Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

The financial reporting and accounting policies of SLM Corporation conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In conjunction with the Spin-Off, our consolidated financial statements are comprised of financial information relating to the Bank and Upromise. Also included in our financial statements, for periods before the Spin-Off, are certain general corporate overhead expenses allocated to the Company.

The timing and steps necessary to complete the Spin-Off and comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reporting requirements, including the replacement of pre-Spin-Off SLM with our current publicly traded registrant, have resulted in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on February 19, 2014, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2014, providing business results and financial information for the periods reported therein on the basis of the consolidated businesses of pre-Spin-Off SLM. While information contained in those prior reports may provide meaningful historical context for our business, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was our first periodic report made on the basis of the post-Spin-Off business.

For periods before the Spin-Off, these financial statements are presented on a basis of accounting that reflects a change in reporting entity and have been adjusted for the effects of the Spin-Off. These carved-out financial statements and selected financial information represent only those operations, assets, liabilities and equity that form Sallie Mae on a stand-alone basis. Because the Spin-Off occurred on April 30, 2014, these financial statements include the carved-out financial results for the first four months of 2014. All prior period amounts represent comparably determined carved-out amounts. The year ended December 31, 2015 was the first full year where the financial results did not include the effect of carved-out amounts.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Key accounting policies that include significant judgments and estimates include the valuation of allowance for loan losses, fair value measurements and derivative accounting.

Consolidation

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.

We consolidate any variable interest entity (“VIE”) where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRB”) and commercial bank accounts, and other short-term liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Fees associated with investing cash and cash equivalents are amortized into interest income using the effective interest rate method

Investments

Investments consisted of only mortgage-backed securities in 2015 and 2014. We record our investment purchases and sales on a trade date basis. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are amortized using the effective interest rate method.

Our investments are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments are recorded in equity and are reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss), net of applicable income taxes, unless a decline in the investment’s value is considered to be other-than-temporary, in which case the loss is recorded directly to earnings.

Management reviews all investments at least quarterly to determine whether any impairment is other-than-temporary. Impairment is evaluated by considering several factors, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability to retain the investment to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value. If, based on the analysis, it is determined that the impairment is other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to fair value and a loss is recognized through earnings.

Loans Held for Investment

Loans, consisting of Private Education Loans and FFELP loans, that we have the ability and intent to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment, and are carried at amortized cost. Amortized cost includes the unamortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized origination costs and fees, all of which are amortized to interest income as discussed under “Loan Interest Income.” Loans which are held for investment are reported net of an allowance for loan losses.

Prior to the Spin-Off, we participated in FFELP rehabilitation loan auctions whereby we bid on portfolios of rehabilitated FFELP loans offered for sale by guarantors. For a loan to be eligible for rehabilitation, the guaranty agency must have received reasonable and affordable payments for 9 out of 10 months, at which time the borrower may request that the loan be rehabilitated. Because monthly payments are usually greater after rehabilitation, not all borrowers request rehabilitation. Upon rehabilitation, a borrower is again eligible for all of the benefits under the Higher Education Act that he or she was not eligible for as a borrower on a defaulted loan, such as new federal aid, and the default on the borrower’s credit record is expunged. No student loan may be rehabilitated more than once.

Restricted Cash and Investments

Restricted cash and investments primarily include amounts held in student loan securitization trusts and other secured borrowings. This cash must be used to make payments related to trust obligations. Amounts on deposit in these accounts are primarily the result of timing differences between when principal and interest is collected on the trust assets and when principal and interest is paid on trust liabilities.

Allowance for Loan Losses

We consider a loan to be impaired when, based on current information, a loss has been incurred and it is probable that we will not receive all contractual amounts due. When making our assessment as to whether a loan is impaired, we also take into account more than insignificant delays in payment. We generally evaluate impaired loans on an aggregate basis by grouping similar loans. We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount sufficient to absorb probable losses incurred in our portfolios, as well as future loan commitments, at the reporting date based on a projection of estimated probable credit losses incurred in the portfolio.

We analyze our portfolios to determine the effects that the various stages of delinquency and forbearance have on borrower default behavior and ultimate charge off. We estimate the allowance for loan losses for our loan portfolios using a roll rate analysis of delinquent and current accounts. A “roll rate analysis” is a technique used to estimate the likelihood that a loan receivable may progress through the various delinquency stages and ultimately charge off. We also take into account the current and future economic environment and certain other qualitative factors when calculating the allowance for loan losses.

The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. Our default estimates are based on a loss emergence period of one year for Private Education Loans and two years for FFELP Loans. A loss emergence period represents the expected period between the first occurrence of an event likely to cause a loss on a loan and the date the loan is expected to be charged off, taking into consideration account management practices that affect the timing of a loss, such as the usage of forbearance. The loss emergence period underlying the allowance for loan losses is subject to a number of assumptions. If actual future performance in delinquency, charge-offs and recoveries are significantly different than estimated, or account management assumptions or practices were to change, this could materially affect the estimate of the allowance for loan losses, the timing of when losses are recognized, and the related provision for credit losses on our consolidated statements of income.

Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses

We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount sufficient to absorb probable losses incurred in our portfolios at the reporting date based on a projection of estimated probable credit losses incurred in the portfolio.

In determining the allowance for loan losses on our Private Education Loans that are not troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), we estimate the principal amount of loans that will default over the next year (one year being the expected period between a loss event and default) and how much we expect to recover over the same one year period related to the defaulted amount. The expected defaults less our expected recoveries adjusted for any qualitative factors (discussed below) equal the allowance related to this portfolio. Our historical experience indicates that, on average, the time between the date that a customer experiences a default causing event (i.e., the loss trigger event) and the date that we charge off the unrecoverable portion of that loan is one year.

In estimating both the non-TDR and TDR allowance amounts, we start with historical experience of customer delinquency and default behavior. We make judgments about which historical period to start with and then make further judgments about whether that historical experience is representative of future expectations and whether additional adjustments may be needed to those historical default rates. We may also take certain other qualitative factors into consideration when calculating the allowance for loan losses. These qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the economic environment, changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices not already included in the analysis, and the effect of other external factors such as legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses.

Our non-TDR allowance for loan losses is estimated using an analysis of delinquent and current accounts. Our model is used to estimate the likelihood that a loan receivable may progress through the various delinquency stages and ultimately charge off. Once a charge-off forecast is estimated, a recovery assumption is layered on top. In estimating recoveries, we use both estimates of what we would receive from the sale of delinquent loans as well as historical borrower payment behavior to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans.

In fourth quarter 2015, we stopped selling defaulted loans to third-parties and began collecting on defaulted loans in-house. It is our expectation that in the future we will continue to collect on defaulted loans in-house as well as sell defaulted loans to third-parties. Prior to this change in practice, we only used estimates of what we would receive from the sale of delinquent loans in estimating recoveries. For December, 31, 2015, we used both an estimate of recovery rates from in-house collections as well as expectations of future sales of defaulted loans to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans.

The roll rate analysis model is based upon actual experience using the 120 day charge-off default aversion strategies. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered.

In connection with the Spin-Off, the agreement under which the Bank previously made sales of defaulted loans to an affiliate was amended so that the Bank now has the right to require Navient to purchase (at fair value) loans only where (a) the borrower has a lending relationship with both the Bank and Navient (“Split Loans”) and (b) the Split Loans either (1) are more than 90 days past due; (2) have been restructured; (3) have been granted a hardship forbearance or more than six months of administrative forbearance; or (4) have a borrower or cosigner who has filed for bankruptcy. At December 31, 2015, we held approximately $89 million of Split Loans.

Pre-Spin-Off SLM charged off loans when they were 212 days delinquent. As such, default aversion strategies were focused on the final stages of delinquency, from 150 days to 212 days. In connection with the Spin-Off, we changed our charge-off policy for Private Education Loans to charging off loans when they reach 120 days delinquent. As a result of changing our corporate charge-off policy and greatly reducing the number of potentially delinquent loans we sell to Navient, our default aversion strategies now focus on loans 30 to 120 days delinquent. This change has the effect of accelerating the recognition of losses due to the shorter charge-off period (120 days). In addition, at the time of the Spin-Off, we changed our loss emergence period from two years to one year to reflect the shorter charge-off policy and our revised servicing practices. These two changes resulted in recognizing a $14 million net reduction in our allowance for loan losses in second quarter 2014 because we are now only reserving for one year of losses as compared with two years under the prior policy, which more than offset the impact of the shorter charge-off period.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Separately, for our TDR portfolio, we estimate an allowance amount sufficient to cover life-of-loan expected losses through an impairment calculation based on the difference between the loan’s basis and the present value of expected future cash flows (which would include life-of-loan default and recovery assumptions) discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Our TDR portfolio is comprised mostly of loans with interest rate reductions and forbearance usage greater than three months.

We modify the terms of loans for certain borrowers when we believe such modifications may increase the ability and willingness of a borrower to make payments and thus increase the ultimate overall amount collected on a loan. These modifications generally take the form of a forbearance, a temporary interest rate reduction or an extended repayment plan. In the first nine months after a loan enters full principal and interest repayment, the loan may be in forbearance for up to six months without it being classified as a TDR. Once the initial nine-month period described above is over, however, any loan that receives more than three months of forbearance in a twenty-four month period is classified as a TDR. Also, a loan becomes a TDR when it is modified to reduce the interest rate on the loan (regardless of when such modification occurs and/or whether such interest rate is temporary). The majority of our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan. Approximately 23 percent and 10 percent of the loans granted forbearance as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, have been classified as TDRs due to their forbearance status.

Key Credit Quality Indicators

We determine the collectability of our Private Education Loan portfolio by evaluating certain risk characteristics. We consider credit score, existence of a cosigner, loan status and loan seasoning as the key credit quality indicators because they have the most significant effect on the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. Credit scores are an indicator of the creditworthiness of a borrower and the higher the credit score the more likely it is the borrower will be able to make all of their contractual payments. Loan status affects the credit risk because a past due loan is more likely to result in a credit loss than an up-to-date loan. Additionally, loans in the deferred payment status have different credit risk profiles compared with those in current pay status. Loan seasoning affects credit risk because a loan with a history of making payments generally has a lower incidence of default than a loan with a history of making infrequent or no payments. The existence of a cosigner lowers the likelihood of default. We monitor and update these credit quality indicators in the analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.

Certain Private Education Loans do not require borrowers to begin repayment until six months after they have graduated or otherwise left school. Consequently, the loss estimates for these loans is generally low while the borrower is in school. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, 32 percent and 36 percent, respectively, of the principal balance in the Private Education Loan portfolio was related to borrowers who are in an in-school (fully deferred), grace, or deferment status and not required to make payments. As this population of borrowers leaves school, they will be required to begin payments on their loans, and the allowance for losses may change accordingly.

Similar to the rules governing FFELP payment requirements, our collection policies allow for periods of nonpayment for borrowers requesting additional payment grace periods upon leaving school or experiencing temporary difficulty meeting payment obligations. This is referred to as forbearance status and is considered separately in the allowance for loan losses. The loss emergence period is in alignment with the typical collection cycle and takes into account these periods of nonpayment.

As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for loan loss, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most relevant of these metrics considered are the allowance coverage of charge-offs ratio; the allowance as a percentage of total loans and of loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages.

We consider a loan to be delinquent 31 days after the last payment was contractually due. We use a model to estimate the amount of uncollectible accrued interest on Private Education Loans and reserve for that amount against current period interest income.

Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses

FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default subject to a Risk Sharing level based on the date of loan disbursement. These insurance obligations are supported by contractual rights against the United States. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, we receive 97 percent reimbursement. For loans disbursed after October 1, 1993, and before July 1, 2006, we receive 98 percent reimbursement on all qualifying default claims. For loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993, we receive 100 percent reimbursement.

The allowance for FFELP Loan losses uses historical experience of customer default behavior and a two-year loss emergence period to estimate the credit losses incurred in the loan portfolio at the reporting date. We apply the default rate projections, net of applicable Risk Sharing, to each category for the current period to perform our quantitative calculation. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered.

Deposits

Our deposit accounts are principally certificates of deposit (“CD”), money market deposit accounts (“MMDA”) and high yield savings (“HYS”) accounts. CDs are accounts that have a stipulated maturity and interest rate. Early withdrawal of brokered CDs is prohibited (except in the case of death or legal incapacity). Retail CDs may be withdrawn early, but a penalty is assessed. MMDA and HYS accounts are both interest and non-interest bearing accounts that have no maturity or expiration date. The depositor is not required by the deposit contract, but may at any time be required by the Company, to give written notice of any intended withdrawal not less than seven days before the withdrawal is made.

Upromise related liabilities

Upromise related liabilities represent amounts owed to Upromise rewards members for rebates they have earned from qualifying purchases from Upromise’s participating merchants. These amounts are held in trust for the benefit of the members until distributed in accordance with the Upromise member’s request and/or the terms of the Upromise service agreement. Upromise, which acts as the trustee for the trust, has deposited a majority of the cash with the Bank pursuant to a money market deposit account agreement between the Bank and Upromise as trustee of the trust.

Fair Value Measurement

We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our financial statements. Fair value measurements are used in one of four ways:


•	In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of income;


•	In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income section of the consolidated statement of changes in equity;


•	In the consolidated balance sheet for instruments carried at lower of cost or fair value with impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statement of income; and


•	In the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants. In general, our policy in estimating fair value is to first look at observable market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets, where available. When these are not available, other inputs are used to model fair value such as prices of similar instruments, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates and credit spreads (including for our liabilities), relying first on observable data from active markets. Depending on current market conditions, additional adjustments to fair value may be based on factors such as liquidity, credit, and bid/offer spreads. Transaction costs are not included in the determination of fair value. When possible, we seek to validate the model’s output to market transactions. Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates. The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.

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. Classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the instrument. The three levels are as follows:


•	Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. The types of financial instruments included in level 1 are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices.


•	Level 2 — Inputs from active markets, other than quoted prices for identical instruments, are used to determine fair value. Significant inputs are directly observable from active markets for substantially the full term of the asset or liability being valued.


•	Level 3 — Pricing inputs significant to the valuation are unobservable. Inputs are developed based on the best information available. However, significant judgment is required by us in developing the inputs.

Loan Interest Income

For loans classified as held for investment, we recognize interest income as earned, adjusted for the amortization of deferred direct origination costs. This adjustment is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan over its life after giving effect to prepayments and extensions. The estimate of the prepayment speed includes the effect of voluntary prepayments, student loan defaults, and consolidation (if the loan is consolidated to a third-party), all of which shorten the life-of-loan. Prepayment speed estimates also consider the utilization of deferment, forbearance, and extended repayment plans, which lengthen the life-of-loan. We regularly evaluate the assumptions used to estimate the prepayment speeds. In instances where there are changes to the assumptions, amortization is adjusted on a cumulative basis to reflect the change since the origination of the loan. We also pay to the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) an annual 105 basis point consolidation loan rebate fee on FFELP consolidation loans, which is netted against loan interest income. Additionally, interest earned on education loans reflects potential non-payment adjustments in accordance with our uncollectible interest recognition policy as discussed further in “Allowance for Loan Losses” of this Note 2. We do not amortize any adjustments to the basis of education loans when they are classified as held-for-sale.

We recognize certain fee income (primarily late fees) on education loans when earned according to the contractual provisions of the promissory notes, as well as our expectation of collectability. Fee income is recorded when earned in “other non-interest income” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Interest Expense

Interest expense is based upon contractual interest rates adjusted for the amortization of issuance costs. We incur interest expense on interest bearing deposits comprised of non-maturity savings deposits, brokered and retail CDs, brokered MMDAs and secured financings. Interest expense is recognized when amounts are contractually due to deposit and debt holders and is adjusted for net payments/receipts related to interest rate swap agreements that qualify and are designated hedges of interest bearing liabilities. Interest expense also includes the amortization of deferred gains and losses on closed hedge transactions that qualified as hedges. Amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts and terminated hedge-basis adjustments are recognized using the effective interest rate method. We incur certain fees related to our Private Education Loan asset-backed commercial paper facility (the “ABCP Facility”), including an unused ABCP Facility fee, and also incur fees related to our term asset-backed securities ("ABS"). These fees are included in interest expense.

Gains on Sale of Loans, Net

We participate and sell loans to third-parties and affiliates, including entities that were related parties prior to the Spin-Off. These sales may occur through whole loan sales or securitization transactions that qualify for sales treatment. If a transfer of loans qualifies as a sale, we derecognize the loan and recognize a gain or loss as the difference between the carry basis of the loan sold and liabilities retained and the compensation received. We recognize the results of a transfer of loans based upon the settlement date of the transaction. These loans were initially recorded as held for investment, and were transferred to held-for-sale immediately prior to sale or securitization.

Other Income

Our Upromise subsidiary has a number of programs that encourage consumers to save for the cost of college education. We have established a consumer savings network, which is designed to promote college savings by consumers who are members of this program by encouraging them to purchase goods and services from the merchants that participate in the program. Participating merchants generally pay Upromise fees based on member purchase volume, either online or in stores depending on the contractual arrangement with the merchant. We recognize revenue as marketing and administrative services are rendered, based upon contractually determined rates and member purchase volumes.

Securitization Accounting

Our securitizations transactions use a two-step structure with a special purpose entity (variable interest entity (“VIE”)) that legally isolates the transferred assets from us in the event of bankruptcy or receivership. Transactions receiving sale treatment are also structured to ensure that the holders of the beneficial interests issued are not constrained from pledging or exchanging their interests, and that we do not maintain effective control over the transferred assets. If these criteria are not met, then the transaction is accounted for as an on-balance sheet secured borrowing. If a securitization qualifies as a sale, we then assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of the securitization trust and are required to consolidate such trust. We are considered the primary beneficiary if we have both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. There can be considerable judgment as it relates to determining the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. There are no “bright line” tests. Rather, the assessment of who has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and who has the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE can be very qualitative and judgmental in nature. If we are the primary beneficiary then no gain or loss is recognized.

We have determined that as the sponsor and servicer of Sallie Mae securitization trusts, we meet the first primary beneficiary criterion because we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance.

Irrespective of whether a securitization receives sale or on-balance sheet treatment, our continuing involvement with our securitization trusts is generally limited to:


•	Owning the equity certificates of certain trusts.


•	The servicing of the student loan assets within the securitization trusts, on both a pre- and post-default basis.


•	Our acting as administrator for the securitization transactions we sponsored.


•	Our responsibilities relative to representation and warranty violations.


•	The option to exercise the clean-up call and purchase the student loans from the trust when the pool balance is 10 percent or less of the original pool balance.

In 2015 and 2014, we executed both secured financing and securitized loan sale transactions. Based upon our relationships with these securitizations, we believe the consolidation assessment is straightforward. We consolidated our secured financing transactions because either we did not meet the accounting criterion for sales treatment or we determined we were the primary beneficiary of the VIE because we retained (a) the residual interest in the securitization and therefore had the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE as well as (b) the power to direct the activities of the VIE in our role as servicer. For those accounted for as securitized loan sales, we were not the primary beneficiary because we have no obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The investors in our securitization trusts have no recourse to our other assets should there be a failure of the trust to pay when due. Generally, the only recourse the securitization trusts have to us is in the event we breach a seller representation or warranty or our duties as master servicer and servicer, in which event we agree to repurchase the related loans from the trust.

We did not record a servicing asset or servicing liability related to our securitization transactions because we determined the servicing fees we receive are at market rate.

Derivative Accounting

We account for our derivatives, consisting of interest rate swaps, at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability. Derivative positions are recorded as net positions by counterparty based on master netting arrangements (see Note 11, “Derivative Financial Instruments”) exclusive of accrued interest and cash collateral held or pledged. We determine the fair value for our derivative contracts primarily using pricing models that consider current market conditions and the contractual terms of the derivative contract. These factors include interest rates, time value, forward interest rate curves, and volatility factors. Inputs are generally from active financial markets.

The majority of our derivatives qualify as effective hedges. For these derivatives, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged items (including the hedged risk and method for assessing effectiveness), as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship, is documented.

Each derivative is designated to a specific (or pool of) liability(ies) on the consolidated balance sheets, and is designated as either a “fair value” hedge or a “cash flow” hedge. Fair value hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to changes in fair value of a fixed-rate liability. For effective fair value hedges, both the hedge and the hedged item (for the risk being hedged) are recorded at fair value with any difference reflecting ineffectiveness which is recorded immediately in the consolidated statements of income. Cash flow hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to variability in cash flows related to variable rate deposits. The assessment of the hedge’s effectiveness is performed at inception and on an ongoing basis, generally using regression testing. For hedges of a pool of liabilities, tests are performed to demonstrate the similarity of individual instruments of the pool. When it is determined that a derivative is not currently an effective hedge, ineffectiveness is recognized for the full change in fair value of the derivative with no offsetting amount from the hedged item since the last time it was effective. If it is also determined the hedge will not be effective in the future, we discontinue the hedge accounting prospectively and begin amortization of any basis adjustments that exist related to the hedged item.

Stock-Based Compensation

We recognize stock-based compensation cost in our consolidated statements of income using the fair value method. Under this method, we determine the fair value of the stock-based compensation at the time of the grant and recognize the resulting compensation expense over the vesting period of the stock-based grant.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of our assets and liabilities. To the extent tax laws change, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted in the period that the tax change is enacted.

“Income tax expense/(benefit)” includes (i) deferred tax expense/(benefit), which represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year when applicable, and (ii) current tax expense/(benefit), which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a tax authority plus amounts accrued for unrecognized tax benefits. Income tax expense/(benefit) excludes the tax effects related to adjustments recorded in equity.

An uncertain tax position is recognized only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of tax benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest amount of benefit that is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained upon ultimate settlement of the uncertain tax position. We recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense/(benefit), and penalties, if any, in operating expenses.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2015, which had no effect on net income, total assets or total liabilities.

Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2018. Early application is not permitted. The adoption of this guidance by the Company is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” The ASU requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance by the Company is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

On April 15, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, “Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” The ASU amends its guidance on internal use software to clarify how customers in cloud computing arrangements should determine whether the arrangement includes a software license. The new standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” which changes the income statement impact of equity investments, and the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which amends the current consolidation guidance. The amendments reduce the number of consolidation models through the elimination of the indefinite deferral of ASC 810 and place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The standard is effective January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted during an interim period in fiscal year 2015. In the third quarter of 2015, we elected to early adopt the new accounting guidance retrospectively to July 1, 2015. The early adoption of this standard had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.