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8-K - 8-K - NELNET INCnni8615form8-k.htm
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - NELNET INCexhibit9918615earningsrele.htm


For Release: August 6, 2015
Media Contact: Ben Kiser, 402.458.3024
Investor Contact: Phil Morgan, 402.458.3038

Nelnet, Inc. supplemental financial information for the second quarter 2015
(All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

The following information should be read in connection with Nelnet, Inc.'s (the “Company's”) press release for second quarter 2015 earnings, dated August 6, 2015, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

This report contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this document.  Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's plans and expectations for future financial condition, results of operations or economic performance, or that address management's plans and objectives for future operations, and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “will,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors that management believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the "2014 Annual Report"), in particular such risks and uncertainties as:

student loan portfolio risks such as interest rate basis and repricing risk resulting from the fact that the interest rate characteristics of the student loan assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets, the risk of loss of floor income on certain student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP"), risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, uncertainties regarding the expected benefits from recently purchased securitized and unsecuritized FFELP and private education loans and initiatives to purchase additional FFELP and private education loans, and risks from changes in levels of student loan prepayment or default rates;

financing and liquidity risks, including risks of changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization and other financing markets for student loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to purchase, refinance, or continue to hold student loans;

risks from changes in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs and budgets, such as the expected decline over time in FFELP loan interest income and fee-based revenues due to the discontinuation of new FFELP loan originations in 2010 and potential government initiatives or legislative proposals to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program or otherwise allow FFELP loans to be refinanced with Federal Direct Loan Program loans, risks related to reduced government payments to guaranty agencies to rehabilitate defaulted FFELP loans and services in support of those activities, including potential adverse effects on the Company's guaranty servicing contracts, risks related to the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under the Company's loan servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department"), which accounted for approximately 10 percent of the Company's revenue in 2014 and for which the loan allocation metrics were modified effective September 1, 2014, and risks related to the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP, Federal Direct Loan Program, and private education loans;

risks related to a breach of or failure in the Company's operational or information systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors;

uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; and
 
risks and uncertainties associated with litigation matters and with maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the Company's businesses, and uncertainties inherent in the estimates and assumptions about future events that management is required to make in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this document. Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update or revise its prior forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, the Company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

1




Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
 
June 30,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
175,835

 
171,944

 
175,466

 
347,779

 
332,362

Investment interest
1,887

 
2,205

 
1,482

 
4,092

 
3,461

Total interest income
177,722

 
174,149

 
176,948

 
351,871

 
335,823

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on bonds and notes payable
72,626

 
71,554

 
69,235

 
144,180

 
129,239

Net interest income
105,096

 
102,595

 
107,713

 
207,691

 
206,584

Less provision for loan losses
2,150

 
2,000

 
1,500

 
4,150

 
4,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
102,946

 
100,595

 
106,213

 
203,541

 
202,584

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
63,833

 
57,811

 
66,460

 
121,644

 
131,217

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue
27,686

 
34,680

 
21,834

 
62,366

 
47,069

Enrollment services revenue
17,161

 
17,863

 
20,145

 
35,024

 
42,156

Other income
7,504

 
6,918

 
15,315

 
14,422

 
33,446

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net
1,515

 
2,875

 
18

 
4,390

 
57

Derivative settlements, net
(5,442
)
 
(5,215
)
 
(6,214
)
 
(10,657
)
 
(12,443
)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
11,944

 
2,137

 
7,784

 
14,081

 
9,748

Total other income
124,201

 
117,069

 
125,342

 
241,270

 
251,250

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
58,787

 
61,050

 
53,888

 
119,837

 
106,372

Cost to provide enrollment services
11,162

 
11,702

 
13,311

 
22,864

 
27,786

Loan servicing fees
7,420

 
7,616

 
7,317

 
15,036

 
12,720

Depreciation and amortization
6,501

 
5,662

 
5,214

 
12,163

 
9,997

Other
31,958

 
29,198

 
33,060

 
61,156

 
63,284

Total operating expenses
115,828

 
115,228

 
112,790

 
231,056

 
220,159

Income before income taxes
111,319

 
102,436

 
118,765

 
213,755

 
233,675

Income tax expense
40,356

 
37,630

 
43,078

 
77,986

 
83,689

Net income
70,963

 
64,806

 
75,687

 
135,769

 
149,986

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
54

 
41

 
693

 
95

 
1,206

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
70,909

 
64,765

 
74,994

 
135,674

 
148,780

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
1.54

 
1.40

 
1.61

 
2.94

 
3.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
45,946,415

 
46,290,590

 
46,529,377

 
46,127,207

 
46,528,651



2



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable, net
$
28,095,775

 
28,005,195

 
29,342,430

Cash, cash equivalents, investments, and notes receivable
428,028

 
366,190

 
289,893

Restricted cash and investments
975,673

 
968,928

 
960,039

Goodwill and intangible assets, net
163,984

 
168,782

 
171,049

Other assets
583,363

 
589,048

 
607,611

Total assets
$
30,246,823

 
30,098,143

 
31,371,022

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
$
28,070,423

 
28,027,350

 
29,492,560

Other liabilities
370,908

 
345,115

 
298,334

Total liabilities
28,441,331

 
28,372,465

 
29,790,894

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,805,192

 
1,725,448

 
1,579,742

Noncontrolling interest
300

 
230

 
386

Total equity
1,805,492

 
1,725,678

 
1,580,128

Total liabilities and equity
$
30,246,823

 
30,098,143

 
31,371,022




3



Overview

The Company provides educational products and services in loan servicing, payment processing, education planning, and asset management. These products and services help students and families plan, prepare, and pay for their education and make the administrative and financial processes more efficient for schools and financial organizations. In addition, the Company earns interest income on a portfolio of federally insured student loans.

A reconciliation of the Company's GAAP net income to net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, is provided below.
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
June 30, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
June 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2014
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
70,909

 
64,765

 
74,994

 
135,674

 
148,780

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(7,405
)
 
(1,325
)
 
(4,826
)
 
(8,730
)
 
(6,044
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
63,504

 
63,440

 
70,168

 
126,944

 
142,736

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
1.54

 
1.40

 
1.61

 
2.94

 
3.20

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(0.16
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.10
)
 
(0.19
)
 
(0.13
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
1.38

 
1.37

 
1.51

 
2.75

 
3.07


(a)
The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its financial position and performance. "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments" include (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. The Company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to these financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the Company provides operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes.

The Company earns net interest income on its FFELP student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management ("AGM") operating segment. This segment is expected to generate a stable net interest margin and significant amounts of cash as the FFELP portfolio amortizes. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had a $28.1 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 25 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

In addition, the Company earns fee-based revenue through the following reportable operating segments:
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing ("LGS") - referred to as Nelnet Diversified Solutions ("NDS")
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce ("TPP&CC") - referred to as Nelnet Business Solutions ("NBS")

Other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable are combined and included in Corporate and Other Activities. Corporate and Other Activities also includes income earned on certain investments and interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions.


4



The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment and Corporate and Other Activities ("Corporate") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions).


(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b)
Total revenue includes "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "total other income" from the Company's segment statements of income, excluding the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax.

(c)
Computed as income before income taxes divided by total revenue.

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of June 30, 2015, the Company was servicing $169.9 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $150.0 billion of loans as of June 30, 2014.

Revenue decreased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014 due primarily to a decrease in rehabilitation collection revenue. Federal budget provisions that became effective July 1, 2014 have reduced payments by the Department to guaranty agencies for assisting student loan borrowers with the rehabilitation of defaulted loans under FFELP, and as a result, rehabilitation revenue has been negatively affected. Rehabilitation collection revenue recognized by the Company was $11.5 million and $17.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $18.9 million and $30.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Revenue from the Department servicing contract increased to $33.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $31.0 million for the same period in 2014, and increased to $66.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $60.9 million for the same period in 2014. As of June 30, 2015, the Company was servicing $141.5 billion of loans for 5.8 million borrowers under this contract.

A significant amount of the Company's guaranty servicing revenue comes from a single guaranty servicing client. The current term of the contract with this client expires on October 31, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the client notified the Company of their intent to not renew this contract. FFELP guaranty servicing and FFELP guaranty collection revenue recognized by the Company from this client for the year ended December 31, 2014 and six months ended June 30, 2015 was $48.5 million and $21.3 million, respectively. The Company incurs collection costs that are directly related to guaranty collection revenue earned on this contract.

Before tax operating margin was 19.4% and 26.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 16.9% and 27.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Operating margin decreased as a result of the implementation of federal budget reductions for guaranty agencies revenue. In addition, as the volume of loans serviced under the Department servicing contract continues to grow and loans serviced under the legacy commercial programs continue to run off, the Company expects operating margins to tighten accordingly. The Company also anticipates that margins will tighten as a result of the loss of the FFELP guaranty servicing and FFELP guaranty collection client discussed above.

5




Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014 due to the acquisition of RenWeb on June 3, 2014 and due to increases in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction and payments volume, and new school customers.

Excluding the amortization of intangibles, before tax operating margin was 22.6% and 24.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 32.6% and 32.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in margin is due to new products and services as a result of recent acquisitions.

Asset Generation and Management

The Company acquired $2.1 billion of student loans during the first six months of 2015, of which $1.2 billion were purchased in the second quarter. The average loan portfolio balance was $28.3 billion and $28.2 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $28.3 billion and $27.0 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Core student loan spread was 1.41% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to 1.41% and 1.46% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively. The year over year decrease was the result of recent acquisitions of consolidation loans, which have lower margins but longer terms.

Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company earned $45.1 million,$43.6 million, $91.3 million, and $81.5 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of $5.0 million, $7.0 million, $10.0 million, and $13.9 million of derivative settlements, respectively, used to hedge such loans).

On August 3, 2015, the Company acquired the residual interests in two securitized student loan trusts. The two trusts collectively own approximately $1.5 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets and have issued a corresponding amount of related student loan asset-backed debt secured by those FFELP student loans and related assets.  The purchase was funded from the Company’s operating cash and unsecured line of credit.  The acquired FFELP student loans, related assets, and related asset-backed debt will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

Corporate and Other Activities

The Company recognized $1.9 million and $2.1 million in net gains from investment activity during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $2.4 million and $9.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The majority of gains recognized in 2014 were from sales of student loan asset-backed security investments.

Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, recognized investment advisory revenue of $0.8 million and $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1.5 million and $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Due to improvements in the capital markets, the opportunities to realize gains and earn performance fees on the sale of student loan asset-backed securities are becoming increasingly limited.

During the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized gains of $1.5 million and $18,000, respectively, on repurchases of its own debt. Gains from debt repurchases in the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $4.0 million and $57,000, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2015, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $182.3 million. In addition, the Company had a portfolio of available-for-sale and trading investments, consisting primarily of student loan asset-backed securities, with a fair value of $117.8 million as of June 30, 2015.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company generated $192.0 million in net cash provided by operating activities, including $51.9 million from the termination of certain derivative financial instruments.

6




Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.32 billion as of June 30, 2015.

As of June 30, 2015, $100.0 million was outstanding on the Company's unsecured line of credit and $250.0 million was available for future use. The unsecured line of credit has a maturity date of June 30, 2019.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company repurchased a total of 1,174,008 shares of Class A common stock for $51.0 million ($43.46 per share), including 998,210 shares for $43.1 million ($43.17 per share) during the second quarter.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $9.2 million ($0.20 per share), including $4.6 million ($0.10 per share) during the second quarter.

The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP and private education loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions. Dependent upon the timing and size of the opportunities, the Company may continue to accumulate additional cash and investments.

Operating Segments

The Company has three reportable operating segments. The Company's reportable operating segments include:

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
Asset Generation and Management

The Company earns fee-based revenue through its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing and Tuition Payment Processing operating segments. In addition, the Company earns interest income on its student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment. The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer and the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. See note 1 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for a description of each operating segment, including the primary products and services offered.

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company, as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their financial results prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  

Intersegment revenues are charged by a segment that provides a product or service to another segment.  Intersegment revenues and expenses are included within each segment consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management.  Income taxes are allocated based on 38% of income before taxes for each individual operating segment. The difference between the consolidated income tax expense and the sum of taxes calculated for each operating segment is included in income taxes in Corporate and Other Activities.

Corporate and Other Activities

Other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable are combined and included in Corporate and Other Activities. Corporate and Other Activities includes the following items:

Income earned on certain investment activities
Interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions
Other product and service offerings that are not considered reportable operating segments including, but not limited to, WRCM, the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, and the Enrollment Services business

Corporate and Other Activities also includes certain corporate activities and overhead functions related to executive management, human resources, accounting, legal, enterprise risk management, occupancy, and marketing. These costs are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.

7




Effective January 1, 2015, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to reflect operational changes made within the organization. The operational and internal reporting changes included moving the majority of information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions to Corporate and Other Activities. The associated costs are allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of information technology related products and services. Information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions were historically included within the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment, and associated costs were allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of the related products and services. Prior period segment operating results have been reclassified to reflect these changes; however, the reclassifications had no effect on any operating segment's net income.

Segment Results of Operations

The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
13

 
1

 
176,279

 
1,814

 
(385
)
 
177,722

Interest expense

 

 
71,441

 
1,570

 
(385
)
 
72,626

Net interest income
13

 
1

 
104,838

 
244

 

 
105,096

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
2,150

 

 

 
2,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
13

 
1

 
102,688

 
244

 

 
102,946

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
63,833

 

 

 

 

 
63,833

Intersegment servicing revenue
12,223

 

 

 

 
(12,223
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
27,686

 

 

 

 
27,686

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
17,161

 

 
17,161

Other income

 

 
3,950

 
3,554

 

 
7,504

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
1,041

 
474

 

 
1,515

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
9,404

 
2,540

 

 
11,944

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(5,189
)
 
(253
)
 

 
(5,442
)
Total other income
76,056

 
27,686

 
9,206

 
23,476

 
(12,223
)
 
124,201

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
31,585

 
13,583

 
524

 
13,095

 

 
58,787

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
11,162

 

 
11,162

Loan servicing fees

 

 
7,420

 

 

 
7,420

Depreciation and amortization
527

 
2,195

 

 
3,779

 

 
6,501

Other
15,376

 
4,112

 
1,270

 
11,200

 

 
31,958

Intersegment expenses, net
11,566

 
2,785

 
12,398

 
(14,526
)
 
(12,223
)
 

Total operating expenses
59,054

 
22,675

 
21,612

 
24,710

 
(12,223
)
 
115,828

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
17,015

 
5,012

 
90,282

 
(990
)
 

 
111,319

Corporate overhead allocation
(2,294
)
 
(918
)
 
(1,147
)
 
4,359

 

 

Income before income taxes
14,721

 
4,094

 
89,135

 
3,369

 

 
111,319

Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,594
)
 
(1,556
)
 
(33,871
)
 
665

 

 
(40,356
)
Net income
9,127

 
2,538

 
55,264

 
4,034

 

 
70,963

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
54

 

 
54

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
9,127

 
2,538

 
55,264

 
3,980

 

 
70,909

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8



 
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
7

 
2

 
172,423

 
2,153

 
(436
)
 
174,149

Interest expense

 

 
70,540

 
1,450

 
(436
)
 
71,554

Net interest income
7

 
2

 
101,883

 
703

 

 
102,595

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
2,000

 

 

 
2,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
7

 
2

 
99,883

 
703

 

 
100,595

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
57,811

 

 

 

 

 
57,811

Intersegment servicing revenue
12,871

 

 

 

 
(12,871
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
34,680

 

 

 

 
34,680

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
17,863

 

 
17,863

Other income

 

 
4,576

 
2,342

 

 
6,918

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
351

 
2,524

 

 
2,875

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
3,590

 
(1,453
)
 

 
2,137

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(4,963
)
 
(252
)
 

 
(5,215
)
Total other income
70,682

 
34,680

 
3,554

 
21,024

 
(12,871
)
 
117,069

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
33,703

 
13,321

 
541

 
13,485

 

 
61,050

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
11,702

 

 
11,702

Loan servicing fees

 

 
7,685

 

 

 
7,685

Depreciation and amortization
446

 
2,195

 

 
3,021

 

 
5,662

Other
14,600

 
3,802

 
1,068

 
9,659

 

 
29,129

Intersegment expenses, net
9,700

 
2,614

 
13,040

 
(12,483
)
 
(12,871
)
 

Total operating expenses
58,449

 
21,932

 
22,334

 
25,384

 
(12,871
)
 
115,228

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
12,240

 
12,750

 
81,103

 
(3,657
)
 

 
102,436

Corporate overhead allocation
(2,153
)
 
(862
)
 
(1,078
)
 
4,093

 

 

Income before income taxes
10,087

 
11,888

 
80,025

 
436

 

 
102,436

Income tax (expense) benefit
(3,834
)
 
(4,518
)
 
(30,409
)
 
1,131

 

 
(37,630
)
Net income
6,253

 
7,370

 
49,616

 
1,567

 

 
64,806

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
41

 

 
41

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
6,253

 
7,370

 
49,616

 
1,526

 

 
64,765

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9



 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
9

 
3

 
175,562

 
2,036

 
(662
)
 
176,948

Interest expense

 

 
67,936

 
1,961

 
(662
)
 
69,235

Net interest income
9

 
3

 
107,626

 
75

 

 
107,713

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
1,500

 

 

 
1,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
9

 
3

 
106,126

 
75

 

 
106,213

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
66,460

 

 

 

 

 
66,460

Intersegment servicing revenue
13,800

 

 

 

 
(13,800
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
21,834

 

 

 

 
21,834

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
20,145

 

 
20,145

Other income

 

 
4,496

 
10,819

 

 
15,315

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
18

 

 

 
18

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
8,848

 
(1,064
)
 

 
7,784

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(5,958
)
 
(256
)
 

 
(6,214
)
Total other income
80,260

 
21,834

 
7,404

 
29,644

 
(13,800
)
 
125,342

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
30,082

 
11,112

 
570

 
12,124

 

 
53,888

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
13,311

 

 
13,311

Loan servicing fees

 

 
7,317

 

 

 
7,317

Depreciation and amortization
438

 
1,845

 

 
2,931

 

 
5,214

Other
16,975

 
2,956

 
1,528

 
11,601

 

 
33,060

Intersegment expenses, net
9,356

 
1,404

 
13,968

 
(10,928
)
 
(13,800
)
 

Total operating expenses
56,851

 
17,317

 
23,383

 
29,039

 
(13,800
)
 
112,790

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
23,418

 
4,520

 
90,147

 
680

 

 
118,765

Corporate overhead allocation
(2,060
)
 
(687
)
 
(1,249
)
 
3,996

 

 

Income before income taxes
21,358

 
3,833

 
88,898

 
4,676

 

 
118,765

Income tax (expense) benefit
(8,116
)
 
(1,456
)
 
(33,781
)
 
275

 

 
(43,078
)
Net income
13,242

 
2,377

 
55,117

 
4,951

 

 
75,687

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
693

 

 
693

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
13,242

 
2,377

 
55,117

 
4,258

 

 
74,994

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






















10



 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
20

 
3

 
348,702

 
3,967

 
(821
)
 
351,871

Interest expense

 

 
141,981

 
3,020

 
(821
)
 
144,180

Net interest income
20

 
3

 
206,721

 
947

 

 
207,691

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
4,150

 

 

 
4,150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
20

 
3

 
202,571

 
947

 

 
203,541

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
121,644

 

 

 

 

 
121,644

Intersegment servicing revenue
25,094

 

 

 

 
(25,094
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
62,366

 

 

 

 
62,366

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
35,024

 

 
35,024

Other income

 

 
8,526

 
5,896

 

 
14,422

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
1,392

 
2,998

 

 
4,390

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
12,994

 
1,087

 

 
14,081

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(10,152
)
 
(505
)
 

 
(10,657
)
Total other income
146,738

 
62,366

 
12,760

 
44,500

 
(25,094
)
 
241,270

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
65,288

 
26,904

 
1,065

 
26,580

 

 
119,837

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
22,864

 

 
22,864

Loan servicing fees

 

 
15,036

 

 

 
15,036

Depreciation and amortization
973

 
4,390

 

 
6,800

 

 
12,163

Other
29,976

 
7,914

 
2,407

 
20,859

 

 
61,156

Intersegment expenses, net
21,266

 
5,399

 
25,438

 
(27,009
)
 
(25,094
)
 

Total operating expenses
117,503

 
44,607

 
43,946

 
50,094

 
(25,094
)
 
231,056

Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
29,255

 
17,762

 
171,385

 
(4,647
)
 

 
213,755

Corporate overhead allocation
(4,447
)
 
(1,780
)
 
(2,225
)
 
8,452

 

 

Income before income taxes
24,808

 
15,982

 
169,160

 
3,805

 

 
213,755

Income tax (expense) benefit
(9,428
)
 
(6,074
)
 
(64,280
)
 
1,796

 

 
(77,986
)
Net income
15,380

 
9,908

 
104,880

 
5,601

 

 
135,769

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
95

 

 
95

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
15,380

 
9,908

 
104,880

 
5,506

 

 
135,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11



 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate and Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
20

 
3

 
332,565

 
4,694

 
(1,459
)
 
335,823

Interest expense

 

 
127,412

 
3,286

 
(1,459
)
 
129,239

Net interest income
20

 
3

 
205,153

 
1,408

 

 
206,584

Less provision for loan losses

 

 
4,000

 

 

 
4,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
20

 
3

 
201,153

 
1,408

 

 
202,584

Other income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
131,217

 

 

 

 

 
131,217

Intersegment servicing revenue
28,021

 

 

 

 
(28,021
)
 

Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue

 
47,069

 

 

 

 
47,069

Enrollment services revenue

 

 

 
42,156

 

 
42,156

Other income

 

 
8,660

 
24,786

 

 
33,446

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 
57

 

 

 
57

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 
12,325

 
(2,577
)
 

 
9,748

Derivative settlements, net

 

 
(11,935
)
 
(508
)
 

 
(12,443
)
Total other income
159,238

 
47,069

 
9,107

 
63,857

 
(28,021
)
 
251,250

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
59,481

 
21,139

 
1,179

 
24,573

 

 
106,372

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 

 
27,786

 

 
27,786

Loan servicing fees

 

 
12,720

 

 

 
12,720

Depreciation and amortization
857

 
3,273

 

 
5,867

 

 
9,997

Other
32,625

 
5,603

 
3,271

 
21,785

 

 
63,284

Intersegment expenses, net
18,519

 
2,824

 
28,339

 
(21,661
)
 
(28,021
)
 

Total operating expenses
111,482

 
32,839

 
45,509

 
58,350

 
(28,021
)
 
220,159

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
47,776

 
14,233

 
164,751

 
6,915

 

 
233,675

Corporate overhead allocation
(3,920
)
 
(1,307
)
 
(2,578
)
 
7,805

 

 

Income before income taxes
43,856

 
12,926

 
162,173

 
14,720

 

 
233,675

Income tax (expense) benefit
(16,665
)
 
(4,911
)
 
(61,625
)
 
(488
)
 

 
(83,689
)
Net income
27,191

 
8,015

 
100,548

 
14,232

 

 
149,986

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
1,206

 

 
1,206

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
27,191

 
8,015

 
100,548

 
13,026

 

 
148,780


12




Net Interest Income, Net of Settlements on Derivatives

The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income.

The following table summarizes the components of “net interest income” and “derivative settlements, net” included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
June 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2014
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
54,521

 
50,633

 
58,627

 
105,155

 
113,023

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
45,069

 
46,244

 
43,607

 
91,313

 
81,451

Investment interest
1,887

 
2,205

 
1,482

 
4,092

 
3,461

Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(253
)
 
(252
)
 
(256
)
 
(506
)
 
(508
)
Corporate debt interest expense
(1,570
)
 
(1,450
)
 
(1,961
)
 
(3,020
)
 
(3,286
)
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
99,654

 
97,380

 
101,499

 
197,034

 
194,141



13



Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)
Company owned
 
$22,650
 
$21,237
 
$21,397
 
$21,192
 
$21,110
 
$20,511
 
$19,742
 
$19,369
 
$18,934
% of total
 
29.8%
 
21.8%
 
15.5%
 
14.3%
 
14.1%
 
12.9%
 
12.2%
 
11.5%
 
11.1%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
3,036,534

 
3,892,929

 
5,305,498

 
5,438,933

 
5,465,395

 
5,824,743

 
5,915,449

 
5,882,446

 
5,817,078

FFELP servicing:
 
1,799,484

 
1,626,146

 
1,462,122

 
1,426,435

 
1,390,541

 
1,404,619

 
1,397,295

 
1,358,551

 
1,353,785

Private servicing:
 
164,554

 
173,948

 
195,580

 
191,606

 
186,863

 
200,095

 
202,529

 
205,926

 
209,854

Total:
 
5,000,572

 
5,693,023

 
6,963,200

 
7,056,974

 
7,042,799

 
7,429,457

 
7,515,273

 
7,446,923

 
7,380,717

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers:
 
9,566,296

 
6,912,204

 
1,915,203

 
1,796,287

 
1,735,594

 
1,677,547

 
1,611,654

 
1,592,813

 
1,559,573


Other Income

The following table summarizes the components of "other income" included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
 
June 30,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
Borrower late fee income
$
3,621

 
4,131

 
3,557

 
7,752
 
7,244
Investment advisory fees
833

 
657

 
7,035

 
1,490
 
12,264
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net
1,852

 
516

 
2,081

 
2,369
 
9,291
Other
1,198

 
1,614

 
2,642

 
2,811
 
4,647
Other income
$
7,504

 
6,918

 
15,315

 
14,422
 
33,446


14



Derivative Settlements

The following table summarizes the components of "derivative settlements, net" included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
 
June 30,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
1:3 basis swaps
$
123

 
266

 
858

 
389

 
1,739

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(5,019
)
 
(5,015
)
 
(6,974
)
 
(10,034
)
 
(13,924
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(253
)
 
(252
)
 
(256
)
 
(505
)
 
(508
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
(293
)
 
(214
)
 
158

 
(507
)
 
250

Total settlements - expense
$
(5,442
)
 
(5,215
)
 
(6,214
)
 
(10,657
)
 
(12,443
)

Derivative Market Value and Foreign Currency Adjustments

"Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments" include (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars.

The following table summarizes the components of “derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments” included in the attached consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
 
June 30,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
Change in fair value of derivatives - income (expense)
$
26,615

 
(46,072
)
 
5,033

 
(19,457
)
 
7,950

Foreign currency transaction adjustment - income (expense)
(14,671
)
 
48,209

 
2,751

 
33,538

 
1,798

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments - income (expense)
$
11,944

 
2,137

 
7,784

 
14,081

 
9,748



Student Loans Receivable

The table below outlines the components of the Company’s student loan portfolio:
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
June 30,
2014
Federally insured loans
 
 
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
6,574,079

 
6,030,825

 
6,479,493

Consolidation
21,564,569

 
22,165,605

 
23,032,622

Total
28,138,648

 
28,196,430

 
29,512,115

Private education loans
175,202

 
27,478

 
67,670

 
28,313,850

 
28,223,908

 
29,579,785

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs
(168,051
)
 
(169,813
)
 
(184,888
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(36,762
)
 
(39,170
)
 
(40,921
)
Allowance for loan losses – private education loans
(13,262
)
 
(9,730
)
 
(11,546
)
 
$
28,095,775

 
28,005,195

 
29,342,430

 
 
 


 




15



Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
$
28,107,088

 
25,814,195

 
28,223,908

 
26,121,306

Loan acquisitions
1,228,030

 
4,800,640

 
2,064,142

 
5,187,898

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
(690,556
)
 
(825,365
)
 
(1,318,916
)
 
(1,374,070
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(330,712
)
 
(209,679
)
 
(651,288
)
 
(355,343
)
Loans sold

 
(6
)
 
(3,996
)
 
(6
)
Ending balance
$
28,313,850

 
29,579,785

 
28,313,850

 
29,579,785


Student Loan Spread

The following table analyzes the student loan spread on the Company’s portfolio of student loans, which represents the spread between the yield earned on student loan assets and the costs of the liabilities and derivative instruments used to fund those assets.
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
 
June 30,
2015
 
June 30,
2014
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.57
 %
 
2.53
 %
 
2.54
 %
 
2.55
 %
 
2.52
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.83
)
 
(0.84
)
 
(0.82
)
 
(0.84
)
 
(0.81
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
0.04

 
0.04

 
0.06

 
0.05

 
0.06

Variable student loan yield, net
1.78

 
1.73

 
1.78

 
1.76

 
1.77

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(1.01
)
 
(0.98
)
 
(0.95
)
 
(1.00
)
 
(0.94
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements

 

 
0.01

 

 
0.01

Variable student loan spread
0.77

 
0.75

 
0.84

 
0.76

 
0.84

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.64

 
0.66

 
0.62

 
0.65

 
0.61

Core student loan spread
1.41
 %

1.41
 %

1.46
 %
 
1.41
 %
 
1.45
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
28,297,312

 
28,289,420

 
28,163,626

 
28,293,366

 
27,039,339

Average balance of debt outstanding
28,331,870

 
28,460,627

 
28,229,140

 
28,395,893

 
27,034,535



16



A trend analysis of the Company's core and variable student loan spreads is summarized below.
(a)
The interest earned on a large portion of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate.  The Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  The relationship between the indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans has a significant impact on student loan spread.  This table (the right axis) shows the difference between the Company's liability base rate and the one-month LIBOR rate by quarter.

Variable student loan spread decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same periods in 2014 as a result of recent acquisitions of consolidation loans, which have lower margins but longer terms.

The primary difference between variable student loan spread and core student loan spread is fixed rate floor income.  A summary of fixed rate floor income and its contribution to core student loan spread follows:
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
June 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2014
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
50,088

 
51,259

 
50,581

 
101,347

 
95,375

Derivative settlements (a)
(5,019
)
 
(5,015
)
 
(6,974
)
 
(10,034
)
 
(13,924
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
45,069

 
46,244

 
43,607

 
91,313

 
81,451

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.64
%
 
0.66
%
 
0.62
%
 
0.65
%
 
0.61
%
 
(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.



17



Fixed Rate Floor Income

The following table shows the Company’s federally insured student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of June 30, 2015.
 
 
Borrower/
 
Estimated
 
 
Fixed
 
lender
 
variable
 
 
interest
 
weighted
 
conversion
 
Loan
rate range
 
average yield
 
rate (a)
 
balance
< 3.0%
 
2.88%
 
0.24%
 
$
1,773,614

3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.19%
 
0.55%
 
2,229,036

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
2,177,619

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,658,609

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
1,025,873

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.22%
 
2.58%
 
647,758

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
379,620

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.18%
 
3.54%
 
440,487

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70%
 
4.06%
 
416,443

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.17%
 
4.53%
 
174,664

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
298,710

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.18%
 
5.54%
 
673,477

> 9.0%
 
9.04%
 
6.40%
 
261,244

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
12,157,154


(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of June 30, 2015, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.84% and the short-term interest rate was 19 basis points.

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of June 30, 2015 used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
2015
 
$
500,000

 
0.71
%
2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,850,000

 
0.83

2018
 
100,000

 
1.02

2025
 
100,000

 
2.32

 
 
$
3,300,000

 
0.87
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.


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