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.
Banking on Connections
Claim This Podcastby FHLBank Chicago
5.0(3 reviews)
16 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
15
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality16
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/9/2024
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15
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality16
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
5
Excellent Areas
1
Good Performance
13
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
19 minutes
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good
Show Notes Quality
3.0/5
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Recent Episodes
June 18, 2026
National Homeownership Month: Opening Doors to Homeownership with the Downpayment Plus® Programs
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 and closing cost barriers on the path to homeownership. Together, they explore the housing affordability challenges facing households across Illinois and Wisconsin, including rising home prices, limited housing inventory, and increasing upfront costs. You'll also hear perspectives from FHLBank Chicago member institutions about what they're seeing in their communities and how DPP is helping more individuals and families achieve their homeownership goals.
April 22, 2026
A New Path to Affordable Housing: The MPF® Habitat for Humanity® Program
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 Engagement at FHLBank Chicago, the conversation features Patrick Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Group Head of Mortgage Partnership Finance® Program at FHLBank Chicago; Sarah Brachle Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity; and Peter Lewandowski, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin. Together, they walk through the realities shaping Habitat’s work today, from rising construction and land costs to the challenges of funding homes under a traditional model where capital is tied up over time. The discussion also explores how third-party lending and new approaches to financing are helping affiliates access capital more quickly. The MPF Habitat for Humanity Program builds on that shift by combining interest rate subsidies, flexible underwriting, and access to the secondary market to create a more consistent, standardized solution. The goal is straightforward: help Habitat affiliates reinvest capital faster, build more homes, and serve more families.
January 15, 2026
Building the Next Generation of Affordable Housing Developers
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.
16 total episodes available
Recent guests on Banking on Connections
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James Hotchkiss
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Toi Fields
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Sam Reindl
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Banking on Connections?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 6 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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