Banking on Connections

Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services, but organizations often struggle with where to begin. In this episode, Garrett Woody, Senior Enterprise Architect and Vice President, and Colton Connor, Vice President and Senior Manager of Data and AI Engineering, discuss how financial institutions can identify meaningful AI opportunities by aligning initiatives with business objectives. They share practical insights on driv...

June is National Homeownership Month, and for many prospective homebuyers, the path to homeownership remains challenging. In this episode of Banking on Connections, Angie Ashlaw, Lead Community Investment Operations Specialist, sits down with Jamie Lutton, Manager of Community Outreach and Engagement, to discuss how FHLBank Chicago's Downpayment Plus® (DPP®) programs are helping eligible households overcome down payment a...

Across Illinois and Wisconsin, the need for affordable housing continues to outpace supply, and for many Habitat for Humanity affiliates, building more homes has become increasingly difficult. In this episode of Banking on Connections, FHLBank Chicago introduces its new Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Habitat for Humanity Program and the collaboration behind it.

Moderated by Jamie Lutton, Manager of Community Outreach and Eng...

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 mor...

This episode of Banking on Connections features James Hotchkiss discussing the Federal Reserve’s September rate cut and its impact on the economy. The conversation centers on the Fed’s decision to lower the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, signaling a shift in monetary policy as inflation cools and the labor market slows.

Key points include:

• The Fed’s move reduces recession risks and refl...

On this episode of Banking on Connections, host Stephen Schumacher dives into one of the podcast’s most essential themes—housing—with Patrick Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Group Head of the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program.

As supply and affordability challenges persist across Illinois and Wisconsin, Patrick shares his unique 360-degree perspective on the housing industry, how the MPF Program ...

Markets are volatile, inflation is steady, and recession fears linger—but where do we really stand halfway through 2025? FHLBank Chicago's in-house Economist James Hotchkiss joins host Stephen Schumacher to break down the data, unpack consumer spending behavior, and explore what it all means for financial institutions. 

Tune in to hear: 

• Why the economy feels stuck in “wait and see” mode 
• What ...

Every organization is experiencing how quickly technology, customer preferences, and the economic landscape is changing and advancing how we work. That’s no different in the banking and finance sectors. While many teams want to find new and more efficient ways to complete work and grow the careers of its employees – how do you find time for that skill development? How does an organization embrace change and adapt strate...

As homebuyers navigate a challenging housing market, one common financial hurdle they face is having enough money to cover the down payment and closing costs. On this episode, we explore how our Downpayment Plus® (DPP®) Programs expand homeownership opportunities in Illinois and Wisconsin and how FHLBank Chicago members can participate. Representatives from our Community Investment team—Angie Ashlaw, Senior Community Investme...

James Hotchkiss, FHLBank Chicago’s in-house economist, is back to share his insights into the layers of uncertainty in the United States economy and markets. We break down the potential impacts of tariffs, job market news, consumer spending trends, and direction of interest rates. What does all this mean for consumers? What should FHLBank Chicago members and the financial sector pay attention to? Tune in as we navigate all th...

Cedric Thurman, Executive Vice President, Group Head, Community Investment at FHLBank Chicago, sits down with two of his colleagues—Toi Fields, Sr. Managing Director, Head of IT Business Management, and Sam Reindl, Director, Bank Operations—to talk about the importance of organizational culture and leveraging employee engagement. How do you build stronger connections on your team with different working styles? What can ...

We’re celebrating Small Business Saturday! In this episode, we highlight our 2024 Community First® Accelerate Grants for Small Business program with Clara Biolo-Thompson, Senior Community Investment Operations Specialist at FHLBank Chicago, and Jen Schaefer, Community Investment Operations Specialist at FHLBank Chicago. They share how the program and partnerships helped small businesses across Illinois and Wisconsin. We'll al...

On our first episode, we look into a topic that’s top of many people’s minds across the country—the housing market. Even if you aren’t selling a home or on the prowl to purchase one, you’ve likely heard stories from somebody you know attempting to navigate the strenuous process. And that can be compounded by what we hear on the news about home availability and affordability. The housing market is tough...

Banking and the financial industry are complex. At the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, we’re here to help bridge gaps and drive inclusive 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 fe...