Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP diluted EPS for Q3 2025 was $0.63 per share, with loan originations of $2.9 billion, reflecting a 6.4% increase year-over-year and 6% growth year-to-date [4][5] - Net interest income for Q3 2025 was $373 million, up $14 million from the prior year, with a net interest margin of 5.18%, an increase of 18 basis points year-over-year [6][7] - Provision for credit losses decreased to $179 million from $271 million in the prior year, largely due to a $119 million provision release from the loan sale [6][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The cosigner rate for Q3 was 95%, up from 92% in the year-ago quarter, and the average FICO score at approval increased to 756 from 754, indicating strong underwriting discipline [5] - Private education loan net charge-offs were $78 million, representing 1.95% of average private education loans in repayment, down 13 basis points from the year-ago quarter [5][6] - Non-interest expenses for Q3 were $180 million, compared to $167 million in the prior quarter and $172 million in the year-ago quarter [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - 4% of private education loans in repayment were 30 days or more delinquent, up from 3.6% at the end of the year-ago quarter, attributed to changes in loan modification eligibility criteria [7][8] - The company has seen stability in late-stage delinquencies and roll rates, with 80% of borrowers in loan modification programs making consistent payments after one year [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is optimistic about the long-term outlook for private student lending and is exploring alternative funding partnerships in the private credit space [10][11] - A first-of-its-kind partnership is expected to be announced soon, aimed at unlocking the value of the customer base and setting the stage for sustainable growth of fee-based revenues [11][12] - The company anticipates selling a small portfolio of seasoned loans and a portion of recent peak season originations, expecting GAAP earnings per common share for 2025 to be between $3.20 and $3.30 [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite economic ambiguity, there has been no material change in borrowers' ability to meet obligations [5][10] - The company is preparing for the impact of recent federal reforms, which are expected to create opportunities for growth in private student lending [10][11] - Management expressed confidence in maintaining a net charge-off rate in the high 1% to low 2% range over the long term [14][26] Other Important Information - The company has reduced outstanding shares by 55% since initiating its capital return strategy in 2020, repurchasing 5.6 million shares at an average price of $29.45 per share [5][6] - The liquidity ratio at the end of the quarter was 15.8%, with total risk-based capital at 12.6% and CET1 capital at 11.3% [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for delinquency performance - Management expressed satisfaction with loan modification programs and expected stability in late-stage delinquencies and roll rates, despite a slight uptick in early-stage delinquencies [14][15] Question: Details on loan sale partnership - Management indicated that details on the loan sale partnership would be released once finalized, emphasizing the importance of the deal [15][20] Question: Impact of modifications on delinquency rates - Management noted that borrowers in modification programs have shown strong payment patterns, and they are optimistic about the upcoming wave of graduates transitioning into repayment [19][48] Question: Credit outlook and potential charge-offs - Management acknowledged the correlation between delinquencies and charge-offs but maintained confidence in their guidance and the effectiveness of their loan modification programs [24][34] Question: Buyback strategy and appetite - Management confirmed a commitment to aggressive share buybacks, with plans to assess timing and quantity post-partnership completion [86][87] Question: Opportunities from Plus Reform - Management sees Plus Reform as a significant opportunity for growth in private student lending, with potential annual origination increases projected in the $4 to $5 billion range [92][93]

Core Points - Sallie Mae announced a fourth-quarter dividend for 2025 of $1.5121799 per share on its Preferred Stock Series B and $0.13 per share on its common stock [1][2] - The dividends will be paid on December 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of December 4, 2025 [2] Company Overview - Sallie Mae, formally known as SLM Corporation, is a leader in private student lending, providing financing and resources to support access to college and lifelong learning [3][7] - The company emphasizes the importance of education and lifelong learning in helping individuals achieve their goals [3][7] Upcoming Events - Sallie Mae will release its third-quarter 2025 financial results after market close on October 23, 2025, with a live audio webcast available for investors [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP diluted EPS for Q2 2025 was $0.032 per share, with loan originations at $686 million, roughly in line with the same period last year [6][10] - Net interest income for Q2 2025 was $377 million, up $5 million from the prior year, with a net interest margin of 5.31% [11] - Provision for credit losses increased to $149 million in Q2 2025 from $17 million in the prior year, reflecting a more cautious macroeconomic outlook [12] - Private education loans delinquent for 30 days or more were 3.5%, a decrease from 3.6% at the end of Q1 2025 [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The credit quality of originations showed improvement, with a cosigner rate of 84%, up from 80% in the year-ago quarter [8] - Net private education loan charge-offs in Q2 were $94 million, representing 2.36% of average loans in repayment, an increase of 17 basis points year-over-year [14] - Non-interest expenses for Q2 were $67 million, significantly lower than $155 million in the prior quarter and $159 million in the year-ago quarter [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates that new federal lending limits could generate an additional $4.5 billion to $5 billion in annual private education loan origination volume once fully realized [21] - The reforms will take effect on July 1, 2026, with existing borrowers grandfathered into current programs, potentially impacting near-term originations [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to maintain a strategy of mid to high single-digit private student loan portfolio growth, supported by loan sales and other structures [24] - The management is exploring new alternative funding partnerships in the private credit space to support growth while preserving balance sheet capacity [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term outlook for private student lending, particularly due to recent federal student loan reforms [6][19] - The company is closely monitoring the impacts of federal lending reforms and other policy developments on its business [7][20] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 2.4 million shares at an average price of $29.42 per share, reducing shares outstanding by over 53% since the start of the buyback strategy in 2020 [9] - The liquidity ratio at the end of Q2 was 17.8%, with total risk-based capital at 12.8% and common equity Tier 1 capital at 11.5% [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the $1.8 billion loan sale and gain on sale margin? - The company is in line with expectations for the transaction, with modest adjustments in pricing due to changes in the rates environment [26] Question: Should we expect another loan sale in Q4 2025? - The company will monitor the peak season and evaluate capital levels before deciding on additional sales [27] Question: Can you explain the uptick in net charge-off rates? - The increase is attributed to disaster forbearance related to the California wildfires, which shifted some charge-off timing [28][30] Question: How does the new federal lending reform impact your growth algorithm? - The company maintains its growth framework but may trend towards higher growth rates due to the new opportunities presented by the reforms [34] Question: What is the expected market share for the new addressable market? - The company expects to maintain a market share in the 60% range for the new opportunities presented by the reforms [58] Question: What is the timing for the new private credit partnerships? - The company aims to have partnerships in place before the additional volume from reforms comes into effect [65]

Financial Performance - Full-Year 2024 private education loan originations reached $70 billion, a 10% increase compared to $64 billion in 2023[8] - Q4 2024 private education loan originations totaled $982 million, a 17% increase compared to $839 million in the year-ago quarter[11] - Full-Year 2024 GAAP diluted earnings per common share were $268[17] - The company repurchased 116 million shares in Full-Year 2024 for $250 million, at an average price of $2159 per share[13] Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation - Total assets grew by 31% in Full-Year 2024, inclusive of FFELP loan portfolio sale, while private education loan balance grew by 57%[9] - The total risk-based capital ratio was 126%, with a CET1 capital ratio of 113%[12] - $37 billion in private education loans were sold at attractive premiums in 2024, including $34 billion of principal and $274 million in capitalized interest[19] Credit Performance - The percentage of private education loans in repayment delinquent 30+ days as of December 31, 2024, was 37%, compared to 39% in 2023[25] - Private education loan net charge-offs for Full-Year 2024 were $332 million, representing 219% of average private education loans in repayment, compared with 244% in 2023[27] - Q4 2024 provision for credit losses was $108 million, with a total allowance of 583% as a percentage of the ending total loan balance plus unfunded commitments and total accrued interest receivable on private education loans[24] Funding and Liquidity - Deposit portfolio balances at the end of Q4 2024 were 18% lower than at the end of Q3 2024[20] - Uninsured deposits represented 3% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024[22]