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Regulatory Capital - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |  | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jan. 01, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases |  | $ 1,165,335 | $ 1,361,723 | $ 441,912 | $ 341,121
Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments |  | 72,713 | 110,044 | 2,481 | $ 2,165
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 |  |  |  |  |
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Period of deferment | 2 years |  |  |  |
Amount deferred | 25.00% |  |  |  |
Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases | $ 1,100,000 |  |  |  |
Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments | 116,000 |  |  |  |
Deferred tax asset | 306,000 |  |  |  |
Reduction to retained earnings | $ 953,000 |  |  |  |
Sallie Mae Bank |  |  |  |  |
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Dividends |  | $ 1,400,000 | $ 579,000 | $ 254,000 |

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