FHLBank Chicago Announces Activity Stock Requirements to Support Demand for MPF and Letters of Credit Products
To Our Members:
Over the last several years, our Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program’s on-balance sheet products (which include MPF Original, MPF 125, MPF 35, and MPF Government loans) have provided our members with a unique and efficient secondary market channel for qualifying mortgage loans. These products have been highly popular with our members with the result that MPF loans have grown to more than 10% of our balance sheet. In order to maintain capacity to offer MPF on-balance sheet products, we will begin assessing an activity stock requirement effective May 3, 2021.
In addition, as noted earlier this year, an activity stock requirement for letters of credit was incorporated in the most recent revision of our capital plan. Much like the MPF Program, demand for our letters of credit over the last several years has been significant and, to ensure we can continue to support member demand for this product, we will also begin assessing an activity stock requirement for letters of credit effective May 3, 2021.
The potential benefit of the current dividend rate of 5% paid on B1 activity stock, is illustrated in the chart below*:
*The illustration is not necessarily indicative of future dividend rates, spreads, or the incremental benefit of the dividend. Future dividends remain subject to declaration by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Board of Directors.
**Assumes an advance is normally capitalized.
^Assumes IOER remains at this rate for the duration of the capitalized product.
For letters of credit, the new stock requirement is 0.10% of the notional amount of all letters of credit outstanding on behalf of a member. The new stock requirement will apply to all new letters of credit issued on or after May 3, 2021, and all existing letters of credit as of the time of auto-renewal (for evergreen letters of credit), term extension, or amendment for notional amount increase occurring on or after May 3, 2021. In connection with these changes, the Board of Directors is amending our capital plan, effective May 3, 2021, to increase the lower end of the range for the letters of credit percentage from 0 to 0.10%.
As always, thank you for your membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Best regards,
Matt Feldman
President and CEO
Over the last several years, our Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program’s on-balance sheet products (which include MPF Original, MPF 125, MPF 35, and MPF Government loans) have provided our members with a unique and efficient secondary market channel for qualifying mortgage loans. These products have been highly popular with our members with the result that MPF loans have grown to more than 10% of our balance sheet. In order to maintain capacity to offer MPF on-balance sheet products, we will begin assessing an activity stock requirement effective May 3, 2021.
In addition, as noted earlier this year, an activity stock requirement for letters of credit was incorporated in the most recent revision of our capital plan. Much like the MPF Program, demand for our letters of credit over the last several years has been significant and, to ensure we can continue to support member demand for this product, we will also begin assessing an activity stock requirement for letters of credit effective May 3, 2021.
Enhancing Your Dividend Benefit
The expanded assessment of a B1 activity stock requirement to encompass MPF on-balance sheet and letters of credit products in addition to advances, provides members with an increased opportunity to hold B1 activity stock which currently pays a higher dividend than B2 membership stock. The higher rate has the effect of reducing the cost of our products where a B1 activity stock requirement is assessed, thereby rewarding members that support the cooperative through their use of those products.The potential benefit of the current dividend rate of 5% paid on B1 activity stock, is illustrated in the chart below*:
| Advances | MPF | Letters of Credit | Calculation | |
| Class B1 Dividend Rate | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00% | |
| Interest on Excess Reserves (IOER)^ | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | |
| Net Dividend Benefit | 4.90% | 4.90% | 4.90% | A |
| Capital Stock Requirement | 4.50%** | 2.00% | 0.10% | B |
| Incremental Benefit of Dividend | 0.22% | 0.098% | 0.0049% | AxB |
**Assumes an advance is normally capitalized.
^Assumes IOER remains at this rate for the duration of the capitalized product.
How will the stock requirements work?
As previously noted, the B1 activity stock requirement for MPF on-balance sheet products and letters of credit will take effect on May 3, 2021.
For letters of credit, the new stock requirement is 0.10% of the notional amount of all letters of credit outstanding on behalf of a member. The new stock requirement will apply to all new letters of credit issued on or after May 3, 2021, and all existing letters of credit as of the time of auto-renewal (for evergreen letters of credit), term extension, or amendment for notional amount increase occurring on or after May 3, 2021. In connection with these changes, the Board of Directors is amending our capital plan, effective May 3, 2021, to increase the lower end of the range for the letters of credit percentage from 0 to 0.10%.
How can I learn more?
We will host webinars during the first quarter of 2021 to review these changes and to explain in more detail how the requirements will be applied, how stock will be processed, and the benefits you can obtain through Class B1 activity stock ownership. Additional information will also be shared through other online resources in the first quarter ahead of the May 3, 2021, effective date. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the upcoming changes or if we can be of assistance in any way, please contact your Sales Director.
As always, thank you for your membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Best regards,
Matt Feldman
President and CEO