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Significant Accounting Policies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements of SLM Corporation (“Sallie Mae,” “SLM,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SLM Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries after eliminating the effects of intercompany accounts and transactions. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2020 or for any other period. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”). Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries after eliminating the effects of intercompany accounts and transactions. We consolidate any variable interest entity (“VIE”) where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Allowance for Credit Losses We maintain an allowance for credit losses for the lifetime expected credit losses on loans in our portfolios, as well as for future loan commitments, at the reporting date. In determining the lifetime expected credit losses on our Private Education Loan and Personal Loan portfolios, we use a discounted cash flow model. This method requires us to project future principal and interest cash flows on our loans in those portfolios. To estimate the future expected cash flows, we use a vintage-based model that considers life of loan loss expectations, prepayments (both voluntary and involuntary), defaults, recoveries and any other adjustments deemed necessary, to determine the adequacy of the allowance at each balance sheet date. These cash flows are discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate to calculate the present value of those cash flows. Management adjusts the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments. The difference between the present value of those cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the underlying loans is the allowance for loan losses. Entities that measure credit losses based on the present value of expected future cash flows are permitted to report the entire change in present value as credit loss expense, but may alternatively report the change in present value due to the passage of time as interest income. We have elected to report the entire change in present value as credit loss expense. In determining the loss rates used for the vintage-based approach, we start with our historical loss rates, stratify the loans within each vintage, and then adjust the loss rates based upon exogenous factors over a reasonable and supportable period. The reasonable and supportable period is meant to represent the period in which we believe we can estimate the impact of forecasted economic variables in our expected losses. At the end of the reasonable and supportable period, we immediately revert our forecast of expected losses to our historical averages. We use a two-year reasonable and supportable period, although this period is subject to change as our view evolves on our ability to reasonably estimate future losses based upon economic forecasts. In estimating our current expected credit losses, we use our historical experience to derive a base case adjusted for any qualitative factors (as described below). We also develop an adverse and favorable economic scenario as well. At each reporting date, we determine the appropriate weighting of these alternate scenarios based upon the current economic conditions and our view of the risks of alternate outcomes. This weighting of expectations is used in calculating our current expected credit losses recorded each period. In estimating recoveries, we use both estimates of what we would receive from the sale of defaulted loans as well as historical borrower payment behavior to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans. Our prepayment estimates include the effect of voluntary prepayments and consolidation (if the loans are consolidated to third parties), both of which shorten the lives of loans. Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”) estimates also consider the utilization of deferment, forbearance, and extended repayment plans, which lengthen the lives of loans. We regularly evaluate the assumptions used to estimate the CPRs. We use economic forecasts to help in the estimation of future CPRs. As with our loss forecasts, at the end of the two-year reasonable and supportable forecast for CPRs, we immediately revert to our historical long-term CPR rates. In addition to the above modeling approach, we also take certain other qualitative factors into consideration when calculating the allowance for loan losses. These qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices not already included in the analysis, and the effect of other external factors such as legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated current expected credit losses. The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. If actual future performance in delinquency, charge-offs and recoveries is significantly different than estimated, or management assumptions or practices were to change, this could materially affect the estimate of the allowance for loan losses, the timing of when losses are recognized, and the related provision for credit losses on our consolidated statements of income. Below we describe in further detail our policies and procedures for the allowance for loan losses as they relate to our Private Education Loan, Personal Loan, Credit Card and FFELP Loan portfolios. Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses We collect on defaulted loans through a mix of in-house collectors, third-party collectors and sales to third-parties. For March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we used both an estimate of recovery rates from in-house collections as well as expectations of future sales of defaulted loans to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans. In addition to the key assumptions/estimates above, some estimates are unique to our Private Education Loan portfolio. Estimates are made on our Private Education Loans regarding when each borrower will separate from school. The cash flow timing of when a borrower will begin making full principal and interest payments is dependent upon when the student either graduates or leaves school. These dates can change based upon many factors. We receive information regarding projected graduation dates from a third-party clearinghouse. The separation from school date will be updated quarterly based on updated information received from the school clearinghouse. Additionally, when we have a contractual obligation to fund a loan or a portion of a loan at a later date, we make an estimate regarding the percentage of this obligation that will be funded. This estimate is based on historical experience. For unfunded commitments, we recognize the life of loan allowance as a liability. Once the loan is funded, that liability transfers to the allowance for Private Education Loan losses. Key Credit Quality Indicators - Private Education Loans We determine the collectability of our Private Education Loan portfolio by evaluating certain risk characteristics. We consider credit score at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated credit scores through the loan’s term, existence of a cosigner, loan status and loan seasoning as the key credit quality indicators because they have the most significant effect on the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. Credit scores are an indicator of the creditworthiness of borrowers and the higher the credit scores the more likely it is the borrowers will be able to make all of their contractual payments. Loan status affects the credit risk because a past due loan is more likely to result in a credit loss than a current loan. Additionally, loans in the deferred payment status have different credit risk profiles compared with those in current pay status. Loan seasoning affects credit risk because a loan with a history of making payments generally has a lower incidence of default than a loan with a history of making infrequent or no payments. The existence of a cosigner lowers the likelihood of default as well. We monitor and update these credit quality indicators in the analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis. Private Education Loans generally do not require borrowers to begin repayment until at least six months after the borrowers have graduated or otherwise separated from school. Consequently, the loss estimates for these loans is generally low while the borrower is in school and then increases upon the end of the six-month grace period after separation from school. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 27 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of the principal balance of the Private Education Loan portfolio was related to borrowers who are in an in-school (fully deferred), grace, or other deferment status and not required to make payments. Our collection policies for Private Education Loans allow for periods of nonpayment for certain borrowers requesting an extended grace period upon leaving school or experiencing temporary difficulty meeting payment obligations. This is referred to as forbearance and is considered in estimating the allowance for loan losses. As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses for Private Education Loans, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most relevant of these metrics considered are the allowance as a percentage of ending total loans, delinquency percentages and forbearance percentages. We consider a Private Education Loan to be delinquent 31 days after the last payment was contractually due. Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) In estimating the expected defaults for our Private Education Loans that are considered TDRs, we follow the same discounted cash flow process described above but use the historical loss rates related to past TDR loans. The appropriate gross loss rates are determined for each individual loan by determining loan maturity, risk characteristics and macroeconomic conditions. The allowance for our TDR portfolio is included in our overall allowance for Private Education Loans. Our TDR portfolio is comprised mostly of loans with interest rate reductions and loans with forbearance usage greater than three months, as further described below. We adjust the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such changes will help our customers manage their student loan obligations, achieve better student outcomes, and increase the collectability of the loans. These changes generally take the form of a temporary forbearance of payments, a temporary interest rate reduction, a temporary interest rate reduction with a permanent extension of the loan term, and/or a short-term extended repayment alternative. When we give a borrower facing financial difficulty an interest rate reduction, we temporarily reduce the rate (currently to 4.0 percent) for a two-year period and, in the vast majority of cases, permanently extend the final maturity of the loan. The combination of these two loan term changes helps reduce the monthly payment due from the borrower and increases the likelihood the borrower will remain current during the interest rate modification period as well as when the loan returns to its original contractual interest rate. We classify a loan as a TDR due to forbearance using a two-step process. The first step is to identify a loan that was in full principal and interest repayment status and received more than three months of forbearance in a 24-month period; however, during the first nine months after a loan had entered full principal and interest repayment status, we do not count up to the first six months of forbearance received during that period against the three-month policy limit. The second step is to evaluate the creditworthiness of the loan by examining its most recent refreshed FICO score. Loans that have met the criteria in the first test and have a FICO score above a certain threshold (based on the most recent quarterly FICO score refresh) will not be classified as TDRs. Loans that have met the criteria in the first test and have a FICO score under the threshold (based on the most recent quarterly FICO score refresh) will be classified as TDRs. A loan also becomes a TDR when it is modified to reduce the interest rate on the loan (regardless of when such modification occurs and/or whether such interest rate reduction is temporary). Once a loan qualifies for TDR status, it remains a TDR for allowance purposes for the remainder of its life. About half our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximately 48 percent and 50 percent, respectively, of TDRs were classified as such due to their forbearance status. For additional information, see Note 6, “Allowance for Loan Losses” in our 2019 Form 10-K. During the first quarter of 2020, the respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 (“COVID-19”), began to spread worldwide and has caused significant disruptions to the U.S. and world economies. On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which, among other things, allows us to (i) elect to suspend the requirements under GAAP for loan modifications related to COVID-19 that would otherwise be categorized as TDRs, and (ii) suspend any determination of a loan modified as a result of the effects of COVID-19 as being a TDR, including impairment for accounting purposes. We have elected to suspend TDR accounting for modifications of loans that occur as a result of COVID-19 for the applicable period of the CARES Act relief. The relief from TDR guidance applies to modifications of loans that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019, and that occur during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on the earlier of (i) sixty days after the date on which the national emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak is terminated, or (ii) December 31, 2020. Off-Balance Sheet Exposure for Contractual Loan Commitments When we approve a Private Education Loan at the beginning of an academic year, that approval may cover the borrowing for the entire academic year. As such, we do not always disburse the full amount of the loan at the time of such approval, but instead have a commitment to fund a portion of the loan at a later date (usually the start of the second semester or subsequent trimesters). We estimate expected credit losses over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. The discounted cash flow approach described above includes expected future contractual disbursements. The portion of the allowance for loan losses related to future disbursements is shown as a liability on the face of the balance sheet, and related provision for credit losses is reflected on the income statement. Uncollectible Interest The majority of the total accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loan portfolio represents accrued interest on deferred loans where no payments are due while the borrower is in-school and on fixed-pay loans where the borrower makes a $25 monthly payment that is smaller than the interest accrued on the loan in that month. The accrued interest on these loans will be capitalized and increase the unpaid principal balance of the loans when the borrower exits the grace period after separation from school. The discounted cash flow approach described above considers both the collectability of principal as well as this portion of accrued interest that is expected to capitalize to the balance of the loan. Therefore, the allowance for this portion of accrued interest balance is included in our allowance for loan losses. The discounted cash flow approach does not consider interest accrued on loans that are in a full principal and interest repayment status or in interest-only repayment status. We separately capture the amount of expected uncollectible interest associated with these loans using historical experience to estimate the uncollectible interest for the next four months at each period-end date. This amount is recorded as a reduction of interest income. Accrued interest receivable is separately disclosed on the face of the balance sheet. Allowance for Personal Loans From late 2016 through mid-2018, we acquired newly-originated Personal Loans from a marketplace lender. In 2018, we began to originate Personal Loans and ceased originating these loans at the end of 2019. We maintain an allowance for Personal Loan losses at an amount sufficient to absorb lifetime expected credit losses using the same discounted cash flow approach described above for Private Education Loans. The difference between the amortized cost basis and the present value of expected cash flows on our Personal Loan portfolio equals the allowance related to this portfolio. At March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, we held $747 million and $984 million, respectively, in Personal Loans, net of allowance. At March 31, 2020, there were no Personal Loans classified as TDRs. We collect on defaulted Personal Loans through a mix of in-house collectors, third-party collectors and sales to third-parties. For March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we used both an estimate of recovery rates from in-house collections as well as expectations of future sales of defaulted Personal Loans to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off Personal Loans. Key Credit Quality Indicators - Personal Loan s For Personal Loans, we consider FICO scores at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated credit scores through the loan’s term, loan seasoning, and loan delinquency status to be our key credit quality indicators for the same reasons discussed above under “— Key Credit Quality Indicators — Private Education Loans.” As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for Personal Loan losses, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most relevant of these metrics considered are the allowance as a percentage of ending total loans, delinquency percentages, and forbearance percentages. We consider a Personal Loan to be delinquent 31 days after the last payment was contractually due. Allowance for Credit Card Loans We use the gross loss approach when estimating the allowance for loan losses for our Credit Card portfolio. Because our Credit Card portfolio is new and we do not have historical loss experience, we use estimated loss rates reported by other financial institutions to estimate our allowance for loan losses for credit cards, net of expected recoveries. In addition, we use a model that utilizes purchased credit card information with risk characteristics similar to those of our own portfolio as a challenger model. We then consider any qualitative factors that may change our future expectations of losses. As all of our Credit Card loans are unconditionally cancelable by us, the issuer, we do not record any estimate of credit losses for unused portions of our Credit Card commitments. Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default, subject to a risk-sharing level based on the date of loan disbursement. These insurance obligations are supported by contractual rights against the United States. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, we receive 97 percent reimbursement on all qualifying default claims. For loans disbursed after October 1, 1993, and before July 1, 2006, we receive 98 percent reimbursement on all qualifying claims. For loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993, we receive 100 percent reimbursement. Because we bear a maximum of three percent loss exposure due to this federal guarantee, our allowance for loan losses for FFELP loans and related periodic provision expense are small. We use the gross loss approach when estimating the allowance for loan losses for our FFELP Loans. We maintain an allowance for loan losses for our FFELP Loans at a level sufficient to cover lifetime expected credit losses. The allowance for FFELP Loan losses uses historical experience of customer default behavior. We apply the default rate projections, net of applicable risk sharing, to our FFELP Loans for the current period to perform our quantitative calculation. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered. Loan Interest Income For all loans, including impaired loans, classified as held for investment, we recognize interest income as earned, adjusted for the amortization of deferred direct origination and acquisition costs. Deferred fees or costs are required to be recognized as yield adjustments over the life of the related loans and are recognized by the interest method. The objective of the interest method is to arrive at periodic interest income (including recognition of fees and costs) at a constant effective yield on the net investment in the receivable (i.e., the principal amount of the receivable adjusted by unamortized fess or costs, purchase premium or discount and any hedging activity—these unamortized costs will collectively be referred to as “basis adjustments”). The difference between the periodic interest income so determined and the interest income determined by applying the stated interest rate to the outstanding principal amount of the receivable is the amount of periodic amortization. For the amortization of the basis adjustments, we determine the constant effective yield necessary to apply the interest method based upon the payment terms required by the loan contract. Expected prepayments of principal are not included in the determination of the effective interest rate. For fixed-rate loans, when a prepayment occurs the unamortized balance of the amortized cost adjustments is adjusted so that future amortization (based upon the contractual terms of the loan) will result in constant effective yield equal to the original effective interest rate. Prepayments do not result in a change in the effective interest rate of the loan. We determine the contractual payments on a pool basis; as such, when a prepayment occurs, future contractual payments will be determined assuming the pool will make smaller payments through the original term of the contract. The adjustment to the unamortized basis adjustment balance is recorded in interest income. For variable-rate loans, the effective interest rate at the time of origination is the loan’s effective interest rate assuming all future contractual payments. The effective interest rate remains the same for that loan until the loan rate changes. If there is no prepayment and no change in the stated interest rate, the periodic amortization of the basis adjustments is equal to the difference between the effective interest rate multiplied by the book basis and the contractual interest due. We determine the contractual payments on a pool basis; as such, when a prepayment occurs, future contractual payments will be determined assuming the pool will make smaller payments through the original term of the contract. The adjustment to the unamortized basis adjustment balance is recorded in interest income. When the interest rate on a variable-rate loan changes, the effective interest rate is recalculated using the same methodology described in the previous paragraph; however, the future contractual payments are changed to reflect the new interest rate. There is no forecasting of future expected changes in interest rates. The accounting basis used to determine the effective interest rate of the cash flows is equal to the balances of the unpaid principal balance and unamortized basis adjustments at the time of the rate change. We also pay to the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) an annual 105 basis point Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee on FFELP consolidation loans, which is netted against loan interest income. Additionally, interest earned on education loans reflects potential non-payment adjustments in accordance with our uncollectible interest recognition policy. We do not amortize any adjustments to the basis of loans when they are classified as held-for-sale. With the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, we continue to analyze the collectability of accrued interest associated with loans not currently in full principal and interest repayment status or in interest only repayment status as discussed above; however, we will change the recognition of the allowance for this portion of uncollectible interest (amounts to be capitalized after separation from school and the expiration of the grace period) to the provision for loan losses from our historical practice of recording it as a reduction of interest income, as well as classifying this allowance as part of our allowance for loan losses as opposed to our historical practice of recording it as a reduction of accrued interest income receivable. The allowance for the portion of uncollectible interest on loans making full interest payments will continue to be recorded as a reduction of interest income. We recognize certain fee income (primarily late fees) on education loans when earned according to the contractual provisions of the promissory notes, as well as our expectation of collectability. Fee income is recorded when earned in “other non-interest income” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” In June 2016, Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which became effective for us on January 1, 2020 (“CECL”). This ASU eliminated the previous accounting guidance for the recognition of credit impairment. Under the new guidance, for all loans carried at amortized cost, upon loan origination we are required to measure our allowance for loan losses based on our estimate of all current expected credit losses over the remaining contractual term of the assets. Updates to that estimate each period will be recorded through provision expense. The estimate of loan losses must be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU does not mandate the use of any specific method for estimating credit loss, permitting companies to use judgment in selecting the approach that is most appropriate in their circumstances. In addition, Topic 326 made changes to the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities. One such change is to require an assessment of unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities that we have the ability and intent to hold for a period of time sufficient to recover the amortized cost of the security, for the purpose of determining credit impairment. If any credit impairment exists, an allowance for losses must be established for the amount of the unrealized loss that is determined to be credit-related. Adoption of the standard had a material impact on how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations, and on regulatory capital. The following table illustrates the impact of the cumulative effect adjustment made upon adoption of CECL:
|  | January 1, 2020 |  |  |  |
|  | As reported under CECL |  | Pre-CECL Adoption |  | Impact of CECL Adoption
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan losses: |  |  |  |  |  |
Private Education Loans |  | $ | 1,435,130 |  |  | $ | 374,300 |  |  | $ | 1,060,830 |
FFELP Loans |  | 4,485 |  |  | 1,633 |  |  | 2,852 |
Personal Loans |  | 145,060 |  |  | 65,877 |  |  | 79,183 |
Credit Card |  | 290 |  |  | 102 |  |  | 188 |
Total |  | $ | 1,584,965 |  |  | $ | 441,912 |  |  | $ | 1,143,053 |
Deferred tax asset |  | $ | 415,540 |  |  | $ | 109,369 |  |  | $ | 306,171 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan losses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Off-balance sheet exposures |  | $ | 118,239 |  |  | $ | 2,481 |  |  | $ | 115,758 |
Equity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Retained Earnings |  | $ | 897,873 |  |  | $ | 1,850,512 |  |  | $ | (952,639) |
This transition adjustment is inclusive of qualitative adjustments incorporated into our CECL allowance as necessary, to address any limitations in the models used. We also elected to use the relief offered in the interim final rule recently issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and other federal banking agencies that provides those banking organizations adopting CECL in 2020 with the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital and to phase in the aggregate impact of the deferral on regulatory capital over a subsequent three year period. Under this interim final rule, because we have elected the deferred option, the regulatory capital impact of our transition adjustments recorded on January 1, 2020 from the adoption of CECL will be deferred for two years. In addition, 25 percent of the ongoing impact, from January 1, 2020 through the end of the two-year deferral period, of CECL on our allowance for loan losses, retained earnings, and average total consolidated assets, each as reported for regulatory capital purposes, will be added to the deferred transition amounts (“adjusted transition amounts”) and deferred for the two-year period. At the conclusion of the two-year period (January 1, 2022), the adjusted transition amounts will be phased-in for regulatory capital purposes at a rate of 25 percent per year, with the phased-in amounts included in regulatory capital at the beginning of each year. For additional information, see Note 11, “Regulatory Capital.”

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