.g., GRP and rate modifications), the use of a program offering short-term payment reductions (permitting interest-only payments for up to six months) for certain early-stage delinquencies, and implementation of potential new risk mitigation and collection strategies.
We expect to learn more about how our borrowers are reacting to changes in our credit administration practices and, as we analyze such reactions, we will continue to refine our estimates of the impact of those changes on our allowance for credit losses.
As discussed above, we will continue to monitor our credit administration practices and may modify them further from time to time based upon performance, industry conventions, and/or regulatory feedback.
Delinquency Trends by Active Repayment Status
The tables below show the composition and status of the Private Education Loan portfolio held for investment 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 generally decreases the longer the loans have been in active repayment status. At December 31, 2023, for Private Education Loans (held for investment) that have been in active repayment status for fewer than 25 months, loans in forbearance status as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance were 1.6 percent. Approximately 76 percent of our Private Education Loans (held for investment) in forbearance status have been in active repayment status fewer than 25 months.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 69
As of December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions) Private Education Loans Held for Investment
Aged by Number of Months in Active Repayment Status 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 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,292 $ 5,292
Loans in forbearance 190 55 31 20 28 - 324
Loans in repayment - current 4,129 3,529 2,183 1,472 3,496 - 14,809
Loans in repayment - delinquent 30-59 days 81 56 45 33 84 - 299
Loans in repayment - delinquent 60-89 days 40 29 24 17 41 - 151
Loans in repayment - 90 days or greater past due 42 28 23 16 42 - 151
Total $ 4,482 $ 3,697 $ 2,306 $ 1,558 $ 3,691 $ 5,292 21,026
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 81
Allowance for credit losses (1,335)
Total Private Education Loans, net $ 19,772
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of total Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance 1.21 % 0.35 % 0.19 % 0.13 % 0.18 % - % 2.06 %
As of December 31, 2022
(dollars in millions) Private Education Loans Held for Investment
Aged by Number of Months in Active Repayment Status 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 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 4,895 $ 4,895
Loans in forbearance 165 43 26 19 26 - 279
Loans in repayment - current 4,131 3,393 2,129 1,603 3,303 - 14,559
Loans in repayment - delinquent 30-59 days 80 58 44 31 74 - 287
Loans in repayment - delinquent 60-89 days 43 30 20 17 38 - 148
Loans in repayment - 90 days or greater past due 41 27 20 14 34 - 136
Total $ 4,460 $ 3,551 $ 2,239 $ 1,684 $ 3,475 $ 4,895 20,304
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 70
Allowance for credit losses (1,354)
Total Private Education Loans, net $ 19,020
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of total Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance 1.07 % 0.28 % 0.17 % 0.12 % 0.17 % - % 1.81 %
70 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
As of December 31, 2021
(dollars in millions) Private Education Loans Held for Investment
Aged by Number of Months in Active Repayment Status 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 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 4,904 $ 4,904
Loans in forbearance 180 44 30 21 26 - 301
Loans in repayment - current 4,234 3,405 2,424 1,671 3,272 - 15,006
Loans in repayment - delinquent 30-59 days 125 54 41 29 60 - 309
Loans in repayment - delinquent 60-89 days 38 25 17 13 24 - 117
Loans in repayment - 90 days or greater past due 26 18 12 9 15 - 80
Total $ 4,603 $ 3,546 $ 2,524 $ 1,743 $ 3,397 $ 4,904 20,717
Deferred origination costs and unamortized premium/(discount) 67
Allowance for credit losses (1,159)
Total Private Education Loans, net $ 19,625
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of total Private Education Loans in repayment and forbearance 1.14 % 0.28 % 0.20 % 0.13 % 0.16 % - % 1.91 %
Private Education Loans Held for Investment Types
The following table provides information regarding the loans in repayment balance and total loan balance by Private Education Loan held for investment product type for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands) Signature and
Other Parent Loan(1)
Smart Option Career
Training(2)
Graduate
Loan Total
$ in repayment(3)
$ 211,123 $ 206,343 $ 13,747,153 $ 2,066 $ 1,243,129 $ 15,409,814
$ in total $ 301,265 $ 207,448 $ 18,764,200 $ 2,117 $ 1,750,814 $ 21,025,844
As of December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands) Signature and
Other Parent Loan(1)
Smart Option Career
Training(2)
Graduate
Loan Total
$ in repayment(3)
$ 216,513 $ 261,316 $ 13,599,750 $ 4,565 $ 1,047,406 $ 15,129,550
$ in total $ 308,884 $ 262,602 $ 18,218,925 $ 4,602 $ 1,508,675 $ 20,303,688
(1) In December 2021, we discontinued offering our Parent Loan product. Applications for those loans received before the offering termination date continued to be processed, and final disbursements under those loans occurred in February 2023.
(2) In May 2022, we discontinued offering our Career Training loan product. Applications for those loans received before the offering termination date continued to be processed, and final disbursements under those loans occurred in September 2023.
(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 (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 71
Accrued Interest Receivable
The following table provides information regarding accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loans held for investment. The table also discloses the amount of accrued interest on loans 90 days or greater past due as compared to our allowance for uncollectible interest. The majority of the total accrued interest receivable represents accrued interest on deferred loans where no payments are due while the borrower is in school and fixed-pay loans where the borrower makes a $25 monthly payment that is smaller than the interest accruing on that loan in that month. The accrued interest on these loans will be capitalized to the balance of the loans when the borrower exits the grace period after separation from school, and the current expected credit losses on accrued interest that will be capitalized is included in our allowance for credit losses.
Private Education Loans
Accrued Interest Receivable
(dollars in thousands) Total Interest Receivable 90 Days or Greater
Past Due Allowance for
Uncollectible
Interest(1)
December 31, 2023 $ 1,354,565 $ 8,373 $ 9,897
December 31, 2022 $ 1,177,562 $ 6,609 $ 8,121
December 31, 2021 $ 1,187,123 $ 3,635 $ 4,937
December 31, 2020 $ 1,168,895 $ 4,354 $ 4,467
December 31, 2019 $ 1,366,158 $ 2,390 $ 5,309
(1) The allowance for uncollectible interest at December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 represents the expected losses related to the portion of accrued interest receivable on those loans that are in repayment (at December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, relates to $151 million, $240 million, $240 million, and $196 million, respectively, of accrued interest receivable) that is/was not expected to be capitalized. The accrued interest receivable that is/was expected to be capitalized ($1.2 billion, $937 million, $947 million, and $973 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020) is/was reserved for in the allowance for credit losses. Related ending balances for the year ended December 31, 2019 are not available, as CECL had not yet been adopted, and the allowance for uncollectible losses only covered expected losses over the next twelve months.
72 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
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 our ability to meet any outflows of our Bank deposits. To achieve these objectives, we analyze and monitor our liquidity needs, and maintain excess liquidity and access to diverse funding sources, such as deposits at the Bank, issuance of secured debt primarily through asset-backed securitizations, other financing facilities, and loan sales.
Interest-bearing deposits as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of retail and brokered non-maturity savings deposits, retail and brokered non-maturity money market deposit accounts (“MMDAs”), and retail and brokered CDs. Interest-bearing deposits also include deposits from Educational 529 and Health Savings plans that diversify our funding sources and that we consider to be core. These and other large omnibus accounts, aggregating the deposits of many individual depositors, represented $7.6 billion and $8.0 billion of our deposit total as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The omnibus accounts are structured in such a way that entitles the individual depositor pass-through deposit insurance (subject to FDIC rules and limitations), and the majority of these deposits have contractual minimum balances and maturity terms.
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our sources of liquidity included liquid investments with unrealized losses of $128.9 million and $184.5 million, respectively. It is our policy to manage operations so liquidity needs are fully satisfied through normal operations to avoid unplanned loan or liquid investment sales under all but the most dire 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 asset and liability 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. We target maintaining sufficient on-balance sheet and contingent sources of liquidity to enable us to meet all contractual and contingent obligations under various stress scenarios, including severe macroeconomic stresses as well as specific stresses that test the resiliency of our balance sheet. As the Bank has grown, we have improved our liquidity stress testing practices to align more closely with the industry, which resulted in our adopting increased liquidity requirements. Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, we began to increase our liquidity levels by increasing cash and marketable investments held as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our ability to maintain a strong risk management position. By early 2020 and continuing through 2023, we held a significant liquidity buffer of cash and securities, which we expect to maintain through 2024. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, our liquidity levels will likely vary from quarter to quarter.
Sources of Liquidity and Available Capacity
Ending Balances
As of December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Sources of primary liquidity:
Unrestricted cash and liquid investments:
Holding Company and other non-bank subsidiaries $ 3,224 $ - $ 2,588
Sallie Mae Bank(1)
4,146,614 4,617,533 4,332,015
Available-for-sale investments
1,988,295 2,012,901 2,325,711
Total unrestricted cash and liquid investments $ 6,138,133 $ 6,630,434 $ 6,660,314
(1) This amount will be used primarily to originate Private Education Loans at the Bank.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 73
Average Balances
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Sources of primary liquidity:
Unrestricted cash and liquid investments:
Holding Company and other non-bank subsidiaries $ 6,827 $ 7,954 $ 3,739
Sallie Mae Bank(1)
4,014,444 4,080,312 4,934,506
Available-for-sale investments 1,975,754 2,230,118 1,953,154
Total unrestricted cash and liquid investments $ 5,997,025 $ 6,318,384 $ 6,891,399
(1) This amount will be used primarily to originate Private Education Loans at the Bank.
Deposits
The following table summarizes total deposits.
As of December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2023 2022
Deposits - interest bearing $ 21,651,657 $ 21,446,647
Deposits - non-interest bearing 1,531 1,424
Total deposits $ 21,653,188 $ 21,448,071
Our total deposits of $21.7 billion were comprised of $10.3 billion in brokered deposits and $11.4 billion in retail and other deposits at December 31, 2023, compared with total deposits of $21.4 billion, which were comprised of $9.9 billion in brokered deposits and $11.5 billion in retail and other deposits, at December 31, 2022.
Interest bearing deposits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of retail and brokered non-maturity savings deposits, retail and brokered non-maturity MMDAs, and retail and brokered CDs. Interest bearing deposits also include deposits from Educational 529 and Health Savings plans that diversify our funding sources and that we consider to be core. These and other large omnibus accounts, aggregating the deposits of many individual depositors, represented $7.6 billion of our deposit total as of December 31, 2023, compared with $8.0 billion at December 31, 2022.
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 $12 million, $13 million, and $16 million in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $8 million, $13 million, and $13 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Interest bearing deposits at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:
2023 2022
As of December 31,
(dollars in thousands) Amount Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
Amount Year-End Weighted Average Stated Rate(1)
Money market $ 10,258,292 4.85 % $ 10,977,242 3.75 %
Savings 945,000 4.35 982,586 3.15
Certificates of deposit 10,448,365 3.69 9,486,819 2.57
Deposits - interest bearing $ 21,651,657 $ 21,446,647
(1) Includes the effect of interest rate swaps in effective hedge relationships.
74 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were $478 million and $615 million, respectively, of deposits exceeding FDIC insurance limits. Accrued interest on deposits was $91 million and $59 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, 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 Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (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 CRA 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. Two of the central counterparties we use are the CME and the LCH. All variation margin payments on derivatives cleared through the CME and LCH are accounted for as legal settlement. As of December 31, 2023, $1.8 billion notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $0.1 billion were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 92.6 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $1.9 billion at December 31, 2023.
For 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 December 31, 2023 was $(40) million and $(4) million for the CME and LCH, respectively. Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are presented as realized gains (losses).
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 December 31, 2023 and 2022, 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 $9 million and $12 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.
The table below highlights exposure related to our derivative counterparties as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands) SLM Corporation
and Sallie Mae Bank
Contracts
Total exposure, net of collateral
$ 8,858
Exposure to counterparties with credit ratings, net of collateral $ 8,858
Percent of exposure to counterparties with credit ratings below S&P AA- or Moody’s Aa3 - %
Percent of exposure to counterparties with credit ratings below S&P A- or Moody’s A3 - %
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 75
Regulatory Capital
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking authorities. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements 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 operations, and financial position. Under 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 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.
Capital Management
The Bank intends to maintain at all times regulatory 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 protect the interests of depositors and the DIF administered by the FDIC. The Bank’s Capital Policy requires management to monitor these capital standards and the 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 credit losses for the Bank. The Company is a source of strength for the Bank and will provide additional capital if necessary.
We believe that current and projected capital levels are appropriate for 2024. As of December 31, 2023, 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.
Under U.S. Basel III, the Bank is required to maintain the following minimum regulatory capital 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, the Bank is subject to a Common Equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of greater than 2.5 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, the Bank is required to maintain the following capital ratios under U.S. Basel III in order to avoid such restrictions: 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 percent, and a Total risk-based capital ratio of greater than 10.5 percent.
To qualify as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework for insured depository institutions, 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.
In July 2023, the federal banking agencies proposed a rule to implement significant changes to the U.S. Basel III regulatory capital requirements. The proposed changes to the regulatory capital requirements generally would amend or introduce approaches and methodologies that would apply to banking organizations with total consolidated assets of $100 billion or more or to banking organizations with significant trading activity. The proposed rule therefore would not affect the Bank’s capital requirements or the calculation of its capital ratios.
Under regulations issued by the FDIC and other federal banking agencies, banking organizations that adopted CECL during the 2020 calendar year, including the Bank, could elect to delay for two years, and then phase in over the following three years, the effects on regulatory capital of CECL relative to the incurred loss methodology. The Bank elected to use this option. Therefore, the regulatory capital impact of the Bank’s transition adjustments recorded on January 1, 2020 from the adoption of CECL, and 25 percent of the ongoing impact of CECL on the Bank’s allowance for credit losses, retained earnings, and average total consolidated assets, each as reported for regulatory capital purposes (collectively, the “adjusted transition amounts”), were deferred for the two-year period ending January 1, 2022. On January 1 of 2023 and 2022, 25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts were phased in for regulatory capital purposes. On January 1, 2024, an additional 25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts was phased in for regulatory capital purposes. On January 1, 2025, the remaining 25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts will be phased in for regulatory capital purposes, with the phased-in amounts included in regulatory capital at the beginning of the year. The Bank’s January 1, 2020 CECL transition amounts increased our allowance for credit losses by $1.1 billion, increased the liability representing our off-balance sheet exposure for unfunded commitments by $116 million, and increased our
76 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
deferred tax asset by $306 million, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced retained earnings by $953 million. This transition adjustment was inclusive of qualitative adjustments incorporated into our CECL allowance as necessary, to address any limitations in the models used.
At December 31, 2023, the adjusted transition amounts that were deferred and are being phased in for regulatory capital purposes are as follows:
Adjusted
Transition Amounts Phase-In
Amounts for the Year Ended Phase-In
Amounts for the Year Ended Remaining Adjusted Transition Amounts to be Phased-In
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2023
Retained earnings $ 836,351 $ (209,088) $ (209,088) $ 418,175
Allowance for credit losses 1,038,145 (259,536) (259,536) 519,073
Liability for unfunded commitments 104,377 (26,094) (26,094) 52,189
Deferred tax asset 306,171 (76,542) (76,542) 153,087
The Bank’s required and actual regulatory capital amounts and ratios under U.S. Basel III are shown in the following table. The following capital amounts and ratios are based upon the Bank’s average assets and risk-weighted assets, as indicated. The Bank has elected to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income related to both available-for-sale investments and swap valuations from Common Equity Tier 1 Capital. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments included in other comprehensive income totaled $115 million and $160 million, net of tax of $37 million and $52 million, respectively. The capital ratios would remain above the U.S. Basel III well capitalized thresholds if the unrealized loss became fully recognized into capital.
Actual U.S. Basel III
Minimum Requirements Plus Buffer(1)(2)
(Dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
As of December 31, 2023(3):
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $ 3,019,973 12.3 % $ 1,719,621 > 7.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $ 3,019,973 12.3 % $ 2,088,111 > 8.5 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $ 3,334,140 13.6 % $ 2,579,432 > 10.5 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $ 3,019,973 10.2 % $ 1,184,213 > 4.0 %
As of December 31, 2022(3):
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $ 3,040,662 12.9 % $ 1,645,807 > 7.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $ 3,040,662 12.9 % $ 1,998,480 > 8.5 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) $ 3,338,645 14.2 % $ 2,468,711 > 10.5 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) $ 3,040,662 10.3 % $ 1,185,280 > 4.0 %
(1) Reflects the U.S. Basel III minimum required ratio plus the applicable capital conservation buffer.
(2) The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios also exceeded all applicable standards for the Bank to qualify as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework.
(3) For December 31, 2023 and 2022, the actual amounts and the actual ratios include the respective adjusted transition amounts discussed above that were phased in at the beginning of 2023 and 2022.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 77
Dividends
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 Company relies on dividends from the Bank, as necessary, to enable the Company to pay any declared dividends and other payments and consummate share repurchases, as described herein. The Bank declared $550 million, $700 million, and $1.4 billion in dividends to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, with the proceeds primarily used to fund share repurchase programs and stock dividends. See Part I, Item 1. “Business - Supervision and Regulation - Regulation of Sallie Mae Bank - Dividends and Share Repurchase Programs,” regarding the expectation 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 common stock and to consummate any common share repurchases by the Company under the share repurchase programs. See also Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors - General Risks” for possible limitations on the payments of our dividends.
Borrowings
Outstanding borrowings consist of unsecured debt and secured borrowings issued through our term ABS program and our Secured Borrowing Facility. The issuing entities for those secured borrowings are variable interest entities and are consolidated for accounting purposes. The following table summarizes our secured borrowings at December 31, 2023 and 2022. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 12, “Borrowings” in this Form 10-K.
2023 2022
As of December 31,
(dollars in thousands) Short-Term Long-Term Total Short-Term Long-Term Total
Unsecured borrowings:
Unsecured debt (fixed-rate) $ - $ 992,200 $ 992,200 $ - $ 988,986 $ 988,986
Total unsecured borrowings - 992,200 992,200 - 988,986 988,986
Secured borrowings:
Private Education Loan term securitizations:
Fixed-rate - 3,585,254 3,585,254 - 3,462,363 3,462,363
Variable-rate - 650,058 650,058 - 783,765 783,765
Total Private Education Loan term securitizations - 4,235,312 4,235,312 - 4,246,128 4,246,128
Secured Borrowing Facility - - - - - -
Total secured borrowings - 4,235,312 4,235,312 - 4,246,128 4,246,128
Total $ - $ 5,227,512 $ 5,227,512 $ - $ 5,235,114 $ 5,235,114
Short-term Borrowings
Secured Financings
On May 16, 2023, we amended our Secured Borrowing Facility to extend the maturity of the facility. The amount that can be borrowed under the facility is $2 billion. We hold 100 percent of the residual interest in the Secured Borrowing Facility trust. Under the Secured Borrowing Facility, we incur financing costs on unused borrowing capacity and on outstanding advances. The amended Secured Borrowing Facility extended the revolving period, during which we may borrow, repay, and reborrow funds, until May 15, 2024. The scheduled amortization period, during which amounts outstanding under the Secured Borrowing Facility must be repaid, ends on May 15, 2025 (or earlier, if certain material adverse events occur). At both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no secured borrowings outstanding under the Secured Borrowing Facility. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 12, “Borrowings” in this Form 10-K.
78 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Short-term borrowings have a remaining term to maturity of one year or less. The Secured Borrowing Facility’s contractual maturity is two years from the date of inception or renewal (one-year revolving period plus a one-year amortization period); however, we classify advances under our Secured Borrowing Facility as short-term borrowings because it is our intention to repay those advances within one year.
Long-term Borrowings
Unsecured Debt
On October 29, 2020, we issued at par an unsecured debt offering of $500 million of 4.20 percent Senior Notes due October 29, 2025. At December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance was $497 million.
On November 1, 2021, we issued an unsecured debt offering of $500 million, 3.125 percent Senior Notes due November 2, 2026, at a price of 99.43 percent. At December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance was $495 million.
Secured Financings
2023 Transactions
On March 15, 2023, we executed our $579 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2023-A term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $579 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $572 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 5.06 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.53 percent. On December 31, 2023, $591 million of our Private Education Loans, including $551 million of principal and $40 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered because of this transaction.
On August 16, 2023, we executed our $568 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2023-C term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $568 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $568 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 4.93 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.69 percent. On December 31, 2023, $620 million of our Private Education Loans, including $579 million of principal and $41 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered because of this transaction.
2022 Transactions
On August 9, 2022, we executed our $575 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2022-C term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $575 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $575 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 4.69 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.76 percent. At December 31, 2023, $543 million of our Private Education Loans, including $513 million of principal and $30 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered because of this transaction.
Pre-2022 Transactions
Prior to 2022, we executed a total of $9.81 billion in ABS transactions that were accounted for as secured financings. At December 31, 2023, $4.02 billion of our Private Education Loans, including $3.90 billion of principal and $128 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered as a result of these transactions.
Other Borrowing Sources
We maintain discretionary uncommitted Federal Funds lines of credit with various correspondent banks, which totaled $125 million at December 31, 2023. 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 years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
We established an account at the FRB to meet eligibility requirements for access to the Primary Credit borrowing facility at the FRB’s 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 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 December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the value of our pledged collateral at the FRB was $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively. The interest rate charged to us is the discount rate set by the FRB. We did not utilize this facility in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 79
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 December 31, 2023, we had $2.2 billion of outstanding contractual loan commitments which we expect to fund during the remainder of the 2023/2024 academic year. At December 31, 2023, we had a $113 million reserve recorded in “Other Liabilities” to cover expected losses that may occur during the one-year loss emergence period on these unfunded commitments.
Contractual Cash Obligations
In addition to our contractual loan commitments, we have certain other contractual cash obligations and commitments. This includes contractual principal obligations associated with long-term Bank deposits, secured borrowings, unsecured debt, and lease obligations. Our material contractual cash obligations relate to Bank deposits. At December 31, 2023, we had $5.1 billion of principal obligations related to Bank deposits due in the next year, and $11.0 billion thereafter. At December 31, 2023, our contractual cash obligations due in the next year for secured borrowings and lease obligations were $724 million and $7 million, respectively, and our contractual cash obligations due thereafter for our secured borrowings, unsecured debt, and lease obligations were $3.5 billion, $1.0 billion, and $31 million, respectively.
Common Stock
Our shareholders have authorized the issuance of 1.125 billion shares of common stock (par value of $0.20). At December 31, 2023, 220 million shares were issued and outstanding and 36 million shares were unissued but encumbered for outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and dividend equivalent units for employee compensation and remaining authority for stock-based compensation plans. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 14, “Stockholders’ Equity” in this Form 10-K for additional details.
Arrangements with Navient Corporation
In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement. We also entered into various other ancillary agreements with Navient to effect the Spin-Off and provide a framework for our relationship with Navient thereafter, such as a transition services agreement, a tax sharing agreement, an employee matters agreement, a loan servicing and administration agreement, a joint marketing agreement, a key services agreement, a data sharing agreement, and a master sublease agreement. The majority of these agreements were transitional in nature with most having terms that have expired. In the case of the loan servicing and administration agreement for those FFELP Loans that we hold and Navient services for us, the agreement is scheduled to expire or be renewed by the end of 2026.
We continue to have exposure to risks related to Navient’s creditworthiness. If we are unable to obtain indemnification payments from Navient, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We briefly summarize below some of the most significant agreements and relationships we continue to have with Navient. For additional information regarding the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the other ancillary agreements, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2014.
Separation and Distribution Agreement
The Separation and Distribution Agreement addresses, among other things, the following activities:
•the obligation of each party to indemnify the other against liabilities retained or assumed by that party pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and in connection with claims of third parties;
•the allocation among the parties of rights and obligations under insurance policies; and
•the creation of a governance structure by which matters related to the separation and other transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement are to be managed.
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The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides specific processes and procedures pursuant to which we may submit claims for indemnification to Navient. If for any reason Navient is unable or unwilling to pay claims made against it, our costs, operating expenses, cash flows, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected over time.
Indemnification Obligations
Pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and as contemplated by the structure of the Spin-Off, Navient is legally obligated to indemnify the Bank against all claims, actions, damages, losses, or expenses that may arise from the conduct of all activities of pre-Spin-Off SLM occurring prior to the Spin-Off, except for certain liabilities related to the conduct of the pre-Spin-Off consumer banking business that were specifically assumed by the Bank (and as to which the Bank is obligated to indemnify Navient). Some significant examples of the types of indemnification obligations Navient has under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and related ancillary agreements include:
•Navient is required to indemnify the Company and 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 was provided to Navient on or prior to April 30, 2017, the third anniversary date of the Spin-Off. Navient is not required to indemnify for changes in law or changes in prior existing interpretations of law that occur on or after April 30, 2014.
•In connection with the Spin-Off, we recorded a liability related to uncertain tax positions of $27 million for which we are indemnified by Navient. As of December 31, 2023, the remaining balance of the indemnification receivable related to those uncertain tax positions was zero.
Long-Term Arrangements
The loan servicing and administration agreement governs the terms by which Navient provides servicing, administration, and collection services for the Bank’s portfolio of FFELP Loans, as well as servicing history information with respect to Private Education Loans previously serviced by Navient and access to certain promissory notes in Navient’s possession. The term of the loan servicing and administration agreement has been extended to December 31, 2026.
The tax sharing agreement governs the respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations of us and Navient after the Spin-Off relating to taxes, including with respect to the payment of taxes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, and the conduct of tax contests. Under this agreement, each party is generally liable for taxes attributable to its business. The agreement also addresses the allocation of tax liabilities that are incurred as a result of the Spin-Off and related transactions.
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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. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” in this Form 10-K includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates under varying assumptions or conditions. On a quarterly basis, management evaluates its estimates, particularly those that include the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments and are often about matters that are inherently uncertain. The most significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions relate to the following critical accounting policies that are discussed in more detail below.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses
We maintain an allowance for credit losses for the lifetime expected credit losses on loans in our portfolios, as well as for future loan commitments, at the reporting date.
In determining the lifetime expected credit losses on our Private Education Loan portfolio loan segments, we use a discounted cash flow method. This method requires us to project future principal and interest cash flows on our loans in those portfolios.
To estimate the future expected cash flows, we use a vintage-based model that considers life of loan loss expectations, prepayments, defaults, recoveries, and any other adjustments deemed necessary, to determine the adequacy of the allowance at each balance sheet date. These cash flows are discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate to calculate the present value of those cash flows. Management adjusts the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments. The difference between the present value of those cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the underlying loans is the allowance for credit losses. Entities that measure credit losses based on the present value of expected future cash flows are permitted to report the entire change in present value as credit loss expense, but may alternatively report the change in present value due to the passage of time as interest income. We have elected to report the entire change in present value as credit loss expense.
In determining the loss rates used for the vintage-based approach, we start with our historical loss rates, stratify the loans within each vintage, and then adjust the loss rates based upon economic factors forecasted over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. The reasonable and supportable forecast period is meant to represent the period in which we believe we can estimate the impact of forecasted economic factors in our expected losses. At the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period, we immediately revert our forecasted economic factors to long-term historical loss conditions. We use a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period, although this period is subject to change as our view evolves on our ability to reasonably forecast economic conditions to estimate future losses.
In estimating our current expected credit losses, we use a combination of expected economic scenarios coupled with our historical experience to derive a base case adjusted for any qualitative factors (as described below). We also develop an adverse and favorable economic scenario. At each reporting date, we determine the appropriate weighting of these alternate scenarios based upon the current economic conditions and our view of the risks of alternate outcomes. This weighting of expectations is used in calculating our current expected credit losses recorded each period.
In estimating recoveries, we use both estimates of what we would receive from the sale of defaulted loans as well as historical borrower payment behavior to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans.
We use historical experience and economic forecasts to estimate future prepayment speeds. At the end of the two-year reasonable and supportable forecast for prepayments, we immediately revert to our historical long-term prepayment rates.
In addition to the above modeling approach, we also take certain other qualitative factors into consideration when calculating the allowance for credit losses, which could result in management overlays (increases or decreases to the allowance for credit losses). These qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards, changes in servicing policies and collection administration practices, state law changes that could impact servicing and collection practices, charge-offs, recoveries not already included in the analysis, the effect of other external factors such as legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated current expected credit losses, the performance of the model over time versus actual losses, and any other operational or regulatory changes that could affect our estimate of future losses.
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The evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. If actual future performance in delinquency, charge-offs, and recoveries is significantly different than estimated, or management assumptions or practices were to change, this could materially affect the estimate of the allowance for credit losses, the timing of when losses are recognized, and the related provision for credit losses on our consolidated statements of income.
When calculating our allowance for credit losses and liability for unfunded commitments, we incorporate several inputs that are subject to change period to period. These include, but are not limited to, CECL model inputs and any overlays deemed necessary by management. The most impactful CECL model inputs include:
•Economic forecasts;
•Weighting of economic forecasts;
•Prepayment speeds; and
•Recovery rates.
Management overlays can encompass a broad array of factors not captured by model inputs, including but not limited to, changes in servicing policies, collection administration practices, state law changes that could impact servicing and collection practices, and observed differences between forecasted and actual results. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we further increased our allowance for credit losses to reflect higher expected future periodic defaults in both the near term (reasonable and supportable period) and long term. This change reflected our estimate that the elevated default rates experienced in the latter half of 2022 would continue into 2023 and then decline over time. This estimate of future losses, like other aspects of our estimate of current expected credit losses, is susceptible to significant changes.
Of the model inputs outlined above, economic forecasts, weighting of economic forecasts, prepayments speeds, and recovery rates are subject to estimation uncertainty, and changes in these inputs could have a material impact to our allowance for credit losses and the related provision for credit losses.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we changed our loss model to include forecasts of college graduate unemployment, retail sales, and median family income in determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Prior to this change, we included forecasts of college graduate unemployment and the Consumer Price Index in our loss forecasting models. We obtain forecasts for these inputs from Moody’s Analytics. Moody’s Analytics provides a range of forecasts for each of these inputs with various likelihoods of occurrence. We determine which forecasts we will include in our estimation of allowance for credit losses and the associated weightings for each of these inputs. At December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023, we used the Base (50th percentile likelihood of occurring)/S1 (stronger near-term growth scenario with 10 percent likelihood of occurring)/S3 (downside scenario with 10 percent likelihood of occurring) scenarios and weighted them 40 percent, 30 percent, and 30 percent, respectively. Management reviews both the scenarios and their respective weightings each quarter in determining the allowance for credit losses.
In 2023, we experienced slower prepayment rates due to the rising interest rate environment. Historically, when rates rise loan prepayments and consolidation activity by third parties decline, and when rates decline loan prepayments and consolidation activity increase. During 2023, our estimates of future prepayment speeds reflect the current interest rate environment and future expectations of increased prepayment speeds in line with market expectations of a decline in interest rates based on the scenarios produced by Moody's Analytics described above. Slower prepayment speeds increase the allowance for credit losses because the loss rates applied in the future periods are applied to higher loan balances. We experienced higher prepayments during the COVID-19 pandemic, when unemployment rates were elevated, than we would have expected based upon our experience during past financial crises. As a result, during 2021 we increased our estimate of prepayment speeds to reflect higher short-term and long-term prepayment experience, which had a beneficial impact on the allowance for credit losses at that time.
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A 100-basis point increase or decrease in the following inputs to the CECL loss model is estimated to change the allowance as follows:
Estimated Increase (Decrease) to the Allowance for Credit Losses(1)
(Dollars in millions) +100 Basis Points -100 Basis Points
College graduate unemployment rate(2)
$ 62,135 $ (85,010)
Prepayment speeds(2)
(16,453) 16,528
Recovery rates(3)
(17,402) 17,402
(1) Based on our Private Education Loan Portfolio at December 31, 2023.
(2)The estimated impacts of changes were calculated for the two-year reasonable and supportable period, but were not calculated for the remaining periods since long-term assumptions used to calculate the allowance for the remaining periods will not change.
(3)The estimated change in the recovery rate is based on long-term assumptions.
A 100-basis point increase or decrease in the retail sales or median family income does not result in material changes to our allowance for credit losses. Increases in the weighting of economic forecasts resulting in greater weight given to more severe economic forecasts would result in an increase in the allowance for credit losses.
The estimated impacts of changes in the above table were calculated for the two-year reasonable and supportable period, but were not calculated for the remaining periods since long-term assumptions used to calculate the allowance for the remaining periods are based on longer term averages and only change when we determine there is a fundamental change that will affect long-term rates.
Below we describe in further detail our policies and procedures for the allowance for credit losses as they relate to our Private Education Loan and FFELP Loan portfolios. During the third quarter of 2022, we reclassified our Credit Card loan portfolio to loans held-for-sale and subsequently sold the Credit Card portfolio to a third party in May 2023.
Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
In addition to the key assumptions/estimates described above, some estimates are unique to our Private Education Loan portfolio. Estimates are made on our Private Education Loans regarding when each borrower will separate from school. The cash flow timing of when a borrower will begin making full principal and interest payments is dependent upon when the student either graduates or leaves school. These dates can change based upon many factors. We receive information regarding projected graduation dates from a third-party clearinghouse. The separation from school date is updated quarterly based on updated information received from the clearinghouse.
Additionally, when we have a contractual obligation to fund a loan or a portion of a loan at a later date, we make an estimate regarding the percentage of this obligation that will be funded. This estimate is based on historical experience. For unfunded commitments, we recognize the related life of loan allowance as a liability. Once the loan is funded, that liability transfers to the allowance for Private Education Loan losses.
Key Credit Quality Indicators - Private Education Loans
We determine the collectability of our Private Education Loan portfolio by evaluating certain risk characteristics. We consider credit score at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated credit scores through the loan’s term, existence of a cosigner, loan status, and loan seasoning as the key credit quality indicators because they have the most significant effect on the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses. Credit scores are an indicator of the creditworthiness of borrowers, and the higher the credit scores the more likely it is the borrowers will be able to make all of their contractual payments. Loan status affects the credit risk because a past due loan is more likely to result in a credit loss than a current loan. Additionally, loans in the deferred payment status have different credit risk profiles compared with those in current pay status. Loan seasoning affects credit risk because a loan with a history of making payments generally has a lower incidence of default than a loan with a history of making infrequent or no payments. The
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existence of a cosigner lowers the likelihood of default as well. We monitor and update these credit quality indicators in the analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis.
In the second quarter of 2023, we changed how we collect on defaulted loans. Previously, we used a mix of in-house collectors and sales to third parties. We will continue to sell a segment of defaulted loans immediately after charge-off but will no longer sell retained defaulted loans (that have been subject to internal collection attempts for six months) to third parties and instead will continue our collection efforts using in-house collectors and third-party collectors. This improved our estimate of recovery rates for the year ended December 31, 2023. When we estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans, we no longer include expectations of future sales on retained defaulted loans. We continue to monitor how we collect on defaulted loans and may modify the approach from time to time based on performance, industry conventions, and/or regulatory feedback.
For December 31, 2022, we used both an estimate of recovery rates from in-house collections as well as expectations of future sales of defaulted loans to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans.
Private Education Loans generally do not require borrowers to begin principal and interest repayment until at least six months after the borrowers have graduated or otherwise separated from school. Consequently, the loss estimates for these loans are generally low while the borrower is in school and then increase upon the end of the grace period after separation from school. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, 25 percent and 24 percent, respectively, of the principal balance of the Private Education Loan portfolio was related to borrowers who were then in an in-school (fully deferred), grace, or other deferment status and not required to make payments.
Our collection policies for Private Education Loans allow for periods of nonpayment (forbearance) for certain borrowers requesting an extended grace period upon leaving school or experiencing temporary difficulty meeting payment obligations.
As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses for Private Education Loans, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most relevant of these metrics considered are the allowance coverage of net charge-offs ratio; the allowance as a percentage of ending total loans and accrued interest to be capitalized and of ending loans in repayment and accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages.
We consider a Private Education Loan to be delinquent if the borrower has not made a required payment prior to the 31st day after such payment was contractually due.
Adoption of ASU No. 2022-02, “Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures”
On March 31, 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, “Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures” (“ASU No. 2022-02”), which eliminated the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The enhanced disclosures are required to be provided for modifications made starting in the period of adoption. Information about modifications in periods before adoption is not required to be provided.
ASU No. 2022-02 also requires that entities disclose current-period gross charge-offs by year of origination. For entities that have adopted the amendments in CECL, the amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years.
Early adoption of the amendments in ASU No. 2022-02 was permitted if an entity has adopted CECL. The amendments should be applied prospectively. For the transition method related to the recognition and measurement of TDRs, an entity has the option to apply a modified retrospective transition method. We elected to early adopt all aspects of ASU No. 2022-02 prospectively for the period beginning January 1, 2022. The adoption was immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the allowance for our TDR portfolio was included in our overall allowance for Private Education Loans. In estimating the expected defaults for our Private Education Loans that were considered TDRs, we followed the same discounted cash flow process described above but used the historical loss rates related to past TDR loans. The appropriate gross loss rates were determined for each individual loan by evaluating loan maturity, risk characteristics, and macroeconomic conditions. Our TDR portfolio was comprised mostly of loans with interest rate reductions and loans with forbearance usage greater than three months, as further described below.
We adjust the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such changes will help our customers manage their student loan obligations and achieve better student outcomes, and increase the collectability of the loans. These
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changes generally take the form of a temporary forbearance of payments, a temporary or permanent interest rate reduction, a temporary or permanent interest rate reduction with a permanent extension of the loan term, and/or a short-term extended repayment alternative. Forbearance is granted prospectively for borrowers who are current in their payments and may be granted retroactively for certain delinquent borrowers.
Prior to January 1, 2022, we classified a loan as a TDR due to forbearance using a two-step process. The first step was to identify a loan that was in full principal and interest repayment status and received more than three months of forbearance in a 24-month period; however, during the first nine months after a loan had entered full principal and interest repayment status, we did not count up to the first six months of forbearance received during that period against the three-month policy limit. The second step was to evaluate the creditworthiness of the loan by examining its most recent refreshed FICO score. Loans that met the criteria in the first test and had a FICO score above a certain threshold (based on the most recent quarterly FICO score refresh) were not classified as TDRs. Loans that met the criteria in the first test and had a FICO score under the threshold (based on the most recent quarterly FICO score refresh) were classified as TDRs.
A loan also became a TDR when it was modified to reduce the interest rate on the loan (regardless of when such modification occurred and/or whether such interest rate reduction was temporary). Once a loan qualified for TDR status, it remained a TDR for allowance purposes for the remainder of its life. About half our loans that were considered TDRs involved a temporary forbearance of payments and did not change the contractual interest rate of the loan.
Off-Balance Sheet Exposure for 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 the start of the second semester or subsequent trimesters). We estimate expected credit losses over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. The discounted cash flow approach described above includes expected future contractual disbursements. The portion of the allowance for credit losses related to future disbursements is shown as a liability on the face of the balance sheet, and related provision for credit losses is reflected on the income statement.
Uncollectible Interest
The majority of the total accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loan portfolio represents accrued interest on deferred loans where no payments are due while the borrower is in school and on fixed-pay loans where the borrower makes a $25 monthly payment that is smaller than the interest accrued on the loan in that month. The accrued interest on these loans will be capitalized and increase the unpaid principal balance of the loans when the borrower exits the grace period after separation from school. The discounted cash flow approach described above considers both the collectability of principal as well as this portion of accrued interest that is expected to capitalize to the balance of the loan. Therefore, the allowance for this portion of accrued interest balance is included in our allowance for credit losses. The discounted cash flow approach does not consider interest accrued on loans that are in a full principal and interest repayment status or in interest-only repayment status. We separately capture the amount of expected uncollectible interest associated with these loans using historical experience to estimate the uncollectible interest for the next four months at each period-end date. This amount is recorded as a reduction of interest income. Accrued interest receivable is separately disclosed on the face of the balance sheet.
Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses
FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default, subject to a risk-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. Because we bear a maximum of three percent loss exposure due to this federal guarantee, our allowance for credit losses for FFELP Loans and related periodic provision expense are relatively small.
We use the gross loss approach when estimating the allowance for credit losses for the unguaranteed portion of our FFELP Loans. We maintain an allowance for credit losses for our FFELP Loans at a level sufficient to cover lifetime expected credit losses. The allowance for FFELP Loan losses uses historical experience of customer default behavior. We apply the default rate projections, net of applicable risk sharing, to our FFELP Loans for the current period to perform our quantitative calculation. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered.
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Risk Management
Our Approach
Risk is inherent in our business activities and the specialized lending industry we serve. The ability of management to identify, manage, and remediate risk in a timely manner is critical to our continued success. Our risk management framework is designed to assess, manage, and report these risks and escalate as appropriate to the Board of Directors or its designee.
Risk Oversight
Our Board of Directors oversees our overall strategic direction, including our risk management capability and effectiveness. The Board of Directors has oversight of key policies as well as the risk management framework developed and administered by the management team. We have a robust process to escalate meaningful departures from our risk appetite statements to the Board. The Board of Directors oversees the continued development of the risk management framework.
The Governance Framework
Our overall objective is to ensure all significant risks inherent in our business can be identified and appropriately mitigated. To this end, we have adopted the “three lines of defense” approach to governance. Specifically, the business units form the “first line of defense” and are the “owners” of risks in their business activities. As the risk owner, the first line of defense is accountable for the day-to-day execution of risk and control policies and procedures (including activities performed by third-party contractors). The “second line of defense” is our Risk Management function, which is independent from the first line of defense. The second line of defense conducts oversight and effective challenge of the risk-taking activities within the first line of defense. Finally, the Internal Audit function comprises the “third line of defense.” The Internal Audit function provides opinions to the Board of Directors on the effectiveness of the first and second lines of defense, as reflected in audit reports.
Risk Management Policy and Risk Appetite Standard
The Risk Management Policy and Risk Appetite Standard are designed to establish a stable risk and control environment across the enterprise. The policy, which is approved by the Board of Directors, outlines the framework used to ensure that risk and control issues across the enterprise are identified, assessed, measured, monitored, and reported. The Risk Management Policy, the Risk Appetite Standard, and the related policies and procedures constitute the core of the risk management program.
Sallie Mae leverages risk appetite to outline the level of risk we are willing to accept within each risk category, as described below, in pursuit of our business objectives. Compliance with our risk appetite is monitored using a set of risk metrics, with defined thresholds and limits, for each risk category. The Enterprise Risk Committee provides oversight of the risk appetite standard with escalation to the Board of Directors, as appropriate.
Board of Directors Committee Structure
We have a robust Board of Directors committee structure as outlined below that facilitates oversight, effective challenge, and escalation of risk and control issues.
•Financial Risk Committee. The Financial Risk Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its risk management oversight responsibilities with regard to the Company’s major financial risks, including credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk. The Financial Risk Committee, along with the Operational and Compliance Risk Committee, provides oversight of the development, maintenance, and monitoring of the Company’s risk management framework, risk governance structure, and risk appetite statements, metrics, and associated limits and thresholds, and the promotion of our risk management culture. The Financial Risk Committee receives periodic updates on compliance with the framework from the Chief Risk Officer.
•Operational and Compliance Risk Committee. The Operational and Compliance Risk Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the major non-financial risks, including compliance risks, operational risks, information and cyber security risk, and model risk. The Operational and Compliance Risk Committee, along with the Financial Risk Committee, provides oversight of the development, maintenance, and monitoring of our risk management framework, risk governance structure, and risk appetite statements, metrics, and associated limits and thresholds, and the promotion of our risk management culture. The
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Operational and Compliance Risk Committee receives periodic updates on compliance with the framework from the Chief Risk Officer.
•Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of the quality and integrity of our financial statements, accounting and reporting processes, the performance of the Internal Audit function, and the qualifications, hiring, performance, and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm.
•Nominations and Governance Committee. The Nominations and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors appropriate standards of corporate governance, and assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its obligations with regard to oversight of the operations of the Board of Directors, the qualifications and independence of directors, nominations to the Board of Directors, and compliance with the corporate governance standards. The Nominations and Governance Committee also provides oversight of the ESG matters of the Company.
•Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities related to the compensation and benefits of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the non-employee members of the Board of Directors, our incentive compensation and benefits practices for employees of all levels, and management’s succession planning. Additionally, the Compensation Committee provides oversight of human capital management, including in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
•Preferred Stock Committee. The Preferred Stock Committee monitors and evaluates proposed actions that may impact the rights of holders of our preferred stock.
Management-Level Committee Structure
Executive Committee. The EC is authorized by the Board of Directors to assist the CEO in the general supervision of the business of the Company. Specifically, the EC will (i) provide to the CEO advice and counsel, subject matter expertise, and recommendations as requested, and (ii) through its subcommittees, facilitate the evaluation and decision-making on routine cross-functional matters, and assist management in the fulfillment of management’s duties related to specific risks. The EC has established the following sub-committees to assist in fulfilling its duties.
•Enterprise Risk Committee (“ERC”). The ERC provides independent oversight and monitoring of the risk and control environment. The ERC is jointly accountable to the Financial Risk Committee and the Operational and Compliance Risk Committee of the Board of Directors and provides for escalation accordingly.
•Credit Committee. The Credit Committee is responsible for credit and counterparty risk, product pricing, and credit and collections operations.
•Operational and Compliance Risk Committee. The OCRC is the oversight body for the identification, assessment, remediation, measurement, and reporting of operational and compliance risks.
•Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”). ALCO is responsible for the strategy, processes, and authorities with which the Bank’s interest rate risk, liquidity, and capital adequacy are managed.
•Policy Management Committee (“PMC”) The PMC is responsible for the effective and efficient administration of the Company’s policies, standards, and procedures.
Each of these sub-committees is comprised of subject matter experts from the senior management team and is accountable to the EC. Moreover, these sub-committees may be supported by steering or working groups, as appropriate.
Disclosure Committee. Our Disclosure Committee assists our CEO and Chief Financial Officer in their review of periodic SEC reporting documents, earnings releases, investor materials, and related disclosure policies and procedures.
Internal Audit
Internal Audit provides independent assurance to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as to the adequacy and effectiveness of our risk management, control, and governance processes. Internal Audit also assists management by providing objective assurance, credible challenge, and consulting services around matters involving risk management. Internal Audit regularly performs selected reviews of our risk management and compliance functions to assess the effectiveness of the overall risk management framework, identifies areas that may require increased focus and resources, and reports significant control issues and recommendations to executive management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Annually, Internal Audit performs an independent risk assessment to evaluate the risk of all significant components of the Company and uses the results to develop an annual, risk-based Internal Audit plan to provide the assurance services noted above.
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Risk Categories
Risk categories are a foundational element of the risk management framework; they are widely used in risk
identification and provide the basis for risk aggregation and reporting. The Company has identified six major risk categories:
Strategic Risk. Strategic risk is the risk of: adverse impacts to enterprise value, current or anticipated earnings, capital, or franchise value arising from the Company’s competitive and market position and evolving forces in the industry that can affect that position; lack of responsiveness to these conditions; strategic decisions to change the Company’s scale, market position, or operating model; or failure to appropriately consider implementation risks inherent in the Company’s strategy.
The overall development of the Company’s strategic plan includes extensive engagement with the Board of Directors. Similarly, the Board of Directors provides oversight and effective challenge on performance relative to the strategic plan.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk of adverse impacts to earnings, capital, or reputation resulting from obligors’ failure, or the increased probability thereof, to meet the terms of a lending, issuer, or counterparty agreement. Credit risk is found in all activities where success depends on counterparty, issuer, or borrower performance.
The credit risk related to Private Education Loans is managed within a credit risk infrastructure that includes: (i) a well-defined underwriting, asset quality, and collection policy framework; (ii) an ongoing monitoring and review process of portfolio composition and trends; (iii) assignment and management of credit authorities and responsibilities; and (iv) establishment of an allowance for credit losses that covers estimated future losses based upon an analysis of portfolio metrics and economic factors.
Credit risk related to derivative contracts is managed by reviewing counterparties for credit strength on an ongoing basis and through our credit policies, which place limits on the amount of exposure we may take with any one counterparty and require collateral to secure the position. The credit and counterparty risk associated with derivatives is measured based on the replacement cost should the counterparty with contracts in a gain position to us fail to perform under the terms of the contract.
Credit risk exposure is managed primarily through the Credit Committee, and regular reporting on credit programs and credit metrics is provided to the Financial Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.
Market Risk. Market risk is the risk of adverse impacts to earnings, capital, or reputation resulting from fluctuations in market conditions such as changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices, and other financial market factors. We are exposed to various types of market risk, in particular the risk of loss resulting from interest rate risk, basis risk, and other risks that arise through the management of our investment, debt, and loan portfolios. Market risk exposures are managed primarily through ALCO. These activities are closely tied to those related to the management of our funding and liquidity risks. The Financial Risk Committee of our Board of Directors periodically reviews and approves the investment and asset and liability management policies and contingency funding plan developed and administered by ALCO. The Chief Financial Officer provides reports to the Financial Risk Committee of the Board of Directors on market risk management.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk of adverse impacts to earnings, capital, reputation, or survival resulting from not being able to meet the Company’s financial obligations when they become due, whether due to a lack of available funding or the inability to liquidate assets in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Our primary liquidity needs include our ongoing ability to: meet our funding needs through market cycles, including periods of financial stress; manage the relative maturities of assets and liabilities on our balance sheet; fund disbursements of Private Education Loans and other loans; and service our indebtedness and bank deposits. Ultimately, our liquidity risk relates to our ability to access the capital markets at reasonable rates and to maintain deposits and other funding sources through the Bank, as well as our maintenance of a reserve of cash and unencumbered highly liquid investment securities that may be readily converted to cash if needed.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 89
Our liquidity risk activities are centralized within our Corporate Finance department, which is responsible for developing and executing our funding strategy. We analyze and monitor our liquidity risk, maintain excess liquidity, and access diverse funding sources depending on current market conditions. Liquidity risks are overseen and recommendations approved primarily through ALCO. The Financial Risk Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for periodically reviewing the liquidity positions and contingency funding plan developed and administered by ALCO.
Operational Risk. Operational risk is the risk of adverse impacts to earnings, capital, or reputation resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, and systems, or from external events. Operational risk is pervasive in that it exists in all business lines, functional units, legal entities, and geographic locations.
Operational risk exposures are managed through a combination of first line of defense and control activities and second line of defense oversight. The OCRC is the management committee responsible for operational risk, and it supports the EC in its oversight duties. The OCRC is responsible for escalation to the EC, as appropriate. Additionally, our key risk indicators include operational risk metrics, thresholds, and limits and are included in the periodic reporting to the Operational and Compliance Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.
Cybersecurity risk is one of our significant operational risks. We provide more detailed information on our cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance in Part I, Item 1C. of this Form 10-K.
Compliance Risk. Compliance risk is the risk of adverse impacts to earnings, capital, or reputation resulting from violations of, or non-conformance with, the Code of Business Conduct and with laws, rules, regulations, and self regulatory organizations’ standards.
Primary ownership and responsibility for compliance risk is placed with the first line of defense to identify and manage. Our Compliance function supports these activities by providing extensive training, monitoring, and testing of the processes, policies, and procedures utilized by the first line of defense, maintaining relevant legal and regulatory requirements, and working in close coordination with our Legal department. Compliance risk metrics and regular reporting on compliance programs are provided to the Operational and Compliance Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.
90 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. 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 December 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Bank’s earning assets and a large balance of deposits were indexed to 1-month LIBOR. As of their first repricing date after the LIBOR Cessation Date, these legacy assets and liabilities were converted to various SOFR fallback rates plus a spread adjustment and are modeled accordingly. Rates are shocked in parallel for shock scenarios unless otherwise indicated. In addition, key rates are 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 key rates, including 30-day average SOFR, with the resulting changes in other indices correlated accordingly. Interest rate ramps represent a linear increase in those key rates over the course of 12 months, with the resulting changes in other indices correlated accordingly.
The following table summarizes the potential effect on earnings over the next 24 months and the potential effect on market values of balance sheet assets and liabilities at December 31, 2023 and 2022, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by management assuming hypothetical increases in market interest rates of 100 and 300 basis points and a decrease of 100 and 300 basis points while credit and funding spreads remain constant. EAR analysis assumes a static balance sheet, with maturities of each product replaced with assumed issuance of new products of the same type. The EVE sensitivity is applied only to financial assets and liabilities, including hedging instruments, that existed at the balance sheet date, and does not reflect any impact of loan sales, new assets, liabilities, commitments, or hedging instruments that may arise in the future.
The EAR results for December 31, 2023 indicate a market risk profile of low sensitivity to rate changes, based on static balance sheet assumptions over the next two years. The EVE metrics demonstrate higher sensitivity than historic results, including results from one year ago. This is due to an increase in the mix of fixed-rate versus variable-rate loan disbursements, which results in our liabilities repricing more quickly than our assets over time. Planned loan sales, which are not included in the static EVE modeling, significantly reduce this exposure. Management is evaluating this trend to determine if further actions are necessary to manage EVE sensitivity.
As of December 31, 2023 2022
+300 Basis
Points +100 Basis
Points -100 Basis
Points -300 Basis Points +300 Basis
Points +100 Basis
Points -100 Basis
Points -300 Basis Points
EAR - Shock -2.9 % -0.9 % +0.7 % +1.9 % +3.0 % +1.0 % -1.1 % -3.7 %
EAR - Ramp -1.9 % -0.6 % +0.4 % +1.3 % +2.5 % +0.9 % -0.9 % -2.9 %
EVE -26.0 % -8.9 % +8.8 % +25.9 % -9.5 % -3.2 % +3.1 % +6.2 %
In the preceding tables, the interest rate sensitivity analysis reflects the balance sheet mix of fully variable SOFR and Prime-based loans, and fully variable funding, including brokered CDs that have been converted to SOFR through derivative transactions. The analysis assumes that retail MMDAs and retail savings balances, while relatively sensitive to interest rate changes, will not correlate 100 percent to the full interest rate shocks or ramps.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 91
Also considered is the impact of FFELP Loans, which receive floor income in low interest rate environments, and will therefore not reprice fully with interest rate shocks.
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 December 31, 2023. 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.)
As of December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions)
Index
Frequency of
Variable
Resets Assets Funding (1)
Funding
Gap
Fed Funds Effective Rate daily/weekly/monthly $ - $ 950.7 $ (950.7)
SOFR Rate daily/weekly/monthly 7,639.0 5,020.5 2,618.5
3-month SOFR quarterly - 251.1 (251.1)
3-month Treasury bill weekly 86.0 - 86.0
Prime monthly 0.5 - 0.5
Non-Discrete reset(2)
daily/weekly 4,354.0 3,741.9 612.1
Fixed-Rate(3)
17,090.0 19,205.3 (2,115.3)
Total $ 29,169.5 $ 29,169.5 $ -
(1) Funding (by index) includes 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 rates, and stockholders’ equity.
The “Funding Gap” in the above table shows primarily mismatches in the Fed Funds Effective Rate, SOFR rate, 3-month SOFR, non-discrete reset, and fixed-rate categories. Changes in the Fed Funds Effective Rate and the daily, weekly, and monthly SOFR categories are generally quite highly correlated, and should offset each other effectively. The funding in the fixed-rate bucket includes $1.6 billion and $0.4 billion of non-interest bearing liabilities. We consider our overall risk to be low and our strategies are designed to maintain low to moderate levels of market exposure.
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.
92 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
Weighted Average Life
The following table reflects the weighted average lives of our earning assets and liabilities at December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023
(averages in years) Weighted Average Life
Earning assets
Education loans 5.03
Cash and investments 1.29
Total earning assets 4.12
Deposits
Short-term deposits 0.68
Long-term deposits 2.05
Total deposits 0.99
Borrowings
Long-term borrowings 3.24
Total borrowings 3.24
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 93

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Reference is made to the financial statements listed under the heading “(a) 1.A. Financial Statements” of Item 15 hereof, which financial statements are incorporated by reference in response to this Item 8.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Nothing to report.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. 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 December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, 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 (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as stated in their report listed under the heading “(a) 1.A. Financial Statements” of Item 15 hereof.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Nothing to report.
94 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
PART III.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information contained in the 2024 Proxy Statement, including information appearing in the sections titled “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Other Arrangements, Policies and Practices Related to Executive Compensation Programs - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and “Corporate Governance” in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information contained in the 2024 Proxy Statement, including information appearing in the sections titled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information contained in the 2024 Proxy Statement, including information appearing in the sections titled “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” “Ownership of Common Stock by 5 Percent or More Holders,” and “Ownership of Common Stock by Directors and Executive Officers” in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information contained in the 2024 Proxy Statement, including information appearing under “Corporate Governance - Related Party Transactions” and “Corporate Governance - Director Independence” in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information contained in the 2024 Proxy Statement, including information appearing under “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 95
PART IV.

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) 1. Financial Statements
A. The following consolidated financial statements of SLM Corporation and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon are included in Item 8 above:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We will furnish at cost a copy of any exhibit filed with or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Oral or written requests for copies of any exhibits should be directed to the Corporate Secretary.
96 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
(b) Exhibits
2.1 Separation and Distribution Agreement by and among SLM Corporation, New BLC Corporation and Navient Corporation, dated as of April 28, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2014).
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated February 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2015).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of SLM Corporation, effective November 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2021).
4.1 Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2015, between SLM Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on June 17, 2015).
4.2 First Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 5, 2017 between SLM Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2017).
4.3 Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 29, 2020 between SLM Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2020).
4.4 Form of Senior Note due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2020).
4.5 Description of SLM Corporation’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020).
4.6 Description of SLM Corporation’s Floating-Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020).
4.7 Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 2021 between SLM Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2021).
4.8 Form of Senior Note due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2021).
10.1† SLM Corporation Executive Severance Plan for Senior Officers, including amendments as of June 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2016).
10.2† SLM Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan for Senior Officers, including amendments as of June 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2016).
10.3† Form of Director’s Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2012).
10.4† Sallie Mae Supplemental 401(k) Savings Plan, as Amended and Restated as of June 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2016).
10.5† Amendment to Sallie Mae Supplemental 401(k) Savings Plan (Effective as of March 5, 2019) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 17, 2019).
10.6† SLM Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees, as Established Effective May 1, 2014 and Amended June 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2016).
10.7† Amendment to SLM Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees (Effective as of March 5, 2019) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 17, 2019).
10.8† SLM Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, as Established Effective May 1, 2014 and Amended June 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2016).
10.9† Amended and Restated SLM Corporation Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-13251) filed on May 25, 2005).
10.10† Director’s Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-13251) filed on May 25, 2005).
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 97
10.11† SLM Corporation Directors Equity Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-159447) filed on May 22, 2009).
10.12† SLM Corporation 2009-2012 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-159447) filed on May 22, 2009).
10.13† SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on April 27, 2017).
10.14† Sallie Mae Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Amended and Restated as of June 24, 2014, Including Amendments as of June 25, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2016).
10.15† Restatement of the Sallie Mae 401(k) Savings Plan (Effective as of January 1, 2018) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020).
10.16† Amendment to Sallie Mae 401(k) Savings Plan (Effective as of January 1, 2019) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020).
10.17† Amendment to Sallie Mae 401(k) Savings Plan (Effective as of March 5, 2019) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 17, 2019).
10.18 Tax Sharing Agreement between Navient Corporation and New BLC Corporation, dated as of April 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2014).
10.19 Amended and Restated Loan Servicing and Administration Agreement between Sallie Mae Bank and Navient Solutions, Inc., dated as of April 30, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2014).
10.20† Agreement and Release, dated as of March 20, 2018, between the Company and the Personal Representatives of the Estate of Charles P. Rocha (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 23, 2018).
10.21† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2018 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 23, 2018).
10.22† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2018 Performance Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 23, 2018).
10.23† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2018 Bonus Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (Three-Year Restriction), 2017 Management Incentive Plan Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 23, 2018).
10.24† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2019 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 17, 2019).
10.25† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2019 Performance Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 17, 2019).
10.26† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Bonus Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (Three-Year Restriction), 2018 Management Incentive Plan Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 17, 2019).
10.27† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2020 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 22, 2020).
10.28† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2020 Performance Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 22, 2020).
10.29† Offer Letter between Jonathan W. Witter and the Company dated March 4, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 22, 2020).
10.30 Fixed Dollar Uncollared ASR Master Confirmation and Form of Supplement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 22, 2020).
10.31† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Independent Director Restricted Stock Agreement - 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 22, 2020).
10.32† Separation Agreement between Raymond J. Quinlan and the Company effective April 19, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 22, 2020).
10.33† Jonathan W. Witter Sign-On Equity Grant - 2020 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 22, 2020).
98 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K
10.34† Offer Letter between Donna F. Vieira and the Company dated September 18, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 22, 2020).
10.35† Separation Agreement between Paul Thome and the Company effective August 10, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 21, 2020).
10.36† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2021 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 21, 2021).
10.37† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2021 Performance Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 21, 2021).
10.38† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2021 Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 21, 2021).
10.39† Form of SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Independent Director Restricted Stock Agreement - 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 21, 2021).
10.40† SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 9, 2021).
10.41† Form of SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2022 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 27, 2022).
10.42† Form of SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2022 Performance Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 27, 2022).
10.43† Form of SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Independent Director Restricted Stock Agreement - 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 27, 2022).
10.44† Offer Letter between Kerri Palmer and the Company dated January 7, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 27, 2022).
10.45† SLM Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan for Senior Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21, 2023).
10.46† Form of SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2023 Restricted Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 26, 2023).
10.47† Form of SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2023 Performance Stock Unit Term Sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 26, 2023).
10.48† Retention Agreement between Steven J. McGarry and the Company dated March 2, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 26, 2023).
10.49† Agreement and Release between Daniel Kennedy and the Company effective March 30, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 26, 2023).
10.50† Form of SLM Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Independent Director Restricted Stock Agreement - 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 26, 2023).
10.51† Offer Letter between Peter Graham and the Company dated August 25, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 25, 2023).
21.1* List of Subsidiaries.
23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP.
31.1* Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2* Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1* Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2* Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
97.1* Financial Restatement Compensation Recovery Policy.
101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
2023 Form 10-K - SLM CORPORATION 99
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
† Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement
* Filed herewith
100 SLM CORPORATION - 2023 Form 10-K