SLM Corp

1. 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2024 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, 2023 (the “2023 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: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

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 (“CECL”).

In determining the lifetime expected credit losses on our Private Education Loan portfolio loan segments, we use a discounted cash flow method. 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 statistical loan-level models that consider life of loan expectations for defaults, prepayments, recoveries, and any other qualitative 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 credit 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.

We estimate future default rates used in our current expected credit losses at a loan level using historical loss experience, current borrower characteristics, current conditions, and economic factors forecasted over a reasonable and supportable period. At the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period, we immediately revert our forecasted economic factors to long-term historical averages.

We estimate future prepayment speeds used in our current expected credit losses at a loan level using historical prepayment experience, current borrower characteristics, current conditions, and economic factors forecasted over a reasonable and supportable period. At the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period, we immediately revert our forecasted economic factors to long-term historical averages.

The reasonable and supportable forecast period is meant to represent the period in which we believe we can estimate the impact of forecasted economic factors in our expected losses. We use a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period, although this period is subject to change as our view evolves on our ability to reasonably forecast economic conditions to estimate future losses.

In estimating future default rates and prepayment speeds in our current expected credit losses, we use a combination of expected economic scenarios coupled with 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. 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.

In addition to the above modeling approach, we also take certain other qualitative factors into consideration when calculating the allowance for credit losses, which could result in management overlays (increases or decreases to the allowance for credit losses). These management overlays can encompass a broad array of factors not captured by model inputs, including, but not limited to, changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards, changes in servicing policies and collection administration practices, state law changes that could impact servicing and collection practices, charge-offs, recoveries not already included in the analysis, the effect of other external factors such as legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated current expected credit losses, the performance of the model over time versus actual losses, and any other operational or regulatory changes that could affect our estimate of future losses.

The evaluation of the allowance for credit 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 credit losses, the timing of when losses are recognized, and the related provision for credit losses in our consolidated statements of operations.

When calculating our allowance for credit losses and liability for unfunded commitments, we incorporate several inputs that are subject to change period to period. These include, but are not limited to, CECL model inputs and any overlays deemed necessary by management. The most impactful CECL model inputs include:

•Economic forecasts;

•Weighting of economic forecasts; and

•Recovery rates.

Of the model inputs outlined above, economic forecasts, weighting of economic forecasts, and recovery rates are subject to estimation uncertainty, and changes in these inputs could have a material impact to our allowance for credit losses and the related provision for credit losses.

In the second quarter of 2024, we implemented a loan-level future default rate model that includes current portfolio characteristics and forecasts of real gross domestic product and college graduate unemployment. In the second quarter of 2024, we also implemented a future prepayment speeds model to include forecasts of real gross domestic product, retail sales, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), and the U.S. 10-year treasury rate. These models reduce the reliance on certain qualitative overlays compared to the previous default rate and prepayment speeds models. Prior to these changes, our loss models used forecasts of college graduate unemployment, retail sales, home price index, and median family income. Both the future default rate model and the future prepayment speeds model are used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The combined impact upon implementation of these model enhancements and the changes in the related qualitative overlays did not have a material impact on the overall level of our allowance for credit losses.

We obtain forecasts for our loss model inputs from Moody’s Analytics. Moody’s Analytics provides a range of forecasts for each of these inputs with various likelihoods of occurrence. We determine which forecasts we will include in our estimation of allowance for credit losses and the associated weightings for each of these inputs. At September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023, we used the Baseline (50th percentile likelihood of occurring)/S1 (stronger near-term growth scenario - 10 percent likelihood of occurring)/S3 (unfavorable (or downside) scenario - 10 percent likelihood of occurring) and weighted them 40 percent, 30 percent, and 30 percent, respectively. Management reviews both the scenarios and their respective weightings each quarter in determining the allowance for credit losses.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU

improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. Specifically, the new guidance requires disclosure, on an annual and interim basis, of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, and an amount for other segment items by reportable segment, with a description of its composition. In addition, the amendment provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We do not expect the impact of this amendment to be material to our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU requires entities to disclose specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items where the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income/loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate. Additionally, entities are required to disclose the year-to-date amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by jurisdiction. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We do not expect the impact of this amendment to be material to our consolidated financial statements.

2. Investments

Trading Investments

We periodically sell Private Education Loans (as hereinafter defined) through securitization transactions where we are required to retain afive percent vertical risk retention interest (i.e., five percent of each class issued in the securitizations). We classify those vertical risk retention interests related to the transactions as available-for-sale investments, except for the interest in the residual classes, which we classify as trading investments recorded at fair value with changes recorded through earnings. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $55 million and $54 million, respectively, classified as trading investments.

Available-for-Sale Investments

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale are as follows:

(1) Represents the amount of impairment that has resulted from credit-related factors and that was recognized in the consolidated balance sheets (as a credit loss expense on available-for-sale securities). The amount excludes unrealized losses related to non-credit factors.

The following table summarizes the amount of gross unrealized losses for our available-for-sale securities and the estimated fair value for securities having gross unrealized loss positions, categorized by length of time the securities have been in an unrealized loss position:

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023,194 of 278 and 213 of 248, respectively, of our available-for-sale securities were in an unrealized loss position.

Impairment

For available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria are met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through net income. For securities in an unrealized loss position that do not meet these criteria, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit loss or other factors. In making this assessment, we consider the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, as well as any guarantees (e.g., guarantees by the U.S. Government) that may be applicable to the security. If this assessment indicates a credit loss exists, the credit-related portion of the loss is recorded as an allowance for losses on the security.

Our investment portfolio contains mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, as well as Utah Housing Corporation bonds. We own these securities to meet our requirements under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). We also invest in other U.S. government-sponsored enterprise securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Farm Credit Bank. Our mortgage-backed securities that were issued under Ginnie Mae programs carry a full faith and credit guarantee from the U.S. Government. The remaining mortgage-backed securities in a net loss position carry a principal and interest guarantee by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively. Our Treasury and other U.S. government-sponsored enterprise bonds are rated Aaa by Moody’s Investors Service or AA+ by Standard and Poor’s. We have the intent and ability to hold these bonds for a period of time sufficient for the market price to recover to at least the adjusted amortized cost of the security. Based on this qualitative analysis, we have determined that no credit impairment exists.

We periodically sell Private Education Loans through securitization transactions where we are required to retain afive percent vertical risk retention interest. We classify the non-residual vertical risk retention interests as available-for-sale investments. We have the intent and ability to hold each of these bonds for a period of time sufficient for the market price to recover to at least the adjusted amortized cost of the security. We expect to receive all contractual cash flows related to these investments and do not consider a credit impairment to exist.

As of September 30, 2024, the amortized cost and fair value of securities, by contractual maturities, are summarized below. Contractual maturities versus actual maturities may differ due to the effect of prepayments.

Some of the mortgage-backed securities and a portion of the government securities have been pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank (the “FRB”) as collateral against any advances and accrued interest under the Primary Credit lending program sponsored by the FRB. We had $610 million and $612 million par value of securities pledged to this borrowing facility at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, as discussed further in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 9, “Borrowings” in this Form 10-Q.

Other Investments

Investments in Non-Marketable Securities

We hold investments in non-marketable securities and account for these investments at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes of identical or similar securities of the same issuer. Changes in market value are recorded through earnings. Because these are non-marketable securities, we use observable price changes of identical or similar securities of the same issuer, or when observable prices are not available, use market data of similar entities, in determining any changes in the value of the securities. In the third quarter of 2024, we funded a new investment in non-marketable securities of an issuer whose securities we have not previously purchased. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our total investment in non-marketable securities was $24 million and $14 million, respectively.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investments

We invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”), which is designed to promote private development of low-income housing. These investments generate a return mostly through realization of federal tax credits and tax benefits from net operating losses on the underlying properties. Total carrying value of the LIHTC investments was $84 million at September 30, 2024 and $72 million at December 31, 2023. We are periodically required to provide additional financial support during the investment period. Our liability for these unfunded commitments was $33 million at September 30, 2024 and $30 million at December 31, 2023.

Related to these investments, we recognized tax credits and other tax benefits through tax (benefit) expense of $2 million at September 30, 2024 and $11 million at December 31, 2023. Tax credits and other tax benefits are recognized as part of our annual effective tax rate used to determine tax expense in a given quarter. Accordingly, the portion of a year’s expected tax benefits recognized in any given quarter may differ from 25 percent.

3. Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment consist of Private Education Loans. We use “Private Education Loans” to mean education loans to students or their families that are not made, insured, or guaranteed by any state or federal government. Private Education Loans do not include loans insured or guaranteed under the previously existing Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”). At September 30, 2024, we transferred our remaining FFELP Loan portfolio to loans held for sale. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4, “Loans Held for Sale”.

Our Private Education Loans are made largely to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the amount funded through financial aid, government loans, and customers’ resources. Private Education Loans bear the full credit risk of the customer. We manage this risk through risk-performance underwriting strategies and qualified cosigners. Private Education Loans may be fixed-rate or may carry a variable interest rate indexed to SOFR, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023,24 percent and 33 percent, respectively, of all of our Private Education Loans were indexed to SOFR. We provide incentives for customers to include a cosigner on the loan, and the vast majority of Private Education Loans in our portfolio are cosigned. We also encourage customers to make payments while in school.

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 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 on all qualifying claims.

In the first nine months of 2024, we recognized $255 million in gains from the sale of approximately $3.69 billion of Private Education Loans, including $3.42 billion of principal and $274 million in capitalized interest, to unaffiliated third parties. In the first nine months of 2023, we recognized $128 million in gains from the sale of approximately $2.10 billion of Private Education Loans, including $1.96 billion of principal and $144 million in capitalized interest, to an unaffiliated third party. There were VIEs created in the execution of certain of these loan sales; however, based on our consolidation analysis, we are not the primary beneficiary of those VIEs. Those transactions qualified for sale treatment and removed the balance of the loans from our balance sheet on the respective settlement dates. We remained the servicer of those loans pursuant to applicable servicing agreements executed in connection with the sales. For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 9, “Borrowings - Unconsolidated VIEs” in this Form 10-Q.

Loans held for investment are summarized as follows:

(1) FFELP Loans were transferred to loans held-for-sale at September 30, 2024.

The estimated weighted average life of education loans in our portfolio was approximately 5.4 years and 5.0 years at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The average balance (net of unamortized premium/(discount)) and the respective weighted average interest rates of loans held for investment in our portfolio are summarized as follows:

4. Loans Held for Sale

We had $486 million of loans held for sale at September 30, 2024, andno loans held for sale at December 31, 2023. The balance at September 30, 2024 was comprised of our FFELP Loan portfolio. At September 30, 2024, we wrote down this loan portfolio to its estimated fair value through an adjustment to the allowance for credit losses of $8 million.

5. Allowance for Credit Losses

Our provision for credit losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb lifetime expected credit losses in the held for investment loan portfolios. The evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. We believe the allowance for credit losses is appropriate to cover lifetime losses expected to be incurred in the loan portfolios. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Credit Losses — Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses, — Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.

Allowance for Credit Losses Metrics

(1)See Note 6, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-Q for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.

(2) Below is a reconciliation of the provisions for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of operations. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded loan commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.

(3) Represents fair value adjustments on loans transferred to held for sale.

(4)For the three months ended September 30, 2024, there were no allowance for credit losses, loans, or accrued interest to be capitalized balances that were individually evaluated for impairment.

(5)Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).

(6)Accrued interest to be capitalized on Private Education Loans only.

(7)Accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment includes interest on loans that are in repayment but have not yet entered into full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, does not include the interest on those loans while they are in forbearance).

(1) See Note 6, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-Q for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.

(2)Below is a reconciliation of the provisions for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of operations. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded loan commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.

(3) For the three months ended September 30, 2023, there were no allowance for credit losses, loans, or accrued interest to be capitalized balances that were individually evaluated for impairment.

(4)Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).

(5)Accrued interest to be capitalized on Private Education Loans only.

(6)Accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment includes interest on loans that are in repayment but have not yet entered into full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, does not include the interest on those loans while they are in forbearance).

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(1)See Note 6, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-Q for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.

(2) Below is a reconciliation of the provisions for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of operations. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded loan commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.

(3) Represents fair value adjustments on loans transferred to held for sale.

(4) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, there were no allowance for credit losses, loans, or accrued interest to be capitalized balances that were individually evaluated for impairment.

(5)Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).

(6)Accrued interest to be capitalized on Private Education Loans only.

(7)Accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment includes interest on loans that are in repayment but have not yet entered into full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, does not include the interest on those loans while they are in forbearance).

(1) See Note 6, “Unfunded Loan Commitments,” in this Form 10-Q for a summary of the activity in the allowance for and balance of unfunded loan commitments, respectively.

(2)Below is a reconciliation of the provisions for credit losses reported in the consolidated statements of operations. When a new loan commitment is made, we record the CECL allowance as a liability for unfunded loan commitments by recording a provision for credit losses. When the loan is funded, we transfer that liability to the allowance for credit losses.

(3) For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, there were no allowance for credit losses, loans, or accrued interest to be capitalized balances that were individually evaluated for impairment.

(4)Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).

(5)Accrued interest to be capitalized on Private Education Loans only.

(6)Accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment includes interest on loans that are in repayment but have not yet entered into full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, does not include the interest on those loans while they are in forbearance).

In the second quarter of 2024, we implemented a loan-level future default rate model that includes current portfolio characteristics and forecasts of real gross domestic product and college graduate unemployment. In the second quarter of 2024, we also implemented a future prepayment speeds model to include forecasts of real gross domestic product, retail sales, SOFR, and the U.S. 10-year treasury rate. These models reduce the reliance on certain qualitative overlays compared to the previous default rate and prepayment speeds models. Prior to these changes, our loss models used forecasts of college graduate unemployment, retail sales, home price index, and median family income. Both the future default rate model and the future prepayment speeds model are used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The combined impact upon implementation of these model enhancements and the changes in the related qualitative overlays did not have a material impact on the overall level of our allowance for credit losses.

We obtain forecasts for our loss model inputs from Moody’s Analytics. Moody’s Analytics provides a range of forecasts for each of these inputs with various likelihoods of occurrence. We determine which forecasts we will include in our estimation of allowance for credit losses and the associated weightings for each of these inputs. At September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023, we used the Baseline (50th percentile likelihood of occurring)/S1 (stronger near-term growth scenario - 10 percent likelihood of occurring)/S3 (unfavorable (or downside) scenario - 10 percent likelihood of occurring) and weighted them 40 percent, 30 percent, and 30 percent, respectively. Management reviews both the scenarios and their respective weightings each quarter in determining the allowance for credit losses.

Provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 decreased by $30 million compared with the year-ago period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the provision for credit losses was primarily affected by $236 million in negative provisions recorded as a result of the $3.69 billion Private Education Loan sales during the first nine months of 2024, an improved economic outlook, and changes in management overlays and recovery rates, offset by new loan commitments, net of expired commitments, and increases to the provision as a result of decreases in our estimates of the historical long-term average prepayment speeds used after the two-year reasonable and supportable period. In the year-ago period, the provision for credit losses was primarily affected by new loan commitments, net of expired commitments, slower prepayment rates, management overlays, and changes in economic outlook, which were offset by $137 million in negative provisions recorded as a result of the $2.10 billion Private Education Loan sales during the first nine months of 2023 and an increase in recovery rates.

As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most significant of these metrics considered are the allowance coverage of net charge-offs ratio; the allowance as a percentage of ending total loans and accrued interest to be capitalized and of ending loans in repayment and accrued interest to be capitalized on loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages.

Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

The allowance for credit losses incorporates an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses and is recorded on each asset upon asset origination or acquisition. The starting point for the estimate of the allowance for credit losses is historical information, which includes losses from modifications of receivables whose borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. We use a discounted cash flow model to determine the allowance for credit losses. An assessment of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of a modification.

The effect of most modifications of loans made to borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the allowance for credit losses because of the measurement methodologies used to estimate the allowance. The forecast of expected future cash flows is updated as the loan modifications occur.

We adjust the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such changes will help our customers manage their student loan obligations and 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 or permanent interest rate reduction, a temporary or permanent interest rate reduction with a permanent extension of the loan term, and/or a short-term extended repayment alternative. Forbearance is granted prospectively for borrowers who are current in their payments and may be granted retroactively for certain delinquent borrowers.

When we give a borrower facing financial difficulty an interest rate reduction under our programs, we evaluate their ability to pay and provide customized repayment terms based upon their financial condition. Prior to the third quarter of 2024, as part of demonstrating the ability and willingness to pay, the borrower was required to make three consecutive monthly payments at the reduced payment amount in order to qualify for enrollment in a modification program and, if applicable, for the loan to re-age and be brought current. Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, we refined our practices in this area and, after we determine the borrower’s ability to pay and they agree to the modification, the loan is modified

immediately. Following the modification, the borrower is still required to make three consecutive monthly payments at the reduced payment amount in order for the loan to re-age and be brought current, if eligible. It continues to be our practice that any loan that has received a previous rate reduction or permanent extension is generally not re-age eligible following a modification. In that case, following the modification, the loan will remain in delinquency unless and until all past due amounts are paid and the loan is brought current.

Under our programs, we limit the granting of a permanent extension of the final maturity date of a loan to one time over the life of the loan, and limit the number of interest rate reductions to twice over the life of the loan. Where appropriate, we will permit two consecutive rate reductions so long as the borrower qualifies. We believe by tailoring the modification programs to the borrower’s current financial condition and not having a one size fits all approach, we increase the likelihood the borrower will be able to make the modified payments and avoid default. This approach of giving different interest rate reductions to different borrowers experiencing more severe hardship also helps us better manage the overall assistance we provide to borrowers.

Within the Private Education Loan portfolio, we deem loans greater than 90 days past due as nonperforming. FFELP Loans are at least 97 percent guaranteed as to their principal and accrued interest by the federal government in the event of default and, therefore, we do not deem FFELP Loans as nonperforming from a credit risk perspective at any point in their life cycle prior to claim payment and continue to accrue interest on those loans through the date of claim.

For additional information, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies —Allowance for Credit Losses,” and Note 7, “Allowance for Credit Losses” in our 2023 Form 10-K.

Under our current forbearance practices, temporary forbearance of payments is generally granted inone-to-two month increments, for up to 12 months over the life of the loan, with 12 months of positive payment performance by a borrower required between grants (meaning the borrower must make payment in a cumulative amount equivalent to 12 monthly required payments under the loan). See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5, “Loans Held for Investment — Certain Collection Tools - Private Education Loans” in our 2023 Form 10-K. In the first quarter of 2022, we adopted ASU No. 2022-02 (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” in our 2023 Form 10-K). Under ASU No. 2022-02, if the debt has been previously restructured, an entity must consider the cumulative effect of past restructurings made within the 12-month period before the current restructuring when determining whether a delay in payment resulting from the current restructuring is insignificant. Due to our current forbearance practices, including the limitations on forbearances offered to borrowers, we do not believe the granting of forbearances will exceed the significance threshold and, therefore, we do not consider the forbearances as loan modifications.

The limitations on granting of forbearances described above apply to hardship forbearances. We offer other administrative forbearances (e.g., death and disability, bankruptcy, military service, disaster forbearance, and in school assistance) that are either required by law (such as by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) or are considered separate from our active loss mitigation programs and therefore are not considered to be loan modifications requiring disclosure under ASU No. 2022-02. In addition, we may offer on a limited basis term extensions or rate reductions or a combination of both to borrowers to reduce consolidation activities. For purposes of this disclosure, we do not consider them modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and they therefore are not included in the tables below.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, we developed additional modification programs tailored to the financial condition of individual borrowers. Pursuant to these additional modification programs, for our borrowers experiencing the most severe financial conditions, we currently may reduce the contractual interest rate on a loan to as low as 2 percent for the remaining life of the loan and also permanently extend the final maturity of the loan. Other borrowers experiencing severe hardship may not require as much assistance, however, given their circumstances. In those instances, we may reduce the contractual interest rate on a loan to a rate greater than 2 percent, and up to 8 percent, for a temporary period oftwo tofour years, and in some instances may also permanently extend the final maturity of the loan. These new programs are reflected in the tables below.

As part of the additional modification programs that were launched in the fourth quarter of 2023, we also offered for a short period of time a permanent term extension with no interest rate reduction program. This program ended in the fourth quarter of 2023. The amortized cost of this program totaled $8.2 million, representing 0.04 percent of the total Private Education Loan portfolio. This program added a weighted average of 6.7 years to the life of loans in the program. As of September 30, 2024, $6.8 million of these loans were in a current or deferred status, $0.7 million of these loans were 30-59 days past due, $0.3 million of these loans were 60-89 days past due, and $0.4 million of these loans were 90 days or greater past due. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, there were $0.5 million modified loans 1 (with $0.5 mill

1 Represents the period-end amortized cost basis of the applicable Private Education Loans as of September 30, 2024.

ion of unpaid principal balance at the time the loan became 60 days past due) in this program that became 60 days past due within 12 months of receiving the term extension and $0.2 million loans charged off within 12 months of receiving the term extension. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, there were $1.1 million modified loans 2 (with $1.2 million of unpaid principal balance at the time the loan because 60 days past due) in this program that became 60 days past due within 12 months of receiving the term extension and $0.3 million loans charged off within 12 months of receiving the term extension.

The following tables show the amortized cost basis at the end of the respective reporting periods of the loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified during the period, disaggregated by class of financing receivable and type of modification. When we approve a Private Education Loan at the beginning of an academic year, we do not always disburse the full amount of the loan at the time of approval, but instead have a commitment to fund a portion of the loan at a later date (usually at the start of the second semester or subsequent trimesters). We consider borrowers to be in financial difficulty after they have exited school and have difficulty making their scheduled principal and interest payments. The increases in loan modifications during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the year-ago periods are primarily due to additional modification programs implemented in the fourth quarter of 2023 and refinements to those programs, as previously described.

2 Represents the period-end amortized cost basis of the applicable Private Education Loans as of September 30, 2024.

The following tables describe the financial effect of the modifications made to loans whose borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty:

Private Education Loans are generally charged off at the end of the month in which they reach 120 days delinquent or otherwise when the loans are classified as a loss by us or our regulator. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the allowance for credit losses is adjusted by the same amount. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Credit Losses — Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses, and — Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.

For the periods presented, the following tables provide, on both an amortized cost basis and unpaid principal balance basis, loan modifications that, at any point during the period presented, were 60 days or more past due within 12 months of the loan receiving a loan modification. Additionally, the table summarizes charge-offs occurring in the period presented within 12 months of the loan receiving a loan modification. The increases in loan modifications during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the year-ago periods are primarily due to the previously described additional modification programs implemented in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the refinements to those programs. The following tables do not include loans that received a permanent term extension with no interest rate reduction during the fourth quarter of 2023, which are discussed above.

(1) Represents period-end amortized cost basis of modified loans that were 60 days or more past due in the period presented and within 12 months of receiving a modification.

(2) For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the modified loans include $83.1 million of interest rate reduction and term extension loan modifications and $4.6 million of interest rate reduction only loan modifications. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the modified loans include $12.4 million of interest rate reduction and term extension loan modifications and $2.1 million of interest rate reduction only loan modifications.

(3) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the modified loans include $115.4 million of interest rate reduction and term extension loan modifications and $5.7 million of interest rate reduction only loan modifications. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the modified loans include $23.0 million of interest rate reduction and term extension loan modifications and $3.4 million of interest rate reduction only loan modifications.

(4) Represents the unpaid principal balance at the time the modified loan became 60 days or more past due within 12 months of the loan receiving a loan modification.

(5) Represents the unpaid principal balance at the time of charge off.

We closely monitor performance of the loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that are modified to understand the effectiveness of the modification efforts. The following table depicts the performance of loans that have been modified within the nine months prior to September 30, 2024, the 12 months prior to September 30, 2024, and the 12 months prior to December 31, 2023, respectively. Loans that received a permanent term extension with no interest rate reduction during the fourth quarter of 2023 are not included in the below table, but are discussed above.

(1) Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make full principal and interest payments on the loans (e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation). Deferment also includes loans that have entered a forbearance after the loan modification was granted.

(2) Represents loans in repayment, which include loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the table, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).

(3) The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.

Private Education Loans Held for Investment - Key Credit Quality Indicators

FFELP Loans are at least 97 percent guaranteed as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default; therefore, there are no key credit quality indicators associated with FFELP Loans.

For Private Education Loans, the key credit quality indicators are FICO scores, the existence of a cosigner, the loan status, and loan seasoning. The FICO scores are assessed at original approval and periodically refreshed/updated through the loan’s term. The following tables highlight the gross principal balance of our Private Education Loan portfolio (held for investment), by year of origination approval, stratified by key credit quality indicators.

(1)Balance represents gross Private Education Loans held for investment.

(2)Represents the higher credit score of the cosigner or the borrower.

(3)Represents the FICO score updated as of the fourth-quarter 2023.

(4)Number of months in active repayment (whether interest only payment, fixed payment, or full principal and interest payment status) for which a scheduled payment was due.

(5)Current period refers to January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

Delinquencies - Private Education Loans Held for Investment

The following tables provide information regarding the loan status of our Private Education Loans held for investment, by year of origination approval. Loans in repayment include loans on which borrowers are making interest only or fixed payments, as well as loans that have entered full principal and interest repayment status after any applicable grace period (but, for purposes of the following tables, do not include those loans while they are in forbearance).

(1)Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans (e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation).

(2)Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.

(1)Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans (e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation).

(2)Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.

Accrued Interest Receivable

The following table provides information regarding accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loans. The table also discloses the amount of accrued interest on loans 90 days or greater past due as compared to our allowance for uncollectible interest on loans making full interest payments. The majority of the total accrued interest receivable represents accrued interest on deferred loans where no payments are due while the borrower is in school and fixed-pay loans where the borrower makes a $25 monthly payment that is smaller than the interest accruing on the loan in that month. The accrued interest on these loans will be capitalized to the balance of the loans when the borrower exits the grace period after separation from school, and the current expected credit losses on accrued interest that will be capitalized is included in our allowance for credit losses.

(1)The allowance for uncollectible interest at September 30, 2024 represents the expected losses related to the portion of accrued interest receivable on those loans that are in repayment ($139 million of accrued interest receivable) that is not expected to be capitalized. The accrued interest receivable that is expected to be capitalized ($1.4 billion) is reserved in the allowance for credit losses. The accrued interest receivable for the loans delinquent 90 days or greater includes $4.6 million of accrued interest receivable on those loans that are in repayment that is not expected to be capitalized and $0.9 million that is expected to be capitalized.

(2)The allowance for uncollectible interest at December 31, 2023 represents the expected losses related to the portion of accrued interest receivable on those loans in repayment ($151 million of accrued interest receivable) that was not expected to be capitalized. The accrued interest receivable that was expected to be capitalized ($1.2 billion) was reserved in the allowance for credit losses. The accrued interest receivable for the loans delinquent 90 days or greater includes $7.7 million of accrued interest receivable on those loans that are in repayment that is not expected to be capitalized and $0.6 million that is expected to be capitalized.

6. Unfunded 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 at 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. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Credit Losses — Off-Balance Sheet Exposure for Contractual Loan Commitments” in our 2023 Form 10-K for additional information.

At September 30, 2024, we had $2.5 billion of outstanding contractual loan commitments that we expect to fund during the remainder of the 2024/2025 academic year. The tables below summarize the activity in the allowance recorded to cover lifetime expected credit losses on the unfunded commitments, which is recorded in “Other Liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the activity in the unfunded commitments balance.

(1) Net of expirations of commitments unused. Also includes incremental provision for new commitments and changes to provision for existing commitments.

(2) When a loan commitment is funded, its related liability for credit losses (which originally was recorded as a provision for unfunded commitments) is transferred to the allowance for credit losses.

The unfunded commitments disclosed above represent the total amount of outstanding unfunded commitments at each period end. However, historically not all of these commitments are funded prior to the expiration of the commitments. We estimate the amount of commitments expected to be funded in calculating the reserve for unfunded commitments. The amount we expect to fund and use in our calculation of the reserve for unfunded commitments will change period to period based upon the loan characteristics of the underlying commitments.

7. Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill

We recorded as goodwill the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as part of theacquisition of the assets primarily used or held for use of Epic Research Education Services, LLC, which did business as Nitro College (“Nitro”), in the first quarter of 2022, and the acquisition of the key assets of Scholly Inc. (“Scholly”) in the third quarter of 2023. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested periodically for impairment. We test goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the year, or more frequently if we believe that indicators of impairment exist. At both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $56 million in total goodwill. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies — Business Combinations” in our 2023 Form 10-K for additional details on our acquisitions of Nitro and Scholly.

Acquired Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets include acquired trade name and trademarks, customer relationships, developed technology, and partner relationships. We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.

Acquired intangible assets include the following:

(1) The weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets related to the Nitro acquisition is 4.6 years and the weighted average useful life of the acquired intangible assets related to the Scholly acquisition is 3.9 years.

(2) In 2023, we fully impaired the Nitro trade name and trademarks asset for $56 million.

We recorded amortization of acquired intangible assets totaling approximately $1 million and $4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and approximately $3 million and $7 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. We will continue to amortize our intangible assets with definite useful lives over their remaining estimated useful lives. We estimate amortization expense associated with these intangible assets will be approximately $5 million, $4 million, $3 million, and $1 million in 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively.

8. Deposits

The following table summarizes total deposits at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Our total deposits of $21.4 billion were comprised of $9.8 billion in brokered deposits and $11.6 billion in retail and other deposits at September 30, 2024, compared to total deposits of $21.7 billion, which were comprised of $10.3 billion in brokered deposits and $11.4 billion in retail and other deposits, at December 31, 2023.

Interest-bearing deposits as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of retail and brokered non-maturity savings deposits, retail and brokered non-maturity money market deposits (“MMDAs”), and retail and brokered certificates of deposit (“CDs”). Interest-bearing deposits also include deposits from Educational 529 and Health Savings plans that diversify our funding sources and that we consider to be core. These and other large omnibus accounts, aggregating the deposits of many individual depositors, represented $7.0 billion and $7.6 billion of our deposit total as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The omnibus accounts are structured in such a way that entitles the individual depositor pass-through deposit insurance (subject to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) rules and limitations), and the majority of these deposits have contractual minimum balances and maturity terms.

Some of our deposit products are serviced by third-party providers. Placement fees associated with the brokered CDs are amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method. We recognized placement fee expense of $3 million and $3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and placement fee expense of $8 million and $9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $6 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and fees paid to third-party brokers related to brokered CDs were $6 million and $7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Interest bearing deposits at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

(1) Includes the effect of interest rate swaps in effective hedge relationships.

Certificates of deposit remaining maturities are summarized as follows:

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were $513 million and $478 million, respectively, of deposits exceeding FDIC insurance limits. Accrued interest on deposits was $70 million and $91 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

9. Borrowings

Outstanding borrowings consist of unsecured debt and secured borrowings issued through our term asset-backed securitization (“ABS”) program and our Private Education Loan multi-lender secured borrowing facility (the “Secured Borrowing Facility”). For additional information regarding our borrowings, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 12, “Borrowings” in our 2023 Form 10-K. The following table summarizes our borrowings at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Short-term Borrowings

On May 7, 2024 and June 14, 2024, we amended our Secured Borrowing Facility to extend the maturity of the facility. The amount that can be borrowed under the facility is $2 billion. We hold 100 percent of the residual interest in the Secured Borrowing Facility trust. Under the Secured Borrowing Facility, we incur financing costs on unused borrowing capacity and on outstanding advances. The amended Secured Borrowing Facility extended the revolving period, during which we may borrow, repay, and reborrow funds, until June 13, 2025. The scheduled amortization period, during which amounts outstanding under the Secured Borrowing Facility must be repaid, ends on June 13, 2026 (or earlier, if certain material adverse events occur). At both September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, there wereno secured borrowings outstanding under the Secured Borrowing Facility.

Long-term Borrowings

Secured Financings

2024 Transactions

On May 15, 2024, we executed our $668 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2024-C term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $668 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $668 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 5.36 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.19 percent. On September 30, 2024, $716 million of our Private Education Loans, including $656 million of principal and $60 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered because of this transaction.

On August 14, 2024, we executed our $868 million SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2024-E term ABS transaction, which was accounted for as a secured financing. We sold $868 million of notes to third parties and retained a 100 percent interest in the residual certificates issued in the securitization, raising approximately $868 million of gross proceeds. The Class A and Class B notes had a weighted average life of 5.17 years and priced at a weighted average SOFR equivalent cost of SOFR plus 1.42 percent. On September 30, 2024, $933 million of our Private Education Loans, including $855 million of principal and $78 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered because of this transaction.

Secured Financings at Issuance

The following table summarizes our secured financings issued in the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

(1) Represents SOFR equivalent cost of funds for floating and fixed-rate bonds, excluding issuance costs.

(2) At September 30, 2024, $1.11 billion of our Private Education Loans, including $1.02 billion of principal and $85 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered related to these transactions.

(3) At September 30, 2024, $1.65 billion of our Private Education Loans, including $1.51 billion of principal and $138 million in capitalized interest, were encumbered related to these transactions.

Consolidated Funding Vehicles

We consolidate our financing entities that are VIEs as a result of our being the entities’ primary beneficiary. As a result, these financing VIEs are accounted for as secured borrowings.

(1) Other assets primarily represent accrued interest receivable.

Unconsolidated VIEs

Private Education Loan Securitizations

Unconsolidated VIEs include variable interests that we hold in certain securitization trusts created by the sale of our Private Education Loans to unaffiliated third parties. We remained the servicer of these loans pursuant to applicable servicing agreements executed in connection with the sales, and we are also the administrator of these trusts. Additionally, we ownfive percent of the securities issued by the trusts to meet risk retention requirements. We were not required to consolidate these entities because the fees we receive as the servicer/administrator are commensurate with our responsibility, so the fees are not considered a variable interest. Additionally, thefive percent vertical interest we maintain does not absorb more than an insignificant amount of the VIE’s expected losses, nor do we receive more than an insignificant amount of the VIE’s expected residual returns.

2024-A Transaction

On March 13, 2024, we closed an SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2024-A term ABS transaction (the “2024-A Transaction”), in which an unaffiliated third party sold to the trust approximately $2.0 billion of Private Education Loans that the third-party seller previously purchased from us on February 1, 2024. Sallie Mae Bank sponsored the 2024-A Transaction, is the servicer and administrator, and was the seller of an additional $105 million of Private Education Loans into the trust. The sale of such additional loans qualified for sale treatment and removed these loans from our balance sheet on the settlement date of the 2024-A Transaction and we recorded a $7 million gain on sale associated with this transaction. In connection with the 2024-A Transaction settlement, we retained afive percent vertical risk retention interest (i.e., five percent of each class issued in the securitization). We classified those vertical risk retention interests related to the 2024-A Transaction as available-for-sale investments, except for the interest in the residual class, which we classified as a trading investment recorded at fair value with changes recorded through earnings.

2024-R1 Transaction

On April 9, 2024, we closed an SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2024-R1 term ABS transaction (the “2024-R1 Transaction”), in which an unaffiliated third party sold to the trust approximately $69 million of Private Education Loan residual flows from our 2020-PTA and 2020-PTB transactions through a re-securitization. Sallie Mae Bank sponsored the 2024-R1 Transaction and is the administrator of the trust. In connection with the 2024-R1 Transaction settlement, we retained afive percent vertical risk retention interest (i.e., five percent of each class issued in the securitization). We classified those vertical risk retention interests related to the 2024-R1 Transaction as available-for-sale investments, except for the interest in the residual class, which we classified as a trading investment recorded at fair value with changes recorded through earnings.

2024-B Transaction

On April 11, 2024, we closed an SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2024-B term ABS transaction (the “2024-B Transaction”), in which unaffiliated third parties sold to the trust approximately $191 million of Private Education Loans that the third-party sellers previously purchased from us in 2020 and 2021. Sallie Mae Bank sponsored the 2024-B Transaction, is the servicer and administrator, and was the seller of an additional $10 million of Private Education Loans into the trust. The sale of such additional loans qualified for sale treatment and removed these loans from our balance sheet on the settlement date of the 2024-B Transaction and we recorded a less than $1 million gain on sale associated with this transaction. In connection with the 2024-B Transaction settlement, we retained afive percent vertical risk retention interest (i.e., five percent of each class issued in the securitization). We classified those vertical risk retention interests related to the 2024-B Transaction as available-for-sale investments, except for the interest in the residual class, which we classified as a trading investment recorded at fair value with changes recorded through earnings.

2024-D Transaction

On June 28, 2024, we closed an SMB Private Education Loan Trust 2024-D term ABS transaction (the “2024-D Transaction”), in which an unaffiliated third party sold to the trust approximately $1.5 billion of Private Education Loans that the third-party seller previously purchased from us on May 23, 2024. Sallie Mae Bank sponsored the 2024-D Transaction, is the servicer and administrator, and was the seller of an additional $79 million of Private Education Loans into the trust. The sale of such additional loans qualified for sale treatment and removed these loans from our balance sheet on the settlement date of the 2024-D Transaction and we recorded a $6 million gain on sale associated with this transaction. In connection with the 2024-D Transaction settlement, we retained afive percent vertical risk retention interest (i.e., five percent of each class issued in the securitization). We classified those vertical risk retention interests related to

the 2024-D Transaction as available-for-sale investments, except for the interest in the residual class, which we classified as a trading investment recorded at fair value with changes recorded through earnings.

The table below provides a summary of our exposure related to our unconsolidated VIEs.

(1) Vertical risk retention interest classified as available-for-sale investment.

(2) Vertical risk retention interest classified as trading investment.

Other Borrowing Sources

We maintain discretionary uncommitted Federal Funds lines of credit with various correspondent banks, which totaled $125 million at September 30, 2024. The interest rate we are charged on these lines of credit is priced at Fed Funds plus a spread at the time of borrowing and is payable daily. We did not utilize these lines of credit in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 nor in the year ended December 31, 2023.

We established an account at the FRB to meet eligibility requirements for access to the Primary Credit borrowing facility at the FRB’s Discount Window (the “Window”). The Primary Credit borrowing facility is a lending program available to depository institutions that are in generally sound financial condition. All borrowings at the Window must be fully collateralized. We can pledge asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, as well as FFELP Loans and Private Education Loans, to the FRB as collateral for borrowings at the Window. Generally, collateral value is assigned based on the estimated fair value of the pledged assets. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the value of our pledged collateral at the FRB totaled $2.3 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. The interest rate charged to us is the discount rate set by the FRB. We did not utilize this facility in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 nor in the year ended December 31, 2023.

10. Derivative Financial Instruments

Risk Management Strategy

We maintain an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate changes. Our goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity by modifying the repricing frequency and underlying index characteristics of certain balance sheet assets or liabilities so any adverse impacts related to movements in interest rates are managed within low to moderate limits. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged balance sheet positions will appreciate or depreciate in market value or create variability in cash flows. Income or loss on the derivative instruments linked to the hedged item will generally offset the effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation or volatility in cash flows for the period the item is being hedged. We view this strategy as a prudent management of interest rate risk. Please refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 13, “Derivative Financial Instruments” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a full discussion of our risk management strategy.

Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) requires all standardized derivatives, including most interest rate swaps, to be submitted for clearing to central counterparties to reduce counterparty risk. Two of the central counterparties we use are the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and the London Clearing House (“LCH”). All variation margin payments on derivatives cleared through the CME and LCH are accounted for as legal settlement. As of September 30, 2024, $855 million notional of our derivative contracts were cleared on the CME and $88 million were cleared on the LCH. The derivative contracts cleared through the CME and LCH represent 90.6 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively, of our total notional derivative contracts of $943 million at September 30, 2024.

For derivatives cleared through the CME and LCH, the net gain (loss) position includes the variation margin amounts as settlement of the derivative and not collateral against the fair value of the derivative. The amount of variation margin included as settlement as of September 30, 2024 was $(20) million and $(1) million for the CME and LCH, respectively. Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are presented as realized gains (losses).

Our exposure to the counterparty is limited to the value of the derivative contracts in a gain position less any collateral held and plus any collateral posted. When there is a net negative exposure, we consider our exposure to the counterparty to be zero. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had a net positive exposure (derivative gain/loss positions to us, less collateral held by us and plus collateral posted with counterparties) related to derivatives of $6 million and $9 million, respectively.

Summary of Derivative Financial Statement Impact

The following tables summarize the fair values and notional amounts of all derivative instruments at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and their impact on earnings and other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. Please refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 13, “Derivative Financial Instruments” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a full discussion of cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and trading activities.

(1) Fair values reported include variation margin as legal settlement of the derivative contract. Assets and liabilities are presented without consideration of master netting agreements. Derivatives are carried on the balance sheet based on net position by counterparty under master netting agreements and classified in other assets or other liabilities depending on whether in a net positive or negative position.

(2) The following table reconciles gross positions with the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification:

(1)Gross position amounts include accrued interest and variation margin as legal settlement of the derivative contract.

(2)Cash collateral pledged excludes amounts that represent legal settlement of the derivative contracts.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the following amounts were recorded on the consolidated balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges:

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate deposits. During the next 12 months, we estimate that $20 million will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense.

Cash Collateral

As of September 30, 2024, cash collateral held and pledged excludes amounts that represent legal settlement of the derivative contracts held with the CME and LCH. There wasno cash collateral held by us related to derivative exposure between us and our derivatives counterparties at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Collateral held is recorded in “Other Liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets. Cash collateral pledged by us related to derivative exposure between us and our derivatives counterparties was $6 million and $9 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Collateral pledged is recorded in “Other interest-earning assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.

11. Stockholders’ Equity

The following table summarizes our common share repurchases and issuances.

(1)Common shares purchased under our share repurchase programs. The 2022 Share Repurchase Program expired on January 25, 2024. There was $448 million of capacity remaining under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program at September 30, 2024.

(2)Average purchase price per share includes purchase commission costs and excise taxes.

(3)Comprised of shares withheld from stock option exercises and the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance stock units for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.

(4) Common shares issued under our various compensation and benefit plans.

The closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on September 30, 2024 was $22.87.

Common Stock Dividends

In both September 2024 and September 2023, we paid a common stock dividend of $0.11 per common share.

Share Repurchases

On January 26, 2022, we announced a share repurchase program (the “2022 Share Repurchase Program”), which was effective upon announcement and expired on January 25, 2024, and permitted us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $1.25 billion. We didnot repurchase shares of common stock under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program, we didnot repurchase shares of common stock in the three months ended September 30, 2023, and we repurchased 16.4 million shares of common stock for $257 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

On January 24, 2024, we announced a new share repurchase program (the "2024 Share Repurchase Program"), which became effective on January 26, 2024 and expires on February 6, 2026, and permits us to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time up to an aggregate repurchase price not to exceed $650 million. Under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, we repurchased 5.3 million shares of common stock for $115 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 9.6 million shares of common stock for $204 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. We had $448 million of capacity remaining under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program at September 30, 2024.

Under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, repurchases may occur from time to time and through a variety of methods, including open market repurchases, repurchases effected through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, negotiated block purchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, tender offers, or other similar transactions. The timing and volume of any repurchases will be subject to market conditions, and there can be no guarantee that the Company will repurchase up to the limit of the 2024 Share Repurchase Program.

Share Repurchases under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased 5.3 million shares of our common stock at a total cost of $115 million. During the three months ended September 20, 2023, we didnot repurchase shares of our common stock under any share repurchase program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we repurchased 9.6 million and 16.4 million shares, respectively, of our common stock at a total cost of $204 million and $257 million, respectively, under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans authorized under our share repurchase programs.

12. Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations follows.

(1) Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method.

(2) For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, securities covering approximately 6 million shares and 1 million shares, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, securities covering approximately less than 1 million shares and 1 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

13. Fair Value Measurements

We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our consolidated financial statements.

We categorize our fair value estimates based on a hierarchical framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. For additional information regarding our policies for determining fair value and the hierarchical framework, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurement” in our 2023 Form 10-K.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, there were no significant transfers of financial instruments between levels or changes in our methodology or assumptions used to value our financial instruments.

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments that are marked-to-fair value on a recurring basis.

The following table summarizes the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis.

(1)Included in earnings (or changes in net assets) is comprised of the amounts recorded in the specified line item in the consolidated statements of income:

(2) Recorded in "gains (losses) on securities, net" in the consolidated statements of income.

The following table presents the significant unobservable inputs used in the recurring valuations of the level 3 financial instruments detailed above.

The significant inputs detailed in the above table would be expected to have the following impacts to the valuations:

•A decrease in CPR would result in a longer weighted average life of the trust, resulting in a decrease to the valuation due to the delay in residual cash flows with the increased term. The opposite is true for an increase in the CPR.

•A decrease in the probability of defaults means increased principal receipts, resulting in an increase to the valuation due to the increase in residual cash flow.

•Conversely, an increase in the probability of defaults means decreased principal receipts, resulting in a decrease to the valuation due to the decrease in residual cash flow.

The following table summarizes the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities, including derivative financial instruments.

Please refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 17, “Fair Value Measurements” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a full discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

14. Regulatory Capital

Sallie Mae Bank (the “Bank”) is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial position. Under the FDIC’s regulations implementing the Basel III capital framework (“U.S. Basel III”) and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital standards that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and its classification under the prompt corrective action framework are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components of capital, risk weightings, and other factors.

The Bank is subject to the following minimum capital ratios under U.S. Basel III: a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0 percent, a Total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0 percent, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0 percent. In addition, the Bank is subject to a Common Equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of greater than 2.5 percent. Failure to maintain the buffer will result in restrictions on the Bank’s ability to make capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers. Including the buffer, the Bank is required to maintain the following capital ratios under U.S. Basel III in order to avoid such restrictions: a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of greater than 7.0 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of greater than 8.5 percent, and a Total risk-based capital ratio of greater than 10.5 percent.

To qualify as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework for insured depository institutions, the Bank must maintain a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, a Total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent.

In July 2023, the federal banking agencies proposed a rule to implement significant changes to the U.S. Basel Ill regulatory capital requirements. The proposed changes to the regulatory capital requirements generally would amend or introduce approaches and methodologies that would apply to banking organizations with total consolidated assets of $100 billion or more or to banking organizations with significant trading activity. The proposed rule therefore would not affect the Bank's capital requirements or the calculation of its capital ratios.

Under regulations issued by the FDIC and other federal banking agencies, banking organizations that adopted CECL during the 2020 calendar year, including the Bank, could elect to delay fortwo years, and then phase in over the following three years, the effects on regulatory capital of CECL relative to the incurred loss methodology. The Bank elected to use this option. Therefore, the regulatory capital impact of the Bank’s transition adjustments recorded on January 1, 2020 from the adoption of CECL, and 25 percent of the ongoing impact of CECL on the Bank’s allowance for credit losses, retained earnings, and average total consolidated assets, each as reported for regulatory capital purposes (collectively, the “adjusted transition amounts”), were deferred for thetwo-year period ending January 1, 2022. On each of January 1, 2022, 2023, and 2024,25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts were phased in for regulatory capital purposes. On January 1, 2025, the remaining 25 percent of the adjusted transition amounts will be phased in for regulatory capital purposes, with the phased in amounts included in regulatory capital at the beginning of the year. The Bank’s January 1, 2020 CECL transition amounts increased our allowance for credit losses by $1.1 billion, increased the liability representing our off-balance sheet exposure for unfunded commitments by $116 million, and increased our deferred tax asset by $306 million, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced retained earnings by $953 million. This transition adjustment was inclusive of qualitative adjustments incorporated into our CECL allowance as necessary, to address any limitations in the models used.

At September 30, 2024, the adjusted transition amounts that were deferred and are being phased in for regulatory capital purposes are as follows:

The Bank’s required and actual regulatory capital amounts and ratios, including applicable capital conservation buffers, under U.S. Basel III are shown in the following table. The following capital amounts and ratios are based upon the Bank’s average assets and risk-weighted assets, as indicated. The Bank has elected to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income related to both available-for-sale investments and swap valuations from Common Equity Tier 1 Capital. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments included in other comprehensive income totaled $69 million and $115 million, net of tax of $22 million and $37 million, respectively. The capital ratios would remain above the well capitalized thresholds, including applicable capital conservation buffers, if the unrealized loss became fully recognized into capital.

(1) Reflects the U.S. Basel III minimum required ratio plus the applicable capital conservation buffer.

(2) The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios also exceeded all applicable standards for the Bank to qualify as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework.

(3)For both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the actual amounts and the actual ratios include the adjusted transition amounts discussed above that were phased in at the beginning of 2024 and 2023.

Bank Dividends

The Bank is chartered under the laws of the State of Utah and its deposits are insured by the FDIC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends is subject to the laws of Utah and the regulations of the FDIC. Generally, under Utah’s industrial bank laws and regulations as well as FDIC regulations, the Bank may pay dividends from its net profits without regulatory approval if, following the payment of the dividend, the Bank’s capital and surplus would not be impaired. The Bank declared $116 million and $414 million in dividends to the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $100 million and $400 million in dividends to the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, with the proceeds primarily used to fund share repurchase programs and stock dividends. In the future, we expect that the Bank will pay dividends to the Company as may be necessary to enable the

Company to pay any declared dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock and common stock and to consummate any common share repurchases by the Company under its share repurchase programs.

15. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

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 at the start of the second semester or subsequent trimesters). We estimate expected credit losses over the contractual period that we are exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. At September 30, 2024, we had $2.5 billion of outstanding contractual loan commitments that we expect to fund during the remainder of the 2024/2025 academic year. At September 30, 2024, we had a $92 million reserve recorded in “Other Liabilities” to cover expected losses that may occur during theone-year loss emergence period on these unfunded commitments. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Credit Losses — Off-Balance Sheet Exposure for Contractual Loan Commitments” in our 2023 Form 10-K and Note 6, “Unfunded Loan Commitments” in this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Regulatory Matters

In May 2014, the Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) as part of the CFPB’s separate investigation relating to customer complaints, fees, and charges assessed in connection with the servicing of student loans and related collection practices of pre-Spin-Off SLM by entities now subsidiaries of Navient Corporation (“Navient”) during a time period prior to the Spin-Off (the “CFPB Investigation”). To the extent requested, the Bank has been cooperating fully with the CFPB. Given the timeframe covered by the CID and the CFPB Investigation, and the focus on practices and procedures previously conducted by Navient and its servicing subsidiaries prior to the Spin-Off, Navient is leading the response to these investigations. Consequently, we have no basis from which to estimate either the duration or ultimate outcome of this investigation.

We note that on January 18, 2017, the CFPB filed a complaint in federal court in Pennsylvania against Navient, along with its subsidiaries, Navient Solutions, Inc. and Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc. The complaint alleges these Navient entities, among other things, engaged in deceptive practices with respect to their historic servicing and debt collection practices. Neither SLM, the Bank, nor any of their current subsidiaries are named in, or otherwise a party to, the lawsuit and are not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing. The CFPB’s complaint asserts Navient’s assumption of these liabilities under the Separation and Distribution Agreement for alleged conduct that predated the Spin-Off.

On September 12, 2024, the federal court in Pennsylvania in the above-referenced lawsuit entered a Stipulated Final Judgment and Order that was agreed to by the CFPB and the Navient defendants to settle and resolve all matters in dispute arising from Navient’s conduct alleged in the lawsuit. Neither SLM, the Bank, nor any of their current subsidiaries were named in, or otherwise a party to, that lawsuit, and no claims were asserted against them. The Company and the Bank were not parties to the settlement and have not contributed any of the relief to be provided in the settlement.

For additional information regarding our regulatory matters, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 21, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees” in our 2023 Form 10-K. See also the section labeled “History” on page 3 of our 2023 Form 10-K for definitions and discussion regarding the “Spin Off” and “pre-Spin-Off SLM.”

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are routinely defendants in or parties to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. These actions and proceedings may be based on alleged violations of consumer protection, securities, employment, and other laws. In certain of these actions and proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damage may be asserted against us and our subsidiaries.

It is common for the Company, our subsidiaries, and affiliates to receive information and document requests and investigative demands from state attorneys general, legislative committees, and administrative agencies. These requests may be for informational or regulatory purposes and may relate to our business practices, the industries in which we operate, or other companies with whom we conduct business. Our practice has been and continues to be to cooperate with these bodies and be responsive to any such requests.

We are required to establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, we do not establish reserves.

Based on current knowledge, management does not believe there are loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending investigations, litigation, or regulatory matters for which reserves should be established.

16. Subsequent Event

Declaration of Fourth Quarter 2024 Common Stock Dividend

A 2024 fourth-quarter common stock dividend of $0.13 per share has been declared and will be paid on December 16, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 5, 2024.