e10vq
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission File Number: 001-13251
 
 
 
 
SLM Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  52-2013874
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
12061 Bluemont Way, Reston, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
  20190
(Zip Code)
 
(703) 810-3000
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
     
Class   Outstanding at March 31, 2010
 
Voting common stock, $.20 par value   485,753,600 shares
 


 

 
SLM CORPORATION
 
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
March 31, 2010
 
                 
       
      Financial Statements     2  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     52  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     110  
      Controls and Procedures     114  
       
PART II. Other Information        
      Legal Proceedings     115  
      Risk Factors     115  
      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     115  
      Defaults Upon Senior Securities     116  
      (Removed and Reserved)     116  
      Other Information     116  
      Exhibits     116  
    117  
    118  
 EX-10.6
 EX-10.7
 EX-10.8
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 
 
(1) Definitions for capitalized terms used in this document can be found in the “Glossary” at the end of this document.


1


Table of Contents

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements
 
SLM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
 
Assets
               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans (net of allowance for losses of $119,522 and $104,219, respectively)
  $ 47,928,753     $ 42,978,874  
FFELP Stafford Loans Held-for-Sale
    16,418,101       9,695,714  
FFELP Consolidation Loans (net of allowance for losses of $66,693 and $56,949, respectively)
    82,177,664       68,378,560  
Private Education Loans (net of allowance for losses of $2,018,676 and $1,443,440, respectively)
    35,361,689       22,753,462  
Other loans (net of allowance for losses of $77,159 and $73,985, respectively)
    334,879       420,233  
Investments:
               
Available-for-sale
    746,556       1,273,275  
Other
    654,503       740,553  
                 
Total investments
    1,401,059       2,013,828  
Cash and cash equivalents
    6,840,902       6,070,013  
Restricted cash and investments
    6,115,399       5,168,871  
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
          1,828,075  
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net
    1,167,599       1,177,310  
Other assets
    9,767,040       9,500,358  
                 
Total assets
  $ 207,513,085     $ 169,985,298  
                 
Liabilities
               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 41,102,389     $ 30,896,811  
Long-term borrowings
    157,983,266       130,546,272  
Other liabilities
    3,671,734       3,263,593  
                 
Total liabilities
    202,757,389       164,706,676  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized:
               
Series A: 3,300 and 3,300 shares, respectively, issued at stated value of $50 per share
    165,000       165,000  
Series B: 4,000 and 4,000 shares, respectively, issued at stated value of $100 per share
    400,000       400,000  
Series C: 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock; 810 and 810 shares, respectively, issued at liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
    810,370       810,370  
Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 1,125,000 shares authorized: 553,408 and 552,220 shares issued, respectively
    110,682       110,444  
Additional paid-in capital
    5,106,094       5,090,891  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $24,535 and $23,448, respectively)
    (42,511 )     (40,825 )
Retained earnings
    72,062       604,467  
                 
Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity before treasury stock
    6,621,697       7,140,347  
Common stock held in treasury at cost: 67,564 and 67,222 shares, respectively
    1,866,020       1,861,738  
                 
Total SLM Corporation stockholders’ equity
    4,755,677       5,278,609  
Noncontrolling interest
    19       13  
                 
Total equity
    4,755,696       5,278,622  
                 
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 207,513,085     $ 169,985,298  
                 
 
Supplemental information — significant assets and liabilities of variable interest entities:
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
 
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 62,163,939     $ 51,067,680  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    81,460,381       67,664,019  
Private Education Loans
    23,860,189       10,107,298  
Restricted cash and investments
    5,724,454       4,596,147  
Other assets
    4,323,164       3,639,918  
Short-term borrowings
    33,766,308       23,384,051  
Long-term borrowings
    130,114,526       101,012,628  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


2


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Interest income:
               
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
  $ 283,437     $ 342,816  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
    523,325       489,362  
Private Education Loans
    565,154       387,041  
Other loans
    8,996       16,420  
Cash and investments
    4,949       5,971  
                 
Total interest income
    1,385,861       1,241,610  
Total interest expense
    531,384       1,026,547  
                 
Net interest income
    854,477       215,063  
Less: provisions for loan losses
    359,120       250,279  
                 
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses
    495,357       (35,216 )
                 
Other income (loss):
               
Securitization servicing and Residual Interest revenue (loss)
          (95,305 )
Gains on sales of loans and securities, net
    8,653        
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
    (82,410 )     104,025  
Contingency fee revenue
    80,311       74,815  
Collections revenue
    21,966       43,656  
Guarantor servicing fees
    36,090       34,008  
Other
    190,410       192,458  
                 
Total other income
    255,020       353,657  
                 
Expenses:
               
Salaries and benefits
    150,385       135,142  
Other operating expenses
    177,635       159,974  
Restructuring expenses
    26,282       3,773  
                 
Total expenses
    354,302       298,889  
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)
    396,075       19,552  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    155,795       (5,517 )
                 
Net income from continuing operations
    240,280       25,069  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit
          (46,174 )
                 
Net income (loss)
    240,280       (21,105 )
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    140       281  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation
    240,140       (21,386 )
Preferred stock dividends
    18,678       26,395  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation common stock
  $ 221,462     $ (47,781 )
                 
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation:
               
Continuing operations, net of tax
  $ 240,140     $ 24,788  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
          (46,174 )
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation
  $ 240,140     $ (21,386 )
                 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders:
               
Continuing operations
  $ .46     $  
                 
Discontinued operations
  $     $ (.10 )
                 
Total
  $ .46     $ (.10 )
                 
Average common shares outstanding
    484,259       466,761  
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders:
               
Continuing operations
  $ .45     $  
                 
Discontinued operations
  $     $ (.10 )
                 
Total
  $ .45     $ (.10 )
                 
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    526,631       466,761  
                 
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders
  $     $  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


3


Table of Contents

 
SLM CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                                                                         
                                              Accumulated
                               
    Preferred
                                  Additional
    Other
                Total
             
    Stock
    Common Stock Shares     Preferred
    Common
    Paid-In
    Comprehensive
    Retained
    Treasury
    Stockholders’
    Noncontrolling
    Total
 
    Shares     Issued     Treasury     Outstanding     Stock     Stock     Capital     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Stock     Equity     Interest     Equity  
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    8,449,770       534,411,271       (66,958,400 )     467,452,871     $ 1,714,770     $ 106,883     $ 4,684,112     $ (76,476 )   $ 426,175     $ (1,856,394 )   $ 4,999,070     $ 7,270     $ 5,006,340  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                                       
Net income (loss)
                                                                    (21,386 )             (21,386 )     281       (21,105 )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                                                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
                                                            950                       950               950  
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax
                                                            5,409                       5,409               5,409  
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment
                                                            (333 )                     (333 )             (333 )
                                                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                                                    (15,360 )     281       (15,079 )
Cash dividends:
                                                                                                       
Preferred stock, series A ($.87 per share)
                                                                    (2,875 )             (2,875 )             (2,875 )
Preferred stock, series B ($.66 per share)
                                                                    (2,520 )             (2,520 )             (2,520 )
Preferred stock, series C ($18.13 per share)
                                                                    (20,840 )             (20,840 )             (20,840 )
Restricted stock dividend
                                                                    (7 )             (7 )             (7 )
Issuance of common shares
            286,846       98       286,944               57       2,045                       5       2,107               2,107  
Issuance of preferred shares
                                                    160               (160 )                            
Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans
                                                    (4,495 )                             (4,495 )             (4,495 )
Stock-based compensation cost
                                                    12,333                               12,333               12,333  
Repurchase of common shares:
                                                                                                       
Benefit plans
                    (147,058 )     (147,058 )                                             (3,566 )     (3,566 )             (3,566 )
Sale of international Purchased Paper — Non-Mortgage business
                                                                                          (7,257 )     (7,257 )
Noncontrolling interest — other
                                                                                          (282 )     (282 )
                                                                                                         
Balance at March 31, 2009
    8,449,770       534,698,117       (67,105,360 )     467,592,757     $ 1,714,770     $ 106,940     $ 4,694,155     $ (70,450 )   $ 378,387     $ (1,859,955 )   $ 4,963,847     $ 12     $ 4,963,859  
                                                                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    8,110,370       552,219,576       (67,221,942 )     484,997,634     $ 1,375,370     $ 110,444     $ 5,090,891     $ (40,825 )   $ 604,467     $ (1,861,738 )   $ 5,278,609     $ 13     $ 5,278,622  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                                       
Net income (loss)
                                                                    240,140               240,140       140       240,280  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                                                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
                                                            63                       63               63  
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax
                                                            (1,712 )                     (1,712 )             (1,712 )
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment
                                                            (37 )                     (37 )             (37 )
                                                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                                                    238,454       140       238,594  
Cash dividends:
                                                                                                       
Preferred stock, series A ($.87 per share)
                                                                    (2,875 )             (2,875 )             (2,875 )
Preferred stock, series B ($.24 per share)
                                                                    (955 )             (955 )             (955 )
Preferred stock, series C ($18.13 per share)
                                                                    (14,688 )             (14,688 )             (14,688 )
Restricted stock dividend
                                                                    (11 )             (11 )             (11 )
Issuance of common shares
            1,188,209               1,188,209               238       6,401                               6,639               6,639  
Issuance of preferred shares
                                                    160               (160 )                            
Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans
                                                    (3,593 )                             (3,593 )             (3,593 )
Stock-based compensation cost
                                                    12,235                               12,235               12,235  
Cumulative effect of accounting change (See Note 1)
                                                                    (753,856 )             (753,856 )             (753,856 )
Repurchase of common shares:
                                                                                                       
Benefit plans
                    (341,846 )     (341,846 )                                             (4,282 )     (4,282 )             (4,282 )
Noncontrolling interest — other
                                                                                          (134 )     (134 )
                                                                                                         
Balance at March 31, 2010
    8,110,370       553,407,785       (67,563,788 )     485,843,997     $ 1,375,370     $ 110,682     $ 5,106,094     $ (42,511 )   $ 72,062     $ (1,866,020 )   $ 4,755,677     $ 19     $ 4,755,696  
                                                                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 


4


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Operating activities
               
Net income (loss)
  $ 240,280     $ (21,105 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit
          46,174  
Gains on sales of loans and securities, net
    (8,653 )      
Stock-based compensation cost
    12,278       13,243  
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities
    (122,044 )     (15,273 )
Provisions for loan losses
    359,120       250,279  
Student loans originated for sale, net
    (6,722,387 )     (6,411,932 )
Decrease in restricted cash — other
    25,755       35,270  
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
    (158,066 )     458,024  
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
    79,833       (284,223 )
Adjustment for non-cash loss related to Retained Interest
          249,833  
Decrease in other assets, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net
    747,834       192,020  
Decrease in other liabilities
    (3,366 )     (60,767 )
                 
Cash used in operating activities — continuing operations
    (5,789,696 )     (5,527,352 )
Cash provided by operating activities — discontinued operations
          80,299  
                 
Total net cash used in operating activities
    (5,549,416 )     (5,468,158 )
                 
Investing activities
               
Student loans acquired
    (2,638,358 )     (2,589,083 )
Loans purchased from securitized trusts
          (2,194 )
Reduction of student loans:
               
Installment payments, claims and other
    3,484,121       2,708,857  
Proceeds from sales of student loans
    75,493       462,311  
Other loans — originated
          (37,017 )
Other loans — repaid
    82,688       67,186  
Other investing activities, net
    80,089       22,718  
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (18,688,583 )     (20,521,734 )
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
          100,056  
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
    19,182,117       20,726,497  
Purchases of held-to-maturity and other securities
    (10,458 )      
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities and other securities
    39,007       43,994  
Increase in restricted cash — on-balance sheet trusts
    (52,489 )     (344,780 )
                 
Net cash provided by investing activities
    1,553,627       636,811  
                 
Financing activities
               
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust — issued
    1,544,073       1,330,930  
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust — repaid
    (2,099,724 )     (1,432,135 )
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits, net
    (441,723 )     682,937  
ED Participation Program, net
    6,740,199       6,164,514  
ED Conduit Program facility, net
    368,537        
Other short-term borrowings issued
          100,002  
Other short-term borrowings repaid
          (212,720 )
Other long-term borrowings issued
    1,463,534       1,156,263  
Other long-term borrowings repaid
    (2,541,703 )     (3,024,590 )
Other financing activities, net
    (247,746 )     (905,832 )
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock-based awards
    100        
Common stock issued
    11        
Preferred dividends paid
    (18,517 )     (26,235 )
Noncontrolling interest, net
    (363 )     (7,988 )
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    4,766,678       3,825,146  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    770,889       (1,006,201 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    6,070,013       4,070,002  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 6,840,902     $ 3,063,801  
                 
Cash disbursements made (refunds received) for:
               
Interest
  $ 549,075     $ 1,403,858  
                 
Income taxes, net
  $ (493,132 )   $ 12,965  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


5


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements of SLM Corporation (the “Company” or “Sallie Mae”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2010. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”).
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2010, and had no effect on net income, total assets, or total liabilities.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
Transfers of Financial Assets and the Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) Consolidation Model
 
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued topic updates to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and to ASC 810, “Consolidation.”
 
The topic update to ASC 860, among other things, (1) eliminates the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (“QSPE”), (2) changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, (3) changes the amount of the recognized gain/loss on a transfer accounted for as a sale when beneficial interests are received by the transferor, and (4) requires additional disclosure. The topic update to ASC 860 is effective for transactions which occur after December 31, 2009. The impact of ASC 860 to future transactions will depend on how such transactions are structured. ASC 860 relates primarily to the Company’s secured borrowing facilities. All of the Company’s secured borrowing facilities entered into in 2008 and 2009, including securitization trusts, have been accounted for as on-balance sheet financing facilities. These transactions would have been accounted for in the same manner if ASC 860 had been effective during these years.
 
The topic update to ASC 810, significantly changes the consolidation model for variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The topic update amends ASC 810 and, among other things, (1) eliminates the exemption for QSPEs, (2) provides a new approach for determining which entity should consolidate a VIE that is more focused on control rather than economic interest, (3) changes when it is necessary to reassess who should consolidate a VIE and (4) requires additional disclosure. The topic update to ASC 810 is effective as of January 1, 2010.
 
Under ASC 810, if an entity has a variable interest in a VIE and that entity is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE then that entity will consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could


6


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
1.   Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
 
potentially be significant to the VIE. As it relates to the Company’s securitized assets, the Company is the servicer of the securitized assets and owns the Residual Interest of the securitization trusts. As a result, the Company is the primary beneficiary of its securitization trusts and consolidated those trusts that are off-balance sheet at their historical cost basis on January 1, 2010. The historical cost basis is the basis that would exist if these securitization trusts had remained on-balance sheet since they settled. ASC 810 did not change the accounting of any other VIEs the Company has a variable interest in as of January 1, 2010. These new accounting rules will also apply to new transactions entered into from January 1, 2010 forward.
 
Upon adoption of topic updates to ASC 810, the Company removed the $1.8 billion of Residual Interests (associated with its off-balance sheet securitization trusts as of December 31, 2009) from the consolidated balance sheet and the Company consolidated $35.0 billion of assets ($32.6 billion of which are student loans, net of an approximate $550 million allowance for loan loss) and $34.4 billion of liabilities (primarily trust debt), which resulted in an approximate $750 million after-tax reduction of stockholders’ equity (recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings). After the adoption of topic updates to ASC 810, the Company’s results of operations no longer reflect securitization servicing and Residual Interest revenue related to these securitization trusts, but instead report interest income, provisions for loan losses associated with the securitized assets and interest expense associated with the debt issued from the securitization trusts to third parties, consistent with the Company’s accounting treatment of prior on-balance securitization trusts. As of January 1, 2010, there are no longer differences between the Company’s GAAP and “Core Earnings” presentation for securitization accounting. As a result, effective January 1, 2010, the Company’s Managed and on-balance sheet (GAAP) student loan portfolios are the same.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued a topic update to ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The update improves reporting by requiring separate disclosures of the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 of fair value measurements and a description of the reasons for the transfers. In addition, a reporting unit should report separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements within the reconciliation of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Finally, the update clarifies existing disclosure requirements regarding the level of disaggregation in reporting classes of assets and liabilities and discussion of the inputs and valuation techniques used for Level 2 and 3 fair values. This topic update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2010, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2011.
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The Company’s provisions for loan losses represent the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb incurred losses, net of recoveries, in the held-for-investment loan portfolios. The evaluation of the provisions for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. The Company believes that the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to cover probable losses incurred in the loan portfolios.


7


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes the total loan provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Private Education Loans
  $ 325,022     $ 203,545  
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans
    22,996       34,398  
Mortgage and consumer loans
    11,102       12,336  
                 
Total provisions for loan losses
  $ 359,120     $ 250,279  
                 
 
Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
 
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses for Private Education Loans for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 1,443,440     $ 1,308,043  
Provision for Private Education Loan losses
    325,022       203,545  
Charge-offs
    (284,478 )     (138,815 )
Reclassification of interest reserve
    10,642       11,681  
Consolidation of off-balance sheet trusts(1)
    524,050        
                 
Allowance at end of period
  $ 2,018,676     $ 1,384,454  
                 
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    4.7 %     5.1 %
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance (annualized)
    4.4 %     4.7 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    5.3 %     5.9 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    8.2 %     12.3 %
Allowance coverage of charge-offs (annualized)
    1.7       2.5  
Ending total loans(2)
  $ 38,292,920     $ 23,564,123  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 24,645,633     $ 11,107,102  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 24,705,990     $ 11,233,368  
     
 
 
     
(1)
     Upon the adoption of topic updates to ASC 810 on January 1, 2010, the Company consolidated all of its off-balance sheet securitization trusts. (See Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Transfers of Financial Assets and the VIE Consolidation Model” for further discussion.)
 
(2)
     Ending total loans represents gross Private Education Loans, plus the receivable for partially charged-off loans.


8


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
 
Private Education Loan Delinquencies
 
The table below presents the Company’s Private Education Loan delinquency trends as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, and March 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
    Private Education Loan Delinquencies  
    March 31,
          March 31,
 
    2010     December 31, 2009     2009  
(Dollars in millions)   Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 11,452             $ 8,910             $ 11,205          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    1,338               967               861          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    21,699       87.9 %     12,421       86.4 %     9,410       83.8 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    842       3.4       647       4.5       515       4.6  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    576       2.3       340       2.4       403       3.6  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    1,589       6.4       971       6.7       905       8.0  
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans in repayment
    24,706       100 %     14,379       100 %     11,233       100 %
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans, gross
    37,496               24,256               23,299          
Private Education Loan unamortized discount
    (912 )             (559 )             (535 )        
                                                 
Total Private Education Loans
    36,584               23,697               22,764          
Private Education Loan receivable for partially charged-off loans
    797               499               265          
Private Education Loan allowance for losses
    (2,019 )             (1,443 )             (1,384 )        
                                                 
Private Education Loans, net
  $ 35,362             $ 22,753             $ 21,645          
                                                 
Percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            65.9 %             59.3 %             48.2 %
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of Private Education Loans in repayment
            12.2 %             13.6 %             16.2 %
                                                 
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            5.1 %             6.3 %             7.1 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on their loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers 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.


9


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
 
Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses
 
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses for the FFELP loan portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 161,168     $ 137,543  
Provision for FFELP loan losses
    22,996       34,398  
Charge-offs
    (21,404 )     (18,880 )
Decrease for student loan sales and other
    (1,694 )     (767 )
Consolidation of off-balance sheet trusts(1)
    25,149        
                 
Allowance at end of period
  $ 186,215     $ 152,294  
                 
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    .1 %     .1 %
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance (annualized)
    .1 %     .1 %
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance
    .1 %     .1 %
Allowance as a percentage of ending loans in repayment
    .2 %     .2 %
Allowance coverage of charge-offs (annualized)
    2.1       2.0  
Ending total loans, gross
  $ 143,914,476     $ 126,453,600  
Average loans in repayment
  $ 82,437,527     $ 69,595,581  
Ending loans in repayment
  $ 82,457,392     $ 68,614,707  
 
 
(1) Upon the adoption of topic updates to ASC 810 on January 1, 2010, the Company consolidated all of its off-balance sheet securitization trusts. (See Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Transfers of Financial Assets and the VIE Consolidation Model” for further discussion.)
 
The Company maintains an allowance for Risk Sharing loan losses on its FFELP loan portfolio. The level of Risk Sharing has varied over the past few years with legislative changes. As of March 31, 2010, 47 percent of the FFELP loan portfolio was subject to 3 percent Risk Sharing, 52 percent was subject to 2 percent Risk Sharing and the remaining 1 percent was not subject to any Risk Sharing.


10


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
2.   Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)
 
FFELP Loan Delinquencies
 
The table below shows the Company’s FFELP loan delinquency trends as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
    FFELP Loan Delinquencies  
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     March 31, 2009  
(Dollars in millions)   Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 43,719             $ 35,079             $ 44,679          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    17,738               14,121               13,160          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
                                               
Loans current
    68,141       82.6 %     57,528       82.4 %     57,925       84.4 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    4,817       5.9       4,250       6.1       3,710       5.4  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    2,962       3.6       2,205       3.1       2,017       3.0  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    6,537       7.9       5,844       8.4       4,963       7.2  
                                                 
Total FFELP loans in repayment
    82,457       100 %     69,827       100 %     68,615       100 %
                                                 
Total FFELP loans, gross
    143,914               119,027               126,454          
FFELP loan unamortized premium
    2,796               2,187               2,428          
                                                 
Total FFELP loans
    146,710               121,214               128,882          
FFELP loan allowance for losses
    (186 )             (161 )             (152 )        
                                                 
FFELP loans, net
  $ 146,524             $ 121,053             $ 128,730          
                                                 
Percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            57.3 %             58.7 %             54.3 %
                                                 
Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP loans in repayment
            17.4 %             17.6 %             15.6 %
                                                 
FFELP loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance
            17.7 %             16.8 %             16.1 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging 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, as well as loans for borrowers who have requested extension of grace period during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers who have used their allowable deferment time or do not qualify for deferment, and need additional time to obtain employment or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with the 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.


11


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
3.   Investments
 
A summary of investments and restricted investments as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 follows:
 
                                 
    March 31, 2010  
          Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Investments
                               
Available-for-sale
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 2,262     $     $     $ 2,262  
Other securities:
                               
Asset-backed securities
    81,705       245       (1,075 )     80,875  
Commercial paper and asset-backed commercial paper
    649,992                   649,992  
Municipal bonds
    9,935       2,055             11,990  
Other
    1,554             (117 )     1,437  
                                 
Total investment securities available-for-sale
  $ 745,448     $ 2,300     $ (1,192 )   $ 746,556  
                                 
Restricted Investments
                               
Available-for sale
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 24,835     $     $     $ 24,835  
Guaranteed investment contracts
    35,006                   35,006  
                                 
Total restricted investments available-for-sale
  $ 59,841     $     $     $ 59,841  
                                 
Held-to-maturity
                               
Guaranteed investment contracts
  $ 3,550     $     $     $ 3,550  
                                 
Total restricted investments held-to-maturity
  $ 3,550     $     $     $ 3,550  
                                 
 


12


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
3.   Investments (Continued)
 
                                 
    December 31, 2009  
          Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Investments
                               
Available-for-sale
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 272     $     $     $ 272  
Other securities:
                               
Asset-backed securities
    110,336       306       (893 )     109,749  
Commercial paper and asset-backed commercial paper
    1,149,981                   1,149,981  
Municipal bonds
    9,935       1,942             11,877  
Other
    1,550             (154 )     1,396  
                                 
Total investment securities available-for-sale
  $ 1,272,074     $ 2,248     $ (1,047 )   $ 1,273,275  
                                 
Restricted Investments
                               
Available-for sale
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 25,026     $     $     $ 25,026  
Guaranteed investment contracts
    26,951                   26,951  
                                 
Total restricted investments available-for-sale
  $ 51,977     $     $     $ 51,977  
                                 
Held-to-maturity
                               
Guaranteed investment contracts
  $ 3,550     $     $     $ 3,550  
Other
    215                   215  
                                 
Total restricted investments held-to-maturity
  $ 3,765     $     $     $ 3,765  
                                 
 
In addition to the restricted investments detailed above, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $6.0 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $25 million (all of which is in restricted cash and investments on the balance sheet) and $50 million ($25 million of which is in restricted cash and investments on the balance sheet), respectively, of available-for-sale investment securities were pledged as collateral.
 
There were no sales of investments, including available-for-sale securities, during the three months ended March 31, 2010. In the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company sold available-for-sale securities with a fair value of $100 million, resulting in no realized gain or loss. The cost basis for these securities was determined through specific identification of the securities sold.

13


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
3.   Investments (Continued)
 
As of March 31, 2010, the stated maturities for the investments (including restricted investments) are shown in the following table:
 
                         
    March 31, 2010  
    Held-to-
    Available-for-
       
    Maturity     Sale(1)     Other  
 
Year of Maturity
                       
2010
  $     $ 678,526     $ 583,740  
2011
                5,080  
2012
                 
2013
          676       5,916  
2014
                 
2015-2019
          11,990       59,768  
After 2019
    3,550       115,205       4,744  
                         
Total
  $ 3,550     $ 806,397     $ 659,248  
                         
 
 
(1) Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value.
 
At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company also had other investments of $659 million and $741 million, respectively. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, other investments included $582 million and $636 million, respectively, of receivables for cash collateral posted with derivative counterparties. Other investments also included leveraged leases which at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, totaled $65 million and $66 million, respectively, that are general obligations of American Airlines and Federal Express Corporation. At December 31, 2009, other investments also included the Company’s remaining investment in The Reserve Primary Fund totaling $32 million. The Company received $32 million from The Reserve Primary Fund on January 29, 2010, resulting in an investment balance of zero.


14


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill
 
All acquisitions must be assigned to a reporting unit or units. A reporting unit is the same as or one level below an operating segment. The following table summarizes the Company’s historical allocation of goodwill to its reporting units, accumulated impairments and net goodwill for each reporting unit.
 
                         
    As of March 31,
 
    2010 and December 31,
 
    2009  
          Accumulated
       
(Dollars in millions)   Gross     Impairments     Net  
 
Lending
  $ 412     $ (24 )   $ 388  
APG
    401             401  
Guarantor Servicing
    62             62  
Upromise
    140             140  
Other
    1       (1 )      
                         
Total
  $ 1,016     $ (25 )   $ 991  
                         
 
Impairment Testing
 
The Company performs goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter as of a September 30 valuation date or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change such that there is a potential that the fair value of a reporting unit or reporting units may be below their respective carrying values.
 
On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4872, which included the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (“SAFRA”). Effective July 1, 2010, the legislation eliminates the authority to provide new loans under FFELP and requires that all new federal loans are to be made through the Direct Student Loan Program (“DSLP”). The new law does not alter or affect the terms and conditions of existing FFELP loans. The Company is currently in the process of restructuring its operations to reflect this change in law. This restructuring will result in both a significant amount of restructuring expenses incurred as well as a significant reduction of on-going operating costs once the restructuring is complete. See Note 12, “Restructuring Activities” for further details.
 
In connection with the passage of SAFRA legislation on March 30, 2010, a trigger event occurred for the Lending, APG and Guarantor Servicing reporting units which requires the Company to assess potential goodwill impairment as of March 31, 2010. As part of the impairment assessment, the Company considered the implications of the SAFRA legislation to these reporting units as well as continued uncertainty in the economy and the tight credit markets during the first quarter of 2010. The impairment assessment methodology utilized a discounted cash flow analysis for each reporting unit affected by the new SAFRA legislation. This assessment resulted in estimated fair values of the Company’s reporting units in excess of their carrying values at March 31, 2010. Accordingly, there was no indicated impairment for these reporting units in the first quarter of 2010. Likewise, in conjunction with the Company’s annual impairment assessment in the fourth quarter of 2009, the cash flow projections for the Lending, APG and Guarantor Servicing reporting units were valued assuming the proposed SAFRA legislation was passed. There was no indicated impairment for any of the reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2009.


15


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Continued)
 
As a result of the passage of the SAFRA legislation, certain revenue streams in the Lending and APG reporting units and the entire revenue stream of the Guarantor Servicing reporting unit will wind down over time. As these revenue streams wind down, goodwill impairment may be triggered for the Lending and APG reporting units and will definitely be triggered for the Guarantor Servicing reporting unit due to the passage of time and depletion of projected cash flows stemming from FFELP-related contracts.
 
Management acknowledges that the economic slowdown could adversely affect the operating results of the Company’s reporting units. If the forecasted performance of the Company’s reporting units is not achieved, or if the Company’s stock price declines to a depressed level resulting in deterioration in the Company’s total market capitalization, the fair value of one or more of the reporting units could be significantly reduced, and the Company may be required to record a charge, which could be material, for an impairment of goodwill.
 
Goodwill by Reportable Segments
 
A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:
 
                         
    December 31,
    Acquisitions/
    March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)   2009     Other     2010  
 
Lending
  $ 388     $     $ 388  
Asset Performance Group
    401             401  
Corporate and Other
    202             202  
                         
Total
  $ 991     $     $ 991  
                         
 
                         
    December 31,
    Acquisitions/
    December 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)   2008     Other     2009  
 
Lending
  $ 388     $     $ 388  
Asset Performance Group
    401             401  
Corporate and Other
    202             202  
                         
Total
  $ 991     $     $ 991  
                         


16


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
4.   Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Continued)
 
Acquired Intangible Assets
 
Acquired intangible assets include the following:
 
                                 
    Average
    As of March 31, 2010  
    Amortization
          Accumulated
       
(Dollars in millions)   Period     Gross     Amortization     Net  
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
                               
Customer, services, and lending relationships
    13 years     $ 332     $ (217 )   $ 115  
Software and technology
    7 years       98       (90 )     8  
Non-compete agreements
            11       (11 )      
                                 
Total
            441       (318 )     123  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
                               
Trade name and trademark
    Indefinite       54             54  
                                 
Total acquired intangible assets
          $ 495     $ (318 )   $ 177  
                                 
 
                                 
    Average
    As of December 31, 2009  
    Amortization
          Accumulated
       
(Dollars in millions)   Period     Gross     Amortization     Net  
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
                               
Customer, services, and lending relationships
    12 years     $ 332     $ (208 )   $ 124  
Software and technology
    7 years       98       (89 )     9  
Non-compete agreements
            11       (11 )      
                                 
Total
            441       (308 )     133  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
                               
Trade name and trademark
    Indefinite       54             54  
                                 
Total acquired intangible assets
          $ 495     $ (308 )   $ 187  
                                 
 
The Company recorded amortization of acquired intangible assets from continuing operations totaling $10 million for both the three months ended March 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize its intangible assets with definite useful lives over their remaining estimated useful lives.


17


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Borrowings
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s borrowings as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                                 
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Short
    Long
          Short
    Long
       
(Dollars in millions)   Term     Term     Total     Term     Term     Total  
 
Unsecured borrowings
  $ 4,831     $ 22,214     $ 27,045     $ 5,185     $ 22,797     $ 27,982  
Unsecured term bank deposits
    1,208       4,202       5,410       842       4,795       5,637  
ED Participation Program facility
    15,746             15,746       9,006             9,006  
ED Conduit Program facility
    14,682             14,682       14,314             14,314  
ABCP borrowings
    3,278       5,000       8,278             8,801       8,801  
Securitizations
          122,277       122,277             89,200       89,200  
Indentured trusts
    60       1,505       1,565       64       1,533       1,597  
Other(1)
    1,159             1,159       1,472             1,472  
                                                 
Total before fair value adjustments
    40,964       155,198       196,162       30,883       127,126       158,009  
ASC 815 fair value adjustments
    138       2,786       2,924       14       3,420       3,434  
                                                 
Total
  $ 41,102     $ 157,984     $ 199,086     $ 30,897     $ 130,546     $ 161,443  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Other primarily consists of cash collateral held related to derivative exposures that are recorded as a short-term debt obligation.
 
As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $3.5 billion in unsecured revolving credit facilities which provide liquidity support for general corporate purposes. The Company has never drawn on these facilities. These facilities include a $1.9 billion revolving credit facility maturing in October 2010 and a $1.6 billion revolving credit facility maturing in October 2011. On May 5, 2010, the $1.9 billion revolving credit facility maturing in October 2010 was terminated.
 
The principal financial covenants in the unsecured revolving credit facilities require the Company to maintain consolidated tangible net worth of at least $1.38 billion at all times. Consolidated tangible net worth as calculated for purposes of this covenant was $2.9 billion as of March 31, 2010. The covenants also require the Company to meet either a minimum interest coverage ratio or a minimum net adjusted revenue test based on the four preceding quarters’ adjusted “Core Earnings” financial performance. The Company was compliant with both of the minimum interest coverage ratio and the minimum net adjusted revenue tests as of the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company has not relied upon the Company’s unsecured revolving credit facilities as a primary source of liquidity. Even though the Company has never borrowed under these facilities, the revolving credit facility maturing October 2011 remains available to be drawn upon for general corporate purposes.
 
Secured Borrowings
 
VIEs are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries. The criteria to be considered the primary beneficiary changed on January 1, 2010 upon the adoption of topic updates to ASC 810 (see Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Transfers of Financial Assets and the VIE Consolidation Model” for further discussion). A VIE exists when either the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities by itself, or the equity investors lack one of three characteristics associated with owning a controlling financial interest. Those characteristics are the direct or indirect ability to make decisions about an entity’s activities that have a significant impact on the success of the entity, the obligation to absorb the expected losses of an entity, and the rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity.


18


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Borrowings (Continued)
 
The Company currently consolidates a number of financing entities that are VIEs as a result of being the entities’ primary beneficiary. As a result, these financing VIEs are accounted for as secured borrowings. The Company is the primary beneficiary of and currently consolidates the following financing VIEs as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                                                         
    March 31, 2010  
    Debt Outstanding                          
    Short
    Long
         
Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding
 
(Dollars in millions)   Term     Term     Total     Loans     Cash     Other Assets     Total  
 
Secured Borrowings:
                                                       
ED Participation Program facility
  $ 15,746     $     $ 15,746     $ 16,148     $ 176     $ 152     $ 16,476  
ED Conduit Program facility
    14,682             14,682       14,952       411       396       15,759  
ABCP borrowings
    3,278       5,000       8,278       9,202       170       83       9,455  
Securitizations
          122,277       122,277       125,349       4,753       3,671       133,773  
Indentured trusts
    60       1,505       1,565       1,834       214       21       2,069  
                                                         
Total before fair value adjustments
    33,766       128,782       162,548       167,485       5,724       4,323       177,532  
ASC 815 fair value adjustment
          1,333       1,333                          
                                                         
Total
  $ 33,766     $ 130,115     $ 163,881     $ 167,485     $ 5,724     $ 4,323     $ 177,532  
                                                         
 
                                                         
    December 31, 2009  
    Debt Outstanding                          
    Short
    Long
         
Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding
 
(Dollars in millions)   Term     Term     Total     Loans     Cash     Other Assets     Total  
 
Secured Borrowings:
                                                       
ED Participation Program facility
  $ 9,006     $     $ 9,006     $ 9,397     $ 115     $ 61     $ 9,573  
ED Conduit Program facility
    14,314             14,314       14,594       478       372       15,444  
ABCP borrowings
          8,801       8,801       9,929       204       100       10,233  
Securitizations
          89,200       89,200       93,021       3,627       3,083       99,731  
Indentured trusts
    64       1,533       1,597       1,898       172       24       2,094  
                                                         
Total before fair value adjustments
    23,384       99,534       122,918       128,839       4,596       3,640       137,075  
ASC 815 fair value adjustment
          1,479       1,479                          
                                                         
Total
  $ 23,384     $ 101,013     $ 124,397     $ 128,839     $ 4,596     $ 3,640     $ 137,075  
                                                         
 
Asset-Backed Financing Facilities
 
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company entered into three new asset-backed financing facilities (the “2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities”) to fund FFELP and Private Education Loans. In 2009, the FFELP facilities were subsequently amended and reduced and the Private Education facility was retired.


19


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Borrowings (Continued)
 
On January 15, 2010, the Company terminated the 2008 Asset-Backed Financing Facilities for FFELP and entered into new multi-year ABCP facilities (the “2010 Facility”) which will continue to provide funding for the Company’s federally guaranteed student loans. The 2010 Facility provides for maximum funding of $10 billion for the first year, $5 billion for the second year and $2 billion for the third year. Upfront fees related to the 2010 Facility were approximately $4 million. The underlying cost of borrowing under the 2010 Facility for the first year is expected to be commercial paper issuance cost plus 0.50 percent, excluding up-front commitment and unused fees.
 
Borrowings under the 2010 Facility are non-recourse to the Company. The maximum amount the Company may borrow under the 2010 Facility is limited based on certain factors, including market conditions and the fair value of student loans in the facility. Funding under the 2010 Facility is subject to usual and customary conditions. The 2010 Facility is subject to termination under certain circumstances, including the Company’s failure to comply with the principal financial covenants in its unsecured revolving credit facilities. Increases in the borrowing rate of up to LIBOR plus 450 basis points could occur if certain asset coverage ratio thresholds are not met. Failure to pay off the 2010 Facility on the maturity date or to reduce amounts outstanding below the annual maximum step downs will result in a 90-day extension of the 2010 Facility with the interest rate increasing from LIBOR plus 200 basis points to LIBOR plus 300 basis points over that period. If, at the end of the 90-day extension, these required paydown amounts have not been made, the collateral can be foreclosed upon. As of March 31, 2010, there was approximately $8.3 billion outstanding under this facility. The book basis of the assets securing this facility at March 31, 2010 was $9.5 billion.
 
The Department of Education (“ED”) Funding Programs
 
In August 2008, ED implemented the Purchase Program and the Loan Purchase Participation Program (the “Participation Program”) pursuant to ECASLA. Under the Purchase Program, ED purchases eligible FFELP loans at a price equal to the sum of (i) par value, (ii) accrued interest, (iii) the one-percent origination fee paid to ED, and (iv) a fixed amount of $75 per loan. Under the Participation Program, ED provides short-term liquidity to FFELP lenders by purchasing participation interests in pools of FFELP loans. FFELP lenders are charged a rate equal to the preceding quarter commercial paper rate plus 0.50 percent on the principal amount of participation interests outstanding. Under the terms of the Participation Program, on September 30, 2010, AY 2009-2010 loans funded under the Participation Program must be either repurchased by the Company or sold to ED pursuant to the Participation Program, which has identical economics to the Purchase Program. Given the state of the credit markets, the Company currently expects to sell all of the loans funded under the Participation Program to ED. Loans eligible for the Participation or Purchase Programs are limited to FFELP Stafford or PLUS Loans, first disbursed on or after May 1, 2008 but no later than July 1, 2010, with no ongoing borrower benefits other than permitted rate reductions of 0.25 percent for automatic payment processing. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $15.7 billion of advances outstanding under the Participation Program. No Company loans from AY 2009-2010 have been sold to ED as of March 31, 2010.
 
Also pursuant to ECASLA, on January 15, 2009, ED published summary terms under which it will purchase eligible FFELP Stafford and PLUS Loans from a conduit vehicle established to provide funding for eligible student lenders (the “ED Conduit Program”). Loans eligible for the ED Conduit Program must be first disbursed on or after October 1, 2003, but not later than July 1, 2009, and fully disbursed before September 30, 2009, and meet certain other requirements, including those relating to borrower benefits. The ED Conduit Program was launched on May 11, 2009 and will accept eligible loans through July 1, 2010. The ED Conduit Program has a term of five years and will expire on January 19, 2014. Funding for the ED Conduit Program is


20


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Borrowings (Continued)
 
provided by the capital markets at a cost based on market rates, with the Company being advanced 97 percent of the student loan face amount. If the conduit does not have sufficient funds to make the required payments on the notes issued by the conduit, then the notes will be repaid with funds from the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”). The FFB will hold the notes for a short period of time and, if at the end of that time the notes still cannot be paid off, the underlying FFELP loans that serve as collateral to the ED Conduit will be sold to ED through the Put Agreement at a price of 97 percent of the face amount of the loans. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $15.0 billion face amount of the Company’s Stafford and PLUS Loans were funded through the ED Conduit Program. For the first quarter of 2010, the average interest rate paid on this facility was approximately 0.62 percent. As of March 31, 2010, there is less than $200 million face amount of additional FFELP Stafford and PLUS Loans (excluding loans currently in the Participation Program) that can be funded through the ED Conduit Program.
 
Securitizations
 
On February 6, 2009, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York published proposed terms for a program designed to facilitate renewed issuance of consumer and small business ABS at lower interest rate spreads. The Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”) was initiated on March 17, 2009 and provided investors who purchase eligible ABS with funding of up to five years. Eligible ABS include ‘AAA’ rated student loan ABS backed by FFELP and Private Education Loans first disbursed since May 1, 2007. For student loan collateral, TALF expired on March 31, 2010.
 
In 2009, the Company completed four FFELP long-term ABS transactions totaling $5.9 billion. The FFELP transactions were composed primarily of FFELP Consolidation Loans which were not eligible for the ED Conduit Program or the TALF.
 
During 2009, the Company completed $7.5 billion of Private Education Loan term ABS transactions, all of which were private placement transactions. On January 6, 2009, the Company closed a $1.5 billion 12.5 year ABS based facility. This facility is used to provide up to $1.5 billion term financing for Private Education Loans. The fully utilized cost of financing obtained under this facility is expected to be LIBOR plus 5.75 percent. In connection with this facility, the Company completed one Private Education Loan term ABS transaction totaling $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2009. The net funding received under the ABS based facility for this issuance was $1.1 billion. In addition, the Company completed $6.0 billion of Private Education Loan term ABS transactions which were TALF-eligible.
 
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company completed a $1.6 billion Private Education Loan term ABS transaction which was TALF-eligible. The issuance included one $149 million tranche bearing a coupon of Prime minus 0.05 percent and a second $1.401 billion tranche bearing a coupon of 1-month LIBOR plus 3.25 percent.
 
On April 12, 2010, the Company priced a $1.2 billion FFELP long-term ABS transaction. The transaction settled on April 15, 2010 and includes $1.2 billion A Notes bearing a coupon of 1-month LIBOR plus 0.40 percent and $37 million B Notes bearing a coupon of 1-month LIBOR plus 0.90 percent. The B Notes were purchased by the Company in their entirety on the settlement date. This transaction was composed primarily of FFELP Stafford and PLUS loans.
 
The Company has $5.3 billion face amount of Private Education Loan securitization bonds outstanding at March 31, 2010, where the Company has the ability to call the bonds at a discount to par between 2011 and 2014. The Company has concluded that it is probable it will call these bonds at the call date at the respective


21


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
5.   Borrowings (Continued)
 
discount. Probability is based on the Company’s assessment of whether these bonds can be refinanced at the call date at or lower than a breakeven cost of funds based on the call discount. As a result, the Company is accreting this call discount as a reduction to interest expense through the call date. If it becomes less than probable that the Company will call these bonds at a future date, it will result in the Company reversing this prior accretion as a cumulative catch-up adjustment. The Company has accreted approximately $86 million, cumulatively, and $26 million in the first quarter of 2010 as a reduction of interest expense.
 
Auction Rate Securities
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company had $3.3 billion of taxable and $1.1 billion of tax-exempt auction rate securities outstanding in securitizations and indentured trusts, respectively. Since February 2008, problems in the auction rate securities market as a whole led to failures of the auctions pursuant to which certain of the Company’s auction rate securities’ interest rates are set. As a result, $3.6 billion of the Company’s auction rate securities as of March 31, 2010 bore interest at the maximum rate allowable under their terms. The maximum allowable interest rate on the Company’s taxable auction rate securities is generally LIBOR plus 1.50 percent. The maximum allowable interest rate on many of the Company’s tax-exempt auction rate securities is a formula driven rate, which produced various maximum rates up to 0.84 percent during the first quarter of 2010. As of March 31, 2010, $0.8 billion of auction rate securities with shorter weighted average terms to maturity have had successful auctions, resulting in an average rate of 1.56 percent.
 
Indentured Trusts
 
The Company has secured assets and outstanding bonds in indentured trusts resulting from the acquisition of various student loan providers in prior periods. The indentures were created and bonds issued to finance the acquisition of student loans guaranteed under the Higher Education Act. The bonds are limited obligations of the Company and are secured by and payable from payments associated with the underlying secured loans.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank in Des Moines (“FHLB-DM”)
 
On January 15, 2010, HICA Education Loan Corporation (“HICA”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a lending agreement with the FHLB-DM. Under the agreement, the FHLB-DM will provide advances backed by Federal Housing Finance Agency approved collateral which includes federally-guaranteed student loans. The initial borrowing of $25 million at a rate of 0.23 percent under this facility occurred on January 15, 2010 and matured on January 22, 2010. The amount, price and tenor of future advances will vary and will be determined at the time of each borrowing. The maximum amount that can be borrowed, as of March 31, 2010, subject to available collateral, is approximately $11 billion. As of March 31, 2010, borrowing under the facility totaled $90 million. The Company has provided a guarantee to the FHLB-DM for the performance and payment of HICA’s obligations.
 
6.   Student Loan Securitization
 
The Company securitizes its FFELP Stafford loans, FFELP Consolidation Loans and Private Education Loan assets. Prior to the adoption of topic updates to the FASB’s ASC 810 on January 1, 2010, for transactions qualifying as sales, the Company retained a Residual Interest and servicing rights (as the Company retained the servicing responsibilities), all of which were referred to as the Company’s Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans. The Residual Interest was the right to receive cash flows from the student loans and reserve accounts in excess of the amounts needed to pay servicing, derivative costs (if


22


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
6.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
any), other fees, and the principal and interest on the bonds backed by the student loans. As a result of adopting the topic updates to ASC 810, the Company removed the $1.8 billion of Residual Interests (associated with its off-balance sheet securitization trusts as of December 31, 2009) from the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Transfers of Financial Assets and the VIE Consolidation Model” for further details).
 
Securitization Activity
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s securitization activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. The securitizations in the periods presented below were accounted for as financing under ASC 860.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2010     2009  
          Loan
          Loan
 
    No. of
    Amount
    No. of
    Amount
 
(Dollars in millions)   Transactions     Securitized     Transactions     Securitized  
 
Securitizations:
                               
FFELP Stafford/PLUS Loans
        $           $  
FFELP Consolidation Loans
                       
Private Education Loans
    1       1,929       1       2,891  
                                 
Total securitizations
    1     $ 1,929       1     $ 2,891  
                                 
 
The following table summarizes cash flows received from or paid to the off-balance sheet securitization trusts during the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
         
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
(Dollars in millions)   March 31, 2009  
 
Net proceeds from new securitizations completed during the period
  $  
Cash distributions from trusts related to Residual Interests
    114  
Servicing fees received(1)
    58  
Purchases of previously transferred financial assets for representation and warranty violations
    (3 )
Reimbursements of borrower benefits(2)
    (8 )
Purchases of delinquent Private Education Loans from securitization trusts using delinquent loan call option
     
Purchases of loans using clean-up call option
     
 
 
(1) The Company receives annual servicing fees of 90 basis points, 50 basis points and 70 basis points of the outstanding securitized loan balance related to its FFELP Stafford, FFELP Consolidation Loan and Private Education Loan securitizations, respectively.
 
(2) Under the terms of the securitizations, the transaction documents require that the Company reimburse the trusts for any borrower benefits afforded the borrowers of the underlying securitized loans.
 
Retained Interest in Securitized Receivables
 
The following tables summarize the fair value of the Company’s Residual Interests, included in the Company’s Retained Interest (and the assumptions used to value such Residual Interests), along with the underlying off-balance sheet student loans that relate to those securitizations in transactions that were treated


23


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
6.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
as sales as of December 31, 2009. As noted previously, the Residual Interest was removed from the balance sheet on January 1, 2010.
 
                                 
    As of December 31, 2009  
    FFELP
    Consolidation
    Private
       
    Stafford and
    Loan
    Education
       
(Dollars in millions)   PLUS     Trusts(1)     Loan Trusts     Total  
 
Fair value of Residual Interests
  $ 243     $ 791     $ 794     $ 1,828  
Underlying securitized loan balance
    5,377       14,369       12,986       32,732  
Weighted average life
    3.3 yrs.     9.0 yrs.     6.3 yrs.        
Prepayment speed (annual rate)(2)
                               
Interim status
    0 %     N/A       0 %        
Repayment status
    0-14 %     2-4 %     2-15 %        
Life of loan — repayment status
    9 %     3 %     6 %        
Expected remaining credit losses (% of outstanding student loan principal)(3)(4)
    .10 %     .25 %     5.31 %        
Residual cash flows discount rate
    10.6 %     12.3 %     27.5 %        
 
 
(1) Includes $569 million related to the fair value of the Embedded Floor Income as of December 31, 2009.
 
(2) The Company uses Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”) curves for Residual Interest valuations that are based on seasoning (the number of months since entering repayment). Under this methodology, a different CPR is applied to each year of a loan’s seasoning. Repayment status CPR used is based on the number of months since first entering repayment (seasoning). Life of loan CPR is related to repayment status only and does not include the impact of the loan while in interim status. The CPR assumption used for all periods includes the impact of projected defaults.
 
(3) Remaining expected credit losses as of the respective balance sheet date.
 
(4) For Private Education Loan trusts, estimated defaults from settlement to maturity are 12.2 percent at December 31, 2009. These estimated defaults do not include recoveries related to defaults but do include prior purchases of loans at par by the Company when loans reached 180 days delinquent (prior to default) under a contingent call option. Although these loan purchases do not result in a realized loss to the trust, the Company has included them here. Not including these purchases in the disclosure would result in estimated defaults of 9.3 percent at December 31, 2009.
 
The Company recorded net unrealized mark-to-market losses in “securitization servicing and Residual Interest revenue (loss)” of $261 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.


24


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
6.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
As of March 31, 2009, the Company had changed the following significant assumptions compared to those used as of December 31, 2008, to determine the fair value of the Residual Interests:
 
  •  Life of loan default rate assumptions for Private Education Loans were increased as a result of the continued weakening of the U.S. economy. This resulted in a $49 million unrealized mark-to-market loss.
 
  •  The discount rate assumption related to the Private Education Loan was increased. The Company assessed the appropriateness of the current risk premium, which is added to the risk free rate for the purpose of arriving at a discount rate, in light of the current economic and credit uncertainty that exists in the market as of March 31, 2009. This discount rate was applied to the projected cash flows to arrive at a fair value representative of the current economic conditions. The Company increased the risk premium by 500 basis points to take into account the level of cash flow uncertainty and lack of liquidity that existed with the Residual Interests as of March 31, 2009. This resulted in a $126 million unrealized mark-to-market loss.
 
The table below shows the Company’s off-balance sheet Private Education Loan delinquencies as of March 31, 2009.
 
                 
    Off-Balance Sheet Private Education Loan Delinquencies  
    March 31, 2009  
(Dollars in millions)   Balance     %  
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)
  $ 3,419          
Loans in forbearance(2)
    619          
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
               
Loans current
    8,570       90.0 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)
    297       3.1  
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)
    222       2.3  
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)
    434       4.6  
                 
Total off-balance sheet Private Education Loans in repayment
    9,523       100 %
                 
Total off-balance sheet Private Education Loans, gross
  $ 13,561          
                 
 
 
(1) Loans for borrowers who may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on their loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
 
(2) Loans for borrowers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardships 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.


25


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
6.   Student Loan Securitization (Continued)
 
 
The following table summarizes charge-off activity for Private Education Loans in the off-balance sheet trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
         
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
(Dollars in millions)   March 31, 2009  
 
Charge-offs
  $ 63  
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment (annualized)
    2.7 %
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance (annualized)
    2.5 %
Ending off-balance sheet total Private Education Loans(1)
  $ 13,669  
Average off-balance sheet Private Education Loans in repayment
  $ 9,413  
Ending off-balance sheet Private Education Loans in repayment
  $ 9,523  
 
 
(1) Ending total loans represents gross Private Education Loans, plus the receivable for partially charged-off loans (see Note 2, “Allowance for Loan Losses”).
 
7.   Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Derivative instruments are used as part of the Company’s interest rate and foreign currency risk management strategy and include interest rate swaps, basis swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, interest rate futures contracts, and interest rate floor and cap contracts with indices that relate to the pricing of specific balance sheet assets and liabilities. (For a full discussion of the Company’s risk management strategy and use of derivatives, please see the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K, Note 9, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” to the consolidated financial statements.) The accounting of the Company’s derivatives requires that every derivative instrument, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. The Company’s derivative instruments are classified and accounted for by the Company as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or trading activities.
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
Fair value hedges are generally used by the Company to hedge the exposure to changes in fair value of a recognized fixed rate asset or liability. The Company enters into interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate assets into variable rate assets and fixed rate debt into variable rate debt. The Company also enters into cross-currency interest rate swaps to convert foreign currency denominated fixed and floating debt to U.S. dollar denominated variable debt. Changes in value for both the hedge and the hedged item are recorded to earnings. These amounts offset each other with the net amount representing the ineffectiveness of the relationship.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Cash flow hedges are used by the Company to hedge the exposure to variability in cash flows for a forecasted debt issuance and for exposure to variability in cash flows of floating rate debt. This strategy is used primarily to minimize the exposure to volatility from future changes in interest rates. Gains and losses on the effective portion of a qualifying hedge are accumulated in other comprehensive income and ineffectiveness is recorded immediately to earnings.


26


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
7.   Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)
 
Trading Activities
 
When instruments do not qualify as hedges, they are accounted for as trading where all changes in fair value of the derivatives are recorded through earnings. In general, derivative instruments included in trading activities include Floor Income Contracts, basis swaps and various other derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815.
 
Summary of Derivative Financial Statement Impact
 
The following tables summarize the fair values and notional amounts of all derivative instruments at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and their impact on other comprehensive income and earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
                                                                     
        Cash Flow     Fair Value     Trading     Total  
    Hedged Risk
  Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)   Exposure   2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Fair Values(1)
                                                                   
Derivative Assets
                                                                   
Interest rate swaps
  Interest rate   $     $     $ 754     $ 684     $ 129     $ 133     $ 883     $ 817  
Cross currency interest rate swaps
  Foreign currency
and interest rate
                2,586       2,932       37       44       2,623       2,976  
                                                                     
Total derivative assets(3)
                    3,340       3,616       166       177       3,506       3,793  
Derivative Liabilities
                                                                   
Interest rate swaps
  Interest rate     (87 )     (78 )     (21 )     (6 )     (580 )     (639 )     (688 )     (723 )
Floor Income Contracts
  Interest rate                             (1,441 )     (1,234 )     (1,441 )     (1,234 )
Cross currency interest rate swaps
  Foreign currency
and interest rate
                (320 )     (192 )     (1 )     (1 )     (321 )     (193 )
Other(2)
  Interest rate                             (24 )     (20 )     (24 )     (20 )
                                                                     
Total derivative liabilities(3)
        (87 )     (78 )     (341 )     (198 )     (2,046 )     (1,894 )     (2,474 )     (2,170 )
                                                                     
Net total derivatives
      $ (87 )   $ (78 )   $ 2,999     $ 3,418     $ (1,880 )   $ (1,717 )   $ 1,032     $ 1,623  
                                                                     
 
 
(1) Fair values reported are exclusive of collateral held and pledged and accrued interest. Assets and liabilities are presented without consideration of master netting agreements. Derivatives are carried on the balance sheet based on net position by counterparty under master netting agreements, and classified in other assets or other liabilities depending on whether in a net positive or negative position.
 
(2) “Other” includes the fair value of Euro-dollar futures contracts, the embedded derivatives in asset-backed financings, and derivatives related to the ABS based facility. The embedded derivatives are required to be accounted for as derivatives.
 
(3) The following table reconciles gross positions without the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification:
 
                                 
    Other Assets     Other Liabilities  
    March 31,
    December 31,
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Gross position
  $ 3,506     $ 3,793     $ (2,474 )   $ (2,170 )
Impact of master netting agreements
    (1,017 )     (1,009 )     1,017       1,009  
                                 
Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements
    2,489       2,784       (1,457 )     (1,161 )
Cash collateral (held) pledged
    (860 )     (1,268 )     582       636  
                                 
Net position
  $ 1,629     $ 1,516     $ (875 )   $ (525 )
                                 
 


27


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
7.   Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)
 
                                                                 
    Cash Flow     Fair Value     Trading     Total  
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    Dec. 31,
 
(Dollars in billions)   2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Notional Values
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ 1.7     $ 1.7     $ 14.4     $ 12.4     $ 150.6     $ 148.2     $ 166.7     $ 162.3  
Floor Income Contracts
                            41.2       47.1       41.2       47.1  
Cross currency interest rate swaps
                21.6       19.3       .3       .3       21.9       19.6  
Other(1)
                            1.2       1.1       1.2       1.1  
                                                                 
Total derivatives
  $ 1.7     $ 1.7     $ 36.0     $ 31.7     $ 193.3     $ 196.7     $ 231.0     $ 230.1  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) “Other” includes Euro-dollar futures contracts, embedded derivatives bifurcated from securitization debt, as well as derivatives related to the ABS facility.
 
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
          Realized Gain
             
    Unrealized Gain
    (Loss)
    Unrealized Gain
       
    (Loss) on
    on
    (Loss)
    Total Gain
 
    Derivatives(1)(2)     Derivatives(3)     on Hedged Item(1)     (Loss)  
(Dollars in millions)   2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Fair Value Hedges
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ 55     $ (183 )   $ 120     $ 79     $ (63 )   $ 194     $ 112     $ 90  
Cross currency interest rate swaps
    (1,348 )     (922 )     101       76       1,363       1,023       116       177  
                                                                 
Total fair value derivatives
    (1,293 )     (1,105 )     221       155       1,300       1,217       228       267  
Cash Flow Hedges
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
    (1 )     4       (15 )     (18 )                 (16 )     (14 )
                                                                 
Total cash flow derivatives
    (1 )     4       (15 )     (18 )                 (16 )     (14 )
Trading
                                                               
Interest rate swaps
    110       (300 )     6       229                   116       (71 )
Floor Income Contracts
    19       167       (210 )     (140 )                 (191 )     27  
Cross currency interest rate swaps
    (7 )     (32 )     2                         (5 )     (32 )
Other
    (6 )     64       (2 )                       (8 )     64  
                                                                 
Total trading derivatives
    116       (101 )     (204 )     89                   (88 )     (12 )
                                                                 
Total
    (1,178 )     (1,202 )     2       226       1,300       1,217       124       241  
Less: realized gains (losses) recorded in interest expense
                206       137                   206       137  
                                                                 
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net
  $ (1,178 )   $ (1,202 )   $ (204 )   $ 89     $ 1,300     $ 1,217     $ (82 )   $ 104  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) Recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.
 
(2) Represents ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges.
 
(3) For fair value and cash flow hedges, recorded in interest expense. For trading derivatives, recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net.”

28


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
7.   Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)
 
 
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (net of tax)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in millions)   2010     2009  
 
Total gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
  $ (15 )   $ (4 )
Realized (gains) losses reclassified to interest expense(1)(2)(3)
    12       11  
Hedge ineffectiveness reclassified to earnings(1)(4)
    1       (2 )
                 
Total change in stockholders’ equity for unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
  $ (2 )   $ 5  
                 
 
 
(1) Amounts included in “Realized gain (loss) on derivatives” in the “Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income” table above.
 
(2) Includes net settlement income/expense.
 
(3) The Company expects to reclassify $.1 million of after-tax net losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months related to net settlement accruals on interest rate swaps.
 
(4) Recorded in “Gains (losses) derivatives and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Collateral
 
Collateral held and pledged at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 related to derivative exposures between the Company and its derivative counterparties are detailed in the following table:
 
                 
(Dollars in millions)   March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
 
Collateral held:
               
Cash (obligation to return cash collateral is recorded in short-term borrowings)(1)
  $ 860     $ 1,268  
Securities at fair value — corporate derivatives (not recorded in financial statements)(2)
    246       112  
Securities at fair value — on-balance sheet securitization derivatives (not recorded in financial statements)(3)
    677       717  
                 
Total collateral held
  $ 1,783     $ 2,097  
                 
Derivative asset at fair value including accrued interest
  $ 2,987     $ 3,119  
                 
Collateral pledged to others:
               
Cash (right to receive return of cash collateral is recorded in investments)
  $ 582     $ 636  
Securities at fair value (recorded in investments)(4)
          25  
Securities at fair value (recorded in restricted investments)(5)
    25       25  
Securities at fair value re-pledged (not recorded in financial statements)(5)(6)
    160       87  
                 
Total collateral pledged
  $ 767     $ 773  
                 
Derivative liability at fair value including accrued interest and premium receivable
  $ 804     $ 758  
                 
 
 
(1) At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $288 million and $447 million, respectively, were held in restricted cash accounts.
 
(2) Effective with the downgrade in the Company’s unsecured credit ratings on May 13, 2009, certain counterparties restrict the Company’s ability to sell or re-pledge securities it holds as collateral.
 
(3) The trusts do not have the ability to sell or re-pledge securities they hold as collateral.
 
(4) Counterparty does not have the right to sell or re-pledge securities.
 
(5) Counterparty has the right to sell or re-pledge securities.
 
(6) Represents securities the Company holds as collateral that have been pledged to other counterparties.


29


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
7.   Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)
 
 
The Company’s corporate derivatives contain credit contingent features. At the Company’s current unsecured credit rating, it has fully collateralized its corporate derivative liability position (including accrued interest and net of premiums receivable) of $663 million with its counterparties. Further downgrades would not result in any additional collateral requirements, except to increase the frequency of collateral calls. Two counterparties have the right to terminate the contracts with further downgrades; however, these counterparties are currently in an asset position and would be required to deliver assets to the Company in order to terminate. Trust related derivatives do not contain credit contingent features related to the Company’s or trusts’ credit ratings.
 
Additionally, as of December 31, 2009, $381 million in collateral related to off-balance sheet trust derivatives were held by these off-balance sheet trusts. Collateral posted by third parties to the off-balance sheet trusts cannot be sold or re-pledged by the trusts. As of January 1, 2010, the off-balance sheet trusts were consolidated with the adoption of topic updates to ASC 810. (See Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Transfers of Financial Assets and the VIE Consolidation Model.”)
 
8.   Other Assets
 
The following table provides detail on the Company’s other assets at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                 
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Ending
    % of
    Ending
    % of
 
    Balance     Balance     Balance     Balance  
 
Accrued interest receivable
  $ 3,261,880       33 %   $ 2,566,984       27 %
Derivatives at fair value
    2,488,862       25       2,783,696       29  
Income tax asset, net current and deferred
    1,533,540       16       1,750,424       18  
APG purchased paper receivables and real estate owned
    245,822       3       286,108       3  
Benefit and insurance-related investments
    474,162       5       472,079       5  
Fixed assets, net
    323,914       3       322,481       3  
Accounts receivable — general
    967,984       10       807,086       9  
Other
    470,876       5       511,500       6  
                                 
Total
  $ 9,767,040       100 %   $ 9,500,358       100 %
                                 
 
The “Derivatives at fair value” line in the above table represents the fair value of the Company’s derivatives in a gain position by counterparty, exclusive of accrued interest and collateral. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, these balances included $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively, of cross-currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges that were offset by an increase in interest-bearing liabilities related to the hedged debt. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the cumulative mark-to-market adjustment to the hedged debt was $(2.9) billion and $(3.4) billion, respectively.


30


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
9.   Stockholders’ Equity
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s common share repurchases and issuances for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
(Shares in millions)   2010     2009  
 
Common shares repurchased:
               
Benefit plans(1)
    .3       .1  
                 
Total shares repurchased
    .3       .1  
                 
Average purchase price per share
  $ 12.53     $ 24.25  
                 
Common shares issued
    1.2       .3  
                 
Authority remaining at end of period for repurchases
    38.8       38.8  
                 
 
 
      (1)  Includes shares withheld from stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.
 
The closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 31, 2010 was $12.52.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes the after-tax change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, unrealized gains and losses on derivatives, and the defined benefit pension plans adjustment. The following table presents the cumulative balances of the components of other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009.
 
                         
    March 31,
    December 31,
    March 31,
 
    2010     2009     2009  
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments(1)(2)
  $ 1,692     $ 1,629     $ (293 )
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives(3)
    (55,611 )     (53,899 )     (88,577 )
Defined benefit pension plans:
                       
Net gain
    11,408       11,445       18,420  
                         
Total defined benefit pension plans(4)
    11,408       11,445       18,420  
                         
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (42,511 )   $ (40,825 )   $ (70,450 )
                         
 
 
(1) Net of tax expense of $.9 million and $.9 million as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and a tax benefit of $.6 million as of March 31, 2009.
 
(2) Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments includes currency translation gains of $1 million, $.8 million and $.3 million as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively.
 
(3) Net of tax benefit of $32 million, $31 million and $51 million as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively.
 
(4) Net of tax expense of $7 million, $7 million and $11 million as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively.


31


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
10.   Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations follows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Numerator:
               
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stock
  $ 221,462     $ (1,607 )
Adjusted for dividends of convertible preferred stock series C(1)
    14,688        
                 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stock, adjusted
    236,150       (1,607 )
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
          (46,174 )
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stock, adjusted
  $ 236,150     $ (47,781 )
                 
Denominator (shares in thousands):
               
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS
    484,259       466,761  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock series C(1)
    41,240        
Dilutive effect of stock options, nonvested deferred compensation, nonvested restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)(2)
    1,132        
                 
Dilutive potential common shares(3)
    42,372        
                 
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS
    526,631       466,761  
                 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ .46     $  
Discontinued operations
          (.10 )
                 
Total
  $ .46     $ (.10 )
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ .45     $  
Discontinued operations
          (.10 )
                 
Total
  $ .45     $ (.10 )
                 
 
 
(1) The Company’s 7.25 percent mandatory convertible preferred stock Series C was issued on December 31, 2007. The mandatory convertible preferred stock will automatically convert on December 15, 2010, into between approximately 34 million shares and 41 million shares of common stock, depending upon the Company’s stock price at that time. Depending upon the amount of the mandatory convertible preferred stock outstanding as of that date, the actual number of shares of common stock issued may be less. These instruments were anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
(2) Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, non-vested deferred compensation and restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method.
 
(3) For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, stock options covering approximately 33 million shares and 45 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.


32


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
11.   Other Income
 
The following table summarizes the components of “Other income” in the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Gains on debt repurchases
  $ 90,081     $ 63,755  
Late fees and forbearance fees
    41,383       36,712  
Asset servicing and other transaction fees
    27,892       25,055  
Loan servicing fees
    19,247       10,046  
Foreign currency translation gains, net
    847       39,684  
Other
    10,960       17,206  
                 
Total
  $ 190,410     $ 192,458  
                 
 
The change in other income over the prior period was primarily the result of the gains on debt repurchases and foreign currency translation gains. The Company began repurchasing its outstanding debt in the second quarter of 2008 in both open-market repurchases and public tender offers. The Company repurchased $1.3 billion and $144 million face amount of its senior unsecured notes for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Since the second quarter of 2008, the Company has repurchased $6.7 billion face amount of its senior unsecured notes in the aggregate, with maturity dates ranging from 2008 to 2016. The foreign currency translation gains relate to a portion of the Company’s foreign currency denominated debt for which the Company does not receive hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815. A partially offsetting loss was recognized during the periods in the “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line item on the income statement related to the derivatives used to economically hedge these debt instruments.
 
12.   Restructuring Activities
 
Restructuring expenses of $26 million and $4 million were recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The following details the two restructuring efforts the Company has engaged in:
 
  •  On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4872, which included SAFRA. Effective July 1, 2010, the legislation eliminates the authority to provide new loans under FFELP and requires that all new federal loans are made through the DSLP. The new law does not alter or affect the terms and conditions of existing FFELP loans. The Company is currently in the process of restructuring its operations to reflect this change in law which will result in a significant amount of restructuring costs incurred as well as a significant reduction of operating costs, once the restructuring is complete. In the first quarter of 2010, restructuring expenses associated with this restructuring plan totaled $23 million. The Company estimates approximately $35 million of additional restructuring expenses will be incurred related to this restructuring plan. The majority of these restructuring expenses are and will be severance costs related to the planned elimination of approximately 2,500 positions, or approximately 30 percent of the workforce.
 
  •  In response to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (“CCRAA”) and challenges in the capital markets, the Company initiated a restructuring plan in the fourth quarter of 2007. This restructuring plan focused on conforming the Company’s lending activities to the economic


33


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
12.   Restructuring Activities (Continued)
 
  environment, exiting certain customer relationships and product lines, winding down its debt purchased paper businesses, and significantly reducing its operating expenses. This restructuring plan was essentially completed in the fourth quarter of 2009. Under this plan, restructuring expenses of $3 million and $4 million were recognized in continuing operations in the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Restructuring expenses from the fourth quarter of 2007 through the first quarter of 2010 totaled $132 million of which $123 million was recorded in continuing operations and $9 million was recorded in discontinued operations. The majority of these restructuring expenses were severance costs related to the completed and planned elimination of approximately 2,900 positions, or approximately 25 percent of the workforce. The Company estimates approximately $4 million of additional restructuring expenses will be incurred related to this restructuring plan.
 
The following table summarizes the restructuring expenses incurred during the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and cumulative restructuring expenses incurred through March 31, 2010.
 
                         
          Cumulative
 
    Three Months Ended
    Expense(2) as of
 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2010     2009     2010  
 
Severance costs
  $ 24,798     $ 1,666     $ 121,098  
Lease and other contract termination costs
    1,446       675       11,853  
Exit and other costs
    38       1,432       13,119  
                         
Total restructuring costs from continuing operations(1)
    26,282       3,773       146,070  
Total restructuring costs from discontinued operations
          1,000       8,621  
                         
Total
  $ 26,282     $ 4,773     $ 154,691  
                         
 
 
(1) Aggregate restructuring expenses from continuing operations incurred across the Company’s reportable segments during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 totaled $21 million and $1 million, respectively, in the Company’s Lending reportable segment, $2 million and $1 million, respectively, in the Company’s APG reportable segment, and $3 million and $2 million, respectively, in the Company’s Corporate and Other reportable segment.
 
(2) Cumulative expense incurred since the fourth quarter of 2007.
 
As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, since the fourth quarter of 2007, severance costs have been incurred in conjunction with the aggregate completed and planned position eliminations of approximately 4,200 and 2,900 positions, respectively, across all of the Company’s reportable segments, with position eliminations ranging from senior executives to clerical personnel. Lease and other contract termination costs and exit and other costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related primarily to terminated or abandoned facility leases and consulting costs incurred in conjunction with various cost reduction and exit strategies.


34


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
12.   Restructuring Activities (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes the restructuring liability balance, which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
 
                                 
          Lease and
             
          Other
             
          Contract
             
    Severance
    Termination
    Exit and
       
    Costs     Costs     Other Costs     Total  
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 18,329     $     $     $ 18,329  
Net accruals from continuing operations
    62,599       9,517       11,400       83,516  
Net accruals from discontinued operations
    259                   259  
Cash paid
    (66,063 )     (6,719 )     (11,340 )     (84,122 )
                                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    15,124       2,798       60       17,982  
Net accruals from continuing operations
    11,196       890       1,681       13,767  
Net accruals from discontinued operations
    6,462       1,900             8,362  
Cash paid
    (23,587 )     (1,807 )     (1,741 )     (27,135 )
                                 
Balance at December 31, 2009
    9,195       3,781             12,976  
Net accruals from continuing operations
    24,798       1,446       38       26,282  
Net accruals from discontinued operations
                       
Cash paid
    (10,777 )     (1,016 )     (38 )     (11,831 )
                                 
Balance at March 31, 2010
  $ 23,216     $ 4,211     $     $ 27,427  
                                 
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company uses estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for its financial statements. Under GAAP, fair value measurements are used in one of four ways:
 
  •  In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of income;
 
  •  In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income section of the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity;
 
  •  In the consolidated balance sheet for instruments carried at lower of cost or fair value with impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statement of income; and
 
  •  In the notes to the financial statements.
 
Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants. In general, the Company’s policy in estimating fair values is to first look at observable market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets, where available. When these are not available, other inputs are used to model fair value such as prices of similar instruments, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates and credit spreads (including for the Company’s liabilities), relying first on observable data from active markets. Additional adjustments may be made for factors including liquidity, credit, bid/offer spreads, etc., depending on current market conditions. Transaction costs are not included in the determination of fair value. When possible, the Company seeks to validate the model’s output


35


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
with market transactions. Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates. The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.
 
The Company categorizes its fair value estimates based on a hierarchical framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the instrument. The three levels are as follows:
 
  •  Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. The types of financial instruments included in level 1 are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices.
 
  •  Level 2 — Inputs from active markets, other than quoted prices for identical instruments, are used to determine fair value. Significant inputs are directly observable from active markets for substantially the full term of the asset or liability being valued.
 
  •  Level 3 — Pricing inputs significant to the valuation are unobservable. Inputs are developed based on the best information available; however, significant judgment is required by management in developing the inputs.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, there were no significant transfers of financial instruments between levels.
 
Student Loans
 
The Company’s FFELP loans and Private Education Loans are accounted for at cost or at the lower of cost or market if the loan is held-for-sale; however, the fair value is disclosed in compliance with GAAP. FFELP loans classified as held-for-sale are those which the Company has the ability and intent to sell under various ED loan purchase programs. In these instances, the FFELP loans are valued using the committed sales price under the programs. For all other FFELP loans and Private Education Loans, fair value was determined by modeling loan cash flows using stated terms of the assets and internally-developed assumptions to determine aggregate portfolio yield, net present value and average life. The significant assumptions used to project cash flows are prepayment speeds, default rates, cost of funds, required return on equity, and expected Repayment Borrower Benefits to be earned. In addition, the Floor Income component of the Company’s FFELP loan portfolio is valued with option models using both observable market inputs and internally developed inputs. A number of significant inputs into the models are internally derived and not observable to market participants.
 
Other Loans
 
Facilities financings, and mortgage and consumer loans held for investment are accounted for at cost with fair values being disclosed. Mortgage loans held for sale are accounted for at lower of cost or market. Fair value was determined with discounted cash flow models using the stated terms of the loans and observable market yield curves. In addition, adjustments and assumptions were made for credit spreads, liquidity, prepayment speeds and defaults. A number of significant inputs into the models are not observable.
 
Cash and Investments (Including “Restricted”)
 
Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost. Carrying value approximated fair value for disclosure purposes. Investments classified as trading or available-for-sale are carried at fair value in the financial


36


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
statements. Investments in U.S. Treasury securities consisted of T-bills that had less than three months to maturity when purchased. The fair value was estimated at amortized cost. Investments in mortgage-backed securities are valued using observable market prices. These securities are primarily collateralized by real estate properties in Utah and are guaranteed by either a government sponsored enterprise or the U.S. government. Other investments (primarily municipal bonds) for which observable prices from active markets are not available were valued through standard bond pricing models using observable market yield curves adjusted for credit and liquidity spreads. These valuations are immaterial to the overall investment portfolio. The fair value of investments in Commercial Paper, Asset Backed Commercial Paper, or Demand Deposits that have a remaining term of less than 90 days when purchased are estimated at cost and, when needed, adjustments for liquidity and credit spreads are made depending on market conditions and counterparty credit risks. At March 31, 2010, these investments consisted of overnight/weekly instruments with highly-rated counterparties. No additional adjustments were deemed necessary.
 
Borrowings
 
Borrowings are accounted for at cost in the financial statements except when denominated in a foreign currency or when designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge relationship. When the hedged risk is the benchmark interest rate and not full fair value, the cost basis is adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only. Additionally, foreign currency denominated borrowings are re-measured at current spot rates in the financial statements. The full fair value of all borrowings is disclosed. Fair value was determined through standard bond pricing models and option models (when applicable) using the stated terms of the borrowings, observable yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, volatilities from active markets or from quotes from broker-dealers. Credit adjustments for unsecured corporate debt are made based on indicative quotes from observable trades and spreads on credit default swaps specific to the Company. Credit adjustments for secured borrowings are based on indicative quotes from broker-dealers. These adjustments for both secured and unsecured borrowings are material to the overall valuation of these items and, currently, are based on inputs from inactive markets.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
All derivatives are accounted for at fair value in the financial statements. The fair value of a majority of derivative financial instruments was determined by standard derivative pricing and option models using the stated terms of the contracts and observable market inputs. In some cases, management utilized internally developed inputs that are not observable in the market, and as such, classified these instruments as level 3 fair values. Additionally, complex structured derivatives or derivatives that trade in less liquid markets require significant adjustments and judgment in determining fair value that cannot be corroborated with market transactions. It is the Company’s policy to compare its derivative fair values to those received by its counterparties in order to validate the model’s outputs.
 
When determining the fair value of derivatives, the Company takes into account counterparty credit risk for positions where it is exposed to the counterparty on a net basis by assessing exposure net of collateral held. The net exposures for each counterparty are adjusted based on market information available for the specific counterparty, including spreads from credit default swaps. Additionally, when the counterparty has exposure to the Company under derivatives with the Company, the Company fully collateralizes the exposure, minimizing the adjustment necessary to the derivative valuations for the Company’s credit risk. While trusts that contain derivatives are not required to post collateral, when the counterparty is exposed to the trust the credit quality and


37


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
securitized nature of the trusts minimizes any adjustments for the counterparty’s exposure to the trusts. The net credit risk adjustment (adjustments for the Company’s exposure to counterparties net of adjustments for the counterparties’ exposure to the Company) decreased the valuations by $54 million at March 31, 2010.
 
Inputs specific to each class of derivatives disclosed in the table below are as follows:
 
  •  Interest rate swaps — Derivatives are valued using standard derivative cash flow models. Derivatives that swap fixed interest payments for LIBOR interest payments (or vice versa) and derivatives swapping quarterly reset LIBOR for daily reset LIBOR were valued using the LIBOR swap yield curve which is an observable input from an active market. These derivatives are a level 2 fair value in the hierarchy. Other derivatives swapping LIBOR interest payments for another variable interest payment (primarily T-Bill or Prime) or swapping interest payments based on the Consumer Price Index for LIBOR interest payments are valued using the LIBOR swap yield curve and observable market spreads for the specified index. The markets for these swaps are generally illiquid as indicated by a wide bid/ask spread. The adjustment made for liquidity decreased the valuations by $270 million at March 31, 2010. These derivatives are a level 3 fair value.
 
  •  Cross-currency interest rate swaps — Derivatives are valued using standard derivative cash flow models. Derivatives hedging foreign-denominated bonds are valued using the LIBOR swap yield curve (for both USD and the respective currency), cross-currency basis spreads, and forward foreign currency exchange rates. The derivatives are primarily GBP and EUR denominated. These inputs are observable inputs from active markets. Therefore, the resulting valuation is a level 2 fair value. Amortizing notional derivatives (derivatives whose notional amounts change based on changes in the balance of, or pool of assets or debt) hedging trust debt use internally derived assumptions for the trust assets’ prepayment speeds and default rates to model the notional amortization. Additionally, management makes assumptions concerning the extension features of derivatives hedging rate-reset notes denominated in a foreign currency. These inputs are not market observable therefore; these derivatives are a level 3 fair value.
 
  •  Floor Income Contracts — Derivatives are valued using an option pricing model. Inputs to the model include the LIBOR swap yield curve and LIBOR interest rate volatilities. The inputs are observable inputs in active markets and these derivatives are a level 2 fair value.
 
The carrying value of borrowings designated as the hedged item in an ASC 815 fair value hedge are adjusted for changes in fair value due to benchmark interest rates and foreign-currency exchange rates. These valuations are determined through standard bond pricing models and option models (when applicable) using the stated terms of the borrowings, and observable yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and volatilities.
 
Residual Interests
 
Prior to the adoption of topic updates to ASC 810 on January 1, 2010 (see Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued Accounting Standards — Transfers of Financial Assets and the VIE Consolidation Model”), the Residual Interests were carried at fair value in the financial statements. No active market exists for student loan Residual Interests; as such, the fair value was calculated using discounted cash flow models and option models. Observable inputs from active markets were used where available, including yield curves and volatilities. Significant unobservable inputs such as prepayment speeds, default rates, certain bonds’ costs of funds and discount rates were used in determining the fair value and required significant judgment. These unobservable inputs were internally determined based upon analysis of historical data and expected industry trends. On a quarterly basis the Company back-tested its prepayment speeds, default rates and costs of funds assumptions by comparing those assumptions to actual results experienced. Additionally, the Company used non-binding broker quotes and industry analyst reports which show changes in the


38


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
indicative prices of the asset-backed securities tranches immediately senior to the Residual Interest as an indication of potential changes in the discount rate used to value the Residual Interests. Market transactions were not available to validate the models’ results.
 
The following tables summarize the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments that are marked-to-market on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
                                 
    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring
 
    Basis as of March 31, 2010  
(Dollars in millions)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Assets
                               
Available-for-sale investments:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $     $ 27     $     $ 27  
Asset-backed securities
          81             81  
Commercial paper and asset-backed commercial paper
          650             650  
Guaranteed investment contracts
          35             35  
Other
          13             13  
                                 
Total available-for-sale investments
          806             806  
Derivative instruments:(1)
                               
Interest rate swaps
          801       82       883  
Cross currency interest rate swaps
          918       1,705       2,623  
                                 
Total derivative assets
          1,719       1,787       3,506  
Counterparty netting
                            (1,017 )
                                 
Subtotal(3)
                            2,489  
Cash collateral held
                            (860 )
                                 
Net derivative assets
                            1,629  
                                 
Total
  $     $ 2,525     $ 1,787     $ 2,435  
                                 
Liabilities(2)
                               
Interest rate swaps
  $     $ (277 )   $ (411 )   $ (688 )
Floor Income Contracts
          (1,441 )           (1,441 )
Cross currency interest rate swaps
          (164 )     (157 )     (321 )
Other
    (2 )           (22 )     (24 )
                                 
Total derivative instruments
    (2 )     (1,882 )     (590 )     (2,474 )
Counterparty netting
                            1,017  
                                 
Subtotal(3)
                            (1,457 )
Cash collateral pledged
                            582  
                                 
Net derivative liabilities
                            (875 )
                                 
Total
  $ (2 )   $ (1,882 )   $ (590 )   $ (875 )
                                 
 
 
(1) Fair value of derivative instruments is comprised of market value less accrued interest and excludes collateral.
 
(2) Borrowings which are the hedged items in a fair value hedge relationship and which are adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only are not carried at full fair value and are not reflected in this table.
 
(3) As carried on the balance sheet.
 


39


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
                                                         
    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring
 
    Basis as of December 31, 2009  
                      Counterparty
          Cash
       
(Dollars in millions)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Netting     Total(4)     Collateral     Net  
 
Assets
                                                       
Available-for-sale investments
  $     $ 1,330     $     $     $ 1,330     $     $ 1,330  
Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans
                1,828             1,828             1,828  
Derivative instruments(1)(2)
          2,023       1,770       (1,009 )     2,784       (1,268 )     1,516  
                                                         
Total assets
  $     $ 3,353     $ 3,598     $ (1,009 )   $ 5,942     $ (1,268 )   $ 4,674  
                                                         
Liabilities(3)
                                                       
Derivative instruments(1)(2)
  $ (2 )   $ (1,650 )   $ (518 )   $ 1,009     $ (1,161 )   $ 636     $ (525 )
                                                         
Total liabilities
  $ (2 )   $ (1,650 )   $ (518 )   $ 1,009     $ (1,161 )   $ 636     $ (525 )
                                                         
 
 
(1) Fair value of derivative instruments is comprised of market value less accrued interest and excludes collateral.
 
(2) Level 1 derivatives include Euro-dollar futures contracts. Level 2 derivatives include derivatives indexed to interest rate indices and currencies that are considered liquid. Level 3 derivatives include derivatives indexed to illiquid interest rate indices and derivatives for which significant adjustments were made to observable inputs.
 
(3) Borrowings which are the hedged items in a fair value hedge relationship and which are adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only are not carried at full fair value and are not reflected in this table.
 
(4) As carried on the balance sheet.

40


Table of Contents

SLM CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Information at March 31, 2010 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13.   Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
 
The following tables summarize the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.