Federal Home Loan Banks

Browse articles from all of our Newsletters related to Federal Home Loan Banks.

May 18, 2012 - Inside The GSEs

FHFA Sees a Future Role for FHLBanks

The “scalability” of the nation’s 12 Federal Home Loan Banks as well as their demonstrated ability to access global markets could play a significant role in their favor as policymakers ponder the future of the FHLBank System in a post-Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac housing market, the FHLBanks’ chief regulator told bank directors and executives last week. During a speech at the annual Federal Home Loan Banks Directors Conference in Washington, DC, Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Edward DeMarco noted the banks already have strong relationships, including a cooperative ownership structure, with their nearly 8,000 front-line local lenders.


May 4, 2012 - Inside The GSEs

FHLBank Earnings Jump in First Quarter

The Federal Home Loan Bank Office of Finance announced this week that preliminary combined net income for the FHLBanks jumped 42.3 percent to $733 million in the first quarter of 2012, up from $515 million from the end of the fourth quarter and a whopping 104.7 percent increase from the same period last year. The FHLBank system’s $375 million year-over-year income increase was driven by lower other-than-temporary impairment charges, higher net gains on derivatives, hedged items and financial instruments carried at fair value, and lower assessments, partially offset by lower net interest income, said the Office of Finance.


April 20, 2012 - Inside The GSEs

FHFA Revises Categories for Examination Findings

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has revised and consolidated its categories for safety and soundness and Affordable Housing Program examination findings pertaining to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks, the FHFA announced in a recent advisory bulletin. Examination findings are deficiencies related to risk management, risk exposure, or violations of laws, regulations or orders that affect the performance or condition of a regulated entity, according to the FHFA.


April 20, 2012 - Inside The GSEs

Chicago FHLB Cease-and-Desist Order Lifted

Four and a half years after it was placed on a form of probation, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago was officially released from its consent cease-and-desist order by the Federal Housing Finance Agency this week. FHFA Acting Director Edward DeMarco said the Finance Agency terminated the order because of improvements in the Bank’s financial condition and capital position, resolution of the agency’s risk management concerns and consideration of “specific comments and assurances made by the FHLBank’s board of directors to FHFA.”


April 19, 2012 - Mortgage Beat

FHLBank of Chicago Freed From Cease and Desist Order and Other Things Affecting the GSEs

For this week’s issue of Inside The GSEs, we will delve into the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s decision this week to terminate its cease and desist order against the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago because the Bank has improved its financial condition. “The Chicago FHLBank’s...


April 6, 2012 - Inside The GSEs

FHLBank Agency MBS Investments Slip in 4Q 2011

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities remained the preferred investment choice of the Federal Home Loan Banks during the fourth quarter of 2011, with a minor decline posted from the previous quarter, according to a new analysis by Inside The GSEs based on data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Ginnie Mae securities likewise posted a decline within the 12 FHLBank system during the three-month period ending Dec. 31, 2011. GSE MBS accounted for 69.6 percent of combined FHLBank MBS portfolios, down 2.1 percent from the third quarter of 2011. The Finance Agency’s data do not separately break out Fannie and Freddie volume or share.


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Are current mortgage underwriting standards too tough?

Yes, they don’t reflect current market conditions and need to be adjusted to allow borrowers with below 700 FICO scores and smaller downpayments to qualify for mortgages.
Yes, and something needs to be done to significantly reduce repurchase or buyback risk so that lenders don’t apply even tougher underwriting overlays.
No, the standards are appropriate given current risks and the major default problems the mortgage market has experienced over the past several years.

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