Chicago President Likely to Focus on Business Side Officials with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago fulfilled industry expectations when they chose a candidate with significant banking experience as the new head of the GSE. J. Mikesell Thomas, a financial advisor who had previously served as an executive with First Chicago Corp. – acquired by Bank One in 1998 – and Lazard Freres & Company, was named president and CEO of the Chicago FHLBank on Aug.