Federal Home Loan Banks: Shaping the Future of Affordable Housing and Community Investment

This event offered a comprehensive exploration of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) and their mission to provide liquidity to member financial institutions to support housing and community investment. It looked at how these cooperatives, as private sector entities, serve their liquidity mission and how that encourages affordable housing finance in America while preserving local, regional, and community-based banking.

Through expert-led panels, attendees explored how these cooperatives, as private-sector entities, advance affordable housing finance while preserving local, regional, and community-based banking. Discussions covered the full range of priorities of the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), including workforce housing, homeownership, and community development initiatives. Sessions explored the structure and benefits of FHLBank liquidity programs, opportunities for improving the program to meet evolving housing challenge, and strategies for modernizing the system to support future housing finance demands.

EVENT MATERIALS

Does Lending By The FHLBs Impact The FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund? An Independent Analysis of Empirical Studies and a Case Study on Silicon Valley Bank
January 9, 2025

FHLBanks 2023 Impact Report
June 2024

Unlocking Affordable Housing Solutions: How Member Banks Leverage Federal Home Loan Banks

The FHLBanks were created by Congress in 1932 and modernized by Congressional action as recently as 2008 and 2015. Today’s FHLBanks have been charged by Congress with serving the modern finance sector and enabling member institutions to remain liquid, expand access to affordable housing, and support community investment. Experts will discuss today’s utilization, the various programs offered by FHLBanks and the resulting impact on housing and community development. Attendees will gain insight into how member banks strategically leverage these resources to meet regulatory requirements, serve local housing needs, and contribute to economic growth.

• Jill Cetina, Executive Professor, Associate Director of Commercial Banking Program, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University (Moderator) – Slides 
• Aaron Klein, Miriam K. Carliner Chair and Senior Fellow in Economic Studies, Brookings Institution
• Joe Pigg, Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel, American Bankers Association
• Stockton Williams, Executive Director, NCSHA

FHLBanks’ Affordable Housing Program: Unlocking Opportunities and Addressing Future Needs

As one of the largest private sector contributors to addressing the nation’s Affordable Housing needs, the FHLBanks’ AHP is a key contributor to solving the housing crisis. Experts will explore the structure and operation of AHP, its benefits to low- and moderate-income households, and successful projects. Panelists will also discuss challenges and areas for improvement, offering insights into how AHP can evolve to meet future housing needs. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of AHP’s impact and potential enhancements to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis.

• Sarah Brundage, President and CEO, NAAHL  (Moderator)
• Laura Archuleta, President and CEO, Jamboree Housing Corporation
• Sharon Cornelissen, Director of Housing, Consumer Federation of America
• Janneke Ratcliffe, Vice President, Housing Finance Policy, Urban Institute – Slides
• Robin Wiessmann, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

“A Century of Impact: Examining the FHLBank System’s Legacy and Future”

As the FHLBank System approaches its 100th anniversary, this session will examine the future direction and needs of the nation’s lenders as consolidation in the banking sector continues. Panelists will offer a critical analysis of the system’s effectiveness in supporting housing finance, community investment, and liquidity for member institutions. Key topics will include innovative initiatives within FHLBanks and the necessary steps to better address today’s and tomorrow’s housing and community investment and economic challenges.

• David Dworkin, President and CEO, National Housing Conference (Moderator)
• Ryan Donovan, President and CEO, Council of Federal Home Loan Banks
• Bart Dzivi, The Dzivi Law Firm – Slides 
• Jim Hilton, Partner, Ludwig Advisors
• Jim Tobin, President and CEO, National Association of Homebuilders