After giving birth to her fourth child, Amber Cole, of Clinton, Mississippi, knew it was time to move on from her cramped apartment. Aided by a $15,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas)through its member Trustmark National Bank, she was able to buy her first home.

Through member institutions, HELP assists income-qualified, first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. FHLB Dallas set aside $6.5 million of its 2023 Affordable Housing Program funds for HELP.  For 2024, FHLB Dallas has allocated $15.5 million for the program.

Ms. Cole, 36, discovered the HELP program through Trustmark, her mortgage lender.  She used the funds  for her down payment and closing costs on a four-bedroom, single-family home in Clinton.

“This house is what I’ve always dreamed of,” said Ms. Cole. “I now live in a district with a great school system, and my neighbors have been so supportive since I moved in. I finally have the right house to raise my family.” 

Trustmark National Bank played a vital role in the homebuying process, from start to finish.

“Every customer has unique financial needs, and we are delighted that we could understand and fulfill Ms. Cole’s,” said Jaime Sisson, vice president, fair and responsible banking – senior CRA manager at Trustmark National Bank. “We strive to be there for our customers and are proud to have supported Ms. Cole as she took this important step.”

HELP enables member institutions to expand their financial reach and help more customers fulfill their dream of homeownership.

“With 22 HELP grants worth more than $300,000 since the beginning of 2023, Trustmark National Bank has made a sizable commitment to supporting first-time homebuyers,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Visit fhlb.com/help to learn more about the program.

Do you have a success story using FHLB Dallas programs? We would love to hear from you! Submit your story here.