Banking and the financial industry are complex. At the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, we’re here to help bridge gaps and drive conversations that showcase how banking connects all of us. On this podcast, you’ll meet FHLBank Chicago employees and other financial and housing industry thought leaders, discover products and programs that help create thriving communities, gain the latest market insights, and feel more connected to a vital part of the U.S. financial system.
Episodes
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Building affordable housing takes more than funding and land — it takes skilled developers.
In this episode of Banking on Connections, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago highlights how it is strengthening the affordable housing talent pipeline through its Community First® Developer Program.
In 2025, FHLBank Chicago awarded $5.9 million through the Developer Program to organizations across Illinois and Wisconsin, supporting more than 110 internships and fellowships designed to build real-world development expertise. These grants help nonprofit and mission-driven organizations hire, train, and mentor emerging professionals gaining hands-on experience in project management, predevelopment planning, construction, and financing.
Featuring perspectives from Developer Program grant recipients and their member partners, the episode shows how FHLBank Chicago’s funding is expanding organizational capacity, strengthening local housing ecosystems, and supporting the skilled developers needed to move affordable housing projects forward.
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!