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NELNET INC - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
 
or

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from  to .

 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-31924

NELNET, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEBRASKA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
84-0748903
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
121 SOUTH 13TH STREET
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
68508
(Zip Code)
 (402) 458-2370
(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 [X] No [   ]

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

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.

Large accelerated filer [X]                                                  Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]                                                     Smaller reporting company [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes[  ] No[X]

As of April 30, 2014, there were 35,018,015 and 11,491,932 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding, respectively (excluding 11,317,364 shares of Class A Common Stock held by wholly owned subsidiaries).  
 




NELNET, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
March 31, 2014


 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 







PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
As of
 
As of
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Assets:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $54,628 and $55,122, respectively)
$
25,607,143

 
25,907,589

Cash and cash equivalents:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party
18,374

 
8,537

Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party
88,728

 
54,730

Total cash and cash equivalents
107,102

 
63,267

Investments
166,201

 
192,040

Restricted cash and investments
705,889

 
735,123

Restricted cash - due to customers
180,469

 
167,576

Accrued interest receivable
305,672

 
314,553

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,556 and $3,845, respectively)
62,423

 
56,072

Goodwill
117,118

 
117,118

Intangible assets, net
9,089

 
6,132

Property and equipment, net
33,302

 
33,829

Other assets
128,597

 
115,043

Fair value of derivative instruments
64,002

 
62,507

Total assets
$
27,487,007

 
27,770,849

Liabilities:
 

 
 

Bonds and notes payable
$
25,589,287

 
25,955,289

Accrued interest payable
22,338

 
21,725

Other liabilities
164,692

 
164,300

Due to customers
180,469

 
167,576

Fair value of derivative instruments
16,547

 
17,969

Total liabilities
25,973,333

 
26,326,859

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
  Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding

 

Common stock:
 
 
 
Class A, $0.01 par value. Authorized 600,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 35,019,924 shares and 34,881,338 shares, respectively
350

 
349

Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,491,932 shares and 11,495,377 shares, respectively
115

 
115

Additional paid-in capital
27,138

 
24,887

Retained earnings
1,482,637

 
1,413,492

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings
2,679

 
4,819

Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,512,919

 
1,443,662

Noncontrolling interest
755

 
328

Total equity
1,513,674

 
1,443,990

Total liabilities and equity
$
27,487,007

 
27,770,849

 
 
 
 
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
25,716,871

 
26,020,629

Restricted cash and investments
704,370

 
732,771

Fair value of derivative instruments
36,795

 
36,834

Other assets
303,511

 
313,748

Bonds and notes payable
(25,909,892
)
 
(26,244,222
)
Other liabilities
(287,703
)
 
(303,142
)
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities
$
563,952

 
556,618


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three months
 
ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income:
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
156,896

 
155,539

Investment interest
1,979

 
1,617

Total interest income
158,875

 
157,156

Interest expense:
 

 
 

Interest on bonds and notes payable
60,004

 
58,358

Net interest income
98,871

 
98,798

Less provision for loan losses
2,500

 
5,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
96,371

 
93,798

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,757

 
55,601

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
25,235

 
23,411

Enrollment services revenue
22,011

 
28,957

Other income
18,131

 
9,416

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
39

 
1,407

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net
(4,265
)
 
1,072

Total other income
125,908

 
119,864

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
52,484

 
47,905

Cost to provide enrollment services
14,475

 
19,642

Depreciation and amortization
4,783

 
4,377

Other
35,627

 
34,941

Total operating expenses
107,369

 
106,865

Income before income taxes
114,910

 
106,797

Income tax expense
40,611

 
38,447

Net income
74,299

 
68,350

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
513

 
271

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,786

 
68,079

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted
$
1.59

 
1.46

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,527,917

 
46,658,031


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three months
 
ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
74,299

 
68,350

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of losses
3,675

 
4,520

Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses
(7,073
)
 
(957
)
Income tax effect
1,258

 
(1,326
)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
(2,140
)
 
2,237

Comprehensive income
72,159

 
70,587

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
513

 
271

Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
71,646

 
70,316


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


4



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Nelnet, Inc. Shareholders
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock shares
 
Common stock shares
 
Preferred stock
 
Class A common stock
 
Class B common stock
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
 Retained earnings
 
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total equity
 
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2012

 
35,116,913

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
351

 
115

 
32,540

 
1,129,389

 
2,813

 
5

 
1,165,213

Issuance of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
68,079

 

 
271

 
68,350

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,237

 

 
2,237

Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.10 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,646
)
 

 

 
(4,646
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
125,963

 

 

 
1

 

 
1,272

 

 

 

 
1,273

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
676

 

 

 

 
676

Repurchase of common stock

 
(213,535
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(6,702
)
 

 

 

 
(6,704
)
Balance as of March 31, 2013

 
35,029,341

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
350

 
115

 
27,786

 
1,192,822

 
5,050

 
281

 
1,226,404

Balance as of December 31, 2013

 
34,881,338

 
11,495,377

 
$

 
349

 
115

 
24,887

 
1,413,492

 
4,819

 
328

 
1,443,990

Issuance of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
201

 
201

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
73,786

 

 
513

 
74,299

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,140
)
 

 
(2,140
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(287
)
 
(287
)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.10 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,641
)
 

 

 
(4,641
)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

 
155,705

 

 

 
2

 

 
2,244

 

 

 

 
2,246

Compensation expense for stock based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 
875

 

 

 

 
875

Repurchase of common stock

 
(20,564
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(868
)
 

 

 

 
(869
)
Conversion of common stock

 
3,445

 
(3,445
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2014

 
35,019,924

 
11,491,932

 
$

 
350

 
115

 
27,138

 
1,482,637

 
2,679

 
755

 
1,513,674


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three months
 
ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,786

 
68,079

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
513

 
271

Net income
74,299

 
68,350

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs
21,999

 
20,079

Student loan discount accretion
(10,023
)
 
(9,075
)
Provision for loan losses
2,500

 
5,000

Derivative market value adjustment
(2,916
)
 
19,507

Foreign currency transaction adjustment
952

 
(28,763
)
Gain on sale of loans

 
(33
)
Gain from debt repurchases
(39
)
 
(1,374
)
 Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net
(7,073
)
 
(957
)
Deferred income tax expense
2,497

 
4,874

Purchases of trading investments, net
(731
)
 

Other
2,285

 
(355
)
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
8,881

 
2,341

Increase in accounts receivable
(5,758
)
 
(9,601
)
Decrease in other assets
1,303

 
293

Increase in accrued interest payable
613

 
1,091

(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
(185
)
 
13,614

Net cash provided by operating activities
88,604

 
84,991

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchases of student loans
(385,963
)
 
(758,508
)
Purchase of student loans from a related party
(137
)
 

Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
686,908

 
688,387

Proceeds from sale of student loans

 
11,284

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(69,930
)
 
(86,776
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
99,799

 
13,405

Purchases of other investments, net
(14,467
)
 

Purchases of property and equipment, net
(3,146
)
 
(2,778
)
Decrease in restricted cash and investments, net
29,356

 
695

Business acquisition, net of cash acquired
(1,909
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
340,511

 
(134,291
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Payments on bonds and notes payable
(1,347,517
)
 
(2,244,266
)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable
972,384

 
2,295,865

Payments of debt issuance costs
(4,700
)
 
(7,093
)
Dividends paid
(4,641
)
 
(4,646
)
Repurchases of common stock
(869
)
 
(6,704
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
149

 
174

Issuance of noncontrolling interest
201

 
5

Distribution to noncontrolling interest
(287
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(385,280
)
 
33,335

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
43,835

 
(15,965
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
63,267

 
66,031

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
107,102

 
50,066

Cash disbursements made for:
 

 
 

Interest
$
48,750

 
48,696

Income taxes, net of refunds
$
13,378

 
5,489


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6



NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Information as of March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2014 and 2013 is unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

1.    Basis of Financial Reporting

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2014. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 Annual Report").

2.    Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
As of
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Federally insured loans
 
 
 
Stafford and other
$
6,606,814

 
6,686,626

Consolidation
19,138,841

 
19,363,577

Total
25,745,655

 
26,050,203

Non-federally insured loans
68,540

 
71,103

 
25,814,195

 
26,121,306

Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)
(152,424
)
 
(158,595
)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans
(42,909
)
 
(43,440
)
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans
(11,719
)
 
(11,682
)
 
$
25,607,143

 
25,907,589


(a)
For loans purchased where there is evidence of credit deterioration since the origination of the loan, the Company records a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses, which is non-accretable to interest income. Remaining discounts and premiums for purchased loans are recognized in interest income over the remaining estimated lives of the loans. The Company continues to evaluate credit losses associated with purchased loans based on current information and changes in expectations to determine the need for any additional allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.0 million and $20.2 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans.


7



Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Balance at beginning of period
$
55,122

 
51,902

Provision for loan losses:
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
3,000

 
6,000

Non-federally insured loans
(500
)
 
(1,000
)
Total provision for loan losses
2,500

 
5,000

Charge-offs:
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
(3,631
)
 
(5,990
)
Non-federally insured loans
(421
)
 
(772
)
Total charge-offs
(4,052
)
 
(6,762
)
Recoveries - non-federally insured loans
371

 
368

Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans, net
100

 
(2,218
)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans repurchased, net
587

 
1,119

Balance at end of period
$
54,628

 
49,409

 
 
 
 
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
 

 
 

Federally insured loans
$
42,909

 
37,913

Non-federally insured loans
11,719

 
11,496

Total allowance for loan losses
$
54,628

 
49,409


Repurchase Obligations

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had participated a cumulative amount of $119.6 million (par value) of non-federally insured loans to third parties. Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.

In addition, in 2011, the Company sold a portfolio of non-federally insured loans for proceeds of $91.3 million (100% of par value).  The Company retained credit risk related to this portfolio and will pay cash to purchase back any loans which become 60 days delinquent. As of March 31, 2014, the balance of this portfolio was $61.1 million (par value).

The Company’s estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The activity related to this accrual is detailed below.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
16,143

 
16,130

Loans repurchased
(730
)
 
(1,119
)
Ending balance
$
15,413

 
15,011



8



Student Loan Status and Delinquencies

Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The percent of non-federally insured loans that were delinquent 31 days or greater as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 was 12.8 percent, 12.7 percent, and 20.5 percent, respectively. The table below shows the Company’s federally insured student loan delinquency amounts.

Rehabilitation Loans and Delinquent Loans Funded in FFELP Warehouse Facilities

Rehabilitation loans are student loans that have previously defaulted, but for which the borrower has made a specified number of on-time payments.  Although rehabilitation loans benefit from the same guarantees as other federally insured student loans, rehabilitation loans have generally experienced re-default rates that are higher than default rates for federally insured student loans that have not previously defaulted.  The Company has purchased a significant amount of rehabilitation loans.  Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP").  As such, there is minimal credit risk related to rehabilitation loans purchased; therefore, these loans are presented separately in the following delinquency tables.

In addition, the Company has purchased delinquent federally insured loans that are funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate. As such, there is minimal credit risk related to these loans. Loans delinquent 121 days or greater and funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities are included with rehabilitation loans purchased in the following delinquency tables.

 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
As of March 31, 2013
Federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
2,617,628

 
 
 
$
2,618,390

 
 
 
$
2,933,416

 
 
Loans in forbearance
2,797,432

 
 
 
2,954,495

 
 
 
2,890,574

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
15,293,299

 
87.2
%
 
15,251,869

 
86.1
%
 
14,501,802

 
87.8
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
669,238

 
3.8

 
768,600

 
4.3

 
621,296

 
3.8

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
407,779

 
2.3

 
426,089

 
2.5

 
409,209

 
2.5

Loans delinquent 91-120 days
252,413

 
1.4

 
281,991

 
1.6

 
241,113

 
1.5

Loans delinquent 121-270 days
640,214

 
3.7

 
712,204

 
4.0

 
512,875

 
3.1

Loans delinquent 271 days or greater
272,159

 
1.6

 
269,066

 
1.5

 
211,461

 
1.3

Total loans in repayment
17,535,102

 
100.0
%
 
17,709,819

 
100.0
%
 
16,497,756

 
100.0
%
Total federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans
$
22,950,162

 
 

 
$
23,282,704

 
 

 
$
22,321,746

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rehabilitation loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans in-school/grace/deferment
$
261,754

 
 
 
$
254,115

 
 
 
$
213,101

 
 
Loans in forbearance
416,206

 
 
 
415,530

 
 
 
394,733

 
 
Loans in repayment status:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans current
1,205,261

 
56.9
%
 
1,086,053

 
51.8
%
 
877,800

 
42.4
%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days
163,143

 
7.7

 
198,718

 
9.5

 
138,249

 
6.7

Loans delinquent 61-90 days
114,920

 
5.4

 
124,244

 
5.9

 
109,129

 
5.3

Loans delinquent 91-120 days
91,730

 
4.3

 
108,800

 
5.2

 
121,468

 
5.9

Loans delinquent 121-270 days
344,434

 
16.3

 
405,732

 
19.3

 
573,054

 
27.7

Loans delinquent 271 days or greater
198,045

 
9.4

 
174,307

 
8.3

 
249,011

 
12.0

Total loans in repayment
2,117,533

 
100.0
%
 
2,097,854

 
100.0
%
 
2,068,711

 
100.0
%
Total rehabilitation loans
2,795,493

 
 
 
2,767,499

 
 
 
2,676,545

 
 
Total federally insured loans
$
25,745,655

 
 
 
$
26,050,203

 
 
 
$
24,998,291

 
 


9



3.    Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
23,780,072

 
0.24% - 6.90%
 
5/25/18 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing
1,132,900

 
0.07% - 2.18%
 
5/1/28 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
24,912,972

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
772,435

 
0.16% - 0.24%
 
1/17/16 - 9/30/16
Unsecured line of credit

 
 
3/28/18
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
96,457

 
3.61%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
61,374

 
1.65% - 5.10%
 
8/11/14 - 11/11/15
 
25,843,238

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable
(253,951
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
25,589,287

 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Carrying
amount
 
Interest rate
range
 
Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes based on indices
$
23,479,893

 
0.25% - 6.90%
 
5/25/18 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing
1,134,250

 
0.07% - 2.17%
 
5/1/28 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes
24,614,143

 
 
 
 
FFELP warehouse facilities
1,396,344

 
0.17% - 0.25%
 
1/17/16 - 6/12/16
Unsecured line of credit
45,000

 
1.67%
 
3/28/18
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities
96,457

 
3.62%
 
9/15/61
Other borrowings
61,401

 
1.67% - 5.10%
 
4/11/14 - 11/11/15
 
26,213,345

 
 
 
 
Discount on bonds and notes payable
(258,056
)
 
 
 
 
Total
$
25,955,289

 
 
 
 


10



FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
 
 
NHELP-III
 
NFSLW-I (a)
 
NHELP-II
 
Total
Maximum financing amount
 
$
750,000

 
500,000

 
500,000

 
1,750,000

Amount outstanding
 
377,995

 
276,915

 
117,525

 
772,435

Amount available
 
$
372,005

 
223,085

 
382,475

 
977,565

Expiration of liquidity provisions
 
February 5, 2015

 
June 12, 2014

 
September 30, 2014

 
 
Final maturity date
 
January 17, 2016

 
June 12, 2016

 
September 30, 2016

 
 
Maximum advance rates
 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
92.0 - 98.0%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
 
Minimum advance rates
 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
84.0 - 90.0%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
 
Advanced as equity support
 
$
22,912

 
16,847

 
11,745

 
51,504

(a) On April 15, 2014, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.0 billion, change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to June 11, 2015, and change the maturity date to June 11, 2017. The maximum financing amount is scheduled to decrease $100.0 million a month beginning in June 2014 until it returns to $500.0 million in size.
Asset-backed Securitizations

The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
 
2014-1
 
2014-2
 
Total
 
 
 
 
Class A-1 notes
 
Class A-2 notes
 
Class A-3 notes
 
2014-2 total
 
 
Date securities issued
 
2/6/14
 
3/12/14
 
3/12/14
 
3/12/14
 
3/12/14
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
458,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
509,000

 
$
967,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
445,000

 
191,000

 
222,000

 
84,000

 
497,000

 
942,000

Bond discount
 

 

 

 
(535
)
 
(535
)
 
(535
)
Issue price
 
$
445,000

 
191,000

 
222,000

 
83,465

 
496,465

 
941,465

Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)
 
0.57
%
 
0.28
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.85
%
 
 
 
 
Final maturity date
 
9/25/41

 
6/25/21

 
3/25/30

 
7/27/37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class B subordinated notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total original principal amount
 
$
13,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,000

 
25,500

Bond discount
 
(1,132
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,046
)
 
(2,178
)
Issue price
 
$
12,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,954

 
23,322

Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)
 
1.50
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.50
%
 
 
Final maturity date
 
10/25/47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6/25/41

 
 

Unsecured Line of Credit

The Company has a $275.0 million unsecured line of credit that matures on March 28, 2018. As of March 31, 2014, no amounts were outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $275.0 million was available for future use.

11




Debt Repurchases

The Company repurchased $1.4 million (face amount) and $13.0 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and recognized gains on such purchases of approximately $39,000 and $1.4 million, respectively.

4.   Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's risk management strategy are further described in note 6 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is presented below.

Basis Swaps

The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").
 
 
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
 
2021
 
 
$
250,000

 
 
2022
 
 
1,900,000

 
 
2023
 
 
3,650,000

 
 
2024
 
 
250,000

 
 
2026
 
 
800,000

 
 
2028
 
 
100,000

 
 
2036
 
 
700,000

 
 
2039
(a)
 
150,000

 
 
2040
(b)
 
200,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,000,000

(c)
(a)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.
(b)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.
(c)
The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points.
Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
 
 
2014
 
$
1,750,000

 
0.71
%
2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
 
$
4,850,000

 
0.81
%

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

12



Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities ("Hybrid Securities") to a fixed rate.
 
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036
 
$
25,000

 
4.28
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.

The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.

The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013 (b)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes
$
(952
)
 
28,763

Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps
(39
)
 
(34,844
)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)
$
(991
)
 
(6,081
)
(a)
The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
(b)
The 2013 operating results includes the re-measurement of €420.5 million of student loan asset-backed Euro notes and the change in fair value of a related cross-currency interest rate swap entered into in connection with the issuance of such notes. In November 2013, the notional amount outstanding on the notes was changed to U.S. dollars and the cross-currency interest swap was terminated.
The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.


13



Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:
 
Fair value of asset derivatives
 
Fair value of liability derivatives
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
1:3 basis swaps
$
19,600

 
18,490

 

 

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
7,607

 
7,183

 
12,915

 
15,849

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges

 

 
3,632

 
2,120

Cross-currency interest rate swaps
36,795


36,834

 

 

Total
$
64,002

 
62,507

 
16,547

 
17,969


During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company terminated certain derivatives for gross proceeds and payments of $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. There were no derivative terminations during the first quarter of 2014.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
 
 
Derivative assets
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement
 
Cash collateral received
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of March 31, 2014
 
$
64,002

 
(15,313
)
 
(323
)
 
48,366

Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
62,507

 
(15,437
)
 
(15,959
)
 
31,111


 
 
 
 
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement
 
Cash collateral pledged
 
Net asset (liability)
Balance as of March 31, 2014
 
$
(16,547
)
 
15,313

 
3,140

 
1,906

Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
(17,969
)
 
15,437

 
3,630

 
1,098



14



The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Settlements:
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
$
881

 
911

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
(6,950
)
 
(8,304
)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(252
)
 
(645
)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
92

 
(146
)
Total settlements - expense
(6,229
)
 
(8,184
)
Change in fair value:
 

 
 

1:3 basis swaps
1,110

 
1,933

Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges
3,358

 
9,422

Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges
(1,513
)
 
3,640

Cross-currency interest rate swaps
(39
)
 
(34,844
)
Other

 
342

Total change in fair value - income (expense)
2,916

 
(19,507
)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income
(952
)
 
28,763

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - (expense) income
$
(4,265
)
 
1,072


5.    Investments

A summary of the Company's investments and restricted investments follows:
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses (a)
 
Fair value
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized losses
 
Fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)
$
149,016

 
3,192

 
(824
)
 
151,384

 
171,931

 
7,111

 
(1,241
)
 
177,801

Equity securities
1,308

 
1,884

 

 
3,192

 
1,502

 
1,783

 
(3
)
 
3,282

Total available-for-sale investments
$
150,324

 
5,076

 
(824
)
 
154,576

 
173,433

 
8,894

 
(1,244
)
 
181,083

Trading investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
11,625

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,957

Total available-for-sale and trading investments

 

 

 
$
166,201

 
 
 
 
 


 
192,040

Restricted Investments (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,742

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,285

    
(a)
As of March 31, 2014, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

(b)
As of March 31, 2014, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

(c)
Restricted investments are included in "restricted cash and investments" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.


15



The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities is summarized below.
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):
 
2014
 
2013
Other income
 
$
7,073

 
957

Income tax expense
 
(2,617
)
 
(354
)
Net
 
$
4,456

 
603


6.   Earnings per Common Share

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
 
Common shareholders
 
Unvested restricted stock shareholders
 
Total
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,125

 
661

 
73,786

 
67,517

 
562

 
68,079

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:


 


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
46,110,952

 
416,965

 
46,527,917

 
46,272,324

 
385,707

 
46,658,031

Earnings per share - basic and diluted
$
1.59

 
1.59

 
1.59

 
1.46

 
1.46

 
1.46


Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.


16



7.    Segment Reporting

See note 13 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
11

 

 

 
11

 
157,003

 
2,658

 
(797
)
 
158,875

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
59,476

 
1,325

 
(797
)
 
60,004

Net interest income
11

 

 

 
11

 
97,527

 
1,333

 

 
98,871

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
2,500

 

 

 
2,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
11

 

 

 
11

 
95,027

 
1,333

 

 
96,371

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,757

 

 

 
64,757

 

 

 

 
64,757

Intersegment servicing revenue
14,221

 

 

 
14,221

 

 

 
(14,221
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
25,235

 

 
25,235

 

 

 

 
25,235

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
22,011

 
22,011

 

 

 

 
22,011

Other income

 

 

 

 
4,164

 
13,967

 

 
18,131

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
39

 

 

 
39

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
3,477

 
(1,513
)
 

 
1,964

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(5,977
)
 
(252
)
 

 
(6,229
)
Total other income (expense)
78,978

 
25,235

 
22,011

 
126,224

 
1,703

 
12,202

 
(14,221
)
 
125,908

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
32,307

 
10,027

 
4,380

 
46,714

 
609

 
5,161

 

 
52,484

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
14,475

 
14,475

 

 

 

 
14,475

Depreciation and amortization
2,789

 
1,428

 
47

 
4,264

 

 
519

 

 
4,783

Other
18,452

 
2,647

 
1,449

 
22,548

 
7,146

 
5,933

 

 
35,627

Intersegment expenses, net
1,083

 
1,420

 
1,006

 
3,509

 
14,371

 
(3,659
)
 
(14,221
)
 

Total operating expenses
54,631

 
15,522

 
21,357

 
91,510

 
22,126

 
7,954

 
(14,221
)
 
107,369

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
24,358

 
9,713

 
654

 
34,725

 
74,604

 
5,581

 

 
114,910

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,860
)
 
(620
)
 
(620
)
 
(3,100
)
 
(1,329
)
 
4,429

 

 

Income before income taxes
22,498

 
9,093

 
34

 
31,625

 
73,275

 
10,010

 

 
114,910

Income tax expense
(8,549
)
 
(3,455
)
 
(13
)
 
(12,017
)
 
(27,844
)
 
(750
)
 

 
(40,611
)
Net income
13,949

 
5,638

 
21

 
19,608

 
45,431

 
9,260

 

 
74,299

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
513

 

 
513

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
13,949

 
5,638

 
21

 
19,608

 
45,431

 
8,747

 

 
73,786

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

17



 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
 
Fee-Based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
 
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
 
Enrollment
Services
 
Total Fee-
Based
 
Asset
Generation and
Management
 
Corporate
Activity
and
Overhead
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Total interest income
$
10

 

 

 
10

 
155,654

 
2,311

 
(819
)
 
157,156

Interest expense

 

 

 

 
57,482

 
1,695

 
(819
)
 
58,358

Net interest income
10

 

 

 
10

 
98,172

 
616

 

 
98,798

Less provision for loan losses

 

 

 

 
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
10

 

 

 
10

 
93,172

 
616

 

 
93,798

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
55,601

 

 

 
55,601

 

 

 

 
55,601

Intersegment servicing revenue
14,953

 

 

 
14,953

 

 

 
(14,953
)
 

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue

 
23,411

 

 
23,411

 

 

 

 
23,411

Enrollment services revenue

 

 
28,957

 
28,957

 

 

 

 
28,957

Other income

 

 

 

 
4,196

 
5,220

 

 
9,416

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases

 

 

 

 
1,407

 

 

 
1,407

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net

 

 

 

 
5,275

 
3,981

 

 
9,256

Derivative settlements, net

 

 

 

 
(7,539
)
 
(645
)
 

 
(8,184
)
Total other income (expense)
70,554

 
23,411

 
28,957

 
122,922

 
3,339

 
8,556

 
(14,953
)
 
119,864

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and benefits
28,444

 
9,359

 
5,767

 
43,570

 
562

 
3,773

 

 
47,905

Cost to provide enrollment services

 

 
19,642

 
19,642

 

 

 

 
19,642

Depreciation and amortization
2,789

 
1,138

 
61

 
3,988

 

 
389

 

 
4,377

Other
18,390

 
2,287

 
1,651

 
22,328

 
7,513

 
5,100

 

 
34,941

Intersegment expenses, net
935

 
1,425

 
1,149

 
3,509

 
15,142

 
(3,698
)
 
(14,953
)
 

Total operating expenses
50,558

 
14,209

 
28,270

 
93,037

 
23,217

 
5,564

 
(14,953
)
 
106,865

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
20,006

 
9,202

 
687

 
29,895

 
73,294

 
3,608

 

 
106,797

Corporate overhead allocation
(997
)
 
(332
)
 
(332
)
 
(1,661
)
 
(712
)
 
2,373

 

 

Income before income taxes
19,009

 
8,870

 
355

 
28,234

 
72,582

 
5,981

 

 
106,797

Income tax expense
(7,223
)
 
(3,371
)
 
(135
)
 
(10,729
)
 
(27,581
)
 
(137
)
 

 
(38,447
)
Net income
11,786

 
5,499

 
220

 
17,505

 
45,001

 
5,844

 

 
68,350

  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
271

 

 
271

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
11,786

 
5,499

 
220

 
17,505

 
45,001

 
5,573

 

 
68,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8.    Major Customer

The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education ("Department") that spans five years (through June 2014).  Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $29.9 million and $20.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Department has the option to extend the contract for an additional five years. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.


18



9. Related Party Transactions

The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2013 Annual Report.  The following provides an update for a related party transaction that occurred during the first quarter of 2014.

On January 1, 2014, the Company subparticipated the Company's participation interest in a loan receivable from an unrelated third party to Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), an entity under common control with the Company. The participated portion of the loan was $1.7 million, with an obligation to fund an additional $1.4 million. As part of this agreement, Union Bank will pay the Company monthly servicing fees equal to 40 basis points on the participated portion of the outstanding principal balance of the loan.
 
10.   Fair Value

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loan asset-backed securities
$

 
162,553

 
162,553

 

 
188,279

 
188,279

Equity securities
3,192

 

 
3,192

 
3,282

 

 
3,282

Debt securities
456

 

 
456

 
479

 

 
479

Total investments
3,648

 
162,553

 
166,201

 
3,761

 
188,279

 
192,040

Fair value of derivative instruments

 
64,002

 
64,002

 

 
62,507

 
62,507

Total assets
$
3,648

 
226,555

 
230,203

 
3,761

 
250,786

 
254,547

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivative instruments
$

 
16,547

 
16,547

 

 
17,969

 
17,969

Total liabilities
$

 
16,547

 
16,547

 

 
17,969

 
17,969


The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
26,671,284

 
25,607,143

 

 

 
26,671,284

Cash and cash equivalents
107,102

 
107,102

 
107,102

 

 

Investments
166,201

 
166,201

 
3,648

 
162,553

 

Restricted cash
699,147

 
699,147

 
699,147

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
180,469

 
180,469

 
180,469

 

 

Restricted investments
6,742

 
6,742

 
6,742

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
305,672

 
305,672

 

 
305,672

 

Derivative instruments
64,002

 
64,002

 

 
64,002

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
25,461,183

 
25,589,287

 

 
25,461,183

 

Accrued interest payable
22,338

 
22,338

 

 
22,338

 

Due to customers
180,469

 
180,469

 
180,469

 

 

Derivative instruments
16,547

 
16,547

 

 
16,547

 


19



 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable
$
26,641,383

 
25,907,589

 

 

 
26,641,383

Cash and cash equivalents
63,267

 
63,267

 
63,267

 

 

Investments
192,040

 
192,040

 
3,761

 
188,279

 

Restricted cash
727,838

 
727,838

 
727,838

 

 

Restricted cash – due to customers
167,576

 
167,576

 
167,576

 

 

Restricted investments
7,285

 
7,285

 
7,285

 

 

Accrued interest receivable
314,553

 
314,553

 

 
314,553

 

Derivative instruments
62,507

 
62,507

 

 
62,507

 

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
25,577,250

 
25,955,289

 

 
25,577,250

 

Accrued interest payable
21,725

 
21,725

 

 
21,725

 

Due to customers
167,576

 
167,576

 
167,576

 

 

Derivative instruments
17,969

 
17,969

 

 
17,969

 

 
The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report.

11. Legal Proceedings

General

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, including the legal proceedings discussed below. These matters frequently involve claims by student loan borrowers disputing the manner in which their student loans have been serviced or the accuracy of reports to credit bureaus, claims by student loan borrowers or other consumers alleging that state or Federal consumer protection laws have been violated in the process of collecting loans or conducting other business activities, and disputes with other business entities. From time to time, lawsuits may be brought as, or subsequently amended to assert claims in the form of, putative class action cases.

In evaluating each of its legal proceedings, the Company considers many factors that involve significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the overall litigation process, including (i) the amount of damages and the nature of any other relief sought in the proceeding, if specified; (ii) whether the proceeding is at an early stage; (iii) the impact of discovery; (iv) whether novel or unsettled legal theories are at issue; (v) the outcome of pending motions or appeals; (vi) whether there are significant factual issues to be resolved; (vii) whether class action status is sought and the Company's views of the likelihood of a class being certified by the court and the ultimate size of the class; (viii) the jurisdiction in which the proceeding is pending; (ix) the Company's views of the merits of the claims and of the strength of the Company's defenses; and (x) the progress of any negotiations with opposing parties. In assessing whether a legal proceeding may be material, the Company considers these and other quantitative and qualitative factors, including whether disclosure of the proceeding might be important to a reader of the Company's financial statements in light of all of the information about the Company that is available to the reader.

Actions Requesting Certifications of Classes

Proceedings or complaints that involve or ask for certifications of classes generally expand the scope of legal defense costs, as well as alleged potential claim amounts. The Company is currently subject to legal proceedings in which the plaintiffs have made allegations that one or more putative classes should be certified by the applicable court. With respect to the three proceedings discussed below, it is significant to note that no putative class has actually been certified in any of these proceedings, the Company's position is that class certification would be inappropriate in each such proceeding, the Company has entered into agreements in principle to resolve two of the matters for immaterial amounts through a court-approved class-wide settlement, and the Company intends to vigorously contest class certification in the remaining matter. The Company has accrued an immaterial amount related to the legal proceedings described below. However, due to the relatively early stage of these matters and the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of its exposure to any reasonably possible losses or range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of the amount accrued, cannot currently be made.

20




Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC

On January 4, 2011, a complaint against Peterson's Nelnet, LLC (“Peterson's”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. ("Nelnet"), was filed in the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey (the “New Jersey District Court”). The complaint alleges that Peterson's sent six advertising faxes to the named plaintiff in 2008-2009 that were not the result of express invitation or permission granted by the plaintiff and did not include certain opt out language. The complaint also alleges that such faxes violated the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”), purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500 per violation, trebled for willful violations for each of the six faxes. The complaint further alleges that Peterson's had sent putative class members more than 10,000 faxes that violated the TCPA, amounting to more than $5 million in statutory penalty damages and more than $15 million if trebled for willful violations. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On September 13, 2013, the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification, and on October 7, 2013, Peterson's filed a motion to dismiss the named plaintiff's motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the New Jersey District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. On January 23, 2014, Peterson's and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Peterson's would, without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, settle all claims in the lawsuit, including potential class action claims, for payment of an immaterial amount. The settlement agreement in principle is subject to finalization and court approval.

Than Zaw v. Nelnet, Inc.

On January 18, 2013, a Third Amended Complaint was served on Nelnet in connection with a lawsuit by Than Zaw against Nelnet (erroneously referred to in the lawsuit as Nelnet Business Solutions, Inc.) in the Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County (the “California State Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on December 30, 2010, and alleges that Nelnet violated the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in its interactions with the plaintiff, a California resident. The plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint added additional allegations claiming that Nelnet violated Section 632 of the California Penal Code by allegedly recording one or more telephone calls to the plaintiff without the plaintiff's consent, and sought $5,000 in statutory damages per alleged violation. The Third Amended Complaint further alleged that Nelnet improperly recorded telephone calls to other California residents without such persons' consent, and sought to establish a class action with respect to the California Section 632 claim. As of the filing date of this report, the California State Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. On October 16, 2013, Nelnet and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Nelnet would, without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, settle all claims in the lawsuit, including potential class action claims, for payment of an immaterial amount. The settlement agreement in principle is subject to finalization and court approval.

Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al

On August 6, 2012, an Amended Complaint was served on Peterson's, CUnet, LLC (“CUnet”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, and on Nelnet (collectively, the "Keating Defendants"), in connection with a lawsuit by Grant Keating in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (the “Ohio District Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on August 24, 2011, and alleges that the Keating Defendants sent an advertising text message to the named plaintiff in June 2011 using an automatic telephone dialing system, and without the plaintiff's express consent. The complaint also alleges that this text message violated the TCPA, purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500, trebled for a willful violation. The complaint further alleges that the Keating Defendants sent putative class members similar text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system, without such purported class members' consent. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On August 29, 2013, the Keating Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, and the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. The Keating Defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously in this lawsuit.

12. Subsequent Events

On April 25, 2014, the Company completed the purchase of a total of $3.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets. The transaction included the purchase of residual interests in a total of $2.6 billion of securitized student loans and related assets under a stock purchase agreement, and the purchase of a total of approximately $950 million of unsecuritized student loans under three separate loan sale agreements.

The assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement include the rights to the residual interests in three FFELP student loan securitization trusts, which hold a total of $2.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets and have issued a corresponding amount of related student loan asset-backed debt.  In addition, under the loan sale agreements, the Company purchased for cash unsecuritized FFELP loans totaling approximately $950 million, consisting primarily of FFELP consolidation loans, which were initially funded through the Company’s existing student loan warehouse facilities.  The aggregate cash purchase price for the assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement and the cash amount paid over the par value of the student loan portfolio and related

21



accrued interest under the loan sale agreements was $139 million, and was funded from the Company’s operating cash and unsecured line of credit. All acquired student loan assets and related debt will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On April 30, 2014, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $719.8 million, which provided permanent funding for loans that were previously funded in the Company's warehouse facilities, including a portion of the $950 million of unsecuritized loans purchased in April 2014. As of April 30, 2014, after the completion of this asset-backed securitization, $1.1 billion was outstanding on the Company's warehouse facilities and $1.2 billion was available for future use.

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted.)

The following discussion and analysis provides information that the Company’s management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

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 2013 Annual Report and elsewhere in this report, and include 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 FFEL Program, 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 student 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 to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program, risks related to the expected reduction in government payments to guaranty agencies to rehabilitate defaulted FFELP loans and services in support of those activities, risks related to the availability of government funds and actual extension of the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department, which accounted for 23 percent of the Company's fee-based revenue in 2013, for an additional five years, and the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under that contract, and the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP and Federal Direct Loan Program 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;

22




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.

OVERVIEW

The Company is an education services company focused primarily on providing fee-based processing services and quality education-related products and services in four core areas: asset management and finance, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services (education planning). 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 net 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 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,786

 
68,079

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(1,218
)
 
(5,738
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
72,568

 
62,341

 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
1.59

 
1.46

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax
(0.03
)
 
(0.12
)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a)
$
1.56

 
1.34


(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 increase in earnings for the 2014 period compared to the 2013 period was due to an increase in net income from the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment, an increase in income from providing investment advisory services, and an increase in gains from investment activities.

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 March 31, 2014, the Company had a $25.6 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 20 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 April 2014, the Company purchased $3.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets as described in note 12 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.  As of April 30, 2014, subsequent to the closing of this transaction, the Company's student loan portfolio was over $29 billion.


23



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")
Enrollment Services - commonly called Nelnet Enrollment Solutions ("NES")

The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in millions).

(a)
Revenue includes intersegment revenue of $14.2 million and $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, 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, which was income of $3.5 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax, which was income of $2.2 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

As of March 31, 2014, the Company was servicing $147.9 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $112.8 billion of loans as of March 31, 2013.

Revenue increased in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to growth in servicing volume under the Company's contract with the Department, offset partially by a decrease in traditional FFELP servicing revenue. Revenue from the Department servicing contract increased to $29.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $20.3 million for the same period in 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was servicing $120.6 billion of loans for 5.4 million borrowers under this contract.

Before tax operating margin was 28.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2014. Excluding the settlement of a billing dispute related to a prior period which increased revenue by $2.2 million, the before tax operating margin in this segment was 25.7% during the first quarter of 2014, as compared to 26.9% in the same period of 2013. Operating margin in this segment will continue to decrease as the volume of loans serviced under the Department servicing contract increases as a percentage of overall volume serviced.

Recent federal budget provisions to become effective July 1, 2014 will reduce payments by the Department to guaranty agencies for assisting student loan borrowers with the rehabilitation of defaulted loans under FFELP. Rehabilitation collection revenue recognized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $13.4 million and $12.1 million, respectively. The Company anticipates this revenue will be negatively impacted as a result of these federal budget provisions.

24




Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

Revenue increased in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to increases in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction volume, and new school customers.

Before tax operating margin decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, due to an increase in expenses associated with continued system maintenance and enhancements.

This segment is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Based on the timing of when revenue is recognized and when expenses are incurred, revenue and operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Enrollment Services

Revenue decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to a decrease in inquiry management and generation revenue as a result of the regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts.

The Company continues to focus on improving the profitability of this segment by reducing operating expenses in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue and gross margin.

Asset Generation and Management

The Company acquired $387.3 million of student loans during the first three months of 2014. The average loan portfolio balance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $25.9 billion and $24.8 billion, respectively.

Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.17 billion as of March 31, 2014.

Core student loan spread decreased to 1.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 1.56% and 1.50% for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively. This decrease was the result of recent consolidation loan acquisitions, 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 March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company earned $37.8 million and $35.7 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of $7.0 million and $8.3 million of derivative settlements, respectively, used to hedge such loans).

Corporate Activities

Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, recognized investment advisory revenue of $5.2 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts include performance fees earned from the sale of managed securities. As of March 31, 2014, WRCM was managing an investment portfolio of $752.5 million for third-party entities.

The Company had $7.2 million in gains on investments during the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2013.

Subsequent Event

In April 2014, the Company purchased a total of $3.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets. The transaction included the purchase of residual interests in a total of $2.6 billion of securitized student loans and related assets under a stock purchase agreement, and the purchase of a total of approximately $950 million of unsecuritized student loans under three separate loan sale agreements. The aggregate cash purchase price for the assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement and the cash amount paid over the par value of the student loan portfolio and related accrued interest under the loan sale agreements was $139 million, and was funded from the Company’s operating cash and unsecured line of credit. All acquired student loan assets and related debt will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


25



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Analysis of the Company's operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is summarized below.

The Company’s operating results are primarily driven by the performance of its existing portfolio and the revenues generated by its fee-based businesses and the costs to provide such services.  The performance of the Company’s portfolio is driven by net interest income (which includes financing costs) and losses related to credit quality of the assets, along with the cost to administer and service the assets and related debt.

The Company operates as four distinct operating segments as described previously. For a reconciliation of the segment operating results to the consolidated results of operations, see note 7 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report. Since the Company monitors and assesses its operations and results based on these segments, the discussion following the consolidated results of operations is presented on a segment basis.

26




 
Three months
 
 
 
ended March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Additional information
Loan interest
$
156,896

 
155,539

 
Increase is due to an increase in the average student loan balance, gross fixed rate floor income, and student loan discount accretion (net), partially offset by a decrease in gross variable student loan yield.
Investment interest
1,979

 
1,617

 
Includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and investments and funds in asset-backed securitizations. Average investment balances increased year over year.
Total interest income
158,875

 
157,156

 
 
Interest expense
60,004

 
58,358

 
Increase due to an increase in average debt outstanding, partially offset by a decrease in the Company's cost of funds.
Net interest income
98,871

 
98,798

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Less provision for loan losses
2,500

 
5,000

 
Represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio of student loans.
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
96,371

 
93,798

 
 
Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 
LGS revenue
64,757

 
55,601

 
See LGS operating segment - results of operations.
TPP&CC revenue
25,235

 
23,411

 
See TPP&CC operating segment - results of operations.
NES revenue
22,011

 
28,957

 
See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Other income
18,131

 
9,416

 
See table below for the components of "other income."
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
39

 
1,407

 
Gains are primarily from the repurchase of the Company's own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative settlements, net
(6,229
)
 
(8,184
)
 
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. See table below for additional analysis.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
1,964

 
9,256

 
Includes (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.
Total other income
125,908

 
119,864

 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
Salaries and benefits
52,484

 
47,905

 
Increase is due to additional personnel to support increased LGS servicing volume and TPP&CC revenue, partially offset by expense reductions at NES.
Cost to provide enrollment services
14,475

 
19,642

 
See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Depreciation and amortization
4,783

 
4,377

 
 
Other
35,627

 
34,941

 
 
Total operating expenses
107,369

 
106,865

 
 
Income before income taxes
114,910

 
106,797

 
 
Income tax expense
40,611

 
38,447

 
The effective tax rate was 35.5% and 36.0% in the three month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Net income
74,299

 
68,350

 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
513

 
271

 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,786

 
68,079

 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
73,786

 
68,079

 
The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results. The Company believes the point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivatives and Euro-denominated bonds that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. These items are excluded here for comparability purposes.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
(1,964
)
 
(9,256
)
 
Tax effect
746

 
3,518


Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
72,568

 
62,341

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

27




The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Additional information
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
$
54,396

 
55,621

 
Represents the yield the Company receives on its student loan portfolio less the cost of funding these loans. Variable student loan spread is also impacted by the amortization/accretion of loan premiums and discounts, the 1.05% per year consolidation loan rebate fee paid to the Department, and yield adjustments from borrower benefit programs. See AGM operating segment - results of operations.
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
37,844

 
35,716

 
The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rates, generating fixed rate floor income. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk" for additional information.
Investment interest
1,979

 
1,617

 
Increase is due to an increase in average investment balance in 2014 compared to 2013.
Non-portfolio related derivative settlements
(252
)
 
(645
)
 
 
Corporate debt interest expense
(1,325
)
 
(1,695
)
 
Includes interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities and unsecured and secured lines of credit.
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
92,642

 
90,614

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the components of "other income."
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Borrower late fee income
$
3,673

 
3,505

Investment advisory fees
5,220

 
2,830

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net
7,210

 
1,154

Other
2,028

 
1,927

Other income
$
18,131

 
9,416



28



STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)
Company owned
 
$23,727
 
$22,650
 
$21,237
 
$20,820
 
$20,629
 
$20,715
 
$21,397
 
$21,192
% of total
 
38.6%
 
29.8%
 
21.8%
 
18.5%
 
17.7%
 
15.3%
 
15.5%
 
14.3%
Number of servicing borrowers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government servicing:
 
2,804,502

 
3,036,534

 
3,892,929

 
4,261,637

 
4,396,341

 
5,145,901

 
5,305,498

 
5,438,933

FFELP servicing:
 
1,912,748

 
1,799,484

 
1,626,146

 
1,586,312

 
1,529,203

 
1,507,452

 
1,462,122

 
1,426,435

Private servicing:
 
155,947

 
164,554

 
173,948

 
170,224

 
173,588

 
178,935

 
195,580

 
191,606

Total:
 
4,873,197

 
5,000,572

 
5,693,023

 
6,018,173

 
6,099,132

 
6,832,288

 
6,963,200

 
7,056,974

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of remote hosted borrowers:
 
545,456

 
9,566,296

 
6,912,204

 
5,001,695

 
3,218,896

 
1,986,866

 
1,915,203

 
1,796,287



29



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Net interest income
$
11

 
10

 

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
64,757

 
55,601

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Intersegment servicing revenue
14,221

 
14,953

 
Represents revenue earned by the LGS operating segment as a result of servicing loans for the AGM operating segment.
Total other income
78,978

 
70,554

 

Salaries and benefits
32,307

 
28,444

 
Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in volume under the government servicing contract.
Depreciation and amortization
2,789

 
2,789

 

Other expenses
18,452

 
18,390

 

Intersegment expenses, net
1,083

 
935

 

Total operating expenses
54,631

 
50,558

 

Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
24,358

 
20,006

 

Corporate overhead allocation
(1,860
)
 
(997
)
 

Income before income taxes
22,498

 
19,009

 

Income tax expense
(8,549
)
 
(7,223
)
 

Net income
$
13,949

 
11,786

 

Before tax operating margin
28.5
%
(1)
26.9
%
 
 
(1) Excluding the settlement of a billing dispute related to a prior period which increased revenue by $2.2 million, before tax operating margin was 25.7%.

The following table summarizes the components of "Loan and guaranty servicing revenue."
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Government servicing
$
29,859

 
20,322

 
Increase due to an increase in the number of borrowers serviced under the government servicing contract.
FFELP servicing
3,416

 
5,322

 
Decrease will continue as third-party customers’ FFELP portfolios run off.
Private servicing
2,484

 
2,220

 
 
FFELP guaranty servicing
3,122

 
3,114

 
Revenue from guaranty servicing will decrease going forward as FFELP portfolios run off and guaranty volume decreases.
FFELP guaranty collection
17,653

 
17,067

 
The Company earns revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. Over time, this FFELP-related revenue source will decrease as FFELP portfolios continue to run off. Also, recent federal budget provisions to become effective July 1, 2014 will reduce payments by the Department to guaranty agencies for assisting student loan borrowers with the rehabilitation of defaulted loans under FFELP. Rehabilitation collection revenue recognized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $13.4 million and $12.1 million, respectively. The Company anticipates this revenue will be negatively impacted as a result of these federal budget provisions.
Software services
7,631

 
7,278

 
A contract with a significant remote hosted customer expired in December 2013. Revenue earned from this customer for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $2.3 million. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company settled a billing dispute related to a prior period and recognized revenue of $2.2 million. Excluding these two items, software services revenue increased due to an increase in the number of borrowers from other remote hosted customers.
 Other
592

 
278

 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
$
64,757

 
55,601

 
 


30



TUITION PAYMENT PROCESSING AND CAMPUS COMMERCE OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This segment of the Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations which correspond, or are related to, the traditional school year. Tuition management revenue is recognized over the course of the academic term, but the peak operational activities take place in summer and early fall. Higher amounts of revenue are typically recognized during the first quarter due to fees related to grant and aid applications.  The Company’s operating expenses do not follow the seasonality of the revenues. This is primarily due to generally fixed year-round personnel costs and seasonal marketing costs. Based on the timing of revenue recognition and when expenses are incurred, revenue and pre-tax operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
$
25,235

 
23,411

 
Increase due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction volume, and new school customers.
Salaries and benefits
10,027

 
9,359

 
Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in payment plans and continued system maintenance and enhancements.
Depreciation and amortization
1,428

 
1,138

 
 
Other expenses
2,647

 
2,287

 
Increase due to additional expenses to support the increase in payment plans and continued system maintenance and enhancements.
Intersegment expenses, net
1,420

 
1,425

 
 
Total operating expenses
15,522

 
14,209

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
9,713

 
9,202

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(620
)
 
(332
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
9,093

 
8,870

 
 
Income tax expense
(3,455
)
 
(3,371
)
 
 
Net income
$
5,638

 
5,499

 
 
Before tax operating margin
36.0
%
 
37.9
%
 
 


31



ENROLLMENT SERVICES OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Enrollment services revenue
$
22,011

 
28,957

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Salaries and benefits
4,380

 
5,767

 
Decrease due to cost saving measures initiated by the Company in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue.
Cost to provide enrollment services
14,475

 
19,642

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Depreciation and amortization
47

 
61

 
 
Other expenses
1,449

 
1,651

 
 
Intersegment expenses, net
1,006

 
1,149

 
 
Total operating expenses
21,357

 
28,270

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
654

 
687

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(620
)
 
(332
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
34

 
355

 
 
Income tax expense
(13
)
 
(135
)
 
 
Net income
$
21

 
220

 
 
Before tax operating margin
0.2
%
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
The following tables summarize the components of "Enrollment services revenue" and "Cost to provide enrollment services."
 
Inquiry management (marketing) (a)
 
Inquiry management (software)
 
Inquiry generation (a)
 
Digital marketing
 
Content solutions (b)
 
Total
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Enrollment services revenue
$
13,537

 
1,069

 
2,845

 
1,068

 
3,492

 
22,011

Cost to provide enrollment services
11,954

 

 
1,785

 
88

 
648

 
14,475

Gross profit
$
1,583

 
1,069

 
1,060

 
980

 
2,844

 
7,536

Gross profit %
11.7%
 

 
37.3%
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
Enrollment services revenue
$
18,017

 
1,095

 
4,427

 
1,086

 
4,332

 
28,957

Cost to provide enrollment services
16,097

 

 
2,756

 
86

 
703

 
19,642

Gross profit
$
1,920

 
1,095

 
1,671

 
1,000

 
3,629

 
9,315

Gross profit %
10.7%
 

 
37.7%
 

 

 


(a)
Inquiry management (marketing) revenue decreased $4.5 million (24.9%) and inquiry generation revenue decreased $1.6 million (35.7%) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Revenues from these services have been affected by the ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts.

(b)
Content solutions revenue decreased $0.8 million (19.4%) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to the divesture of the Company's list marketing business in March 2013.



32



ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Portfolio

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had a $25.6 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 20 years. For a summary of the Company’s student loan portfolio as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.
 
Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
26,121,306

 
24,995,880

Loan acquisitions
387,258

 
743,766

Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other
(548,705
)
 
(554,250
)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties
(145,664
)
 
(143,151
)
Loans sold

 
(11,648
)
Ending balance
$
25,814,195

 
25,030,597


In April 2014, the Company purchased a total of $3.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets. See note 12 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Allowance for Loan Losses, Loan Repurchase Obligations, and Loan Delinquencies

The Company maintains an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans, which results in periodic expense provisions for loan losses. In addition, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase certain non-federally insured loans subject to participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent, and the Company has also retained credit risk related to certain non-federally insured loans sold and will pay cash to purchase back any of these loans which become 60 days delinquent. Further, delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  

For a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses and accrual related to the Company's loan repurchase obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and a summary of the Company's student loan delinquency amounts as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

The provision for loan losses and charge-offs of federally insured loans decreased during the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 as a result of improving economic conditions.

33



Student Loan Spread Analysis

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 the assets.
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
March 31,
2013
Variable student loan yield, gross
2.50
 %
 
2.58
 %
 
2.57
 %
Consolidation rebate fees
(0.80
)
 
(0.78
)
 
(0.77
)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
0.05

 
0.05

 
0.03

Variable student loan yield, net
1.75

 
1.85

 
1.83

Student loan cost of funds - interest expense
(0.92
)
 
(0.90
)
 
(0.93
)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements
0.02

 
0.01

 
0.01

Variable student loan spread
0.85

 
0.96

 
0.91

Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
0.59

 
0.60

 
0.59

Core student loan spread
1.44
 %

1.56
 %

1.50
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of student loans
$
25,915,053

 
25,770,607

 
24,781,426

Average balance of debt outstanding
25,826,656

 
25,687,958

 
24,823,397


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 months ended March 31, 2014 as a result of recent consolidation loan acquisitions, which have lower margins but longer terms.

34



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
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
March 31, 2013
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,794

 
45,854

 
44,020

Derivative settlements (a)
(6,950
)
 
(7,006
)
 
(8,304
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
37,844

 
38,848

 
35,716

Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net
0.59
%
 
0.60
%
 
0.59
%
 
(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2014 and 2013 are due to historically low interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.  See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” which provides additional detail on the Company’s portfolio earning fixed rate floor income and the derivatives used by the Company to hedge these loans.


35



Summary and Comparison of Operating Results
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
$
95,027

 
93,172

 
See table below for additional analysis.
Other income
4,164

 
4,196

 
The primary component of other income is borrower late fees, which were $3.7 million and $3.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
39

 
1,407

 
Gains are primarily from the Company repurchasing its own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
3,477

 
5,275

 
Includes (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.
Derivative settlements, net
(5,977
)
 
(7,539
)
 
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 as reflected in the table below.
Total other income
1,703

 
3,339

 
 
Salaries and benefits
609

 
562

 
 
Other expenses
7,146

 
7,513

 
The Company pays higher third-party servicing fees on delinquent loans. At the end of 2012, the Company purchased a portfolio of severely delinquent rehabilitation loans, and paid higher third-party servicing fees on such loans throughout 2013. Many of these loans have since defaulted, leaving the Company with a more current third-party serviced loan portfolio and a decrease in third-party servicing fees in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
Intersegment expenses, net
14,371

 
15,142

 
Amount includes fees paid to the LGS operating segment for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio.  Such amounts have decreased as the AGM portfolio serviced by LGS has run off.
Total operating expenses
22,126

 
23,217

 
 
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation
74,604

 
73,294

 
 
Corporate overhead allocation
(1,329
)
 
(712
)
 
 
Income before income taxes
73,275

 
72,582

 
 
Income tax expense
(27,844
)
 
(27,581
)
 
 
Net income
$
45,431

 
45,001

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
45,431

 
45,001

 
The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results. The Company believes the point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivatives and Euro-denominated bonds that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. These items are excluded here for comparability purposes.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
(3,477
)
 
(5,275
)
 
Tax effect
1,321

 
2,005

 
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments
$
43,275

 
41,731

 



36



The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "derivative settlements, net."
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Additional information
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Variable interest income, net of settlements on derivatives
$
160,949

 
157,548

 
Increase due to an increase in the average student loan portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in the yield earned on student loans, net of settlements on derivatives.
Consolidation rebate fees
(51,323
)
 
(47,208
)
 
Increase due to an increase in the average consolidation loan balance.
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization
3,449

 
1,943

 
Increase due to the Company's purchase of loans at a net discount over the last several years.
Interest on bonds and notes payable
(58,679
)
 
(56,662
)
 
Increase due to an increase in the average debt outstanding, partially offset by a decrease in the Company's cost of funds.
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives
54,396

 
55,621

 
 
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives
37,844

 
35,716

 
The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned are due to historically low interest rates.
Investment interest
107

 
115

 
 
Intercompany interest
(797
)
 
(819
)
 
 
Provision for loan losses - federally insured
(3,000
)
 
(6,000
)
 
 
Recovery of loan losses - nonfederally insured
500

 
1,000

 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)
$
89,050

 
85,633

 
 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s fee generating businesses are non-capital intensive and all produce positive operating cash flows. As such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to the fee-based segments and any liquidity or capital needs are satisfied using cash flow from operations. Therefore, the Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion is concentrated on the Company’s liquidity and capital needs to meet existing debt obligations in the Asset Generation and Management operating segment.

2014 Significant Loan Acquisition

On April 25, 2014, the Company completed the purchase of a total of $3.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets. The transaction included the purchase of residual interests in a total of $2.6 billion of securitized student loans and related assets under a stock purchase agreement, and the purchase of a total of approximately $950 million of unsecuritized student loans under three separate loan sale agreements.

The assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement include the rights to the residual interests in three FFELP student loan securitization trusts, which hold a total of $2.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets and have issued a corresponding amount of related student loan asset-backed debt.  In addition, under the loan sale agreements, the Company purchased for cash unsecuritized FFELP loans totaling approximately $950 million, consisting primarily of FFELP consolidation loans, which were initially funded through the Company’s existing student loan warehouse facilities.  The aggregate cash purchase price for the assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement and the cash amount paid over the par value of the student loan portfolio and related accrued interest under the loan sale agreements was $139 million, and was funded from the Company’s operating cash and unsecured line of credit. All acquired student loan assets and related debt will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On April 30, 2014, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $719.8 million, which provided permanent funding for loans that were previously funded in the Company's warehouse facilities, including a portion of the $950 million of unsecuritized loans purchased in April 2014. As of April 30, 2014, after the completion of this asset-backed securitization, $1.1 billion was outstanding on the Company's warehouse facilities and $1.2 billion was available for future use.


37



Sources of Liquidity Currently Available

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had cash and investments of $273.3 million. In addition, the Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations.  For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $88.6 million and $387.2 million, respectively.

In addition, the Company has an unsecured line of credit that matures on March 28, 2018. As of March 31, 2014, no amount was borrowed on the unsecured line of credit. As of April 30, 2014, subsequent to the purchase of the $3.6 billion of loans described above, $160.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $115.0 million was available for future use.

As part of the Company’s asset-backed securitizations, the Company has purchased certain of the Class B subordinated note tranches. In addition, the Company has repurchased certain of its own asset-backed securities (bonds and notes payable) in the secondary market.  For accounting purposes, these notes are effectively retired and are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  However, these securities are legally outstanding at the trust level and the Company could sell these notes to third parties or redeem the notes at par as cash is generated by the trust estate.  Upon a sale of these notes to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale. As of March 31, 2014, the Company holds $228.0 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed securities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP student loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments, including continued investments in its core business areas of asset management and finance, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions.

Cash Flows

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company generated $88.6 million from operating activities, compared to $85.0 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in cash provided by operating activities reflects the higher level of net income in 2014 and the impacts of the non-cash foreign currency translation adjustment related to the Company's Euro denominated bonds payable. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was partially offset by the impacts of changes in non-cash fair value adjustments for derivatives.

The primary items included in the statement of cash flows for investing activities are the purchase and repayment of student loans. The primary items included in financing activities are the proceeds from the issuance of and payments on bonds and notes payable used to fund student loans. Cash provided by investing activities and cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $340.5 million and $385.3 million, respectively. Investing and financing activities are further addressed in the discussion that follows.

Liquidity Needs and Sources of Liquidity Available to Satisfy Debt Obligations Secured by Student Loan Assets and Related Collateral

The following table shows the Company's debt obligations outstanding that are secured by student loan assets and related collateral.
 
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
Carrying
amount
 
Final maturity
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations
$
24,912,972

 
5/25/18 - 8/26/52
FFELP warehouse facilities
772,435

 
1/17/16 - 9/30/16
Other borrowings
61,374

 
8/11/14 - 11/11/15
 
$
25,746,781

 
 

Bonds and Notes Issued in Asset-backed Securitizations

The majority of the Company’s portfolio of student loans is funded in asset-backed securitizations that are structured to substantially match the maturity of the funded assets, thereby minimizing liquidity risk. In addition, due to (i) the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, and (ii) the servicing and administration fees the Company earns from these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.


38



As of March 31, 2014, based on cash flow models developed to reflect management’s current estimate of, among other factors, prepayments, defaults, deferment, forbearance, and interest rates, the Company currently expects future undiscounted cash flows from its portfolio to be approximately $2.17 billion as detailed below.  The $2.17 billion includes approximately $532.1 million (as of March 31, 2014) of overcollateralization included in the asset-backed securitizations.  These excess net asset positions are reflected variously in the following balances in the consolidated balance sheet:  "student loans receivable," "restricted cash and investments," and "accrued interest receivable."

The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of March 31, 2014.  As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $24.9 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 96.9 percent of its total FFELP student loan portfolio. The forecasted cash flow does not include cash flows that the Company expects to receive related to loans currently funded in its warehouse facilities or loans acquired subsequent to March 31, 2014.

FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast
$2.17 billion
(dollars in millions)

The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast.  These assumptions are further discussed below.

Prepayments:  The primary variable in establishing a life of loan estimate is the level and timing of prepayments. Prepayment rates equal the amount of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance, net of scheduled principal payments.  A number of factors can affect estimated prepayment rates, including the level of consolidation activity and default rates.  Should any of these factors change, management may revise its assumptions, which in turn would impact the projected future cash flow. The Company’s cash flow forecast above assumes prepayment rates that are generally consistent with those utilized in the Company’s recent asset-backed securitization transactions. If management used a prepayment rate assumption two times greater than what was used to forecast the cash flow, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $230 million to $290 million.

Interest rates:  The Company funds a large portion of its student loans with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  Meanwhile, the interest earned on the Company’s student loan assets is indexed primarily to a one-month LIBOR rate.  The different interest rate characteristics of the Company’s loan assets and liabilities funding these assets result in basis risk.  The Company’s cash flow forecast assumes three-month LIBOR will exceed one-month LIBOR by 12 basis points for the life of the portfolio, which approximates the historical relationship between these indices.  If the forecast is computed assuming a spread of 24 basis points between three-month and one-month LIBOR for the life of the portfolio, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $110 million to $150 million.

39




The Company uses the current forward interest rate yield curve to forecast cash flows.  A change in the forward interest rate curve would impact the future cash flows generated from the portfolio.  An increase in future interest rates will reduce the amount of fixed rate floor income the Company is currently receiving.  The Company attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in short-term rates by hedging interest rate risks. As of March 31, 2014, the net fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives used to hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income was a net liability of $5.3 million. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk."

FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities with an aggregate maximum financing amount available of $1.8 billion, of which $0.8 billion was outstanding. On April 15, 2014, the Company amended the agreement for one of its warehouse facilities to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount from $500 million to $1.0 billion. The maximum financing amount on this facility is scheduled to decrease $100.0 million a month beginning in June 2014 until it returns to $500.0 million in size. Of the three facilities, one facility provides for formula-based advance rates, depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of the principal and interest of loans financed. The advance rate for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The other two FFELP warehouse facilities have static advance rates that require initial equity for loan funding, but do not require increased equity based on market movements. As of April 30, 2014, subsequent to the temporary increase in the maximum financing amount under one of the warehouse agreements and the purchase of $3.6 billion of student loans, both described previously, $1.1 billion was outstanding on the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities and $1.2 billion was available for future use. A summary of the warehouse facilities as of April 30, 2014 is shown below:

 
 
NHELP-III
 
NFSLW-I
 
NHELP-II
 
Total
Maximum financing amount
 
$
750,000

 
1,000,000

 
500,000

 
2,250,000

Amount outstanding
 
541,162

 
308,947

 
243,101

 
1,093,210

Amount available
 
$
208,838

 
691,053

 
256,899

 
1,156,790

Expiration of liquidity provisions
 
February 5, 2015

 
June 11, 2015

 
September 30, 2014

 
 
Final maturity date
 
January 17, 2016

 
June 11, 2017

 
September 30, 2016

 
 
Maximum advance rates
 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
92.0 - 98.0%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
 
Minimum advance rates
 
92.2 - 95.0%

 
84.0 - 90.0%

 
84.5 - 94.5%

 
 

Upon termination or expiration of the warehouse facilities, the Company would expect to access the securitization market, obtain replacement warehouse facilities, use operating cash, consider the sale of assets, or transfer collateral to satisfy any remaining obligations.

Other Uses of Liquidity

Effective July 1, 2010, no new loan originations can be made under the FFEL Program and all new federal loan originations must be made through the Federal Direct Loan Program.  As a result, the Company no longer originates new FFELP loans, but continues to acquire FFELP loan portfolios from third parties and believes additional loan purchase opportunities exist.

The Company plans to fund future FFELP student loan acquisitions using current cash and investments; using its Union Bank participation agreement (as described below); using its FFELP warehouse facilities (as described above); and continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market.

Union Bank Participation Agreement

The Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans. As of March 31, 2014, $317.7 million of loans were subject to outstanding participation interests held by Union Bank, as trustee, under this agreement. The agreement automatically renews annually and is terminable by either party upon five business days notice. This agreement provides beneficiaries of Union Bank’s grantor trusts with access to investments in interests in student loans, while providing liquidity to the Company.  The Company

40



can participate loans to Union Bank to the extent of availability under the grantor trusts, up to $750 million or an amount in excess of $750 million if mutually agreed to by both parties.  Loans participated under this agreement have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales.  Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Asset-backed Securitization Transactions

During the first four months of 2014, the Company completed three asset-backed securitizations totaling $1.7 billion. Depending on market conditions, the Company anticipates continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market.  Asset-backed securitization transactions would be used to refinance student loans included in the FFELP warehouse facilities, including additional purchased FFELP loans, and/or existing asset-backed securitizations.  

Liquidity Impact Related to Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage interest rate sensitivity. By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to market risk which could impact its liquidity. Based on the derivative portfolio outstanding as of March 31, 2014, the Company does not currently anticipate any movement in interest rates having a material impact on its capital or liquidity profile, nor does the Company expect that any movement in interest rates would have a material impact on its ability to meet potential collateral deposits with its counterparties. However, if interest rates move materially and negatively impact the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio or if the Company enters into additional derivatives for which the fair value becomes negative, the Company could be required to deposit additional collateral with its derivative instrument counterparties. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company's liquidity and capital resources. As of March 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company's derivatives which had a negative fair value (a liability in the Company's balance sheet), was $16.5 million, and the Company had $3.1 million posted as collateral to derivative counterparties.

Other Debt Facilities

As previously discussed, the Company has a $275.0 million unsecured line of credit with a maturity date of March 28, 2018. As of March 31, 2014, no amounts were outstanding on the unsecured line of credit. As of April 30, 2014, subsequent to the purchase of $3.6 billion of student loans as discussed previously, $160.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $115.0 million was available for future use.

The Company has issued Hybrid Securities that have a final maturity of September 15, 2061. The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. As of March 31, 2014, $96.5 million of Hybrid Securities were outstanding.

Debt Repurchases

Due to the Company's positive liquidity position and opportunities in the capital markets, the Company has repurchased its own debt over the last several years, and may continue to do so in the future. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $39,000 from the repurchase of $1.4 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities.

Dividends

On March 14, 2014, the Company paid a first quarter 2014 cash dividend on the Company's Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors declared a second quarter 2014 cash dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. The second quarter cash dividend will be paid on June 13, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 30, 2014.

The Company currently plans to continue making regular quarterly dividend payments, subject to future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors.  In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to the terms of the Company’s outstanding Hybrid Securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.


41



RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit.  The Company has relatively small investments in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credits, and currently accounts for these investments using the equity method.  The Company plans to continue using the equity method to account for these investments, thus the adoption of this standard will not have an impact on its financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
(All dollars are in thousands, except share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s primary market risk exposure arises from fluctuations in its borrowing and lending rates, the spread between which could impact the Company due to shifts in market interest rates.

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan assets and debt instruments by interest rate characteristics:
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
Fixed-rate loan assets
$
10,963,939

 
42.5
%
 
$
11,090,583

 
42.5
%
Variable-rate loan assets
14,850,256

 
57.5

 
15,030,723

 
57.5

Total
$
25,814,195

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,121,306

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt instruments
$

 
%
 
$

 
%
Variable-rate debt instruments
25,843,238

 
100.0

 
26,213,345

 
100.0

Total
$
25,843,238

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,213,345

 
100.0
%

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payments ("SAP") formula set by the Department. The SAP rate is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that depends on loan type, origination date, and repayment status. The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with variable rate debt. In low and/or certain declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, these student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to reflect the low and/or declining interest rates. In these interest rate environments, the Company may earn additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.

Depending on the type of loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to an annual rate each July 1. As a result, for loans where the borrower rate is fixed to term, the Company may earn floor income for an extended period of time, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income, and for those loans where the borrower rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn floor income to the next reset date, which the Company refers to as variable rate floor income. All FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006 effectively earn at the SAP rate, since lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income for those loans to the Department.

No variable-rate floor income was earned by the Company during 2013 and 2014. A summary of fixed rate floor income earned by the Company follows.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Fixed rate floor income, gross
$
44,794

 
44,020

Derivative settlements (a)
(6,950
)
 
(8,304
)
Fixed rate floor income, net
$
37,844

 
35,716


(a)
Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2014 and 2013 are due to historically low interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.

42




Absent the use of derivative instruments, a rise in interest rates may reduce the amount of floor income received and this may have an impact on earnings due to interest margin compression caused by increasing financing costs, until such time as the federally insured loans earn interest at a variable rate in accordance with their SAP formulas. In higher interest rate environments, where the interest rate rises above the borrower rate and fixed rate loans effectively become variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

The following graph depicts fixed rate floor income for a borrower with a fixed rate of 6.75% and a SAP rate of 2.64%:


The following table shows the Company’s student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of March 31, 2014:
 
 
Borrower/
 
Estimated
 
 
Fixed
 
lender
 
variable
 
 
interest
 
weighted
 
conversion
 
Loan
rate range
 
average yield
 
rate (a)
 
balance
< 3.0%
 
2.87%
 
0.23%
 
$
1,726,929

3.0 - 3.49%
 
3.20%
 
0.56%
 
2,074,849

3.5 - 3.99%
 
3.65%
 
1.01%
 
1,897,192

4.0 - 4.49%
 
4.20%
 
1.56%
 
1,430,798

4.5 - 4.99%
 
4.72%
 
2.08%
 
836,949

5.0 - 5.49%
 
5.24%
 
2.60%
 
573,901

5.5 - 5.99%
 
5.67%
 
3.03%
 
345,903

6.0 - 6.49%
 
6.18%
 
3.54%
 
400,247

6.5 - 6.99%
 
6.70%
 
4.06%
 
365,058

7.0 - 7.49%
 
7.17%
 
4.53%
 
151,669

7.5 - 7.99%
 
7.71%
 
5.07%
 
257,631

8.0 - 8.99%
 
8.17%
 
5.53%
 
608,080

> 9.0%
 
9.04%
 
6.40%
 
294,733

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
10,963,939

 
(a)
The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of March 31, 2014, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.84% and the short-term interest rate was 16 basis points.


43



The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of March 31, 2014 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)
 
 
2014
 
$
1,750,000

 
0.71
%
2015
 
1,100,000

 
0.89

2016
 
750,000

 
0.85

2017
 
1,250,000

 
0.86

 
 
$
4,850,000

 
0.81
%
(a)
For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
The Company is also exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk because the interest rate characteristics of the Company’s assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets. The following table presents the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding for those assets arranged by underlying indices as of March 31, 2014:
Index
 
Frequency of variable resets
 
Assets
 
Debt outstanding that funded student loan assets
1 month LIBOR (a)
 
Daily
 
$
24,741,325

 

3 month Treasury bill
 
Daily
 
1,004,330

 

3 month LIBOR (a) (b)
 
Quarterly
 

 
15,841,530

1 month LIBOR
 
Monthly
 

 
8,316,538

Auction-rate or remarketing (c)
 
Varies
 

 
1,132,900

Asset-backed commercial paper (d)
 
Varies
 

 
394,439

Other (e)
 
 
 
1,126

 
61,374

 
 
 
 
$
25,746,781

 
25,746,781


(a)
The Company has certain basis swaps outstanding in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps"). The Company entered into these derivative instruments to better match the interest rate characteristics on its student loan assets and the debt funding such assets. The following table summarizes these derivatives as of March 31, 2014:
 
Maturity
 
Notional amount
 
2021
 
 
$
250,000

 
2022
 
 
1,900,000

 
2023
 
 
3,650,000

 
2024
 
 
250,000

 
2026
 
 
800,000

 
2028
 
 
100,000

 
2036
 
 
700,000

 
2039
(a)
 
150,000

 
2040
(b)
 
200,000

 
 
 
 
$
8,000,000

(c)
(a)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.
(b)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.
(c)
The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of March 31, 2014 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points.
(b)
The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into a derivative instrument (cross-currency interest rate swap) that converts the EURIBOR index to three-month LIBOR. As a result, these notes are reflected in the three-month LIBOR category in the above table. See “Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.”


44



(c)
The interest rates on certain of the Company's asset-backed securities are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" (“Auction Rate Securities”) or through a remarketing utilizing remarketing agents (“Variable Rate Demand Notes”). As of March 31, 2014, the Company was sponsor for $913.7 million of Auction Rate Securities and $219.2 million of Variable Rate Demand Notes.

Since February 2008, problems in the auction rate securities market as a whole have led to failures of the auctions pursuant to which the Company's Auction Rate Securities' interest rates are set. As a result, the Auction Rate Securities generally pay interest to the holder at a maximum rate as defined by the indenture. While these rates will vary, they will generally be based on a spread to LIBOR or Treasury Securities, or the Net Loan Rate as defined in the financing documents.

For Variable Rate Demand Notes, the remarketing agents set the price, which is then offered to investors. If there are insufficient potential bid orders to purchase all of the notes offered for sale, the Variable Rate Demand Notes will generally pay interest to the holder at a rate as defined in the indenture.

(d)
The interest rates on certain of the Company's warehouse facilities are indexed to asset-backed commercial paper rates.

(e)
Assets include restricted cash and investments and other assets.  Debt outstanding includes other debt obligations secured by student loan assets and related collateral.

Sensitivity Analysis

The following tables summarize the effect on the Company’s earnings, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by the Company assuming hypothetical increases in interest rates of 100 basis points and 300 basis points while funding spreads remain constant. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed assuming the funding index increases 10 basis points and 30 basis points while holding the asset index constant, if the funding index is different than the asset index. The sensitivity analysis was performed on the Company’s variable rate assets (including loans earning fixed rate floor income) and liabilities. The analysis includes the effects of the Company’s interest rate and basis swaps in existence during these periods.
 
Interest rates
 
Asset and funding index mismatches
 
Change from increase of 100 basis points
 
Change from increase of 300 basis points
 
Increase of 10 basis points
 
Increase of 30 basis points
 
 
 
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(16,934
)
 
(14.7
)%
 
$
(28,643
)
 
(24.9
)%
 
$
(4,076
)
 
(3.5
)%
 
$
(12,228
)
 
(10.6
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
11,959

 
10.4

 
35,877

 
31.2

 
1,886

 
1.6

 
5,659

 
4.9

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
(4,975
)
 
(4.3
)%
 
$
7,234

 
6.3
 %
 
$
(2,190
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
$
(6,569
)
 
(5.7
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.07
)
 
 
 
$
0.10

 
 
 
$
(0.03
)
 
 
 
$
(0.09
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
Effect on earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements
$
(16,419
)
 
(15.4
)%
 
$
(27,819
)
 
(26.0
)%
 
$
(4,490
)
 
(4.2
)%
 
$
(13,470
)
 
(12.6
)%
Impact of derivative settlements
17,260

 
16.2

 
51,781

 
48.5

 
1,482

 
1.4

 
4,447

 
4.2

Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes
$
841

 
0.8
 %
 
$
23,962

 
22.5
 %
 
$
(3,008
)
 
(2.8
)%
 
$
(9,023
)
 
(8.4
)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share
$
(0.01
)
 
 
 
$
0.32

 
 
 
$
(0.04
)
 
 
 
$
(0.12
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

45



Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has issued 352.7 million Euro-denominated notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result, the Company is exposed to the market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The Company has entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. See note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information, including a summary of the terms of this derivative instrument agreement and the related financial statement impact.

Financial Statement Impact – Derivatives and Foreign Currency Transaction Adjustments

For a table summarizing the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income, including the components of "derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" included in the consolidated statements of income, see note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under supervision and with the participation of certain members of the Company’s management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, the Company completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 11 - Legal Proceedings, of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 in response to Item 1A of Part I of such Form 10-K.
 

46



ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the repurchases of Class A common stock during the first quarter of 2014 by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Period
 
Total number of shares purchased (a)
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (b)
 
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (b)
January 1 - January 31, 2014
 
1,132

 
$
41.73

 

 
3,875,367

February 1 - February 28, 2014
 
664

 
36.28

 

 
3,875,367

March 1 - March 31, 2014
 
18,768

 
42.51

 

 
3,875,367

Total
 
20,564

 
$
42.27

 

 
 


(a)
The total number of shares represents shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted shares. Unless otherwise indicated, shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations were purchased at the closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of vesting.

(b)
On May 9, 2012, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2015. 

Working capital and dividend restrictions/limitations

The Company’s credit facilities, including its revolving line of credit which is available through March 28, 2018, impose restrictions with respect to the Company’s minimum consolidated net worth, the ratio of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, the indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries, and the ratio of non-FFELP loans to all loans in the Company's portfolio. In addition, trust indentures and other financing agreements governing debt issued by the Company's education lending subsidiaries may have general limitations on the amounts of funds that can be transferred to the Company by its subsidiaries through cash dividends.

The supplemental indenture for the Company’s Hybrid Securities issued in September 2006 provides that so long as any Hybrid Securities remain outstanding, if the Company gives notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing, then the Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment regarding, any of the Company’s capital stock.

except as required in connection with the repayment of principal, and except for any partial payments of deferred interest that may be made through the alternative payment mechanism described in the Hybrid Securities indenture, make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase, or redeem any of the Company’s debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Hybrid Securities.

make any guarantee payments regarding any guarantee by the Company of the subordinated debt securities of any of the Company’s subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities.

In addition, if any deferral period lasts longer than one year, the limitation on the Company’s ability to redeem or repurchase any of its securities that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities will continue until the first anniversary of the date on which all deferred interest has been paid or canceled.

If the Company is involved in a business combination where immediately after its consummation more than 50% of the surviving entity’s voting stock is owned by the shareholders of the other party to the business combination, then the immediately preceding sentence will not apply to any deferral period that is terminated on the next interest payment date following the date of consummation of the business combination.


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However, at any time, including during a deferral period, the Company will be permitted to:

pay dividends or distributions in additional shares of the Company’s capital stock.

declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or issue stock under such a plan, or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to such a plan.

purchase common stock for issuance pursuant to any employee benefit plans.


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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
2.1+
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among Nelnet Finance Corp., Nelnet, Inc. Student Loan Xpress, Inc., and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
2.2+
Loan Sale Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among National Education Loan Network, Inc., Student Loan Xpress, Inc., Fifth Third Bank, Union Bank and Trust Company, and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
2.3+
Loan Sale Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among National Education Loan Network, Inc., CIT Education Loan Trust 2012-1, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, Union Bank and Trust Company, and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
2.4+
Loan Sale Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014 among National Education Loan Network, Inc., CIT Education Loan Trust 2011-1, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, Union Bank and Trust Company, and CIT Group Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
10.1*
Subparticipation Agreement dated as of January 1, 2014 between Nelnet, Inc. and Union Bank and Trust Company.
 
 
31.1*
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey R. Noordhoek.
 
 
31.2*
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer James D. Kruger.
 
 
32**
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
*   Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
+ Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, certain schedules and similar attachments to the exhibit have been omitted. The registrant hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or attachment to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. The exhibit is not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, including disclosures regarding any facts and circumstances relating to the registrant or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. The exhibit contains representations and warranties by the registrant and the other parties that were made only for purposes of the agreement set forth in the exhibit and as of specified dates. The representations, warranties, and covenants in the agreement were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties (including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts), and may apply contractual standards of materiality or material adverse effect that generally differ from those applicable to investors. In addition, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties, and covenants may change after the date of the agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the registrant's public disclosures.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
NELNET, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 8, 2014
By:
/s/ JEFFREY R. NOORDHOEK
 
 
 
Name:
Jeffrey R. Noordhoek
 
 
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
 
 
 
Name:
James D. Kruger
 
 
 
Title: 
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
 



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