Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Solving the housing supply crisis requires more than just capital. It takes coordination, data, and the willingness to bring the right people into the same room. In 2025, FHLBank Chicago partnered with the Urban Institute to do exactly that. Through landmark convenings in Milwaukee and Chicago, we brought together housing leaders from across our district – including Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), Illinois Housing Development Authority, CDFIs, developers and member financial institutions – to examine supply gaps, identify barriers, and explore collaborative strategies across metropolitan, suburban, rural and tribal markets. These convenings mark the start of a multi-year commitment to deepen our understanding of the role we play in the housing ecosystem and strengthen how we and our members show up for communities. Explore more about our housing leadership efforts on our website: https://bit.ly/4uoZttw

When local lenders have reliable access to liquidity, they can do more. You can see that impact clearly in the projects and communities our members support. Chief Lending Officer Chris Maschhoff of 1NB Bank recently shared how the bank utilized FHLBank Chicago Community Advances totaling more than $1.5 million to support the construction of new single-family homes across southern Illinois, expanding access to housing in smaller communities. It’s a clear example of #LendingThatPowersCommunities—connecting reliable liquidity to real, local impact. Read more in a recent article from our President and CEO Michael Ericson: https://bit.ly/4eyEeR1

We’re proud to see Illinois Institute of Technology spotlight Victoria Vann, M.B.A., whose three-year internship with our Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Management team reflects the value of combining classroom learning with hands-on experience at FHLBank Chicago.     Her journey is a strong example of the impact of our early career programs, and we’re excited to see her continue growing at the Bank! 

We’re proud to partner with our member, WaterStone Bank, to provide a $250,000 Community First® Developer Program grant to Northernstar Companies. Through hands-on fellowships, emerging developers will gain experience in affordable housing preservation, new construction development, and community revitalization efforts that support long-term housing stability for families across Wisconsin.

Innovation doesn't just happen – it's cultivated through the right experiences, the right mentors, and the right environment. In 2025, FHLBank Chicago sent two employees to participate in the inaugural Chicago Innovation Fellows Program – a six-month leadership program developed in partnership with Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management's Center for Research in Technology and Innovation. Garrett Woody and Amy Shi joined a cross-industry cohort of leaders for workshops, access to thought leaders, and hands-on learning designed to help fellows drive transformational change from within their organizations. As Garrett put it: "Instead of asking 'why,' I learned to ask 'why not.’” Explore the full story on our website: https://bit.ly/493yriM

Members of our leadership team and Board of Directors enjoyed their time in Washington D.C. this week for the 2026 FHLBank Directors Conference—bringing the voices of our members and communities to the Hill. From access to liquidity, to community development, to housing supply and affordability solutions, it’s critical to engage with policymakers and FHLBank System peers to advocate for the resources and partnerships that help strengthen Illinois and Wisconsin.

We were pleased to attend the The Wisconsin Credit Union League Convention in Madison this week. Great to see our very own Richard Moran and Raj M. representing FHLBank Chicago and connecting with members and partners from across Wisconsin.

What does it actually take to put more individuals and families in affordable homes — and what's been standing in the way? In a recent episode of Banking on Connections, Sarah Brachle Wagner, CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, shares a look at what's driven up the cost of building affordable homes — and how dramatically rising labor, materials, and land costs have changed what's possible for organizations like Habitat. Listen to the full episode to learn more about the challenges shaping affordable housing development today — and how the MPF® Habitat for Humanity® Program is helping Habitat affiliates reinvest capital faster to build more homes and serve more families: https://bit.ly/41SGsTC

We are seeking a partner to support the delivery of a Bank-owned orchestration layer—a key capability that will enable improved integration, resiliency, and visibility across enterprise systems. This engagement will follow a structured, phased approach, with clearly defined requirements and expectations for delivery. We are looking for partners with strong experience in enterprise integration, event-driven architecture, and delivery in regulated environments. If your organization has relevant experience and is interested in participating, please visit our website and fill out our form to express interest by May 28, 2026: https://bit.ly/3RmNX34

Leadership in action means bringing the right voices to the table—and creating space for real dialogue. We recently convened a roundtable with Congressman Tony Wied, community lenders, trade associations, and housing partners to discuss the affordable housing and economic development challenges facing communities across Wisconsin’s 8th District. By connecting policymakers with the institutions and stakeholders closest to their communities, we’re helping ensure that local insights shape real solutions. From addressing housing affordability to advancing economic opportunity, collaboration with stakeholders like Rose Oswald Poels (Wisconsin Bankers Association), Sarah Wainscott (The Wisconsin Credit Union League), and Joe Fazio (Bristol Morgan Bank) is critical to driving meaningful progress.  We’re proud to lead these conversations—and to work alongside our members and partners to strengthen the communities they serve. Watch the video below and read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4boZNQz