On December 31, 2010, The Student Loan Corporation (“SLC,” NYSE: STU), a leading originator and servicer of student loans, and Citibank N.A. completed a series of transactions that allowed Citi to exit the student loan business and continue its strategic reduction of assets held in Citi Holdings. The transaction was structured in three parts including an agreement to sell SLC’s operating business and $4.0 billion in student loans to Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DSF). Separately, SLM Corporation (“Sallie Mae,” NYSE: SLM) agreed to acquire $28.0 billion of securitized federal student loans and related assets while Citi agreed to acquire $8.7 billion in federal and private student loans. Public shareholders of SLC were entitled to receive $30 per share, a 42% premium to SLC’s closing price on the last trading day prior to announcement. Moelis & Company acted as financial advisor to the Special Transaction Committee of SLC’s Board of Directors and issued a number of fairness opinions.
