FHLBank Chicago

We provide competitively priced funding and support for community investment activities for our member financial institutions in Illinois and Wisconsin.

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

We’re proud to partner with our member, @BMO_US, to provide a $190,000 Community First® Developer Program grant to The Resurrection Project (@TRPistas), and a $250,000 Community First® Developer Program grant to the Illinois Housing Council (@illinoishousing), supporting the next generation of affordable housing developers. Read more on our website: https://t.co/tnWjTc6IUY

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

A $10,000 DPP® grant helped Bobbi Penn buy a home. Now she's a mortgage lender helping other families do the same.

There's no better time to share a story like Bobbi's than #NationalHomeownershipMonth. Read more on our website: https://t.co/8eDAaTzmik

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

During National Homeownership Month, we're reflecting on the impact that housing counseling can have on the path to homeownership. The 2025 FHLBank System Impact Report from @FHLBanksVoice highlights how our Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program is helping housing counseling agencies expand services that prepare more individuals and families for long-term financial stability and homeownership, alongside down payment assistance available through the Downpayment Plus® Program. https://t.co/TydvFkvVUm

#NationalHomeownershipMonth

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

We enjoyed coming together last month for the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge! It was a great evening of fitness and team building, with the proceeds from this year’s race going to the
@AssocHouse of Chicago, which has been supporting local communities for over 100 years.

We had nearly 50 runners completing the 3.5 mile race, and many more employees joining as spectators. Thanks to everyone for their participation and we look forward to next year! #JPCC

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

The stories behind our work deserve to be seen and heard—and now we have a new way to share them. We're excited to launch our FHLBank Chicago YouTube channel, featuring member stories, community impact, employee spotlights, and more.

See how we support our members, strengthen housing and community development, and invest in communities across Illinois and Wisconsin. Subscribe and follow along: https://t.co/L8ucNF0nZg

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

This week, we brought together emerging developers, members, and housing leaders from across Wisconsin for our Community First® Developer Program convening in Milwaukee.

Through meaningful conversations and new connections, attendees explored ways to strengthen the affordable housing development pipeline, expand opportunities for emerging professionals, and advance housing solutions across Wisconsin. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the discussion.

Applications for our 2026 Developer Program open June 29. Learn more: https://t.co/yAhFrg3tjr

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Great leadership takes investment. Our CHAMP program pairs experienced leaders with newer managers for six months of coaching, mentorship, and growth.

In 2025, we welcomed a new cohort – building the next generation of leaders from within. Learn more about how we’re cultivating a high-performing, engaged workforce on our website: https://t.co/egeqMspDNG

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

In celebration of Small Business Month, we’re highlighting how FHLBank Chicago’s Community Advance is helping strengthen local businesses and revitalize communities. In downtown Greenville, Illinois, our member FNB Community Bank harnessed more than $1 million in Community Advance funding to support downtown redevelopment projects that brought historic buildings back to life, opened new small businesses, and expanded housing options.

Read the full story here: https://t.co/FxPtlEtMrJ

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

We’re excited to welcome our 2026 intern class to FHLBank Chicago!

This accomplished group will be joining teams across the organization to gain professional experience in their field. Over the course of the program, they will grow their skills, gain hand-on experience, and contribute to meaningful work that supports both our members and communities.

We can’t wait to see all they learn and accomplish this summer.

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Read more about our new MPF® Habitat for Humanity® Program in this month’s issue of Banknotes Magazine. Thanks to the Community Bankers Association of Illinois for the @MPFProgram shout out – we look forward to working with our members to deliver affordable, below‑market rate loans to homebuyers working with @HabitatIllinois. https://t.co/fCXsD2SUUh

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Last week, members of our Board and leadership team joined FHLBank System colleagues in Washington, D.C., for the annual Director’s Conference—an important opportunity to connect leaders from across the country on issues impacting our members. We also took time to meet with Members of Congress and advocate for the housing, community development, and liquidity needs that make impact in communities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Across Illinois and Wisconsin, rising costs, supply constraints, and financing barriers continue to challenge the delivery of affordable housing. These pressures directly impact Habitat for Humanity affiliates’ ability to build more homes and serve more families across the region.

In a recent episode of FHLBank Chicago’s Banking on Connections podcast, Patrick Sullivan, EVP and Group Head of our Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program, discussed how the new MPF® Habitat for Humanity Program was designed to help address those challenges through collaboration, flexible underwriting and access to liquidity that can help Habitat affiliates reinvest capital faster and build more homes.

Listen to the full episode: https://t.co/BOvcfMG6n0

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Solving the housing supply crisis takes more than capital – it takes the right conversations.

In 2025, FHLBank Chicago partnered with the @UrbanInstitute to convene housing leaders and explore collaborative solutions to supply challenges across our district: https://t.co/Yv2s9hzsAy

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

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://t.co/ztm8N22pIx

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

We’re proud to partner with our member, @WaterSoneBank, to provide a $250,000 Community First® Developer Program grant to Northernstar Companies, LLC.

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.

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Developing forward-thinking leaders takes investment. In 2025, FHLBank Chicago sent two employees to the inaugural @Chi_Innovation Fellows Program alongside a cross-industry cohort of leaders.

Explore the full story on our website: https://t.co/LyEXBigSkX

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

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.

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

What does it take to build more affordable homes today?

In a recent episode of Banking on Connections, Sarah Brachle Wagner, CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, discusses the rising costs and growing challenges impacting affordable housing development — and how the MPF® Habitat for Humanity® Program is helping affiliates reinvest capital faster to build more homes and serve more families. Listen here: https://t.co/BOvcfMG6n0

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

Leadership in action means bringing the right voices to the table, creating space for real dialogue.

We’re proud to bring voices together—convening policymakers (@TonyWied), lenders (@wisbank @WICULeague), and partners to tackle housing and economic challenges across Wisconsin.

Watch the video below and read the full story here: https://t.co/k7TIRzM4iH

[FHLBank Chicago @FHLBC]

We’re proud to partner with our member, @IFFcdfi, to provide a $250,000 Community First® Developer Program grant to the FIT Investment Group, supporting the next generation of affordable housing developers.

Through fellowships and internships, FIT’s emerging developers will get hands-on experience supporting mixed-use affordable housing projects, including developments in Chicago and Milwaukee that bring together housing, community space, and local partnerships.