About FHLBank Chicago

We are a member-owned cooperative and one of 11 regional banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. We provide reliable liquidity, funding solutions, and community investment programs to our member financial institutions in Illinois and Wisconsin, helping them support housing finance, economic development, and the communities they serve.
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Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Grounded in our mission, vision, and values, we work alongside our members to advance housing solutions that strengthen communities and create lasting impact.

To partner with our members in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment in the Bank, and support for their community investment activities.

As a reliable source of liquidity and funding, we strengthen our District’s members and empower them to enhance access to quality, affordable housing. We impact every community. We aspire to ensure everyone in our District has access to quality, affordable housing by 2035.

Bold

  • We try new things and challenge ourselves to think differently and continuously improve as we learn.
  • We take the time to listen and understand all perspectives.
  • We offer innovative strategies and solutions to support our members’ communities.
  • We bring our whole, authentic selves to work.

 

Committed

  • We care about our colleagues and members.
  • We seek ways to connect with one another as individuals.
  • We share our time and resources where we can to help others.
  • We act in the best interest of the cooperative, our members, and colleagues.

 

Connected

  • We are part of a collaborative team committed to evolving our organization in support of one another and our members.
  • We are committed to building a culture that ensures the workplace is an environment where all voices are heard, respected and valued. 
  • We are dedicated to evolving and growing our culture as our goals continue to change.
  • We are stronger together and support each other through our common goals.

 

Trusted

  • We proactively share information about decisions and priorities across the organization.
  • We are a reliable source of liquidity for our members and the communities they serve.
  • We prioritize security to ensure our platforms are stable and secure for our members.
  • We build trust through honest and open communication in support of one another.

 

Clearing Hurdles for Community Investment

As a cooperative, we provide reliable liquidity to our member banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions located in Illinois and Wisconsin, focusing on the distinct needs of their individual businesses and communities.

We offer products and programs to help our members fund loans and investments held in portfolio, manage liquidity, fund mortgages into the secondary market, secure third party agreements, and achieve asset liability management goals. Through our community investment products and programs, we also help our members to provide affordable housing and economic development in their  communities.

What Working at FHLBank Chicago is Really Like

At FHLBank Chicago, work feels meaningful because every role connects to a bigger mission: strengthening communities across Illinois and Wisconsin. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s how we innovate, solve challenges, and deliver programs that make housing more affordable and local economies stronger. Our culture values growth, inclusion, and giving back. Whether you’re advancing your career through development opportunities or volunteering in the neighborhoods we serve, you’ll find purpose in what you do every day.

481

Employee powering our mission across teams and disciplines—51 new teammates and 72 internal promotions in 2024

8 years

average employee tenure—a culture built on staying power and growth

3,200+

volunteer hours logged by employees in 2024

6

Active Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) fostering inclusion and belonging across the Bank

Impacting Local Communities Since 1932

Explore the decades that have shaped our organization. Each milestone represents a commitment to our mission and our members.

2020s

Community-Centered Innovation

We launched the Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP) and Developer Program. These programs help members support the pathway to homeownership and strengthen the pipeline of housing developers across Illinois and Wisconsin.

2010s

Expanding Impact

We satisfied our Resolution Funding Corporation (REFCORP) obligations 19 years ahead of schedule and voluntarily committed 20% of annual net income to community development.

2000s

Operational Excellence

We launched the eMPF® website to streamline services for members. We also became a Securities and Exchange Commission registrant, enhancing our transparency and governance.

1990s

Secondary Market Innovation

We launched the Mortgage Partnership Finance® Program to provide members competitive secondary mortgage market access. We also welcomed our first credit union member and introduced our first website.

1980s

Transformation and Expansion

Membership expanded to include commercial banks and credit unions. Congress established the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and Community Investment (CI) Program to support affordable housing development.

1970s

Community Investment Pioneer

We pioneered the Community Investment Fund to help members revitalize older communities. This leadership in community development set the foundation for programs that continue today, including our Community Advance.

1960s

Sustained Growth

We supported members through economic prosperity and expanding homeownership. Congress strengthened our funding capacity by authorizing the Federal Reserve to purchase FHLBank debt.

1950s

Growth and Ownership

We advanced our billionth dollar in loans and achieved full member ownership. This strengthened our cooperative structure and expanded our capacity to serve communities.

1940s

Supporting Veterans

We assisted members in supporting the war effort and collaborated with the Veterans Administration to develop mortgage programs, which helped returning GIs achieve homeownership.

1930s

Foundation Established

FHLBank Chicago was chartered by Congress to support mortgage lending during the Great Depression. This marked the beginning of our commitment to providing liquidity and strengthening communities.

Join the FHLBank Chicago Team

Ready to make a difference by enabling financial institutions to invest in their communities? We are always looking for motivated individuals with an eye for finance and a heart for building stronger communities.

Careers

How We Help Communities

Explore the things that enable FHLBank Chicago to provide reliable funding to our member institutions.

Financial Information

FHLBank Chicago is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and files periodic reports. View past filings and annual reports.

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Governance
We strive to operate under the highest standards of business ethics and governance. FHLBank Chicago has implemented policies to help us serve our members and their communities with honesty and maintain their trust. 
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Leadership

We are led by committed and expert leaders on our Board of Directors and Executive Team. They all have the goal of ensuring we are providing liquidity and reliable funding to our members, supporting housing and economic development in our communities, and fostering a collaborative culture. 

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Vendor Opportunities
We believe that choosing qualified suppliers supports our efficiency and innovation, promotes growth and development, and supports job creation and economic development. 

 

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What Our Members Are Saying

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“Our partnership with FHLBank Chicago has been instrumental in helping us expand access to affordable housing. From innovative mortgage solutions to impactful community investment programs, our engaged membership enables us to make a meaningful difference for our customers and communities across Wisconsin.”
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Tim Schinkten

AVP, Loan Servicing Manage, Nicolet National Bank

“The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s mission has helped strengthen our community. We’ve been utilizing the Downpayment Plus Program since 2009, and since then we’ve been able to disperse over $7 million in funds to the community, to these homeowners, and over 1,200 families that have been assisted.”
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Sandy DeMond

SVP, Director of Community Banking, Busey Bank

“Through our FHLBank Chicago membership, we leverage the suite of liquidity and community investment products to both manage our balance sheet and increase homeownership and economic development in our communities. Letters of credit are a low-cost and effective way for us to collateralize deposits from a variety of municipalities, and we are proud to support our local schools with this product.”
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Brian Gansauer

Community Bank President, Southern Illinois Region, Peoples National Bank

“As exciting as homeownership is, many first-time homebuyers overlook the expense that comes with repairs and maintenance on their home. For some borrowers, the USDA can be a great resource that helps reduce the burden of these added expenses. Through our relationship with FHLBank Chicago, we were able to learn about opportunities like this.”
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Nick Brooks

Chief Lending Officer, IAA Credit Union