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Sallie Mae (SLM) Q3 Earnings In Line, Cost & Provisions Rise
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Sallie Mae (SLM - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2017 core earnings of 17 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The reported figure increased 41.7% from the prior-year quarter.
Earnings growth was supported by an increase in net interest income. The private education loan portfolio and deposits grew considerably. However, these positives were offset by lower non-interest income, higher expenses and rise in provision for loan losses.
Sallie Mae reported core earnings (primarily adjusted for derivatives) of $72.4 million, up 41.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Increased Net Interest Income Offsets Higher Expenses
Net interest income for the third quarter was $282.1 million, up 26.3% year over year. The improvement was mainly driven by an increase in the portfolio size of private education loans. Net interest margin expanded 27 basis points (bps) year over year to 5.85%.
Non-interest income came in at $6.1 million, reflecting a 73.4% decrease from the prior-year quarter, primarily due to lower other income.
The company’s total expenses increased 16.3% year over year to $116.3 million. The rise was mainly due to increased compensation and benefits expenses, higher FDIC assessment fees and other expenses.
Efficiency ratio, on a non-GAAP basis, declined to 40.6% in the quarter from 40.7% in the year-ago period. A lower ratio indicates improved profitability.
Credit Quality Worsens
Provision for loan losses was $54.9 million, up 31.5% year over year.
Delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment were 2.6%, reflecting an increase from 2% in the year-ago quarter.
Growth in Deposit and Loans
As of Sep 30, 2017, deposits of Sallie Mae Bank were $15 billion, up from $12.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2016. Increase in retail and other deposits contributed to the rise.
As of Sep 30, 2017, the private education loan portfolio was $17 billion, up 23.6% year over year. Loan origination climbed 3% year over year to $1.9billion in the reported quarter. Average yield on the loan portfolio was 8.5%, up 50 bps year over year.
Strong Capital Position
As of Sep 30, 2017, Sallie Mae Bank’s Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and common equity Tier 1 capital were both 11.8%. Capital ratios exceeded the “well capitalized” industry benchmark in regulatory requirements.
2017 Outlook
The company estimates core earnings per share of around 72 cents for this year. Operating efficiency ratio on a non-GAAP basis is expected in the range of 38-39%. Private education loan originations are projected to be $4.8 billion.
Our Viewpoint
Results of Sallie Mae highlight consistent focus on increasing private education loan assets, maintaining a solid capital position by introducing multiple complementary new products and improving efficiency. We believe economic recovery and a declining unemployment rate will assist Sallie Mae in maintaining its leading position in the student lending market. Further, its focus on solidifying presence in the consumer banking business space bodes well for the upcoming quarters.
However, we remain cautious owing to consistently increasing expenses. Sallie Mae also faces concentration risk due to extreme dependence on broker deposits.
Among other firms in the finance space, Ally Financial Inc. (ALLY - Free Report) is slated to release results on Oct 25 while Trustmark Corp. (TRMK - Free Report) and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB - Free Report) will release earnings on Oct 24.
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It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +18.8% from 2016 - Q1 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +157.0%, +128.0%, +97.8%, +94.7%, and +90.2% respectively.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
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Sallie Mae (SLM) Q3 Earnings In Line, Cost & Provisions Rise
Sallie Mae (SLM - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2017 core earnings of 17 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The reported figure increased 41.7% from the prior-year quarter.
Earnings growth was supported by an increase in net interest income. The private education loan portfolio and deposits grew considerably. However, these positives were offset by lower non-interest income, higher expenses and rise in provision for loan losses.
Sallie Mae reported core earnings (primarily adjusted for derivatives) of $72.4 million, up 41.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Increased Net Interest Income Offsets Higher Expenses
Net interest income for the third quarter was $282.1 million, up 26.3% year over year. The improvement was mainly driven by an increase in the portfolio size of private education loans. Net interest margin expanded 27 basis points (bps) year over year to 5.85%.
Non-interest income came in at $6.1 million, reflecting a 73.4% decrease from the prior-year quarter, primarily due to lower other income.
The company’s total expenses increased 16.3% year over year to $116.3 million. The rise was mainly due to increased compensation and benefits expenses, higher FDIC assessment fees and other expenses.
Efficiency ratio, on a non-GAAP basis, declined to 40.6% in the quarter from 40.7% in the year-ago period. A lower ratio indicates improved profitability.
Credit Quality Worsens
Provision for loan losses was $54.9 million, up 31.5% year over year.
Delinquencies as a percentage of private education loans in repayment were 2.6%, reflecting an increase from 2% in the year-ago quarter.
Growth in Deposit and Loans
As of Sep 30, 2017, deposits of Sallie Mae Bank were $15 billion, up from $12.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2016. Increase in retail and other deposits contributed to the rise.
As of Sep 30, 2017, the private education loan portfolio was $17 billion, up 23.6% year over year. Loan origination climbed 3% year over year to $1.9billion in the reported quarter. Average yield on the loan portfolio was 8.5%, up 50 bps year over year.
Strong Capital Position
As of Sep 30, 2017, Sallie Mae Bank’s Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and common equity Tier 1 capital were both 11.8%. Capital ratios exceeded the “well capitalized” industry benchmark in regulatory requirements.
2017 Outlook
The company estimates core earnings per share of around 72 cents for this year. Operating efficiency ratio on a non-GAAP basis is expected in the range of 38-39%. Private education loan originations are projected to be $4.8 billion.
Our Viewpoint
Results of Sallie Mae highlight consistent focus on increasing private education loan assets, maintaining a solid capital position by introducing multiple complementary new products and improving efficiency. We believe economic recovery and a declining unemployment rate will assist Sallie Mae in maintaining its leading position in the student lending market. Further, its focus on solidifying presence in the consumer banking business space bodes well for the upcoming quarters.
However, we remain cautious owing to consistently increasing expenses. Sallie Mae also faces concentration risk due to extreme dependence on broker deposits.
SLM Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
SLM Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | SLM Corporation Quote
Currently, Sallie Mae carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Among other firms in the finance space, Ally Financial Inc. (ALLY - Free Report) is slated to release results on Oct 25 while Trustmark Corp. (TRMK - Free Report) and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB - Free Report) will release earnings on Oct 24.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +18.8% from 2016 - Q1 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +157.0%, +128.0%, +97.8%, +94.7%, and +90.2% respectively.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>