• November 08, 2023
• Bulletin No: 2023-28

In September 2022, our regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (Finance Agency), announced that it would begin a comprehensive review of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System for the purpose of ensuring that the FHLBs are able to continue fulfilling our role as a source of liquidity for our members and as a supporter of affordable housing and community development. As part of this initiative, the Finance Agency conducted numerous listening sessions and roundtables across the country with financial and affordable housing experts and invited public comments through two separate requests for input. Yesterday, in culmination of this important and exhaustive effort, the Finance Agency issued its report, FHLBank System at 100: Focusing on the Future. We acknowledge the Finance Agency for its thoughtful consideration of key issues and for the level of engagement with the Federal Home Loan Banks, its members and other important stakeholders. We look forward to continued engagement with our members, community and housing partners, the FHLBank System and the Finance Agency as we consider and, as appropriate, implement the recommendations contained in the report.

As we continue to evaluate the implications of the Finance Agency’s report, we want to reiterate our ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of service to you, our members, regardless of size or location. The diversity of our membership base is one of our strengths as a member-owned cooperative. We understand the importance of being a reliable liquidity provider at all times, especially during challenging economic conditions.

In addition to the many existing FHLB Dallas programs and products, we continue to look for opportunities to address affordable housing and community development needs in our District.  Our ongoing engagement with member and non-member community development financial institutions (CDFIs) has helped us identify how we can better support their critical efforts on behalf of underserved and lower-income communities. As a result, initiatives are in development that will increase collateral availability for mortgage loans to low-income borrowers and establish a revolving loan fund to support affordable housing and economic development. 

Additionally, we continue to explore opportunities to further support the Bank’s small and rural members.

Our commitment to you goes beyond our primary role of providing liquidity and supporting affordable housing and community development. Through our disaster relief programs and charitable contributions we have proven our commitment to supporting our members and the communities you serve through times of crisis, and that will not change.

We express our sincere appreciation to those who engaged with the Finance Agency during this review, whether through participation in one of the listening sessions or roundtables, or by providing comments in support of the FHLB System. Please know that these efforts were essential to ensuring that the Finance Agency had feedback from the most important stakeholders, the FHLB System members.  As we move forward, there will likely be additional opportunities for you to share your perspective on the content within the FHLBank System at 100 Report. In the meantime, should you have any questions or comments please contact your Member Sales Officer or Member Services at 844.FHL.BANK (844.345.2265).
 
Sincerely,
 
Sanjay K. Bhasin
President and Chief Executive Officer