Nelnet, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based conglomerate that deals in the administration and repayment of student loans and education financial services, has filed an application with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (UDFI) to establish Nelnet Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank. If the charter is granted, Nelnet Bank would operate as an Internet bank franchise with a home office in Salt Lake City. Nelnet Bank would be a separate subsidiary of Nelnet, and the industrial bank charter would allow the company to maintain its other diversified business offerings.
Nelnet has a long history in the education finance business, including more than 30 years of making private student loans. If the charter application is approved, the company’s bank subsidiary would offer a financially secure, experienced and FDIC-insured lender to the private student loan marketplace. With diversified sources of funding that include deposits and securitizations, Nelnet Bank would act as a source of funding for education-seeking consumers throughout all credit markets.
“There is a growing need for experienced, financially strong lenders that can help students and families make informed education financing decisions throughout their lives,” said Nelnet President Tim Tewes. “When in-school borrowers exhaust their federal student loan options, they need alternative sources of funding with affordable interest rates. Nelnet’s decades of experience as a lender and focus on superior customer service make us an ideal candidate to satisfy this need and bring new solutions to borrowers funding their education.”
Nelnet has hired Andrea Moss to lead the application process and then Nelnet Bank if the charter is granted. Moss previously served as president of Comenity Capital Bank and has more than 26 years of experience in the financial services industry, with expertise in executive leadership, strategy, risk mitigation and operations.
“Nelnet is proud to bring Andrea on board to contribute her expertise as we navigate the application process. If the charter is approved, we are confident her skills and experience as an industry leader will help drive the success of Nelnet Bank,” Tewes said.
Nelnet expects the charter application process to take an extended period of time and looks forward to working with the FDIC and the UDFI, Tewes said.
Nelnet is a diversified company focused on offering educational services, technology solutions, telecommunications and asset management. Nelnet helps students and families plan and pay for their education and makes the administrative processes for schools more efficient with student loan servicing, tuition payment processing and school administration software.