House Financial Services testimony from the Council of FHLBanks and FHLBank Topeka highlighted the system’s liquidity role, regional model, and calls to expand mortgage-program authority.
Testimony to the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance from the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks and FHLBank Topeka presented the Federal Home Loan Bank System as a member-owned liquidity backstop for regulated financial institutions and a support channel for housing affordability and community development. Council President and CEO Ryan Donovan said the 11-bank system has delivered more than $9 billion in Affordable Housing Program grant funding since 1990, while FHLBank Topeka Board Chair Barry Lockard said the system’s regional structure helps community lenders respond to local needs and argued that Congress could unlock more resources for homeowners by allowing the FHLBanks to grow their mortgage programs.