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NELNET INC Interim / Quarterly Report 2013

Nov 7, 2013

31093_10-q_2013-11-07_a9fb6027-0154-4a29-8c73-5d02e2ff7f3f.zip

Interim / Quarterly Report

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10-Q 1 nni-93013x10q.htm 10-Q html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd" Document created using WebFilings 1 Copyright 2008-2013 WebFilings LLC. All Rights Reserved NNI-9.30.13-10Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-31924

NELNET, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEBRASKA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 84-0748903 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
121 SOUTH 13TH STREET, SUITE 201 LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (Address of principal executive offices) 68508 (Zip Code)

(402) 458-2370

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [X]

Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes[ ] No[X]

As of October 31, 2013 , there were 34,872,451 and 11,495,377 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding, respectively (excluding 11,317,364 shares of Class A Common Stock held by wholly owned subsidiaries).

NELNET, INC.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

September 30, 2013

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION — Item 1. Financial Statements 2
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 27
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 47
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 52
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 52
Item 1A. Risk Factors 52
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 52
Item 6. Exhibits 54
Signatures 55

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
As of As of
September 30, 2013 December 31, 2012
(unaudited)
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $54,197 and $51,902, respectively) $ 24,701,112 24,830,621
Non-federally insured student loans receivable - held for sale 28,480
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party 6,421 7,567
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party 44,970 58,464
Total cash and cash equivalents 51,391 66,031
Investments 232,663 83,312
Restricted cash and investments 674,926 815,462
Restricted cash - due to customers 93,695 96,516
Accrued interest receivable 303,350 307,518
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,510 and $1,529, respectively) 62,951 63,638
Goodwill 117,118 117,118
Intangible assets, net 6,932 9,393
Property and equipment, net 33,013 31,869
Other assets 103,021 88,976
Fair value of derivative instruments 128,276 97,441
Total assets $ 26,536,928 26,607,895
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable $ 24,858,455 25,098,835
Accrued interest payable 14,218 14,770
Other liabilities 171,134 161,671
Due to customers 93,695 96,516
Fair value of derivative instruments 21,513 70,890
Total liabilities 25,159,015 25,442,682
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock:
Class A, $0.01 par value. Authorized 600,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 34,876,145 shares and 35,116,913 shares, respectively 349 351
Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,495,377 shares 115 115
Additional paid-in capital 24,068 32,540
Retained earnings 1,347,609 1,129,389
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings 5,722 2,813
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity 1,377,863 1,165,208
Noncontrolling interest 50 5
Total equity 1,377,913 1,165,213
Total liabilities and equity $ 26,536,928 26,607,895
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
Student loans receivable $ 24,755,486 24,920,130
Restricted cash and investments 673,304 753,511
Fair value of derivative instruments 101,819 82,841
Other assets 305,546 306,454
Bonds and notes payable (25,017,110 ) (25,209,341 )
Other liabilities (311,541 ) (348,364 )
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities $ 507,504 505,231

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
Three months Nine months
ended September 30, ended September 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
Interest income:
Loan interest $ 158,675 150,528 472,277 454,574
Investment interest 1,562 1,140 4,662 3,290
Total interest income 160,237 151,668 476,939 457,864
Interest expense:
Interest on bonds and notes payable 55,315 66,402 171,800 203,175
Net interest income 104,922 85,266 305,139 254,689
Less provision for loan losses 5,000 5,000 15,000 18,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 99,922 80,266 290,139 236,689
Other income (expense):
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 64,582 53,285 180,261 155,164
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue 19,927 17,928 61,694 56,675
Enrollment services revenue 22,563 30,661 76,343 92,035
Other income 8,613 12,699 30,317 32,453
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 2,138 195 10,900 1,130
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net (16,648 ) (31,275 ) 24,612 (68,073 )
Total other income 101,175 83,493 384,127 269,384
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 48,712 46,395 144,049 144,193
Cost to provide enrollment services 14,668 20,151 51,097 62,203
Depreciation and amortization 4,340 8,402 13,037 24,764
Other 39,887 29,989 109,193 93,160
Total operating expenses 107,607 104,937 317,376 324,320
Income before income taxes 93,490 58,822 356,890 181,753
Income tax expense 30,444 21,870 123,637 59,978
Net income 63,046 36,952 233,253 121,775
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 216 124 1,101 412
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 62,830 36,828 232,152 121,363
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted $ 1.35 0.78 4.98 2.56
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 46,496,612 47,460,308 46,593,241 47,399,207

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three months Nine months
ended September 30, ended September 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
Net income $ 63,046 36,952 233,253 121,775
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of losses 5,689 133 6,875 1,745
Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses (730 ) (2,618 ) (2,246 ) (4,848 )
Income tax effect (1,834 ) 961 (1,720 ) 1,170
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 3,125 (1,524 ) 2,909 (1,933 )
Comprehensive income 66,171 35,428 236,162 119,842
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 216 124 1,101 412
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 65,955 35,304 235,061 119,430

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
Nelnet, Inc. Shareholders
Preferred stock shares Common stock shares Preferred stock Class A common stock Class B common stock Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive earnings Employee notes receivable Noncontrolling interest Total equity
Class A Class B
Balance as of June 30, 2012 35,847,801 11,495,377 $ — 358 115 52,194 1,092,715 (409 ) (368 ) 293 1,144,898
Net income 36,828 124 36,952
Other comprehensive loss (1,524 ) (1,524 )
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.1 per share (4,737 ) (4,737 )
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (180 ) 271 271
Compensation expense for stock based awards 584 584
Repurchase of common stock (8,545 ) (206 ) (206 )
Balance as of September 30, 2012 35,839,076 11,495,377 $ — 358 115 52,843 1,124,806 (1,933 ) (368 ) 417 1,176,238
Balance as of June 30, 2013 34,988,110 11,495,377 $ — 350 115 27,004 1,289,416 2,597 113 1,319,595
Net income 62,830 216 63,046
Other comprehensive income 3,125 3,125
Distribution to noncontrolling interest (279 ) (279 )
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.1 per share (4,637 ) (4,637 )
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (745 ) 264 264
Compensation expense for stock based awards 824 824
Repurchase of common stock (111,220 ) (1 ) (4,024 ) (4,025 )
Balance as of September 30, 2013 34,876,145 11,495,377 $ — 349 115 24,068 1,347,609 5,722 50 1,377,913
Balance as of December 31, 2011 35,643,102 11,495,377 $ — 356 115 49,245 1,017,629 (1,140 ) 1,066,205
Issuance of noncontrolling interest 5 5
Net income 121,363 412 121,775
Other comprehensive loss (1,933 ) (1,933 )
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.3 per share (14,186 ) (14,186 )
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures 255,538 3 3,545 3,548
Compensation expense for stock based awards 1,573 1,573
Repurchase of common stock (59,564 ) (1 ) (1,520 ) (1,521 )
Reduction of employee stock notes receivable 772 772
Balance as of September 30, 2012 35,839,076 11,495,377 $ — 358 115 52,843 1,124,806 (1,933 ) (368 ) 417 1,176,238
Balance as of December 31, 2012 35,116,913 11,495,377 $ — 351 115 32,540 1,129,389 2,813 5 1,165,213
Issuance of noncontrolling interest 5 5
Net income 232,152 1,101 233,253
Other comprehensive income 2,909 2,909
Distribution to noncontrolling interest (1,061 ) (1,061 )
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.3 per share (13,932 ) (13,932 )
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures 149,608 2 2,231 2,233
Compensation expense for stock based awards 2,308 2,308
Repurchase of common stock (390,376 ) (4 ) (13,011 ) (13,015 )
Balance as of September 30, 2013 34,876,145 11,495,377 $ — 349 115 24,068 1,347,609 5,722 50 1,377,913

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Nine months
ended September 30,
2013 2012
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 232,152 121,363
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,101 412
Net income 233,253 121,775
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs 58,330 85,370
Student loan discount accretion (26,333 ) (31,693 )
Provision for loan losses 15,000 18,000
Derivative market value adjustment (73,743 ) 67,349
Foreign currency transaction adjustment 25,902 (6,186 )
Payments to terminate and/or amend derivative instruments, net of proceeds (6,469 ) (6,430 )
Gain on sale of loans (34 ) (80 )
Gain from debt repurchases (10,866 ) (1,050 )
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net (2,246 ) (4,848 )
Purchases of student loans - held for sale (28,480 )
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 13,279 (29,141 )
Other 2,557 763
Decrease in accrued interest receivable 4,168 40,545
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 687 (7,745 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets (2,445 ) 2,330
Decrease in accrued interest payable (552 ) (2,998 )
Increase in other liabilities 598 14,636
Net cash provided by operating activities 202,606 260,597
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of student loans (1,696,253 ) (875,556 )
Purchase of student loans from a related party (466,941 ) (299 )
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other 2,269,253 2,500,005
Proceeds from sale of student loans 11,287 92,149
Purchases of available-for-sale securities (196,657 ) (155,057 )
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities 52,733 112,854
Purchases of other investments (8,316 )
Purchases of property and equipment, net (11,720 ) (7,370 )
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash 140,536 (291,239 )
Net cash provided by investing activities 93,922 1,375,487
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on bonds and notes payable (4,159,079 ) (2,795,019 )
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable 3,888,772 1,232,250
Payments of debt issuance costs (13,295 ) (7,630 )
Dividends paid (13,932 ) (14,186 )
Repurchases of common stock (13,015 ) (1,521 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 437 349
Payments received on employee stock notes receivable 772
Issuance of noncontrolling interest 5 5
Distribution to noncontrolling interest (1,061 )
Net cash used in financing activities (311,168 ) (1,584,980 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (14,640 ) 51,104
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 66,031 42,570
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 51,391 93,674
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid $ 148,482 179,007
Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 114,744 86,798

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Information as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended

September 30, 2013 and 2012 is unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

1. Basis of Financial Reporting

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2013 . The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the "2012 Annual Report").

2. Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:

As of As of
September 30, 2013 December 31, 2012
Held for investment Held for sale Held for investment
Federally insured loans
Stafford and other $ 6,884,348 7,261,114
Consolidation 17,908,229 17,708,732
Total 24,792,577 24,969,846
Non-federally insured loans 66,283 28,480 26,034
24,858,860 28,480 24,995,880
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (103,551 ) (113,357 )
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans (42,406 ) (40,120 )
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans (11,791 ) (11,782 )
$ 24,701,112 28,480 24,830,621
Allowance for federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans 0.17 % 0.16 %
Allowance for non-federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans 17.79 % 45.26 %

7

Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Balance at beginning of period $ 51,611 49,657 51,902 48,482
Provision for loan losses:
Federally insured loans 5,000 5,000 16,000 18,000
Non-federally insured loans (1,000 )
Total provision for loan losses 5,000 5,000 15,000 18,000
Charge-offs:
Federally insured loans (3,142 ) (5,449 ) (12,472 ) (16,943 )
Non-federally insured loans (906 ) (1,058 ) (2,270 ) (2,355 )
Total charge-offs (4,048 ) (6,507 ) (14,742 ) (19,298 )
Recoveries - non-federally insured loans 363 399 1,173 1,104
Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans, net 700 (928 ) (1,243 ) (2,647 )
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans repurchased, net 571 588 2,107 2,568
Balance at end of period $ 54,197 48,209 54,197 48,209
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
Federally insured loans $ 42,406 35,614 42,406 35,614
Non-federally insured loans 11,791 12,595 11,791 12,595
Total allowance for loan losses $ 54,197 48,209 54,197 48,209

Repurchase Obligations

As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had participated a cumulative amount of $98.5 million (par value) of non-federally insured loans to third parties. Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.

In addition, in 2011, the Company sold a portfolio of non-federally insured loans for proceeds of $91.3 million ( 100% of par value). The Company retained credit risk related to this portfolio and will pay cash to purchase back any loans which become 60 days delinquent. As of September 30, 2013 , the balance of this portfolio was $66.0 million (par value).

The Company’s estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The activity related to this accrual is detailed below.

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Beginning balance $ 14,594 17,243 16,130 19,223
Repurchase obligation transferred to the allowance for loan losses related to loans repurchased, net (571 ) (588 ) (2,107 ) (2,568 )
Ending balance $ 14,023 16,655 14,023 16,655

8

Student Loan Status and Delinquencies

Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs. The percent of non-federally insured loans held for investment that were delinquent 31 days or greater as of September 30, 2013 , December 31, 2012 , and September 30, 2012 was 13.4 percent , 28.6 percent , and 26.0 percent , respectively. The table below shows the Company’s federally insured student loan delinquency amounts.

Rehabilitation Loans and Delinquent Loans Funded in FFELP Warehouse Facilities

Rehabilitation loans are student loans that have previously defaulted, but for which the borrower has made a specified number of on-time payments. Although rehabilitation loans benefit from the same guarantees as other federally insured student loans, rehabilitation loans have generally experienced re-default rates that are higher than default rates for federally insured student loans that have not previously defaulted. The Company has purchased a significant amount of rehabilitation loans during 2012 and 2013. Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate under the Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFEL Program" or "FFELP"). As such, there is minimal credit risk related to rehabilitation loans purchased; therefore, these loans are presented separately in the following delinquency tables.

In addition, the Company has purchased delinquent federally insured loans that are funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate. As such, there is minimal credit risk related to these loans. Loans delinquent 121 days or greater and funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities are included with rehabilitated loans purchased in the following delinquency tables.

As of September 30, 2013 As of December 31, 2012 As of September 30, 2012
Federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 2,780,442 $ 2,949,320 $ 3,163,918
Loans in forbearance 2,953,119 2,992,023 2,868,168
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current 14,157,330 87.2 % 14,583,044 87.6 % 13,673,217 87.2 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days 662,814 4.1 652,351 3.9 586,021 3.7
Loans delinquent 61-90 days 354,975 2.2 330,885 2.0 308,377 2.0
Loans delinquent 91-120 days 235,681 1.5 247,381 1.5 237,941 1.5
Loans delinquent 121-270 days 624,042 3.8 603,942 3.6 628,697 4.0
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater 195,853 1.2 220,798 1.4 253,438 1.6
Total loans in repayment 16,230,695 100.0 % 16,638,401 100.0 % 15,687,691 100.0 %
Total federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans $ 21,964,256 $ 22,579,744 $ 21,719,777
Rehabilitation loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 259,377 $ 150,317 $ 90,836
Loans in forbearance 443,629 330,278 129,257
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current 1,078,730 50.7 % 670,205 35.1 % 418,584 61.9 %
Loans delinquent 31-60 days 188,583 8.9 113,795 6.0 52,053 7.7
Loans delinquent 61-90 days 125,310 5.9 79,691 4.2 35,104 5.2
Loans delinquent 91-120 days 137,016 6.4 186,278 9.8 33,931 5.0
Loans delinquent 121-270 days 354,192 16.7 633,001 33.1 99,041 14.7
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater 241,484 11.4 226,537 11.8 37,025 5.5
Total loans in repayment 2,125,315 100.0 % 1,909,507 100.0 % 675,738 100.0 %
Total rehabilitation loans 2,828,321 2,390,102 895,831
Total federally insured loans $ 24,792,577 $ 24,969,846 $ 22,615,608

9

3. Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:

As of September 30, 2013 — Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices $ 22,632,522 0.27% - 6.90% 11/25/15 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing 890,500 0.08% - 2.13% 5/1/28 - 5/25/42
Total variable-rate bonds and notes 23,523,022
FFELP warehouse facilities 1,277,650 0.18% - 0.28% 1/17/16 - 6/12/16
Unsecured line of credit 75,000 1.68% 3/28/18
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 99,232 3.62% 9/15/61
Other borrowings 61,828 1.68% - 5.10% 11/14/13 - 11/11/15
25,036,732
Discount on bonds and notes payable (178,277 )
Total $ 24,858,455
As of December 31, 2012 — Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices $ 21,185,140 0.32% - 6.90% 11/25/15 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing 969,925 0.15% - 2.14% 5/1/28 - 5/25/42
Total variable-rate bonds and notes 22,155,065
FFELP warehouse facilities 1,554,151 0.21% - 0.29% 1/31/15 - 6/30/15
Department of Education Conduit 1,344,513 0.82% 1/19/14
Unsecured line of credit 55,000 1.71% 2/17/16
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 99,232 3.68% 9/15/61
Other borrowings 62,904 1.50% - 5.10% 11/14/13 - 11/11/15
25,270,865
Discount on bonds and notes payable (172,030 )
Total $ 25,098,835

10

FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had four FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.

NHELP-I (a) NHELP-III (b) NHELP-II (c) NFSLW-I (d) Total
Maximum financing amount $ 500,000 750,000 500,000 500,000 2,250,000
Amount outstanding 637,770 373,258 266,622 1,277,650
Amount available $ 500,000 112,230 126,742 233,378 972,350
Expiration of liquidity provisions January 16, 2014 February 28, 2014 June 12, 2014
Final maturity date January 17, 2016 February 28, 2016 June 12, 2016
Maximum advance rates 92.2 - 95% 84.5 - 94.5% 92 - 98%
Minimum advance rates 92.2 - 95% 84.5 - 94.5% 84 - 90%
Advanced as equity support $ — 36,926 33,863 11,647 82,436

(a) On October 1, 2013 , the Company terminated this facility. All loans previously financed in this facility were financed in other warehouse facilities during the third quarter of 2013.

(b) The Company entered into this facility on January 16, 2013 . On September 16, 2013 , the Company amended this facility to increase the maximum financing amount from $500 million to $750 million.

(c) On June 3, 2013 , the Company amended this facility to change the terms of the advance rates.

(d) On June 13, 2013 , the Company amended this facility to change the terms of the advance rates and extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions and its final maturity date.

Each FFELP warehouse facility is supported by 364-day liquidity provisions, which are subject to the respective expiration date shown in the previous table. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by such date, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's final maturity date. The NFSLW-I warehouse facility provides for formula-based advance rates, depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of the principal and interest of loans financed as shown in the table above. The advance rates for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions, but they are subject to minimums as disclosed above. The NHELP-III and NHELP-II warehouse facilities have static advance rates that require initial equity for loan funding, but do not require increased equity based on market movements.

The FFELP warehouse facilities contain financial covenants relating to levels of the Company’s consolidated net worth, ratio of recourse indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA, and unencumbered cash. Any noncompliance with these covenants could result in a requirement for the immediate repayment of any outstanding borrowings under the facilities.

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Asset-backed Securitizations

The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 .

Date securities issued 2013-1 — 1/31/13 2013-2 (a) — 2/28/13 2013-3 — 4/30/13 2013-4 — 6/21/13 2013-5 (a) — 9/30/13 Total
Total original principal amount $ 437,500 1,122,000 765,000 453,000 399,000 $ 3,176,500
Class A senior notes:
Total original principal amount $ 428,000 1,122,000 745,000 440,000 399,000 3,134,000
Bond discount (3,325 ) (1,690 ) (4,881 ) (9,896 )
Issue price $ 428,000 1,118,675 745,000 438,310 394,119 3,124,104
Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:) 0.60 % 0.50 % 0.50 % 0.50 % 0.63 %
Final maturity date 6/25/41 7/25/40 2/25/37 12/26/42 1/25/37
Class B subordinated notes:
Total original principal amount $ 9,500 20,000 13,000 42,500
Bond discount (1,525 ) (1,762 ) (1,804 ) (5,091 )
Issue price $ 7,975 18,238 11,196 37,409
Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:) 1.50 % 1.50 % 1.50 %
Final maturity date 3/25/48 7/25/47 1/25/47

(a) Total original principal amount excludes the Class B subordinated tranches for the 2013-2 and 2013-5 transactions totaling $34.0 million and $9.0 million , respectively, that were retained at issuance. As of September 30, 2013 , the Company has a total of $85.5 million (face amount) of its own Class B subordinated notes remaining from prior completed asset-backed securitizations that are not included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Department of Education Conduit

In May 2009, the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department") implemented a program under which it financed eligible FFELP loans in a conduit vehicle established to provide funding for student lenders (the "Conduit Program"). As of December 31, 2012 , the Company had $1.3 billion borrowed under this facility. On February 28, 2013, all student loans funded in the Conduit Program were refinanced in the 2013-2 asset-backed securitization and the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. After these transactions, no loans remained financed by the Company in the Conduit Program and the facility was paid down in full. No additional loans can be financed in this facility, and the Conduit Program has expired for future use by the Company.

Unsecured Line of Credit

On February 17, 2012 , the Company entered into a $250.0 million unsecured line of credit. On March 28, 2013, the facility was amended to increase the line of credit to $275.0 million and extend the maturity date from February 17, 2016 to March 28, 2018 . There were no significant financial covenant changes made as part of this amendment. As of September 30, 2013 , $75.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use.

Debt Repurchases

The Company repurchased $15.4 million (face amount) and $4.1 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , respectively, and recognized gains on such purchases of $2.1 million and $0.2 million , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , the Company repurchased $84.7 million (face amount) and $ 21.7 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities and recognized gains of $10.9 million and $1.1 million , respectively.

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4. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk because the interest rate characteristics of the Company's assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets. The Company has adopted a policy of periodically reviewing the mismatch related to the interest rate characteristics of its assets and liabilities together with the Company's outlook as to current and future market conditions. Based on those factors, the Company uses derivative instruments as part of its overall risk management strategy. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's interest rate risk management strategy currently include basis swaps and interest rate swaps.

Basis Swaps

Interest earned on the majority of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate. Meanwhile, the Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities. The different interest rate characteristics of the Company's loan assets and liabilities funding these assets results in basis risk.

The Company also faces repricing risk due to the timing of the interest rate resets on its liabilities, which may occur as infrequently as once a quarter, in contrast to the timing of the interest rate resets on its assets, which generally occur daily. As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had $23.7 billion and $1.0 billion of FFELP loans indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate and the three-month treasury bill rate , respectively, the indices for which reset daily, and $15.2 billion of debt indexed to three-month LIBOR , the indices for which reset quarterly, and $8.1 billion of debt indexed to one-month LIBOR , the indices for which reset monthly.

The Company has used derivative instruments to economically hedge its basis and repricing risk. The Company has entered into basis swaps in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the 1:3 Basis Swaps).

The following table summarizes the Company’s 1:3 Basis Swaps outstanding:

Maturity As of September 30, 2013 — Notional amount As of December 31, 2012 — Notional amount
2021 $ 250,000 250,000
2022 1,900,000 1,900,000
2023 3,650,000 3,150,000
2024 250,000 250,000
2026 800,000 800,000
2028 100,000 100,000
2036 700,000 700,000
2039 (a) 150,000 150,000
2040 (b) 200,000 200,000
$ 8,000,000 (c) 7,500,000 (c)

(a) This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.

(b) This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.

(c) The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points and one-month LIBOR plus 3.3 basis points, respectively.

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Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payments ("SAP") formula set by the Department. The SAP rate is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that depends on loan type, origination date, and repayment status. The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with variable rate debt. In low and/or certain declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, these student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to reflect the low and/or declining interest rates. In these interest rate environments, the Company may earn additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.

Depending on the type of loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to an annual rate each July 1. As a result, for loans where the borrower rate is fixed to term, the Company may earn floor income for an extended period of time, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income, and for those loans where the borrower rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn floor income to the next reset date, which the Company refers to as variable rate floor income. All FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006 effectively earn at the SAP rate, since lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income for those loans to the Department.

Absent the use of derivative instruments, a rise in interest rates may reduce the amount of floor income received and this may have an impact on earnings due to interest margin compression caused by increasing financing costs, until such time as the federally insured loans earn interest at a variable rate in accordance with their SAP formulas. In higher interest rate environments, where the interest rate rises above the borrower rate and fixed rate loans effectively become variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , the Company had $11.2 billion and $11.3 billion , respectively, of student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income. The weighted average estimated variable conversion rate for these loans, which is the estimated short-term interest rate at which the loans would convert to a variable rate, was 1.82% .

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

Maturity As of September 30, 2013 — Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) As of December 31, 2012 — Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2013 $ — — % $ 3,150,000 0.71 %
2014 1,750,000 0.71 1,750,000 0.71
2015 1,100,000 0.89 1,100,000 0.89
2016 750,000 0.85 750,000 0.85
2017 1,250,000 0.86 750,000 0.99
$ 4,850,000 0.81 % $ 7,500,000 0.78 %

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

As of both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , the Company had $99.2 million of unsecured Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities debt outstanding. The interest rate on the Hybrid Securities through September 29, 2036 is equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.375% , payable quarterly. The Company had the following derivatives outstanding that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.7%.

Maturity As of September 30, 2013 — Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) As of December 31, 2012 — Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036 $ 25,000 4.28 % $ 75,000 4.28 %

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

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Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €420.5 million and €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of these transactions, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date. Changes in the principal and accrued interest amounts as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of these derivative instrument agreements, the Company receives from a counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on notional amounts of €420.5 million and €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on notional amounts of $500.0 million and $450.0 million , respectively. In addition, under the terms of these agreements, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Euro in effect as of the issuance of the notes.

The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instruments.

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Re-measurement of Euro Notes $ (39,974 ) (20,799 ) (25,902 ) 6,186
Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps 39,074 24,586 18,978 (24,934 )
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a) $ (900 ) 3,787 (6,924 ) (18,748 )

(a) The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.

Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:

Fair value of asset derivatives — As of As of Fair value of liability derivatives — As of As of
September 30, 2013 December 31, 2012 September 30, 2013 December 31, 2012
1:3 basis swaps $ 20,425 12,239 1,215
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 6,032 18,186 45,913
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges 3,327 23,762
Cross-currency interest rate swaps 101,819 82,841
Other 2,361
Total $ 128,276 97,441 21,513 70,890

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the Company terminated certain derivatives for net payments of $2.7 million and $6.5 million , respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company paid $6.4 million to terminate certain derivatives. Any proceeds received or payments made to terminate a derivative in advance of its expiration date are accounted for as a change in fair value of such derivative.

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Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:

Derivative assets Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets — Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement Cash collateral received (a) Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2013 $ 128,276 (17,991 ) (73,734 ) 36,551
Balance as of December 31, 2012 97,441 (13,234 ) (19,993 ) 64,214
Derivative liabilities Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets — Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement Cash collateral pledged (b) Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2013 $ (21,513 ) 17,991 4,000 478
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (70,890 ) 13,234 63,128 5,472

(a) As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , the trustee for certain of the Company's asset-backed securitization transactions held $73.7 million and $20.0 million , respectively, of collateral from the counterparty on the cross-currency interest rate swaps.

(b) As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , the Company had $4.0 million and $63.1 million , respectively, posted as collateral to derivative counterparties, which is included in “restricted cash and investments” in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

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The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Settlements:
1:3 basis swaps $ 781 1,100 2,474 3,651
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges (7,178 ) (5,595 ) (24,017 ) (12,237 )
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (256 ) (733 ) (1,413 ) (1,479 )
Cross-currency interest rate swaps (35 ) 227 (273 ) 3,390
Other (50 ) (235 )
Total settlements - income (expense) (6,688 ) (5,051 ) (23,229 ) (6,910 )
Change in fair value:
1:3 basis swaps (2,161 ) (4,578 ) 9,402 (2,005 )
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges (9,599 ) (29,903 ) 33,231 (41,681 )
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges 2,700 1,695 11,790 (890 )
Cross-currency interest rate swaps 39,074 24,586 18,978 (24,934 )
Other 2,775 342 2,161
Total change in fair value - income (expense) 30,014 (5,425 ) 73,743 (67,349 )
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense) (39,974 ) (20,799 ) (25,902 ) 6,186
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense) $ (16,648 ) (31,275 ) 24,612 (68,073 )

5. Investments

A summary of the Company's investments and restricted investments follows:

As of September 30, 2013 — Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses (a) Fair value As of December 31, 2012 — Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
Investments:
Available-for-sale investments:
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b) $ 211,548 8,535 (968 ) 219,115 64,970 3,187 (179 ) 67,978
Equity securities 1,550 1,519 (5 ) 3,064 3,449 1,604 (180 ) 4,873
Total available-for-sale investments $ 213,098 10,054 (973 ) 222,179 68,419 4,791 (359 ) 72,851
Trading investments:
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities 10,484 10,461
Total available-for-sale and trading investments $ 232,663 83,312
Restricted Investments (c):
Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity $ 6,724 8,830

(a) As of September 30, 2013 , the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

(b) As of September 30, 2013 , the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

(c) Restricted investments are included in "restricted cash and investments" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

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The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities is summarized below.

Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense): Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Other income $ 730 2,618 2,246 4,848
Income tax expense (270 ) (969 ) (831 ) (1,794 )
Net $ 460 1,649 1,415 3,054

6. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 32.6% and 37.2% , respectively, and was 34.8% and 33.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , respectively. During the third quarter of 2013, income tax expense was reduced by $4.1 million due to the resolution of various uncertain tax positions relating primarily to prior years resulting from examination closings and lapse of applicable statute of limitations. In addition, the Company reversed $1.3 million ( $0.8 million after tax) of interest expense during the third quarter of 2013 related to the resolution of certain tax positions. The reversal of interest expense reduced "interest on bonds and notes payable" in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. During the second quarter of 2012 , state income tax laws were enacted that reduced the Company's income tax expense during the second quarter by $4.6 million .

7. Earnings per Common Share

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.

Three months ended September 30,
2013 2012
Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 62,277 553 62,830 36,538 290 36,828
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 46,086,743 409,869 46,496,612 47,086,182 374,126 47,460,308
Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 1.35 1.35 1.35 0.78 0.78 0.78
Nine months ended September 30,
2013 2012
Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 230,141 2,011 232,152 120,452 911 121,363
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 46,189,200 404,041 46,593,241 47,042,062 357,145 47,399,207
Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 4.98 4.98 4.98 2.56 2.56 2.56

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Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.

As of September 30, 2013 , a cumulative amount of 127,129 shares have been deferred by non-employee directors under the Directors Stock Compensation Plan and will become issuable upon the termination of service by the respective non-employee director on the board of directors. These shares are included in the Company's weighted average shares outstanding calculation.

8. Segment Reporting

The Company earns fee-based revenue through its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, and Enrollment Services operating segments. In addition, the Company earns net interest income on its student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment. The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer and the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. See note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report for a description of each operating segment, including the primary products and services offered.

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company, as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their financial results prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accounting policies of the Company’s operating segments are the same as those described in note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report. Intersegment revenues are charged by the segment that provides a product or service to another segment. Intersegment revenues and expenses are included within each segment consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management. Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information. Income taxes are allocated based on 38% of income (loss) before taxes for each individual operating segment. The difference between the consolidated income tax expense and the sum of taxes calculated for each operating segment is included in income taxes in Corporate Activity and Overhead.

Corporate Activity and Overhead

Corporate Activity and Overhead includes the following items:

• The operating results of Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary

• Income earned on certain investment activities

• Interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions

• Other product and service offerings that are not considered operating segments

Corporate Activity and Overhead also includes certain corporate activities and overhead functions related to executive management, human resources, accounting, legal, occupancy, and marketing. These costs are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.

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Segment Results of Operations

The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.

Three months ended September 30, 2013
Fee-Based
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Enrollment Services Total Fee- Based Asset Generation and Management Corporate Activity and Overhead Eliminations Total
Total interest income $ 10 10 158,793 2,201 (767 ) 160,237
Interest expense 56,100 (18 ) (767 ) 55,315
Net interest income (loss) 10 10 102,693 2,219 104,922
Less provision for loan losses 5,000 5,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 10 10 97,693 2,219 99,922
Other income (expense):
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 64,582 64,582 64,582
Intersegment servicing revenue 13,519 13,519 (13,519 )
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue 19,927 19,927 19,927
Enrollment services revenue 22,563 22,563 22,563
Other income 3,981 4,632 8,613
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 2,138 2,138
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net (12,660 ) 2,700 (9,960 )
Derivative settlements, net (6,432 ) (256 ) (6,688 )
Total other income (expense) 78,101 19,927 22,563 120,591 (12,973 ) 7,076 (13,519 ) 101,175
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 29,719 9,229 4,491 43,439 555 4,718 48,712
Cost to provide enrollment services 14,668 14,668 14,668
Depreciation and amortization 2,677 1,117 57 3,851 489 4,340
Other 19,752 1,908 1,556 23,216 7,939 8,732 39,887
Intersegment expenses, net 1,457 1,431 1,139 4,027 13,705 (4,213 ) (13,519 )
Total operating expenses 53,605 13,685 21,911 89,201 22,199 9,726 (13,519 ) 107,607
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 24,506 6,242 652 31,400 62,521 (431 ) 93,490
Corporate overhead allocation (1,822 ) (607 ) (607 ) (3,036 ) (1,302 ) 4,338
Income (loss) before income taxes 22,684 5,635 45 28,364 61,219 3,907 93,490
Income tax (expense) benefit (8,620 ) (2,141 ) (17 ) (10,778 ) (23,263 ) 3,597 (30,444 )
Net income (loss) 14,064 3,494 28 17,586 37,956 7,504 63,046
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 216 216
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 14,064 3,494 28 17,586 37,956 7,288 62,830

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Three months ended September 30, 2012
Fee-Based
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Enrollment Services Total Fee- Based Asset Generation and Management Corporate Activity and Overhead Eliminations Total
Total interest income $ 12 3 15 150,661 1,891 (899 ) 151,668
Interest expense 64,829 2,472 (899 ) 66,402
Net interest income (loss) 12 3 15 85,832 (581 ) 85,266
Less provision for loan losses 5,000 5,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 12 3 15 80,832 (581 ) 80,266
Other income (expense):
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 53,285 53,285 53,285
Intersegment servicing revenue 15,855 15,855 (15,855 )
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue 17,928 17,928 17,928
Enrollment services revenue 30,661 30,661 30,661
Other income 5,834 6,865 12,699
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 195 195
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net (30,694 ) 4,470 (26,224 )
Derivative settlements, net (4,319 ) (732 ) (5,051 )
Total other income (expense) 69,140 17,928 30,661 117,729 (28,984 ) 10,603 (15,855 ) 83,493
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 27,716 8,578 5,147 41,441 462 4,492 46,395
Cost to provide enrollment services 20,151 20,151 20,151
Depreciation and amortization 4,691 1,703 1,633 8,027 375 8,402
Other 16,775 2,285 1,782 20,842 3,451 5,696 29,989
Intersegment expenses, net 1,262 1,379 1,000 3,641 16,064 (3,850 ) (15,855 )
Total operating expenses 50,444 13,945 29,713 94,102 19,977 6,713 (15,855 ) 104,937
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 18,708 3,986 948 23,642 31,871 3,309 58,822
Corporate overhead allocation (1,337 ) (446 ) (446 ) (2,229 ) (909 ) 3,138
Income (loss) before income taxes 17,371 3,540 502 21,413 30,962 6,447 58,822
Income tax (expense) benefit (6,601 ) (1,345 ) (191 ) (8,137 ) (11,765 ) (1,968 ) (21,870 )
Net income (loss) 10,770 2,195 311 13,276 19,197 4,479 36,952
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 124 124
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 10,770 2,195 311 13,276 19,197 4,355 36,828

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Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Fee-Based
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Enrollment Services Total Fee- Based Asset Generation and Management Corporate Activity and Overhead Eliminations Total
Total interest income $ 29 29 472,622 6,708 (2,420 ) 476,939
Interest expense 170,502 3,718 (2,420 ) 171,800
Net interest income (loss) 29 29 302,120 2,990 305,139
Less provision for loan losses 15,000 15,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 29 29 287,120 2,990 290,139
Other income (expense):
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 180,261 180,261 180,261
Intersegment servicing revenue 42,375 42,375 (42,375 )
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue 61,694 61,694 61,694
Enrollment services revenue 76,343 76,343 76,343
Other income 11,207 19,110 30,317
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 10,900 10,900
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net 35,711 12,130 47,841
Derivative settlements, net (21,816 ) (1,413 ) (23,229 )
Total other income (expense) 222,636 61,694 76,343 360,673 36,002 29,827 (42,375 ) 384,127
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 86,254 28,015 15,067 129,336 1,709 13,004 144,049
Cost to provide enrollment services 51,097 51,097 51,097
Depreciation and amortization 8,197 3,387 179 11,763 1,274 13,037
Other 56,173 6,387 4,450 67,010 23,375 18,808 109,193
Intersegment expenses, net 3,243 4,350 3,418 11,011 42,955 (11,591 ) (42,375 )
Total operating expenses 153,867 42,139 74,211 270,217 68,039 21,495 (42,375 ) 317,376
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 68,798 19,555 2,132 90,485 255,083 11,322 356,890
Corporate overhead allocation (4,332 ) (1,443 ) (1,443 ) (7,218 ) (3,095 ) 10,313
Income (loss) before income taxes 64,466 18,112 689 83,267 251,988 21,635 356,890
Income tax (expense) benefit (24,498 ) (6,882 ) (261 ) (31,641 ) (95,755 ) 3,759 (123,637 )
Net income (loss) 39,968 11,230 428 51,626 156,233 25,394 233,253
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,101 1,101
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 39,968 11,230 428 51,626 156,233 24,293 232,152

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Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Fee-Based
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Enrollment Services Total Fee- Based Asset Generation and Management Corporate Activity and Overhead Eliminations Total
Total interest income $ 44 8 52 455,413 5,226 (2,827 ) 457,864
Interest expense 199,675 6,327 (2,827 ) 203,175
Net interest income (loss) 44 8 52 255,738 (1,101 ) 254,689
Less provision for loan losses 18,000 18,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 44 8 52 237,738 (1,101 ) 236,689
Other income (expense):
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 155,164 155,164 155,164
Intersegment servicing revenue 49,210 49,210 (49,210 )
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue 56,675 56,675 56,675
Enrollment services revenue 92,035 92,035 92,035
Other income 14,415 18,038 32,453
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 1,130 1,130
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net (62,351 ) 1,188 (61,163 )
Derivative settlements, net (5,431 ) (1,479 ) (6,910 )
Total other income (expense) 204,374 56,675 92,035 353,084 (52,237 ) 17,747 (49,210 ) 269,384
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 85,663 25,771 17,587 129,021 1,723 13,449 144,193
Cost to provide enrollment services 62,203 62,203 62,203
Depreciation and amortization 13,629 5,174 4,867 23,670 1,094 24,764
Other 52,980 7,557 5,483 66,020 10,203 16,937 93,160
Intersegment expenses, net 3,832 4,042 2,824 10,698 49,842 (11,330 ) (49,210 )
Total operating expenses 156,104 42,544 92,964 291,612 61,768 20,150 (49,210 ) 324,320
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 48,314 14,139 (929 ) 61,524 123,733 (3,504 ) 181,753
Corporate overhead allocation (4,115 ) (1,372 ) (1,372 ) (6,859 ) (3,701 ) 10,560
Income (loss) before income taxes 44,199 12,767 (2,301 ) 54,665 120,032 7,056 181,753
Income tax (expense) benefit (16,796 ) (4,851 ) 874 (20,773 ) (45,610 ) 6,405 (59,978 )
Net income (loss) 27,403 7,916 (1,427 ) 33,892 74,422 13,461 121,775
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 412 412
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 27,403 7,916 (1,427 ) 33,892 74,422 13,049 121,363

9. Major Customer

The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the Department that spans five years (through June 2014). Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $26.0 million and $19.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , respectively, and $68.4 million and $50.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , respectively. The Department has the option to extend the contract for an additional five years. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.

10. Related Party Transactions

The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2012 Annual Report. The following provides an update for related party transactions that have occurred during the first nine months of 2013 .

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Investment Advisory Services

On February 1, 2013, WRCM established a third private investment fund (“SLABS Fund III”) for the primary purpose of investing and trading in student loan asset-backed securities, and engaging in financial transactions related thereto. The initial amount invested in SLABS Fund III was $34.5 million , and Michael S. Dunlap, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a significant shareholder of the Company, Angela L. Muhleisen (who is a sister of Mr. Dunlap, as well as Director, Chairperson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), an entity under common control with the Company), and WRCM made initial investments in the fund in the amounts of $3.0 million , $2.0 million , and $0.1 million , respectively. The management agreement for the fund provides non-affiliated limited partners the ability to remove WRCM as manager of the fund without cause. WRCM earns 50 basis points (annually) from SLABS Fund III on the outstanding balance of the investments in the fund, of which WRCM pays approximately 50 percent of such amount to Union Bank as custodian. In addition, WRCM earns up to 50 percent of the gains from the sale of securities from the fund. As of September 30, 2013 , the outstanding balance of investments in SLABS Fund III was $35.0 million .

Loan Purchases

During the third quarter of 2013 , the Company purchased FFELP student loans of $478.3 million (face amount) from Union Bank and recorded a total discount of $11.4 million as a result of these purchases.

Mortgage Servicing Agreement

On May 1, 2013 , the Company entered into an agreement with Union Bank under which the Company was engaged by Union Bank to assist in performing various duties in connection with the expansion of Union Bank's mortgage loan operations and the servicing of mortgage loans. Per the terms of the agreement, each party will be responsible for 50 percent of all costs incurred directly related to the expansion of the mortgage loan operations. Additionally, each party will be entitled to receive 50 percent of the net income resulting from the mortgage loan operations. Through September 30, 2013 , the Company has paid Union Bank approximately $17,000 for its portion of costs incurred related to the expansion of the mortgage loan operations.

Aircraft Purchase

During the second quarter 2013 , the Company purchased an aircraft for total consideration of $5.8 million and sold an interest in such aircraft to Union Financial Services, Inc. ("UFS") for $2.0 million . After the completion of this transaction, the Company and UFS own 65 percent and 35 percent of the aircraft, respectively. UFS is owned 50 percent by Mr. Dunlap and 50 percent by Stephen F. Butterfield, Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

11. Fair Value

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 .

As of September 30, 2013 — Level 1 Level 2 Total As of December 31, 2012 — Level 1 Level 2 Total
Assets:
Investments:
Student loan asset-backed securities $ — 229,095 229,095 77,652 77,652
Equity securities 3,064 3,064 4,873 4,873
Debt securities 504 504 787 787
Total investments 3,568 229,095 232,663 5,660 77,652 83,312
Fair value of derivative instruments 128,276 128,276 97,441 97,441
Total assets $ 3,568 357,371 360,939 5,660 175,093 180,753
Liabilities:
Fair value of derivative instruments $ — 21,513 21,513 70,890 70,890
Total liabilities $ — 21,513 21,513 70,890 70,890

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The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:

As of September 30, 2013 — Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable $ 25,287,320 24,701,112 25,287,320
Non-federally insured student loans receivable - held for sale 28,480 28,480 28,480
Cash and cash equivalents 51,391 51,391 51,391
Investments 232,663 232,663 3,568 229,095
Restricted cash 668,202 668,202 668,202
Restricted cash – due to customers 93,695 93,695 93,695
Restricted investments 6,724 6,724 6,724
Accrued interest receivable 303,350 303,350 303,350
Derivative instruments 128,276 128,276 128,276
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable 24,376,185 24,858,455 24,376,185
Accrued interest payable 14,218 14,218 14,218
Due to customers 93,695 93,695 93,695
Derivative instruments 21,513 21,513 21,513
As of December 31, 2012 — Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable $ 25,418,623 24,830,621 25,418,623
Cash and cash equivalents 66,031 66,031 66,031
Investments 83,312 83,312 5,660 77,652
Restricted cash 806,632 806,632 806,632
Restricted cash – due to customers 96,516 96,516 96,516
Restricted investments 8,830 8,830 8,830
Accrued interest receivable 307,518 307,518 307,518
Derivative instruments 97,441 97,441 97,441
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable 24,486,008 25,098,835 24,486,008
Accrued interest payable 14,770 14,770 14,770
Due to customers 96,516 96,516 96,516
Derivative instruments 70,890 70,890 70,890

The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report.

12. Legal Proceedings

General

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, including the legal proceedings discussed below. These matters frequently involve claims by student loan borrowers disputing the manner in which their student loans have been serviced or the accuracy of reports to credit bureaus, claims by student loan borrowers or other consumers alleging that state or Federal consumer protection laws have been violated in the process of collecting loans or conducting other business activities, and disputes with other business entities. From time to time, lawsuits may be brought as, or subsequently amended to assert claims in the form of, putative class action cases.

In evaluating each of its legal proceedings, the Company considers many factors that involve significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the overall litigation process, including (i) the amount of damages and the nature of any other relief sought in the proceeding, if specified; (ii) whether the proceeding is at an early stage; (iii) the impact of discovery; (iv) whether novel or unsettled legal theories are at issue; (v) the outcome of pending motions or appeals; (vi) whether there are significant factual issues to be resolved; (vii) whether class action status is sought and the Company's views of the likelihood of a class being certified by the court and the ultimate size of the class; (viii) the jurisdiction in which the proceeding is pending; (ix) the Company's views of the

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merits of the claims and of the strength of the Company's defenses; and (x) the progress of any negotiations with opposing parties. In assessing whether a legal proceeding may be material, the Company considers these and other quantitative and qualitative factors, including whether disclosure of the proceeding might be important to a reader of the Company's financial statements in light of all of the information about the Company that is available to the reader.

Actions Requesting Certifications of Classes

Proceedings or complaints that involve or ask for certifications of classes generally expand the scope of legal defense costs, as well as alleged potential claim amounts. The Company is currently subject to three legal proceedings in which the plaintiffs have made allegations that one or more putative classes should be certified by the applicable court. It is significant to note that no putative class has actually been certified in any of these proceedings, the Company's position is that class certification would be inappropriate in each such proceeding described below, and the Company intends to vigorously contest such certification. The Company has accrued an immaterial amount related to the legal proceedings described below. However, due to the relatively early stage of these matters and the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of its exposure to any reasonably possible losses or range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of the amount accrued, cannot currently be made.

• Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC

On January 4, 2011, a complaint against Peterson's Nelnet, LLC (“Peterson's”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. ("Nelnet"), was filed in the U.S. federal District Court for the District of New Jersey (the “New Jersey District Court”). The complaint alleges that Peterson's sent six advertising faxes to the named plaintiff in 2008-2009 that were not the result of express invitation or permission granted by the plaintiff and did not include certain opt out language. The complaint also alleges that such faxes violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”), purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500 per violation, trebled for willful violations for each of the six faxes. The complaint further alleges that Peterson's had sent putative class members more than 10,000 faxes that violated the TCPA, amounting to more than $5 million in statutory penalty damages and more than $15 million if trebled for willful violations. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On September 13, 2013, the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification, and on October 7, 2013, Peterson's filed a motion to dismiss the named plaintiff's motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the New Jersey District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. Peterson's intends to continue to contest the suit vigorously.

• Than Zaw v. Nelnet, Inc.

On January 18, 2013, a Third Amended Complaint was served on Nelnet in connection with a lawsuit by Than Zaw against Nelnet (erroneously referred to in the lawsuit as Nelnet Business Solutions, Inc.) in the Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County (the “California State Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on December 30, 2010, and alleges that Nelnet violated the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in its interactions with the plaintiff, a California resident. The plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint added additional allegations claiming that Nelnet violated Section 632 of the California Penal Code by allegedly recording one or more telephone calls to the plaintiff without the plaintiff's consent, and sought $5,000 in statutory damages per alleged violation. The Third Amended Complaint further alleged that Nelnet improperly recorded telephone calls to other California residents without such persons' consent, and sought to establish a class action with respect to the California Section 632 claim. As of the filing date of this report, the Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. On October 16, 2013, Nelnet and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Nelnet would, without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, settle all claims in the lawsuit, including potential class action claims, for payment of an immaterial amount. The settlement agreement in principle is subject to finalization and court approval.

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• Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al

On August 6, 2012, an Amended Complaint was served on Peterson's, CUnet, LLC (“CUnet”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, and on Nelnet (collectively, the "Defendants"), in connection with a lawsuit by Grant Keating in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (the “Ohio District Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on August 24, 2011, and alleges that the Defendants sent an advertising text message to the named plaintiff in June 2011 using an automatic telephone dialing system, and without the plaintiff's express consent. The complaint also alleges that this text message violated the TCPA, purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500 , trebled for a willful violation. The complaint further alleges that the Defendants sent putative class members similar text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system, without such purported class members' consent. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On August 29, 2013, the Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, and the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. The Defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously in this lawsuit.

13. Subsequent Events

On October 31, 2013, the Company purchased GCO Education Loan Funding Trust-II, giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $1.6 billion of FFEL Program loans. The trust includes FFELP loans funded to term with notes payable that carry interest rates on a spread to LIBOR or are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" ("Auction Rate Securities"). The student loans and debt within the trust will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 . All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted.)

The following discussion and analysis provides information that the Company’s management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2012 Annual Report.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company's plans and expectations for future financial condition, results of operations, or economic performance, or that address management's plans and objectives for future operations, and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events. The words “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “will,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2012 Annual Report and elsewhere in this report, in particular such risks and uncertainties as:

• student loan portfolio risks such as interest rate basis and repricing risk resulting from the fact that the interest rate characteristics of the student loan assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets, the risk of loss of floor income on certain student loans originated under the FFEL Program, risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, and risks from changes in levels of student loan prepayment or default rates;

• financing and liquidity risks, including risks of changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization and other financing markets for student loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to purchase, refinance, or continue to hold student loans;

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• risks from changes in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs, such as the expected decline over time in FFELP loan interest income and fee-based revenues due to the discontinuation of new FFELP loan originations in 2010 and potential government initiatives to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program, risks related to the availability of government funds and actual extension of the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department for an additional five years, and the Company's ability to maintain or increase volumes under that contract, and the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP and Federal Direct Loan Program loans;

• risks related to a breach of or failure in the Company's operational or information systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors;

• uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; and

• risks associated with litigation and uncertainties inherent in the estimates and assumptions about future events that management is required to make in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this document. Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

OVERVIEW

The Company is an education services company focused primarily on providing fee-based processing services and quality education-related products and services in four core areas: loan financing, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services. These products and services help students and families plan, prepare, and pay for their education and make the administrative and financial processes more efficient for schools and financial organizations. In addition, the Company earns net interest income on a portfolio of federally insured student loans.

A reconciliation of the Company's GAAP net income to net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, is provided below.

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 62,830 36,828 232,152 121,363
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax 6,175 16,259 (29,661 ) 37,921
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a) $ 69,005 53,087 202,491 159,284
Earnings per share:
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 1.35 0.78 4.98 2.56
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net of tax 0.13 0.34 (0.63 ) 0.80
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (a) $ 1.48 1.12 4.35 3.36

(a) The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its financial position and performance. "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments" include (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. The Company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to these financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the Company provides operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes.

The increase in earnings for the 2013 periods compared to the 2012 periods was due to an increase in net interest income earned from the Company's student loan portfolio and an increase in revenue and operating margin from the Company's fee-based operating segments.

The Company earns net interest income on its FFELP student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management ("AGM") operating segment. This segment is expected to generate a stable net interest margin and significant amounts of cash as the FFELP portfolio amortizes. As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had a $24.7 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over

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the next approximately 20 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

In addition, the Company earns fee-based revenue through the following reportable operating segments:

• Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing ("LGS") - referred to as Nelnet Diversified Solutions ("NDS")

• Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce ("TPP&CC") - referred to as Nelnet Business Solutions ("NBS")

• Enrollment Services - commonly called Nelnet Enrollment Solutions ("NES")

The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in millions).

(a) Revenue includes intersegment revenue of $13.5 million and $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $42.4 million and $49.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b) Total revenue includes "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "total other income" from the Company's segment statements of income, excluding the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, which was an expense of $12.7 million and $30.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and income of $35.7 million and an expense of $62.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax, which was an expense of $7.8 million and $19.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and income of $22.1 million and an expense of $38.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(c) Computed as income before income taxes divided by total revenue.

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

• As of September 30, 2013, the Company was servicing $135.0 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $92.5 billion of loans as of September 30, 2012.

• Revenue increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 due to growth in servicing volume under the Company's contract with the Department and an increase in collection revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. These increases were partially offset by decreases in traditional FFELP and guaranty servicing revenue.

• As of September 30, 2013 , the Company was servicing $106.9 billion of loans for 5.1 million borrowers on behalf of the Department, compared with $63.6 billion of loans for 3.6 million borrowers as of September 30, 2012 . Revenue from this contract increased to $26.0 million and $68.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , respectively, up from $19.1 million and $50.1 million for the same respective periods in 2012 . The servicing contract

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with the Department spans five years (through June 2014), with a five-year extension at the option of the Department. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.

• Before tax operating margin increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The Company made investments and incurred certain costs in 2012 to improve performance metrics under the government servicing contract and to implement and comply with the Department's special direct consolidation loan initiative. In addition, intangible assets for this segment were fully amortized in 2012. Salaries and benefits and other expense increased in 2013 to support the increase in volume under the government servicing contract and due to an increase in costs related to getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

• Revenue increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customers, and new school customers.

• Before tax operating margin increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase was the result of efficiencies gained in the operations of the business and a decrease in amortization expense related to intangible assets. These decreases in expenses in 2013 compared to 2012 were partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits due to adding personnel to support the increase in the number of tuition payment plans and campus commerce customers.

• This segment is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Based on the timing of when revenue is recognized and when expenses are incurred, revenue and operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Enrollment Services

• Revenue decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 due to a decrease in inquiry generation and management revenue as a result of the regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts. Additionally, clients are shifting marketing budgets to more efficient or lower cost channels, which has caused a reduction in volume.

• The Company continues to focus on improving the profitability of this segment by reducing operating expenses in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue and gross margin.

Asset Generation and Management

• The Company acquired $2.2 billion of FFELP student loans during the first nine months of 2013 , including $1.1 billion purchased during the third quarter. The average loan portfolio balance for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $24.5 billion and $23.0 billion, respectively.

• On October 31, 2013, the Company purchased a student loan securitization trust, giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $1.6 billion of FFELP student loans. The trust includes student loans funded to term with notes payable. The student loans and debt within the trust will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

• Core student loan spread increased to 1.57% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 , compared to 1.44% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and increased to 1.53% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , compared to 1.43% for the same period in 2012. This increase was due to the improved corresponding relationship between the interest rate indices governing what the Company earns on its loans and what the Company pays to fund such loans.

• Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company earned $37.8 million and $34.7 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of $7.2 million and $5.6 million of derivative settlements, respectively, used to hedge such loans), and $109.6 million and $109.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (net of $24.0 million and $12.2 million of derivative settlements, respectively).

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Corporate Activities

• Whitetail Rock Capital Management, LLC ("WRCM"), the Company's SEC-registered investment advisory subsidiary, recognized investment advisory revenue of $2.4 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $11.5 million and $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts include performance fees earned from the sale of managed securities. As of September 30, 2013 , WRCM was managing an investment portfolio of $942.8 million for third-party entities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

• As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had cash and investments of $284.1 million.

• For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the Company generated $202.6 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

• Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.10 billion as of September 30, 2013 .

• As of September 30, 2013 , $75.0 million was outstanding on the Company's unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use. The unsecured line of credit has a maturity date of March 28, 2018.

• During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the Company repurchased $84.7 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities for a gain totaling $10.9 million, including $15.4 million (face amount) for a gain of $2.1 million during the third quarter.

• During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the Company repurchased 390,376 shares of Class A common stock for $13.0 million ($33.34 per share), including 111,220 shares for $4.0 million ($36.19 per share) during the third quarter. Included in the shares purchased during the third quarter were 107,614 shares remaining in the Company's 401(k) plan. Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2013, shares of the Company's Class A common stock are no longer an eligible investment alternative for the Company's matching contributions under the plan, and after this purchase, no shares of the Company's Class A common stock are held in the Company's 401(k) plan.

• During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the Company paid cash dividends of $13.9 million, including $4.6 million ($0.10 per share) during the third quarter.

• The Company intends to use its strong liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP student loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments in its core business areas of loan financing, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Analysis of the Company's operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 is summarized below.

The Company’s operating results are primarily driven by the performance of its existing portfolio and the revenues generated by its fee-based businesses and the costs to provide such services. The performance of the Company’s portfolio is driven by net interest income (which includes financing costs) and losses related to credit quality of the assets, along with the cost to administer and service the assets and related debt.

The Company operates as four distinct operating segments as described previously. For a reconciliation of the segment operating results to the consolidated results of operations, see note 8 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report. Since the Company monitors and assesses its operations and results based on these segments, the discussion following the consolidated results of operations is presented on a segment basis.

31

Three months Nine months
ended September 30, ended September 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012 Additional information
Loan interest $ 158,675 150,528 472,277 454,574 Increase is due to an increase in the average student loan balance, gross fixed rate floor income, and student loan discount accretion (net), partially offset by a slight decrease in gross variable student loan yield.
Investment interest 1,562 1,140 4,662 3,290 Includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and investments and funds in asset-backed securitizations. Average investment balances increased year over year.
Total interest income 160,237 151,668 476,939 457,864
Interest expense 55,315 66,402 171,800 203,175 Decrease is due to a decrease in student loan cost of funds, partially offset by an increase in average debt balance.
Net interest income 104,922 85,266 305,139 254,689 See table below for additional analysis.
Less provision for loan losses 5,000 5,000 15,000 18,000 Represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio of student loans.
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 99,922 80,266 290,139 236,689
Other income (expense):
LGS revenue 64,582 53,285 180,261 155,164 See LGS operating segment - results of operations.
TPP&CC revenue 19,927 17,928 61,694 56,675 See TPP&CC operating segment - results of operations.
NES revenue 22,563 30,661 76,343 92,035 See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Other income 8,613 12,699 30,317 32,453 See table below for the components of "other income."
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 2,138 195 10,900 1,130 Gain is primarily from the repurchase of the Company's own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative settlements, net (6,688 ) (5,051 ) (23,229 ) (6,910 ) The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income. See table below for additional analysis.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net (9,960 ) (26,224 ) 47,841 (61,163 ) Includes (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars.
Total other income 101,175 83,493 384,127 269,384
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 48,712 46,395 144,049 144,193 Increases due to additional personnel to support increased servicing volume and TPP&CC revenue were partially offset by expense reductions at NES.
Cost to provide enrollment services 14,668 20,151 51,097 62,203 See NES operating segment - results of operations.
Depreciation and amortization 4,340 8,402 13,037 24,764 Decrease is due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in 2012.
Other 39,887 29,989 109,193 93,160 Increase is due to an increase in (i) third party loan servicing fees incurred by AGM as volume at third parties has grown with recent loan purchases, (ii) costs incurred by LGS to support increased servicing volume; and (iii) collection costs incurred by LGS related to getting defaulted FFELP loans current on behalf of guaranty agencies.
Total operating expenses 107,607 104,937 317,376 324,320
Income before income taxes 93,490 58,822 356,890 181,753
Income tax expense 30,444 21,870 123,637 59,978 Effective tax rate: Q3 2013 - 32.6%; Q3 2012 - 37.2%; YTD 2013 34.8%; YTD 2012 - 33.0%. During the third quarter of 2013, income tax expense was reduced by $4.1 million due to the resolution of certain tax positions. During the second quarter of 2012, state income tax laws were enacted that reduced the Company's income tax expense during the second quarter by $4.6 million.
Net income 63,046 36,952 233,253 121,775
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 216 124 1,101 412
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 62,830 36,828 232,152 121,363
Additional information:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 62,830 36,828 232,152 121,363 The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results. The Company believes the point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivatives and Euro-denominated bonds that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. These items are excluded here for comparability purposes.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments 9,960 26,224 (47,841 ) 61,163
Tax effect (3,785 ) (9,965 ) 18,180 (23,242 )
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments $ 69,005 53,087 202,491 159,284

32

The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income" and "derivative settlements, net."

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Additional information
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives $ 59,100 47,543 172,797 142,484 Represents the yield the Company receives on its student loan portfolio less the cost of funding these loans. Variable student loan spread is also impacted by the amortization/accretion of loan premiums and discounts, the 1.05% per year consolidation loan rebate fee paid to the Department, and yield adjustments from borrower benefit programs. See AGM operating segment - results of operations.
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives 37,810 34,736 109,582 109,812 The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rates, generating fixed rate floor income. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk" for additional information.
Investment interest 1,562 1,140 4,662 3,290
Non-portfolio related derivative settlements (256 ) (732 ) (1,413 ) (1,480 )
Corporate debt interest expense 18 (2,472 ) (3,718 ) (6,327 ) Includes interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities and unsecured and secured lines of credit. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company reversed $1.3 million of interest expense related to the resolution of certain tax positions.
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives) $ 98,234 80,215 281,910 247,779

The following table summarizes the components of "other income."

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Borrower late fee income $ 2,927 3,586 9,665 10,665
Investment advisory fees 2,352 2,639 11,516 8,793
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net 1,096 3,993 2,002 5,830
Other 2,238 2,481 7,134 7,165
Other income $ 8,613 12,699 30,317 32,453

33

STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)

Company owned $23,139 $23,727 $22,650 $22,277 $21,926 $21,504 $21,237 $20,820 $20,629 $20,715
% of total 61.6% 38.6% 29.8% 27.1% 25.6% 23.2% 21.8% 18.5% 17.7% 15.3%
Number of servicing borrowers:
Government servicing: 441,913 2,804,502 3,036,534 3,096,026 3,137,583 3,588,412 3,892,929 4,261,637 4,396,341 5,145,901
FFELP servicing: 2,311,558 1,912,748 1,799,484 1,779,245 1,724,087 1,659,020 1,626,146 1,586,312 1,529,203 1,507,452
Private servicing: 152,200 155,947 164,554 163,135 161,763 175,070 173,948 170,224 173,588 178,935
Total: 2,905,671 4,873,197 5,000,572 5,038,406 5,023,433 5,422,502 5,693,023 6,018,173 6,099,132 6,832,288
Number of remote hosted borrowers: 684,996 545,456 9,566,296 8,645,463 7,909,300 7,505,693 6,912,204 5,001,695 3,218,896 1,986,866

In June 2009, the Company was one of four private sector companies awarded a student loan servicing contract by the Department. The Department ranks the performance of its servicers quarterly based on five performance metrics to determine the loan servicing volume allocation each servicer will receive in the following contract year. Based on these performance metrics, the Company achieved the first place ranking for the 2013-2014 contract year; as a result, the Company is being allocated 30 percent of new loan volume originated by the Department during the fifth year of the servicing contract. The Department has projected that it will originate new loans for approximately 3.1 million borrowers in total during the fifth year of this contract. The contract expires in June 2014, with a five-year extension at the option of the Department. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.

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Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Net interest income $ 10 12 29 44
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 64,582 53,285 180,261 155,164 See table below for additional analysis.
Intersegment servicing revenue 13,519 15,855 42,375 49,210 Represents revenue earned by the LGS operating segment as a result of servicing loans for the AGM operating segment.
Total other income 78,101 69,140 222,636 204,374
Salaries and benefits 29,719 27,716 86,254 85,663 Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in volume under the government servicing contract.
Depreciation and amortization 2,677 4,691 8,197 13,629 Intangible assets were fully amortized during 2012. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively.
Other expenses 19,752 16,775 56,173 52,980 Increase due to additional servicing volume and collection costs incurred related to getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies.
Intersegment expenses, net 1,457 1,262 3,243 3,832
Total operating expenses 53,605 50,444 153,867 156,104
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 24,506 18,708 68,798 48,314
Corporate overhead allocation (1,822 ) (1,337 ) (4,332 ) (4,115 )
Income before income taxes 22,684 17,371 64,466 44,199
Income tax expense (8,620 ) (6,601 ) (24,498 ) (16,796 )
Net income $ 14,064 10,770 39,968 27,403
Before tax operating margin 29.0 % 25.1 % 29.0 % 21.6 %

The following table summarizes the components of "Loan and guaranty servicing revenue."

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Additional information
FFELP servicing $ 4,688 5,848 16,210 18,442 Decrease will continue as third-party customers' FFELP portfolios run off.
Private servicing 2,410 2,305 7,067 6,846
Government servicing 25,963 19,140 68,425 50,063 Increase due to an increase in the number of borrowers serviced under the government servicing contract.
FFELP guaranty collection 18,639 14,032 54,299 43,594 The Company earns revenue from getting defaulted FFELP loan assets current on behalf of guaranty agencies. This revenue has increased based on an increase in defaulted loan volume. However, over time, this FFELP-related revenue source will decrease as FFELP portfolios continue to run off.
FFELP guaranty servicing 3,027 3,216 9,220 10,212 Decrease will continue as FFELP portfolios run off and guaranty volume decreases.
Software services 9,389 8,515 23,861 25,108 A contract with a significant remote hosted customer expires in December 2013. The number of remote hosted borrowers and related revenue decreased from this customer in 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 as this customer's loan volume is transferred to other servicers. The Company is receiving a portion of these transfers, which has increased the number of full-service borrowers under the Department's servicing contract. Revenue earned from this customer for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $6.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively. Excluding revenue from this customer, software services revenue increased due to an increase in the number of borrowers from other remote hosted customers.
Other 466 229 1,179 899
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue $ 64,582 53,285 180,261 155,164

35

TUITION PAYMENT PROCESSING AND CAMPUS COMMERCE OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This segment of the Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations which correspond, or are related to, the traditional school year. Tuition management revenue is recognized over the course of the academic term, but the peak operational activities take place in summer and early fall. Higher amounts of revenue are typically recognized during the first quarter due to fees related to financial aid applications. The Company’s operating expenses do not follow the seasonality of the revenues. This is primarily due to generally fixed year-round personnel costs and seasonal marketing costs. Based on the timing of revenue recognition and when expenses are incurred, revenue and pre-tax operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Net interest income $ — 3 8
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue 19,927 17,928 61,694 56,675 Increase due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customers, and new school customers.
Salaries and benefits 9,229 8,578 28,015 25,771 Increase due to additional personnel to support the increase in payment plans and customers.
Depreciation and amortization 1,117 1,703 3,387 5,174 Certain intangible assets were fully amortized at the end of 2012. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.8 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $2.5 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Other expenses 1,908 2,285 6,387 7,557 Implementation of electronic communications and processes has resulted in reductions in paper forms and freight which have decreased expenses.
Intersegment expenses, net 1,431 1,379 4,350 4,042
Total operating expenses 13,685 13,945 42,139 42,544
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 6,242 3,986 19,555 14,139
Corporate overhead allocation (607 ) (446 ) (1,443 ) (1,372 )
Income before income taxes 5,635 3,540 18,112 12,767
Income tax expense (2,141 ) (1,345 ) (6,882 ) (4,851 )
Net income $ 3,494 2,195 11,230 7,916
Before tax operating margin 28.2 % 19.7 % 29.4 % 22.5 %

36

ENROLLMENT SERVICES OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Enrollment services revenue $ 22,563 30,661 76,343 92,035 See table below for additional analysis.
Salaries and benefits 4,491 5,147 15,067 17,587 Decrease due to cost saving measures initiated by the Company in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue.
Cost to provide enrollment services 14,668 20,151 51,097 62,203 See table below for additional analysis.
Depreciation and amortization 57 1,633 179 4,867 Intangible assets were fully amortized in 2012. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
Other expenses 1,556 1,782 4,450 5,483 Decrease is due to cost saving measures initiated by the Company in reaction to the ongoing decline in revenue.
Intersegment expenses, net 1,139 1,000 3,418 2,824
Total operating expenses 21,911 29,713 74,211 92,964
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 652 948 2,132 (929 )
Corporate overhead allocation (607 ) (446 ) (1,443 ) (1,372 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 45 502 689 (2,301 )
Income tax (expense) benefit (17 ) (191 ) (261 ) 874
Net income (loss) $ 28 311 428 (1,427 )
Before tax operating margin 0.2 % 1.6 % 0.9 % (2.5 )%

The following tables summarize the components of "Enrollment services revenue" and "Cost to provide enrollment services."

Three months ended September 30, 2013 — Inquiry generation (a) Inquiry management (agency) (a) Inquiry management (software) Digital marketing Content solutions (b) Total
Enrollment services revenue $ 3,186 13,386 988 1,016 3,987 22,563
Cost to provide enrollment services 2,183 11,750 53 682 14,668
Gross profit $ 1,003 1,636 988 963 3,305 7,895
Gross profit % 31.5% 12.2%
Three months ended September 30, 2012
Enrollment services revenue $ 4,479 18,595 1,116 1,177 5,294 30,661
Cost to provide enrollment services 2,692 16,646 57 756 20,151
Gross profit $ 1,787 1,949 1,116 1,120 4,538 10,510
Gross profit % 39.9% 10.5%
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Enrollment services revenue $ 11,492 46,953 2,997 3,014 11,887 76,343
Cost to provide enrollment services 7,412 41,602 170 1,913 51,097
Gross profit $ 4,080 5,351 2,997 2,844 9,974 25,246
Gross profit % 35.5% 11.4%
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Enrollment services revenue $ 13,880 57,668 3,233 3,424 13,830 92,035
Cost to provide enrollment services 8,252 51,753 140 2,058 62,203
Gross profit $ 5,628 5,915 3,233 3,284 11,772 29,832
Gross profit % 40.5% 10.3%

(a) Inquiry generation revenue decreased $ 1.3 million ( 28.9% ) and $2.4 million ( 17.2% ) and inquiry management (agency) revenue decreased $ 5.2 million ( 28.0% ) and $10.7 million ( 18.6% ) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012 . Revenues from these services have been affected by the ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding recruiting and marketing to potential students in the for-profit college industry, which has caused schools to decrease spending on marketing efforts. Additionally, clients are shifting marketing budgets to more efficient or lower cost channels, which has caused a reduction in volume. The decrease in inquiry generation gross profit margin is due to increased costs for higher quality sources and a shift in revenue from higher profit margin clients to clients with lower profit margins.

(b) Content solutions revenue decreased $1.3 million (24.7%) and $1.9 million (14.0%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012 due to the divesture of the Company's list marketing business during 2013.

37

ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Portfolio

For a summary of the Company’s student loan portfolio as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Beginning balance $ 24,718,368 23,582,595 24,995,880 24,359,625
Loan acquisitions 1,053,972 152,016 2,200,756 898,606
Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other (750,422 ) (466,355 ) (1,896,771 ) (1,345,883 )
Consolidation loans lost to external parties (134,578 ) (590,148 ) (400,874 ) (1,172,316 )
Loans sold (33,228 ) (11,651 ) (95,152 )
Ending balance $ 24,887,340 22,644,880 24,887,340 22,644,880

On October 31, 2013, the Company purchased a student loan securitization trust, giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $1.6 billion of FFELP student loans. The trust includes student loans funded to term with notes payable. The student loans and debt within the trust will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses, Loan Repurchase Obligations, and Loan Delinquencies

The Company maintains an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans, which results in periodic expense provisions for loan losses. In addition, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase certain non-federally insured loans subject to participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent, and the Company has also retained credit risk related to certain non-federally insured loans sold and will pay cash to purchase back any of these loans which become 60 days delinquent. Further, delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.

For a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses and accrual related to the Company's loan repurchase obligations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , and a summary of the Company's student loan delinquency amounts as of September 30, 2013 , December 31, 2012 , and September 30, 2012 , see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

38

Student Loan Spread Analysis

The following table analyzes the student loan spread on the Company’s portfolio of student loans, which represents the spread between the yield earned on student loan assets and the costs of the liabilities and derivative instruments used to fund the assets.

Three months ended — September 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 September 30, 2012 Nine months ended — September 30, 2013 September 30, 2012
Variable student loan yield, gross 2.58 % 2.58 % 2.65 % 2.57 % 2.63 %
Consolidation rebate fees (0.76 ) (0.77 ) (0.75 ) (0.77 ) (0.75 )
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization 0.02 0.03 0.03 (0.01 )
Variable student loan yield, net 1.84 1.84 1.90 1.83 1.87
Student loan cost of funds - interest expense (0.89 ) (0.91 ) (1.08 ) (0.90 ) (1.10 )
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.04
Variable student loan spread 0.96 0.94 0.84 0.94 0.81
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives 0.61 0.58 0.60 0.59 0.62
Core student loan spread 1.57 % 1.52 % 1.44 % 1.53 % 1.43 %
Average balance of student loans $ 24,491,516 24,798,537 23,028,904 24,690,493 23,670,300
Average balance of debt outstanding 24,470,096 24,832,555 23,467,899 24,707,389 23,883,140

A trend analysis of the Company's core and variable student loan spreads is summarized below.

(a) The interest earned on the majority of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate. The Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities. The relationship between the indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans has a significant impact on student loan spread. This table (the right axis) shows the difference between the Company's liability base rate and the one-month LIBOR rate by quarter.

39

Variable student loan spread increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 as a result of the tightening of the Asset/Liability Base Rate Spread as reflected in the previous table.

The primary difference between variable student loan spread and core student loan spread is fixed rate floor income. A summary of fixed rate floor income and its contribution to core student loan spread follows:

Three months ended — September 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 September 30, 2012 Nine months ended — September 30, 2013 September 30, 2012
Fixed rate floor income, gross $ 44,988 44,590 40,331 133,599 122,049
Derivative settlements (a) (7,178 ) (8,534 ) (5,595 ) (24,017 ) (12,237 )
Fixed rate floor income, net $ 37,810 36,056 34,736 109,582 109,812
Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net 0.61 % 0.58 % 0.60 % 0.59 % 0.62 %

(a) Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2013 and 2012 are due to historically low interest rates. If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods. See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” which provides additional detail on the Company’s portfolio earning fixed rate floor income and the derivatives used by the Company to hedge these loans.

40

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, Additional information
2013 2012 2013 2012
Net interest income after provision for loan losses $ 97,693 80,832 287,120 237,738 See table below for additional analysis.
Other income 3,981 5,834 11,207 14,415 The primary component of other income is borrower late fees, which have decreased slightly year over year. Net realized and unrealized gains from investments have also decreased in 2013 compared to 2012.
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases 2,138 195 10,900 1,130 Gain is primarily from the Company repurchasing its own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net (12,660 ) (30,694 ) 35,711 (62,351 )
Derivative settlements, net (6,432 ) (4,319 ) (21,816 ) (5,431 ) The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income as reflected in the table below.
Total other income (12,973 ) (28,984 ) 36,002 (52,237 )
Salaries and benefits 555 462 1,709 1,723
Other expenses 7,939 3,451 23,375 10,203 Increase due to higher third party servicing fees related to a significant amount of recent loan purchases being serviced at third parties.
Intersegment expenses, net 13,705 16,064 42,955 49,842 Amount includes fees paid to the LGS operating segment for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio. Such amounts have decreased as the AGM portfolio serviced by LGS has run off.
Total operating expenses 22,199 19,977 68,039 61,768
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 62,521 31,871 255,083 123,733
Corporate overhead allocation (1,302 ) (909 ) (3,095 ) (3,701 )
Income before income taxes 61,219 30,962 251,988 120,032
Income tax expense (23,263 ) (11,765 ) (95,755 ) (45,610 )
Net income $ 37,956 19,197 156,233 74,422
Additional information:
Net income $ 37,956 19,197 156,233 74,422 The Company provides non-GAAP information that reflects specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results. The Company believes the point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivatives and Euro-denominated bonds that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. These items are excluded here for comparability purposes.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net 12,660 30,694 (35,711 ) 62,351
Tax effect (4,811 ) (11,664 ) 13,570 (23,693 )
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments $ 45,805 38,227 134,092 113,080

41

The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "derivative settlements, net."

Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, Additional information
2013 2012 2013 2012
Variable interest income, net of settlements on derivatives $ 159,917 154,821 477,391 473,905 Increase due to an increase in the average student loan portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in the yield earned on student loans, net of settlements on derivatives.
Consolidation rebate fees (46,886 ) (43,348 ) (141,423 ) (132,827 ) Increase due to an increase in the average consolidation loan balance.
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization 1,402 (6,292 ) 4,910 (21,181 ) Increase due to the Company's ongoing purchases of loans at a net discount, including $3.0 billion of loans purchased during the fourth quarter of 2012.
Interest on bonds and notes payable (55,333 ) (57,638 ) (168,081 ) (177,413 ) Decrease due to a decrease in the Company’s cost of funds, partially offset by an increase in average debt outstanding.
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives 59,100 47,543 172,797 142,484
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives 37,810 34,736 109,582 109,812 The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned are due to historically low interest rates.
Investment interest 118 133 345 838
Intercompany interest (767 ) (899 ) (2,420 ) (2,827 )
Provision for loan losses - federally insured (5,000 ) (5,000 ) (16,000 ) (18,000 )
Provision for loan losses - nonfederally insured 1,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives) $ 91,261 76,513 265,304 232,307

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s fee generating businesses are non-capital intensive and all produce positive operating cash flows. As such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to the fee-based segments and any liquidity or capital needs are satisfied using cash flow from operations. Therefore, the Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion is concentrated on the Company’s liquidity and capital needs to meet existing debt obligations in the Asset Generation and Management operating segment.

Sources of Liquidity Currently Available

As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had cash and investments of $284.1 million. In addition, the Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $202.6 million .

On March 28, 2013, the Company amended its unsecured line of credit to increase the line of credit to $275.0 million and extend the maturity date from February 17, 2016 to March 28, 2018. As of September 30, 2013 , $75.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use.

As part of the Company’s asset-backed securitizations, the Company has purchased certain of the Class B subordinated note tranches. In addition, the Company has repurchased certain of its own asset-backed securities (bonds and notes payable) in the secondary market. For accounting purposes, these notes are effectively retired and are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. However, these securities are legally outstanding at the trust level and the Company could sell these notes to third parties or redeem the notes at par as cash is generated by the trust estate. Upon a sale of these notes to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale. As of September 30, 2013 , the Company holds $216.4 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed securities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

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The Company intends to use its strong liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP student loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments, including continued investments in its core business areas of asset management and finance, loan servicing, payment processing, and enrollment services; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions.

Cash Flows

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company generated $202.6 million from operating activities, compared to $260.6 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities reflects the higher level of net income in 2013, which was more than offset by the impacts of changes in non-cash fair value adjustments for derivative and foreign currency transactions, together with an increase in operating outflows for the purchase of loans held for sale in 2013 and an increase in income tax payments.

The primary items included in the statement of cash flows for investing activities are the purchase and repayment of student loans. The primary items included in financing activities are the proceeds from the issuance of and payments on bonds and notes payable used to fund student loans. Cash provided by investing activities and cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $93.9 million and $311.2 million , respectively, and $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion , respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Investing and financing activities are further addressed in the discussion that follows.

Liquidity Needs and Sources of Liquidity Available to Satisfy Debt Obligations Secured by Student Loan Assets and Related Collateral

The following table shows the Company's debt obligations outstanding that are secured by student loan assets and related collateral.

As of September 30, 2013 — Carrying amount Final maturity
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations $ 23,523,022 11/25/15 - 8/26/52
FFELP warehouse facilities 1,277,650 1/17/16 - 6/12/16
Other borrowings 61,828 11/14/13 - 11/11/15
$ 24,862,500

Bonds and Notes Issued in Asset-backed Securitizations

The majority of the Company’s portfolio of student loans is funded in asset-backed securitizations that are structured to substantially match the maturity of the funded assets, thereby minimizing liquidity risk. In addition, due to (i) the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, and (ii) the servicing and administration fees the Company earns from these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

As of September 30, 2013 , based on cash flow models developed to reflect management’s current estimate of, among other factors, prepayments, defaults, deferment, forbearance, and interest rates, the Company currently expects future undiscounted cash flows from its portfolio to be approximately $2.10 billion as detailed below. The $2.10 billion includes approximately $495.2 million (as of September 30, 2013 ) of overcollateralization included in the asset-backed securitizations. These excess net asset positions are reflected variously in the following balances in the consolidated balance sheet: "student loans receivable," "restricted cash and investments," and "accrued interest receivable."

The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of September 30, 2013 . As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had $23.5 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 94.7 percent of its total FFELP student loan portfolio. The forecasted cash flow does not include cash flows that the Company expects to receive related to loans currently funded in its warehouse facilities or loans acquired subsequent to September 30, 2013 .

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FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast

$2.10 billion

(dollars in millions)

The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast. These assumptions are further discussed below.

Prepayments : The primary variable in establishing a life of loan estimate is the level and timing of prepayments. Prepayment rates equal the amount of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance, net of scheduled principal payments. A number of factors can affect estimated prepayment rates, including the level of consolidation activity and default rates. Should any of these factors change, management may revise its assumptions, which in turn would impact the projected future cash flow. The Company’s cash flow forecast above assumes prepayment rates that are generally consistent with those utilized in the Company’s recent asset-backed securitization transactions. If management used a prepayment rate assumption two times greater than what was used to forecast the cash flow, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $210 million to $270 million .

Interest rates : The Company funds the majority of its student loans with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities. Meanwhile, the interest earned on the Company’s student loan assets is indexed primarily to a one-month LIBOR rate. The different interest rate characteristics of the Company’s loan assets and liabilities funding these assets result in basis risk. The Company’s cash flow forecast assumes three-month LIBOR will exceed one-month LIBOR by 12 basis points for the life of the portfolio, which approximates the historical relationship between these indices. If the forecast is computed assuming a spread of 24 basis points between three-month and one-month LIBOR for the life of the portfolio, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $110 million to $150 million .

The Company uses the current forward interest rate yield curve to forecast cash flows. A change in the forward interest rate curve would impact the future cash flows generated from the portfolio. An increase in future interest rates will reduce the amount of fixed rate floor income the Company is currently receiving. The Company attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in short-term rates by hedging interest rate risks. As of September 30, 2013 , the net fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives used to hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income was a net liability of $12.2 million . See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk."

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FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements. As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had four FFELP warehouse facilities with an aggregate maximum financing amount available of $2.3 billion , of which $1.3 billion was outstanding and $1.0 billion was available for additional funding. On October 1, 2013, the Company terminated its NHELP-I warehouse facility. As a result, the Company's aggregate maximum financing amount was reduced to $1.8 billion. There were no amounts outstanding on the NHELP-I warehouse facility as of September 30, 2013, and all loans previously financed in this facility were financed in other warehouse facilities during the third quarter of 2013. Of the remaining facilities, one facility provides for formula-based advance rates, depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of the principal and interest of loans financed. The advance rate for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The other two FFELP warehouse facilities have static advance rates that require initial equity for loan funding, but do not require increased equity based on market movements. As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had $82.4 million advanced as equity support on its FFELP warehouse facilities. For further discussion of the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities outstanding at September 30, 2013 , see note 3 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Upon termination or expiration of the warehouse facilities, the Company would expect to access the securitization market, obtain replacement warehouse facilities, use operating cash, consider the sale of assets, or transfer collateral to satisfy any remaining obligations.

Other Uses of Liquidity

Effective July 1, 2010, no new loan originations can be made under the FFEL Program and all new federal loan originations must be made through the Federal Direct Loan Program. As a result, the Company no longer originates new FFELP loans, but continues to acquire FFELP loan portfolios from third parties and believes additional loan purchase opportunities exist.

The Company plans to fund future FFELP student loan acquisitions using current cash and investments; using its Union Bank participation agreement (as described below); using its FFELP warehouse facilities (as described above); and continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market.

Union Bank Participation Agreement

The Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans. As of September 30, 2013 , $441.5 million of loans were subject to outstanding participation interests held by Union Bank, as trustee, under this agreement. The agreement automatically renews annually and is terminable by either party upon five business days notice. This agreement provides beneficiaries of Union Bank’s grantor trusts with access to investments in interests in student loans, while providing liquidity to the Company. The Company can participate loans to Union Bank to the extent of availability under the grantor trusts, up to $750 million or an amount in excess of $750 million if mutually agreed to by both parties. Loans participated under this agreement have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Asset-backed Securitization Transactions

During the first nine months of 2013, the Company completed five asset-backed securitizations totaling $3.2 billion . Depending on market conditions, the Company anticipates continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market. Asset-backed securitization transactions would be used to refinance student loans included in the FFELP warehouse facilities and/or existing asset-backed securitizations.

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Liquidity Impact Related to Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage interest rate sensitivity. By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to market risk which could impact its liquidity. Based on the derivative portfolio outstanding as of September 30, 2013 , the Company does not currently anticipate any movement in interest rates having a material impact on its capital or liquidity profile, nor does the Company expect that any movement in interest rates would have a material impact on its ability to meet potential collateral deposits with its counterparties. However, if interest rates move materially and negatively impact the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio or if the Company enters into additional derivatives for which the fair value becomes negative, the Company could be required to deposit additional collateral with its derivative instrument counterparties. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company's liquidity and capital resources. As of September 30, 2013 , the fair value of the Company's derivatives which had a negative fair value (a liability in the Company's balance sheet), was $21.5 million , and the Company had $4.0 million posted as collateral to derivative counterparties.

Other Debt Facilities

As previously discussed, the Company has a $275.0 million unsecured line of credit with a maturity date of March 28, 2018 . As of September 30, 2013 , $75.0 million was outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $200.0 million was available for future use.

The Company has issued Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities ("Hybrid Securities") that have a final maturity of September 15, 2061. The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. As of September 30, 2013 , $99.2 million of Hybrid Securities were outstanding.

Debt Repurchases

Due to the Company's positive liquidity position and opportunities in the capital markets, the Company has repurchased its own debt over the last several years, and may continue to do so in the future. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the Company recognized a gain of $2.1 million and $10.9 million , respectively, from the repurchase of $15.4 million (face amount) and $84.7 million (face amount), respectively, of its own asset-backed debt securities.

Stock Repurchases

The Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2015. Shares may be repurchased from time to time depending on various factors, including share price and other potential uses of liquidity.

For the three month period ended September 30, 2013 , the Company repurchased 111,220 shares for $4.0 million (at an average price of $36.19 per share). Included in the shares repurchased in the third quarter 2013 were 107,614 shares that had been issued to the Company’s 401(k) plan and allocated to employee participant accounts pursuant to the plan’s provisions for Company matching contributions in shares of Company stock. Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2013, shares of the Company's Class A common stock are no longer an eligible investment alternative for the Company's matching contributions under the plan, and after this purchase, no shares of the Company's Class A common stock are held in the Company's 401(k) plan. Certain other share repurchases during the quarter were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of September 30, 2013 , 3,875,367 shares remain authorized for purchase under the Company's repurchase program.

Dividends

On September 13, 2013, the Company paid a third quarter 2013 cash dividend on the Company's Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter cash dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. The fourth quarter cash dividend will be paid on December 16, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2013.

The Company currently plans to continue making regular quarterly dividend payments, subject to future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors. In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to the terms of the Company’s outstanding Hybrid Securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2013, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which requires new asset and liability offsetting disclosures for derivatives, repurchase agreements, and security lending transactions to the extent that they are: (1) offset in the financial statements; or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The Company does not have any repurchase agreements subject to ASU No. 2013-1 and does not participate in security lending transactions. The Company records the fair value of its derivatives gross in its consolidated balance sheets; however, certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The new asset and liability offsetting disclosures required by this ASU are included in note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

In February 2013, the FASB amended the Accounting Standards Codification related to comprehensive income. This amendment requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications (by component) out of accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition, this amendment requires companies to present the related line item effect of significant reclassifications on the statement where income is presented. The Company adopted the provisions of this amendment during the first quarter 2013, which affects only the display of information and does not change existing recognition and measurement requirements in the consolidated financial statements. The information required by this amendment is included in note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

(All dollars are in thousands, except share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s primary market risk exposure arises from fluctuations in its borrowing and lending rates, the spread between which could impact the Company due to shifts in market interest rates.

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan assets and debt instruments by interest rate characteristics:

As of September 30, 2013 — Dollars Percent As of December 31, 2012 — Dollars Percent
Fixed-rate loan assets $ 11,154,855 44.9 % $ 11,271,233 45.1 %
Variable-rate loan assets 13,704,005 55.1 13,724,647 54.9
Total $ 24,858,860 100.0 % $ 24,995,880 100.0 %
Fixed-rate debt instruments $ — — % $ — — %
Variable-rate debt instruments 25,036,732 100.0 25,270,865 100.0
Total $ 25,036,732 100.0 % $ 25,270,865 100.0 %

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the SAP formula set by the Department. The SAP rate is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that depends on loan type, origination date, and repayment status. The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with variable rate debt. In low and/or certain declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, these student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to reflect the low and/or declining interest rates. In these interest rate environments, the Company may earn additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.

Depending on the type of loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to an annual rate each July 1. As a result, for loans where the borrower rate is fixed to term, the Company may earn floor income for an extended period of time, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income, and for those loans where the borrower rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn floor income to the next reset date, which the Company refers to as variable rate floor income. All FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006 effectively earn at the SAP rate, since lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income for those loans to the Department.

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No variable-rate floor income was earned by the Company during 2012 and 2013. A summary of fixed rate floor income earned by the Company follows.

Three months ended September 30, — 2013 2012 Nine months ended September 30, — 2013 2012
Fixed rate floor income, gross $ 44,988 40,331 133,599 122,049
Derivative settlements (a) (7,178 ) (5,595 ) (24,017 ) (12,237 )
Fixed rate floor income, net $ 37,810 34,736 109,582 109,812

(a) Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2013 and 2012 are due to historically low interest rates. If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.

Absent the use of derivative instruments, a rise in interest rates may reduce the amount of floor income received and this may have an impact on earnings due to interest margin compression caused by increasing financing costs, until such time as the federally insured loans earn interest at a variable rate in accordance with their SAP formulas. In higher interest rate environments, where the interest rate rises above the borrower rate and fixed rate loans effectively become variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

The following graph depicts fixed rate floor income for a borrower with a fixed rate of 6.75% and a SAP rate of 2.64%:

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The following table shows the Company’s student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of September 30, 2013 :

Fixed Borrower/ — lender Estimated — variable
interest weighted conversion Loan
rate range average yield rate (a) balance
< 3.0% 2.87 % 0.23 % $ 1,772,119
3.0 - 3.49% 3.20 % 0.56 % 2,135,186
3.5 - 3.99% 3.65 % 1.01 % 1,944,371
4.0 - 4.49% 4.20 % 1.56 % 1,464,833
4.5 - 4.99% 4.72 % 2.08 % 842,142
5.0 - 5.49% 5.24 % 2.60 % 570,042
5.5 - 5.99% 5.67 % 3.03 % 346,790
6.0 - 6.49% 6.18 % 3.54 % 401,362
6.5 - 6.99% 6.70 % 4.06 % 365,898
7.0 - 7.49% 7.16 % 4.52 % 150,648
7.5 - 7.99% 7.71 % 5.07 % 256,097
8.0 - 8.99% 8.17 % 5.53 % 603,732
> 9.0% 9.04 % 6.40 % 301,635
$ 11,154,855

(a) The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of September 30, 2013 , the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 1.82% and the short-term interest rate was 19 basis points.

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of September 30, 2013 used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

Maturity Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2014 $ 1,750,000 0.71 %
2015 1,100,000 0.89
2016 750,000 0.85
2017 1,250,000 0.86
$ 4,850,000 0.81 %

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

The Company is also exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk because the interest rate characteristics of the Company’s assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets. The following table presents the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding for those assets arranged by underlying indices as of September 30, 2013 :

Index Frequency of variable resets Assets Debt outstanding that funded student loan assets
1 month LIBOR (a) Daily $ 23,746,273
3 month Treasury bill Daily 1,046,304
3 month LIBOR (a) (b) Quarterly 15,207,762
1 month LIBOR Monthly 8,062,530
Auction-rate or remarketing (c) Varies 890,500
Asset-backed commercial paper (d) Varies 639,880
Other (e) 69,923 61,828
$ 24,862,500 24,862,500

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(a) The Company has certain basis swaps outstanding in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps"). The Company entered into these derivative instruments to better match the interest rate characteristics on its student loan assets and the debt funding such assets. The following table summarizes these derivatives as of September 30, 2013 :

Maturity — 2021 Notional amount — $ 250,000
2022 1,900,000
2023 3,650,000
2024 250,000
2026 800,000
2028 100,000
2036 700,000
2039 (a) 150,000
2040 (b) 200,000
$ 8,000,000 (c)

(a) This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.

(b) This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.

(c) The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 0.0 basis points.

(b) The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into derivative instruments (cross-currency interest rate swaps) that convert the EURIBOR index to three-month LIBOR. As a result, these notes are reflected in the three-month LIBOR category in the above table. See “Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.”

(c) The interest rates on certain of the Company's asset-backed securities are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" (“Auction Rate Securities”) or through a remarketing utilizing remarketing agents (“Variable Rate Demand Notes”). As of September 30, 2013 , the Company was sponsor for $671.3 million of Auction Rate Securities and $219.2 million of Variable Rate Demand Notes.

Since February 2008, problems in the auction rate securities market as a whole have led to failures of the auctions pursuant to which the Company's Auction Rate Securities' interest rates are set. As a result, the Auction Rate Securities generally pay interest to the holder at a maximum rate as defined by the indenture. While these rates will vary, they will generally be based on a spread to LIBOR or Treasury Securities, or the Net Loan Rate as defined in the financing documents.

For Variable Rate Demand Notes, the remarketing agents set the price, which is then offered to investors. If there are insufficient potential bid orders to purchase all of the notes offered for sale, the Variable Rate Demand Notes will generally pay interest to the holder at a rate as defined in the indenture.

(d) The interest rates on certain of the Company's warehouse facilities are indexed to asset-backed commercial paper rates.

(e) Assets include restricted cash and investments and other assets. Debt outstanding includes other debt obligations secured by student loan assets and related collateral.

Sensitivity Analysis

The following tables summarize the effect on the Company’s earnings, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by the Company assuming hypothetical increases in interest rates of 100 basis points and 300 basis points while funding spreads remain constant. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed assuming the funding index increases 10 basis points and 30 basis points while holding the asset index constant, if the funding index is different than the asset index. The sensitivity analysis was performed on the Company’s variable rate assets (including loans earning fixed rate floor income) and liabilities. The analysis includes the effects of the Company’s interest rate and basis swaps in existence during these periods.

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Interest rates Asset and funding index mismatches
Change from increase of 100 basis points Change from increase of 300 basis points Increase of 10 basis points Increase of 30 basis points
Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent
Three months ended September 30, 2013
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements $ (17,720 ) (19.1 )% $ (31,517 ) (33.7 )% $ (4,021 ) (4.3 )% $ (12,063 ) (12.9 )%
Impact of derivative settlements 13,495 14.4 40,484 43.3 1,755 1.9 5,266 5.6
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes $ (4,225 ) (4.7 )% $ 8,967 9.6 % $ (2,266 ) (2.4 )% $ (6,797 ) (7.3 )%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share $ (0.06 ) $ 0.12 $ (0.03 ) $ (0.09 )
Three months ended September 30, 2012
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements $ (16,272 ) (27.6 )% $ (28,968 ) (49.3 )% $ (5,899 ) (10.0 )% $ (17,697 ) (30.1 )%
Impact of derivative settlements 14,308 24.3 42,925 73.0 542 0.9 1,626 2.8
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes $ (1,964 ) (3.3 )% $ 13,957 23.7 % $ (5,357 ) (9.1 )% $ (16,071 ) (27.3 )%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share $ (0.03 ) $ 0.18 $ (0.07 ) $ (0.21 )
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements $ (51,406 ) (14.4 )% $ (89,558 ) (25.1 )% $ (12,648 ) (3.6 )% $ (37,943 ) (10.7 )%
Impact of derivative settlements 47,899 13.4 143,696 40.3 4,945 1.4 14,836 4.2
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes $ (3,507 ) (1.0 )% $ 54,138 15.2 % $ (7,703 ) (2.2 )% $ (23,107 ) (6.5 )%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share $ (0.05 ) $ 0.72 $ (0.10 ) $ (0.31 )
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements $ (48,817 ) (26.9 )% $ (85,859 ) (47.2 )% $ (17,881 ) (9.8 )% $ (53,642 ) (29.5 )%
Impact of derivative settlements 29,619 16.3 88,858 48.8 1,078 0.6 3,234 1.8
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes $ (19,198 ) (10.6 )% $ 2,999 1.6 % $ (16,803 ) (9.2 )% $ (50,408 ) (27.7 )%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share $ (0.25 ) $ 0.04 $ (0.22 ) $ (0.66 )

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has issued a total of 773.2 million Euro-denominated notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result, the Company is exposed to the market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The Company has entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. See note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information, including a summary of the terms of these derivative instrument agreements and the related financial statement impact.

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Financial Statement Impact – Derivatives and Foreign Currency Transaction Adjustments

For a table summarizing the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income, including the components of "derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" included in the consolidated statements of income, see note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under supervision and with the participation of certain members of the Company’s management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, the Company completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 12 - Legal Proceedings , of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 in response to Item 1A of Part I of such Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the repurchases of Class A common stock during the third quarter of 2013 by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Period Total number of shares purchased (a) Average price paid per share Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (b) Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (b)
July 1 - July 31, 2013 110,667 $ 36.18 110,041 3,875,367
August 1 - August 31, 2013 106 36.87 3,875,367
September 1 - September 30, 2013 447 38.43 3,875,367
Total 111,220 $ 36.19 110,041

(a) The total number of shares includes: (i) shares purchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program discussed in footnote (b) below; and (ii) shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted shares. Shares of Class A common stock purchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program included 107,614 shares in July 2013, that had been issued to the Company’s 401(k) plan and allocated to employee participant accounts pursuant to the plan’s provisions for Company matching contributions in shares of Company stock, and were purchased

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by the Company from the plan. Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2013, shares of the Company's Class A common stock are no longer an eligible investment alternative for the Company's matching contributions under the plan. As a result of the Company's purchase of 401(k) shares in July, there are no shares of the Company's Class A common stock held in the Company's 401(k) plan. Shares of Class A common stock tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations included 626 shares, 106 shares, and 447 shares in July , August , and September 2013 , respectively. Unless otherwise indicated, shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations were purchased at the closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of vesting.

(b) On May 9, 2012, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2015. Certain share repurchases included in the table above were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Working capital and dividend restrictions/limitations

The Company’s credit facilities, including its revolving line of credit which is available through March 28, 2018, impose restrictions with respect to the Company’s minimum consolidated net worth, the ratio of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, the indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries, and the ratio of non-FFELP loans to all loans in the Company's portfolio. In addition, trust indentures and other financing agreements governing debt issued by the Company's education lending subsidiaries may have general limitations on the amounts of funds that can be transferred to the Company by its subsidiaries through cash dividends.

The supplemental indenture for the Company’s Hybrid Securities issued in September 2006 provides that so long as any Hybrid Securities remain outstanding, if the Company gives notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing, then the Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

• declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment regarding, any of the Company’s capital stock.

• except as required in connection with the repayment of principal, and except for any partial payments of deferred interest that may be made through the alternative payment mechanism described in the Hybrid Securities indenture, make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase, or redeem any of the Company’s debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Hybrid Securities.

• make any guarantee payments regarding any guarantee by the Company of the subordinated debt securities of any of the Company’s subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities.

In addition, if any deferral period lasts longer than one year, the limitation on the Company’s ability to redeem or repurchase any of its securities that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities will continue until the first anniversary of the date on which all deferred interest has been paid or canceled.

If the Company is involved in a business combination where immediately after its consummation more than 50% of the surviving entity’s voting stock is owned by the shareholders of the other party to the business combination, then the immediately preceding sentence will not apply to any deferral period that is terminated on the next interest payment date following the date of consummation of the business combination.

However, at any time, including during a deferral period, the Company will be permitted to:

• pay dividends or distributions in additional shares of the Company’s capital stock.

• declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or issue stock under such a plan, or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to such a plan.

• purchase common stock for issuance pursuant to any employee benefit plans.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

10.1* Consulting and Services Agreement made and entered into as of May 1, 2013, by and between Nelnet, Inc., and Union Bank and Trust Company.
10.2* Amended and Restated Consulting and Services Agreement made and entered into as of October 1, 2013, by and between Nelnet, Inc. and Union Bank and Trust Company.
31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer Michael S. Dunlap pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer Terry J. Heimes pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32** Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NELNET, INC. — By: /s/ MICHAEL S. DUNLAP
Name: Michael S. Dunlap
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Principal Executive Officer
By: /s/ TERRY J. HEIMES
Name: Terry J. Heimes
Title: Chief Financial Officer Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

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