SLM Corp.

12061 Bluemont Way

Year founded: 1972

Industry: Financial services

Post 200 Category: Top 125 Companies

Revenue: $5.22 Billion

Net Income/Loss: $1.91 Billion

Earnings per share: $4.04

Dividend: $0.74

Stockholder equity: $3.10 Billion

Auditor: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Stock: SLM

Assets: $84.09 Billion

Market capitalization: $20.85 Billion

52-week high: 55.13 1/4/2005

52-week low: 36.43 7/23/2004

Chairman: Edward A. Fox

CEO and vice chairman: Albert L. Lord

Employees: 9128

Local employees: 783

Description: SLM, founded in 1972 as the government-sponsored Student Loan Marketing Association and nicknamed Sallie Mae, has evolved into a private education financial services firm. It originates, buys and services not only government-guaranteed student loans, but also private loans for students and parents from kindergarten through college. It offers a range of other financial services, including debt-collection, home mortgages and consulting for institutions on how to attract and retain students.

Developments: Last year, SLM completed the privatization process it began in 1997, reaching final agreement with the Treasury Department four years ahead of schedule to end the last of its ties to the federal government, an "honorable discharge," as chief executive Albert L. Lord put it. Last year, the company originated a record $18 billion in loans through its own or affiliated brands. Although federally guaranteed loans continued to predominate, and were worth more than $13 billion of that figure, private loans leaped 32 percent to about $4.5 billion. Overall the company's portfolio of loans under management grew 21 percent to $107 billion. At the same time, SLM has continued to acquire competitors and firms in related fields. Last year, it completed the acquisition of Seattle-based Student Loan Finance Association and its $1.7 billion loan portfolio for $435 million, as well as Phoenix-based Southwest Student Services Corp. and its $4.8 billion portfolio for $533 million. It also bought a majority interest in Arrow Financial Services, a company that buys and seeks to collect debt that has been written off as uncollectable by the original lender. Its new subsidiaries are allowing the company to expand beyond its traditional education-related markets. For example, one of its debt-collection companies last year won a contract to collect back taxes for the state of Ohio. SLM also announced plans for a loan program for foreign students studying in the United States. This program will be modeled on the company's offerings for American students studying abroad, the company said.

Executive Compensation
President and CEO: Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
Total Cash: $2,700,000.00
Total Compensation: $8,416,700.00

Chairman, Former CEO: Albert L. Lord
Total Cash: $3,750,000.00
Total Compensation: $3,795,500.00