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.
Expanding Homeownership Supply in Illinois and Wisconsin: A Conversation with Urban Institute
What will it take to expand and preserve the supply of homes for purchase in Illinois and Wisconsin?
In this episode of Banking on Connections, FHLBank Chicago Community Investment Officer Katie Naftzger speaks with Laurie Goodman, Institute Fellow and founder of the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute, about new released Urban Institute research examining the region’s owner-occupied housing supply.
Their conversation explores the effects of aging housing stock, limited new construction and barriers to rehabilitation. They also discuss perspectives shared by FHLBank Chicago members and housing stakeholders, along with opportunities to support home rehabilitation, mitigate construction and lending risk, and strengthen local development capacity.
23 Sept 2026
A Stronger Path to Homeownership: The Impact of Housing Counseling
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make, and the path to sustainable homeownership can be complex. In this episode of Banking on Connections, FHLBank Chicago’s Jamie Lutton sits down with Sharon Legenza, executive director of Housing Action Illinois, and David Young, director of capacity building, to explore how housing counseling helps prospective and current homeowners make informed decisions throughout their homeownership journey.
They discuss the value of engaging with a housing counselor early, the challenges facing housing counseling organizations today and how strong partnerships between counselors and financial institutions can help build a pipeline of informed, prepared homebuyers. The conversation also explores how FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program helps strengthen the housing counseling network and how programs such as Downpayment Plus® can help members support eligible homebuyers on the path to homeownership.
20 Jul 2026
FHLBank Week: 94 Years of Strengthening Communities
In recognition of FHLBank Week, host David Feldhaus sits down with FHLBank Chicago President and CEO Michael Ericson and Board Chair Michelle Gross to discuss the enduring mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
Together, they explore how FHLBanks provide reliable liquidity to member financial institutions, support local lending, expand housing opportunities and help communities navigate changing economic conditions. The conversation also examines the System's evolution over more than nine decades, lessons learned from recent market events, efforts to address housing affordability, and how FHLBanks are preparing to meet the future needs of members and the communities they serve.
Who has been a guest on Banking on Connections
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
James Hotchkiss
Toi Fields
Sam Reindl
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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