Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

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

We categorize our fair value estimates based on a hierarchal 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 Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies — Fair Value Measurement.”

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

	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
	December 31, 2019										December 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets
Available-for-sale investments	$	—	$	487,669		$	—	$	487,669		$	—	$	176,245		$	—	$	176,245
Derivative instruments	—		715			—		715			—		2,090			—		2,090
Total	$	—	$	488,384		$	—	$	488,384		$	—	$	178,335		$	—	$	178,335
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	$	—	$	(1,164	)	$	—	$	(1,164	)	$	—	$	(2,032	)	$	—	$	(2,032	)
Total	$	—	$	(1,164	)	$	—	$	(1,164	)	$	—	$	(2,032	)	$	—	$	(2,032	)

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

	December 31, 2019							December 31, 2018
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Difference			Fair Value		Carrying Value		Difference
Earning assets:
Loans held for investment, net:
Private Education Loans	$	24,988,941	$	22,896,515	$	2,092,426		$	22,313,419	$	20,294,843	$	2,018,576
FFELP Loans	795,055		783,816		11,239			859,185		847,889		11,296
Personal Loans	1,047,119		983,643		63,476			1,156,531		1,128,187		28,344
Credit Cards	3,818		3,818		—			—		—		—
Cash and cash equivalents	5,563,877		5,563,877		—			2,559,106		2,559,106		—
Available-for-sale investments	487,669		487,669		—			176,245		176,245		—
Accrued interest receivable	1,491,471		1,392,725		98,746			1,285,842		1,191,981		93,861
Tax indemnification receivable	27,558		27,558		—			39,207		39,207		—
Derivative instruments	715		715		—			2,090		2,090		—
Total earning assets	$	34,406,223	$	32,140,336	$	2,265,887		$	28,391,625	$	26,239,548	$	2,152,077
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Money-market and savings accounts	$	10,363,691	$	10,335,163	$	(28,528	)	$	9,370,957	$	9,390,108	$	19,151
Certificates of deposit	14,065,007		13,947,743		(117,264		)	9,513,194		9,551,974		38,780
Short-term borrowings	289,230		289,230		—			—		—		—
Long-term borrowings	4,434,323		4,354,037		(80,286		)	4,278,931		4,284,304		5,373
Accrued interest payable	75,158		75,158		—			61,341		61,341		—
Derivative instruments	1,164		1,164		—			2,032		2,032		—
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	29,228,573	$	29,002,495	$	(226,078	)	$	23,226,455	$	23,289,759	$	63,304
Excess of net asset fair value over carrying value					$	2,039,809						$	2,215,381

The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments are as follows:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost. Carrying value approximated fair value for disclosure purposes. These are level 1 valuations.

Investments

Investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. Investments in mortgage-backed securities and Utah Housing Corporation bonds are valued using observable market prices of similar assets. As such, these are level 2 valuations.

Loans Held For Investment and Accrued Interest Receivable

Private Education Loans

Our Private Education Loans are accounted for at cost or at the lower of cost or market if the loan is held-for-sale. For Private Education Loans, fair value was determined by using observable quoted prices for similar assets in our most recent market transactions. Adjustments were then made to account for the value of loans in our portfolio that have materially different characteristics than those included in the most recent market transaction. These are considered level 2 valuations. A portion of the fair value that has been modeled is attributable to accrued interest receivable that has not yet been capitalized, and has been allocated to the accrued interest receivable line item. The remaining accrued interest receivable that will not be capitalized into the principal balance of the loan is carried at cost.

FFELP Loans, Personal Loans, and Credit Cards

Our FFELP Loans, Personal Loans and Credit Cards are accounted for at cost or at the lower of cost or market if the loan is held-for-sale.  For both Personal Loans and FFELP Loans, the fair value was determined by modeling expected loan level cash flows using stated terms of the assets and internally developed assumptions to determine aggregate portfolio yield, net present value and average life. The significant assumptions used to determine fair value are prepayment speeds, default rates, cost of funds and required return on equity. Significant inputs into the model are not observable. However, we do calibrate the model based on market transactions when appropriate.  As such, these are level 3 valuations. 

Tax Indemnification Receivable

Tax indemnification receivable is carried at cost. The carrying value approximates fair value. This is a level 2 valuation.

Money Market and Savings Accounts

Some of our MMDAs are fixed-rate deposits that are subject to minimum balances for a specified period of time. The fair values of these deposits are estimated using discounted cash flows based on rates currently offered for deposits of similar maturities. These are level 2 valuations. The fair values of our remaining money market and savings accounts equal the amounts payable on demand at the balance sheet date and are reported at their carrying value. These are level 1 valuations.

Certificates of Deposit

The fair values of CDs are estimated using discounted cash flows based on rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. These are level 2 valuations.

Accrued Interest Payable

Accrued interest payable is carried at cost. The carrying value approximates fair value due to its short-term nature. This is a level 1 valuation.

Borrowings

Borrowings are accounted for at cost in the consolidated financial statements. The carrying value of short-term borrowings approximated fair value for disclosure purposes, due to the short-term nature of those borrowings. This is a level 1 valuation. The fair value of long-term borrowings is estimated using current market prices. This is a level 2 valuation.

Derivatives

All derivatives are accounted for at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. The fair value of derivative financial instruments was determined by a standard derivative pricing and option model using the stated terms of the contracts and observable market inputs. It is our policy to compare the derivative fair values to those received from our counterparties in order to evaluate the model’s outputs.

When determining the fair value of derivatives, we take into account counterparty credit risk for positions where we are exposed to the counterparty on a net basis by assessing exposure net of collateral held. When the counterparty has exposure to us under derivative contracts with the Company, we fully collateralize the exposure (subject to certain thresholds).

Interest rate swaps are valued using a standard derivative cash flow model with a LIBOR swap yield curve, which is an observable input from an active market. These derivatives are level 2 fair value estimates in the hierarchy.

The carrying value of borrowings designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge is adjusted for changes in fair value due to changes in the benchmark interest rate (one-month LIBOR). These valuations are determined through standard pricing models using the stated terms of the borrowings and observable yield curves.